Before I Fall - Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall 
Author: Lauren Oliver
Published by: Harper

Sam Kingston is a popular senior in high school. She has a tight group of girlfriends but unfortunately she's missing a back bone.

The story follows Sam on her last day of life when she dies in a car accident after a party. Instead of going where ever it is you go after you die, Sam keeps reliving her last day.

I absolutely hated Sam and her friends. They pick on people simply because they can. They are only popular because they stick together, making fun of anyone and everyone else. It's absolutely disgusting.

Their complete lack of humanity for their fellow classmates actually sickened me.

The story is pretty predictable in that Sam finally understands that people have feelings (duh!) and being mean to everyone is a pretty dick thing to do.

The only person I liked in the entire book is Kent - Sam's long-ago friend and the guy who has been crushing on her for.ev.er. He's definitely the nicest person though I feel that he should definitely have been with someone else. Someone who didn't need to relive their life, over and over again to realize that he's a catch.

Besides the fact that it's fiction, I didn't believe the characters. Sam may have died and become enlightened in the process but what about her friends? She kind of tells them to stop but only halfheartedly and I can't believe that they really changed their ways.


If you're one of those shallow, self-centered girls then please, please, please read this book so that you may learn that other people have feelings. Otherwise, give this one a skip and read her other book, Delirium, which I loved.

I give this book 1 cateye.

The Hobby Lobby Case

On June 30, 2014 the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in a 5-4 ruling that in the case of Burwell v Hobby Lobby: corporations can deny forms of birth control to their female employees with no monetary penalty, if it is "closely held". (Closely held in this case means that it has no more than five shareholders.)

And it's a horrible decision.

Hobby Lobby is not a person. Hobby Lobby is not a sentient being. I cannot go up to Hobby Lobby on the sidewalk and punch it in the face, give it a hug, or ask it for change. Hobby Lobby cannot have a religious preference. It is a business: a for-profit business which means that it has to follow the law and provide health care for ALL of its employees OR provide no health care but pay the fine.

That is the law. That's it. It's really not that hard. Do or do not. You cannot just simply pick and choose which forms of healthcare you don't agree with.

Hobby Lobby claimed that because they, the owners, are religious they don't believe their company should have to provide certain types of birth control.

And again I emphasize that it's not right.

Some people on comment threads all around the internetz claim that it's not that big a deal because birth control is not a right. Well, that's partially true. Being able to get free birth control is not an amendment but under the current law (Contraceptive Mandate) having access to birth control is actually something you should expect, should you have need of it. You should also expect that your employer would treat both men and women fairly when it comes to medications and healthcare costs...which surprise! birth control is a part of.

Now, if this is your way of thinking why don't we say that about ALL medications? Oh, you have a sinus infection but your employer doesn't want to pay for the antibiotics? No big deal. Why don't you pay for it out of your own pocket. I mean, hell yeah it's going to cost a lot more but hey, it's not like they're forcibly keeping you from obtaining it. If that is what you really think, then by all means, please opt out of all insurance and pay for everything out of your own pocket.

Then there are the "Go Find Another Job" people. This too is always an option. If you really don't agree with Hobby Lobby's views you are more than welcome to find another job. But to think that "just" finding another job in this economy is as easy as typing it - well you've obviously been living under a rock. The point still comes down to the fact that you should not HAVE to quit your job because your current employer is wanting special rights. Switching jobs doesn't solve the bigger problem at hand. It may be inconvenient for you to hear people discuss their health care concerns but ignoring it doesn't help the problem.

There were also many misinformed commenters. Those who sided with Hobby Lobby were calling those who wanted access to these certain types of birth control - abortionists. But that is not the case. IUDs and Plan B are not actually abortion-inducing. This is backed by science. Both IUDs and the Plan B methods work to stop ovulation. That means it prevents an egg from dropping. If however, you are already pregnant these methods will do nothing. And if nothing happens that means that your pregnancy was not aborted. IUDs are actually used in many other countries as long-term, effective, reversible birth control. They are 99% effective (so that should shut all the "Go Buy A Condom" people who know that condoms have a 12% failure rate) but can costs hundreds or thousands of dollars without insurance.

You can read the entire article here.

If you agree with Hobby Lobby, then I beg you to think of what the ruling implies for other companies as well. Nine out of 10 businesses are thought to be "closely held" which means that there very well may be other lawsuits coming against other types of medicine.

Some religions don't believe in blood transfusions, some don't believe in antidepressants, and the list goes on. The Supreme Court may have tried to write out any ambiguous wording against other types of religious views but that begs the question: if you have to specifically word the law so that other religions cannot also benefit, is it really an equitable law?

I shouldn't have to say that America is a nation without a religion. We do not have a national religion thrust upon us. So to favor a law that is Christian in nature goes against the First Amendment.

However, let's be clear: just because companies offer birth control or medicine that goes against your religion doesn't mean you have to take it. You have the choice to deny it. That is your religious freedom. It does not mean, however, that you have the right to deny me said medicine based on your beliefs. You are then hindering my religious (or nonreligious) freedom. Religion is not under attack. Your are able to abide and adhere to your own beliefs, but those beliefs have to stop with you. You are not able to decide how others believe.

This whole situation is just the tip of the iceberg. You should expect even more lawsuits coming under scrutiny based on this new verdict.

If you're interested in reading about what Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ginsburg said about how terrible this decision was, you can read her 35 page dissent here.

