In no particular order, here are my favorite books I read this year (not necessarily published this year).
1. The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
Set during WW2, The Book Thief is the story of a good German family struggling against insurmountable odds. The book is labeled “young adult,” because the protagonist is a teen aged girl, but the material is very mature. Beautiful, sad, and joyful.
2.The Prestige – Christopher Priest
There was a mediocre movie of this, with Christian Bale, the book is much better. Period fiction, competitive magicians, secrets taken to the grave; a page turner.
3.Stardust – Neil Gaiman
It was a reread, but the film came out this year, so… It’s a beautiful little book, a tale much older than it’s publication date. Gaiman manages, as always, to transport the reader and leave reality behind.
4.First Among Sequels – Jasper Fforde
I love the Thursday Next books. This is the latest in the series, number five I believe. If you haven’t read any of his books start at the beginning. They are literate, funny mysteries, set in a world much like ours, but books matter. Wow.
5.Michael Tolliver Lives – Armistead Maupin
Maupin says this isn’t a new Tales of the City book, but it is. So great to see friends you haven’t seen in years.
Just read Tokyo Year Zero by David Peace, a crime novel set in post WW2 Japan. Perhaps crime is the wrong term, it seems a bit “modern lit” poetic to me, in a way that may have been a nod to Japanese stylized writing, but for me it came off as repetitive and solipsistic.
A series of murder/rapes are committed in Tokyo, and the subsequent investigation sets the frame for the exploration of Japan at the time. The factual information on how life was in Japan post war was fascinating; it was a difficult and confusing time which is rarely explored, at least in Western culture. The crime story itself felt a bit like a long wandering episode of SVU, with the rape victims piling ever higher.
Okay, stop if you hate spoilers.
The biggest problem with the book is the “big reveal.” The whole way through the author reminds us that in post war Japan “no one is who they say they are,” so we know the main detective is most likely not who he claims to be, but to play the, “he’s insane and the whole book was through his perspective so nothing’s really true,” card (phew)… it’s like JR’s shooting being a dream… it’s like in high school math, when they teach imaginary numbers, and tell you everything you ever learned might not be true…
Look, it’s not a bad book, and I’m sure for some it’s even a good book, but I found myself thinking about chores I had to do at times; maybe not a big recommendation from me. I think I’ll cleanse my palate with an Agatha Christie.
I can’t believe I haven’t gotten around to mentioning it, but I saw Enchanted last week and it was fantastic! Okay, well, it’s super cute and sweet, and yes it’s got flaws, but I grinned, I laughed, I wanted the soundtrack… and Amy Adams? I’m going to say it, it’s sappy but, she’s a revelation! What an actress. Emotionally available, sweet, cute; I thought the lighting could have been more flattering, but I think they were going for “real.”
The flaws:
As my pally Robin Jones pointed out on his blog, Sarandon’s not who I think of for evil queen (she’s Janet, Dammit!). She was okay, but Streep or Close would have killed it.
Idina Menzel has a supporting role and no song. Let’s think about this, Idina Menzel, in a musical, with no song. She’s an okay actress, but it’s the voice you pay for. I can’t help wonder if there wasn’t a number cut; a duet with Amy Adams perhaps.
Plot-wise (and this’ll be a spoiler if you haven’t seen the movie yet) by the time the evil queen comes through to do her own bidding, it’s moot. Giselle has already fallen in love with Patrick Dempsey and doesn’t seem to want to return, meaning it’s unnecessary for the queen to poison her.
(A quick aside about Patrick Dempsey: sure he’s cute, but am I the only one who thinks he’s dull as dishwater?)
But those things are easily put aside. Amy Adams charmed the pants off me, as did the roaches, rats, and pigeons of New York City.
Just got back from eating too much dim sum at Shun Lee (anyone notice a theme to my vacation?); thank you Brandon Walker for pointing out that I’m just like the rest of my brethren.
Merry merry all. I’m super full; all I’ve done here in New York, aside from go to museums and pet the dog, is eat. Lunch yesterday served by Mrs. Claus at Florent, the coffee is great there, cinnamon-ey and rich, just like I remember it.
In college, when they were open 24/7, my ex-roommate (a talented writer in her own right) Tricia Warden, and I, used to go there late night to drink coffee and play gin rummy. No matter how busy they were at 2am, they never minded us taking up a table and staying for hours.
Dinner last night was amazing; sometimes the turkey and the stuffing rise above all other turkeys. I’d write more, but there’s a leftovers sandwich waiting to be made…
I was just going to post a fantastic painting of Father Xmas (give me some money) by Jo Spinks – she’s on my blogroll – but then I got inspired by John Butler over at Lozenge – also on the blogroll. He listed his top twenty most listened to songs of ‘07, and here are mine.
