Which brings me to my current position curled up in bed, my latest read lying next to me (which is next to an empty pudding container): “Water for Elephants.” Since this book was published in 2006, I’ve yet to hear a bad comment about it. Somehow, I managed to avoid it for the past 4 years but with it being turned into a movie (with RPatz!), I thought it was time to give it a whirl.

“Water for Elephants” tells the story of Jacob Jankowski. It flips back and forth between the present when Jacob is ninety or ninety-three (he is a little unsure and doesn’t really care) and when he was 23. The modern-day Jacob lives in a nursing home, where he is far from happy and very aware of his gradual, but inevitable demise. One day, the circus comes to town and sets up close to the home. This triggers memories in Jacob that he has tried to suppress and so begins the switching between the 1930′s and modern day.

In 1931, Jacob is just finishing up his training at Cornell Veterinary School when his parents perish in a car accident. Distraught and broke, Jacob leaves in the middle of finals examinations and eventually finds himself on a the train of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, a traveling circus. Initially, the members of the circus aren’t too happy to have a stowaway, but when they find out he is essentially a vet, they are thrilled and he is hired. Jacob works hard at caring for the animals and through his work, meets Marlena, the beautiful star of the show. Of course, she is already married, to August, the horrible and unpredictable Equestrian Director. Along with Uncle Al, the deranged head-honcho, Rosie, the elephant, and a few other characters, the cast is rounded out.

“Water for Elephants” is truly a great read from the very first page to the very last. I know it sounds cliche, but it’s true! The book grabs you right from the get-go. Part of the entertainment is the fact that Gruen seamlessly switches between the two eras. This keeps the reader on their toes and always surprised. She also meticulously researched both the era and the business of the circus, down to the correct lingo and typical acts of the time. As a history buff, I found it an interesting peek into Depression-era America and really appreciated her efforts. Reading this, I felt like I learned a lot while also being entertained, and that is something I always appreciate in a good book. Also, Jacob is a truly lovable narrator and you really grow to care for him. The nursing home portions reinforce that, so much so that I can say I’m emotionally attached to this one.

“Water for Elephants” was a beautiful story. It one won’t make you re-evaluate your priorities, but it was genuinely entertaining and a wonderful book that’s from the heart.

Got some free time? Need a good book to take your mind off of class? Check out Alex’s other book reviews!

This week our usual Fashion Porn was placed on the back burner to make room for the fashion lover’s Christmas: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

As fashion week wraps up, I already have a long shopping list of what I must find once Spring clothes hit the shelves.  While I’m aware that this is months away, the collections this year were so beautiful that I’m going to have to start saving up in order to stock my closet with the affordable versions of the designs I saw this week.

And although it’s hard to play favorites with the many diverse collections that walked the runways, there are five fabulous designers that really stood out amongst the prints, sky high heels, and oversized accessories at this year’s NY Fashion Week. Fashion Week MVPs, if you will

The Fashion Week All-Stars.

LELA ROSE

Even if you don’t follow designers, you may know Lela Rose from her collaboration with Payless.  Her collections are typically a little more mature, but this talented lady really stepped it up this year with a  colorful, sporty collection for Spring 2010.  The unusual color combinations will be something for a seasoned fashionista to play with this Spring.  Classic touches such as tweed bottoms grounded the neon color scheme and added an interesting twist to spring clothing. Lela Rose made people re-think spring style and it is that innovation that makes a great designer.

REBECCA TAYLOR

Ladylike floral dresses were hardened by studs and cropped blazers at Rebecca Taylor.  Electric patterns were found throughout the collection; even the sweetest colored dresses were paired with bright shoes.  The collection was fresh and cool with strong silhouettes balancing out the signature sweet and flirty pieces.  The color palate was unique, as were many of the patterns paired together. And I wanted to wear every last piece. Rebecca Taylor, you are a genius.

MARC BY MARC JACOBS

Always a crowd favorite, Marc Jacobs did not disappoint during his little-sister collection, Marc by Marc Jacobs.  Though the headbands were reminiscent of the bunny ears seen on the runway during the Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2009 show, much of the collection was fresh and exciting.  Jacobs incorporated tribal prints and accessories into more traditional shapes, creating completely unique and exciting looks.  A far cry from his signature collection, Marc Jacobs created pieces from fun, colorful patterns, making it one of the all-star collections this season.

