The DNF Files: Women in Clothes

Women in Clothes by Sheila Heti, Heidi Julavits and Leanne Shapton

Published September 4, 2014 by Blue Rider Press

Paperback, 528 pages

Borrowed from library

So... what's it about?

Women in Clothes is a collection of essays, surveys and various other things by women on the clothes they wear, their style and the fashion choices they make day to day. 

Here's the synopsis from Goodreads:

"Women in Clothes is a book unlike any other. It is essentially a conversation among hundreds of women of all nationalities—famous, anonymous, religious, secular, married, single, young, old—on the subject of clothing, and how the garments we put on every day define and shape our lives.

It began with a survey. The editors composed a list of more than fifty questions designed to prompt women to think more deeply about their personal style. Writers, activists, and artists including Cindy Sherman, Kim Gordon, Kalpona Akter, Sarah Nicole Prickett, Tavi Gevinson, Miranda July, Roxane Gay, Lena Dunham, and Molly Ringwald answered these questions with photographs, interviews, personal testimonies, and illustrations.

Even our most basic clothing choices can give us confidence, show the connection between our appearance and our habits of mind, express our values and our politics, bond us with our friends, or function as armor or disguise. They are the tools we use to reinvent ourselves and to transform how others see us. Women in Clothes embraces the complexity of women’s style decisions, revealing the sometimes funny, sometimes strange, always thoughtful impulses that influence our daily ritual of getting dressed."

What initially attracted you to it?

I think I found this book through Goodreads on one of my book finding sprees and thought it looked like an interesting and enlightening book on fashion. I love clothes and makeup and while it never occurred to me to stop for a minute and think about my fashion choices and how they reflect who I am and the world around me, I thought that Women in Clothes would be the perfect book to get me to start thinking about it. 

How far did you read until you decided it was over?

I forgot to check before I returned it to the library but I think I was around the 180 to 200 mark. Which considering the book is 528 pages long is nothing more than a decently sized dent.

Why'd you put it down?

Well... the due date on the book was up and since there are a ton of holds on it at the library I had to return it even though I did give myself three days to try and get as much finished as possible. And I tried for the first night and then I couldn't do it any more. 

I feel like given another chance, I might have been able to find insight in this book and a new favourite to grace my bookshelves. I realize that 180 pages out of a 528 in total is hardly enough for me to form a proper judgement as I'm sure there were some essays or surveys that I missed that were really good so I'm not denying the book's potential.

But the 180 pages I read were just mediocre. I think I knew going into this book that it wasn't going to be a very structured collection. I imagined it to be similar to Tavi Gevinson's Rookie Yearbook with pieces from all sorts of people except that it was directed to a little bit of an older audience and all about fashion. And that was more or less what I got but something about the book just became really repetitive for me. Reading the essays and the surveys were interesting but none of them stood out. I did notice when reading the appendix that the authors did make an effort to include women from all different backgrounds which is good but when you're reading, that type of diversity was often irrelevant unless you get to those essays specifically about a woman's experience with clothes and how it related to her background but otherwise, that type of information wasn't mentioned. I feel like they could have included a bio for each woman with the surveys and the essays instead of having a whole separate section for it at the back.

So... I don't know. I mean I obviously had to return it but I think even if I had an endless amount of time, my opinions would stay the same. 

But on a positive note, was there anything you did like about it?

I liked the idea of the book. I liked the surveys. I liked the essays. I liked the collections of clothings. I liked the projects. I liked the book. But it was just a little too long and repetitive so that over time, the book's novelty wore off for me. 

Final Notes

So Women in Clothes is an interesting situation because even though I did DNF it (let's leave the fact that I had to out of this), I do still feel like I could have gotten a very rewarding reading experience from it. Because I didn't hate it at all. Sure a lot of it was very scattered and it's loosely organized but I did enjoy everything I read even though it wasn't LOVE. I just feel like it's length and repetitiveness put me off from wanting to continue. I don't think it's the type of book you read word for word front to back in one sitting anyway. So I'm probably going to end up buying this book from Indigo to keep and just refer to whenever I want to. That way I can flip through the book depending on my mood and can thumb through it however fast or slow I want. 

I know this won't be a favourite of mine though and I know it probably won't achieve what it set out to do for me. Perhaps I am wrong, perhaps there is a hidden gem in the pages I didn't read but a lot of the stories I went through, while interesting, didn't scratch very deep under the surface. 

