Fiction Friday (102)

As I've mentioned in a Fiction Friday a few weeks ago, one of the great treats about working in a library is wandering the shelves and spotting a book that you didn't know existed. So, something only librarians might appreciate is that poetry is not shelved in the fiction section, or some poetry section (which doesn't exist in libraries), but is shelved in Non-Fiction in the 811's. And that is where I cam across this book, by an author I love, and was unaware she wrote poetry.

morning in the burned house by Margaret Atwood
(Mariner Books, 1996)

The strength of any poetry is the word. It is the choice of words, the choice of omission, and the order in which they come together. In this collection of poetry, most centered around the theme of aging, Atwood displays a mastery of all of those choices. 

Her ability to take ordinary scenes and imbue them with a quality of imaginative beauty is the real treasure of this book. Her imagery is stunning. Her rhythm nearly impeccable. There wasn't any single poem that rose above the others, rather it was the entirety of the collection that gives it power.

I don't read poetry to the extent that I once did. In collect, I was a devoted reader of poetry, but sort moved away from it. However, every now and then I enjoy the form and relish the moments I spend absorbed in a collection. This was one of those books.

Fiction Friday (101)

So, it's happened again...another event that is requiring me to dive into reading a bunch of contemporary YA fiction. In the past, I've mentioned that my love of YA, which used to be so strong, and still is for the right book, has soured a bit over the years as YA becomes less and less about Literature and more and more about celebrating pop fiction. I'm find with that. I mean, pop fiction is popular, it's in the name. But what I'm not a fan of is how it's come to be celebrated as literature when it's not. So many of these books will be forgotten, not only by the world, but by the people who read them and "love" them, and that's sad. But anyway, I can always find something redeeming in a story.

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
(Greenwillow, 2017)

Eliza is famous, at least she would be if anyone knew her online identity. Though she's anonymously famous online for creating one of the most popular webcomics in the world, in real life she's like any other teenager with self-esteem issues just trying to survive her last year of high school. If she could finish the year, finish her comic, and escape to college, everything would be just fine. Unfortunately, things in real life tend to get more complicated than that.  

I found this book to be very slow through the first half, and also quite formulaic, albeit with some quirky elements mixed in. However, those elements didn't feel genuine. They came off as add-ons, things to make it different from every other teen girl-meets-boy-and-her-world-comes-undone story, of which there are thousands. There were also more than a few non-plausible elements in the story that kind of turned me off. However, with all of that said, I did enjoy the story and I really liked Eliza. She was a great character whose problems felt real.

My favorite part of this story was one of the subplots, one which involved the crippling creative pressure that can come with success and the relationship between artist and fan. These aspects of the book were incredibly well done and redeemed the story in my eyes, allowing me to forgive some of the parts that I felt were weaker. 

Weekend Music Roundup

The weekend has arrived, and in honor of springing ahead, I've decided to fall back and take a look a lot of albums from the '70s that I've been jamming to recently. I've also included two newer albums just to keep it current. Some of these are albums from bands I've followed for a long time, others are new to me and nice surprises. There's some dream pop, country rock, folk and jazz to keep the list intriguing. Hopefully there's something here you want to hear. Enjoy.

Shana Falana - Darkest Light: The first album in three years from the New York indie dream pop artist is another beautiful moody album. She takes a cue from 90s indie, using her beautiful voice in the background that drifts just above the wave of guitars, giving it a shoegazer feel while never losing track of melody and rhythm. In that way, she reminds me of PJ Harvey's work from that era. "Everyone is Gonna Be Okay," "Right Now is all We Know," and the title track are standouts. 

Michael Nesmith - Cosmic Partners: The McCabe's Tapes: Recorded in '73, this archival live set was recently released for the first time. After leaving The Monkees in '70, Nesmith embarked on a solo career that showcased his country roots. I've always been a believer in the Monkees and think they don't get the musical credit they deserve. They made some fantastic records. I knew Mike's hit "Joanne," but not much else of his solo work, so this was a great surprise. He's a talented country folk artist surrounded by talented musicians. A great collection of songs, and he's great at working the crowd with very funny banter. I will definitely keep my eyes open for any used Nesmith vinyl floating around.

