Wednesday, February 28, 2007

2007 books 23 and 24

Eric Michael Mazur and Kate McCarthy, eds. God in the Details: American Religion in Popular Culture
This was a collection of essays by people trying to identify religion-related themes in pop culture. Some of these essays worked (the one on the Simpsons was interesting, and I liked the one on southern barbeque for nostalgid reasons), but most were pretty specious. I mean, come on, I've been to enough Jimmy Buffett shows (what???? don't laugh!) to know that Parrotheads aren't in a religion. And don't even get me started on Cathy, the worst comic strip of all time.

Laurie R. King's The Beekeeper's Apprentice: On the Segregation of the Queen
A great recommendation from Elizabeth, this was the story of a young girl who finds herself apprenticed to Sherlock Holmes after his semi-retirement (for real, in which Holmes story does it say he retired to keep bees? Chabon's Final Solution had him doing that, too). Of course mysteries ensue and the two find themselves in a struggles for their lives! Actually this was the sort of mystery I really like--the twists were all surprises but they fit the story really well. A-.

Back to watching ANTM! That wacky Tyra!

5 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Phew. It's kind of a lot of pressure to recommend a book to you.

Alicia K. said...

Why??? I like most books.

Elizabeth said...

Well first I worried that you'd already read it. And then I don't want to waste your time on something you'd hate. And then there's the "i've never actually met you thing." And, I'm a worrier :). btw, this was in the independent this week http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A45227

Alicia K. said...

didn't i meet you at some show that one time? in the place that's above hell and under where the karaoke is?

man, now i totally miss the indy!!

Elizabeth said...

Oh yeah. But we didn't actually talk. So you can keep up from far, Wetlands has changed its name to Blend and is mostly a dance club now.