I regret to say that this list was unfortunately small to put together. I have read more older books this time 'round, I suppose.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Best of 2010: Album Edition
It's baaaaaaack!
Here we are folks, near the end of 2010. What a year! So much has gone on and things are only getting more intense. Let's break from the news for a moment to discuss music. It's been a very interesting year for the ear candy. For once, I actually listened to quite a bit of the new releases (egads!) so my list will actually be a bit bigger. Let's make it a top twelve!
Here we are folks, near the end of 2010. What a year! So much has gone on and things are only getting more intense. Let's break from the news for a moment to discuss music. It's been a very interesting year for the ear candy. For once, I actually listened to quite a bit of the new releases (egads!) so my list will actually be a bit bigger. Let's make it a top twelve!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Book Review: 10 of 24 (Ballard Rides Again)
High Rise
By J.G. Ballard
Wikipedia link (click here to buy it from England!)
(Fun fact: this book was my solitary goal in my book-searching quest over in the British Isles earlier this year. It was this book or bust. Found it in the Foyles on Charing Cross. Excellent store, six floors of book heaven.)
A long time ago, I cracked open a copy of Stephen King's Danse Macabre (which I sorta recommend, but that's a whole other kettle of fish) and went to the far back to read the recommended books list. The tome of horror's long-ass history listed High Rise and Concrete Island alongside The Exorcist and The Haunting of Hill House. After finding High Rise, and just now finishing it, of this trilogy that Ballard had (Crash, Concrete Island, and High Rise; all which hilariously enough I read in order) this one is definitely the most likely to represent future real life.
By J.G. Ballard
Wikipedia link (click here to buy it from England!)
(Fun fact: this book was my solitary goal in my book-searching quest over in the British Isles earlier this year. It was this book or bust. Found it in the Foyles on Charing Cross. Excellent store, six floors of book heaven.)
A long time ago, I cracked open a copy of Stephen King's Danse Macabre (which I sorta recommend, but that's a whole other kettle of fish) and went to the far back to read the recommended books list. The tome of horror's long-ass history listed High Rise and Concrete Island alongside The Exorcist and The Haunting of Hill House. After finding High Rise, and just now finishing it, of this trilogy that Ballard had (Crash, Concrete Island, and High Rise; all which hilariously enough I read in order) this one is definitely the most likely to represent future real life.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Godmother of Punk's Big Debut Rocks the House
Horses
by Patti Smith
Barnes & Noble link
Patti Smith wasn't about to enter the world of punk rock, and later be crowned the Godmother, with a quiet beginning. No, the Chicago native was going on strong, taking Van Morrison's classic "Gloria" and turn it into a rocking blues jam with injections of her poetry, beginning famously with "Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine". While the album is crowned with the iconic yet minimalistic photo of Smith in casual work attire, photographed by the late and great Robert Mapplethorpe, Horses reveals to have more than what the cover shows.
by Patti Smith
Barnes & Noble link
Patti Smith wasn't about to enter the world of punk rock, and later be crowned the Godmother, with a quiet beginning. No, the Chicago native was going on strong, taking Van Morrison's classic "Gloria" and turn it into a rocking blues jam with injections of her poetry, beginning famously with "Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine". While the album is crowned with the iconic yet minimalistic photo of Smith in casual work attire, photographed by the late and great Robert Mapplethorpe, Horses reveals to have more than what the cover shows.
Book Review: 9 of 24 (musician getting writing awards and stuff)
Just Kids
by Patti Smith
Barnes & Noble link
(Fun fact: I read a chunk of this on an e-reader on display at my job, since I was supposed to stand there and demonstrate it for curious customers.)
A memoir can be more than just about the pen-holder. It can be about another, a person that had stood beside the author through the tumbles of life. Inspire them to do great things and become someone that ends up making history. That is what Patti Smith did in her memoir Just Kids, making it not only about her, but the famed photographer and best friend Robert Mapplethorpe.
by Patti Smith
Barnes & Noble link
(Fun fact: I read a chunk of this on an e-reader on display at my job, since I was supposed to stand there and demonstrate it for curious customers.)
A memoir can be more than just about the pen-holder. It can be about another, a person that had stood beside the author through the tumbles of life. Inspire them to do great things and become someone that ends up making history. That is what Patti Smith did in her memoir Just Kids, making it not only about her, but the famed photographer and best friend Robert Mapplethorpe.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Book Review: 8 of 24 (Holy Mackerel!)
The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University
By Kevin Roose
Barnes & Noble link
(Lordy, I waited too long to read this glorious tome. Hope not to do that for Rob Sheffield's newest book.)
There are times when you confront someone who has different beliefs than you and you wonder "what is it like to be them? And most importantly, are the stereotypes true?" Kevin Roose, instead of settling with stereotypes, decides to dive right into the world of evangelical Christians. The Unlikely Disciple is the chronicle of that adventure.
By Kevin Roose
Barnes & Noble link
(Lordy, I waited too long to read this glorious tome. Hope not to do that for Rob Sheffield's newest book.)
There are times when you confront someone who has different beliefs than you and you wonder "what is it like to be them? And most importantly, are the stereotypes true?" Kevin Roose, instead of settling with stereotypes, decides to dive right into the world of evangelical Christians. The Unlikely Disciple is the chronicle of that adventure.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Book Review: 7 of 24
So Punk Rock (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother)
by Micol Ostow with illustrations by David Ostow
Barnes & Noble link
(Note: this is one of four library books I need to get finish reading before the end of the month. Moral of the story: never borrow seven books at a time when you have at home 100+ of your own you need to read...)
Once in a while, in the young adult literature world, you stumble across a book that manages to capture what it's like being a teenager in its purest essence. The social pitfalls, the schoolwork, the dreams and dares. But what it does differently is it does it without making it vapid, you with the bookworm personality or the outcast who hasn't yet asked out the love of their life. Sure, it may also be in a framework that you didn't grow up in, but hey, it's neat to get a different perspective. So Punk Rock... is one of those books.
by Micol Ostow with illustrations by David Ostow
Barnes & Noble link
(Note: this is one of four library books I need to get finish reading before the end of the month. Moral of the story: never borrow seven books at a time when you have at home 100+ of your own you need to read...)
Once in a while, in the young adult literature world, you stumble across a book that manages to capture what it's like being a teenager in its purest essence. The social pitfalls, the schoolwork, the dreams and dares. But what it does differently is it does it without making it vapid, you with the bookworm personality or the outcast who hasn't yet asked out the love of their life. Sure, it may also be in a framework that you didn't grow up in, but hey, it's neat to get a different perspective. So Punk Rock... is one of those books.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)