Love Is A Mix Tape

Last week I did something that I hadn't done for a while. I turned my TV off, left the laptop at work, and ignored the phone for most of the weekend. The alternative? A weekend camped out on my couch, listening to a ton of good music, knitting and reading. It was heaven. I find that I leave the TV on at times for background noise when what I really want is good conversation. In this case, it seems like what I wanted was good words to read and music to listen to.

I think anyone who is a music fan knows the power of a good "mix tape", or CD, or ITunes playlist and the way you can feel like the master of a little piece of the universe when you put one together. Recently I've been thinking a lot about all of the music I've compiled through the years for all kinds of different events in my life. Songs taped off the radio, CDs burned with just the right mix, roadtrip soundtracks, bus compilations, sappy nostalgic collections, etc.

Love Is A Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield is a book I've been meaning to read for quite a while. When I read a review of it last year I knew that it would be right up my literary alley. It's a great story about the romance and life he shared with his late wife Renee, and also a really amazing tribute to the music that they both loved. He's also a big fan of the music of the early 90s, which of course captured my heart. Very sweet, funny, well-written book. I highly recommend it, should you have a weekend to "turn off" too!

P.S. There is actually some more furniture in my apartment now, even though the above photo doesn't really show it:)