ZAC POSEN

True glamour appeared on the red and purple carpeted runway at Zac Posen this season.  Bright colors dominated the collection, which was filled with Posen’s speciality: dresses.  He definitely knows how to dress a girl looking for some fun. His mini dresses were fun and accessorized perfectly with over-the-top brooches (that were slightly reminiscent of the Rocky Horror Picture Show lips).  Fine tailoring dominated much of this collection, though the show ended with some stunning evening gowns that left me dreaming of a reason to wear one.

TEMPERLEY LONDON

Take a circus ringmaster, add a dose of rocker and you’ve got Temperley London’s spring collection.  Though grounded by basic black and white, this collection is anything but basic.  The geometric patterns were complemented by solid blazers – and many of the looks were topped off (literally) by a top hat.  The bold prints, studded blazers and other circus-y elements don’t seem like anything that could work together or on anyone, but Temperley makes it work. And they make it work well.

Though I chose only 5 designers, in true Fashion Porn style, I had to add a 6th look to complete my All-Star collection.  The genius behind Michelle Obama’s inaugural ball gown, Jason Wu, showed he is worthy of space in the First Lady’s closet and definitely deserves some recognition after his beautiful showing this week.

Who were your Fashion Week All-Stars this season?

All photos via style.com showcase Spring 2010 runway looks

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Is Miley Cyrus single?

14 tips to look better in the buff.

Oh no. Kristen Stewart is so gonna ruin Dakota Fanning.

Creeper [kreep-ur] -noun. 1. A person or thing that creeps. 2. A domestic fowl having malformed, short legs, due to a genetic defect. 3. An individual who stares, lurks or makes awkward and unwanted advances to undeserving women.

Today, College Candy readers, we will be learning about Creepers (definition 3…who may also fall into description #2) and what one can do to deflect their advances. We have all been at a bar or some type of similar venue and had a creeper (of varying severity) approach and had no idea how to handle the situation. Well, here’s your answer.

Stage 1 Creeper (Loosely defined as an awkward guy, your age or older, who won’t stop staring and/or making small talk. Naturally, you have accepted a drink already.)

1. Who wants to come to the bathroom with me?

After accepting a free drink (you earned it, little miss push up bra!), a graceful way of parting is to go to the bathroom. When drinking, it is perfectly acceptable to bring 3-10 girls with you into a bathroom, so your whole crew can be removed from the creeper situation.

2. Ahhh, I love this song!

As soon as you have that free drink safely in your hand, raise it up and toast to your favorite song, turn your back to your friends and get in the middle of the dancing circle. Migrate away from the bar and in time, your creeper will be gone (but that buzz he bought you won’t!).

3. No thanks

Saying no to a drink is incredibly hard for a cash-strapped college lady, but it’s the easiest way to get the point across to someone that you just aren’t interested. You won’t owe him anything and you can get away ASAP. I applaud girls who do this on a regular basis… but can’t say that I am one of them.

Stage 2 Creeper (Loosely defined as an undesirable guy, your age or older, who won’t leave you alone and/or follows your group around. He may have friends, and they may all be drunk, which makes him even harder to get rid of. You may have already accepted drinks.)

1. I love being out of the closet!

Okay, I may have done this, like 2 weeks ago, and it works. I grabbed my friend and said something like, “OMG, I am so glad we are lesbians now!” Our creepers heard this and were either drunk enough to believe we were gay or thought we were immature/permanently disinterested. Either way, we got our point across.

2. Honestly…

All you gotta say is “You can buy me a drink, but honestly, I have no interest in hooking up with you whatsoever.” A friend of mine told me she did this the other night at a bar and the guy who was hardcore creeping felt so bad he bought her a drink and left her alone! Hey, if guys can be sketchily forward with us, why can’t we be forward back?

Stage 3 Creeper (Loosely defined as a generally creepy man, most likely older than you, who just won’t get the hint. These responses are for when you are up Creeper Creek without a paddle (or a tazer), and/or just want to have a little fun. Do not get drinks from this one. Seriously.)

