Tuesday, August 26, 2003
4. The Arts and Crafts Computer by Janet Ashford
This is a beautiful book, lots of groovy color pictures. Good explanations of digital color theory and other tech stuff that artists might not know. And also good explanations of design principles that techies might not know. Just flipping through this book tends to send a variety of creative project ideas spinning off in my scary little head. I've also learned about some cool products made for inkjet printers from this book, like printable bumperstickers.
This is a beautiful book, lots of groovy color pictures. Good explanations of digital color theory and other tech stuff that artists might not know. And also good explanations of design principles that techies might not know. Just flipping through this book tends to send a variety of creative project ideas spinning off in my scary little head. I've also learned about some cool products made for inkjet printers from this book, like printable bumperstickers.
3. The Language of Threads and others by Gail Tsukiyama
These are wonderful stories about the silk sisterhoods in China before the time of World War II, about people of mixed Chinese and Japanese heritage, and more. The language is very beautiful, with a definite Asian-American flavor in syntax and rhythm. I bought the first one for the cover, and loved it from the very beginning. The last one, Dreaming Water, is a bit of a departure. It's a very intimate portrait of the relationships between a woman with a rare terminal disease, her mother who will sadly outlive her only child, and her recently reconnected best childhood friend. Great reads for the hammock.
These are wonderful stories about the silk sisterhoods in China before the time of World War II, about people of mixed Chinese and Japanese heritage, and more. The language is very beautiful, with a definite Asian-American flavor in syntax and rhythm. I bought the first one for the cover, and loved it from the very beginning. The last one, Dreaming Water, is a bit of a departure. It's a very intimate portrait of the relationships between a woman with a rare terminal disease, her mother who will sadly outlive her only child, and her recently reconnected best childhood friend. Great reads for the hammock.
2. Still Life With Woodpecker by Tom Robbins.
 | I read this book when I was 14 and it rocked my little world. I had read an excerpt in Esquire magazine, which was laying on the table at my mom's office. I thought it was excellent, and spent the money I was supposed to use for xmas presents on this book for myself. Since then I've read all his other books, including Another Roadside Attraction, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Jitterbug Perfume, Skinny Legs and All, Fierce Invalids, Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas, and Villa Incognito. All were smashing, perhaps especially Frog Pajamas. He's kinda Hunter S. meets Kurt Vonnegut or something. Though to borrow a Kerouac phrase, comparisons are odius. This cat is certainly a lover of language with an interesting if twisted world view. |
Sunday, August 17, 2003
Welcome to my new blog, cat's bookshelf. Unlike a typical journal-type blog with timely periodic entries, the subjects of this blog's entries will not be in any time sequence. Here you will mostly find an annotated list of my favorite books. I love books. I like looking at them and holding them as well as reading them. Law school almost ruined me for pleasure reading, but I have slowly come back to it.
Begin the list:
1. On the Road by Jack Kerouac.
I read this book for the first time when I was about 16, and have read it several times since. It's got great characters and cool trippy journey story. There's also a fantastic narrative description of the ecstatic experience of a great blues show.
Begin the list:
1. On the Road by Jack Kerouac.
I read this book for the first time when I was about 16, and have read it several times since. It's got great characters and cool trippy journey story. There's also a fantastic narrative description of the ecstatic experience of a great blues show.
