Just saw Conor Oberst in concert, so he's fresh on the mind. Check out his new album (self-titled) and anything he's done under the Bright Eyes moniker.
Edit: And I see Bright Eyes is in your profile already. So I recommend The Hold Steady. Not of the rip-your-heart-out musical style, but some damn good rock and roll nonetheless.
I go to school with a lady who has a 13 year old daughter who is reading the books. She was telling me that her daughter started changing a lot after reading the books. First of all she is reading but she is also acting more confident. She volunteered to read a character in a play, she is writing and she is doing new activities. When her mom asked she told her it was because she was inspired by a character in her book to just be who she is and not worry what other people think.
So the books are actually doing good and are not simply entertainment... although I think all I achieved was entertainment. I announced at school that I had read all 4 books in the week between the classes. They laughed a little because the books aren't really marketed towards me but I told them that I like a good story no matter who it is geared at. Then I admitted I watch chick flicks.... hahaha
I might not be completely excited about the movie.... but I will definitely see it.
I'm doing real good. Got my music all recorded. Now I have a music myspace that's doing better than I thought. You checked it out yet? Now I'm paintingto take a break from recording before getting back to it.