I'm about a third of the way through a new non-fiction book called The Dream Of The Great American Novel and I've picked up so many great ideas for future reads my head is almost spinning.  What started out a very dry read (think 19th Century American Lit textbook dry) has become fascinating and I've jotted down so many little notes on "forgotten" novels that were bestsellers of their day but became quickly forgotten as time passed.

My TBR pile for my Kindle is ridiculously expanding, but thankfully not my wallet. The great thing about so many of the novels mentioned are that they are free on Kindle. 

The Song Of The Lark by Willa Cather is something I wasn't familiar with and already I'm drawn into the story of a woman who leaves her hometown to pursue her passionate interest in the piano only to discover she is much more talented as a singer...absolutely loving it so far.

Lawrence Buell not only writes well, he shares a lot of information that would be useful to both American literature students and anyone passionate about the history of the novel. You don't have to be a former or present English major to love this, but Lawrence Buell's book may make you giddy if you are one! :)

I just wanted to post this today. I'm not sure if anyone reading this needs it or not, but I know it helps me to remember the above words sometimes. If there's that one person in your  life that you're convinced doesn't particularly like you and it bothers you because you honestly feel you've been as nice as possible (and even had hoped at one point to be friends) just remember: if being yourself and as decent a person as possible is "not enough for them, it will certainly be for someone else." :)

"Wings" by Haerts (a free iTunes song of the week not too long ago) just shuffled on to my player and, as always, when I'm caught by surprise, the beauty and Fleetwood Mac-ness of it all takes my breath away. It's one of those rare tracks by a new artist that makes me want to run around like an idiot telling anyone who will listen what a super great song it is.

Music has always held amazing power for me. One of the few good things about American Horror Story for me this season has been the Misty/Stevie Nicks storyline. Misty is a very endearing (burned at the stake and come back to life) witch played by Lily Rabe, who infuses her character with exactly the right balance of vulnerability and enthusiasm.

Aside from her frequent tendency to twirl around like Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman, she is an extremely likable person, with an intense fondness for all things Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. In a rather adorable scene two weeks ago, Misty fainted upon having the chance to meet her favorite singer in person (Stevie Nicks, being a really good sport, played herself, taking full advantage of her "White Witch" nickname.)

I'm kind of rambling now, but the thing of it is I totally get that kind of fascination on Misty's part...not so much with the singer, as with how the singer is the conduit for the music. I don't think Misty is fixated on Stevie Nicks as much as she is all that her favorite singer represents. In an episode earlier this season, Lily Rabe gave one of the best performances, as her character tries to explain what music can do to a person.

"Doesn't it just penetrate your soul?" She asks Zoe, a young woman who has stumbled upon the little hut Misty lives in. The look in Rabe's eyes, the sincerity and power of it, backs up her question and gets it just right. Because when music speaks to you like it can, it truly does penetrate your soul.

There are quite a few Carpenters tribute albums out there, some rather good, if not totally out there and a little bit WTF? (check out 1994's alt rock If I Were A Carpenter ) and some more along the lines of interesting but... (see the above.)

 I've never heard of Jenny Sinclair before so I have no clue what her musical background is. She certainly has a pleasant enough voice...very close to Karen Carpenter's pitch, in fact.

But the whole disco aspect to Forever Carpenters  is kind of odd. I have to say, though, the cover of "(They Long To Be) Close To You" is very much in spirit with the sweetness of it all. :)

Digging through old boxes and finding soundtracks I used to absolutely adore, I especially got a kick out of this one: Fast Forward. The movie came out in the mid-80s and my sister and I just loved it, no matter that it was completely horrible when we saw it on cable years later.

The music doesn't sound so bad all this time later, though, and is actually decent enough for a good exercise work-out. Yeah, it sounds awfully cheesy at times, but Siedah Garrett, known more her songwriting skills and backing vocals, sings lead on many of the tracks and her voice is nothing to sneeze at :)