Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk by Kathleen Hanna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked up this book as a respite from another book that was challenging me. It was well worth it!

I have not been a Bikini Kill fan, I was a little late in the game to get into the band back in the day. Kathleen Hanna gets her due in this book. I loved the nugget sized chapters and appreciate how to the point and funny this woman is.

This really is no holds barred.
Kathleen Hanna writes from her heart which was the point of who she wanted to you to know more about by writing this book.

If you are wanting to read a book, a memoir, a tale of near success and survival... this is a great book for you.

I personally loved it! It came to me at a time that I needed it and if I were to run into Kathleen Hanna on the streets, I would for sure let her know that this was a great read.

She is hilarious, sad, fun, challenging, truthful and most of all far more endearing than I was lead to believe. Never judge a person / personality by what is forced down your perceptions people. She is one of a kind and to me in a fantastic way.

PS her editor Ada Calhoun wrote an amazing book. Look it up not going to take the shine off this book by linking... but it's really a delight as well.



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Under a Rock: a Memoir by Chris Stein

 

Under a Rock: a Memoir by Chris Stein

I was provided a galley edition for review, and I am really torn. 

Did I love the book? No.  Did I enjoy it? I did. 

Why the split decision?  Because as I read Under a Rock: a Memoir by Chris Stein, I felt like I was reading a dictation of audio interviews with the interview prompts edited out. I wasn’t prepared for that when I first started reading. 

That was the only editing sometimes that I felt happened in this book.  I think it’s a good representation of what Chris Stein wanted to share with us.  He presents the story as he wanted.  It’s fair.  It’s his book right?  So here my impression: read it that way.  Listen to some of the interviews he has done throughout the years so that you can have his voice in your head as you go through the journey.  I think you will get much more out if it that way. 

I did and it really helped me to enjoy the book more. Seriously.

Chris Stein is a genius, Mensa level genius, which he writes about from his childhood.  It was a wonderful nugget shared.  I held that information close when I was reading.  He has so much to share with us, fans and readers alike that it’s unfortunate that it was not reigned in a touch to make the book more linear at times.  I don’t think we needed a lot of editing but a little bit would have helped with the focus.

So I had to go this place when I was reading.  Also, because it was a galley edition I didn’t have the visuals that he shared in the print edition.  Chris Stein is a photographer at heart and art.  So maybe that was missed too.  I do have a print edition coming and look forward to revisiting the book with that context too. 

Read this book as one sided conversation sharing memories of a time from a respected elder.  This is not a rambling of a crazy person, but ramblings of a person trying to capture everything and then leaving it to others to bring it to fruition in an understandable way at the end (which maybe doesn’t happen as clearly as we the reader would like). There is a sense of place but it’s chaotic truth. 

It is so just matter of fact, the squalor of late 1960s to 1980s New York City, that it’s almost missed that his band “Blondie” was at the precipice of all music styles coming at that time.  He founded a band that was so interested in all different genres, that while under the title of “punk” or “new wave” really the sheer variety of content that they recorded, often gets missed.  Again, I go back to genius level human here. 

There is a lot of drug content in the book, and due to it’s matter-of-factness may be triggering, but it’s not played up or down here. It’s just “there”.  But that is his truth. 

It also goes to show that adage… “Be kind. We never know what people are going through. Give grace and mercy because one day your circumstance could change and you may need it.”… ― Germany Kent.

As a lover of Blondie, I had no idea.  Nor should I have until now. 

Because of that at Chapter 9, I put the book down and picked up another.  The break was needed.

Then at the first half of Chapter 10 I was rewarded by the most beautiful writing of the book.

I have read some other reviews where they comment that this is a cautionary tale of rock and roll stardom. I must disagree because really Blondie where never “stars”. They as a band were well regarded and niched into new wave and punk, but they were so very much more than that.  They were never the “stars” that they could have been, should have been.  Many of the recollections were of excess and then the downfalls which without fanfare are so important to remember.

This is a fable of great love of friends, a time where anything was possible and addictions of all types. The perspective is worth taking in and reading.  Yes, this is about his on-going relationship between Debbie Harry (that I think fans of Blondie want to read about) but truthfully so much more.  I really do appreciate that more than I thought I could when I finished it.

“Under a Rock” is a valuable memoir presented with his singular voice. Chris Stein makes a valuable note of what he feels truth of what the book is about too, in what is a very touching and heart wrenching epilogue.

#books, #memoir, #Chris Stein, #Blondie, #non-fiction

The Ballad of Speedball Baby by Ali Smith is a winner! OMG such a winner....

 y'all.... SO ... I have waited almost a month to write about this book.  Maybe because I loved it so much, I had to actually read it twice.  Yep. Truth. 

BUY THIS BOOK! (no affiliate link... just an endorsement)

In the 90s I was a producer for a music TV show of some notoriety. That sounds super pretentious.  It is not.  I had just returned from filmschool, and an attempt at getting into the biz and came back "home". My best friend was the Executive Producer on the show and I first started out as a camera person and then started to produce segments.  It was a BLAST.  From programming to segment production to interview segments with some really amazing rock stars... it was a blast. 

So.

Imagine my complete surprise when this book came up in a search of available books to read in advance of publication. Speedball Baby wasn't a band I had ever heard of. Ever.  And totally would have been a band we would have programmed.  I am absolutely gobsmacked that this band, on a major label that we worked with, never pushed them more.  

As the saying goes "they could have been contenders".

Ali Smith, the bassist wrote a phenomenal book.  I read it entranced in maybe two sittings but defiantly in one weekend.  I was transfixed with the tales of being on the road. Being in a band that should have gotten better shrift by their label.  This is not a bitter story... but really one of redemption and guts.  There are some things that aren't glamour-filled and some that are.  There are somethings that aren't gritty but a lot that are. But girl .... this is a story of a time that bands were scooped up and promised a road out of obscurity but not really given proper due and how that effects the people involved.  

