New Wave Rave: Rock Around the Clock of Seagulls

New year, new you is an understatement for Oona Lockhart.  Having a New Year's Day birthday is one thing.  But in 1982, when she turns nineteen, she embarks on a brand-new life.  One minute, she's preparing to jam with her band; the next, she wakes up to find she's fifty-one.  That's right.  By some cosmic hiccup, Oona has become a time traveler.  At the stroke of midnight on each birthday, she "leaps" to another year in her life.  If time is money, than Oona's a pauper -- even though she's a millionaire.  (Time travel may be tough on the soul, but it's gold when playing the stocks.)  Her only guidance comes in the form of the letters she writes herself the year before, although they raise more questions than answers.  Because this is the story of Oona Out of Order, and it's one wild ride.  

Written by Ukrainian-born novelist Margarita Montimore, Oona Out of Order is different from anything I've read, not so much because of the time travel (I see you, The Time Traveler's Wife and The Midnight Library), but because of its vibe.  Although it's women's fiction, it doesn't have that pink gumball chick lit taste, which I appreciate (despite having a palate for said gumball), if only for the novelty.  Instead, it glitters with the grit of New York City's club scene, sex, drugs, and rock and roll ruling the earlier years of Oona's life.  Through it all, she grows and changes, the only constants her mom and music.  Both anchor her through the confusion and heartache that come with hurtling through the space-time continuum.  There's also a bit of a mystery going on, and I could kick myself (as per usual) for not figuring it out.  But I'll be a good little blogger and not breathe a word in case you decide to read this.     

Woven with what-ifs and dark romance, Oona Out of Order haunts you long after you're read the last page.  It would make a great movie, its poignant message intensified by a killer wardrobe and soundtrack.  Beautifully written, it keeps you guessing -- and entertained -- as you join Oona on each new journey to unlock the keys to her life and heart.                    

Book Report: (Some Words About) How I Became A Famous Novelist by Steve Hely

I used to be the kind of person who read at least a novel a week. My reading has sadly dropped off since I began work on The Tote Trove. But during today's lunch break I decided to do something about that and began reading How I Became A Famous Novelist by Steve Hely, which I bought in Central Park during my weekend trip with the bf's sister and step-sister this past fall. So far the main character has explained how his English degree landed him the dubious job of writing kids' college application essays. It's one of those subversive tells-it-like-it-is tales that thumbs its nose at everything. So naturally I'm into it. It's the first really intellectual book I've read since The Time Traveler's Wife, and that was months ago. Reading even just that small bit today made me realize how much I miss good books. Maybe that's because fiction is the only place where anyone can really be honest. Funny how that works.

Movie Moment: The Time Traveler's Wife

As soon as I saw the first commercial for The Time Traveler's Wife, I knew I had to see it. It promised to be one of those magical, heart-sweeping sagas that demands tissues. How did the movie stack up? Well, it did demand tissues. But it was more disturbing than magical and ended with many unanswered questions. Also, there were a few gory parts bad enough to make me cover my eyes. Even so, it wasn't bad. Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana were very good in it -- it just wasn't what I expected. I'd really like to read the book, though. Nine times out of ten the book is better than the movie anyway. In this case, I think it will probably tackle those unanswered questions and delve more deeply into the fine points of time travel as well as the couple's relationship.