Stapled To The Armchair

Nil Oat

2010-11-15T20:36:00.001-08:00

Tao Lin writes things that are good.

If he wrote a sentence that said something is good it would be better than the sentence I just wrote, even if he wrote the same exact sentence.

That is how good he is.

Read everything he has ever written and ever will write, including things that he writes and publishes on the internet. Or in The Stranger.

I just read Richard Yates. Before that I read Shoplifting from American Apparel, which I bought at the reading so Tao Lin could sign it. I am a fangirl. Before that I read You are a little bit happier than I am, which is an important book of some short poems and some long poems and some poems with long titles. Before that I read Bed, which is a book of stories of a normal length. Before those books I read Eeeee Eee Eeee. That one is my favorite but not just because it was the first one I read.

Books are good but I wish Tao Lin would write zines because zines are good too and his zines would be better than good. They'd be a lot better than mine, which are crap.

Tao Lin is good at book readings, especially in Seattle at Elliot Bay. I'm not sure why the people who read his books have stupid and/or racist questions. I'm not sure why those people read his books and then go to his readings. But they do. It's fine though; it's ok to watch him defeating the audience. This September, I witnessed many small deaths.

No one will read this except people I already know. Most of you have already listened to me talk about these books. Or you have listened to me read from these books, in a fake-sounding monotone. By now you have already decided to read these books or not. It's your life.

What I Saw & What I'm Reading

2010-07-17T23:22:00.000-07:00

Today in Portland I spotted a mustachioed deer through a forest of ribbons in a shop window on Hawthorne. The causes of the current mustache/beard craze had eluded me- until now. Something about the addition of that little muddy brown plume of facial hair makes me trust this deer and whatever advice it would offer with quiet patience.

Michael Ruhlman doesn't have a mustache in the author photo on the jacket of his book, Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking, but, like the mustachioed deer, I trust this book with a wheel of cooking ratios depicted on its cover. Ruhlman's plainly stated suggestion is this: cooking can be streamlined down to a matter of ratios. Having been known to spend (waste??), hours of my life pouring over cookbooks and collecting recipes (some of which I'm sure I'll never use), I felt a little lost at first but this is about building a knowledge base and developing competencies, not about abandoning recipes altogether. To make cookies, just remember the method and 1 part sugar : 2 parts fat : 3 parts flour. Anything else, like chocolate, eggs or lavender, is just a variation on the basic dough. Pie crust, brine, pasta dough: knowing the ratios of each respective food might not make recipes irrelevant but it does seem to make them nonessential. This calculated, analytical method to cooking appeals to my desire to broaden the repertoire of foods I can prepare without a recipe. What a great day I'm having.

Independent people: an epic by Halldór Laxness; translated from the Icelandic by J.A. Thompson

2010-05-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

Halldór Laxness is perhaps the only Nobel Prize Winning authors otherwise respectable English majors have not read. Or heard of. But they should, and here's why:

Laxness' well-crafted but plain language punctuated by complex poetry sets a sophisticated stage for the contemporary Icelandic saga. In Independent People, he delivers an early 20th century tale that feels like a Medieval saga and is startlingly relevant to contemporary Icelandic and Western culture. Opening with the superstitions and of old Iceland, the story maintains an air of the conflict between ancient and modern Iceland, as well as a conflict between where modern Iceland is and is headed. Conflict between pagan ritual and Christian doctrine, co-operative society and capitalism, ancient verse versus modern poetry, and the saga of Orvar-Oddur against Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Not only do issues of ancient versus modern society arise but also Iceland's own isolation from Europe specifically but also from the rest of the world. Snow White is not only a modern threat but a European one. While the idiotic World War rumbles, Icelandic farmers continue to calmly discuss amongst themselves the best way to deal with wormy sheep and bask in the profits as Icelandic goods raise enormous prices while others romanticize crossing the green glass sea and yearn for foreign travel.

In the middle of all of these conflicted values is the stoic Bjartur, an independent man. He has ended a term of near-slavery under the Rauthsmyri and now plans to be indebted to no one. He takes up sheep farming at a legendary haunted and ill-fated croft he has nameed Summerhouses. He is proud of the roughly-constructed and humble dwelling he's built for himself and takes pains to use what he has and not go into debt by doing anything foolish like buying a cow. Things quickly go downhill before the new wife has crossed the real threshold of the land and thus begins a bleak ride through the decades-long hard times of one determined crofter.

Bjartur lives primitively, eating dried waste-fish in a muddy floored lousy hovel at a time when wealthier individuals enjoy luxuries in storied houses and ride around in automobiles. He's not only a producer but an anti-consumer and an ultimate survivalist. Even so, when all is through, these truths are apparent: man is man's worst enemy; "no matter what he does, man can not gain independence": wanting more than a basic hole in the earth for shelter is more than what any man can afford and will bring forth his ultimate financial demise (and death of independence); capitalism cannot sustain itself in Iceland's isolated economy but socialism, maybe. Oh, and "a free man can live on fish better than meat." Think about that one.

Independent People is a complicated novel that picks out and flags economic and social failings early on that have contributed to the current financial crisis in Iceland and elsewhere. Harsh realities are revealed and difficult relationships unfold in the often sublime but sometimes punitive natural landscape. This is certainly one of the best works of Icelandic fiction I've read this year and definitely worth a try if you're interested in such. Watch out for thorns: misogyny, woman-slapping, white ethnocentric attitude. Suggested for fans of Sigrid Undset.

Running After Antelope by Scott Carrier

2010-05-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

Scott Carrier has had many stories on the radio. I heard several of them on NPR. Now, almost two years later, I've finally read Carrier's book, Running After Antelope. It's a collection of stories that have been broadcast on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" and Public Radio International's "This American Life."

Stories range from the first time (of many), he attempts to run down antelope with his brother to an eye-opening company sponsored trip to Cambodia. My favorite story is one of those which I had heard on the radio. It's called "The Test." Scott has quit his professional job, his wife has left him and he finds himself with a job driving around searching out schizophrenic patients and administering a test to gauge the progression of the illness. The test is supposed to be administered with cold clinical precision but Scott's acute observations of these interactions reveal the inevitably emotional complexity of this task. In the end, this test is life-changing for Scott more than anyone else.

Running After Antelope is a quick and easy read with an assortment of short, fast-paced stories; I blew through it in just a day because I couldn't put it down. Read it and listen to the NPR podcast of "This is Insanity," a show hosted by Carrier which features "The Test."

My Abandonment by Peter Rock

2010-05-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

SPOILER warning: Do not read this if you don't want to know way more of what happens than one would find on the book jacket.

My Abandonment. Hmm, it's not what I thought it would be. I remember hearing about this book awhile ago. Part of it takes place in Portland and it's based on a true story, but that was all I knew about it. In real life, my job of course is to connect teens with books (stories, information), that may be of interest to them. The Youth Media Awards were just announced so, in an uncharacteristically enthusiastic move, I checked out the award winning titles. The Alex Awards are given to ten adult titles that, in their complexity and more mature themes, may appeal to older teens transitioning from teen fiction to the adult realm. Usually, these titles are of interest to me as well as they tend to: 1. be fast-paced and keep my attention through the end; 2. include extreme situations or characters; 3. be accessible, easily digestible reads. Plus, I'm probably sort of immature. So, I'm reading my way through the titles that sound interesting. Peter Rock's My Abandonment is the first one that arrived and the first one I read.

The reader learns that one teen-aged girl Caroline and one man Father are living in the middle of Forest Park, a sprawling green space inside the city of Portland, Oregon. The reader learns that these two have an unusual lifestyle but that they are resourceful and seem to know what they are doing. Two survivalist vegetarians living inside a well-concealed shelter in the woods. It's such an appealing idea to anyone who's ever wanted to get out of the system, off of the grid, but as things progress, Father seems less of an eccentric and more of a delusional paranoid recluse, shell-shocked from war. Caroline looks to him adoringly and though not without question, always with complete trust, even when it becomes increasingly apparent to the reader that his behavior may not warrant this unconditional trust. One day, Caroline is spotted by a runner and soon after police show up to take her and Father away. Father is given an opportunity to rejoin society, pretty much for Caroline's sake, but soon makes his way out and takes Caroline into an even deeper isolation. Ironically, his trust in the wrong people leaves Caroline abandoned. Truly alone.

