Hey folks,
I've said it before, and I'll most likely say it again, that Zach Sampinos can be full of surprises. I've known the guy for a few years now and he still can throw me every once and while. As I've mentioned before Zach is the moderator of the Hard Boiled Book Club that I attend once a month. This book club focuses on first-time authors and alternative fiction. Started attending in order to stretch my reading habit and has introduced me to great work from Willy Vlautin, Murakami and Nam Le.
Our book this month was Captive Audience by Dave Reidy and too be honest I wasn't too impressed by it. This short story collection revolves around the themes of performance and fandom. Personally I felt that a lot of these stories felt like parts of much longer stories. And I guess I have a predilection to dislike short stories that are over 30 pages. In short stories I want a set-up, story, and then a "turn" that brings me to the point of it all. Now admittedly not all short stories need to fit this pattern. Literature can be whatever form it wants as long as it's well-written. But I just wasn't captured by the majority of these stories.
The exceptions to that previous statement was the titular story Captive Audience, which centered around a mentally-ill guy who loves stand up comedy. At first he can listen to old comedy records all day, until a comedy club moves in underneath him. Horribly disturbed he is upset at first, but then he finds a way to help a young comedian. This story featured a keen understanding of the subject and methods of stand up. It was great to see the author break down common techniques of a Newhart monologue from the 60's. Just as the main character is held captive by his own limitations, he finds a positive way to break free. His transcendent moment at the end of the story was wonderfully poignant and life-affirming.
I was also drawn to the story Thingless, which features a highschool kid desperate to find something that other kids will identify him with. He decides to learn guitar, and then tries to share it with the troubled girl next door. Her teenage nihilism toward life in general felt very realistic to me since I see it all the time in the teens that I help. Reidy expertly makes it clear that finding an artistic way to create an identity for yourself is as necessary as food. It nourishes your self-worth, even if you're ability is dubious. It's the compulsion to express an emotion in some way that gives these characters a sense of self. Reidy doesn't always take the easy happy ending which I also appreciated.
So despite my feelings of "meh-ness" I went ready to discuss the book. Upon arrival though I discovered that we would be a very small group and that Zach had arranged for Mr. Reidy to call in and answer some questions. He had done the same thing with Willy Vlautin last fall. See these are the kind of things that Mr. Sampinos can pull off with a seeming effortlessness. Slowly Zach, as well as some others, managed to turn me around. By the time Mr. Reidy called I managed to see the merits of the book. You can read Zach's thoughts on Captive Audience here.
In the end it turns out that discussing a book with others can raise your opinion on a book. This is why I think it's important to escape my own solipsism at least once a month. It was very surprising.
Showing posts with label Hard Boiled Book Club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hard Boiled Book Club. Show all posts
2010-03-31
Murakami & Anniversaries
Hey all,On Tuesday night I was able attend the 2 year anniversary of The Hard Boiled Book Club at Sam Weller's Books. I'm one of the few who remember when the book club first started in March 2008. At the time I worked with the moderator Zach Sampinos and figured it would be interesting. Unfortunately at the time I had to work on Tuesday nights so I wasn't able to attend, which bummed me out. However 5 months later my scheduled changed and Tuesday nights opened up. I've been going monthly ever since because it's a good time as well as stretching what I read fiction-wise.
As part of the celebrations there were libations and prizes. Unfortunately I was an utter failure at the Murakami trivia, but I still gained a book as a pity prize. I've definitely been shamed enough that I'll be prepared next time. Zach definitely needs to come up with a plan B if we all suck at the quiz. He was noticeably flummoxed and I don't think it was the booze.
A fun time was had by all as we talked about The Elephant Vanishes by Harucki Murakami, which is a group of short stories featuring the mystical and surreal. I've been apprehensive because I was worried about the translation into English, but I think his dream-like writing style allows for a lack of specification. In fact the majority of the male characters in these stories are literally floating through their lives. They are unemployed, newly-single, working at dead-end jobs, or trying to figure out how an elephant disappeared. The timelessness of their lives lends more to character's going through there own internal emotional pondering. Murakami seems not to be interested in plot at all. Rather he's interested in character studies and rich interior monologue.
As lyrical as his prose is, what I enjoyed the most about this collection was the fact that I had no idea what would happen next. The moment I thought a story would take an awful turn, it never did. I was surprised again and again which is fantastic. Like the concept of a vanishing elephant Murakami is able to see outside the box. I'll admit that it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but I'm willing to try one of his novels. I'm certainly intrigued.
2010-02-24
"You think you deserve this pain, but you don't."
Hey Cyber-world,
This Tuesday was very exciting for me. Some good things happened. You have to hold onto days like that when sometimes you might feel persecuted by fate.
Then Zach Sampinos chooses to surprise you. If you have ever met him, he is a quiet guy, but I tell you don't underestimate him. As moderator of the Hard Boiled Book Club, this week he had a Miranda July Trivia Competition with prizes. Luckily, completely by chance, I had done some googling of July online this afternoon. So guess who rocked the Trivia competition? Yes it was moi. I won a copy of Me You and Everyone We Know on DVD, which was very spiffy. In 2005 I fell in love with the film which she wrote, directed, and starred. It was a wonderful surprise. Again folks if you live in the SLC area and are looking for a fun book club (with occasional prizes!) I urge you to drop on by. Details can be found here.
This month's book club centered around Miranda July's No One Belongs Here More Than You. This was actually a re-read for me. I initially read it when it was released in 2007 because I'm interested by July's mix of emotional truth and offbeat sensibilities. She is an artist who has a very original view of the world that is rooted in her entire being. This bleeds through in all her work. It doesn't feel calculated or posed. Call me naive but I think it's for real.
This time around I was impressed more by the raw honesty that permeates this collection of short stories. Every page is full of complex emotional truth that can be overwhelming and somewhat depressing. The main theme of these stories is the need to be loved, even if it's not in a healthy relationship. There's also a fair share of self-deception and solipsism in her characters. As some of the fellow book-clubbers pointed out the characters were often unlikeable or fair too quirky. I think that this is by design. July writes in a stream of consciousness, first person narrative style that emphasizes the characters self-centered mentalities. I believe that July's message is that it is because of this selfishness that the characters cannot build the relationships that will make them happy and loved. These characters are not supposed to be successful due to their own emotional self-destruction.
Noticeably my favorite characters were the least selfish. Particularly the lead characters in "Swim Team" "Something that Needs Nothing" and "The Sister" find power after laying open their own hearts. I think that July is at her best when she allows her characters to be awkward and vulnerable without being solipsistic. Miranda July's characters are so unafraid to be human, it hurts. But from the pain, magic emerges, and in that magic is the essence of what it means to be human. Again I honestly feel that their is real human emotion on every page.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
This Tuesday was very exciting for me. Some good things happened. You have to hold onto days like that when sometimes you might feel persecuted by fate.
Then Zach Sampinos chooses to surprise you. If you have ever met him, he is a quiet guy, but I tell you don't underestimate him. As moderator of the Hard Boiled Book Club, this week he had a Miranda July Trivia Competition with prizes. Luckily, completely by chance, I had done some googling of July online this afternoon. So guess who rocked the Trivia competition? Yes it was moi. I won a copy of Me You and Everyone We Know on DVD, which was very spiffy. In 2005 I fell in love with the film which she wrote, directed, and starred. It was a wonderful surprise. Again folks if you live in the SLC area and are looking for a fun book club (with occasional prizes!) I urge you to drop on by. Details can be found here.
This month's book club centered around Miranda July's No One Belongs Here More Than You. This was actually a re-read for me. I initially read it when it was released in 2007 because I'm interested by July's mix of emotional truth and offbeat sensibilities. She is an artist who has a very original view of the world that is rooted in her entire being. This bleeds through in all her work. It doesn't feel calculated or posed. Call me naive but I think it's for real.
