All Consuming : Alisha

A review of "On the Jungle Floor"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 05:36:13 GMT

by Van Hunt

This album is absolutely amazing with the diversity of music and creative arrangements. Van Hunt’s music often reminds me of old school 1970’s funk R&B, though he never limits himself to that particular sound. He rocks out like a modern day Jimi Hendrix (without the intricate guitar playing) on “Ride, Ride, Ride,” but also shows softer sides on tracks like “Being a Girl.” “If I Take You Home (Upon)” and “Suspicion (She Knows Me Too Well)” make me want to dance to their smooth beats. Actually, most every song just sounds so smooth to me, the kind of music I hear in a low-key party or would play on a long road trip.

It is extremely difficult to put Hunt’s sound into words because it he combines such eclectic tunes with meaningful lyrics, creating a highly addictive sophomore album. This one will not leave my CD player in the next few months that is certain.

A story about "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Tue, 02 Aug 2005 06:24:07 GMT

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)

by J.K. Rowling

In seven hours I completely consumed this book and was left with a very satisfied feeling. It is the best installment of the Harry Potter series Rowling has written, and I can only imagine how the seventh and last book will turn out. It will, no doubt, be the sort of entertaining end we are all looking forward to.

A story about "Bandit Queen"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 16:18:21 GMT

Bandit Queen

by Shekhar Kapur

This film is not easy to watch when multiple men rape one female multiple times over a three-day span of time. It is not always easy to watch the killings or the ingorant ways men treat lower-caste people. This film is worthy of being watched, however. It is truly a movie that makes the viewer think about the world in which (s)he lives. I give this film 2 thumbs up, for the performances of the actors, especially the main character, are extraordinary, and the story itself is incrediable—especially since it is based on a true story.

A story about "Passing (Penguin Classics)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 16:08:12 GMT

Passing (Penguin Classics)

by Nella Larsen

A very short but engaging book about blacks who could pass as whites in the 1920s.

A story about "Mind, Body & Soul"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 15:53:54 GMT

Mind, Body & Soul

by Joss Stone

There is a reason this artist was nominated for a Grammy. I love this album’s 1960-70 R&B sound that incorporates funk and soul into the music. It is worth buying.

A story about "Disgrace"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 15:44:46 GMT

Disgrace

by J. M. Coetzee

The writing of J. M. Coetzee is extraordinary, as he really puts the reader inside his world. This book leaves the reader thinking, “What would I do in this situation?” It is a book that makes more sense if one knows about the atmosphere of South Africa (or so I’ve been told). “Disgrace,” like all Coetzee work, is a fantasic read.

A story about "The Liars' Club"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:21 GMT

The Liars' Club

by Mary Karr

Humorous and beautifully detailed writing on Karr’s part. It is one of the most interesting memoirs I’ve read in sometime.

A story about "Pride and Prejudice (Bantam Classics)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:20 GMT

Pride and Prejudice (Bantam Classics)

by Jane Austen

After first reading this book at the age of thirteen, I could not wait to find my own Mr. Darcy. Witty romance not found on a grocery store bookshelf is the only appealing romance writing there is.

A story about "Sorceress (Witch Child)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:19 GMT

Sorceress (Witch Child)

by Celia Rees

A very enchanting and captivating installment to “Witch Child.” Great for younger audiences.

A story about "Wuthering Heights (Penguin Classics)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:19 GMT

Wuthering Heights (Penguin Classics)

by Emily Bronte

Emily Bronte’s “Wurthering Heights” simply does not appeal to me. The writing is exceptional but the content fails to grab my attention.

A story about "The Idiot"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:19 GMT

The Idiot

by Fyodor Dostoevsky

A humorous adventure with love.

A story about "Midnight's Children"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:18 GMT

Midnight's Children

by Salman Rushdie

Given to me by my boyfriend, Midnight’s Children proved to be a great resource on the history and traditions of India. It is a beautiful and witty account.

A story about "Witch Child"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:18 GMT

Witch Child

by Celia Rees

A great read for young audiences that enjoy history with a touch of magic.

A story about "Things Fall Apart: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:17 GMT

Things Fall Apart: A Novel

by Chinua Achebe

I had to read this book for a Diversity and Justice course I took over the summer. The book was an interesting first look at the way men judge and penalize one another for their differences.

A story about "Notes from the Underground, The Double and Other Stories (B&N Classics)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:17 GMT

Notes from the Underground, The Double and Other Stories (B&N Classics)

by Fyodor Dostoevsky

A wonderful collection of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s short stories.

A story about "The Hours"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:17 GMT

The Hours

by Michael Cunningham

Interesting and well written, though not a book I will re-read in the future.

A story about "1984 (Signet Classics)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:12 GMT

1984 (Signet Classics)

by George Orwell

An eerie look at the future that really does resemble todayâ€™s society.

A story about "Brave New World"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:11 GMT

Brave New World

by Aldous Huxley

Contains one of my favorite quotes about God:
“You remind me of another of those old fellows called Bradley. He defined philosophy as the finding of bad reason for what one believes by instinct. As if one believed anything by instinct! One believes things because one has been conditioned to believe them. Finding bad reasons for what one believes for other bad reasons—that’s philosophy. People believe in God because they’ve been conditioned to believe in God.”

A story about "The Da Vinci Code"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:09 GMT

The Da Vinci Code

by Dan Brown

I bought this book around Christmastime 2003 and have not yet read it. I think the hype surrounding the book repulses me to the point I have no desire to pick it up.

A story about "Strange Pilgrims: Stories (Penguin Great Books of the 20th Century)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:09 GMT

Strange Pilgrims: Stories (Penguin Great Books of the 20th Century)

by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Captivating short stories from the wonderful writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

A story about "The Golden Notebook: Perennial Classics edition (Perennial Classics)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Alisha) — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:50:08 GMT

The Golden Notebook: Perennial Classics edition (Perennial Classics)

by Doris Lessing

A great book.