I loved the honesty.  That takes guts.  This book is gutty.  That is my quote... this book is gutty.  Shimmies with guts.  

Speedball Baby is just odd enough to be awesome.  I have added them as a favorite to my Spotify.  I listen to them when I am looking to have a moment to dance around my kitchen and clean.  I would have LOVED to have seen them live and program them on our show.  

This is a book about the road, rock and roll and the power of art.  

The book comes out in January 2024 and it's already on my "to buy" list because the book promises to be peppered with the photography of the author.  I have snuck into her instagram and peeked at her portraiture and I am smitten, just like her writing. 

In the book she writes about taking a photo at a dumpster.  I COULD picture it in my head, just like the rest of what she wrote about.  That is the best sign.  I want to see that actual photos.  

Nothing is spared to the reader's eye.  That is such a good sign to me. 

I have reread this book twice since I got it a month or so ago.  I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss anything.  Yep... it was that great to me.  

I wanted to wait until the book was closer to publication date to post this because I didn't want it to get lost in the ether of the internet.  

So here is my suggestion -

And here are the steps - trust me on this. 

1) find a cozy spot with a cup of coffee, tea with whisky or whatever you want to warm you up when you set aside the time to read this book

2) open to the forward - it's by Exene Cervenka of X - if you know you know - and play a couple songs off Los Angeles.  THEN... dance around where ever you are for a couple of songs... get your energy up because you are going for a ride.

3) open up your music player of choice and que up Speedball baby.  

4) read the first couple of chapters in silence and then get ready to rock at chapter three.  Crank it up because the energy of the music matches and is a great soundtrack to the rest of the book.  

PS this is what I did on round two and it kicked ass just like this book does.  

 

I have been reading, just not posting.

I really wanted to start reading again but for pleasure and not for posting. There was so much pressure I think to read a book and just post up my thoughts about what I read that I honestly didn't enjoy it anymore. Where was the fun? It was lost on me to be honest. I disengaged with Goodreads, this (what has become a bookie blog) and following writers and reviewers on the social media circut (expect my beloved Jenny Lawson and Chuck Palahniuk if I am going to be completely honest). But I have been reading a few galleys over the last couple of weeks that have really knocked my socks off and for different reasons.

  Anne Frank on Tour and Other Stories by George Thomas Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this creative collection of short (some very short) stories. I requested via netgalley as a jumping off point to start reading again this summer after a short respite from reading to review.
What a nice way to get back in the saddle.

The author really captured the voices of each of his characters which was a delight and unexpected. The titular character had the same voice as I recall reading from her diaries back many long years ago. The other characters from Putin to Dolly Parton to Elvis are all covered here and with seemingly great care to not disrupt their professional spirit.

This is an easy read and a fun journey into what could be, could have been and what a character can be in a short story.

I really enjoyed it and it was a great reminder that a terrifically told story doesn't have to be a huge diatribe. It can be a few paragraphs for the point of the story to be made. What a treat.

What I really loved about this collection of short stories is each chapter/story was really completely different than the previous or next story. Each character 100% had their own voice. I know that it's hard to do. I didn't imagine that I would have liked this small collection as much as I did. I usually read a chapter a night before I go to bed and since many of the stories were very short (with no losss to the story itself mind you... another achievement) this made for a nice pre-sleep ritual. I raced through this book and enjoyed each character that I encountered.

The second review copy I received approval for this summer was - 

I am currently reading this and will remove the cover art and post up with the link like above when I am done. BUT ... I had never heard of the band Speedball Baby (and only today even googled them and listened to a song or two).  I have never heard of this author.. 

 BUT the prologue was written by Exene who I do know and do love... so I didn't think she would leave me stranded. And whoa so far (I am about 1/2 way through) I am not disappointed. 

Road diaries can be a slog but this book doesn't read like that in the least.  It is a joy ride.  Now I have to qualify that this is not a fun story but it reads like a novel, is really well written and I believe really does capture that moment in time where bands were signed and sent out on the road to make it.  

I am truly impressed and very very much engaged in this story.  When I go outside during office breaks during the week I sneak in a couple of pages to live vicariously and keep the action going on the author's adventures.  That is saying something.  

I am about halfway in.  Part of the holiday weekend goals is to finish so I can post up the remainder of the "review".  

PS the music is fun a.f. and the book in it's way is too. 

More to come on that bb's. 

Additionally - I do post up my thoughts and comments on Goodreads because that is the place that Netgalley directs you to. I am super duper grateful to each publisher that provides me with a galley to read in advance of publishing.  I am not going to deny that every time I get a book in that way (and when I buy on my own...) I am more than gitty to share my opinions. But with galley books the publishers want to see it somewhere... and the Goodreads platform is sadly the option of choice I suppose. 

I was listening to a podcast this week while walking my dog in the morning and heard in passing something about Elizabeth Gilbert, book reviewers and 1 star reviews cancelling a book before it even published. 

I went back and gave it a second listen because it's really important. 

Here is the pod if you are so inclined (PS this book sounds freaking great, I am adding it to my want to read list by the way:  Into It with Sam Sanders: Brandon Taylor Wants to Bring Gatekeeping Back to Book Criticism and a link to the Washington Post article (at this time there is no paywall but  popup for subscription) that they are talking about in this podcast.  I am personally not a fan of Goodreads anymore, or was I really ever. But it's how publishers in alot of cases find reviews of value I suppose. 

I only post up my commentary on books that I actually read, but honey, bb, kiddos I am more than a book reader.  I would love someplace to post thoughts, commentary, ideas other than a single threaded outdated platform.  So I think (and right now it's just a thought...) about starting a substack because that seems to be the platform of the moment. It certainly isn't here (talking about outdated platforms) for much longer I don't think.  

