This past week I went to Fairfax and Melrose in LA just to visit a few stores that I enjoy going to when I’m out there. Melrose and Fairfax or streets in Los Angeles, that are known to have many fashion retailer stores on the streets whether its secondhand designer, buy, sell, trade stores, independent fashion companies, or just designer retailers. Wherever you go on Melrose and Fairfax you are bound to find something new and unique whether it’s a food place, record shop, or even a clothing store.
1. Brain Dead Studios
if you enjoy high-quality fabrics and unique designs, then you might want to go check out Brain Dead Studios. They are located on Fairfax and their shop is very unique. Not only is it a showroom for their product but it also has a theater in the building where they hold movie nights. You can visit their website to see what movies they are going to be showing how much tickets cost. With having the movie theater in the same building, they also own their own concession stand where customers can buy drinks, food, and Eivan shirts that are specifically designed for Brain Dead Studio’s movie theater. In addition to the movie theater, they also have their own café outside in the back of the building. Brain Dead Studios is a store that has more to offer than just clothes.
2. Heaven by Marc Jacobs
Heaven by Marc Jacobs is a very unique and store that I always enjoy visiting. They have such unique designs when it comes to their jewelry. Their clothes are very eye catching and their other accessories such as their bags are so pretty. I personally love going to this store not only for their products but also to see the other brands they carry. Instead of only selling their products they also sell different brand’s items as well. One of my favorite smaller brands that they carry is Gen 2. Gen 2 is ran by one of the employees who works at Heaven by Marc Jacobs. During my visit, I got to talk to Julia and Shannon, who are employees at the store. I asked them a few questions such as what made them want to work at Heaven. Julia replied, “ I had previous experience in high retail in the environment seemed pretty laid-back. I also really like the customers in the type of customers that come in. I like that the store attracts a more younger crowd.” Shannon said, “ I used to come to the store a lot when I first moved here and I wanted to work somewhere that was more fun and also somewhere I actually want to be at. I came in one day and asked if they were hiring. It was just the right place right time.” I also asked which item in the store is their personal favorite item. Julia responded, “ A few of my favorite items in the store right now is our D squared vintage hat and the Heaven camo dress. It’s funny because when I first started here, I wanted that camo dress so bad that after I started, I ended up getting that as my first purchase.” Shannon said, “ My favorite item in the store are the brown Margaret boots. I really like those boots because they kind of remind me more of a cowboy style. I wanted them so bad when I was living in Texas.” I enjoyed talking to the employees every time I come in because they’re so friendly and helpful when it comes to finding the right pieces to buy.
3. 2nd Street
2nd Street is a store that buys from people who come in and sell their clothes and either offers them a percentage back in trade or cash. 2nd Street specializes in streetwear, high end designer brands, and vintage. The store has an item for everybody, whether a person is looking for something cheap and up to trend or a little on the pricier side for higher name brand items. I enjoyed looking through their vintage section because they have a good variety of different T-shirts, hats, outerwear, and jeans for a decent price. I’ve seen their other sections such as their designated racks for their higher and items, like Balenciaga and they have a great variety that’s not priced too bad. You could find items from all over at 2nd Street. Pieces from the last two stores I talked about will sometimes pop up here. This is a great store to go to when you’re looking for something that you don’t know what that something is yet because you can get lost in the items this store has curated.
These are just three stores that I mentioned you can find on Melrose and Fairfax. There are so many other shops out there that I could talk about, but I really enjoy going to these three. I have picked up pieces from these stores that caught my eye and I’ve gone to events at these stores and enjoyed myself during that time.
If you would like to see my last experience, going to these stores feel free to click here to watch my review of these stores.
Have you ever finished a show or movie and wished you could experience something like it again? If you have, this is for you. Keep reading to find books similar to some movies/shows you love! Whatever genre you’re looking for, there is a book that can replicate that feeling.
Romance 🩷
Gossip Girl → Magnolia Parks
Both the series and the novel have similar themes—high society, “whodunit” mysteries, Drama, and huge parties—that follow wealthy friends as they navigate their lives. Much like Gossip Girl, Magnolia Parks dives into relationships, betrayals, and scandals that come with growing up in a world where reputation is everything.
Both the series and the novel have similar themes, like small towns, tight-knit bonds, and cafés. Both are cozy and comforting, with not a lot of drama. If you love the warm, familiar feeling of Gilmore Girls, this novel will be the perfect escape.
Both the series and the novel are about FBI agents solving crimes. They’re both quick and easy to get through, keeping your attention the entire way through, and have a psychological thriller aspect. Criminal Minds focuses more on skilled agents, while The Naturals is about teenagers who were picked by the FBI to help solve crimes.
