By K.C. Georges & Rachel Reinke
A&E Editors ’06

Books

My Losing Season by Pat Conroy. Pat Conroy is a senior at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. It’s his last season as a basketball player and he’s faced with a terrible coach and a team full of foulmouthed cadets. The story of his life and ability to learn from loss make this book hard to put down. If you haven’t yet: The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, and The Lords of Discipline also by Pat Conroy.

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen. This is the real account of the author who ends up in a mental institution after attempting suicide at age 18. While she is there she encounters people of all kinds, many of which become her friends: from Polly, the cheerful burn victim, to the mysterious sociopath Lisa. Also check out: Asa, as I Knew Him and The Camera My Mother Gave Me, both by Susanna Kaysen.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. This autobiography of the hilarious David Sedaris presents his mastery of learning the English language, living in France, and trying many different occupations, with amusing outcomes from each. David Sedaris’s life story is, in a word, unconventional, and keeps the entertainment coming throughout his explorations. Also by David Sedaris: Naked, Barrel Fever, and Holidays On Ice.

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. The English author of About A Boy tells the story of a middle-aged record shop owner and his crazy antics to win back the girl who changed his life. Just trying to interpret the funny British slang is amusing enough. It’s Chock full of cynically hilarious observations on life, music, and love that only Nick Hornby can provide. If you like it: About A Boy, How to Be Good, and Fever Pitch, also by Nick Hornby.

The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown. This international murder mystery has quickly taken readers everywhere by storm. It’s hard to go anywhere without hearing its eternal praises, and it will surely be gracing the reading lists of many pool-goers this summer. It is a fascinating and page-turning thriller, sure to keep you guessing until the very last page. Also recommended: the prequel, Angels and Demons, which helps for more thorough understanding of the next book.

Movies

Anything by Cameron Crowe. Particularly Say Anything… , Jerry Maguire, and Almost Famous for their wonderful stories and believable characters. All of these are tales about love whether it is for an unreachable girl, a job worth doing, or music at a time when it really meant something.
One Crazy Summer. This is the perfect movie to get you into a summer mood and really light fare after killing your brain studying for exams. It boasts a very young and oh so adorable John Cusack as the main character in Nantucket for the summer. Not to mention some rockin’ songs by Demi Moore. Okay, so whenever Demi Moore comes on I tend to mute the TV, but Cusack, Bobcat Goldthwait, and Curtis Armstrong (better known as Booger from Revenge of the Nerds) more than make up for it.

High Fidelity. And now, for the older better version of John Cusack. If you have yet to see this movie, rent it. Rent it now! Not only does it have a great story line, brought to life from Nick Hornby’s novel, it has a tremendous soundtrack. The movie centers around Rob and his unsuccessful love life. As his latest relationship ends, he gives us a countdown of his all time top 5 breakups. Imagine how great this is, and then, add in Jack Black and Mr. Bruce Springsteen. It’s definitely made my top 5 favorite films.

Kill Bill Volume 1. I know, I know I write about Quentin Tarantino a lot, but I just love it when I find a film that is able to be different and completely pull it off. The story’s crazy, the amount of blood completely absurd, the retro girl group a little annoying, but it’s all these things plus insanely great fight sequences and an eclectic soundtrack that make the movie great. There might not have been the trademark dialogue that we’re promised in a Tarantino picture, but my guess is that Volume 2 will make up for all that and more.

Donnie Darko. Ah, the thinking indie movie. Wondered when I’d get to this one, huh? I promise this is one you’ll like. It’s funny and dark and it’s got a huge demonic robot bunny. Who could want anything else? In all seriousness, it is a terrific film that really toys with your mind in a good way. It throws questions out there that other movies don’t go near.