I will have the same amount of subscribers there as here I am sure ... lol it's like 1 person maybe... but change is afoot.  

  

The Naked Way by Chris Henry

The Naked Way by Chris Henry


Not really going to "star" this.... my mid - book thoughts stand. Good idea, rambling and frustrating. Glad I finished it because it's done. I totally can not remember where and how I got this book and realized as the characters stopped being a bit interesting that I did start it before and put it "away" way back then.

I appreciate the effort but the realization was less than interesting. To Me.

Sorry to the author, but this wasn't for me. The title of the book refers to a band... but really this isn't about that, it's about the insufferability of 20 year olds in the late 90's. Glad I am not there anymore, this book nailed that for me.

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Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm

Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm by Laura Warrell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Received this novel as a preview copy. I am not sure if I would have picked this up off a bookshelf at a book store. Not sure why, but I wanted to be honest about that.

The first chapter was a fraught with wanting to give the book up versus moving on more. I stopped reading it for a week. I then skipped the second chapter and went to the third. That helped for me.

Dense with characters and situations it was while reading was too much for me. The main character is a musician named Circus. His love life is one for sure. I felt badly for each and everyone one of his relationships. This was what made the difficult decision for me to not really like this book. These were strong women taken by Circus. It made me really sad.

The author’s lyrical and musical writing was beautiful. So there is that.

This was a complicated read and not easy for me, but I did finish it. Complex relationships (some very messy) and a complicated list of characters to follow made this a read that I had to force myself to read and complete.

I am grateful for the opportunity I had to read this book. I am always very interested to see what creative authors who have completed writing programs like Ms Wardell have put out as debut novels (I think this is just that?) But I hesitate to say this, this book was too much. This is not a breezy easy read, not because it’s subject matter is hard, just a lot to keep track of. The book will ruffle some readers because the characters are not particularly likeable… but they are in a way because they are so complicated and complicit in their enabling behaviors. This enablement is difficult to read and have empathetic feelings for them because as a reader nothing is more frustrating (at least to me) than not having a single nugget of “something” to hold onto to root for the characters. It serves the story but not the reader.

Would I suggest it? I say maybe. If you are looking for a book dense with characters and lovely lyrical writing that are taken of and that take advantage of one another with the guise of love, than this is for you.

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Guy Branum's My Life as a Goddess

 

My Life as a Goddess: A Memoir through (Un) Popular Culture by Guy Branum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Guy Branum is very very smart. Let me just say that. Plus he has a biting humor that I really do love. I am only truly sorry that he saved most of that humor for footnotes. BUT I love footnotes so I am sorry for my previous sentence.

I really appreciate what the book is about, overcoming shit in the entertainment business and making your best self eventually fall forward.

I wanted to read this book when it first came out. I am glad that I didn't. A few years ago, I don't think I would have enjoyed it quite as much. I wasn't ready for it. I wasn't in a place that I had fallen forward enough yet. This book reminded me by reading essays on Mr. Branum's working forward how well I have done. So for that I thank you sir for the gentle reminder of that.

Some of the essays read like legal briefs to me. Which reminded me of my legal secretarial days but I snapped out of it when I realized I was reading a brief about two TV comedy's. Insert MY footnote : Holy crap how far have I come, this chapter was a full circle moment for me big time.

Thanks for the great read, if you are looking for comedy - read the footnotes, if you are looking for an inspirational drive through some challenging things - read the book without the footnotes.



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Life at the Dakota by Stephen Birmingham

Life at the Dakota: New York's Most Unusual Address by Stephen Birmingham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book published in the 1980s, so there is little dish on the 1980s more famous (cough cough resident. RIP Mr. Lennon) resident for my generation. BUT there is certainly enough historical information that will open up alot of things that I didn't know about this building that I have only walked by once.

I really enjoyed the history over the dish.

It's really well thought out, presented and researched.

Note I read a kindle version of the book so if there are historical photos in the physical copy of book I am sure that helps alot to place the place visually.

That aside, I can't wait to reread and take the time to pull up my own pictures and do some of my own research based on what Mr. Birmingham presents.

I am sorry that he has since died, because his book was terrific. I look forward to read other books that he wrote about places and things.

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This Woman's Work: Essays on Music

 

Two things first: 

1) I didn't read this book in order.  Why? Because that is the pure joy of collections of essays.  Thank you College Lit 101 for teaching me that (sorry I can't remember my professors name... but hey lady... I appreciate the thing you taught me). 

2) I love collections.  It's easily digestible.  Easy to take up and  read at my leisure and ease.  

The cover has a photo of Kim Gordon.  She is a contributor and one of the editors. That is not solely why I read the book, sure it didn't hurt but the idea of reading essays by women (possibly for and about women) was the attraction.  It was not a disappointment, this book was lovely and a great way to kick off the literary year for me. I was introduced to so many different women writers and musicians that I didn't know about, my brain was opened up in a way that I didn't anticipate reacting to these essays. 

The first essay that I read was which also kicks of the book- "Fan Girl" by Anne Enright.  As I read this story I laughed out loud at points... the author meets one of her favorite musical artists (no spoilers) and reading about it was so wonderful.  I can relate to her experience as I had the same reaction she did with her icon with several people that I have been fortunate enough to be able to meet some of my favorite artists. If you read the story you will laugh too because honestly... this is what happens.  The essay continues with some additional information about further thoughts into the interaction.  It made me really think deeply about my interactions and the sillieness but the reason why it was so silly and wonderful.  I thank Anne Enright for taking me to a place that brought me such joy from my memory bank. 

