Amberville
by Tim Davys
Barnes & Noble link
(Note: I happened upon this book while browsing my favorite Tumblr blog, Libraryland. The moment its existence was made known to me, I had to go out and buy it. It needed to be in my life twenty minutes ago.)
Talk about unexpected surprises. Tim Davys, an anonymous figure from Sweden, threw a doozy at the literary world. Taking elements of Chandler and Hammett, adding a dash of whimsy, and added his/her/hir secret ingredient; Davys unleashed a quartet (so far, two of them are out). What is the secret ingredient, you ask? Stuffed animals. Yes. As in teddy bears, bunny rabbits, and elephants with cotton-filled tusks and trunks. Still with me? Good, because believe this: this whole concoction is a miracle and must be witnessed by all who enjoy books.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Book Review: 5 of 24 (damn, I need to catch up)
1984
by George Orwell
Barnes & Noble link
(This read was in celebration of Banned Books Week)
This is no underestimated, underground book. 1984, upon its release in 1949, changed pop culture. It added such phrases as "doublethink" and "Big Brother's watching you" into the lexicon. The notion of paranoia, of a government having control over everything from the media to how people are exposed to it, rings true for today. Especially in North Korea, where a totalitarian society, a living Oceania, currently reigns over its people.
by George Orwell
Barnes & Noble link
(This read was in celebration of Banned Books Week)
This is no underestimated, underground book. 1984, upon its release in 1949, changed pop culture. It added such phrases as "doublethink" and "Big Brother's watching you" into the lexicon. The notion of paranoia, of a government having control over everything from the media to how people are exposed to it, rings true for today. Especially in North Korea, where a totalitarian society, a living Oceania, currently reigns over its people.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Second Favorite Band of All Time continues to be awesome
Easy Wonderful
by Guster
Barnes & Noble link
(Fun fact: I preordered it from the band's official website, becoming the happy owner of one of the 500 autographed copies.)
Guster had been going strong for a long time, their first album Parachute coming out in 1996. Their last release Ganging Up on the Sun, which brought the world the lovely "Satellite" and the rocking "The New Underground", arrived in 2006. After that, there was an uncomfortable silence. Where did the boys from Cambridge go? Then early this year, they released "Jonah", for a Haiti charity album. Shortly after, happy news: their new album was due by the end of the year.
If you've been a longtime fan, already hearing the first single ("Do You Love Me") has gotten you a little worried. Wait, Guster was pretty level in its musical moods, but why the sudden burst of happiness? Oh no. What to do? Well, give it a shot and listen closely. You may be surprised on what you'll discover.
by Guster
Barnes & Noble link
(Fun fact: I preordered it from the band's official website, becoming the happy owner of one of the 500 autographed copies.)
Guster had been going strong for a long time, their first album Parachute coming out in 1996. Their last release Ganging Up on the Sun, which brought the world the lovely "Satellite" and the rocking "The New Underground", arrived in 2006. After that, there was an uncomfortable silence. Where did the boys from Cambridge go? Then early this year, they released "Jonah", for a Haiti charity album. Shortly after, happy news: their new album was due by the end of the year.
If you've been a longtime fan, already hearing the first single ("Do You Love Me") has gotten you a little worried. Wait, Guster was pretty level in its musical moods, but why the sudden burst of happiness? Oh no. What to do? Well, give it a shot and listen closely. You may be surprised on what you'll discover.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Overdue Reviews, Part 2
The Red and the Black
by Jerry Harrison
allmusic entry (please refer to your favorite legal digital music provider for clips and the sort)
While David Byrne faffed about with Brian Eno and Tom Tom Club (Talking Heads' rhythm section: Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth) made themselves a gold album, Jerry Harrison released his first solo album to little fanfare. Well with the influx (the albums were out within months of each other), one of those albums was bound to get lost in the hooplah. A shame though, because it is definitely not only worth checking out, but arguably one of the best albums to come from the decade of excess (and Teddy Ruxpin).
by Jerry Harrison
allmusic entry (please refer to your favorite legal digital music provider for clips and the sort)
While David Byrne faffed about with Brian Eno and Tom Tom Club (Talking Heads' rhythm section: Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth) made themselves a gold album, Jerry Harrison released his first solo album to little fanfare. Well with the influx (the albums were out within months of each other), one of those albums was bound to get lost in the hooplah. A shame though, because it is definitely not only worth checking out, but arguably one of the best albums to come from the decade of excess (and Teddy Ruxpin).
