Books 'n' Music

Ok, it’s May, and I have been a total slacker, when it comes to updating my reviews. I’ve been a bad bad girl. That out of the way, I’ve decided to do a super-duper list of people you should hear, and stuff you should read. This is stuff that’s never far away from my eyeballs or my eardrums. So, kick back, relax, and maybe find something you’ve never tried before.

I read everything I can get my hands on, including Kleenex boxes, Lotion bottles (Did you know that lemon helps improve the body’s circulation for good overall health? You do now.) and 400 magazines and newspapers a day. I prefer books though- here are some authors –in no particular order- who give me a welcome break from the back of the Kleen n’ Shine can. (Do not use in eyes)

Sinclair Lewis- I got my first Sinclair Lewis book in 1998, as something to read on a plane to New Orleans, and to get me through three weeks opening a new bookstore. From my first brush with Babbit I was hooked. Lewis has a gift for pointing out the absurdities that are usually held so dear in society. Boosterism, success, and the dangerous duo of home and family are all taken on. His short stories are also excellent, but if you want to be plunged into the best of Sinclair Lewis, I heartily recommend It Can’t Happen Here. It’s a terrifying novel, written on the eve of WWII, but can still convincingly be played out now. No matter what your political affiliation, you cannot help but be just a little scared by the similarities between G.W. Bush and Buzz Windrip.

Hunter S. Thompson- The granddaddy of Gonzo. I did not start out with Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, as many people did- I confess it. I started with the other F&L book- Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72, and it remains one of my favorite books still. Most people don’t go beyond the gonzo, and really look at the writing. It isn’t easy to blend the “crazy enough to just maybe have happened” and actual facts, in a way that is believable, much less so well written. (Believe me, many have tried, few have succeeded.) Any of his books are well worth the read- HST would never lead you astray. Also, a fascinating read, are his letters, the most recent collection, Fear and Loathing In America is the better of the two, chronicling 1967-1974 (if I am off a year or so, forgive me, I lent the book out) and show you that that whole writing thing- it isn’t all drugs and groupies and the Mint 400.

Harlan Ellison Look, genre fiction gets a bad rap. Once you are labeled as a genre writer, you may as well just forget it, because that’s what they’re going to call you until your dying day. Just look at Unka Harlan, will you? Yes, the man has written unbelievably good Science Fiction-type stuff, but C’mon people- the man has written so much more! Personally, I prefer Harlan’s newspaper columns best. His reviews of television, restaurants, and movies still are useful. His sharp-tongued, but never cruel commentary is still refreshing. To get your feet wet, I recommend The Essential Ellison or any of the Edgeworks series.

Raymond Chandler and Dashiel Hammett Yes. I love a good noir novel. I am not ashamed. Chandler and Hammett are the best- tough talking detectives, dames with something to hide; every bad cliché is made good in their stories. Nothing delights me more than losing myself in colorful descriptions of dark tales. (as I lapse into clichés myself…)

P.J. O’Rourke the funniest man on the right wing. He gets the joke, people. Regardless of your political affiliation, P.J. should be required reading. He mercilessly pokes fun at both sides in Republican Party Reptile and he giddily mocks wacky liberals in All the Trouble In the World and damnit, you find yourself laughing along. Lets admit it- there are some seriously wacky folks on the left, and if we can’t laugh at ourselves, why bother?

Joe Queenan- oh my. If I could, I would gleefully be as vicious as Joe Queenan. I only wish I could be as cool, and witty as he… Hie thee to the library now and get a copy of ANY of his books, really- they’re all fabulous. (But go with Red Lobster, White Trash and the Blue Lagoon first.) His blasé critiques of all that sucks, are pants-wettingly funny.

These are all I can think of at the moment, but rest assured (and I’m sure you were all panicked) there will be more. Music will follow later-

Email: booradley@postmark.net