Zsuzsi Gartner, author of the story collection with the excellent title “Better Living Through Plastic Explosives“, has published a debut novel with a narrator that we see too little of. Lucy, a professional & a mother who does not feel guilt about the feelings she has towards her daughter who now lives with her ex-husband. Since the death of her cousin, & best friend, Zoltan the narrator has become a magnet for the off-beat & occasionally (CONT)

This was a find while browsing at the library. What intrigued me were the number of blurbs by writers I respect (esp Catherine Lacey & Laird Hunt) but I was sold on the comp to Pedro Paramo. As to the latter, there are def elements in it that I think earn the comparison, despite the fact that Rulfo's novel is so sui generis that it's pretty difficult to get a direct comparison. This is a dark, compelling, hallucinatory novel. (CONT)

I have previously read certain stories from this door stopper of an anthology, however 2 weeks ago I decided to start it. From the end & read it towards the beginning. I'm reading it on my computer, which has made a massive difference as the double column print in the book is distracting. So far I have read 13 stories. The standouts have been:
*Micaela Morrissette's “The Familiars“: a boy & his mother together during the summer. The boy (CONT)

I read a decent portion of this thriller inspired by Highsmith & Hitchcock's Strangers On the Train yesterday but I am finding myself with zero motivation to return to it. I had a few issues with the novel itself, but I think this confirms what I have suspected for awhile. I am tired of American domestic thrillers. My jam now are suspense novels by international authors (Pushkin Vertigo is great resource; Jónasson; Higashino etc).

In no order:
*Laura Dern (What a filmography! Here are just a few of my favorites: Wild At Heart, Blue Velvet, Jurassic Park, The Master)
*Amy Adams (Some favorites: Arrival, Sharp Objects, Vice)
*For relatively new talent, no doubt my favorite is Lily Gladstone based off of her incredible performance in Killers of The Flower Moon (the first Native American to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress in Motion Picture Drama & the first to ever (CONT)

Description from publisher:
In 1972, after Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law, Oliver de la Paz‘s father, in a last fit of desperation to leave the Philippines, threw his papers at an immigration clerk, hoping to get them stamped. He was prepared to leave, having already quit his job and having exchanged pesos for dollars; but he couldn‘t anticipate the challenges of the migratory lifestyle he and his family would soon adopt in America. (CONT)

I have read, & loved, a few of Simenon's romans durs but this is my first experience with Maigret outside of a couple stories. It opens with Maigret shadowing a suspicious traveler who ends up committing suicide after having their suitcase switched, by Maigret himself no less. I really liked this propulsive suspense story that went to some really dark places. I will not be reading all of the Maigret books, but I will def be returning to them!

1) A toss-up between Jason Pargin's “Zoey Punches The Future In The Dick“ & “I'd Rather Be Reading“ by Anne Bogel
2) Tagged!
@thespineview #two4tuesday

For this week's #tuesdaytunes I would like to highlight a musical passion that I've had since high school: classical music. Despite the flannel, baggy jeans,, chain wallet, smashing pumpkins zero t-shirt & backpack with favorite punk/alternative/indie bands written on them; there was a good chance that although side A of the tape in my walkman would be a mixed tape with Madness, Nirvana, Fiona Apple & Alice in Chains...when you turned it (CONT)

T. Kingfisher's riff on Poe's iconic story begins with Alex Easton receiving a letter from Madeline Usher that she is sick. Easton travels to the dilapidated sprawling house, surrounded by a strange lake & animals who are acting unusual, that she shares with her brother Roderick. There were parts of this that I really loved, but I found Kingfisher's character work a bit off putting at times. It felt like a mashup between YA & adult, still a (CONT)

I was just looking at books for a reading challenge when I came across the tagged book & I think the cover is the most disturbing one I have seen for a release this year, I can't wait to read it when it release this summer. I will share my trauma with you when it happens lol

Empire Star is the novella of this collection, written the same time as Babel-17. When I read this collection I did not know of the links between them, so when I was roughly halfway through “Babel-17“ & two characters started to excitedly discuss an adventure novel that they had read in their youth called “Empire Star“ I was glad to have read it in the order that I did. Calling it an adventure story is a bit of a stretch, as we encounter (CONT)

Tomorrow I plan on reading the novella that is included with Delany's “Babel-17.“ The edition that I am reading is a tête-bêche (or head-to-toe) edition. Although, it is published by Vintage I wanted to link to the Wikipedia page for the incredible run by Ace Doubles:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ace_double_titles

Overall, babel-17 ended up as a bit of a mixed bag. I loved the first half of the novel with the contemplations on linguistics, the ideas & the dark world. However, I found the second half to be a bit uneven. There were some truly great passages in the second half, including a few pages where Delany experiments with formatting over a few pages that I found to be useful for one particular scene.