1. You’re the one

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so why not try this counter-intuitive example? Freak him out Wedding-Crashers-style and tell him, after he stops talking/ogling, something along the lines of “My psychic told me I’d meet my husband tonight and he was right!” I am sure he will stay a good 30 feet away from you for the rest of the night.

2. Baby Mama

If you can keep a straight face, tell that creep you are either a) Preggers and unable to drink b) getting a text message from your kids or c) a combination of the two. There is nothing less attractive then the prospect of coming back to your place and being interrupted by contractions or crying babies.

3. GET AWAY FROM ME

The creepiest of creepers are never good with taking hints. If you are hammered or just really fed up/revolted, tell that creeper straight up to GET AWAY FROM YOU. I have a friend who does this a lot, and her hostility sure wards em’ off. And of course, if he still doesn’t get it and starts getting even creepier, get a bartender or bouncer involved.

Anyone else have any other good ideas to ward off creepers?

Forget Jesus. Kanye West is here!

Nicolette Sheridan – have you learned nothing from Britney?

We love when Justin Timberlake shows up on SNL.

Weekend gun scare at Princeton.

Real Housewife Gretchen to promote gold digging?

Martha Stewart’s dog killed in an explosion?!

Tom Cruise is even creepier than I thought.

Check out Britney back on stage.

Losing weight vs. gaining muscle. The truth is here.

Sorry, peeps. Amy Winehouse will not be coming to Coachella.

And one last link…because we had to.

Britney Spears- Circus:

“There’s only two types of people in the world. The ones that entertain, and the ones that observe.”

So opens the title track on Britney Spears’ latest CD, Circus. Britney is clearly in the first category. And this is the album we’ve all been waiting for. The one that marks the start of her comeback. Wait, wasn’t her last album supposed to be her comeback? Well, forget about that because this time it’s for real. If you happened to take an hour out of your life to watch to her MTV documentary on Sunday night, you’d probably say she appears to be back on track. Then again, we’ve seen that before. But if Circus is any indication of Britney’s well-being, it’s safe to say the girl is back on her game.

Songs like “Circus” and “Kill the Lights” chronicle the tough times Britney’s had being in the public eye, but they’re not downers in the least bit. She even squeezes in a song about motherhood (wait, remember she’s a mom?) right at the end called “My Baby.” Let’s just hope she actually remembers that she has two babies. Circus is also loaded with songs I can see myself getting down to in the basement of my favorite bar. Clearly I’ve already done so with “Womanizer,” but “Leather and Lace” and “Mmm Papi” also have highly danceable beats.

Mr. Photographer? I think Britney’s finally ready for her close-up.

Akon- Freedom:

How can you not like Akon’s distinct, synthesized voice? His newest album, Freedom, features the hit single “Right Now (Na Na Na),” which I was just dancing to on Friday night. And while I’m always up for jamming to some Akon, it’s the special guests on the album that really make Freedom what it is. With collaborators like Wyclef Jean, T-pain, Lil’ Wayne, and Young Jeezy, there’s no way this album could be bad. You know everyone is going to memorize “Holla Holla” singing, “That’s why I’m tryna’ holla holla…let me holla at you girl”

Besides all the holla’ing, the album’s actually quite nice when you sit down and listen to the lyrics. Who knew Akon was such a sensitive soul? I have to say I kind of miss Wyclef Jean when he’s not around, so I was pretty thrilled to hear him on Akon’s “Sunny Day,” a song about leaving the ghetto life behind for a happier life. And then there’s a whole song about a girl being “so damn beautiful,” appropriately titled, “Beautiful.”

I’m not saying Akon’s got staying power, but I am saying I’d dance to his music any day.

Music From Degrassi: The Next Generation:

Maybe you don’t watch Degrassi. I won’t judge you if you don’t, but I will say you’re missing out (we’ll save that chat for another time). But even if you’ve never seen the show in your life, you’ll probably still fall in love with the show’s soundtrack. The only problem? The best of the music is so cool, you might already own most of it. From Paramore’s “Misery Business” to “Neighbors” from The Academy Is, most of these tracks are pure treadmill music, which is always a plus in my opinion.