Nearing the end of the story I found myself expecting a turn-around; thinking Caroline would get some answers from the family Father abducted her from as a child, the family he calls her foster family. No such answers are sought. Instead, Caroline ends up making it on her own, enrolling in library school (I must say, as a librarian I was horrified to read that, as a volunteer she gave story time; this should never happen in an actual library! This library business took me out of the story a bit. Few outside of the profession really understand that volunteers and even clerical staff members cannot replace librarians in our core functions. Don't fight it.), and living alone in a yurt in the woods. Anyways, she ends up as one might expect one who spent their childhood and adolescence in such a manner to end up: socially awkward and alienated though admirably knowledgeable of the natural world and self-sufficient. I can't decide if I'm jealous of their attempt to cast off the weight of civilization or critical of the lengths and sacrifices Father made to attain this independence. While he seems to have good intentions, Father's actions leave me in between haunted and indignant. On top of this, the book raises many issues, such as, what are one's real options? Where are one's finite limits? Can one truly escape civilization, or will the problems inherent in any society follow one even as they creep around the outskirts? What new problems exist outside of society?

My Abandonment is what Peter Rock thinks may have happened to a very real girl, Ruth, who has disappeared and thus is not available for fact-checking. Visit the YALSA website to read an interview with the author.

Destination D.I.Y. #3 by Julie Sabatier

2010-02-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

I met Julie Sabatier while she was tabling for Destination D.I.Y. at the Portland Zine Symposium a couple years ago. This was before she became Bitch Magazine's Podcast Producer. If you don't already know about her super fantastic project, you really should. I'll let Destination D.I.Y. speak for itself. From the About Us page on their website (destinationdiy.org):

"[Destination D.I.Y. is] about revolutionary do-it-yourself projects. This innovative show has grown up from Portland’s grassroots. It started out as a live monthly show on KBOO Community Radio in early 2006 and has become a full-fledged audio documentary series with a significant following on the Internet and syndication on radio stations around the country.

We explore new ways people are working with limited resources to create rather than consume the world around them. Destination DIY blends recorded field sound, in-studio interviews, local music and personal narration to create an arc that takes listeners on a journey and brings them back inspired."

Yup. So anyways, I picked up the zine form of Destination D.I.Y. (issue #3) at In Other Words last Friday and, in an attempt to read zines as I acquire them instead of letting them sit around in my house for months and months, finished reading it this morning. It's a companion to the show containing material that has been left out of the broadcasts for whatever reason but that is still of interest and very readable. Issue #3 contains bits and pieces from episodes about home birth, Portland's Village Free School, death and burial (a super personal anecdote from Julia), the history of D.I.Y and Portland's p:ear (a nonprofit mentoring organization for homeless youth).

Listen to the show, read the zine, be inspired (if you like). It's one of the few podcasts I subscribe to and actually look forward to listening to. I'm sad that I don't see any other zines listed in Destination's online store and hope it hasn't come to an end. This was published some time ago...

Show & Tell #5

2010-02-13T12:51:00.001-08:00

I just finished reading one of the best perzines I've read in awhile: Show & Tell #5, by the awetastic Rachel Lee Carman. It's been sitting around my house (moving from ottoman to bookshelf to a slightly more prominent place in my magazine display rack), since I bought it at Reading Frenzy in December but this morning, I made my move. And I couldn't put it down. First of all, the inside cover is a page from a book I have used in my own collages & zines; a crazy yoga book of questionable intent that boasts spreads of ladies doing crazy animal-named poses superimposed onto photos of the pose's namesake animal. It's pretty great, obviously.

Anyway, after Rachel explains how to make one's own mini-zines, she jumps into a series of mini-comics and short stories beginning with a half-pager about partner-sleep (the truest and scariest intimacy. Oh, the horror!!), building up to a hilarious chunk of minis centered around the theme: Adventures at Costco. Why is it funny? It's funny because it's true and it reminds me of "Costco-Obsessive Disorder," a spot on essay by Carson Brown published in Before the Mortgage: Real Stories of Brazen Loves, Broken Leases, and the Perplexing Pursuit of Adulthood. Symptoms of Costco-Obsessive Disorder include an increasing inability to discuss anything other than Costco and an adamant belief that shopping at Costco saves huge sums of money. But I digress...

Mixed in with the funny are more instructions for doing things one absolutely wants to do: a spread on making one's own art (Why? Because "art is expensive." Yes, yes it is.);"The best curry recipe ever;" a quiet mix play list; AND a gross Weight Watchers 1974 recipe card stapled to the back cover. Oh, and there's the story about her cat Snowball which I sobbed through like a big emo wreck.

Rachel's sweet illustrations, running commentary and guides to making things make Show & Tell #5 not only funny but useful! You need to read this zine! I need to read more zines made by Rachel!

I never intended to kill this blog...

2009-11-28T00:16:00.001-08:00

and in fact, I do maintain the gadget list of media morsels I consume during any given week. The absolute minimum contribution.

There have been some interesting films and books moving through my house these days and I'm

maybe feeling more motivated to make a real effort in annotations. Perhaps after December programming, meetings, classes, workshops, social events, etc. are over. Or, possibly, as a concurrent escape?

Fart Party / Julia Wertz

2008-10-20T23:32:00.000-07:00

Fart Party is amazzzzing. That's Fart. Party. By Julia Wertz. Atomic Books published a compilation of the heroically ID black and white comics one whole year ago (as of October 3), and you must read it. I cannot explain why it is what it is (and it is one of the best books I've read all year. And actually, one of the best zines of the year since I first read it in minicomic/zine form), because I won't be able to do it justice. Simply point your browsers to fartparty.org, where you can find all sorts of thrice-weekly comic delights. Read the most recent then compulsively read every single last one in the hefty backlog.

Uh, see also Liz Prince of Will you still love me if I wet the bed? fame.

They are both cool as hell.

Same difference and other stories / Derek Kirk Kim

2008-10-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

This is one of the best books I've read this year. More info later (I'm off to meet a friend for lunch at a vegetarian place in Fremont), but the authenticity of this collection of snarky black & white short comic stories blew me away. Not to mention the scatological humor; gets me EVERY time. Anyways, the collection closes with this piece titled "island" that is essentially my very own life! I am now author/artist crushing on Mr. Kim.

I'm pretty much a deadbeat blogger

2008-10-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

Since I've begun blogging for my library on work time I've been blogging less and less for myself on my own time. Big surprise there. I'll update the current reading list and maybe even add a brief annotation every now and then but as far as blogs are concerned, I'm only here for the non-linear organization of my own personal reading list. Zines are way more fun to make and share anyways. So that's why I haven't created an actual post since June. Too many more interesting things to do and make and try.

The Host

2008-06-24T00:51:00.000-07:00

The Host / Stephenie Meyer

I don't care what I thought about the Twilight series, The Host went everywhere I went this week. It was constantly by my side- in my tote on the passenger seat on the way to work or any errand, at my desk (but never buried beneath the unsorted backlog of papers), spread open in front of me at the dinner table, and on the floor by my bed as I slept. I didn't like the main character/s (Melanie- the human host who chose death over defeat- and Wanda/Wanderer - a parasitic alien "soul" who moves into a human body that is not quite vacant), yet I couldn't put it down. The dialogue was weak (especially for heroines). The romance read like the almost perversely undeveloped and childlike fantasies of a schoolgirl's diary (perhaps my own), yet I neglected chores, errands and sleep and am now cramming to meet extracurricular deadlines this week. I made a serious commitment to this 600+ page book. I have no idea why. It's offensive when an author surpasses the 300 page mark without good reason. The Host could have been shorter. I wasn't affected upon reaching that last sentence but still was motivated to get there. This is either a good book, for tricking me into reading it all the way through, or, being in my second year without cable, maybe I'm just starved for a rush of popular culture.

Boy Toy

2008-06-04T11:56:00.001-07:00

Lyga, B. (2007). Boy toy. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

They were in love. It was a passionate affair. It was an accident. She knew he was more than just a 12 year old boy. He had desires. She wanted to satisfy them. Barry Lyga wants to tell you all about it in explicit detail. Just another teen sex book? Hardly. Because she is his teacher and now he's 14, obsessing over Eve's release date from jail. Yah, jail. That's how it ended. He still doesn't know how to maintain relationships with girls his own age- even his former best friend who he molested. Lyga explores some dark and controversial material without holding back.. Captivating and simultaneously revulsive. I would actually recommend this title more for young adults. And by young adults I mean the college crowd & twentysomethings.

Stoneheart

2008-06-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

Fletcher, C. (2007). Stoneheart. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Recommend for 5th grade and up, even for adults looking for an escapist clean fantasy. George is having a bad day. When he takes it out on a statue on the side of a museum the life-size stone pterodactyl comes to life and attacks him. Oops- he's just started a war. I listened to this one on audio every night after work while making and eating dinner and cleaning. It was one of my favorite novels of the year.