This time around I was impressed more by the raw honesty that permeates this collection of short stories. Every page is full of complex emotional truth that can be overwhelming and somewhat depressing. The main theme of these stories is the need to be loved, even if it's not in a healthy relationship. There's also a fair share of self-deception and solipsism in her characters. As some of the fellow book-clubbers pointed out the characters were often unlikeable or fair too quirky. I think that this is by design. July writes in a stream of consciousness, first person narrative style that emphasizes the characters self-centered mentalities. I believe that July's message is that it is because of this selfishness that the characters cannot build the relationships that will make them happy and loved. These characters are not supposed to be successful due to their own emotional self-destruction.
Noticeably my favorite characters were the least selfish. Particularly the lead characters in "Swim Team" "Something that Needs Nothing" and "The Sister" find power after laying open their own hearts. I think that July is at her best when she allows her characters to be awkward and vulnerable without being solipsistic. Miranda July's characters are so unafraid to be human, it hurts. But from the pain, magic emerges, and in that magic is the essence of what it means to be human. Again I honestly feel that their is real human emotion on every page.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2010-01-26
An Epic Evening of Book Club: Jesus's Son
I was psyched when Zach told us that we would be discussing the book Jesus's Son by Denis Johnson at the next book club meeting. For any new readers to these web pages, I attend a monthly book club at a local book store. It's called the Hard Boiled Book Club and is run by friend Zach Sampinos. The focus is alternative fiction and I find that it pushes me to read books that I wouldn't otherwise pick up. It was an epic evening which included discussion of the following:
*Horrible experiences having your blood drawn
*The large number of drug addicts that work in hospitals
*Talking to drunks in dive bars
*Getting high at the library (Don't do it!)
*Jesus's Son the Movie adaptation-It's actually pretty good.
*Denis Johnson's Poetry and other books such as Tree of Smoke and Don't Move.
*Unreliable Narrators
It was a fun time. I invite anyone interested to come on down. Info can be found here.
However I had always meant to read Jesus's Son but had never actually done it. Sometimes books fall thru the cracks and well meant intentions are not met. Actually now that I think about it that is an apt description for the theme of Johnson's narrative. In 11 short stories we follow the fractured life of a drug addict whose been nicknamed Fuck Head (or FH for short). FH lives a life of misadventure. It is clear that he is not a bad person by nature, but he cannot live without drugs and alcohol.
Now I am not a big fan of drug narratives that are about pushing an agenda. I think some authors, like Selby or Goines, are intent on portraying how addiction will ruin your soul. On the other hand there are others that are pushing the idea that drugs are a way to higher perception, so it's necessary for creative people to use. Personally I think that the truth of human experience lies in between. Drug use has it's benefits and consequences, but addiction can lead to an unbalanced life. Johnson portrays a world full of dreamers, addicts, and lost souls. FH is a good-natured narrator who has lost his way. While he's not always perfect, especially in the story "Dirty Wedding", he's not a bad person either. Ultimately FH struggles with wanting to become "messed up" rather than face real life. His innate selfishness and natural compassion are uneven throughout several of these stories. His internal journey is to find that balance using positive means.
Johnson's prose is compelling in the way he juxtaposes spiraling grief with moments of transcendent beauty. I was struck by this in the story "Work" where FH is literally a sad mess. Johnson writes "I had to vomit in the corner-just a thumble-ful of grey bile." But then each man is struck by the amazing vision of a woman flying naked across the water. This dream image reminds each man that life can have simple beauty in it. In "Beverly Home" something perverse becomes a moment of beautific service and worship. Each moment of beauty is a reminder to FH that he is not completely lost. As long as he maintains an intense sensitivity to sentimentality than he'll be able to find redemption.
On the other side I don't want it forgotten how hilarious these stories are. There is a comedic wit that undercuts any saccharine or painful moments. I often found myself laughing out loud during the stories "Steady Hands at Seattle General" "Emergency" and "Two Men." Johnson puts FH in the craziest situations which would only happen if you lived on the fringe. Johnson also confirmed why I would never want to work at a hospital. In fact I think I'll just avoid hospitals altogether.
I cannot reccomend this collection enough. At a little more than 130+ pages it is all too short. Johnson is magically spare but you can open up it up and at any point find a graceful phrase.
*Horrible experiences having your blood drawn
*The large number of drug addicts that work in hospitals
*Talking to drunks in dive bars
*Getting high at the library (Don't do it!)
*Jesus's Son the Movie adaptation-It's actually pretty good.
*Denis Johnson's Poetry and other books such as Tree of Smoke and Don't Move.
*Unreliable Narrators
It was a fun time. I invite anyone interested to come on down. Info can be found here.
However I had always meant to read Jesus's Son but had never actually done it. Sometimes books fall thru the cracks and well meant intentions are not met. Actually now that I think about it that is an apt description for the theme of Johnson's narrative. In 11 short stories we follow the fractured life of a drug addict whose been nicknamed Fuck Head (or FH for short). FH lives a life of misadventure. It is clear that he is not a bad person by nature, but he cannot live without drugs and alcohol.
Now I am not a big fan of drug narratives that are about pushing an agenda. I think some authors, like Selby or Goines, are intent on portraying how addiction will ruin your soul. On the other hand there are others that are pushing the idea that drugs are a way to higher perception, so it's necessary for creative people to use. Personally I think that the truth of human experience lies in between. Drug use has it's benefits and consequences, but addiction can lead to an unbalanced life. Johnson portrays a world full of dreamers, addicts, and lost souls. FH is a good-natured narrator who has lost his way. While he's not always perfect, especially in the story "Dirty Wedding", he's not a bad person either. Ultimately FH struggles with wanting to become "messed up" rather than face real life. His innate selfishness and natural compassion are uneven throughout several of these stories. His internal journey is to find that balance using positive means.
Johnson's prose is compelling in the way he juxtaposes spiraling grief with moments of transcendent beauty. I was struck by this in the story "Work" where FH is literally a sad mess. Johnson writes "I had to vomit in the corner-just a thumble-ful of grey bile." But then each man is struck by the amazing vision of a woman flying naked across the water. This dream image reminds each man that life can have simple beauty in it. In "Beverly Home" something perverse becomes a moment of beautific service and worship. Each moment of beauty is a reminder to FH that he is not completely lost. As long as he maintains an intense sensitivity to sentimentality than he'll be able to find redemption.
On the other side I don't want it forgotten how hilarious these stories are. There is a comedic wit that undercuts any saccharine or painful moments. I often found myself laughing out loud during the stories "Steady Hands at Seattle General" "Emergency" and "Two Men." Johnson puts FH in the craziest situations which would only happen if you lived on the fringe. Johnson also confirmed why I would never want to work at a hospital. In fact I think I'll just avoid hospitals altogether.
I cannot reccomend this collection enough. At a little more than 130+ pages it is all too short. Johnson is magically spare but you can open up it up and at any point find a graceful phrase.
2009-12-29
A Risky Book Club Night
Hello,
On this snowy night I attended the monthly Hard Boiled Book Club meeting. Shockingly there were 5 of us there to discuss Risk written by Colin Harrison. I really thought considering the weather and holidays that it would just be me and Zach Sampinos. It was good to see that I was wrong.
Risk is a very New York story. An insurance lawyer's everyday life is interrupted when he is called to the house of his firm's founder's widow. Awaiting her own death, she has recently suffered the loss of her son in a hit-and-run accident outside a bar on the streets of New York. She wants to know what happened and, playing on her deceased husband's respect for the lawyer, entices him into trying to find out what happened.