Another highlight was "Double-Digit Jukebox: An Essay in Eight Mixes" by Leslie Jamison.  This essay is about various times in her life and how the mix tape plays a role.  It was a delight.  This sentence totally blew me away "sunlit salt breeze world of the west".  She talks to her brother's influence on her musical taste, which is a truth for so many.  I was the older sibling so I hope that my brother feels as warmly as the author does for her brother.  Reading this essay made me remember something that is less than caring (a boyfriend back in the day, made a mixtape for another girlfriend that I didn't really know about... and yes, when I found that mixtape he made for the other girl... I walked. It is something that is breakupable... don't be fooled) but was a funny memory nonetheless.  Music is such a trigger for memories and this essay brought some great things (and less than great).   A miss from the author is that her playlists (today's mixtape are not up anymore... I would have LOVED to have listened to them.  By the way I read this while I was at a bar listening to a live band.  I had two folks come up and ask me what I was reading and I believe in my heart of hearts sharing the joy of what I reading had them add it to their wish list. Fingers Crossed. 

I read a couple more treats of essays in order and was introduced to musicans that I had never heard of.  Some that I couldn't find the music of and others that have entire playlists dedicated to them.  I suggest when you read these stories, find a playlist about the subject and have it in the background.  Seriously ... It makes such a difference and it is a nice accessory to the experience.

I read the remembrances of a friend of author Maggie Nelson  who recalls "My Brilliant Friend". It is a remembrance of her childhood friend musician, Lhasa. I hadn't ever heard of this artist and the story and essay ended up being a loving memorial to her friend.  It was really wonderful.  And I got introduced to a new musician.  I appreciated the genuine discussion of and memory of the time they had together.  Don't forget your friends- this is one of the messages and love these memories.  

One other highlight was "Hearing Voices" by Zakia Sewell.  To say that my heart broke while reading would not be a lie.  It made me appreciate my Mom, the music that she brought into my life growing up and I want to thank the author for reminding me of my love for my childhood with all the music my parents and mom truly brought into my life.  

This is a GREAT read by some amazing authors, writers, musicians and artists.  I took a while to get through the whole book because I wanted to make sure that I absorbed all the different styles and stories.  

Thanks to Hachette Books for providing me with an advanced copy. I look forward to sending this to a few friends for birthday presents.  There are such treasures to hold onto in this book  

This Woman's Work:  Essays on Music is releasing on May 3, 2022 (link to Amazon- for ease not for any affiliation link, I don't do that).  

This weekend is free channel viewing on Comcast... Xfinity.... there was ONLY one thing that I wanted to watch...

PUNK

When it first came out I thought that we had Epix.  We didn't. I found out when I set the dvr and nothing came up.  To say I have been waiting for a couple of years to watch this would be a total understatement.  

There are a couple of highlights... I actually wanted to give John Lydon a hug, hearing Joan Jett say "Pussy to the Wood" may be my new favorite thing ever, seeing Harley from the CroMags playing drums at 12 is amazing... that guy gave us all hope back in the day..., early Blondie footage, BAD BRAINS, a lovely interview with Dave Vanian, and the whole thing.  I suppose honestly that is what I was hoping the book I just reviewed would be, this mini series has been what I wished it would be. Thank you John Varvatos, Iggy Pop your executive production backing and to the director Jesse James Miller, I tip my review to you and your amazing trip down memory lane for me. 

I went to the show page on my app and the recording was still set.  Awwwww.  daymn.  But today has been the day and it's been amazing.  

The first three episodes are mostly the NY and London scenes which of course I love. But the fourth episode is where my experience most closely resembles... LA and DC punk rock.  The scene that I knew here was magic but honestly my heart was with the LA bands.  I love my parents for letting both me and my brother listen to whatever we wanted with NO questions and let us go to whatever shows we wanted to at The Rainbow Music Hall.   Don't get me wrong, this girl loved (and still does) her showtunes and Jazz. BUT where I found my heart and the door opened to being accepted unconditionally was with Punk Rock.  

I love Keith Morris so listening to him talk about Black Flag and The Circle Jerks just makes me happy.  The last time I was in LA we saw him on Sunset and I almost yelled out to him... I so wanted to. I have a picture of him walking down the street, somewhere, I will always respect those that I admire as much as I can.  I didn't a couple of times and don't regret that either...(:: cough cough:: I am talking about hugging you Jello) BUT I will never forget Keith Morris walking off from me screaming at him in my head. Oh I also interrupted Henry Rollins in a food court while he was eating lunch.  He was kind and let me sit with him.  While I fawned at him for like 10 minutes.  

This summer I promise right here in writing, we will do a backyard screening of Decline in Western Civilization.  I said last year I was going to but we had the fucking pandemic.  This summer.  Bring your own stubbies and ... 

Here is your own little parting knowledge and if you win pub trivia you owe me a beer... Joan Jett produced What We Do In Secret by The Germs.  You are welcome.  

 

NOT a book with any substance which Punk Rock really is: Crime and Punkishment

Whoa… this book was just 100% shite.  Sorry but it’s true.  My review on Goodreads was a little kinder, but here is where I am putting it all out there. Shite.  I do NOT want to read about people that I don’t know writing a 150 word essay on the drugs that they did in the 80s.  Drugs have NOTHING to do with punk rock. Sorry but no.  I was hardcore serious punk rock and barely drank in my most hardcore years.  So in my humble opinion this book missed the mark for sure.

Want to know about the essay from Rodney at the Roq?  Yeah it’s the opening essay and maybe perhaps less than a page.  SUPER bummed and misled.  Which I suppose is punk rock in a Sex Pistols in San Francisco kind of way. There is a picture of some lady who ran a video show with John Lydon smiling -ish so I think that is why I post that.  

I read about half the book, and just now, thought … wow this book sucks, why am I hoping that it will get better? So I shut ‘er down.  