The Black Sheep

2008-06-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

Collins, Y., & Rideout, S. (2007). The Black Sheep. New York: Hyperion.

Another reality tv show premise. Black Sheep pits the West Coast contemporary hippie family against the East Coast businessperson/yuppie family. Big surprise (not really), the kids are the complete opposite of their parents and get along better with their surrogate families when they switch for the show. A little bit of sexual references because, of course there's a boy element and someone sees someone else naked- but by accident. Mild profanity - "shit" is pretty much the extent of it. It was ok. I read it a night I was in the hospital and it kept my mind off thoughts of needles and latex gloves closing in on my throat.

Blood Roses

2008-06-04T11:45:00.000-07:00

Block, F. L. (2008). Blood roses. New York: Joanna Cotler Books.

Typical of Block's fiction, a collection of whimsically melodic bits woven together by stardust and sexual perversion (involving minors & adults). Sexually explicit content and obscene language make this an appealing and appropriate book for mature readers, upper high school through adult.

Snow: a retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

2008-05-07T22:19:00.000-07:00

Lynn, T. (2006). Snow: a retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Once upon a time. New York, NY: Simon Pulse.

A little drawn out, a little stocky, and not extremely interesting. Some of the interpretations were promising but in the end, I was disappointed. Snow's real name was Jessica and the third person omniscient narration made her dull and distant. Characters seemed a little disconnected, even when engaged in conversation. Maybe my problem with it was that it wasn't dark enough. Or twisted enough, like the original fairy tales. Except, it kind of was dark- there was murder, sexual assault, and mutated cross-species re-animation- it just was written in such a formal style and cold tone that none of it was believable or frightening. It didn't draw me in. I was also kind of annoyed by the author's bio at the back of the book. It declares that she used a pen name to write the book, states her alleged real name, then adds that she's written another book under a different name. What's the point of using a pen name (or multiple pen names in this case), if you're just going to tell your readers all of your names inside your books? I'm sure this wasn't the author's own decision but rather the brilliant idea of publisher or publicist. Anyways, lots of people do like the Once Upon a Time line, particularly middle school girls, as they fly off the shelves. Good for them! I hate writing about books that I didn't like since, as it stands, I'm no published author myself, just an avid trash-reader.

The Rose & The Beast: fairy tales retold

2008-05-07T22:09:00.000-07:00

Block, F. L. (2000). The rose and the beast: fairy tales retold. New York: HarperCollins.

I just read The Rose and the Beast by Francesca Lia Block. It's a collection of fairy tales retold in a contemporary, sexually damaged Anne Sexton kind of way (see Briar Rose). Strongly recommended if that sort of thing interests you. I loved it. Block's whimsical melodic writing style comes through as well, making these some of the most provocatively original stories I've read in the re-told fairy tales for high school and up (sexual content and I'm pretty sure some obscene language), genre. Of course, some of the original tales themselves are much more disturbing but she channels them well.

Girlwood

2008-05-01T10:30:00.000-07:00

Dean, C., & Kato, A. (2008). Girlwood. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

What would you do if the red fairy version of your older drug addict sister slipped into your room to say goodbye the night your real sister disappeared? What would you do if the only place that feels like home- your forest- was about to be ripped apart and developed into a subdivision by your mortal enemy's father? What would you do when you find traces of your sister in your forest, months after she disappeared? What would you believe?

Drugs, alcohol, sex references, teen pregnancy, minor swearing makes this more appropriate for older middle school and high school.

Beastly

2008-04-02T15:51:00.000-07:00

Flinn, A. (2007). Beastly. New York: HarperTeen.

Yes, it's been done many times before but this contemporary retelling of Beauty and the Beast is worth reading. Who knew Beauty's father was a junkie? Or that the beast had been sequestered away to Brooklyn by his preening news-anchor dad? I sure didn't but it does slum up the story a bit. I started reading it on the plane on the way back from PLA Midwinter- Minneapolis (where I snagged a free copy) and it did not disappoint as a plane-riding-page-turner. Drugs, bad parenting, materialism, Manhattan and a recognizeably beastly beast who tells all. Plus, social networking technology is worked into the plot in a relevant way.

Indie Girl

2008-04-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

Johnson, A., Macklin, K., & Wertz, M. (2008). Indie girl: from starting a band to launching a fashion company, nine ways to turn your creative talent into reality. San Francisco, CA: Zest Books.

Every urban library system should have this book but it should also be accessible to the girls trying to make it work out in suburbia. Packaged in a fantastically digestible layout, the book covers zine-making, tv production, all-over indie diy goodness for teens (and adults who don't suck). Read with The Big Book of Pop Culture, Stolen Sharpie Revolution, Whatcha Mean What's a Zine, and Making Stuff and Doing Things.

Elliott Smith

2008-04-02T12:55:00.001-07:00

Wilde, A. d. (2007). Elliott Smith. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

Not another self-indulgent dead rock star bio, Elliott Smith is an insightful image and text-based glimpse into the artist's life presented by his own inner circle (not some star-worshipping fact-checker). Autumn's gorgeously casual photos are broken into sections bordered by interviews with Beck, Chris Walla, Ben Gibbard, Matthew Caws, Dorien Garry, Joanna Bolme, etc. (too many to list). Aside from Elliott himself, the interviews touch on art, photography, and the act of having one's photo taken (I felt like I was reading Susan Sontag or Roland Barthes at one point- and this is a great thing). And did you know Elliott was a feminist? There's also this hilarious line about the NY emo-indie scene but the most understated and effective textual component is the post-it note laundry list on the inside front end page. List = light bulbs, neckties, boxing gloves, tomato juice, antlers, paxil, ill will (small box), good intentions, paper towels. Best. Thing. Ever. PLUS there's a CD in the back- Live at Largo! All books should come with an Elliott Smith album tucked in the back. No exceptions!

If I had $29.99 I'd buy it. I don't, so I borrowed it from the library. Just like Elliott's music, makes me feel better whether I'm feeling happy or sad. And if you didn't know him (I sure as hell didn't), it'll make you feel supremely ripped off.

I recommend each one

2008-03-19T01:51:00.001-07:00

Felt is my favorite. Japanese craft books are fun too.

2008-03-17T00:18:00.000-07:00

Check out my most recent book splurge. The title’s transliteration is a little rough- Zhan creative hair delicious dessert table -108 Road delicious cakes non-woven handicraft DIY- but it’s basically "felted sweet treats." After my meeting with David and Greg (minicomix superstars!!!), I went to Uwajimaya to buy snacks for my manga/anime program next month (ah, thanks to preservatives... I buy fresh organic local fruit the day-of to make up for the good-for-399-days spicy cracker nuts, etc.) but wandered into the bookstore to ogle the cute things. The sweet treat book was part of a massive craft book display. There were many other delicious looking books- some great drabby (not to be confused with shabby)-chic sewing books too. My library system will most likely never acquire any of them. Anyways, it’s full of painfully intricate, super-cute felted desserts. Yummy. This stuff is incredible and it’s kind of making me want a sweet.

Also awesome, while searching for the book link I stumbled upon a project for felt sliding doors. Seriously.
Photos posted at apartment therapy

Felt rules.

Full Frontal Feminism

2008-03-12T22:23:00.000-07:00

Valenti, J. (2007). Full frontal feminism: a young women's guide to why feminism matters. Emeryville, CA: Seal Press.

Jessica Valenti is my new hero. She's written one of the most gripping (as in, I was up until 2am reading it last night), women's studies books ever. Note the opening of chapter 1 (titled "You're a hardcore feminist. I swear."):

"What's the worst possible thing you can call a woman? Don't hold back, now. You're probably thinking of words like slut, whore, bitch, cunt (I told you not to hold back!), skank.

Okay, now, what are the worst things you can call a guy? Fag, girl, bitch, pussy. I've even heard the term "mangina."

Notice anything? The worst thing you can call a girl is a girl. The worst thing you can call a guy is a girl. Being a woman is the ultimate insult. Now tell me that's not royally fucked up. Recognizing the screwed nature of this little exercise doesn't necessarily make you a feminist. But it should. Most young women know that something is off. And even if we know that some things are sexist, we're certainly not ready to say we're feminists. It's high time we get past the "I'm not a feminist, but..." stuff. You know what I'm talking about: "I'm not a feminist or anything, but it is total bullshit that Wal-Mart won't fill my birth control prescription."

She pretty sums up my soapbox in chapter seven with, "And while a little romance never hurt anybody, the idea that women are supposed to be obsessively focused on all things love-and-relationship oriented serves a strategic, anti-feminist purpose. Because if all we're thinking about is how to get a guy, then maybe we won't pay such close attention to the fact that we're getting paid less at work or having our reproductive rights stripped away."