Originally serialized in New York Magazine, Harrison writes a well thought out whodunit. Admittedly it took awhile to suck me in. The writing style is not hardcore or pulpy. It's much more literary using vocabulary such as fungible, and playing with colloquialisms. I said it was a New York story. Harrison clearly writes to that reading audience by including all kinds of details about New York life. Everyone is obsessed with the Yankees, live in apartments, and take taxi-cabs. Some would consider this kind of regionalism off-putting but I enjoyed it. Being able to recognize even specific geography makes the main character more relatable. He is one of us.
Harrison strives to make clear the mediocrity of his main character. He is not a top PI, or cop/detective. Young sees himself that way. However he has enough of a specific skill set to plausibly solve this mystery. I also enjoyed the relationship that he has with his wife. He often refers to her as being smarter than him and the lack of drama between them is refreshing. It was very "Nick and Norah" the way they played off each other. I would have enjoyed more of that.
Harrison does get lost in his red herrings. I wish more would have been made of the Czech girlfriend or a Russian mob connection. Here I think some of the original serialization starts to show through. Characters drop in and drop out in the course of a chapter. A lot exposition dump occurs in the course of 12 chapters. I was hoping for a bit more complexity. This reminded me of something I would see on television which speaks to the nature of the way that it's written.
Our group was pretty split on the Dickenesque ending. Don't worry, I won't reveal it here. Personally I enjoyed it because of the way that the main character reacts. His actions are always grounded in doing his job, rather than some moral/ethical dilemma. He is not a tortured cynical man. Even as he acquires great fortune he refuses to let himself be changed by it. His wife, Yankees, and $14 wine is all he needs.
I had a good time tonight. Fun was had by all. Happy New Years, Book Slave.
On this snowy night I attended the monthly Hard Boiled Book Club meeting. Shockingly there were 5 of us there to discuss Risk written by Colin Harrison. I really thought considering the weather and holidays that it would just be me and Zach Sampinos. It was good to see that I was wrong.
Risk is a very New York story. An insurance lawyer's everyday life is interrupted when he is called to the house of his firm's founder's widow. Awaiting her own death, she has recently suffered the loss of her son in a hit-and-run accident outside a bar on the streets of New York. She wants to know what happened and, playing on her deceased husband's respect for the lawyer, entices him into trying to find out what happened.
Originally serialized in New York Magazine, Harrison writes a well thought out whodunit. Admittedly it took awhile to suck me in. The writing style is not hardcore or pulpy. It's much more literary using vocabulary such as fungible, and playing with colloquialisms. I said it was a New York story. Harrison clearly writes to that reading audience by including all kinds of details about New York life. Everyone is obsessed with the Yankees, live in apartments, and take taxi-cabs. Some would consider this kind of regionalism off-putting but I enjoyed it. Being able to recognize even specific geography makes the main character more relatable. He is one of us.
Harrison strives to make clear the mediocrity of his main character. He is not a top PI, or cop/detective. Young sees himself that way. However he has enough of a specific skill set to plausibly solve this mystery. I also enjoyed the relationship that he has with his wife. He often refers to her as being smarter than him and the lack of drama between them is refreshing. It was very "Nick and Norah" the way they played off each other. I would have enjoyed more of that.
Harrison does get lost in his red herrings. I wish more would have been made of the Czech girlfriend or a Russian mob connection. Here I think some of the original serialization starts to show through. Characters drop in and drop out in the course of a chapter. A lot exposition dump occurs in the course of 12 chapters. I was hoping for a bit more complexity. This reminded me of something I would see on television which speaks to the nature of the way that it's written.
Our group was pretty split on the Dickenesque ending. Don't worry, I won't reveal it here. Personally I enjoyed it because of the way that the main character reacts. His actions are always grounded in doing his job, rather than some moral/ethical dilemma. He is not a tortured cynical man. Even as he acquires great fortune he refuses to let himself be changed by it. His wife, Yankees, and $14 wine is all he needs.
I had a good time tonight. Fun was had by all. Happy New Years, Book Slave.
2009-11-24
Book Club Night = My salvation.
Hello,
I hope you all are enjoying the format change. Last entry ended up being massive! Yeah shorter entries my ass. Well I can't help it that I'm wordy. Well moving on...
Tonight was Book Club Night. For those coming in late: On the last Tuesday of the month I attend The Hard Boiled Book Club @ Sam Weller's Book. More Info is available here. It's run and moderated by former coworker/friend/burgeoning writer Zach Sampinos and focuses on alternative fiction. I started going because it sounded fun and it would force me to read fiction that I normally wouldn't even pick up. It's a fun/insightful group and I urge anyone in the SLC that's interested to come on down. Feel free to sit in even if you haven't read the book.
The pick this month was The Night in Question by Tobias Woolf. I am already a big fan of Woolf's work. His fictional novel Old School was one of my favorite books a few years ago. Yet I still haven't read any of his short story collections. It was a great surprise to see that Woolf is as good at short fiction as he is at a novel/memoir.
As fellow club member Chris pointed out Woolf uses a great elevated diction that is not stylistic at all. His word choice can be beautiful and horribly specific. This is true in my favorite stories of this collection. Specifically "Bullet to the Brain" is a tour-de-force of short story writing. It starts off with a man annoyed while standing in line at the bank, and takes a crazy left turn. Woolf's ability to start a story with something mundane and then raise the stakes took my breath away. I felt the same way about the titular story "The Night in Question" which also takes it's characters down an unexpected direction. A brother and sister, both brutally abused as children, try to make sense of what can be a cruel world. The brother tries to relate a story that points to a faith in god, whereas his sister turns it another way. Woolf does an excellent job establishing the complicated relationship that exists for those who are physically abused. Their love for each other is a bond fused by that shared horrible childhood. As an adult how do you make sense of such cruelty? Woolf is wonderfully ambiguous. He refuses to offer an easy answer.
This brings me to what I think is the thru-line of this collection: Since death is inevitable, life should be about finding happiness. Whether it be the pleasure that can be brought by a 100 dollar bill in "Smorgasbord" or a lonely teacher who can't stop falling in love in "Life and Death of the Body". Woolf's characters are either living fully or their soul's are dying depending on their choices. In "The Chain" the main characters begin a cycle of violence that can only bring death. As in "Casualty" war brings two men together only to be ripped apart by a meaningless death. Again and again Woolf shows the importance of his character's choices. In the end I look toward the optimism of the story "Powder". A father and son both enjoy the fact that they are good at something. Happiness can be the acceleration of moving a barricade and expertly driving through a snowstorm.
Other Reviews: Entertainment Weekly, scottwilliamfoley, Red Room
Have a great night! Book Slave.
I hope you all are enjoying the format change. Last entry ended up being massive! Yeah shorter entries my ass. Well I can't help it that I'm wordy. Well moving on...
Tonight was Book Club Night. For those coming in late: On the last Tuesday of the month I attend The Hard Boiled Book Club @ Sam Weller's Book. More Info is available here. It's run and moderated by former coworker/friend/burgeoning writer Zach Sampinos and focuses on alternative fiction. I started going because it sounded fun and it would force me to read fiction that I normally wouldn't even pick up. It's a fun/insightful group and I urge anyone in the SLC that's interested to come on down. Feel free to sit in even if you haven't read the book.
The pick this month was The Night in Question by Tobias Woolf. I am already a big fan of Woolf's work. His fictional novel Old School was one of my favorite books a few years ago. Yet I still haven't read any of his short story collections. It was a great surprise to see that Woolf is as good at short fiction as he is at a novel/memoir.