There are much better books about punk rock in LA out there… 

These are two for instance.

If you want to read my kinder / gentler review:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51206757-crime-and-punkishment.  

For additional great Punk Rock memory media:  I direct you to the I Turned out a Punk Podcast.  It is really great conversations about current and past punk rockers.  This weeks episode: Episode 377  is shared here. It’s with Jeff Tweedy (who I really like and admire - his autobiography is great, also watch I am Trying to Break Your Heart… it’s what made me realize he wasn’t just the on Tour With Billy Bragg guy).  

Anyways… the book referenced above at that top… not worth the two bucks or whatever I spent. But two stars for the effort the “author” put into putting it together.  I guess. 

Go listen to a pod or find a better movie out there… but don’t spend your hard earned cash on crap.  

Jesse Dayton is cooler than me... and has a book to prove it. Beaumonster.. Out now.

Jessie Dayton, 3 Kings  Feb 10 2015 (c) 

I have been so lucky to have seen Jesse Dayton play here locally many many times, and will again soon.  The last time we saw him at our beloved *but now gone* 3 Kings, he complimented my coat (like a gentleman from the South does) and called me ma'am.  I think I may have gotten a little gigglie if I can be quite honest.  

The shot above that I took and shared to Instagram in 2015 may be one of my favorites. I was standing behind the speakers and for a split moment I raised my camera and clicked.  I didn't look down to see if the shot worked because I knew if it didn't, I wouldn't get the chance again.  The original is somewhere, and to be honest I have spent the last two weeks trying to find it.  So instagram photo you get.

Through out his book Jesse shares ALOT.  He shares his tragedies and his triumphs.  It is a great ride.  Also when he takes you into the backrooms and homes of folks he meets it's not to brag, it's just the lord's truth he is JUST THAT COOL.

I would subtitle this book Beaumonster (the Road Monster) because the book really is a primer for those young rock road scholars to pick up and learn some very valuable lessons. Prime being, don't be afraid if someone says "I think you may want to meet" so and so.  Because Jesse Dayton says yes to that and a lot more and has the chops to back it up.

We first saw Jesse Dayton open for John Doe at the Lion's Lair here in Denver and I remember saying, that guy is legit.  This book just proves how so.  Reading his experiences that brought him to that level and status when we saw him for the first time was really great. I had no idea and I am so glad to have gone on that journey through this book.  

Someone wrote that he felt like the book was just one long brag about how famous he is.  I beg to disagree.  Sir, you obviously didn't get through the book.  It's not that at all.  He says clearly in the book "All we truly have is the hang, and then the memories". And I have to say thank you Jesse Dayton for your book and your memories and bring us into the hang.

He writes about his film making experience, which I have to say was a wild ride, his love for his wife, his road stories and it's incredibly infectious. 

I appreciate his music so much more now and look forward to maybe complimenting HIM when he is here in Denver next opening for the Railbenders at Globe Hall or headlining at the Soiled Dove (links to tickets), I will probably get a little gigglie when I say it, but it's heartfelt.  Anyone that falls in love with Exene's art too is someone that I will admire for a lifetime.  If you do go, know that you are in for a treat seeing him play live.  Read the book before you go... it will seriously make what he does that much better for you.  

Thanks at Jesse Dayton for the great book and the great hang. 

If you want a great hang you too can get in on this by visiting your local bookseller and looking for this amazing cover....

 

Read this after rewatching for the smfrhth time, Happy Endings. We really do just love that show. I love Casey Wilson. Not gunna lie. My girl is complicated. She likes her baths, misses her mom, is kind, would fight to the death for you and honestly is someone I wanted to know more about.

Complicated.. yes.
Endearing... hell yes.
Funny... omg yes.

I heard her talk about her book on a few podcasts and honestly couldn't wait to pick it up... then I promptly forgot to acutally do it, which is VERY Casey Wilson'ish thing to do. But that made me realize, she truthfully is 100% her very own person and it made me really love this book.

She was honest about it all and I appreciated that she was so open.

Note this is NOT linear. This is a collection of short essays, some longer than other but each one so funny and sad and delightful all at once. I mean I know the part about it being a collection of essays is right there really in the title, but some folks have missed that.  Just know... it is what it is and she is who she is.  

A hot cup of coffee opens up a world

Tales from the Cafe by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Image from Amazon ... I thank you Amazon... 

Revisiting the fantastical cafe in a Japanese metropolis was like revisiting a long lost friend. I was very deeply touched by the first book Before the Coffee Gets Cold when I read it last year.  I apparently didn't ever actually post up about it here, but I did on Goodreads only, which seems really odd.  

That being said, and this may be the point of this story... is... I am righting wrongs.

So consider this, you have an opportunity to sit down with your own cup of hot coffee and you get to enter a lovely space and learn a little bit more about the people that are surrounding you and behind the counter of the beloved cafe.

The first book introduced us to the customers of the cafe but this book is more about the people of the cafe. What their tales are, how they traverse this amazing space and what they do and how they got there.  This book was something I didn't know I was missing to be honest. I didn't know that I needed these stories and mysteries as well.  

I want to give absolutely nothing away, but it was great.  We get a visit from a previous guest of the cafe and his travel back in time is so charming. I nearly forgot about his story from the first book, to be honest.  Our detective from the first story brings us into his world and lets us revisit the other patrons from the first book again. 

We learn and come full circle with the woman who has to vacate her chair for others to visit the past (or future).  What a tale that is.  

The warmth of the story is reflected in the sepia tone you get from the description of the location and it's like watching an old film, or looking at an old photograph. But with new eyes.  

The book is going to be released on October 12, 2021 and has already, and rightfully so, been chosen as a November 2021 Indie Next Pick.  