Cinder - By Marissa Meyer

Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Published By: Feiwel & Friends


Cinder is a cyborg, which is just about the worst thing you can be in New Beijing. Living with and providing for her step-mother and step-sisters, Cinder works as a mechanic fixing portscreens and androids. When the Prince asks her to fix his android, she is both humbled and flattered, until she realizes that the android may have some secret information. Information about the Lunars and their ever impending war on the Earthens. Information about the plague that is seemingly incurable. Information that she probably shouldn't have heard. With her only goal having been to leave her step-mother forever, Cinder now has to decide if she can help the Prince and the Eastern Commonwealth.




You may have remembered that Tiffany gifted this great book to me during our Book Swap. I finally started reading it and I can't believe it took me so long! I was thoroughly engrossed right from the first page.


I absolutely loved Cinder immediately. I read it at work and had to conceal my squees! and eeks! and omg! from my co-worker. The book and the plot are kind of predictable (I mean, it is a take on Cinderella) but the added elements more than make up for what you already know is going to happen. The story is interesting and I loved all the little characters in the book too! Like Iko, Cinder's android who is the cutest, funniest android ever but who is only really appreciated by Cinder. Iko had my favorite quote in the whole book which was:

"Prince Kai! Check my fan, I think I'm overheating."

I want her. I also liked Prince Kai. Sometimes it's just too easy to hate the Prince or have him be too, I don't know, princely. But Kai was just the right amount of royalty and badass. He totally talks shit to the Lunar Queen and I respected him even more for it. Though there is a love story between the two of them, there is so much more to the plot than just that. There is illness, revenge, secrecy, deception. It's a lot but Meyer makes it run smoothly all the way through.

This is the first book in a four part series and I've already started reading book two: Scarlet. That's how much I loved it. I couldn't even wait.

If you're looking for a new take on an old classic with an added twist of cyborgs and moon-people then this book is for you.


I give it 5 out of 5 cat-eyes.

BYOB Painting Class

What's better than drinking beer while painting? Drinking beer, painting, and doing it with John and Mum!

The Royal Canvas Painting Parlor, is a painting parlor, party center, and classroom. They have summer camps for kids and painting classes for adults.

We all signed up to take a class together. Mum and I have no artistic painting abilities whatsoever but we thought that it would fun to do because everyone does the same painting. They set up white canvases on easels and they trace the outlines of whatever painting you're going to be doing.

We signed up to do Fiesta San Antonio which looked like this:

The teacher guides you through the entire process telling you which colors come first, what colors to mix, what brushes to use, and any other helpful tips they think you need.

It was a really fun experience even if we didn't end up totally in love with our finished products. Impressionism just isn't our thing but we definitely want to go back and try our hand at something else.

The class itself was really laid back. There were mostly women but the teacher did say that the men tend to go quicker by not over-thinking. You bring your own beverages but they provide the wine glasses and small plates, if you need them. They played some Sinatra and Michael Buble type music in the background.

Our class was two hours long and the teacher did a good job of keeping everyone on track and moving forward. They do have some 3 hour classes, kid's summer camps, and teen classes as well.

What's really interesting is that even though you're told what to do and more-or-less what colors to use, is how they all come out different! Here are what ours ended up looking like:

Mum's. 

John's. 

Mine. 

So I guess I'm an arteest now.

Sunday Social # 11

1. What is your favorite genre of music?

I love all kinds but right now I'm on a country, folksy kick at the moment. 

2. What is your favorite genre of movies?

I love all kinds of movies but I definitely love dramas and film noir. 

3. Do you watch reality TV? If so what was the first show you remember watching?

I liked Project Runway when I had cable. The things they make them come up with and do are crazy. Mum and I liked seeing the end because the stuff we thought was ugly would sometimes end up being the winner. 

I liked watching My Fair Wedding too but really only to see the end. He is crazy talented. And some people pick the weirdest themes for their weddings. 

Oh! On Netflix I watched The Colony which was interesting and weird. 

4. Who is an actress you’d want to be BFF’s with?

Tina Fey. 

She gets me. 

5. Who is an actor you’d be happy to be stuck on an island with?

Bear Grylls because we're going to get off this island dammit! 

Also if for some reason we can't....he's not hard to look at. 

Let the Storm Break - by Shannon Messenger

Let the Storm Break 
Author: Shannon Messenger
Published by: Simon Pulse



This book follows Vane and Audra a few weeks after the end of Let the Sky Fall. Audra's gone off on her own, Vane is training with the Gales who are still trying to set him up with his betrothed - Solana, even though Vane and Audra are bonded now. Vane's running on no sleep due to the terrible nightmares Raiden sends him on the winds at night. Everything is turning out wrong and the need for the Guardians to learn the forth language is becoming increasingly important.


There aren't many sequels that can outdo their originals but I think that Let the Storm Break can qualify as one of the few. This one was filled with more action and adventure and now with Solana in the mix, there is that whole added love-triangle thing. We finally get a glimpse of Raiden and realize just how crazy he is. We also learn a thing or two about bonding - what can happen, what's expected, how long it lasts.

The ending is a great cliffhanger which unfortunately for me means I'll just have to wait that much more impatiently for the next one.

If you loved the first book, you'll definitely want to continue with this one. More tornadoes, a new love triangle tension, and a great ending.

I give this book 5 out of 5 cateyes.