As fellow club member Chris pointed out Woolf uses a great elevated diction that is not stylistic at all. His word choice can be beautiful and horribly specific. This is true in my favorite stories of this collection. Specifically "Bullet to the Brain" is a tour-de-force of short story writing. It starts off with a man annoyed while standing in line at the bank, and takes a crazy left turn. Woolf's ability to start a story with something mundane and then raise the stakes took my breath away. I felt the same way about the titular story "The Night in Question" which also takes it's characters down an unexpected direction. A brother and sister, both brutally abused as children, try to make sense of what can be a cruel world. The brother tries to relate a story that points to a faith in god, whereas his sister turns it another way. Woolf does an excellent job establishing the complicated relationship that exists for those who are physically abused. Their love for each other is a bond fused by that shared horrible childhood. As an adult how do you make sense of such cruelty? Woolf is wonderfully ambiguous. He refuses to offer an easy answer.
This brings me to what I think is the thru-line of this collection: Since death is inevitable, life should be about finding happiness. Whether it be the pleasure that can be brought by a 100 dollar bill in "Smorgasbord" or a lonely teacher who can't stop falling in love in "Life and Death of the Body". Woolf's characters are either living fully or their soul's are dying depending on their choices. In "The Chain" the main characters begin a cycle of violence that can only bring death. As in "Casualty" war brings two men together only to be ripped apart by a meaningless death. Again and again Woolf shows the importance of his character's choices. In the end I look toward the optimism of the story "Powder". A father and son both enjoy the fact that they are good at something. Happiness can be the acceleration of moving a barricade and expertly driving through a snowstorm.
Other Reviews: Entertainment Weekly, scottwilliamfoley, Red Room
Have a great night! Book Slave.
2009-06-30
This Book Slave is on fire!
Hello Readers,
I don't know what's in the air but this month I have been putting the books away. Unfortunately although I've been reading like crazy it barely makes a dent in the TBR pile. But then again I never want to see the day when I have nothing to read. How sad will that be. May it never come to pass!
Be prepared for a long entry tonight gentle readers.
Tonight I had book club and it was a good time. This month's book was the direct opposite of last month's Northline. Being a part of this club continues to stretch my reading experience. I don't know where Zach, moderator extraordinaire, finds these crazy titles. Now I don't like all the books, still hate Dangerous Laughter, but they are at least off the beaten path. Now I'm not judgey but I really don't understand why reader's are afraid of books that are experimental. Why only read one type of book? Why put limits on yourself? I'm glad I take the time once a month to try something that I would never pick up on my own. If you are looking for something different I'd recommend coming down to The Hard Boiled Book Club, details found here. I'll be there.
Alright folks onward!
Reviews
Birds of Prey: Old Friends, New Enemies
I have become fascinated by the character of Barbara Gordon. For those who don't know Barbara Gordon used to be Batgirl. During the day she was a mild-mannered librarian, at night she fought alongside Batman & Robin. Then in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke she is shot by the Joker. She doesn't die but the bullet severs her spine and she's paralyzed. After dealing with severe depression, she trains herself to become a computer hacker and adopts the moniker Oracle. As Oracle she recruits fellow female superhero Black Canary and forms a new team titled "Birds of Prey." Now Oracle continues to be the only handicapped superhero in the DC universe. In this volume we have a mixed bag of issues. I really loved the issues which focused on the relationship between Black Canary & Oracle. Canary is the muscle, while Oracle is working cyber angle. Dixon writes some great banter between the two of them. Black Canary kicks ass as well. There are some great splash pages that are very cool. Unfortunately some of the issues suffer from crossover-itus. I can appreciate that Dixon was also writing GI Joe but frankly I don't care about The Ravens. And where did the dinosaurs come from? Just bizarre and out of place. I want more of the "Birds of Prey" in my book. So a mixed reaction but fun enough that I'll keep reading.
Comic Info: Barbara Gordon, Birds of Prey
Huntress: Year One
It's fun to read books from the "Year One" line if you want to approach a character fresh. I was not familiar with Huntress beyond her involvement with Birds of Prey. So I decided to give this a try even though I don't know anything about the writer or artist. Like Long Halloween, this is a mafia story that takes place in the Batman Universe. In this series Helena Bertinelli returns to Gotham to avenge the death of her family, get back her money, and take down the mafia. She's intent on kicking ass & taking names. I'll admit that the first few issues were pretty snoozy. A lot of exposition and talk. I never bought the star-crossed lovers story between her and Tony Angelo. However in the last 3 issues once the action moves to Gotham this series becomes great. Writer Ivory Madison brings in great characterizations of Barbara Gordon (whom she would later join with to create the Birds of Prey) and Catwoman. Catwoman is so much fun, very much like in Selina's Big Score. In the end this turns out to be surprising violent but very empowering. Ended up enjoying it so I'll be checking out any new work from writer Ivory Madison.
Other Reviews
Extremely Graphic | The Weekly Crisis | Graphic Novel Reporter
Clumsy
This book was simple, raw, and heartbreaking. Writer Jeffrey Brown depicts his romance with a woman named Theresa with honest emotion. The childlike art style reflects the relationship depicted as it blooms and then falls apart. Brown leaves his heart on the page and is literally naked to the reader. I was surprised by the amount of sex in this book, definitely not for kids, but then again to a man in his early 20s of course that's what he would remember. This book is a must-read. Highly enjoyable.
Other Reviews
Metapsychology | Cinegeek
Thoreau at Walden
This is a great Cliff Notes version of H.D. Thoreau's Walden. Having read Walden I desperately wish that I had this book at my disposal. Writer/Artist John Porcellino uses a simple art style which matches Thoreau's message of simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. Highly enjoyable. Great for high school students.
Other Reviews
School Library Journal | madinkbeard | Watermark Books & Cafe
You Must Be This Happy to Enter
After reading this book I feel as if I can hear the voice of Elizabeth Crane. Now I've never heard her voice in an interview, but her writing in this collection is all about tone. Her extensive use of one voice narration will make or break the reader. I really enjoyed how crazy her satire is in stories such as "Betty the Zombie" and "Emmanuel." Crane pushes the reader into the most absurd hilarious commentary. For me most of the time it worked. I don't think that Crane could maintain this kind of writing for any longer than 10 pages. These stories are exactly the right length. I was also surprised by the immense optimism that is present throughout these stories. It was completely unexpected and welcomed. What is wrong with being happy? Crane is not afraid to defend that position while pointing out that the world isn't perfect. Definitely worth reading for someone looking for a challenge.
Other Reviews
Bookslut | January magazine | Quarterly Conversation
The Reading List
Books
Amazing Adventures of the Escapist Vol. 1
Batman Private Casebook
Magazines
Vanity Fair
Comics
Streets of Gotham #1
Comic Pull List:Batman And Robin #2, Buffy The Vampire Slayer #26, Justice League Cry For Justice #1, Secret Six #11, Terry Moores Echo #13
Check Out Count: Stuck in a rut.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
I don't know what's in the air but this month I have been putting the books away. Unfortunately although I've been reading like crazy it barely makes a dent in the TBR pile. But then again I never want to see the day when I have nothing to read. How sad will that be. May it never come to pass!
Be prepared for a long entry tonight gentle readers.
Tonight I had book club and it was a good time. This month's book was the direct opposite of last month's Northline. Being a part of this club continues to stretch my reading experience. I don't know where Zach, moderator extraordinaire, finds these crazy titles. Now I don't like all the books, still hate Dangerous Laughter, but they are at least off the beaten path. Now I'm not judgey but I really don't understand why reader's are afraid of books that are experimental. Why only read one type of book? Why put limits on yourself? I'm glad I take the time once a month to try something that I would never pick up on my own. If you are looking for something different I'd recommend coming down to The Hard Boiled Book Club, details found here. I'll be there.
Alright folks onward!