This story is so deeply touching and lovely to read.  I was so unbelievably struck by the last 10 pages, I honestly was sad when the story ended.  

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the advanced copy.  I am all the better for reading this book.  I look at this book and story as a way to revisit MY past in the present by making sure that I tell everyone their value now in my life.  It is a quick read from a slim but packed with resonant emotions. Don't hesitate to pick it up.  

I am going to go back and read both volumes again, because I still think there are lessons I can learn from our cafe'.   While visiting the past (or future) you can make your amends but the present doesn't change in our cafe' but it makes the current time that much more valuable and these stories provide us with that lesson.  These stories are beautiful proof of that.  

The History of Bones by John Lurie

History of Bones by John Lurie

"I don’t want to visit cheap".  This is a quote from John Lurie's latest book:  The History of Bones (this link will take you to a google preview of the book, it's a pretty random view of the book, but a good idea of the book).

Amen.  

He doesn’t sell himself (or his story) out on what YOU think is important. I am glad that he didn't cowtow to writing about what people want to hear and it’s glorious. 

There are a bunch of random reviews out there that will entice you by saying things like: a great book about the grit of NY in the late 70s. Sure, I guess. But really and this is what I got out of it... it's all about the value and desire of a musician to make a difference in the world and what he has to do to get there.  

It's gritty as things get with no apologies, but it's really self reflection and not hot goss about Studio 54 and the East Village which is what some of the preliminary reviews were and I couldn't have wished for anything more different.  

The first five chapters are so important to the rest of the story do not skip them. Truly. It’s a side I certainly did not know. I mean I read the book so I could know more but this was very important reading to understand who Mr. Lurie is and why he pursues everything in the way that he writes about.  To me, this was wildly brave.

It’s a semi-linear story told in fits and starts which while reading it’s like listening to John Lurie tell you the story directly… and yes there is an audio book that will be just be that exact piece of art. If you have watched "Painting with John" (and I suggest that you do), there is a familiarity in the narrative.  If you have seen "Fishing with John" then you definitely are in familiar narrative territory.  

About halfway through is where the book fine tunes (no pun I promise) so there are some of the more juicer tales.  The pace is the same but things get busier and more prolific for John Lurie. 

Lots of drug use without apology so it can be triggering and honestly hard to read. But he puts it out there and it’s brave.  Lots of memoirs talk of drug use and this is so matter of fact that you have to wonder... how can this be, but knowing that there are no other punches pulled, welp, it can and it was.  He doesn't glorify it at all.  It's pretty heavy to read.   

There is an interlude (one of many) that was so touching and seriously kind an observation about Andy Warhol when I read it my idea of both of them are actually changed. 

86 % in the book (at least according to my reader counter thingie) we get this quote- "making a record is a very artificial thing to do. You are trying to encapsulate , in sound, this thing that is a little moment of soul." I sucked in a huge gasp of air when I read that.  It was like "boom" this is what this book is about.... little moments of soul , further peppered with moments of struggle, love and other creative gestures. 

That is what this book really is about in my opinion, John Lurie... the musician.  Every bit of the book always comes back to the music for Lurie. 

It was a great read.  

There are some great pictures shared too of his life which if you read all the way through the book, then go and look at them and then they will make more sense.  So read the book, then look at the pictures.  I am glad that I waited to look at what photos he did share.  

I honestly will be ordering the audio book too so I can hear him tell me the stories and tales of the road again. It was that good to me. 

 

The Vixen by Francine Prose

I have four different Francine Prose books on my bookshelves.  I am going to be 100% transparent... I have mostly only read the first three or four chapters of each.  I don't have a clue why I am never able to get past maybe the first third of any of those books.

When I was starting The Vixen, something clicked with me this time.  Maybe I resonated with the character's returning home from Harvard after graduation (I didn't go to Harvard, but I did move back in with my parents after college) and how the news of the day (in this case it was the Rosenbergs incarceration and execution - particularly Ethel in this case) effects those around us so closely. In my day the big trial was OJ Simpson.  Anyways.... the book caught me. 

As I was reading it, I wondered... is this a book about literary license, publishing, a mystery wrapped in a story about publishing, a mystery wrapped in a torrid but albiet short love affair that is one sided, what the heck is this book about?  

Do not get me wrong here... I really did enjoy the twisty nature of the way the story unfolds and not giving too much away, I was a little surprised by some of the fun and deluted backstory that happens as we merrily go along.  It was a fun ride (like the Cyclone). 

The main character is a young editor who gets handed an assignment that absolutely hands him alot of complications and opportunities. What he learns along the way is super twisty and was really great.  The author leaves a lot of breadcrumbs through out the story which was alot of fun to track and see how these things worked out.   

Chapter 1 of the Vixen is up on the NYT (and for the time being not behind a paywall).  It's a great introduction into the story and how it unfolds before the reader.  It was a fun read, worth sticking with (said by someone, again, who up until this book, has never finished a book by Francine Prose.... and now is going to go back and try and reread for the fourth time Mr. Monkey... maybe I get it now...)

I never star any kind of book but because this is the first time I have finished one by this author... I am giving this the random full star point system on my other blogs like giant star colored in the full way.  It was a complete ride and a super fun read.  Here I am able to give a five star treatment.  Maybe if I was to be cheeky a little peach emoji being it's all vixeny?  But I know there are other people that rate with emojis... can't steal their thunder. Just use your imagination that I did use it.  

It was a quick and easy enough read and fun for a "summer beach book". Do we even do that anymore? Do we say that it is a beach book? I dunno. I read it on my back porch after work so it was my post work decompression book. Beach Read sounds better and less stressy. Call it what you will... this was a fun romp and read.

  Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy... I promise I will get back to the other books by the author now!  