There's um, lots of facts and statistics and logical arguments provided to back that shit up. Easily one of the most important books of 2007.

The Heroin Diaries

2008-03-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

Sixx, N., & Gittins, I. (2007). The heroin diaries: a year in the life of a shattered rock star. New York: VH1 Books.

If you like things that are dirty, you might enjoy reading about the squalor described by The Heroin Diaries. Everyone's been talking about their drug addictions and promiscuity lately but Nikki's story is worth reading because 1) it's packaged in a rad layout with lots of dark photos 2) as a rock star, Nikki's shit is automatically more exciting than your everyday addict (sorry, James Frey) 3) you'll look cool reading a book with the word :heroin: in the title 4) it's Nikki Sixx. Read it to know the intimate details of addiction, depression, loneliness, and general rock-star misbehavior. Addictive in itself, the journal proves that Nikki is a thoughtful, passionate, introspective and sensitive human. He's well-read and has a rad aesthetic. My post-reading conclusion: I think I'm now in creative lust with Nikki Sixx (which makes sense because he really reminds me of my ex in image and personality...).

Food not lawns: how to turn your yard into a garden and your neighborhood into a community

2008-03-02T16:22:00.000-08:00

Flores, H.C.. Food not lawns: how to turn your yard into a garden and your neighborhood into a community.

An activist's guide to utilizing all of that wasted space you call your "lawn." Think of the food-growing potential!

Loom Knitting Primer

2008-03-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

Phelps, I. Loom Knitting Primer.

The most complete source of loom knitting instructions and patterns. Not my aesthetic but patterns can be easily adapted into stuff me and my friends would wear. Very cool and useful. There's patterns for blankets (essentially- flat panels on round looms), various kinds of socks, arm warmers, legwarmers, a shrug, hats, slippers, scarves, etc. Again, very cool. And useful.

Making Stuff & Doing Things

2008-02-26T20:43:00.000-08:00

Bravo, K., & LeBlanc, J. (2005). Making stuff and doing things: a collection of DIY guides to doing just about everything. Portland, OR: Microcosm Publishing.

If you've ever wanted to make something instead of buying it, anything at all, but lacked the basic knowledge or drunken confidence to do for it, get yourself a copy of Making Stuff & Doing Things. Kyle Bravo put it together but it's a compilation of zinester info. I read it cover to cover @ Bauhaus today & will now be doing lots more. It tells you how to do tons of stuff but I was particularly excited by the instructions for making toothpaste, rubber stamps (from bike tires, no shit), & bottle cap/tab buttons (genius!!!). There will be a bigger shift. Another essential pub out of Microcosm.

Veg Out: Vegetarian Guide to Seattle and Portland

2008-02-26T19:35:00.000-08:00

Stevenson, G. B. (2004). Veg out: vegetarian guide to Seattle and Portland. Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith.

If you're a vegetarian (or vegan) living in (or visiting) either Seattle or Portland you've gotta check out Veg Out. Much ground (literally), is covered and you can search for stuff within the guide by city/suburb or using the alphabetic and cuisine indexes. Several restaurants in Olympia, Tacoma, Bellingham & Eugene are thrown in for good measure. A thorough but still mainstream guide, DIYers should use it as a starting point for food finding. More extensive listings of DIY-approved eateries may be found in the guides listed below:

The Zinester's Guide to Portland / Shawn Granton
The Seattle DIY Collective's DIY Guide to Seattle (download it for free)

The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved: Inside America's Underground Food Movements

2008-02-26T15:07:00.000-08:00

"Eating well has become an act of civil disobedience."

To find out why and how, check out The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved: Inside America's Underground Food Movements / Sandor Ellix Katz.

Anticraft

2008-02-19T23:39:00.000-08:00

Rigdon, R., & Stewart, Z. (2007). Anticraft: knitting, beading, and stitching for the slightly sinister. Cincinnati, Ohio: North Light Books.

Best ocd craft tip ever:

Catalog your fabric scraps in a notebook, making note of quantity, fabric characteristics, etc. Then you know wtf you have when you're out thrifting for stuff and/or starting projects. I think this will save me an inordinate amount of time and annoyance. I picked up the tip from the Anticraft book (from the library). The projects are a little cheesy for me (crystalline, spider-beaded chandelier earrings?? gothy knit santa stocking cap? not for me! I feel like an anticrafter to their anticraft.), but a couple are pretty rad. Mainly the black crochet fishnet gloves and these black thigh high stockings (I'd omit the snake pattern because, for me, plain black is perfect.). Anyways, I liked the tip so I'm in the middle of constructing my own fabric and ribbon (because I just have to out-do everything), catalog, even though work truly kicked my ass today. To the curb.

Everybody Hurts, yes, the essential guide to emo culture.

2008-01-25T23:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Dumb Diary,

The super emo read I've been wanting to get my hands on since reading the review totally delivers.

Here's the info:
Simon, L., & Kelley, T. (2007). Everybody hurts an essential guide to emo culture. New York: HarperEntertainment.
(Leslie Simon = managing ed. Alternative Press; Trevor Kelley = "leading contributor" to same pub.)

Everybody Hurts is completely kidding, except sometimes kind of not at all, and it pretty much covers every band in my ipod artist list, the contents of my closet, and of course my entire life. The text is broken into easily digestable sections and the writing is wonderfully snarky. Just the way I like it.

Excellent Excerpt: "...to be emo is to tap into something sweetly innocent: an unjaded desire for romance and comfort, a nostalgia for things that haven't happened yet, or an ache for things that barely were. The music- and all the fashion and Tiger-Beatish drama that comes with it- is the messenger, but not the message. All devotees have their own definition of emo, and for thousands if not millions of people all over the world, this is a way of life no matter what it dresses like or sounds like." --- Andy Greenwald, July 2007

It's a page-turner. I was up until 1:30 with it the night I read it (and miraculously arrived at work several hours later not only on time but early!).

love,
fatalgram

In my darkest hour

2008-01-25T23:38:00.000-08:00

Santiago, W. (2004). In my darkest hour. Seattle, Wash: Fantagraphics.

Read this GN from the collection during a lunch break at work:

"...we're nothing but meat. tightly packed elaborate sausages ribs, tenderloins, chucks, flanks, forshanks... slowly decaying meat, fed throughout a lifetime by 2.5 billion beats from another piece of meat... strip off all out mores, customs, system of values and we're nothing but dull meat... it's the fat that adds flavor."

---from the grotesquely beautiful and obscene pages of in my darkest hour / Wilfred Santiago

Consider that this symbolism is not lost on a vegetarian.

Tease- need a t-shirt recipe?

2008-01-25T23:16:00.000-08:00

Sockit, S., & St. Laurene, D. (2006). Tease 50 inspired T-shirt transformations by superstars of art, craft & design. New York: Perigee.

Tease is a fabulous book. I have checked it out from my library and am attempting to resist the urge to buy it but all of the projects in it are so awesome and many are unlike any other
projects in my idea file...

Favorite projects: Stephanie Wenzel's soft t-box (like a heavily padded, fluffy soft lunch box), a vintage bib tee (Heather Sperber), a fabric applique tee (Saltlick) and a super cute t-capelet sans "interesting shape" (Jesse Kelly-Landes).

tentacles vs. anchors, It's kind of a funny story

2008-01-25T23:11:00.000-08:00

Vizzini, N. (2006). It's kind of a funny story. New York: Miramax Books/Hyperion Books For Children.

Anchors and tentacles, anchors and tentacles. One keeps you safe, the other whips you out of your reality and into your mind's haven for anxiety and self-doubt. I think the tentacles
(stressful, mundane lifeless things like tests, crappy jobs, etc.), and anchors (the meaningful, grounding things in life like family, love, passion), theory is beautiful. It's from It's Kind of a Funny Story (Ned Vizzini, complete genius and object of my reader-lust).

Half the time I don't even like fiction, nevermind new fiction but this one's a keeper. Yep, I was sucked in and chewed up by the rampant emotional turmoil. Adolescent depression is always a good jumping off point for an emo read, no? May I also say I have a MAJOR author crush on Ned Vizzini? Well I shall because I do.

On Liberty - John Stuart Mill raises my flag!

2008-01-25T23:08:00.000-08:00

Mill, J. S., & Spitz, D. (1975). On liberty. New York: Norton.

From On Liberty: "Those who admit any limit as to what a
government may do, except in the case of such governments
as they think ought not to exist, stand out as brilliant
thinkers..."