Reviews
Birds of Prey: Old Friends, New Enemies
I have become fascinated by the character of Barbara Gordon. For those who don't know Barbara Gordon used to be Batgirl. During the day she was a mild-mannered librarian, at night she fought alongside Batman & Robin. Then in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke she is shot by the Joker. She doesn't die but the bullet severs her spine and she's paralyzed. After dealing with severe depression, she trains herself to become a computer hacker and adopts the moniker Oracle. As Oracle she recruits fellow female superhero Black Canary and forms a new team titled "Birds of Prey." Now Oracle continues to be the only handicapped superhero in the DC universe. In this volume we have a mixed bag of issues. I really loved the issues which focused on the relationship between Black Canary & Oracle. Canary is the muscle, while Oracle is working cyber angle. Dixon writes some great banter between the two of them. Black Canary kicks ass as well. There are some great splash pages that are very cool. Unfortunately some of the issues suffer from crossover-itus. I can appreciate that Dixon was also writing GI Joe but frankly I don't care about The Ravens. And where did the dinosaurs come from? Just bizarre and out of place. I want more of the "Birds of Prey" in my book. So a mixed reaction but fun enough that I'll keep reading.
Comic Info: Barbara Gordon, Birds of Prey
Huntress: Year One
It's fun to read books from the "Year One" line if you want to approach a character fresh. I was not familiar with Huntress beyond her involvement with Birds of Prey. So I decided to give this a try even though I don't know anything about the writer or artist. Like Long Halloween, this is a mafia story that takes place in the Batman Universe. In this series Helena Bertinelli returns to Gotham to avenge the death of her family, get back her money, and take down the mafia. She's intent on kicking ass & taking names. I'll admit that the first few issues were pretty snoozy. A lot of exposition and talk. I never bought the star-crossed lovers story between her and Tony Angelo. However in the last 3 issues once the action moves to Gotham this series becomes great. Writer Ivory Madison brings in great characterizations of Barbara Gordon (whom she would later join with to create the Birds of Prey) and Catwoman. Catwoman is so much fun, very much like in Selina's Big Score. In the end this turns out to be surprising violent but very empowering. Ended up enjoying it so I'll be checking out any new work from writer Ivory Madison.
Other Reviews
Extremely Graphic | The Weekly Crisis | Graphic Novel Reporter
Clumsy
This book was simple, raw, and heartbreaking. Writer Jeffrey Brown depicts his romance with a woman named Theresa with honest emotion. The childlike art style reflects the relationship depicted as it blooms and then falls apart. Brown leaves his heart on the page and is literally naked to the reader. I was surprised by the amount of sex in this book, definitely not for kids, but then again to a man in his early 20s of course that's what he would remember. This book is a must-read. Highly enjoyable.
Other Reviews
Metapsychology | Cinegeek
Thoreau at Walden
This is a great Cliff Notes version of H.D. Thoreau's Walden. Having read Walden I desperately wish that I had this book at my disposal. Writer/Artist John Porcellino uses a simple art style which matches Thoreau's message of simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. Highly enjoyable. Great for high school students.
Other Reviews
School Library Journal | madinkbeard | Watermark Books & Cafe
You Must Be This Happy to Enter
After reading this book I feel as if I can hear the voice of Elizabeth Crane. Now I've never heard her voice in an interview, but her writing in this collection is all about tone. Her extensive use of one voice narration will make or break the reader. I really enjoyed how crazy her satire is in stories such as "Betty the Zombie" and "Emmanuel." Crane pushes the reader into the most absurd hilarious commentary. For me most of the time it worked. I don't think that Crane could maintain this kind of writing for any longer than 10 pages. These stories are exactly the right length. I was also surprised by the immense optimism that is present throughout these stories. It was completely unexpected and welcomed. What is wrong with being happy? Crane is not afraid to defend that position while pointing out that the world isn't perfect. Definitely worth reading for someone looking for a challenge.
Other Reviews
Bookslut | January magazine | Quarterly Conversation
The Reading List
Books
Amazing Adventures of the Escapist Vol. 1
Batman Private Casebook
Magazines
Vanity Fair
Comics
Streets of Gotham #1
Comic Pull List:Batman And Robin #2, Buffy The Vampire Slayer #26, Justice League Cry For Justice #1, Secret Six #11, Terry Moores Echo #13
Check Out Count: Stuck in a rut.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-03-31
For the love of superheroes and free alcohol.
Hello folks,
I hope you are all having a great week. Where I am the weather keeps messing with us all. One moment it's sunny, the next it's snowing. What the hell man? Again I just want to know what's coming, that's all I ask.
Book Club tonight was another lively discussion. This was also fueled by free alcohol, for which I was very grateful. Thanks Zach! I was very glad to see some old friends and also meet some cool new people. I've been going to this club for six months and it's always been fun. I know that soon the club will have to move to a new space sometime within the next few months. I hope that it's still in reasonable proximity, so I can go. We'll just have to see.
Also I wanted to remind folks that PBS has started airing BBC's Little Dorrit. I watched Part One last weekend and found it very intriquing. There are a lot of different characters and threads, but man it's going to be 5 parts long. I can't wait to see how all the threads come together. If you missed it PBS is airing Part One online this week. I'd suggest checking it out, here.
Anyway Onward!
Reviews
Astro City Vol. 1
I highly enjoyed this first trade. Kurt Busiek loves superheroes. That comes out loud and clear in this series which is a deconstruction/celebration of the comic mythos. Like Alan Moore's Watchmen, Astro City showcases a world where superheroes exist. Each issue tells a stand alone story from one POV. However Busiek rather than showing the dark side focuses on the positive, paying homage to the comics of the silver age. This is a great companion to Marvels, which was also written/drawn by the team of Busiek & Ross. As much as I love the grim reality of Watchmen it is great to soar in the world of Astro City.
Other Reviews
Mervi's Book Reviews
Bodega Dreams
This was my book club book this month. I definitely wouldn't have picked it up myself. It took me about half-way thru the book for me to understand what Quinonez is getting at. This book is clearly meant to be a microcosm of the two groups trying to take over Spanish Harlem. On one side you have the rigidness of the Pentecostal/christian religious influence of Blanca's church and on the other side the evil capitalism of Willie Bodega. Chino, the protagonist, is caught in the middle of the two sides. He believes in Bodega's dream of the rise of a Puerto-Rican professional class, but knows that Bodega is far from altruistic. Chino sees the world as a place where nothing is completely free. There is always a catch or a favor owed for any good deed. I was impressed by Quinonez's ability to capture the world of Spanish Harlem. There is a clear distinct use of language that is necessary to understand the educational hierarchy. The more "street" that you are the more the dialogue becomes colloquial, where as professionals like Nazarrio speak in clear English. If there is a fault with this book is that it is very traditional in it's narrative. I think it would have benefited from more experimentation like South by South Bronx. Perhaps a use of First person, instead of flashback, would have lended the story more urgency. As it is I thought the ending was quite a good twist and felt it was well set up all along. I'm interested to see where Quinonez goes next.
Other Reviews
Salon Books | Entertainment Weekly
All Star Superman Vol. 2
Grant Morrison defies definition. In one book he can write one of the craziest stories you've ever read, see Kill Your Boyfriend and the Invisibles series, and then in another he can write the most traditional superhero book ever. In this series he writes the clearest, best version of Superman I've read on the page. In the All-Star Superman series Kal-el is not interested in dominating the human race, he believes in all the good that we are capable of. It's pure classic silver age comics. I particularly loved the Bizarro style issue, where Superman desperately tries to co-opt the most infuriating comic race ever. One should also take notice of the amazing art by Frank Quitely. Check out this series, it will fill you with joy.
Past Reviews: All Star Superman Vol. 1
Other Reviews
Ifanboy | blogcritics
The Reading List
Books
Penelopiad
The 12 Caesars
Comics
Trinity #43
Magazine
Time
Check Out Count: Far too High.