Fridge Love by Kristen Hong

 

Fridge Love by Kristen Hong

So this book just came up at the perfect time for me... I am in the middle of a bit of a lifestyle change (meaning I have less time to fart around in the kitchen) and I thought that I would consider meal prep as a way to get around that fussy time every day that is pre-making dinner to eating dinner.  I have been a fan of Tracy Benjamin for a gabillion eons (and she seems to have mastered the process).  I am not that organized.

So when this book came up as a "maybe you will like this book" option I thought... wow, from the cover it sure looks like it will be a meal prep book.  Weeeeeellllllllll kinda sorta.  Not saying I didn't gleen anything from this book.  I mean I guess I did.  I learned a little bit about where my fridge fan is, why not to block it when filling my fridge with food and condiments etc.  I also learned how the air moves thorugh my fridge design to keep my food cold.  That was absolutely 100% incredibly fascinating.

I didn't honestly prior to reading this book give this much of thought whatsoever.  So it was really a very cool thing to learn.

The first 1/3rd of the book I guess is how a fridge (and probably your model design) operates, how to maximize it so that there is less waste of energy and resources.  It was interesting for sure.  The next third has a great breakdown of how to store your produce.  Valuable information for sure.  But not really what I was looking for.  It's good information for sure, but not what I was looking for.

The pictures are very insta-pretty. Lots of rainbow set ups, not how I would fill my fridge, but pretty as hell to look at for sure.

The last part of the book is all recipes.  It wasn't particularly any thing that I would actually make for us.  Not that they didn't look good, but not something I would make that is for sure.  I am not looking for a diet of vegan foods, which all these are.  So while thumbing through it I just quickly moved through.  

The author has a blog and the book is friendly and written like a blog which was not surprising at all.  Her instagram is from what I can tell the source for this book.  As it should be.

Did I like this book? Yes.  Was it interesting? Yes.  Would I suggest it... maybe. If you are looking for a recipe book with a little information about how your fridge works.  Was it what I was looking for? Not at all.   

Last Chance Texaco by Rickie Lee Jones

 I finished Rickie Lee Jones' autobiography last weekend, Last Chance Texaco.

I wasn't all that familiar with her personal life outside of some real generalities so this was so very insightful and interesting. Some of the writing was so poetic I felt like I was reading song lyrics in the making. 

I have to say as someone that grew up when I did (which was much later than Ms. Jones' formative years) reading about her youth made me very uncomfortable. The narrative takes up about half the real estate of the book.   I am not saying that her choices were bad, I mean really I think that they were her choices and I am in a way grateful for her openess and seeming giving nature to write about them. But... and here is my big but... reading about how basically she was a teenage runaway at 14 made me really sad for her childhood.  She writes very openly about it.  So many risks, so many chances and so many drugs.  I don't want to dismiss that.  It was really difficult to read for me at times. I had to set the book aside more than once.  

The bulk of the book does to me read like a teenage road memoir and in that way it's interesting but for others it may not be.  It wasn't triggering for me like it could be for others.  I want to say this one more thing about that... her parents must have been so completely exasperated by that behavior and it really shows their deep love for their daughter to come and get her from where she landed as many times as they did.  She was very fortunate.  I don't want to say that she seemed ungrateful but she never outright says "wow was I glad my Dad drove from Arizona to California to get me when I called". That was sad to me.  

Her career and musical highlights crammed to the end and her later life really was what I think I was more familiar with.  But of course only small elements of it so it was interesting to her side of the industry. The last part of her life (say the last 15 to 20 years) was jammed into the last chapter.  No fault of the author, life sometimes just happens that way.  

A few years back we were fortunate enough to see Rickie Lee Jones on tour performing some hits.  Some I knew, others I didn't.  At that time the book was supposed to be released and was not.  So I have to think that the book was reedited and maybe the first part of the book was what would have been released.  The very last chapters seemed like an afterthought, maybe it's because it's more about the present?  I am not sure.  

I so enjoyed hearing about her desires (from men to getting her publishing and owning her songs outright - musicians out there.... take a very valuable lesson here) and navigating the harsh and vicious music industry. She is a VERY strong woman, with a very individual voice that comes through.  She has shared a life that many of us can not even remotely understand.  It was fascinating.  I also have to say when I finished the book, I called my parents and let them know how grateful I am for my time as a kid and how supportive they were.  I was inspired by that so I had to call and say" thank you" because that seemed missing in this book.  I may have missed it in my frustration not sure to be candid.  

I was also a little bummed out that some credit wasn't given to photographers.  Ms. Jones references a VERY well known photo and doesn't give credit to the photographer... so I will do so now... His name is Adrian Boot.  His photography is amazing. Check him out too.  

I so very much appreciate being provided with the preview copy... and I did enjoy the book enough to buy a hard copy for our library.  

It is a recommended book.  If anything to go back to a time that I don't have any life experience with.  I watched her SNL appearances, I revisited the first album and I have learned so much more about an artist that I didn't know much about.  It's a beautiful read about some difficult subjects that I know I will want to reread again.  

What's on the deck to read for April and May?

 Really the only reason why I am putting this list together is to keep myself accountable for the books that I have on deck (and one in progress right now) to read.  I am finding that with the days getting "longer" and my personal life getting a little more out of focused on reading fiction I need to make myself a check list.

By the way, I love a checklist.  ALOT.  I honestly have over four going all the time.  I think it makes me feel productive.  I have actually geeked out so much that I am actually seriously considering making my personal life and these precise things live on a Trello Board.  Project Manage my personal life.  I am that much of a dork that I would even poise myself to do that.  It's very much a consideration. I think it would be great fun.  In the meantime I have a document that I print out on Sunday's with some standard todos, a meal plan and a monthly goal all separated into separate sections.  I don't have a to read list on there... which is why I am putting it here.  I may update my sheet and add a book section now that I have worked through this here. 