Having started babel-17 this morning & now halfway through, I need to post a few thoughts. This is my first time reading Delany. Rhydra a poet & linguist with wide renown is approached at the beginning by a general to help solve what he thinks is a code. There have been a recent series of sabotage attacks at various important sites & during the attacks there was a radio frequency with what they assumed was a code. Rhydra informs them that it(CON)

An additional book to Vandermeer's Southern Reach trilogy feels entirely unnecessary, but I'm sure I'll read it. I do like the cover designs for the new editions.
https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/4/24120983/jeff-vandermeer-absolution-southern-r...

The New Directions Storybook editions are a great way to sample authors that you have been meaning to try. This was the case for me with Ginzburg's Road to the City ( a 90 page novella in this edition). I was a bit sceptical at first as Ginzburg tends to move from character to character frequently. One aspect I was sold on immediately was the atmosphere, perfect for the warm evening in which I enjoyed it. Despite the grim atmosphere of the (CONT)

Having loved Mrs.Caliban & now In The Act, I can safely say that Rachel Ingalls is one of my favorite authors I've discovered this year. This lovely ND Storybook edition begins with Helen whose adult continuing education classes have ended. Her husband, Edgar, insists that she continues to leave the house two nights a week as she has been doing so he can continue his mysterious work in the attic. What's in the attic?! A hilarious story (Cont)

*Anything John Carpenter & David Cronenberg directed in the 80s (most directors would sell their soul to make as many incredible movies in their entire lives as they did in a decade)
*The Shining
*Beetlejuice
*Brazil (dir T. Gilliam)
*Blood Simple (Coen Bros)
*Blue Velvet (David Lynch)
*Ninth Configuration (W. P. Blatty. Yes, the author of The Exorcist!)
*Qatsi Trilogy (well, at least the first two were released in the 80s)
*This Is Spinal (CON)

Having seen Rushdie in person for the release of his memoir “Joseph Anton“ , about the fallout surrounding the publication of Satanic Verses, several years ago it feels a bit strange to have just purchased tickets for a virtual event to hear him talk about the same issue once more but under different circumstances. Luckily there were quick thinking audience members who intervened, helping to save his life, & make the writing of this possible.

It's National Library Week! I saw on social media that certain participating libraries were encouraging patrons to write down their favorite memories involving libraries. I read this after going to a library & checking out a pile of books, as one does, As I have mentioned before, libraries have been an integral part of my life, but I would like to share a few special memories: (ripping off Joe Brainard's I Remember):
(CONT)

I read Chung's collection “Cursed Bunny“ over the weekend. I have read a lot of short story collections this year & this easily ranks among the best. Body horror, dark fantasy, stories of modern tech run amok. As several reviewers have commented, “no two stories are alike,“ Chung's stories are shocking & weird as the best Asian lit & cinerma can be. I'm thinking of Bong Joon-ho's “Okja“ or the traumatizing “The Wailing“ by Na Hong-jin. Despite..

I had an excellent themed playlist lined up last week for #tuesdaytunes centered around April Fool's & then work interfered. Determined to not let a big event slip away, I have created one in celebration of the wonderful eclipse. 80% covered this afternoon:
Bonnie Tyler-Total Eclipse of the Heart (I will never admit, even under torture, to the percentage that I appreciate this ironically & which part unironically.)
Soundgarden: Black Hole Sun

My list is going to be comprised solely of those elusive specimens: adaptations that exceed the source material.
*1978 Invasion of the Body Snatchers featuring Donald Sutherland. I liked, didn't love, the original novel but the performances in this elevate it into something truly special.
*Jaws. This was above & beyond the source material in just about every way imaginable.
*Killing Eve. The source material Codename Villanelle is so generic (CONT)

I really enjoyed the latest episode of LeVar Burton Reads. A fantastic story by Percival Everett:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7E1dvud8Z7PtBSGadBSx6q?si=PHuhMdoYTeio1VE6VKgIO...