Purple Mountains - Purple Mountains: This Chicago alt-country indie band seemed to come out of nowhere last year and surprise a lot of people. It was a band I missed until it starting showing up on year-end lists by a lot of people whom I respect. In a way, it's a group made of members of other groups, including Jermey Earl of Woods (a band I very much enjoy), and featuring the late David Berman, of Silver Jews. This reminds me a lot of Silver Jews, almost a revival of their sound, and quiet good. This has never been my ideal genre, but something that I can dig when I'm in the mood. I can see why so many people have enjoyed this album, it's a great last album for Berman to leave behind.

Sonny Criss - I'll Catch the Sun!: Released in 1969, right in the middle of the Memphis saxophonist's career, this is the tail end of the Hard Bop era, beginning of the Post-Bop era and shows the influence of soul music on jazz. This is a beautiful lazy afternoon kind of record, and the kind of jazz that brings me into its world. "Blue Sunset," "I Thought About You," and "California Screamin'" are standouts on this fantastic album. 

Van Morrison - Saint Dominic's Preview: Released in '72, this is the Irish folk singer's sixth solo album. This album dates from the height of his commercial appeal, following the blockbuster Moondance and Tupelo Honey, and feels more inline with those than his Astral Weeks masterpiece. I recently got this in the 4 for $10 bin at the local store and it's certainly worth it. It's a great laid back sound and one of those perfect records for putting on when you have company whose musical tastes you're unsure of...ie..relatives. 

Crazy Horse - Loose: The second album from Neil Young's on again, off again backup band was released in 1972. This is the first album they made after Danny Whitten was kicked out of the band, and his loss shows. I picked up a White Label promo copy of this record for a few dollars, and it's definitely worth a few dollars, but I wouldn't pay much more. It's decent enough country rock.

Fiction Friday (100)

One of the fun things about working at a library is the random book encounter. This comes from checking things in, glancing at the return carts, or skimming the shelves. Last week I came across this little gem in just such a fashion. I was curious about the small trim size, removed it from the shelf, and recognized the wonderful artwork on the cover. This translated French novel is a Mommy Dearest for the contemporary teen and a kindred spirit to my own books written during the same time.

Like a Thorn by Clara Vidal
(Delacorte, 2008)

Mélie has always believed she has two mothers; rosy mother and dark mother. One kind, one cruel. Since she was a little girl, she has been certain of this duality though no one else seems to see it. She believes it is up to her to ward of Dark mother and begins develop rituals to ward off her mother's harshness, rituals that grow more complicated and all consuming.

The brevity of this book is where it finds its power. It is an intense read, a painful read, a read that makes you feel for the main character, makes you want to be the one who is there for her when no one else is. To be honest, Mélie reminds me a lot of characters I've created in my books. She could be soul mates with Elizabeth (from Tomorrow, Maybe and Thief), with Lacie (from Perfect World), with Sabrina (from Life is But a Dream). 

Mélie was written with the same kind of intensity, and therefore, I'm not surprised to see reader reviews similar to those of my books. Basically, some people are turned off by characters like this. I'm not one of those readers. This is a book that really struck me and will stay with me. And if you are fans of any of those books of mine that I mentioned, I highly recommend reading this.

I'm Totally Okay With This

My newest television obsession is I'm Not Okay with This on Netflix. The seven-episode first season began streaming on Netflix last week and I'm already fiending for the next one. Similar to the networks other quirky graphic novel adaptation, The End of the F#*KING World, this show is delightful in every way, and once again proves Netflix, along with HBO, is a leader in adapting books and graphic novels into spectacular television.

Sydney is an average teenage girl who discovers she is far more than average when extraordinary things begin to happen to her. When the story opens, Sydney is stuck in a rut. Her father has committed suicide, and though a year has passed, she still hasn't dealt with. Home life is troubled, school life is an awkward mess, and the only bright spot is her best friend who is suddenly dating the star of the football team. Sydney is definitely NOT okay with any of this.

I don't want to spoil anything, but her emotions soon grow uncontrollable...like X-Men uncontrollable. But this is the kind of show that blends the paranormal and the real so perfectly that it appeals to fans of both, similar to Stranger Things in that way.

Definitely do yourself a favor and dive into this. You won't be disappointed.

Weekend Music Roundup

The lazy days of winter are fast approaching their end, much to my dismay. Spring will be here soon, and then the dreaded summer season. So for this weekend, I'm taking a look at the kind of albums I like to listen to in the bleakness of winter before the typical flood of new music descends upon us in the coming months. These are albums that I've listened to over the winter, some new and some old, some jazz and some not. Enjoy.