The movie and the novel involve wealthy, dysfunctional families, games, twists, and secrets. They will do whatever it takes to get the inheritance. Both are high-stakes and fast-paced. Knives Out is about solving a murder, while The Inheritance Games is about a series of games a girl has to go through to claim her fortune.
The show and the novel are similar because both focus on a murder where the main characters try to figure out who did it. In both, the characters are being watched and blackmailed into doing whatever the unknown person wants. Pretty Little Liars and One of Us Is Lying follow groups of teens whose lives change when their darkest secrets are threatened to be revealed.
The movie and the novel have similar aspects that follow a fight for freedom, dystopian settings, and different economic statuses. Both have strong female leads and are fighting against a controlling Government. In Divergent, Tris uncovers secrets while navigating a world divided into factions. In Shatter Me, Juliette fights against the cruel reestablishment with her lethal powers.
Both the show and the novel follow skilled fighters on missions, in magical worlds, with intense action. The novel leans more towards young adults, while the show is for a more mature audience. While The Witcher has more mature themes like politics and tough life choices, Throne of Glass has thrilling battles with personal growth.
Whether you need some romance, mystery, or fantasy, these books will capture that same feeling. My personal favorites would have to be Magnolia Parks or The Naturals. If I have missed any that you would like to share, be sure to comment. I hope this helped you find your next read!
In this episode of the VC Social podcast, three friends, Raya, Cristian, and Devonte, share music with each other, spotlighting artists with under 500,000 monthly listeners. From musicians in the community to musicians worldwide, there is so much undiscovered talent and, together, they are here to share it with you. Hopefully, you can find some new music and new favorite artists over the next 45 minutes.
Interested in the songs played? Here is the playlist, which is not in order of discussion, but it’s all there for your listening enjoyment!
If you want to see more from this trio, you can check out their socials!
BookTok is just women who are functionally illiterate.
BookTok [pisses me off] so bad, it’s all like all dumb [people] gathered at the same place.
All I’m really saying is that all of the women on “BookTok” need to be banned from continuing to “read.”
Whether you agree with these comments or not, there is a conversation in them that must be had.
I want to begin this conversation by addressing that I will be using only male and female genders, along with stereotypical gendered behaviors, to discuss a broader societal concern. However, that does not wholly remove other genders from this conversation. Furthermore, this is not a hate piece about men. It’s more so a call to action; a hope that they aren’t left behind.
Are you familiar with “male flight?” It’s possible that you don’t know the phrase, but you’ve watched it happen. Simply put, male flight refers to the phenomenon where, as an activity, occupation, or product is increasingly associated with women, men leave. It is often coupled with the fear of being seen as unmasculine and is likely an unconscious action. During male flight not all men leave, of course, but it is a big enough shift for it to be named.
Now that you’re familiar with the term, what does all of this have to do with BookTok hate comments? I am so glad you asked! I would love to give you a short and sweet history lesson.
Young Man Reading byJacob van Loo
In the days of Christian Europe, reading and accessing books was not for just anyone; it was for wealthy men. It wasn’t until modern times that learning to read and having access to books became more widely available. Still, women’s reading habits were monitored and restricted. It wasn’t until “the turn of the twentieth century, women’s access to higher learning and the appearance of mass culture, for mentalities to evolve. Today, the relation to books has been completely reversed, as the world of books is generally considered as feminine” (Matamoros).
Now, in the United States, at least, women are free to consume the content they wish to. With the rise of social media, women can connect with other women, form communities, and share ideas. It all feels positive until you remember the comments from the beginning.
The more women find interest in reading, the more it is seen as a feminine hobby rather than a masculine one. Thus, the more you will see male flight. There are many issues with males refusing to read; one being that they are missing out on vital information that can help them understand the world, their peers, their partners, their families, and themselves. Studies already show that men struggle to consume content from perspectives unlike their own. Women’s Prize released an article sharing, “research confirms that while women read books by women and men equally, men overwhelmingly reject books written by women in favour of male authors.” Men are actively leaving a space that is vital to their growth.
The fear of male flight is not unwarranted. When men flee a space, its value is lessened. Though I wish that were not the case, the more women are centered in the writing world, the more literature, books, and the career of writing will be devalued. This could lead to less funding, less pay, less attention, and even less education. Men fleeing the hobby of reading is damaging enough, but then those actively hating on women who enjoy reading makes male flight truly harmful to everyone involved.
The discourse and hate around women’s reading habits, especially online, seem to form around romance novels. While many women enjoy romance novels, it’s not the only genre they engage with. And, despite what many may think, fiction and non-fiction hold equal importance. Though fiction can be more flowery and feel frivolous or shallow, it often takes important concepts and makes them more digestible and entertaining. One can learn just as much from a self-help book as one can from a hero’s journey fiction novel. The assumption that romance has no value should be concerning to all. And while there is a very real conversation to be had about the types of romance that exist and the age levels that people are consuming those novels, it doesn’t then mean all romance is bad and trivial.