Three selections for #tuesdaytunes
First is Courtney Barnett's “Take It Day By Day“ (Tuesday motivation)
Lately I have been into Tiny Desk concerts & the following 2 have been among my favorites:
Jennifer Koh & Missy Mazzoli
Hania Rani (Rani is a personal favorite)
@tiedyedude

I just read the first essay in Pullmans collection “The Magic Carpet““ and I'm definitely speechless. Partially from a long day (awake early for an early morning appointment), a very challenging Mon at work, but most of all for the content and writing. Can't wait to read more.

A slight bump up this month over last month in terms of books read, which is surprising as I had some minor health issues which are now resolved. As far as currently reading, I recently had to winnow my stack as I had too many books going. The books that I am currently actively reading are: Riker's: An Oral History, McCullers' Member of the Wedding, Lost Films ed. by Max Booth & Lori Michelle, Frederic Dard's “Crush.“ The latter book is the (CONT)

Having now read several selections from the tagged book this morning, I would say my favorites were Jeff Strand's “Rotten Eggs“ (about an elderly sibling who torments her younger siblings during an egg hunt), Killer Jelly Beans etc (a poem about Killer Jelly Beans. What's not to like?!) & It's Not All About Bunnies & Chocolate (a mother buys her daughter a popular toy for Easter. Child's Play/Gremlins vibes, not the best writing but a (CONT)

If, like me, you woke up today with a strong urge to read some religious horror or easter horror stores I have a recommendation! After a brief search I found the tagged book (available on KU) which includes a poem about killer jelly beans from outer space:
...An Easter not forgotten when
A threat appeared in place
Beware the Killer Jelly Beans
That hailed from outer space...

(Image taken from the interwebs)

Darius Kellner, born in America, & a self-described Fractional Persian visits Yazd for the first time in his life with his younger sister & his mother & father due to his grandfather's terminal disease. Darius filters the world through LoTr & Star Trek references, making for often funny observations but these are heightened by his own difficulties with mental health issues. This is a YA novel. but I found it to be free of a lot of the (CONT)

Wild Nights is JC Oates' collection of stories on the final days of five American authors (Poe, Dickinson, Samuel Clemens, Henry James & Hemingway). Oates frequently explores the disparity between the public perception & the real life of the author (esp in the case of Clemens & Hemingway where they are performing the parts of Twain & Papa in public). There is also a great deal of ambiguity in each story. The first one, Poe Posthumous could (CONT)

I used to reread favorite volumes of poetry & could fill numerous posts, but instead I am going to select novels as I very rarely revisit them & thought it would be more interesting to think about.
*Tatyana Tolstaya's “The Slynx“. I first read this very unusual post-apocalyptic novel in 2018 & then reread it with my NYRB comrades in fall of 2021. From what I recall I bumped up the rating upon revisiting it, as I was better informed of what (ONT)

According to Ye Olde Good Reads I read Cixin Liu's The Three-Body Problem six & a half years ago. Within a year I had finished the rest of the trilogy & to this day, it remains among my favorite sff books of all-time. So, last weekend I decided to check out the first episode of the show. I finished the whole season by the end of the weekend & I need season 2 now. I will say that there were some minor changes made, but I can understand why (CONT)

I have two songs by the same artist for this week's late #tuesdaytunes Both are from one of my favorite artists & it is my favorite album by her:
*Gillian Welch “The Revelator“ (Not sure what to say about this one, other than it could be my favorite song. Although the one below is pretty close.)
*G. Welch “Everything Is Free“
*Kim Gordon “BYE BYE“ (I knew about the single, but I JUST realized that Gordon's album is out. Still, I stand by this one)

My #weirdwords selection is ratiocination. I was reminded of this word while going through my emails during lunch & I came across a link to an interesting item in The Reader's Catalog. The item description for the lovely Voltaire Guest Book says, “The design of this hardcover book is based on an antique binding of Voltaire‘s Zadig; or The Book of Fate, first published in 1747. The binding was crafted in 1893 in Paris by Chamerot et Renouard;(CONT)

I was so thoroughly disappointed in Lipsyte's “No One Left To Come Looking For You“ that I simply could not end my weekend on such a bad note. This was just what I needed. Set in the mid-90s & full of musical ref from the time, a group of teens go away to a cabin. Unbeknownst to two of them, they are actually there for a demon summoning ritual. This is very much a homage to Evil Dead & I loved the campy violent absurd fun of it.

