mercuriosity, posts by tag: bookses - LiveJournal (original) (raw)
01 November 2009 @ 09:30 pm
I've come to realize that I was seriously spoiled as a kid by my local library. While I was in college, I was surprised to find that the nearest branch of the city library was a small, dim place with a patchy selection of books and a distinct smell of mildew. The nearest branch of the NYPL system, where I paid a visit yesterday in order to sign up for a library card, is much the same.
That's not to put these places down at all! Libraries are wonderful, period, and any kid who's lucky enough to have access to one knows that you can discover whole new worlds in mildewy basements. That's sort of what libraries do; that's what makes them so magical. And thanks to the internet, it's super-easy to request materials from anywhere in the entire system and have them delivered to your local branch; it really is the world at your fingertips.
But, man. I just took it for granted that my local library was large, modern, bright, organized, well-stocked, &c. &c. That place was a literal wonderland to me for many, many years, and I realize now how incredibly lucky I was to have access to it (not to mention parents who actively encouraged me to make use of its resources).
I get homesick for that library.
Speaking of books, as soon as Yuletide nominations closed, I remembered another fandom I had intended to nominate. Curses! Has anyone read The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi? I reread it recently, and let's just say I saw potential that I did not see as a kid. Potential for UTTERLY SHAMELESS FIC. But it's looking like I'll probably have to write it myself.
In a similar vein, has anyone read the work of Kirby Crow? I admit I'm intrigued by the manga-ish covers, but I'm wondering if anyone can specifically recommend or de-recommend.
Current Music: Grizzly Bear, "He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss)"
13 October 2009 @ 08:47 pm
I've been bemoaning my lack of just-for-fun reading material lately. As I was trudging home from the office tonight, hungry and weary, I was pulled as if by an invisible force into the warm, welcoming embrace of a Forbidden Planet. Wherein lo! I realized I need go wanting no longer.
I bought this:
Guys, I walk past this store every day. And I get a 10% discount with my student ID. I'm so doomed. New York, why so full of awesome ways to separate me from my money?
Via 
heyheyrenay: This comic about "the dreaded question" is creepy and awesome. Warning: there's nothing particularly graphic, but it may turn your stomach nonetheless. WITH AWESOME.
And another book-related comic: Mister Bookseller, originally posted on scans_daily and fortunately reposted to IJ; I totally bawled like a baby the first time I read this. No lie, I'm tearing up again just looking at it. Fuck.
Current Mood: sentimental
I had a lapful of warm, purring kitty for several minutes this afternoon. Which by itself pretty much tips the scale for today to "good".
Also, after 6 months of living in Taichung, I finally went on a determined hunt for the rumored library--which I found, after driving around in circles a lot and passing the library itself at least twice. Signing up for a card was super-easy, and I was able to walk out the door with a stack of books minutes later. The selection of English-language fiction is limited and rather erratic, but I did spot several remembered YA and children's favorites. To re-read, I grabbed: Catherine, Called Birdy; In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Chan; and Fahrenheit 451. To read for the first time, I got: The Color Purple, The Handmaid's Tale, and Oryx and Crake.
I've been reading extremely little lately, and the odds that I will actually finish all these books before I have to return them are pretty slim, but I'm hoping that finally having some selection will spur me to read more often because I'll have books I'm excited about and I won't have to fear being bookless if I finish whatever I'm currently reading.
Now, am watching Thelma & Louise, with cookies and beer. Good times.
Current Mood: relaxed
Maybe it's just the peculiar mood I'm in, but I bawled like a baby at this.
Here's that meme about books.
Current Music: Patrick Wolf, Teignmouth
08 November 2007 @ 03:55 pm
I HAS A COMPUTER.
Specifically, a new one. A laptop. It will be going overseas with me!
*does a little dance*
I also got my first Christmas present of the year yesterday, from my grandparents. When my grandma learned of my imminent departure, she sent it out right away. It's a book, The First Word: The Search for the Origins of Language, which looks very interesting.