Penguin Random House Booker Prize-Winning Books
As a woman in the book industry, I fear what will happen to literacy rates and the world of reading if men deem it worthless. I started my career in books at Ventura College, learning the foundations of literature with Professor John Guelcher. I sat down with him to discuss this issue of male flight, asking him his thoughts and solutions to this very real issue.
I opened the conversation by asking if he had seen a shift in the number of men versus the number of women in his classes. He noted that his classes have always leaned female, now with rates as high as 75-80% female. When I asked why he believes that to be the case, he brought up that in the past thirty years, the way higher education is structured has shifted to a more stereotypically feminine way of teaching. There is less of a focus on competition and more of a focus on group work and connection. Without the competition as a motivator, Guelcher thinks men are struggling.
Guelcher: Males have a harder time succeeding in the academic institution as they are constructed now. I think that’s what’s happening in the classroom.
Guelcher then continued to bring up other influences on male flight.
Guelcher: As it pertains to the specific discipline of English, I think that you also have this privileging of STEM. It’s this default thing you should do. If I ask my students what their major is, no one ever says the Humanities. They say, “Oh, Business.” “Why are you a business major?” “I just wanna make money.”
This comment sparked my interest because all I have seen in recent years is a push for more women in STEM. Even with the encouragement, though, “America needs still more diversity in STEM fields…Currently, women represent just 10% to 25% of the semiconductor industry, and historically underrepresented groups make up only 20%” (Women in STEM). So, while women are entering STEM, it is still seen as a worthwhile pursuit for men, and the humanities are falling to the wayside. I don’t say this to devalue or discourage STEM involvement, I merely say it to say that both are valuable and necessary, and we can’t leave either behind because women want to be a part.
Whittington: Unfortunately, if men are not actively engaging in literature and aren’t interested in it, it will not be seen as a worthy pursuit or usage of time. Which then eventually shifts to women who are authors being paid less because it’s not as important. When it is a male-dominated field, then it is important, and it is worth paying a lot of money for. And as we see this shift to it being very female-centered, there is a worry about how female authors are going to survive. There is that kind of slight fear of, “what happens to us?”
Guelcher: I think there are two levels. There’s the existential level of literature being valuable, why literature is valuable. And the problem of males not accessing this beautiful thing, this important thing, that is what makes us really understand the world we live in. Those of us who appreciate literature know how valuable it is to read a book and if there’s a major portion of the population who don’t understand that, that’s a loss. That’s a huge loss, existentially. On the capitalistic side of things, the amount of money that people are making for their chosen pursuit, yeah, absolutely, it makes complete sense that if males aren’t doing it, our society doesn’t value it. That is the reality. If males are into it, commerce will go and back it up and help prop it up. But if it’s only females, we dismiss it. That’s a real problem.
Whittington: Do you think that there’s any way to re-engage, specifically young men, in literature?
Guelcher: I mean, that’s a million-dollar question right there, but I think it’s convincing people it’s a worthwhile pursuit. I have a master’s in literature. My PhD is in composition, but I went pretty high up in literature, and so I value it, obviously. But like my brother, who’s a smart guy, for a long time, he proudly would say, “I’ve never read a book. I’ve only read textbooks. I’ve never read a book.” And he would hang his hat on that, and I’m like, just read a freaking book. This is a great book. You should read it. You’d love it. He’s like, “No, I don’t read,” and he’s smart. I know a lot of guys like that, and I think part of it is figuring out a way to get them to see it as a valuable pursuit. How to do that is a good question. I think, you know, you look at what males who don’t read like. Podcasts are big. Like if somebody like Joe Rogan goes on and says, “Hey, man, you gotta read this Barbara Kingsolver book. This is freaking great.” And I think shorter fiction might be a way to do it, because our attention spans seem better for that.
He continued, sharing a story from his visit to Canada.
Guelcher: In Canada, they were all talking about books the way we talk about TV shows. And I was like, “Whoa, what is this place doing?” Everybody was talking about books, like we talked about TV, and that really struck me. And then they were talking about similar books. And so I think maybe, you get somebody who males trust, who convinces them that this is a worthwhile pursuit, and then kind of all talk about it, be able to share ideas. What makes literature classes good? It’s everybody talking about the same book. And that seems to be one of the problems with our information age, it’s so rare that we have a common book we’re reading.
He’s right. The reason that BookTok and Bookstagram are so popular is that they provide a space for women to read books together as a community. If men began to authentically engage in these spaces, it might remove the stigma and broaden their horizons.