Oh, it is good. And while I read this tome I people-watch @
Bauhaus. Beautiful couples-- always nagging at the
conscientious- you're alone and we're not!!

all the PostSecret shenanigans

2008-01-25T23:04:00.000-08:00

Warren, F. (2005). PostSecret Extraordinary confessions from ordinary lives. New York, N.Y.: ReganBooks.
(2007). My secret a post secret book. London: Orion.
(2007). The secret lives of men and women a PostSecret book. New York: Regan.

After tearing through Frank Warren's awesome PostSecret and MySecret the only logical thing to do was procure his newest (Jan. 2007) installment, The Secret Lives of Men and Women.
Following the precedent of the first two PostSecret publications, The Secret Lives kept me glued to my seat, tearfulling turning pages long into the night. Who doesn't want the relief of knowing that a complete stranger somewhere out there feels the same way?

Mt. Rainier

2008-01-25T23:01:00.000-08:00

Snow, R., & Howorth, P. (1984). Mount Rainier. The Story behind the scenery. Las Vegas, Nev: KC Publications.
I'd better know something about this place! Plus, I love that it is written by someone whose last name is Snow. Incredibly appropriate. It's an old book (published 1984), but still carries useful information and absolutely gorgeous glossy, full-color photo spreads.

Graffiti Women: street art from five continents

2008-01-25T22:59:00.000-08:00

Ganz, N. (2006). Graffiti women street art from five continents. New York: Abrams.

Beautiful, glossy, full-color album cataloging the even more beautiful and poignant work of international female artists including Miss Van! Great to flip through or read cover to cover, or both, again and again.

By Hand: the use of craft in contemporary art

2008-01-25T22:57:00.000-08:00

Hung, S., & Magliaro, J. (2007). By hand the use of craft in contemporary art. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.

A full-color, contextualized assembly of pieces that define contemporary alternative art.

Bodies of Subversion

2008-01-25T22:55:00.000-08:00

Mifflin, M. (2001). Bodies of subversion a secret history of women and tattoo. New York: Juno Books.

Bear with the somewhat choppy (result of piecemeal revision from first edition?), text and you will be rewarded with a complete history of women as collectors and purveyors of tattoos. Includes black and white (many nude or partially nude), tattoo portrait photographs that focus on the piece without sexualizing its wearer.

We're breaking up!

2008-01-25T22:49:00.000-08:00

Ever notice how teenagers are always breaking up with one another? Someone's always just gotten dumped or has done the dumping (and stomping all over someone else's heart). The chaotic critical mass of heartache known as high school/college dating, if nothing else, yields itself nicely to interesting contemporary YA fiction. For real life drama and to prove to yourself that you're not the only unloved unfortunate nightly watering the flora and fauna of your grungy bedsheets (too sad to launder!!), with your tears you should check out the following
tales of love lost:

I just finished reading Cupcake / Rachel Cohn. It’s the third installment of the CC books (following Gingerbread and Shrimp), but is just fantastic as a solid stand-alone read as well. Cupcake picks up after recently-turned eighteen-year-old CC and surfer boy Shrimp end their two year relationship in order to pursue their own independent lives. After high school graduation, CC moves cross country from California to NYC to live with her just-discovered older half brother Danny and go to culinary school. Once she gets there, all she can think about is Shrimp until she stumbles into a dive café, finds an unexpected job and begins to make a life for herself, on her own. I actually finished it last night and loved that CC was able to be in love, to make a difficult choice, to still be in love after making that choice, and to consciously evaluate that choice as it affects her daily actions throughout the story.

Anatomy of a Boyfriend / Daria Snadowsky is another excellent breakup novel about Dominique, an older teen girl (also right before and after high school graduation). With detailed sexual experimentation and strong language, I’d give the “read at your own discretion” warning first, but the story deals with the depression, physical sickness, confusion and humiliation that follow a break up. The high school romance (ill-fated for time as it started senior year), becomes a long-distance relationship after graduation. The story’s primary focus is on the relationship itself and of the sexual identities and experimentation of the characters, but once it crumbles the rehabilitation process is affirming and Dominique learns to be independent.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist / Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.
Cohn and Levithan’s dueling narration reveals what is said, what is unsaid between two people and how misgivings and insecurity and misunderstood gestures lead to unexpected outcomes with unexpected people. The setting: a punk rock mosh pit in Manhattan. Enter record exec’s daughter Norah and lead singer of queercore punk band Nick. Both are from Jersey. Both just got dumped. Both have exes at the show. Nick asks Norah to be his gf for five minutes. Her answer is a kiss. The story goes on from there as a post-breakup jealousy game that turns into something way unplanned. Again, about older teens on their way out of high school and into college. Sexual situations and strong language- another one to give a disclaimer for. Well written.

All three were page turners for me.

For more heart (and gut)-wrenching pleasure, see also:

Crank / Ellen Hopkins, also covers the breakup angle but the quick-reading verse novel focuses more on breaking down (emotionally, physically), than anything. Hence the title.

Buffy reading list (in case you're also obsessed)

2008-01-25T22:40:00.000-08:00

Criticism, metaworks

Buffy, the vampire slayer : the watcher's guide / Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder ; with Keith R.A. DeCandido. by Golden, Christopher.
Buffy the vampire slayer and philosophy : fear and trembling in Sunnydale / edited by James B. South.
Buffy the vampire slayer : the watcher's guide 2 / by Nancy Holder ; with Jeff Mariotte and Maryelizabeth Hart. by Holder, Nancy.
Seven seasons of Buffy : science fiction and fantasy authors discuss their favorite television show / edited by Glenn Yeffeth.
Reading the vampire slayer : an unofficial critical companion to Buffy and Angel / edited by Roz Kaveney.
Slayer slang : a Buffy the vampire slayer lexicon / by Michael Adams. by Adams, Michael, 1961-
Buffy the vampire slayer : the watcher's guide volume 3 / by Paul Ruditis. by Ruditis, Paul.
Buffy the vampire slayer : the monster book / Christopher Golden, Stephen R. Bisette, and Thomas E. Sniegoski. by Golden, Christopher.
Fighting the forces : what's at stake in Buffy the Vampire Slayer / edited by Rhonda V. Wilcox and David Lavery.
What would Buffy do? : the vampire slayer as spiritual guide / Jana K. Riess. by Riess, Jana.
Why Buffy matters : the art of Buffy the vampire slayer / Rhonda Wilcox. by Wilcox, Rhonda.
Bite me! : an unofficial guide to the world of Buffy the vampire slayer / Nikki Stafford. by Stafford, Nikki, 1973.
The Buffy chronicles : the unofficial companion to Buffy, the vampire slayer / N.E. Genge. by Genge, Ngaire.
The physics of the Buffyverse / Jennifer Ouellette ; illustrations by Paul Dlugokencky. by Ouellette, Jennifer.
The girl's got bite : an unofficial guide to Buffy's world / Kathleen Tracy. by Tracy, Kathleen.
Once bitten : an unofficial guide to the world of Angel / Nikki Stafford. by Stafford, Nikki, 1973-
Girls who bite back : witches, mutants, slayers and freaks / edited by Emily Pohl-Weary.
The vampire watcher's handbook : a guide for slayers / Constantine Gregory ; annotated by Craig Glenday. by Gregory, Constantine.

Comics

Tales of the slayers / story by Joss Whedon ... [et al.] ; art director, Mark Cox ; pencils by Leinil Francis Yu, Karl Moline ; colors by Dave Stewart ... [et al.] ; letters by Michelle Madsen ... [et al.] ; inks by Dexter Vines, Andy Owens ; art by Tim S
Spike & Dru : pretty maids all in a row / Christopher Golden. by Golden, Christopher.
Immortal / by Christopher Golden & Nancy Holder. by Golden, Christopher.
Tales of the slayer. Vol. 2.
Fray / created and written by Joss Whedon ; penciller, Karl Moline ; inker, Andy Owens ; colorists, Dave Stewart, Michelle Madsen ; letterer, Michelle Madsen. by Whedon, Joss, 1964-
Sunnydale High yearbook / Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder. by Golden, Christopher.
Buffy the vampire slayer : false memories / based on the television series created by Joss Whedon ; writers, Tom Fassbender & Jim Pascoe ; penciller, Cliff Richards. by Fassbender, Tom.
Buffy the vampire slayer : the death of Buffy / writers, Tom Fassbender & Jim Pascoe, and Fabian Nicieza ; penciller, Cliff Richards ; inkers, Joe Pimentel & Will Conrad. by Fassbender, Tom.
Buffy the vampire slayer : viva las Buffy / based on the television series created by Joss Whedon ; writers, Scott Lobdell & Fabian Nicieza ; penciller, Cliff Richards. by Lobdell, Scott.
Buffy the vampire slayer : out of the woodwork / based on the television series created by Joss Whedon ; writer, Tom Fassbender ; penciller, Cliff Richards. by Golden, Christopher.
Uninvited guests / writer, Andi Watson, "New kid on the block" co-written with Dan Brereton ; penciller, Hector Gomez ; inker, Sandu Florea ; colorist, Guy Major ; letterer, Janice Chiang. by Watson, Andi.
Buffy the vampire slayer : note from the underground / based on the television series created by Joss Whedon ; writers, Scott Lobdell & Fabian Nicieza ; penciller, Cliff Richards ; inker, Will Conrad ; colorist, Dave McCaig ; letterer, Clem Robins ; cover by Lobdell, Scott.
A stake to the heart / writer, Fabian Nicieza ; penciller, Cliff Richards ; painted pages, Brian Horton ; inker, Will Conrad ; colorist, Michelle Madsen ; letterer, Clem Robins. by Nicieza, Fabian.
Night of a thousand vampires ; and, ugly little monsters / writers, Tom Fassbender & Jim Pascoe ; penciller, Cliff Richards. by Fassbender, Tom.
Angel : Long night's journey / story, Brett Matthews and Joss Whedon ; pencils, Mel Rubi ; inks, Chris Dreier ; letters, Pat Brosseau ; colors Michelle Madsen and Dave Stewart and Digital Chameleon. by Matthews, Brett.
Angel. The longest night, vol. 1 : an original anthology based on the television series created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt

The Constant Rider Omnibus

2008-01-25T22:24:00.000-08:00

Lopresti, K. (2000). The constant rider omnibus stories from the public transportation front. Portland, Or: Tugboat Press.

Too crazy to be true (but I guarantee they are!), stories about public transportation in PDX. Includes anecdotes about passenger-passenger and bus driver-passenger skirmishes, bus-riding tips and etiquette, transit politics, and drunks on the bus. Hilarious and well-written. Definitely worth your time. Makes me want to ride the bus. Or not. I'm not sure. This did make me want to write a library-nightmare zine about all of the insane patrons we have to deal with. The idea kinds of flew out the window when I, being the self obsessed person that I am, decided to make a perzine instead.

Coffeeshop Crushes: Tales of Love and Lust in Coffee Establishments

2008-01-25T22:13:00.000-08:00

OK, I've been reading this zine called Coffeeshop Crushes: Tales of Love and Lust in Coffee Establishments (Nicole J. Georges & Jon Van Oast, eds.), and it's great. I don't have any coffee shop crushes at present but I do have a thrift store, specifically G-will, crush. Anyways, the content ranges from hilariously sad to just plain hilarious. It's not too heavy on the side of romantic victory and there's some big zinester names you might recognize (that is, if you actually read zines already), namely Alex Wrekk, Kate Lopresti and poindexter. Lots of fantastic comix and fantastic anecdotes. One graphically obscene anecdote (also fantastic) makes it an excellent choice for more mature readers. It's a steal for $2.00 of your hard-earned labor-mill wages. I ordered mine from Powell's but since it's published by Microcosm I suppose you could get it from them too.

You can do it! the merit badge handbook for grown-up girls

2008-01-25T21:48:00.000-08:00

Grandcolas, L. C., & Bozzini, Y. (2005). You can do it! the merit badge handbook for grown-up girls. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

I now have a 26-item list of things to do/try. If possible, this book was simultaneously inspiring and discouraging. It reminded me of all the stuff I've been wanting to do but haven't gotten around to and gave me some new ideas but now I'm a little overwhelmed and have no idea how to get organized (and actually, getting organized is on the list), to make it all happen.

Here's the deal: it's set up like a girl scout badge handbook- divided into separate badge sections with a concise overview of each activity and list of benefits of said activity. An interview with a demonstrated expert shows how a real live person has succeeded in the activity and contact information is provided in an appendix in case readers wish to use them as a mentor. There's also follow up activities to go beyond the badge and a recommended media list (suggested by each badge's mentor), with books, websites, music, film and more to check out to learn more. Totally in sync with a real live GS badge book is the official badge completion box at the end of each section, full color badge appendix, and make-your-own-badge option at the end. Really great ideas even if it only touched on DIY and activist ethos and not just for "grown-up girls." A for effort and enjoyability.

Story of a Girl

2008-01-25T21:32:00.000-08:00

Zarr, S. (2007). Story of a girl a novel. New York: Little, Brown.

Worst scenario ever: 13 year old Deanna gets caught in the backseat of a high school junior's car by her dad. When the guy (after being threatened by Deanna's dad), gets back to school the first thing he does is tell everyone what happened. Three years later and a sophomore in high school, Deanna's classmates are still telling the story and at home, her dad can barely look at or speak to her. The only good things in her life are her friends Lee and Jason and her slightly older teen brother Darren and his family. She thinks she can make things better for herself by getting a summer job at the local pizza dive and saving up so she can move out but when school lets out things start to get even more complicated than they already were.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

2008-01-11T00:40:00.000-08:00

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. (2007). Perfection Learning Prebound.

Dueling narration reveals what is said, what is unsaid between two people and how misgivings and insecurity and misunderstood gestures lead to unexpected outcomes. Starts out in a punk rock mosh pit in Manhatten, ends up in various late-night convenience stores, a diner and a cab. Record exec’s daughter = Norah. Lead singer of queercore punk band = Nick. Both are from Jersey. Both just got dumped. Both have exes at the show. Nick asks Norah to be his gf for five minutes. Her answer is a kiss.

Boy proof

2008-01-11T00:37:00.000-08:00

Castellucci, C. (2005). Boy proof. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press.

Sci-fi cinephile thinks she makes herself boy proof- and is totally ok with this until the "new guy" shows up. It's mostly clean- nothing really objectionable for middle schoolers. Deals with issues of self-identity and rebellion. Questions a lot and (I think), wraps it up in an acceptable way.

Beige

2008-01-11T00:32:00.000-08:00

Castellucci, C. (2007). Beige. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press.

Katy is forced into the LA punk rock scene when her mother the archaeologist goes on a dig in Peru and leaves her with her estranged second-string rock-star/ex-addict dad. She's immediately nicknamed Beige by her dad's friend's daughter because she's BORING. She even bored me as a reader. I read it in a night. There's not anything wrong with it but it didn't blow me away. I liked the punk rock song title chapter headings. My copy circulates with the edgier teen girls.

Weetzie Bat

2008-01-11T00:29:00.000-08:00

Block, F. L. (1989). Weetzie Bat. New York: Harper & Row.

Punk rock kids like going to shows, thrift shops, old movies and classic cars. Realistic world in which fantastic things take place. Calif. Spacey, flowing, poetic novel rushes along at an urgent, glitzy pace. Definitely a whimsical read.

See also:
Witch Baby. (Dangerous Angels)
Cherokee Bat and the Goat Guys. (Dangerous Angels)

(more layers within the same story)

Thirsty

2008-01-11T00:26:00.000-08:00

Anderson, M. T. (1997). Thirsty. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press.

Chris starts going through changes and suspects it’s more than puberty…. Rage, insatiable hunger, sleepless nights. He tries to save the world (mostly in order to save himself and reverse the change), but choosing between good and evil is wayyy easier when you know which is which.

Burger Wuss

2008-01-11T00:25:00.000-08:00

Anderson, M. T. (1999). Burger Wuss. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press.

Revenge, high school romance breakup aftermath, fast-food rivalry, bully, male perspective- no happy ending here! Not as engaging as Thirsty.

Crush

2008-01-11T00:23:00.000-08:00

Futcher, J. (1995). Crush. Boston: Alyson Publications.

Coming out fiction. Lesbian. Small town girl moves to NYC and meets her first girlfriend. Once they hook up, relationship development and story line end abruptly. Shrug. Nothing really objectionable for upper middle school or high school unless, of course, you're homophobic.

Honk if you hate me

2008-01-11T00:21:00.000-08:00

Halverson, D. (2007). Honk if you hate me. New York: Delacorte Press.

Skateboarding punk-ish girl who hangs out at her best friend’s parents’ tattoo shops burned down her town’s life-blood- the factory- as a child and has yet to live it down. Eh, shrug. Cool title though.

Guyaholic

2008-01-11T00:14:00.000-08:00

Mackler, C. (2007). Guyaholic a story of finding, flirting, forgetting ... and the boy who changes everything. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press.

Potentially objectionable content includes: profanity & (female-centered solo- uh oh!), sexual content.
Coming of age storyline in which guy-chasing and mildly irritating high school girl finally gets a grip after meeting a guy, screwing it up with the guy, and subsequently embarking on a solo road trip. I'd recommend it for 11th grade and up.