I still want to own it though. I know, this is so weird because I just said it wasn't going to be a favourite but it was fun to read at points and I think without time restraints, Women in Clothes would make a great coffeetable book for me to just browse through or skim through whenever I please. 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass #1

Published May 7, 2013 by Bloomsbury USA Children's

Paperback, 404 pages

Borrowed from library

In a magical land far far away named Erilea, there lives a young assassin named Celaena Sardothien. Locked up in a prison where she's forced to mine salt, Celaena hasn't seen the outside world in a year and she's sorta accepted that this will be her life. Until the dashing Crown Prince of Adarlan swoops in and claims her as his representative for a competition being held at the King's palace. Twenty three people from all background, trained to beat, hit and kill, representing twenty three different palace officials gather together and Celaena is one of them. If she can beat all twenty two of her opponents in a battle of strength, speed and wit, she'll gain her freedom from her miserable prison and be named the King's official Champion. But will she win?

My first thought: I can't believe it took me this long to read Throne of Glass. I first learned about this book TWO YEARS AGO. I remember because I hadn't been blogging then and remember seeing ARCs of this book being distributed and bloggers RAVING ABOUT IT. Now, here we are, three years later and I've only just finished the first book. Tell me who else is better at being slow to the game than I am. (The answer is no one.)

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Throne of Glass had an illustrated map!

This is pretty irrelevant to a book review, I know but guys! Maps are so exciting! I love it when books have maps, especially fantasy novels. Like I mean, you can not have one but it's just so much more fun when you do and so much more convenient for the reader because then they have a sense of what the world is SUPPOSED to look like instead of creating their own version from scratch. For me, this helps IMMENSELY. I can't tell you how many times I flipped to the map while reading to help me gain a better understanding of the world.

I loved Sarah J. Maas' writing.

I don't know what it was but damn did that third person work for me. And usually third person really really does not work for me unless it's Harry Potter but I so enjoyed it in this book! I honestly think it would have been weird if I were directly in Celaena's head so this way worked much better for me. I was still able to get a really good idea of who Celaena was as a character and I was still able to get really invested with the story. At first, seeing how long it was and seeing how tiny the font was, I was a little intimidated but there was something about Sarah J. Maas' writing that just worked so well for me. I ripped through the pages. Like I could not stop reading. I read everywhere I could just because I was so obsessed with the story. So Sarah J. Maas, if you're reading this (which would be totally cool if she was), YOU ARE A DAMN GOOD STORYTELLER. 

Celaena was an interesting main character.

I liked her a lot. But I also thought she wasn't really as kickass as everyone was making her out to be. Throughout Throne of Glass, it was very easy for me to forget her background as an assassin. The only scenes that really made that clear were the scenes in which she spent kicking ass (literally) out of all her opponents. Apart from that, there was very little I felt really indicated she was an assassin. Her manner didn't seem at all like a girl who killed people for a living. I felt more like I was being told she was an assassin rather than me actually believing that through what she said and what she did and what she thought. But nonetheless I still found Celaena an incredibly interesting character. Like hey I'd rather you not be an assassin anyway if we're going to be best friends and talk about dresses and eat candy and swoon over Chaol. Because fancy imagining your best friend beheading random dudes in her past? No thanks. But I digress. The point of this is not to talk about my blossoming friendship with Celaena, the point of this is to say she's a really interesting character with qualities I can so admire (although she doesn't always come off as an assassin to me) so READ THIS BOOK if you want interesting female character!!

I got The Diviners and Shadow and Bone and The Winner's Curse flashbacks.

And also The Hunger Games. It was weird reading Throne of Glass for me because I was just constantly reminded by so many other books. The Diviners for all the strange, supernatural killings. Shadow and Bone because of the palace setting and the interaction with ROYALS. The Winner's Curse because Chaol and Celaena very much equals Arin and Kestrel in my mind. And The Hunger Games because of the whole competition thingy. Now I don't think this is a bad thing nor do I think this is a good thing. I think it's just a thing, you know? Like it just was for me and it didn't impact my enjoyment in any way but it's interesting to note, for me anyway because it sorta brought together all my favourite parts of these books in a really interesting way.

There was very little dialogue in some parts.

Okay so this sorta bugged me. I don't know if it was just in this particular book that I noticed how little dialogue there was or if it really was that Throne of Glass had an extremely little amount of dialogue and I guess if it's not necessary, then it'd be better not to include it but I felt like I was just being told a lot of stuff and I didn't actually get to see that in play. Like I was told about how Dorian and Celaena adopted an alligator (which is just an example, totally did not happen) but I didn't actually get to see that myself through their dialogue. If that makes any sense? I don't know... I just like it a lot when there's interesting and witty dialogue in a book and I felt that there was a real lack of it in this book whether there really was or I was just hallucinating and making stuff up.