Guelcher: An important thing, too, I think, is to maybe embrace the audiobook as well. I think there’s a study done recently that showed that listening to an audiobook and reading a book are generally doing the same thing. So yeah, to demystify that and not make it feel like it’s a bad thing might help people feel like, “Oh, I’m not weak for listening to an audiobook. I’m not a failure.” I think if more people listened to audiobooks, they’d understand more of like, “Oh, a deep and engaging story is valuable,” you know?
Whittington: I think you just have to destigmatize that audiobook listening is not actually processing a book, because that’s been a big conversation online. You can’t say you’ve read a book or you’ve consumed a book if you listened to it; no, you have! If you’re actively listening, you have.
Guelcher: Is it the exact same? No, but yeah, pretty darn close. It’s closer than you know.
Guelcher and I concluded our conversation still with the knowledge that male flight very much does exist, and this may occur in the world of literature. Let’s be honest, we were never going to solve this issue in an article or an interview, but we can bring awareness to it. Maybe gift a book this year. Maybe pick up a book yourself or talk about a book with a friend. If you’re really ambitious, take an English class at a local college (if you’re in the Ventura College area I highly recommend a glass with Guelcher). Also, be aware of how you and others are speaking about women’s hobbies, like reading. Are you or them being unnecessarily disparaging, or are there valid critiques? Are you giving the hobby a gender or leaving it open for all to enjoy?
It might sound silly, but the Humanities are vital to the progression of humanity. We can’t let something as important as reading and literature disappear just because women love it. And the more we have this conversation, the more awareness is brought, and hopefully, the more solutions are created.
If you’re interested in learning more about male flight, Medium has a good article on the topic. And if you are a visual/auditory learner, The Book Leo has a great video essay on this male flight; she is actually the reason I wanted to do this research myself. If you’ve made it this far, I hope you learned something new. If you didn’t, I hope you at least enjoyed it.
And with that, though it’s been a heavy one, I’ve been me, and this has been lovely.
Join Marilyn and Iliana in the pilot episode of Shoot Your Shot as they talk about all things camera related. If you have ever wanted to start your own kit, then you’re in the right place!
Literature is such a wonderful thing to have in the world. There are so many crucial reasons why we need it in life. We can gain more knowledge, build our creativity, and even relax. For some people, reading can be a chore and may not be enjoyable. However, others may struggle with reading because of a learning disability or are too busy to finish reading that book. I want to share why you should look into audiobooks if you get busy, lack interest, or personal challenges with reading. With this experience, you can expand your horizons with literature and how this might be the perfect solution to get you through those novels!
How It Started:
So, a little about me: I love to read but struggle to find time to read. Sometimes, I get tired or distracted, so I don’t make it far into my books. There are so many books I want to read, but I can’t find the time. I realized one day that it was bothering me how I couldn’t get back to my book when I had just gotten to the good part, but I had gotten busy. I didn’t have the time to return to my book, but then I remembered that I could always listen to it through an audiobook. So, I downloaded Audible and got a student discount. Their deals change occasionally, so watch for the best price!
Now, let’s understand why you should consider listening to a book instead.
Too Busy?
Let’s start with being busy. For example, when I get busy with house chores, going to the gym, or even driving somewhere, it is obvious I cannot read during those tasks, but I want to keep going in my book. What I do is listen to it in the car or put in some earbuds and start listening.
One chore I dislike the most is doing laundry, especially folding it. I loathe folding laundry! I discovered that this annoying chore is much easier to complete when listening to my book, and I might have a drink to make it even better. By multitasking, I distract myself while getting this tedious chore over with. Once I started this habit of listening, I applied it to other tasks, and now they’re not as annoying. That’s why distracting yourself by listening to your book helps get those annoying tasks over.
Loss of Interest?
Now, moving on to losing interest in your current book. I will use one of my favorite series as an example. I struggled to get into this series for so long. I heard it was a great set of books, but I couldn’t get past the first book. This is when I decided to try listening to it instead of reading it, and I am so happy that I did! I later appreciated the first book after finishing the series, but I would not have made it through that first book without listening to it instead.
One thing I realized that helped keep my interest and made the experience much better was learning about the different styles of narrators’ recording books.
My favorite style is “duet reading.” In this style, no matter whose chapter it is, they will always read their character’s part, so it’s like listening to an actual conversation instead of a single narrator. In duet reading, all male parts are spoken by the man, and the female parts are only spoken by the woman versus a single narrator who reads all the characters’ parts. The last style is dual narrators, in which two people record their chapters and never record their voices with the other person. For example, if a man reads his chapter, he will play the part of every character involved. In other words, in that chapter, whether a man or woman speaks, the male narrator speaks all parts.
Personal Challenges?