King Dork

2008-01-11T00:10:00.000-08:00

Portman, F. (2006). King Dork. New York: Delacorte Press.

If I hadn't listened to it on audio I probably would have liked this contemp fiction about an alienated high school guy and his music & girl obsession. It did have its funny moments and was well-written, just too long of a listen on audio with the narrator.

Portland City of Readers

2008-01-01T22:34:00.000-08:00

Well it looks like I'm heading back to PDX once more. Rachel invited me to go in a couple of weeks so I'm going because basically, I ALWAYS want to go. No matter what. And I'm not working.

So anyways, since I'm getting ready to go back I thought I'd do some more reading on the place.
Portland: City of Readers is a fantastic resource for visitors and (not like I'd know), residents. I made lots of lists while reading it. Here's the info I gleaned from it:

Local PDX authors to read:

Craig Thompson (Blankets author)
Chuck Palahniuk (duh)
Charles D'Ambrosio (The Point)
Beverly Cleary (Children's room at the main Mult. Library dedicated to her)
Michael Bendis

not to mention an onslaught of zinesters....
See also: the Oregon Library Association's bibliography of Oregon Authors.

Books of interest (to me), set in PDX:

Geek Love / Katherine Dunn
Drugstore Cowboy / James Fogle
Beautiful Blemish / Kevin Sampsell
Little Miss Strange / Joanna Rose

Interesting (again, to me), nonfiction about PDX:

Greater Portland: urban life and landscape in the Pacific Northwest / Carl Abbott (I'm on hold for this at my library)
Wildmen, Wobblies & Whistle Punks / Brian Booth
Portland's Historic Sidewalk Signatures / Christopher A. Gossett
Classic Houses of Portland, Oregon: 1850-1950 / William J. Hawkins
The Radical Middle Class / Robert D. Johnston
Portland: People, Politics, and Power: 1851-2001 / Jewel Lansing
The Growth of a City / E. Kimbark MacColl
Central Library / Richard E. Ritz
Portland Confidential / Phil Stanford
Portland Names & Neighborhoods / Eugene E. Snyder (because you don't want to say "Glisan" the wrong way.)

This is Not Chick Lit

2007-12-16T23:42:00.000-08:00

Merrick, E. (2006). This is not chick lit original stories by America's best women writers. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks.

Includes fiction by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Francinse Pose, Dika Lam, Mary Gordon & others. Pervaded by a few clunky stories, the collection as a whole offers a diverse sample of contemporary women’s fiction.

Happiness Sold Separately

2007-12-16T23:26:00.001-08:00

Winston, L. (2006). Happiness sold separately a novel. New York: Warner Books.

Eleanor’s husband Ted starts an affair with Gina, his young perky personal trainer that turns into an indelible love triangle. This was actually really good- totally gripping!

http://worldcat.org/oclc/66463498&referer=brief_results

Brokeback Mountain

2007-12-16T23:25:00.002-08:00

Proulx, A. (2005). Brokeback Mountain. New York: Scribner.

Gay ranch hands novella. Tragic love denied but a little contrived
and not very engaging.

http://worldcat.org/oclc/60824233&referer=brief_results

My Sister's Keeper

2007-12-16T23:25:00.001-08:00

Picoult, J. (2004). My sister's keeper a novel. New York: Atria.

Generic. Sister conceived as an organ donor for her older sibling with leukemia. Generic. Really bad chick lit. Don't read it.

Fight Club

2007-12-16T23:24:00.004-08:00

Palahniuk, C. (1996). Fight Club. New York: W.W. Norton &.

Just read it. Especially if you saw the movie because the book is way better. Believe it.
Read a book review if you need plot/synopsis. It is what it is but it will keep you glued
to the sticky hard plastic chair in your dorm's basement kitchen until 3 am (true story-
this happened to me).

Survivor

2007-12-16T23:24:00.003-08:00

Palahniuk, C. (1999). Survivor a novel. New York: Norton.

Other Chuck P. novels read just like alternate (not-as-good) versions of Fight Club.... but read it anyways, sicko. It's still better than most fiction out there.

Diary

2007-12-16T23:24:00.001-08:00

Palahniuk, C. (2003). Diary a novel. New York: Doubleday.

Other Chuck P. novels read just like alternate (not-as-good) versions of Fight Club.... but read it anyways, sicko. It's still better than most fiction out there. Not as good as Survivor or Choke.

Apathy and Other Small Victories

2007-12-16T23:23:00.001-08:00

Neilan, P. (2006). Apathy and other small victories. New York: St. Martin's Press.

I really liked this. Hilarious and well done story about an apathetic PDX office-drone.

Hairstyles of the Damned

2007-12-16T23:21:00.000-08:00

Meno, J. (2004). Hairstyles of the damned. Chicago: Punk Planet Books.

Not as whimsically pleasing as Boy Detective but stellar punk rock soundtrack. Basic nerdy high school guy is secretly in love with his cool but fat and raging riot grrrl bff. It has its moments.

Boy Detective Fails

2007-12-16T23:20:00.000-08:00

Meno, J. (2006). The boy detective fails. Chicago: Punk Planet Books.

Bildingsroman unfolds in a Victorian “Dear Valued Reader,” audience-conscious third person omniscent narrative. Mystery, tie-in elements (word search, recipe, secret code, connect the dots), make this an interactive and charming read. Psychological satire, if I can create a genre.
Really really really unique and good and you must read it.

Him, Her, Him Again, the End of Him

2007-12-16T23:19:00.000-08:00

Marx, P. (2007). Him, her, him again, the end of him a novel. New York: Scribner.

Quirky, whimsically neurotic narrative of pining after and getting strung along by an adulterous rake. For anyone who’s been stuck in unreturned love. It's pretty much hilariously tragic. The only thing I didn't like was one of the supporting characters' names: Obax. WTF is that about??

Eeeee eee eeee

2007-12-16T23:18:00.000-08:00

Lin, T. (2007). Eeeee eee eeee a novel. Hoboken, N.J.: Melville House.

Dolphins, bears, etc. Contemporary realistic fiction punctuated by sparkling fantastic moments. Took me awhile to get into it (at first I kept thinking it was a pale imitation of Miranda July-style oddity), but once I did it was great!

No One Belongs Here More Than You

2007-12-16T23:17:00.002-08:00

July, M. (2007). No one belongs here more than you stories. New York: Scribner.

Unique voice, strangely and uniquely (often vaguely creepy) short stories mostly
about people with absolutely no social skills or grasp on reality. But what is
reality anyway? If you like Sylvia Plath, Francesca Lia Block or F. Scott Fitzgerald
papers/short stories you might also like this collection.

Posh

2007-12-16T23:16:00.001-08:00

Jackson, L. (2007). Posh. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Prep school underbelly gossip. Addictive like OK! magazine or Laguna Beach. Mildly critical but overwhelmingly celebratory of prep life. I ate it up in one sitting.

The Kite Runner

2007-12-16T23:15:00.001-08:00

OMG I hated this book. I was forced to read it for work and hated every second. Don't read it!
It doesn't even matter what it's about. All you need to know is that it's by Khaled Hosseini and just keep away!

Adverbs

2007-12-16T23:14:00.002-08:00

Handler, D. (2006). Adverbs. New York: Ecco.

Not as good as the Series of Unfortunate Events. Sorry. It's not. Story organization revolves around adverb chapter headings. It's about relationships and such but I wasn't into it and give it a shrug. I mean, it wasn't BAD, just you know, eh.

Marley and Me

2007-12-16T23:14:00.001-08:00

Grogan, J. (2005). Marley & me life and love with the world's worst dog. New York: Morrow.

Forced to read it for work. Suffered through (even though I skipped around quite a bit). How into a book about a man and his pet dog can I get? Esp. when it's based on a true story that takes place in Florida. So not the book for me but I would recommend it to my Nana. It's not that it was poorly written- it was fine. Just a generic heartwarming tale of pets and miscarriage.

American Gods

2007-12-16T23:13:00.000-08:00

Gaiman, Neil. American Gods. (audio)

Not my favorite work of Mr. Gaiman's but this is another one that I listened to on audio. I've gotta say, the narrator's old white man voice turned me off a bit to the story. I think I'll try again in the analog page and text format but as far as the audio version goes, don't bother!

Read on... Horror Fiction

2007-12-16T23:08:00.000-08:00

Pulliam, J. M., & Fonseca, A. J. (2006). Read on-- horror fiction.
Read on series. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited.