Also: I got my dad to watch some Sports Night, and now he's addicted. I like recommending stuff I love to other people, but I always feel hard-pressed to explain what prompted me to check it out in the first place, when the answer is so often, "Uh, slash fanfiction?" For instance, my brother doesn't understand why I like The Fast and the Furious so much. Whereas anyone with slash goggles? Doesn't have to ask.
I'm sorry I'm so scarce 'round these parts lately. Find me on AIM, Google Talk, and/or MSN Messenger. My screennames are in my profile. Entertain me!
Current Mood: pleased
28 August 2007 @ 04:19 am
asdfhgjafjgfkjhfg_Fuck_, but Vivian Vande Velde knows how to write sexy. *just finished Companions of the Night*
Maybe I should be a little embarrassed to announce that I just now read this YA book? But, god. I love YA. I was reading "young adult" books long before I fit the description, and I imagine I'll keep reading them until I'm an old adult. There's something perfect about the genre, the way it straddles the line between innocence and awareness, that leaves an incredible impression on the young mind, so that years later you remember your favorite book and think, "So that's what that meant"; yet it remains satisfying to read into adulthood, even as you become more critical of the writing. Dragon's Bait was like a milestone in my development, that way--I didn't understand, at first, the strange hold that Selendrile had over me, his mysterious appeal. (Hint: It was sex appeal.)
Uh, not really sure where I'm going with this. I should be in bed instead of reading? Also, books are awesome?
Current Mood: sleepy
At the library this afternoon to return a couple things and pick up a couple more, I happened to see Gene Yang's American Born Chinese on display along with some other graphic novels. I picked it up on a whim, brought it home, and read it from start to finish. It made me laugh, or at least chuckle, out loud several times; but as I neared the end I was surprised to feel myself blinking away tears. Obviously, somewhere in there amongst the Transformers references, the kung-fu adventures of the Monkey King, and the tabletop rendition of "She Bang," something struck a chord with me. I want to recommend it to everyone, but it's one of those things where I don't even fully understand what it does for me, so I have no idea what other people would get out of it.
...I guess that is my rec, though. At the very least, it's a well-drawn, entertaining graphic novel, and an example of the diversity of the format. At the most, it's, well. More.
Anyone else read it? For my part, I'm definitely going to check out what other stuff this guy has done.
Current Mood: something
02 February 2007 @ 11:55 am
Ever since I exposed myself to the elements by going for a jog yesterday afternoon, I have this deep itch in the right side of my nose that causes me to sneeze uncontrollably from time to time. Like now, for instance. It's like I inhaled a bug that's trying to drill its way into my BRAIN. Not just annoying, but actually approaching painful and problematic. Grr. Dear bug, Please leave me alone soon. You wouldn't like my brain anyway. Love, me.
I didn't make any formal New Year's Resolutions this year, but I have been very good so far about two things I previously sucked at: 1) keeping my own record of what I'm charging to my credit card (since I pay for almost everything with the one card these days, this is very important), and 2) actually writing things down in my appointment book, and then actually consulting said book. This has been surprisingly easy to be consistent about, because in addition to helping me stay organized and on top of things, it's also visually/psychologically rewarding to look down at a calendar covered with scribbled notes. It makes me feel busy, and significant, like I have Things to do. So every time I open my appointment book I get positive reinforcement. Yay for being organized!
Speaking of doing things, last night I went to the bookstore to hear Chris Hedges read from his new book, The American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America. It was really good. It- well, actually, I have rather a lot to say about it, because it was thought-provoking, but perhaps I'll wait until I've read at least some of the book. (And maybe finish Gun Show Nation, which I'm reading right now. Also, it reminded me that I've been meaning to read Bruce Bawer's Stealing Jesus ever since I read A Place at the Table, and...basically, there need to be more hours in the day.) Suffice it to say that the F-word is not just there to get attention. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to reading it.