Jack (formerly Jonathan) Shit of the experimental punk band The Shits has his bass guitar stolen by his roommate, the lead singer of their band for drug money. He sets out to to find his roommate & his guitar & tries to salvage his band's floundering reputation along the way. Set in early 90s NY, there is much talk of gentrification, artistic purity etc etc I honestly really disliked this book. I felt like it was trying too hard to be funny.(CONT)

Holy shit, I loved this one!! During the Napoleonic Wars a young man named Tarare appears at a convent in Versailles. He is clearly very sick & there are many disturbing rumors about Tarare. For years now Tarare has travelled the French countryside with various characters, he has often been exploited for his insatiable appetite. The circumstances that Tarare & others frequently found themselves in were often deplorable & filled with (CONT)

*Rachel Ingalls: Mrs Caliban
*James Baldwin: Sonny's Blues
*Nathan Balingrud: The Visible Filth
#tlt
@dabbe

“They look like grave-figures, the way they move along the dim corridors between the dim rooms. Its is because theirs long habits hide the movement of their limbs and the muted shuffle of their feet on the bare stone tiles, they look like they are gliding, as though it is some outside force that compels them along the dim corridors and between the dim rooms. They nod to one another when they pass.“

Since the beginning of the year I have seen several videos from content creators speaking about how they want to read fewer books this year, Perhaps they feel they are Bibliobibuli. “The sort of people who read too much,“ created in 1957 by H. L. Mencken. To this I say hogwash. Or, if you prefer, codswallop. “language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense“ (Merriam Webster)
@cbee
(CONT)

This is one of my current reads. An incredible, but very difficult read in that much of the violence & neglect that is spoken about is normalized. I'm reading it in 50 page chunks per day. It is divided by themes (food, solitary, medical etc) & the authors interview both staff & detainees (sometimes the interviewees have had both experiences)

I have 3 selections for this week's #tuesdaytunes post:
*Vashti Bunyan's “Leave Me“ (I discovered Bunyan via an internet thread early last year & her album Some Things Just Stick In My Mind has remained a fave ever since)
*Sybille Baier “Give Me A Smile“ (I found out about Baier on the same thread & her sole album has likewise become a personal fave)
*Okkervil River “Starry Stairs“ (underrated band)
@tiedyedude

This Atlantic list of 136 Great American Novels of the past 100 years is pretty interesting. Not only for the exclusions but for what was selected:
https://www.theatlantic.com/books/archive/2024/03/best-books-american-fiction/67...

*Midnight's Children
*Queen's Gambit
*Great Expectations
@dabbe #tlt

Thanks to Mental Floss for my #weirdwords selection: Pretzel-Bender:
“Here‘s a multi-purpose bit of slang, according to the 1967 Dictionary of American Slang: Pretzel-bender can mean a peculiar person, a player of the French horn, a wrestler, or a heavy drinker.“
@cbee

A couple of days late for #tuesdaytunes
I haven't been listening to music as much as usual the past week, but I have loved the following:
*Lord Huron's “The Night We Met“
*Big Thief's “Shark Smile“
* War Paint's “Undertow“ (they recently released a video celebrating their 20th anniversary. I've been a fan for 10 years & seeing the video compelled me to listen to my fave songs again)
@tiedyedude

Using example sentences from 12 different dictionaries, Burrows constructs an alphabetical collection of flash stories that are further arranged under specific words (ie Cc: cookery features 1 story; Bb blasphemy features 2 stories etc). There is a playful tone to several of the entries & although I suspect that I won't remember much of the book several months from now, it was a fun experience. I am using this for #yellowspine #52bookclub

Soichi, the creepy kid in Ito's collection, terrorizes his family & makes life a nightmare for his classmates & teachers. This had a bit more of a quirky feeling to it than most Ito, with Soichi being a bit of a modern day Adamms family character as he spits nails at people & frequently threatens to cast curses on those who cross him in anyway, It cracked me up that his relatives from Tokyo kept coming to visit, despite all of the mishaps.