Comic Pull List: Buffy The Vampire Slayer #24, Deadpool #9, Flash Rebirth #1, Trinity #44
Have a great week! Book Slave.
I hope you are all having a great week. Where I am the weather keeps messing with us all. One moment it's sunny, the next it's snowing. What the hell man? Again I just want to know what's coming, that's all I ask.
Book Club tonight was another lively discussion. This was also fueled by free alcohol, for which I was very grateful. Thanks Zach! I was very glad to see some old friends and also meet some cool new people. I've been going to this club for six months and it's always been fun. I know that soon the club will have to move to a new space sometime within the next few months. I hope that it's still in reasonable proximity, so I can go. We'll just have to see.
Also I wanted to remind folks that PBS has started airing BBC's Little Dorrit. I watched Part One last weekend and found it very intriquing. There are a lot of different characters and threads, but man it's going to be 5 parts long. I can't wait to see how all the threads come together. If you missed it PBS is airing Part One online this week. I'd suggest checking it out, here.
Anyway Onward!
Reviews
Astro City Vol. 1
I highly enjoyed this first trade. Kurt Busiek loves superheroes. That comes out loud and clear in this series which is a deconstruction/celebration of the comic mythos. Like Alan Moore's Watchmen, Astro City showcases a world where superheroes exist. Each issue tells a stand alone story from one POV. However Busiek rather than showing the dark side focuses on the positive, paying homage to the comics of the silver age. This is a great companion to Marvels, which was also written/drawn by the team of Busiek & Ross. As much as I love the grim reality of Watchmen it is great to soar in the world of Astro City.
Other Reviews
Mervi's Book Reviews
Bodega Dreams
This was my book club book this month. I definitely wouldn't have picked it up myself. It took me about half-way thru the book for me to understand what Quinonez is getting at. This book is clearly meant to be a microcosm of the two groups trying to take over Spanish Harlem. On one side you have the rigidness of the Pentecostal/christian religious influence of Blanca's church and on the other side the evil capitalism of Willie Bodega. Chino, the protagonist, is caught in the middle of the two sides. He believes in Bodega's dream of the rise of a Puerto-Rican professional class, but knows that Bodega is far from altruistic. Chino sees the world as a place where nothing is completely free. There is always a catch or a favor owed for any good deed. I was impressed by Quinonez's ability to capture the world of Spanish Harlem. There is a clear distinct use of language that is necessary to understand the educational hierarchy. The more "street" that you are the more the dialogue becomes colloquial, where as professionals like Nazarrio speak in clear English. If there is a fault with this book is that it is very traditional in it's narrative. I think it would have benefited from more experimentation like South by South Bronx. Perhaps a use of First person, instead of flashback, would have lended the story more urgency. As it is I thought the ending was quite a good twist and felt it was well set up all along. I'm interested to see where Quinonez goes next.
Other Reviews
Salon Books | Entertainment Weekly
All Star Superman Vol. 2
Grant Morrison defies definition. In one book he can write one of the craziest stories you've ever read, see Kill Your Boyfriend and the Invisibles series, and then in another he can write the most traditional superhero book ever. In this series he writes the clearest, best version of Superman I've read on the page. In the All-Star Superman series Kal-el is not interested in dominating the human race, he believes in all the good that we are capable of. It's pure classic silver age comics. I particularly loved the Bizarro style issue, where Superman desperately tries to co-opt the most infuriating comic race ever. One should also take notice of the amazing art by Frank Quitely. Check out this series, it will fill you with joy.
Past Reviews: All Star Superman Vol. 1
Other Reviews
Ifanboy | blogcritics
The Reading List
Books
Penelopiad
The 12 Caesars
Comics
Trinity #43
Magazine
Time
Check Out Count: Far too High.
Comic Pull List: Buffy The Vampire Slayer #24, Deadpool #9, Flash Rebirth #1, Trinity #44
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-01-27
Catching up: Part 1
Hello,
Howse it hanging? I may have been MIA last week (Sundancing, remember?) but this week I'm back full force. Tonight I attended my book club and it was pretty great. Moderator Zach Sampinos brought in some fun treats, as well as drinks. He's also got a keen mind and is very prepared with discussion. We discussed South by South Bronx (see review below) and an enjoyable hour was spent. If you are free the last Tuesday night of the month @ 6:30 pm come on down to Sam Weller's in SLC. Hey I'll be there.
Talking about events this week the ABA, American Booksellers Association, is coming to town. There Winter Institute Conference will be going on and my store is a major site. I'm invited to some events since I am a very important person (well in my own mind). Hopefully I'll be able to meet some other cool bookseller folk. Or at least take advantage of the open bar. Either way it should be cool, I'll let you know how it goes.
Well because I have two weeks of books to talk about I'll be splitting up the reviews into two parts. So here's part one.
Reviews
South by South Bronx
This was a book club pick and it took a while for it to grow on me. The first 100 pages are disorientated and confusing but then the two narratives came into focus. I think Rodriquez meant this to mirror the state of our characters. The real story for me is the relationship between these two battered souls, Alex and Ava. As we go along it becomes clear that Ava is meant to be a redemptive character, a muse, and femme fatale. Her catalystic function in this story was very interesting. I also enjoyed how Rodriquez emphasized the Puerto Rican regionalism of the South Bronx. As someone who is very white and lives in a very white culture, this book provides a window into a different world.
The mystery/noir elements are fairly traditional. In fact some parts of this book could take place in the 30s and not much would change. Mysterious girl meets damaged man, they struggle to figure out each other's motives, and ultimately end up saving each other. Oh yeah and there's some stolen money. Of course all of this is very familiar. However Rodriguez plays in this novel with multiple narratives, pictures, and different typography. He reworks the standard noir story with post-modern technique. This shows a continuation of experimentation in modern fiction narrative that we've seen over the last few years. I say bring it on.
Other Reviews
Feminist Review| La Bloga
American Sublime & Antebellum Dream Book
When I heard that Elizabeth Alexander was asked to write & recite a work for Barack Obama's inauguration I sought out her other works. As I've talked about before I enjoy hearing and reading poetry, especially post-modernist works. Also there have only been two inaugural poets, Robert Frost and Maya Angelou, so to be chosen is a major honor. So I read her collections American Sublime and Antebellum Dream Book before the inauguration on Jan 20. I wanted to get a sense of what to expect from Alexander. Her best work in these collections are series that focus on race in America. I particularly enjoyed "Passing", and the series "Amistad". Alexander's work is lean, uses modern imagery, and quiet phrasing, to get her thoughts across. She is lyrical and powerful, rather than be angry and in your face. She keeps the amount of finger pointing to a minimum which I greatly appreciated. Her work was impressive and I think I'll seek out some of her other volumes.
Here's a link to her website and footage of her inaugural reading. I thought it was great and really brought the significance of the day into focus.
Official Site: Elizabeth Alexander
The Reading List
Books
Understanding Comics
League of Extraordinary Gentleman: Black Dossier
Comics
Captain Britain
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic Pull List: Batman #685, Daredevil #115, Final Crisis #7, Garth Ennis Battlefields Dear Billy #1, New Avengers #49, Northlanders #14, Runaways 3 #6, Stand Captain Trips #5, Superman #684, Terry Moores Echo #9, Trinity #35, Umbrella Academy Dallas #3, Wonder Woman #28
Check Out Count: Whoo-eee!
Look out for Part 2 in a few days. Enjoy! Book Slave.