Now, for my last reason, reading can be a personal challenge. You might get tired from reading, maybe you don’t feel better, it hurts to read, or perhaps you might have a learning disability. When I can’t sleep or feel well or don’t want to turn the light on, sometimes it is nice to listen in the dark. It makes this situation quite peaceful.
For those with learning difficulties or other conditions that make reading or writing challenging, Kurzweil 3000 is an educational tool, also known as an assistive technology, that offers a reading, writing, and study platform. This software downloads books and other texts in the system and reads them aloud. If it helps, it highlights what is being read so you can read along while listening.
This program costs a bit, but if you are a student and need accommodations, you can qualify for it for free during that semester. I have used it over the last few years, and it has helped my education immensely.
Now that I have covered a few reasons why people should consider listening to their books, I hope you try it and enjoy it as much as I do. There are so many incredible stories out there that are waiting to be heard. With the help of talented and gifted narrators, these books have come to life.
Thanks for reading, but maybe next time, you should listen to these posts instead…
“What’s your favorite scary movie?” This iconic line was obviously delivered by none other than the infamous horror icon Ghostface in Scream. However, seriously ask yourself what’s your favorite scary movie? What made it stand out from the others? How did it make you feel? The genre of horror has received backlash since the very beginning, all the way back to 1896 with Le Manoir du Diable. As a horror lover myself, I had to see what it was people wanted out of horror movies, and what they dislike.
I surveyed about 60 people and found 43% wanted suspense with a good plot twist, 33% wanted a strong story line, 12% wanted jump scares, and 12% wanted gore. I also asked what turns them away, and ruins a horror movie for them. I found 45% find the cheesy over the top gore off putting, 27% struggle with it not being realistic enough, 25% hate when it doesn’t have a real story behind it, and 4% dislike when it feels too real.
I also asked them to list their favorite and least favorite horror movies. Naturally, there was overlap on the lists, as some people’s favorites were other’s least favorites.
I’ll be the first to admit the genre is not for everyone although, I do believe horror could be enjoyed by many more if they only knew about the different sub genres. The misconception that all horror movies are bloody and violent is simply not true. There are several sub genres in horror, all are unique, and posses different qualities. Some of the most common and recognizable sub genres of horror are slasher, psychological, paranormal, monster, Sci-fi, and comedy. Slasher is the most well known and typically incorporates elements like gore, jump scares, and usually a storyline behind the antagonist. Psychological generally does not include much or any gore, instead incorporating elements like plot twists, suspense, a strong storyline, and occasional jump scares. Paranormal, monster, and Sci-fi often include the elements of jump scares, suspense, a strong storyline, and usually some gore/violence. Comedy can incorporate all of these elements as well, but they do it in more of a comical way.
Now that we’ve established all these sub genres, I’ll offer some suggestions based on these elements. So, without further a due lets get into my top 5 must watch recent horror movies.:
The Substance (2024)- By director Coralie Fargeat. The Substance could be categorized best as Sci-fi horror, and is perfect for those who look for more depth and a strong storyline in a horror film. It has a lot of suspense, and leaves you wondering what’s coming next. The film stars Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, and demonstrates the pressures women feel from society to constantly fit the beauty standard. Showing how ugly things can get by going to extreme lengths. It’s the perfect amount of dramatization, while still sticking with a core meaningful story. The way this film is shot pays homage to many classics (The Shining, Psycho, etc). The most unbelievable thing about it is that Demi Moore is supposed to look “old” and unattractive. The movie overall doesn’t have much gore until about the third act, and then it does get bloody so be warned! This film will have you stunned and at a loss for words throughout it, and after. Definitely recommend watching it with someone else so that you have someone to talk to about it after the fact!
Smile 2 (2024)- by director Parker Finn . Smile 2 could best be categorized as paranormal horror. It truly impressed me. Not to say Smile wasn’t good, but this one was far better in my opinion. The movie picks up at the end of the first movie and quickly introduces us to the newest victim of the demon. Skye Riley played by Naomi Scott, is a pop star on the rise who begins experiencing very bizarre things. This movie does have some gore and violence so beware, although other than a couple scenes I didn’t think it was too bad. This film has a very solid storyline filled with suspense, and an incredible twist you don’t see coming. Another thing I loved about this movie is that it belongs to a sub genre that has hundreds of hundreds of movies, yet manages to stand out and not fall into being played out. Totally, a must!