Alexandra Savior - The Archer: The second album from the L.A. indie pop performer is one of the early 2020 releases getting a lot of attention. Her first album, released back in 2017, barely registered, but this one is getting noticed. Perhaps its because this certainly sounds like it could be Lana Del Ray's sister, or Fiona Apple's cousin, or perhaps is simply because it's pretty darned good. Sure, it's has a sound, that washed out California sunshine sadness sound, that loungey Sunset Strip vibe, that beautiful sound that makes us love Lana and Fiona, and now this.

Johnny Hartman - All of Me: Originally released in '57 under the title The Debonair Mr. Hartman, this version was re-released in '78. This is Hartman in his Big Band era. His voice is huge in these recordings. As much as the voices of other standard singers are celebrated, it's always amazed me how little mention Johnny gets. "Tenderly," "Birth of the Blues," and "The End of a Love Affair" are personal favorites on this romantic ballads album that transcends the genre. 

Moana - In the Allure: This is the debut full length album from the Perth heavy psych band, released this past fall. I was attracted to this because of the cover which reminds me of images that I've compiled on a Pinterest Board entitled "Dark Imagination." I was rewarded by taking a chance. This is a chaotic album that is wonderfully menacing noise rock. This has a similar, if not darker, sound as Le Butcherettes, which was one of my favorite albums of last year.

Ten Years After - Ten Years After: The 1967 debut from the London psychedelic blues band is one of those albums I always meant to check out, but just never did. I found a beautiful vinyl copy (with a beat to hell sleeve) a little while back for a few dollars. Even then, I had it over two weeks before listening to it (I'm really not sure what it is about this record). Well, it's fantastic. Like Doors meeting early Floyd. It's that mix of British Blues and early London psych scene. 

That Dog. - that dog.: The debut album from the L.A. band was originally released in 1993, and then re-released in '94 on Geffen. It would be easy to classify this a rrriot grrl band, simply because it's lo-fi indie rock made by three sisters in the time where all bands of that sort were lumped together. But there's a softness to this record that makes it more characteristic of other indie bands like Drop Nineteens and Enormous that separates from the more garage punk sound of bands like Babes in Toyland or Bikini Kill. This was a very nostalgic listen for me, bringing right back to those summers in High School when this would have been an album I clung to.   

Roger Hodgson - In the Eye of the Storm: Released in 1984, this is the solo debut from the Supertramp member. It's more prog-pop than prog-rock and features a lot of synth effects that establish it very much of it's era. At moments it reminds me of The Wall and Hodgson definitely channels his inner Roger Waters on this record. Some great moments on here, and some weaker moments, all of which makes for a decent listen.

Fiction Friday (99)

It's clear that over the past few decades, we've come to live in a world dominated by series, trilogies, and extended universes. I will not deny that I'm a fan of this trend, though I will admit that it has diminished the creative spark in some ways. It seems that it's no longer enough to create a great story, you to create a great story that exists in a world that can be exploited for all its worth. The most recent book I read falls into that category. It takes place in a world I first encountered some 25 years ago, and probably would have ignored if I hadn't been reintroduced to that world through the HBO series. I'm glad I was, because sometimes it's nice to visit familiar places.

The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman
(Knopf 2017)

Set several years before The Golden Compass, this book shares the extraordinary circumstances by which a baby Lyra comes to be in the care of Jordan College and under the protection of Scholastic Sancutary.

This isn't really Lyra's story though, it's the story of an 11 year old boy named Malcolm and the bravery he shows in keeping Lyra safe. Malcolm lives with his parents in Oxford, helping them tend to their tavern, The Trout, and taking care of his canoe, La Bell Sauvage. Malcolm's destiny takes a turn one afternoon when he witnesses something shocking. This event will begin an epic journey or rescue, escape, discovery, and friendship.

For those who are familiar with Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, this story will fascinate, while not really revealing anything new about that saga. It certainly adds to the world, including magical fantasy elements that didn't seem to exist in the original books. While I really liked those scenes, I will admit that they were a bit jarring as the original world didn't include them, as far as the reader knew. I also felt the book dragged a bit in the beginning and didn't really pick up until Malcolm was joined by the fierce Alice on their flight through the flood.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book, but was left unsure of why it had to be attached to those books, other than the obvious sales implications. It easily could have stood alone as something complete different and separate.