1. Henrietta – The Fratellis
2. Los Angeles I’m Yours – The Decemberists
3. Belly Love – The Kooks
4. Beautiful – Xtina live on SNL
5. Everybody’s Changing – Lily Allen
6. Golden Brown – The Stranglers
7. Louis Quatorze – Bow Wow Wow
8. Knowing Me, Knowing You – Evan Dando
9. Breath Me – Sia
10. Femme Fatale – Velvet Underground
11. She Will Be Loved acoustic – Maroon 5
12. Fire – The Pointer Sisters
13. The Piano Has Been Drinking – Tom Waites
14. Kooks – David Bowie
15. Goody Goody – Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
16. The Bottle – Gil Scott Heron
17. Don’t Cha – Will Young
18. Frontin’ – Jamie Cullum
19. People Who Died – Jim Carroll Band
20. The Conversation – Joni Mitchell
It may not be the most au currant list, but it’s mostly acceptable hipster-wise.
Feeling somewhat better. Got out into the crisp, cold New York day. The kind of day that starts out damp and biting, but by the time you’ve strode a mile and a half through the park, you’ve got to dump the hat and unbutton. Mmm, New York winter.
For anyone who’s here, or will be in the next month or so, I’ve taken in a couple of terrific exhibitions which should be seen, if possible.
Today I went to the Jewish Museum, up on 5th Avenue and 92nd Street, to see From the New Yorker to Shreck: the Art of William Steig (now through March 16th 2008); it was lovely. The work reminded me of Addams’, they were contemporaries, but with a looser line. Steig was raised on the LES, and there’s a very Jewish New York sensibility to much of the humor. The most magical part of the show, for me, was the original artwork from Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, and the dummy book he made first. Obviously, the original Shreck artwork is a big draw for many, and there were more kids in that part of the exhibit, but they were mostly well behaved.
For those not in New York, or who really hate children, the exhibit is online as well.
The other exhibit was Pricked: extreme embroidery, at The Museum of Arts & Design, on 53rd St. Wow! What an amazing and inspiring show. I’ve been working on a textile project for some time now (soon to be revealed…) and it was so great to see that there are others out there thinking subversively about needlework. The show is not to be missed.
I’b in Dew York wid a head code. It’s code here and rainy, and we keeb adding peeble to the xmas guest lisd. Must go bag to Barnes and Doble, for bore gibts. Sigh. Here’s a great ad that wub sent to be by by friend Lewis Fein. Thangs Lewis.
Traveling at Xmas is never the right thing to do, but out of LAX is really notthe way to go. A full hour to get through security, I kid you not. The saving grace for me, was this guy. Some people’s holiday spirit, huh?
I just had one of those weird, separated-at-birth moments. USA is showing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this weekend, and I looked up at the screen and saw Johnny Depp, as Willy Wonka, but thought it was Mystery, that weird, Dr. Suess muppet from The Pickup Artist and The Game. How great, I just learned his real name is Erik Von Markovik, like a crazy Eastern European Baron.
Kurtz and Chan, of Vayabobo, made this video Xmas card. It’s sweetly sentimental and nasty, just my style. Plus the voice over is done by David “Earl” Waterman.
As I said the other day, I recently had the chance to interview Brandon Bird, “humorous, realistic pop artist.” Not only is Brandon a terrific and talented artist, he also has a great and strange website, which won the 2005 People’s Voice Webby award in the “Weird” Category. The site features all the art I’ve shown, and available prints, Mr. T Christmas Card, SVU Valentines, and a do-it-yourself Walken mask.
Trick. Or. Treat.
And now, back to the interview.
Me: As you become known for your art, what’s the best fan perk you’ve gotten?
BB:I got to go to the set of Law and Order. Yes, that was the coolest thing ever.
Me: How did you come up with the idea for Law and Order: Artistic Intent, and what was the reaction of artists you asked to be involved?
Justice Commemorated by Zoe Piel
BB:It was early 2003, and I started watching Law and Order reruns on TNT. And Law and Order, before then, was something I’d seen a couple times, in high school I saw it and was like, “Oh wow, this is really cool, except I’m exhausted and I have to go to sleep right now, because I have to wake up at like six in the morning.” And then, to see three whole episodes, back to back, was just mind opening. Read the rest of this entry »
1. The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
2.The Prestige – Christopher Priest
3.Stardust – Neil Gaiman
4.First Among Sequels – Jasper Fforde
5.Michael Tolliver Lives – Armistead Maupin
Just read 
I can’t believe I haven’t gotten around to mentioning it, but I saw 
Merry merry all. I’m super full; all I’ve done here in New York, aside from go to museums and pet the dog, is eat. Lunch yesterday served by Mrs. Claus at 
Feeling somewhat better. Got out into the crisp, cold New York day. The kind of day that starts out damp and biting, but by the time you’ve strode a mile and a half through the park, you’ve got to dump the hat and unbutton. Mmm, New York winter.