So here is this books for April and May :

Oh most of the links are from the publisher or Goodreads so that you can find the place to purchase on your own :)

Last Chance Texaco

I am actually currently reading this and am just about over the halfway point.  I am really holding my breath the entire time I sit down and read it.  I knew a little about Ms. Jones.  Now I know a lot more.  I was so unbelievably fortunate to see her perform the last time she toured and came through town.  I will write more about it, but this book is really good and totally worth the wait.  I have an ARC and have a hard copy of the book as well that I preordered because I knew that it was something that I would want in my library over a year ago when I heard it was being published.  I was not wrong.  

I.M. by Isaac Mizrahi

I started to read this at the beginning of the pandemic last March.  I promise to finish it... I loved what I reading and it was so funny and charming. All the things that I know Mr. Mizrahi is.  I think I stopped reading it because I was reading it before going to sleep in bed and I was giggling too much that I wasn't getting sleepie.  This is the month that I finish it. I love him so much and I am ashamed that I didn't complete it during the past year. 

Emotional Intelligence 2.0

Ok I am going to be re-reading this as a refresher.  At work a couple years ago, one our our leaders started this book as a workbookclub book. There was not a lot of interaction as far as a bookclub goes but I remember getting a lot out of the process in the book.  I learned a lot about my reactions, how I am perceived and being better about what I do in this world and how it is perceived.  Since I haven't been in "the office" for the past year... and hopefully that will be changing soon... I am looking forward to taking the survey again, rereading the book and refreshing my base and EQ levels.  I remember being super surprised by the outcome of the survey.  I am quite sure that I will be again since I haven't been part of a 1:1 communication circle in a while.  

Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett

This has been on my to read list for a year.  I started it.  I got through half of the book and got sidetracked.  It was great. I don't know why I didn't finish it.  I got an ARC and Mr. Jollett's book tour was the very first one virtually that we attended.  It was so great and he was so engaging, I think I put it down because I was so sad for his childhood after his online tour being so really great.  He is a joy and I need to finish this book.  

and one more, I don't want to get too ahead of myself....and this one is going to be my May book.

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

I bought the kindle edition maybe two years ago.  It's been on my list THAT long which is ridiculous.  So I am going to make it happen.  

So there you are.. that is what I am going to be working on.  I hope!  That and my Trello Board.  

Someone emailed me about my thoughts of headnotes on recipe blogs about a week ago

Ok first of all... I am NO AUTHORITY on food blogging.  Not one bit. I think I hit a nerve in the conversation that I was having offline-ish with someone on Instagram about a month ago.  But this made me think this morning about it. 

Headnotes are super important to show authority, why this particular recipe you are looking at is valuable and most importantly it is 100% how Google optimizes the search. You can embed search words and tags but you also have to include it in your dialogue and written content to allow Google to search and scrape your site to be able to get it to "find" and "promote" your recipe.  Simple as that.  

So when I am looking and searching for recipes honestly when I find one that I like I usually skip right to the ingredients list (I also have a chrome app that pops open a window with just the recipe  it's called "recipe filter".  It's pretty good...) to see if it's something even approachable for me.  PS if there is mayo or sourcream mamma out...and then I will close the app window pop up and go through and read a little bit more.  Sometimes there are hidden steps that aren't in the recipe proper... watch for that, I think it's a trick now a days for some bloggers. 

Note most of the time, I would say it's about a 50/50 ratio that I find a recipe worth printing out to make later.  But if there is a recipe that I do like and want to try, I read some of the headnotes/story that accompanies the recipes.  Want to know why?  

Here it is... it's really simple... I really DO want to know why this recipe was important enough to write up for a blog.  Why did the cook think this was important... is it cultural, did they find that all the other gluten free brownies they tried weren't great, did they find this cloud bread recipe on another site and their adaption made it easier to bake and quicker, did their mother make something similar when they were growing up? All these really important things could be answered before you hit that "print recipe" button.  It's really important to get a little background.  It makes it really valuable to have this in the back of your mind when you are making something.  

The author may have had to do something like this... will they save you some time maybe... it's worth reading to find out right?!

Sure ... sure ... sure... it is a pain in the ass sometimes to read a recipe post and all you hear about is how the preschool pick up line was so long when the poster realized that she may not have enough time to make the mac and cheese little Charlie loves the most in life so adapted a recipe to be no stir or whatever.  But gleen what preschool Mom is telling you... time saver.  This could save you 10 valuable minutes... Oh you don't have a kid you say... well this could be a walk around the block time instead.. whatever. You get my point.  

I was doing a search on pinterest for a bao bun recipe ... btw... I honestly don't know why I was searching for bao buns because I can't have carbs like that... and I came across this recipe... https://thewoksoflife.com/chinese-bbq-pork-buns-cha-siu-bao/.  There was honestly just enough interesting personal stuff that I dug deeper on the website and learned that a pineapple bun could be simple to make and honestly I didn't know that it's not pineapple flavor.  I also didn't know that one of my favorite dimsum cart treats was this exact thing and named what it was, why and also with a pronunciation that will make it easy to ask for when the world opens up again enough to go to a sit down dimsum palace.

So see... while it may be a pain in the ass to dig through the story and discussion before the recipe, keep in mind... you are reading content that someone is putting out there to bring you into their kitchen in a big ole way.  Be kind and conscious of the message.  Sure hearing about little Madison's soccer practice may be a slog to get through... give it a second to resonate why you found the recipe in the first place.  

Food blogging has to be incredibly difficult.  I wanted to do it about 10 years ago before it was a thing but realized, nope... not for me.  So I honestly admire the heck out of anyone that can do it.  Kudos to you food peeps...I see you.   And you should read the headnotes... you never know what you can learn.