Author: Karen Abbott
Biography with a slightly confusing structure, leaping back and forth in time. Great context of what was happening all around burlesque, corruption, speakeasies, dance marathons etc.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Seven Steps on a Writer's Path
Authors: Nancy Pickard and Lynn Lott
Interesting, worthy of a place on the shelf for those days when I don't know why I bother or what I want to do.
Interesting, worthy of a place on the shelf for those days when I don't know why I bother or what I want to do.
Mrs. Jeffries Forges Ahead
Author: Emily Brightwell
Same old cast investigating the murder of a young wife, by poison during a ball. Always fun and British and crusty.
Same old cast investigating the murder of a young wife, by poison during a ball. Always fun and British and crusty.
Dogs and Goddesses
Authors: Jennifer Crusie, Anne Stuart and Lani Diane Rich
Romp across a college town where a Mesopotamian temple and a google search has given rise to an ancient goddess. Fun, sexy and easy to read - loved the talking dog personalities.
Romp across a college town where a Mesopotamian temple and a google search has given rise to an ancient goddess. Fun, sexy and easy to read - loved the talking dog personalities.
Delusions of Gender
Author: Cordelia Fine
This book totally screws the scientific notion that boys and girls are wired differently in the the brain. It's all cultural. Even asking the sex of a test writer will cause the test taker to perform to gender stereotypes. Lots of bad science out there posing as truth.
This book totally screws the scientific notion that boys and girls are wired differently in the the brain. It's all cultural. Even asking the sex of a test writer will cause the test taker to perform to gender stereotypes. Lots of bad science out there posing as truth.
Up Close: Harper Lee
Author: Kerry Madden
Biography of Nelle Harper Lee, author of To Kill A Mockingbird. Clearly, access to the author was not allowed, so content gathered from townspeople, old interviews etc. Not half as fascinating as Mockingbird.
Biography of Nelle Harper Lee, author of To Kill A Mockingbird. Clearly, access to the author was not allowed, so content gathered from townspeople, old interviews etc. Not half as fascinating as Mockingbird.
Same Difference
Author / Illustrator: Derek Kirk Kim
Collection of short stories. Same difference (title story) is briiliant, subtle and unafraid of dragging out awkward moments. Lots to learn from this - almost unchanging sequence of panels.
Collection of short stories. Same difference (title story) is briiliant, subtle and unafraid of dragging out awkward moments. Lots to learn from this - almost unchanging sequence of panels.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Berlin: City of Stones / City of Smoke
Author / Illustrator: Jason Lutes
Fascinating, rich portrait of Berlin as the Weimar republic crashes down, communists march in the streets, the elite parties and intellectuals discuss.
Details in the art of clothing are so carefully rendered and the multiple story lines weave together and contrast the starving poor with the wealthy.
At the end of City of Smoke, the National Socialists are elected into parliament.
Fascinating, rich portrait of Berlin as the Weimar republic crashes down, communists march in the streets, the elite parties and intellectuals discuss.
Details in the art of clothing are so carefully rendered and the multiple story lines weave together and contrast the starving poor with the wealthy.
At the end of City of Smoke, the National Socialists are elected into parliament.
Memories, Dreams, Reflections
Author: C.G. Jung
(But recorded and edited by Aniela Jaffe)
Possibly more interesting than reading his other works, here he remembers his life and what he learned. Interesting historical and cultural record. It's also as if the two wars never happened or passed unnoticed, which I find strange.
Very slow read, couldn't take more than a few chapters a night.
(But recorded and edited by Aniela Jaffe)
Possibly more interesting than reading his other works, here he remembers his life and what he learned. Interesting historical and cultural record. It's also as if the two wars never happened or passed unnoticed, which I find strange.
Very slow read, couldn't take more than a few chapters a night.
Vancouver: Then and Now
Author: Frances Mansbridge
Historical photos are places side by side with contemporary shots of the same locale, generally at the same angle. How reassuring to see tall weeds on the boulevard across from Heritage Hall, just like another small town.
Historical photos are places side by side with contemporary shots of the same locale, generally at the same angle. How reassuring to see tall weeds on the boulevard across from Heritage Hall, just like another small town.
Death in a Scarlet Coat
Author: David Dickinson
Lord of the Manor dies, doctor bullied into saying natural causes, and Lord Powerscourt investigates with his wife's help. Set before WWI, equipped with a 'Silver Ghost' motorcar and connections, a good cosy that held suspense until close to the end.
Lord of the Manor dies, doctor bullied into saying natural causes, and Lord Powerscourt investigates with his wife's help. Set before WWI, equipped with a 'Silver Ghost' motorcar and connections, a good cosy that held suspense until close to the end.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wilson
Author / Illustrator: Daniel Clowes
One page vignettes of a very depressing character add up to a life story. Interesting experiments with the art work that didn't interrupt the story flow.
One page vignettes of a very depressing character add up to a life story. Interesting experiments with the art work that didn't interrupt the story flow.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Venice Chronicles
Author / Illustrator: Enrico Casarosa
A sketchbook of Venice and of love. Sweet, great illustrations. Annoying angels and demons (but they were supposed to be) and lovely watercolours.
A sketchbook of Venice and of love. Sweet, great illustrations. Annoying angels and demons (but they were supposed to be) and lovely watercolours.
Monday, May 2, 2011
The Homeopathy Bible
Author: Ambika Wauters
Good reference book, great info at front and back with materia medica in between. Many remedies new to this reader.
Should buy as companion to other wordier books. This has many photos and easily distilled information.
Good reference book, great info at front and back with materia medica in between. Many remedies new to this reader.
Should buy as companion to other wordier books. This has many photos and easily distilled information.
Cancer made me a shallower person
Author / Illustrator: Miriam Engelberg
Wry look at the realities of experiencing cancer. She's funny and makes you stop to think before ramming your foot in your mouth next time you talk to a cancer survivor.
Wry look at the realities of experiencing cancer. She's funny and makes you stop to think before ramming your foot in your mouth next time you talk to a cancer survivor.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Big Skinny
Author / Illustrator: Carol Lay
How to get thin and look fabulous (count calories and exercise) in comic book form.
Includes tables and recipes.
Kind of inspiring and grumble inducing.
How to get thin and look fabulous (count calories and exercise) in comic book form.
Includes tables and recipes.
Kind of inspiring and grumble inducing.
The Stargazey
Author: Martha Grimes
Another pub titled murder mystery about Jury and his cronies. Interesting penciled in note in this one by an annoyed ex-pat. Apparently, she gets just enough details wrong to make the brits batty, but not enough to trouble a canadian.
Another pub titled murder mystery about Jury and his cronies. Interesting penciled in note in this one by an annoyed ex-pat. Apparently, she gets just enough details wrong to make the brits batty, but not enough to trouble a canadian.
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