My Thoughts on "A Glamorously Unglamorous Life" by Julia Albain

In the midst of wandering through pages upon pages of epic adventures of a fictional sort - from hobbits adventuring through Middle Earth, to sixteen year old kids forced into life or death situations by corrupt governments - I received "A Glamorously Unglamorous Life" in the mail and put aside the fantasies to read a little bit about real life. (Though that's not to say there aren't many lessons to be learned from a fictional life, it's always refreshing to hear of someone's real struggles and triumphs.)

To put it simply, Albain's book was inspirational. She spoke of a year of hardship, and the lessons learned, and in turn helped me put my own life into perspective. Her writing style is unique and interesting to read in all the little details she brings forth into the readers mind, yet without giving too much away. She kept it as her story throughout. The cast of characters in her story - friends, family, acquaintances - help the true life story along, and you feel some connection with everyone mentioned in this life tale, even without knowing their names. It's beautiful in it's little moments: when you see yourself as girl-child, when you long for that moment of dancing with friends, when you picture the ludicrousness of the giant peacock blocking your way. Those moments are what give this book its strength and further illustrate the points Albain was trying to get across - live, laugh, love, and find beauty in life, no matter the hardships you are facing.

So now, I must thank the lovely Julia Albain for sharing her story. She is the very definition of a story teller, and I wish her luck in all her coming adventures be it with Starkid, or writing on her own, or whatever she chooses to do.

Ally