Throne of Glass made me fall in love with fantasy again.

This is going to be the one thing Throne of Glass will be remembered for for me: bringing back my love of fantasy. I'm a mostly contemporary reader nowadays but way back when I was in love with fantasy. It was the only thing I liked to read (the Septimus Heap series anybody?) and when I still wanted to be a writer, the only genre I'd write. I was obsessed with the idea of magic and wizards and dragons. But somewhere through the years, that just stopped? It wasn't like I started hating fantasy, I just stopped reading it so much and slowly turned to contemporary instead. But with Throne of Glass, I've been reminded all over again of why I used to love fantasy so much and how I need to read more of it! I've always enjoyed the fantasy novels I've read in the past (like The Winner's Curse and Tiger Lily) but I never felt the rush I did when reading Throne of Glass. The rush of "oh yeah I remember why I loved fantasy now".

TEAM CHAOL ALL THE WAY but Dorian is okay too.

You didn't think I could end this review without talking about this, did you? Okay so obviously the boys are a big part of this book and it was all I heard about before I started reading. I've seen a lot of Team Chaol people but I've also seen some Team Dorians and going into this book, I wasn't sure which side I'd fall in. Well, having read that book I can officially profess that I am Team Chaol (this has only been cemented after reading Crown of Midnight). Like I love Dorian with all my heart but I just feel like he and Celaena are so much better off as friends. Whereas Chaol and Celaena... oh my god MY HEART. 

So basically, WHY DID I TAKE SO LONG TO GET TO THIS BOOK? It wasn't a five star read for me but it was still pretty dang good. I was hooked from the very beginning and it was bad because I could not put the book down no matter where I was. I NEARLY MISSED MY STOP ON THE SUBWAY ONCE BECAUSE I WAS SO ENRAPTURED BY THE BOOK. I loved Celaena so much even though I was sorta unconvinced that she really was an assassin. I mean, obviously I KNEW that because I was told but I didn't actually get to see any evidence of it, you know? That's probably the only thing I'd say about this book besides the little dialogue and the ending which sorta lost me for a bit. But action scenes usually do lose me so no surprise there. Overall, solid read and I highly recommend this book to fantasy likers and haters alike!

people who enjoy high fantasy and books such as The Diviners, Shadow and Bone, The Winner's Curse and The Hunger Games (as Throne of Glass was like each of those books in a certain way). If you want an addictive book, pick this up! And if you want a lovable female main character, Throne of Glass might also be for you!

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Asti @ Oh, The Books! gives it 4 stars: "There was enough action, romance, and mystery to keep me entertained. And I feel like as a first book it wrapped up well by ending one segment of Calaena’s adventure and preparing us for a whole new one."

Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity gives it 2.5 stars: "All in all, I went in expecting this novel to be as amazing as everyone said it was. Of course, I try to go in with no expectation but when everyone around you is practically screaming about how fantastic a book is, it’s hard not to enter with some kind of expectation. Sadly, Throne of Glass didn’t live up to the hype that it has received."

"I Mustache You Some Questions" Tag

I had forgotten about this tag until I was thinking about posts I could do a few days ago. Veronika tagged me to do this tag way back in January and I had always meant to do it but it just slipped out of my memory. Well... here we are now. In March. Better late than never right? So without further ado, I present to you the "I Mustache You Some Questions" tag.


four names that people call me.

• My Chinese name which my aunt sometimes uses when she sees me because she is adamant on making me speak more Mandarin. Which isn't working.
• Kitty, except also in Chinese. I don't really get this but my dad uses it sometimes. I think it's supposed to be a term of endearment and apparently it stemmed from when I was a baby and I reminded him of a small kitten? Okay dad... (just kidding I love you)

And that's it? I've never really had an actual nickname. In my fifteen years of existence, I still have not managed to find a nickname for Annie. Which makes sense because for most people, it actually is a nickname like for people named Anna, Anastasia, Annette, Annabelle... You get the idea. The closest I've gotten to a nickname is Nan and for a while I was convinced on making it work because the idea of a nickname is just so cool but it was also sorta strange and never caught on. I've gotten nicknames for my last name before as for some reason, people find it sooo funny but those weren't common things and they didn't last very long either. So yeah... that's it? I don't really have any nicknames.


four jobs i have had.
Well I don't work and have never worked. I know there are people at my age who do but I haven't yet. Not even babysitting or mowing the lawn or something like that. My source of income right now is my monthly allowance from my parents. Eventually I do want to get a job and I was planning on getting one this summer as a camp counselor, working at a daycare or babysitting but my mum would like me to finish my volunteer hours first which makes sense. Maybe this time next year, I'll be done my hours and have a job!


four movies i have watched more than once.