Witty subtitles and annotations make this reader's advisory
source fun for fun librarians (and laypersons too).
Good suggestions and some useful tools in the appendix
but I found the RA Guide to Horror to be more useful for
YA suggestions (yes, I know this is not meant to be
a YA selection source).

http://worldcat.org/oclc/68132910&referer=brief_results

The Horror Reader's Advisory

2007-12-16T23:06:00.000-08:00

Spratford, B. S., & Clausen, T. H. (2004). The horror readers' advisory the librarian's guide to vampires, killer tomatoes, and haunted houses. ALA readers' advisory series. Chicago: American Library Association.

Not sure what to read next in horror? This one breaks it down by subgenre and includes a nice list for YA reads.
http://worldcat.org/oclc/55696560&tab=holdings?loc=98027#tabs

A Million Little Pieces

2007-12-16T18:14:00.000-08:00

Frey, J. (2003). A million little pieces. New York: N.A. Talese/Doubleday.

Who cares if it's true or not, it's fun to read! I listened to it on audio and found it to be of great assistance in maintaining my shit in rush hour traffic. BTW the author's name is pronounced "Fry" not "Fray."

The Corrections

2007-12-16T18:13:00.002-08:00

Franzen, J. (2001). The corrections. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Recommended to me by someone with impeccable reading taste. I borrowed the book but returned it unfinished. Couldn't get through the laborious length of subplots and slow-moving narrative. Good if you like reading a LOT of words about a dysfunctional family through the eyes of an apathetic man. The family to me seemed less dysfunctional and more average and bland but then again, I didn't finish it. I only got about 3/4 of the way through.

A Fan's Notes

2007-12-16T18:13:00.001-08:00

Exley, F. A Fan's Notes: a fictional memoir. 1968.

Similar in wit and biting style to Paul Neilan but I liked Neilan's first novel better. This is a writer’s work meaning, if you're a writer, you'll probably read this and consider it a job well-done.

The Big Love

2007-12-16T18:12:00.002-08:00

Dunn, S. (2004). The big love a novel. Boston: Little, Brown, and.

Whiny Evangelical Christian chronicles the aftermath of getting walked out on by her live-in boyfriend. Yawn. I picked it up because I was attracted to the sexy hot pink and red cover but, as with Christianity, was disappointed by the false glitz. The new tv series of the same name sounds equally irritating.

JPod

2007-12-16T18:12:00.001-08:00

Coupland, D. (2006). JPod: a novel. New York: Bloomsbury.

Office and work satire that even the complacent employee will be delighted by. If you like this, try reading the zines Temp Slave and McJob, or Leah Ryan's compilation, For Here or to go: life in the Service Industry.

A technical note for those who care (mostly just for myself): Coupland successfully uses Smollett’s (see: The expedition of Humphry Clinker), technique of creating a layered narrative by inserting graphic and formatted text elements (precedes concrete poetry formatting, no? I'm not sure on that one...). Narrator is conscious of the author, mentioning him and his previous works on several occasions via character dialogue.

Fahrenheit 451

2007-12-16T18:10:00.002-08:00

Bradbury, R. (1967). Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster.

I get all hot and bothered (bad pun intended), about censorship and intellectual freedom like any decent librarian but that doesn't mean I want to read a sci-fi about it. Bradbury happens to be one of my favorite authors and I would recommend his short story collections- The Golden Apples of the Sun and The Martian Chronicles over this one.

A Blind Man Could See How Much I Love You

2007-12-16T18:10:00.001-08:00

Bloom, A. (2000). A blind man can see how much I love you: stories. New York: Random House.

Didn't finish it but then again, I tried it on audio so maybe I'd like a print version without the annoying narrator lady's voice. It sounded like it'd be really great... it might be.

Ruby

2007-12-16T18:09:00.001-08:00

Block, F. L., & Staton, C. (2006). Ruby a novel. New York: HarperCollins.

Darkly whimsical, fairy tale inspired and allusion-filled quest for completion through another person. Ruby gets her prince through scheming and strategy then obsesses guiltily over her contrived love. Read it in one sitting. Super good and F.L. Block's writing (as always) is
melodic and completely lovely.

Company

2007-12-16T18:08:00.001-08:00

Barry, M. (2006). Company: a novel. New York: Doubleday.

If you want workplace satire, just read Apathy and other small victories, JPod, Temp Slave, McJob or For Here or To Go.

Instant Love

2007-12-16T18:07:00.000-08:00

Attenberg, J. (2006). Instant love fiction. New York: Shaye Areheart Books.

Short stores of instant, yes, but incomplete love. Redemption for love-focused plots lies in the resolution of a woman walking away from mediocrity empowered and indifferent. Stories are connected and follow up on previously developed story lines. Sexually explicit language and situations. Page-turner. I read it in one day, mostly while at Dunkin Donuts with my mom. It is so good! I even had my picture taken in front of the promo poster at the Burnside Powell's a year ago. Read it! I don't want to call it chick lit even though it kind of is at the risk of losing the guy readers who would also love it if they picked it up. Great take on modern love, or lack thereof.
The author has a new book coming out this month called The Kept Man. Needless to say I've ordered copies for my library and am on the hold list.

New blog

2007-12-14T01:11:00.000-08:00

This business should be set up and ready to go two weeks from now (give or take).

My Dead Girlfriend

2007-12-14T00:25:00.000-08:00

Wight, E. (2006). My dead girlfriend. Hamburg: Tokyopop.

Black & white American manga in the Gothy-cute-emo-Romanticism-macabre aesthetic. For those who also like Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, George Gordon Lord Byron, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, John Keats, Bauhaus, Samuel Coleridge, The Cure, the color black, and red wine (people like me). I appreciated the style more than the story.

Fables

2007-12-14T00:24:00.000-08:00

The entire Fables graphic novel series by Bill Willingham is an adult contemporary urban continuation and amalgamation of fairy-tale fiction. Superbly done. Just read the entire series.

Girl Stories

2007-12-14T00:23:00.000-08:00

Weinstein, L. Girl Stories. 2006.

Compilation of Weinstein’s autobiographical 80’s punk comic.

Clubbing

2007-12-14T00:22:00.000-08:00

Watson, A., & Howard, J. (2007). Clubbing. New York: Minx.

Charlotte (aka Lolli), is a London Goth banished to her grandparents' golf course in the English Countryside. She clashes with the true-Goth locals but when one of the country club employees is murdered, Lolli has to get over herself temporarily to be a vigilante for justice. Or something like that. Maybe it's not that dramatic. Oh, and there's a guy involved.

Another good one from the Minx line. It's not the best thing I've read this year but I do recommend this clean graphic (as in, novel), murder mystery for middle school and up.

True Loves

2007-12-14T00:21:00.001-08:00

Turner, J., & Bothma, M. (2006). True loves. Maple Ridge, BC: New Reliable Press.

A whimsical and punk-DIY tinged Vancouver romance gn about a woman who works at a vintage clothing store.

A.L.I.E.E.N.

2007-12-14T00:20:00.001-08:00

Trondheim, L. (2006). A.L.I.E.E.E.N., archives of lost issues and early editions of extraterrestrial novelties. New York: First Second.

Wordless cute alien children comic. Recommended for middle school and up. I've even recommended it to a teacher for her 7th grade ESL class. Use it when you need a cool-looking book for older lower-level readers to develop literacy skills.

32 Stories: the complete optic nerve mini comics.

2007-12-14T00:19:00.002-08:00

Tomine, A. (1995). 32 stories: the complete Optic nerve mini-comics. Montreal: Drawn and Quarterly Publications.

B&W line drawings. Young subculture life shots.

Blankets

2007-12-14T00:19:00.001-08:00

Thompson, C. (2003). Blankets: an illustrated novel. Marietta, Ga: Top Shelf.

Christian/isolation-themed bildingsroman. Black & white graphic novel format, some cells border on the surreal. Explicit content (masturbation), makes it more appropriate for mature high school and adult readers. This content is completely within context and does NOT make this work obscene. It really doesn't so stop holding it against Craig Thompson.

Rent Girl

2007-12-14T00:18:00.001-08:00

Tea, M., & McCubbin, L. (2004). Rent girl. San Francisco: Last Gasp.

Graphic autobiographical chronicle of Tea’s time as a lesbian sex worker. Adult collection!
As far as I know, out of print, but if anyone finds a used copy feel free to send it my way.
Just make sure you read it first.

The Push Man & Other Stories

2007-12-14T00:17:00.002-08:00

Tatsumi, Yoshihiro. The Push Man and Other Stories. *(Drawn & Quarterly, 2005).

Series of stories about dysfunctional romantic relationships, revenge, irony, and futility. This sounds like something I'd love, but I did not. Adult collection for language, sexual content, nudity.