Companion (2025)- by director Drew Hancock. Companion could best be described as a few sub genres kind of Sci-fi horror, mixed with some horror comedy, and thriller. The movie centers around Iris played by Sophie Thatcher who is a programmed robot owned by her “boyfriend” Josh. Due to some glitches in her system some things occur and she’s able to see how her “relationship” really is, and gets her revenge. This movie reminded me of The Stepford Wives in all the right way, and some Black Mirror inspiration as well. This movie inspires you to maybe think of how much we rely on technology, and how with technology constantly advancing that your morals and ethics can be questioned. Additionally, it also showed subtle digs at the misogyny and sexism that still exists today. A great movie to watch for date night lol! Still in theaters: Companion Showtimes
Heretic (2024)- by directors Scott Beck, and Bryan Woods. Heretic could best be described as a psychological horror thriller. It centers on two young missionaries trying to spread the word of God, sister Barnes played by Sophie Thatcher and sister Paxton played by Chloe East. All is well until they come to the door of Mr. Reed, and get invited in to talk to him about their faith. Where they end up trapped and forced to rely on their faith to make it out alive. It’s a very suspenseful thriller as you are eager to see what happens to the girls, and if they make it home. This movie is very fascinating because although the two young girls are Mormon it’s not as though he’s directly targeting Mormons in the movie, or that the message of the movie is directed at them. It’s much larger than that. This is about religion as a whole, and one’s ability to have faith in a higher power. Since Mr. Reeds essentially punishes those who he thinks has too much faith. As a person of faith, I had a unique view on it, but I’m sure regardless on your view too, you can see how interesting it is to see different views being addressed. All in the same time of it being a horror movie. So, for those who wanted a movie with a strong storyline, this is the movie for you!
The First Omen (2024)- by director Arkasha Stevenson. The First Omen is the prequel to the classic Omen movie series of the 1970’s and 80’s. It can best be described as paranormal/supernatural religious horror. There is some violence but not much, I’d say it’s got more jumpscares, and slow burn horror appeal. It centers around Margaret played by Nell Tiger Free who is an aspiring Nun who’s sent to Rome to work in an orphanage, where she uncovers chilling information about the church’s mission on creating the anti-Christ. Without giving away too much through a twist she comes to find out this plan goes back farther than she thought. If you’ve ever seen the Omen, or enjoy the 70’s style religious horror sub genre, this is the perfect movie for you. As someone who’s seen all the other movies in this series, this is one you definitely don’t want to miss and connects parts together that you’ll know if you watch the others as well. If you’ve seen the movie Immaculate that came out around the same time with Sydney Sweeney it’s fairly similar but slightly better in my opinion!
Thanks for reading! I hope this was insightful, and that now you have some movies to check out!
In the age of digital streaming, independent record stores are an important facet in keeping physical music, local scenes, and community alive. Record stores offer music fans a place to browse music of all genres, new, used, and perhaps discover something great they’ve never heard. Ventura County has a vibrant array of independent shops, each with their own purpose and variety of music.
Salzer’s Records is the music and physical media powerhouse of the county. The Ventura location, started by Jim Salzer, has been in business since 1972 after a slow start in South Oxnard in the mid-60s. After his passing in recent years, the company is still owned and operated by his son, James, to this day. Salzer’s has become an icon of the county as its two-story location stands overlooking the 101 freeway. Many people who have lived in the county know of Salzer’s. Whether they’ve heard the name or have passed by the building on their commute, it’s always the first look inside that people really realize what a special place it is.
Institution is the word I would use to describe Salzer’s. An institution through and through is a place that has stood in its community for decades, offers a sense of community, and truly makes the place it’s located that much more special. Taking a walk inside is like stepping into a time capsule. You find the style and architecture of the place to bring back memories of something you may have once known. T-shirts, stickers, books, memorabilia all line the walls and the paths are paved with bins upon bins of any music you could imagine. CDs and vinyl are both mainstays of Salzer’s with people from all over coming to sell or trade their own collectibles here. The second level is almost like a completely different store. All sorts of holistic accouterments, socks with your favorite cartoon character or a witty joke perhaps, incense, candles, any sort of smoking device that may suit your needs, and a room near the back that definitely draws eyes. Perhaps the biggest draw of Salzer’s comes from the (bi)annual event called Record Store Day. RSD as its frequently called is an event in which independent record stores receive special releases, reissues, represses and specific vinyl only available on these days. Smaller record stores may only get a few of these very special releases so trying to seek out something you’re looking for can be difficult. But Salzer’s is known for getting many of them each year, garnering lines out the door and around the building of people trying to get their hands on something rare. It becomes a destination for many each year for this reason and It’s beyond just being for music lovers to congregate but truly a stand out part of the community as a longstanding business that really has something for everyone.