• High School Musical
• Friends with Benefits
• Camp Rock 
• The Cheetah Girls 2

Basically all the Disney Channel movies, I have seen more than once. And then besides that, I've also seen Friends with Benefits a humiliating amount of times. Something about that movie just screams sad day pick-me-up for me. I was actually surprised by the number of movies I've only seen once while making this list. I'm not a movie person but I feel like there have got to be some other movies I've seen more than once. Right? Right?? Well in any case if there are others, they aren't coming to me now. So godspeed Annie and onto to the next question!

four books i'd recommend.

• Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard for all your armchair travelling needs
• Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas because I have officially been converted
• The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater because so many feels. I hope you know you are missing out if you haven't read this series yet
• Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill because it was just so freaking cute

four places i've lived.

Born and raised in Toronto, man. Have never known what it's like to be anywhere else. And while I probably will experiment with another place in the future (like maybe Montreal for uni), I think I'll always run back to Toronto. I love it too much even for all the things that annoy me. I don't know... we sorta have a love/hate relationship.

And here I'll just leave you with lyrics from our favourite little mascot, Drake:

Yo, the city is mine (which one?)
T-O-R-O-N-T-O
D-R-A-K-E that's me

four places i've been.

• Shanghai, China (and Beijing)
• Reykjavik, Iceland
• Buffalo, America
• Montreal, Canada

By the way I highly highly recommend going to Iceland. It is so beautiful. The people are so kind, the food is amazing, the land is beautiful and it's honestly just such a gorgeous place. Not even that cold! I went for like a few days back in 2013 and I want to go again so badly! Montreal is a pretty sweet place too. Hopefully I'll be able to visit once again (translation: I hope I get into McGill).

four places i'd rather be right now.

• Fiji
• New Zealand
• California
• Literally anywhere that isn't Toronto and freezing cold

four things i don't eat.

• Raw fish/sashimi 
• Any type of meat that isn't chicken and beef and pork (and occasionally lamb and duck)
• Goat cheese
• Jalapeno/habanero/scotch bonnet peppers

There are very few things I don't eat honestly. I will probably eat 95% of the food you put in front of me. I love food so much...

four of my favourite foods:

• Costco fries (try these! HEAVEN IN YOUR MOUTH I PROMISE)
• Carrots
• Chipotle burritos
• Pizza Pizza pizza with CREAMY GARLIC SAUCE

There's more though, trust me. I just couldn't list it all here. But maybe one day I'll write a post all about my favourite food...

four tv shows that i watch.

• The Newsroom (Jim and Maggie. Will and Mac. Neal. Sloan.)
• Masterchef (Gordon! Joe! Graham!)
• The Little Couple (Will and Zoe)
• The Voice

Honestly I suck at committing to TV shows. I always give up halfway through so there have been a lot of shows that I started and was interested in but just didn't continue with because LAZY. You know you have a problem when you're so lazy you can't even be bothered to watch TV. But the above are ones that I'm currently watching. I also love basically anything on the Food Network, a lot of stuff on HGTV, some stuff on TLC and all the old Disney Channel shows (Suite Life of Zack and Cody? That's So Raven? Disney's Recess??)

four things i'm looking forward to this year.

• TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERT IN OCTOBER
• I don't know
• I don't know
• I don't know

four things i'm always saying.

• Oh my god, I'm so obsessed with (insert thing/person/anything here)
• I'm so tired
• I'm so hungry
• Like...

Anddd if we're being honest here, shit would probably be somewhere up there in the list as well.

four people i tag.

• You
• You
• You
• You

Since I know this tag has already been in circulation for a while, I'm going to assume that those of you who wanted to have done it and the ones who haven't yet chose not to but I guess... if you're seeing this now and think it's fun, then hey, go ahead and do it! I'd love to see your answers! Even if you choose not to do it, feel free to pick a few prompts from here and answer them in the comments. 

Until next time, au revoir!