Howse it hanging? I may have been MIA last week (Sundancing, remember?) but this week I'm back full force. Tonight I attended my book club and it was pretty great. Moderator Zach Sampinos brought in some fun treats, as well as drinks. He's also got a keen mind and is very prepared with discussion. We discussed South by South Bronx (see review below) and an enjoyable hour was spent. If you are free the last Tuesday night of the month @ 6:30 pm come on down to Sam Weller's in SLC. Hey I'll be there.
Talking about events this week the ABA, American Booksellers Association, is coming to town. There Winter Institute Conference will be going on and my store is a major site. I'm invited to some events since I am a very important person (well in my own mind). Hopefully I'll be able to meet some other cool bookseller folk. Or at least take advantage of the open bar. Either way it should be cool, I'll let you know how it goes.
Well because I have two weeks of books to talk about I'll be splitting up the reviews into two parts. So here's part one.
Reviews
South by South Bronx
This was a book club pick and it took a while for it to grow on me. The first 100 pages are disorientated and confusing but then the two narratives came into focus. I think Rodriquez meant this to mirror the state of our characters. The real story for me is the relationship between these two battered souls, Alex and Ava. As we go along it becomes clear that Ava is meant to be a redemptive character, a muse, and femme fatale. Her catalystic function in this story was very interesting. I also enjoyed how Rodriquez emphasized the Puerto Rican regionalism of the South Bronx. As someone who is very white and lives in a very white culture, this book provides a window into a different world.
The mystery/noir elements are fairly traditional. In fact some parts of this book could take place in the 30s and not much would change. Mysterious girl meets damaged man, they struggle to figure out each other's motives, and ultimately end up saving each other. Oh yeah and there's some stolen money. Of course all of this is very familiar. However Rodriguez plays in this novel with multiple narratives, pictures, and different typography. He reworks the standard noir story with post-modern technique. This shows a continuation of experimentation in modern fiction narrative that we've seen over the last few years. I say bring it on.
Other Reviews
Feminist Review| La Bloga
American Sublime & Antebellum Dream Book
When I heard that Elizabeth Alexander was asked to write & recite a work for Barack Obama's inauguration I sought out her other works. As I've talked about before I enjoy hearing and reading poetry, especially post-modernist works. Also there have only been two inaugural poets, Robert Frost and Maya Angelou, so to be chosen is a major honor. So I read her collections American Sublime and Antebellum Dream Book before the inauguration on Jan 20. I wanted to get a sense of what to expect from Alexander. Her best work in these collections are series that focus on race in America. I particularly enjoyed "Passing", and the series "Amistad". Alexander's work is lean, uses modern imagery, and quiet phrasing, to get her thoughts across. She is lyrical and powerful, rather than be angry and in your face. She keeps the amount of finger pointing to a minimum which I greatly appreciated. Her work was impressive and I think I'll seek out some of her other volumes.
Here's a link to her website and footage of her inaugural reading. I thought it was great and really brought the significance of the day into focus.
Official Site: Elizabeth Alexander
The Reading List
Books
Understanding Comics
League of Extraordinary Gentleman: Black Dossier
Comics
Captain Britain
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic Pull List: Batman #685, Daredevil #115, Final Crisis #7, Garth Ennis Battlefields Dear Billy #1, New Avengers #49, Northlanders #14, Runaways 3 #6, Stand Captain Trips #5, Superman #684, Terry Moores Echo #9, Trinity #35, Umbrella Academy Dallas #3, Wonder Woman #28
Check Out Count: Whoo-eee!
Look out for Part 2 in a few days. Enjoy! Book Slave.
2008-10-28
Lit Times Are Good For This Gal
Hello,
How are y'all? I've had a great week! It was full of many highs of the literary kind. On Sunday I attended a matinee of a production of Frankenstein done in the radio show style. The production was really awesome with 4 actors reading all the parts. From what I know it was faithful to the plot line of the original book. I've never read Frankenstein, perhaps I'll give it a shot.
On Saturday was the Utah Humanities Book Festival and I was able to see some author panels. It was fun seeing Ann Cannon, who is a local author. I highly enjoyed a panel with Sara Zarr and Paul Fleischman where they questioned each other. If you want to read Zarr's fine blog, click here. Zarr is the author of Story of a Girl, which was nominated last year for the Newberry. She is also very nice. I was shocked that she remembered my name. Anyway it was fun, although still very low-key. I hope next year there's more that I'm interested.
Tonight I went to another meeting of the Hard Boiled Book Club. I've mentioned it before, to read that click here. Again it was another fun evening of discussion moderated by the mysterious Zach Sampinos. Our discussion centered around the book In the Miso Soup, which is reviewed below. This is a book I would never pick up on my own. Sampinos has thus far done an excellent job finding books that are off the beaten path. It was good times.
Well enough about how awesome my life has been lately. Onward! To the Reviews!
Reviews
Apocalypse Handbook
I picked this up because it looked amusing and is written by a writer from The Daily Show. I found this book very funny in a black humor sort of way. It's very easy to go broad when talking about a subject as crazy as the end of days. While not really highly substantive and serious, I wanted a silly book. This fit the bill.
Ultimate Spiderman Vol. 2
Bendis continues his reboot of Spiderman starting from the beginning. In this story arc young Peter Parker fights the Kingpin and starts work for the Daily Bugle. I love the humor and characterization that Bendis brings to this story. In this volume he makes mistakes and then beats himself up for it. This reminds us again that Parker is just a teenager and he's still learning. Also Bagley continues to bring amazing art to the panels. I love his splash pages.
In the Miso Soup
As mentioned above this is a book I would never pick up on my own. The story revolves around the relationship between Kenji, a japanese guide, and Frank, a strange American. Kenji is hired by Frank to help him traverse the Japanese sex industry. Slowly tension builds as Kenji starts to believe that Frank is a serial killer. There's a lot of interesting ideas and themes, which are not really followed through on. Murakami seems intent on commenting on the objectifying of women in the sex industry, yet does not really stick to any clear statement. On top of all this is an unreliable narrator which makes you waiting for some kind of twist. That twist never comes. This is a book that I think climaxes about half-way through but then slows up to an ambiguous ending. So a great first half is squandered by a ponderous second half.
What's In My Bag
Books
TBA
Magazines
Out
Comic
Spiderman Loves Mary Jane #3
Check Out Count: Fluctuating
Comic Pull List: Northlanders #11, Superman #681, Trinity #22
Have a Great Week! Book Slave.
How are y'all? I've had a great week! It was full of many highs of the literary kind. On Sunday I attended a matinee of a production of Frankenstein done in the radio show style. The production was really awesome with 4 actors reading all the parts. From what I know it was faithful to the plot line of the original book. I've never read Frankenstein, perhaps I'll give it a shot.
On Saturday was the Utah Humanities Book Festival and I was able to see some author panels. It was fun seeing Ann Cannon, who is a local author. I highly enjoyed a panel with Sara Zarr and Paul Fleischman where they questioned each other. If you want to read Zarr's fine blog, click here. Zarr is the author of Story of a Girl, which was nominated last year for the Newberry. She is also very nice. I was shocked that she remembered my name. Anyway it was fun, although still very low-key. I hope next year there's more that I'm interested.
Tonight I went to another meeting of the Hard Boiled Book Club. I've mentioned it before, to read that click here. Again it was another fun evening of discussion moderated by the mysterious Zach Sampinos. Our discussion centered around the book In the Miso Soup, which is reviewed below. This is a book I would never pick up on my own. Sampinos has thus far done an excellent job finding books that are off the beaten path. It was good times.
Well enough about how awesome my life has been lately. Onward! To the Reviews!
Reviews
Apocalypse Handbook
I picked this up because it looked amusing and is written by a writer from The Daily Show. I found this book very funny in a black humor sort of way. It's very easy to go broad when talking about a subject as crazy as the end of days. While not really highly substantive and serious, I wanted a silly book. This fit the bill.