Grady’s Record Refuge, located in midtown Ventura, opened its doors in 2003. Grady Runyan is a music enthusiast who sought to bring collectible vinyl, fair prices and a wide array of genres, media and equipment. Some record store visits can feel like you’re searching for a diamond in the rough. Flipping endlessly through bins of artists trying to find something eye-catching or maybe something you’ve been searching for; Grady’s is anything but. Coming here is like walking into a goldmine. The store has an incredibly diverse catalog of genres and artists from anything like 60’s hard-bop jazz, traditional English folk, psychedelic rock, no-wave, obscure punk compilations, garage, hip-hop, you name it.
Flipping through the various bins can be almost too rewarding and if you’re trying to not break the bank, you’ll have to force yourself to just stop looking, otherwise you’ll end up spending all your time and cash in your wallet rounding off your collection. It’s a place where you walk in and feel like you’re transported back in time to when you didn’t have all the music at your fingertips and finding something new was just a matter of looking hard enough. Grady’s is the record store for true collectors and music fans alike.
American Pie Records is the newest edition to the county’s music paradises. Located in old town Camarillo, the business opened back in 2022. Although it’s still new to the area, it filled a gap in what was missing from this part of town. Specializing is rare and used LPs, American Pie is another store that makes you feel connected to. The music playing through the speakers might be an ultra rare Rolling Stones record where you can hear all the pops and static in the wax. The bins are lined with jazz galore and psychedelic deeps-cuts from the 60’s onwards.
American Pie Records proves that a new record store can make waves in the community and really become a place for people to sit around, talk about, listen to, buy, and sell music. In the past year the store added a second location, just 2 doors down from the original.
This not only expanded the music inventory but doubles as a coffee house in the afternoons and a jazz club on the weekends. Styled and decorated as the sort of coffeehouse feel of the 50’s the drink menu still connects the store to its music roots with drink names referencing iconic records or artists, such as a milkshake called “The birth of the cool”. The new location offers customers “the 45 lounge”, a separate lounge room in the back of the store that lets people relax, play records, and hangout with any drinks or desserts ordered at the store. It’s a fantastic inclusion to an already very unique store. Having a “hangout” area is something that is absolutely needed in a community space such as his. It drives people to talk to others about common interests which is something that is so needed in today’s world.
Each of these stores holds their own purpose in the community. Whether it be a one stop shop for all your music memorabilia, t-shirts, albums, patches etc. Or a spot to go sip coffee, flip through record bins and hear live music. Or even dig for some real gems you can’t seem to find anywhere else, all record stores are important for keeping people’s love of music alive.
The debate over whether books or their movie adaptations are better has been ongoing for years. To get a better understanding of both sides, I asked people around campus about their favorite and least favorite book-to-film adaptations. The responses varied, but a few stood out as clear favorites (and disappointments).
Books Are Better: The Case for Harry Potter
One of the most popular responses I received was that the Harry Potter books are far better then the movies. Many fans felt that the films left out too many details that made the books special. J.K. Rowling’s writing brings the wizarding world to life in a way that the movies, despite their visual magic, simply couldn’t capture. The inner thoughts of characters, side plots, and deeper lore of the wizarding world were often cut or altered for the sake of time, leaving book fans feeling like the films, while enjoyable, didn’t do the books justice.
Movies Are Better: The Case for The Hunger Games
On the other hand, many people I spoke to preferred The Hunger Games movies over the books. Interestingly, some admitted they had never read the books, which might explain their preference for the films. However, even those who had read Suzanne Collins’ novels still found the movies more compelling. They praised the way the films were put together, from the performances of the actors, particularly Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. The films managed to capture the intensity of the story while streamlining certain elements to make it more visually impactful.
Final Verdict: It’s All About Perspective
So, are books always better than their movie adaptations? Based on my conversations, the answer isn’t so simple. It largely depends on what you value more in a story, depth and detail, or visual storytelling and performances. While books allow readers to immerse themselves in the author’s world, movies have the power to bring those stories to life in ways that can be just as powerful, if not more so.
At the end of the day, whether a book or its adaptation is better is entirely subjective. Some stories work better on the page, while others shine on the screen. Maybe the real takeaway is this, instead of choosing one over the other, why not enjoy both?
We all have our own areas of expertise, and to my parents’ playful displeasure (they always joked about me becoming a lawyer), my area of expertise is theater. I have spent most of my life being involved in some sort of way, though it’s only recently that I’ve gotten to be properly involved in theater projects, from earning more substantial acting parts to even directing a short play. And with my extensive love for all things performing arts, I could gush and rant about every theater show I see. Being in shows as a full time student are difficult and opportunities are rare, so I have found solace in simply watching shows as I fantasized about my future career paths. Sitting in the audience, I would often think, theater is so wonderful, there’s nothing like a live performance to connect an audience to a story, this show could be so impactful to others my age or younger, and other wistfully naïve thoughts that made me reflect: what made theater so wonderful to me? Do others see it the same way? After hearing from the community, I have decided to try to see why those matinees I’ve been going to have had more and more open seats.