Monday, September 13, 2010
Book Review: 4 of 24
The Stepford Wives
by Ira Levin
Barnes & Noble link
(I read this on a whim while reading Stephen King's Danse Macabre, which mentioned the movie and the novel on the chapter about horror films. I finished it in less than two hours, go me. *fails to mention her vision is blurry as all-get-out*)
Ira Levin may not be much of a household name these days, but respectful horror nerds (of both the literary and film varieties) must acknowledge his footprints on this metaphorical frontier. He first brought the world Rosemary's Baby, a story so deep-rooted in modern culture that you don't have to see the film in order to understand why it scared the bejeebus out of everyone. It became a popular film, one in the lauded tower with others such as The Shining and Halloween. In 1972, he did it again. In the wake of women's lib taking on the world, he released The Stepford Wives. The book, unlike his last hit, wasn't much into grisly horror. It instead punched readers and viewers (once the film was released) with subtle, even paranoid, horror.
by Ira Levin
Barnes & Noble link
(I read this on a whim while reading Stephen King's Danse Macabre, which mentioned the movie and the novel on the chapter about horror films. I finished it in less than two hours, go me. *fails to mention her vision is blurry as all-get-out*)
Ira Levin may not be much of a household name these days, but respectful horror nerds (of both the literary and film varieties) must acknowledge his footprints on this metaphorical frontier. He first brought the world Rosemary's Baby, a story so deep-rooted in modern culture that you don't have to see the film in order to understand why it scared the bejeebus out of everyone. It became a popular film, one in the lauded tower with others such as The Shining and Halloween. In 1972, he did it again. In the wake of women's lib taking on the world, he released The Stepford Wives. The book, unlike his last hit, wasn't much into grisly horror. It instead punched readers and viewers (once the film was released) with subtle, even paranoid, horror.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Book Review: 3 of 24
Piercing
by Ryū Murakami
Barnes & Noble link
(This was a library borrow. Two down, four to go. This also will be the last review that will be lacking quotes from the book, since I keep forgetting to do that.)
Ryu Murakami is no stranger to writing novels that will make readers squirm in their seats (please refer to Almost Transparent Blue, Audition [yes, that one], and In the Miso Soup... but with caution). Compared to the more popular Haruki Murakami and his surrealistic settings, Ryū Murakami could be almost the shock jock of modern Japanese literature, especially with his focus on sexual violence, drug addiction, and deviant behaviors. But calling Murakami (referring to the author of Piercing from this point on) that would be missing the point of his work. If readers looked past the violence and sexuality and drugs, they would discover something just as hideous as a growing pool of rich red blood: people can be terrible.
by Ryū Murakami
Barnes & Noble link
(This was a library borrow. Two down, four to go. This also will be the last review that will be lacking quotes from the book, since I keep forgetting to do that.)
Ryu Murakami is no stranger to writing novels that will make readers squirm in their seats (please refer to Almost Transparent Blue, Audition [yes, that one], and In the Miso Soup... but with caution). Compared to the more popular Haruki Murakami and his surrealistic settings, Ryū Murakami could be almost the shock jock of modern Japanese literature, especially with his focus on sexual violence, drug addiction, and deviant behaviors. But calling Murakami (referring to the author of Piercing from this point on) that would be missing the point of his work. If readers looked past the violence and sexuality and drugs, they would discover something just as hideous as a growing pool of rich red blood: people can be terrible.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Overdue Reviews, Part 1
My Life In the Bush of Ghosts
by Brian Eno and David Byrne
Barnes & Noble link
*A long time ago, I posted this brief review (go to the near bottom) on the album. While, in a few words, it did sum up my initial feelings on the album, it wasn't enough to call it an actual review.*
Brian Eno and David Byrne had been working on the album, at least a few years, before its release in 1981. When it was unleashed onto the world, electronica music would have its solid foundation. Nothing like it was being done at the time. Eno and Byrne borrowed various samples, mostly from radio shows and old records, and created music around them. No other lyrics than what was said or sung on the tracks. The result was a feast for the ears.
by Brian Eno and David Byrne
Barnes & Noble link
*A long time ago, I posted this brief review (go to the near bottom) on the album. While, in a few words, it did sum up my initial feelings on the album, it wasn't enough to call it an actual review.*
Brian Eno and David Byrne had been working on the album, at least a few years, before its release in 1981. When it was unleashed onto the world, electronica music would have its solid foundation. Nothing like it was being done at the time. Eno and Byrne borrowed various samples, mostly from radio shows and old records, and created music around them. No other lyrics than what was said or sung on the tracks. The result was a feast for the ears.
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