But I’m sure there are some tracks you don’t own and may never have heard of. Much like the show, the music on the Degrassi soundtrack is predominantly directed toward teenagers. But who doesn’t enjoy teen music? All Too Much sings about liking someone as “More Than a Friend” and All Time Low croons emo-ish songs about first breakdowns and bad DJs. No matter who you are, the Degrassi soundtrack will help you remember a simpler time when high school really was the end of the world.

I’d take a break from watching Degrassi to listen to the Degrassi soundtrack. But only until I start feeling like I’m going to slit my wrists. Then it’s back to watching the show.

Yep, forget the wacko driving-with-your- infant-son-dangling-from- the-driver’s- seat incident, Ms. Spears is a drool-worthy role model again. If you happen to have access to the internet (which I’m assuming you do, if you’re reading this), you can’t be more than a mouse click away from a Britney love fest. Today, her newest album, Circus, was leaked online just one week before its official release, and the world is abuzz with Brit.

How does the album fare? As far as pop records go, Circus ain’t too shabby. We’ve all heard the tour-de-force “Womanizer,” and the new single “If U Seek Amy” (is she referring to Ms. Winehouse? If Britney’s looking for her, she need look no further than a London crack den) is as gritty and caustic as I imagine Ms. Spears would be after a night of boozing. But a lame vehicle for singles (and moolah) this isn’t: the song “My Baby” perked my ears right up. Could Britney–gasp– actually be crooning? Her voice shines through clearly and tenderly on what is a sweet ode to her children.

I’m still confused at how Brit Brit has achieved her massive reinvention. I mean, check her out on the cover of Rolling Stone for godsakes! As she says in the opening to the title track, “There are two kinds of people in this world: entertainers and observers.” If baffling the public counts as entertainment, then Brit, baby, you’re a star.

Check out her album, Circus, on Imeem.com

Election day is tomorrow, but the voting has already begun.

Simon Cowell gets dumped.

No matter who wins tomorrow, fashion will make its way to the White House

Did Lil Wayne die? WTF?

Need some help with time management?

Top 10 classic sneakers that never go out of style.

Yay! Free Starbucks for voters!

Organic makeup must-haves.

Cindy Crawford is kinda old, but still looks better than me.

Campus theft is on the rise. Protect yourself!

I remember going to the circus once in my life and not being particularly enchanted by it. The modern acts didn’t thrill me at age 6, and I certainly wouldn’t pay a couple hundred dollars now to watch unhappy, mistreated animals plod around with their heads down, or to laugh at completely generic, mindless slapstick comedy routines (that’s what George Bush and Britney Spears are for). There’s something I’ve always loved, however, about antique circus art, be it from the harlequin-oriented Victorian era or the tattooed 20′s. Where are today’s knife throwers, horseback dancers and puddle divers?

I suppose most of them probably died practicing their craft, and not many have attempted to recreate the feats more recently. I know I wouldn’t.

I’ll tell you what I would do, though: I would wear the aforementioned ruff, or a daintily-puffed princess sleeve (or maybe even a full-blown mutton like Lanvin showed last season). Most of us are already wearing leotards as outerwear thanks to American Apparel’s (head scumbag) Dov Charney — why not add some sequins to the equation? As an aspiring editorial wardrobe stylist, I have been dubbed “steam punk” in my garment choices- and, though I’m not fond of the term — (Hi, Dances of Vice holds a Victorian-to-30′s-themed party?! Queen Victoria’s reign began in 1837, which makes that theme a century-long time span. Take a quick second to look at Wikipedia and see how much fashion evolved during that period.) I find that, alright, sure, I do own about 12 Dover clip art books full of Victorian art from my brief obsession with becoming a tattooer, I appreciate the subject matter of many of The Decemberists’ songs, and I like pocket watches, monocles and compasses! So sue me. What I’m trying to get at is now, of all times, is probably the easiest time to ever walk around New York in a majorette-type ensemble and not get beat up.

Okay, so you hate me now. You think I’m the most pretentious 1850′s hipster you’ve ever (not really) met and you think, if I dislike the 21st century so much, maybe I should go back to my own time/ maybe I should marry the 19th.

But, shit, I own J Brands, and I’m blogging here. And I just think it’s time to clown around!