A young, naïve version of myself, performing in two different shows in high school. Apparently, I had some range back then.
The Data
I sent out a survey trying to make sense of the theater community in Ventura County and the biggest reason people go to the theater is to support people they know working in/on the show. That makes sense. I’m sure that along the way of seeing high school shows for younger siblings or community shows for friends, there was something to be gleaned from the techniques, the story, the art of live theater. But sadly (and obviously), I am alone as I wax poetic about the artistic impact of theater shows. Once an outcast, I suppose. Still, I found solace in the fact that the majority of people who saw shows were able to appreciate them, regardless of the reason they bought a ticket. Their reasoning for seeing a show and their takeaways were different than my own. But when we’re in the moment, the only thing we need have in common are the wonder and fantasy we feel as the audience is thrown into a story.
Samantha still remembers the “great actors and an amazing set” from Mamma Mia! at the Pantages. Leila remarked on the music and lighting from A-Train at the Rubicon (lighting is always the unsung hero of any show). Brooke talked about the “vibrant community, theatrics, and comedic effects in [The Book of Mormon]” at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Theater is impacting and shaping our community not because of profound stories with insightful metaphors. I had forgotten about the fun of theater; entertainment is an art! I cannot impart a deeper understanding of society or some high concept idea to anyone from any show. Art is what the audience makes of it. And I’m just thankful that others could enjoy it alongside me, even if not in my analytic ways.
Hurray, I’ve proven people enjoy theater! Now what? Well, I wish I could say that my job here is done, having evidence of theater’s impact as a source of community engagement and entertainment. But the survey brought up a problem with theater bigger than just the impression of a show. Over half of the survey respondents had only see between one and three shows in the past year, with 15% having seen none recently. And with the price of some theater tickets, that is very fair. I’ve seen shows cost upwards of $180 for some seats. Theaters, especially professional ones, have always been advertised as an old-world luxury, a place for the wealthy older generation to go on weekends (this is evident enough by the amount of octogenarians I see at matinees in LA). Though, I’ll admit that local doesn’t always equal cheap. But do you know the one thing Ventura County has that LA doesn’t? Free parking at their theaters.
More analytics from the survey.
The Love
This is to say, I have seen shows in LA that have left me wanting and I have seen local shows that have blown me away. The area, price of tickets, and level of the company have nothing to do with a good show. SO GO TO THE SHOW. See that local high school’s rendition of The Addams Family. Support your friends’ siblings in The Nutcracker. Go to the premiere of a brand new play at the local theater written by a local playwright, no matter how odd the plot may sound to you. Go for date night, go for family, for friends, for yourself. Go to support art programs in schools. Go to meet people in your community. Go for a night out of silly stories. If you are able to, then go and enjoy what you can. Some local theater companies may surprise you.
A show I saw recently that I absolutely loved: American Idiot at the Mark Taper Forum. No thoroughly studied critique to be shared, just the love of a good rock opera.
I’ve always considered myself lucky to be able to see professional shows in LA, whether at the grand Pantages, the intimate Mark Taper Forum, or the surprisingly huge Ahmanson. But anyone who can go see any show at any level is lucky to be apart of both the art and its audience. Live theater is special because it’s fleeting. When was the last time that character that pulled you in was physically right in front of you? Can you say that a main character tossed you a handkerchief stained with their makeup, for you to keep? Has a character roasted you on your choice of clothes? Have they walked past you, brushing your shoulder, blowing you a kiss? Not a camera like a POV shot in a film, but you, physically you.
The audience is a part of every show, a part of every theater experience. Sure, sometimes you sit next to a family with young kids who are a little too enthusiastic. But sometimes you sit next to a stranger, shedding tears alongside them at the bittersweet climax of the play. Sometimes you go with your friend and discover they have a soft spot for criminally misunderstood (and chaotic) characters. Sometimes you just discover something small about yourself, a new insight unlocked. But that discovery is shared live with actors, crew, ushers, and audience. Each laugh, gasp, and clap has an impact on how the show plays out. That collaboration between art and audience is what makes live theater such a unique event. But that’s simply how I see it, the view of a theater major, slightly pessimistic but still painfully hopeful for my (and many others’) future theater career. May we all keep telling and hearing each others stories.
Become a Part of the Art
To help you on your way of discovering art, stories, people, and any enjoyment one may get from theater, here are just a few of the theater companies local to Ventura County (and some that are a bit father away, just for good measure).
And as a special treat for those who have made it this far, here are some super secret special programs for students to get free or discounted tickets!
This software downloads books and other texts in the system and reads them aloud. If it helps, it highlights what is being read so you can read along while listening. 
VC Social 