Ultimate Spiderman Vol. 2
Bendis continues his reboot of Spiderman starting from the beginning. In this story arc young Peter Parker fights the Kingpin and starts work for the Daily Bugle. I love the humor and characterization that Bendis brings to this story. In this volume he makes mistakes and then beats himself up for it. This reminds us again that Parker is just a teenager and he's still learning. Also Bagley continues to bring amazing art to the panels. I love his splash pages.
In the Miso Soup
As mentioned above this is a book I would never pick up on my own. The story revolves around the relationship between Kenji, a japanese guide, and Frank, a strange American. Kenji is hired by Frank to help him traverse the Japanese sex industry. Slowly tension builds as Kenji starts to believe that Frank is a serial killer. There's a lot of interesting ideas and themes, which are not really followed through on. Murakami seems intent on commenting on the objectifying of women in the sex industry, yet does not really stick to any clear statement. On top of all this is an unreliable narrator which makes you waiting for some kind of twist. That twist never comes. This is a book that I think climaxes about half-way through but then slows up to an ambiguous ending. So a great first half is squandered by a ponderous second half.
What's In My Bag
Books
TBA
Magazines
Out
Comic
Spiderman Loves Mary Jane #3
Check Out Count: Fluctuating
Comic Pull List: Northlanders #11, Superman #681, Trinity #22
Have a Great Week! Book Slave.
2008-10-02
How Stephen King saved my teenage years
Hello
Here we are folks. I hope y'all watched the debate tonight. I did and I thought moderator Gwen Ifill did a great job. So I attended The Hard Boiled Book Club on Tuesday night and had a good time. There is a smart core group there and a very thoughtful moderator/leader in Zach Sampinos. I'll be attending again next month. To find out more about it, click here.
Let's walk again down memory lane with a theme that I think fits the month of October.
Life Changing Reads: Stephen King Edition
1. Carrie-Beginning in seventh grade I was thrust into a social situation that was akin to the horrible treatment of Carrie White. It's no shock then that I devoured this book after picking it up at Sprague library. I had heard of the movie before, but I'm not really a horror fan, so I had not seen it. I think it was the cover with it's drawing of a brown hair teen against a black background. That cover and the name Stephen King drew me in and I was hooked. I'm sure it didn't help my social identity to be sitting by myself reading Carrie, again, but I did not care. I was so enamoured with the book that I sought out all the different editions at book sales.
2. It-I picked this up when I was in 8th grade. At first I was daunted by the size (over a thousand pages!) but I became caught up in the challenge. I could take this on! And I did. Finished the book in 10 days, basically ignoring the rest of the world. It was the outsider characters that captured me in this book. I saw a little piece of myself in every member of the Loser's Club. And I'm afraid of clowns.
3. The Talisman-This story is more fantastical than I usually go for. However at it's center is a great heroes journey tale that I enjoyed immensely. Again another long one but in this case I think that it's all about the picaresque characters along the way. Especially Wolf. I read this the summer after 8th grade. I had read the first chapter sitting in the Barnes and Nobel out in Sugar House. Now this was the old school B & N that was in the same complex as Shopko and the dollar movie theater. This was the first B & N store in our area. I would wander around looking at books and mags but I had no money. After reading the first chapter I had to have that paperback. I begged my mom for 10 bucks so I could get it and she caved.
Have a great weekend! Book Slave.
Here we are folks. I hope y'all watched the debate tonight. I did and I thought moderator Gwen Ifill did a great job. So I attended The Hard Boiled Book Club on Tuesday night and had a good time. There is a smart core group there and a very thoughtful moderator/leader in Zach Sampinos. I'll be attending again next month. To find out more about it, click here.
Let's walk again down memory lane with a theme that I think fits the month of October.
Life Changing Reads: Stephen King Edition
1. Carrie-Beginning in seventh grade I was thrust into a social situation that was akin to the horrible treatment of Carrie White. It's no shock then that I devoured this book after picking it up at Sprague library. I had heard of the movie before, but I'm not really a horror fan, so I had not seen it. I think it was the cover with it's drawing of a brown hair teen against a black background. That cover and the name Stephen King drew me in and I was hooked. I'm sure it didn't help my social identity to be sitting by myself reading Carrie, again, but I did not care. I was so enamoured with the book that I sought out all the different editions at book sales.
2. It-I picked this up when I was in 8th grade. At first I was daunted by the size (over a thousand pages!) but I became caught up in the challenge. I could take this on! And I did. Finished the book in 10 days, basically ignoring the rest of the world. It was the outsider characters that captured me in this book. I saw a little piece of myself in every member of the Loser's Club. And I'm afraid of clowns.
3. The Talisman-This story is more fantastical than I usually go for. However at it's center is a great heroes journey tale that I enjoyed immensely. Again another long one but in this case I think that it's all about the picaresque characters along the way. Especially Wolf. I read this the summer after 8th grade. I had read the first chapter sitting in the Barnes and Nobel out in Sugar House. Now this was the old school B & N that was in the same complex as Shopko and the dollar movie theater. This was the first B & N store in our area. I would wander around looking at books and mags but I had no money. After reading the first chapter I had to have that paperback. I begged my mom for 10 bucks so I could get it and she caved.
Have a great weekend! Book Slave.
2008-09-23
Opportunity Knocks.
Hello world,
Is it wrong that I love the fact that this morning it was a little nippy? I cannot wait for scarves, gloves, and thick socks. It may shock some but fall here in the City of Salt is actually kind of awesome. Sure by December and January I'll be cursing snow, ice, and frigid cold, but now I am waiting in anticipation. Fall! Onward!
This week some life happened. Some opportunities have come around and I'm pretty stoked. Because of this I had to change some of my reading plans. So no reviews this week but definitely there will be next week.
Announcements
Hey so because of a change in schedule I finally have the chance to join a book club. One of my co-workers the mysterious Zach Sampinos started the Hard Boiled Book Club. You can read about it here. Sampinos is a pretty interesting fellow, here's an interview with him here. Anyway because of scheduling I'm now able to join. It has been awhile since I've been in a book group and I've missed it. So we'll see how this works out.
What's In My Bag
Books
Twilight of the Superheroes
X Saves the World
Magazines
Four Four Two
Comic
Deadpool #1
Checkout Count: 2 steps forward, 3 steps back.
Comic Pull List:Daredevil #111, Deadpool #2, Fables #76, New Avengers #45, Powers #30, Runaways 3 #2, Superman #680, Trinity #17
Have a great week! Peace Out Y'All! Book Slave.
Is it wrong that I love the fact that this morning it was a little nippy? I cannot wait for scarves, gloves, and thick socks. It may shock some but fall here in the City of Salt is actually kind of awesome. Sure by December and January I'll be cursing snow, ice, and frigid cold, but now I am waiting in anticipation. Fall! Onward!
This week some life happened. Some opportunities have come around and I'm pretty stoked. Because of this I had to change some of my reading plans. So no reviews this week but definitely there will be next week.
Announcements
Hey so because of a change in schedule I finally have the chance to join a book club. One of my co-workers the mysterious Zach Sampinos started the Hard Boiled Book Club. You can read about it here. Sampinos is a pretty interesting fellow, here's an interview with him here. Anyway because of scheduling I'm now able to join. It has been awhile since I've been in a book group and I've missed it. So we'll see how this works out.
What's In My Bag
Books
Twilight of the Superheroes
X Saves the World
Magazines
Four Four Two
Comic
Deadpool #1
Checkout Count: 2 steps forward, 3 steps back.
Comic Pull List:Daredevil #111, Deadpool #2, Fables #76, New Avengers #45, Powers #30, Runaways 3 #2, Superman #680, Trinity #17
Have a great week! Peace Out Y'All! Book Slave.
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