This novel takes place in the near future, in a world where, due to bombings and pandemics, public congregations (including concerts!) are banned. Our protagonists are a (woman) musician, ex-Orthodox Jewish, who misses playing live shows, and another young woman, who works for a corporation that controls basically everything. The story bogs down a bit when the latter gets a new job and has to face the real world; she is amazingly naive and parts of the book feel like capitalism/consumerism 101 as new friends clue her in. I did like that basically everyone in this book was queer, and liked the way it depicted music scenes. I just wished it was a little more subtle. B+.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Monday, December 30, 2019
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
2019 book 70
Taylor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones and the Six
We're discussing this in book club this week, so I figured I'd glance through to refresh my memory . . . and dang if I didn't sink right back into it and reread the whole thing! The novel is told in an oral history format, charting the spectacular rise and dramatic fall of a 1970s rock band, with all the sex and drugs you could imagine a 70s rock band having. Great characters, good reveals, interesting clashes in narrative--a really fun read, even the second time (though I still don't love the very very end).
We're discussing this in book club this week, so I figured I'd glance through to refresh my memory . . . and dang if I didn't sink right back into it and reread the whole thing! The novel is told in an oral history format, charting the spectacular rise and dramatic fall of a 1970s rock band, with all the sex and drugs you could imagine a 70s rock band having. Great characters, good reveals, interesting clashes in narrative--a really fun read, even the second time (though I still don't love the very very end).
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
2019 book 23
Taylor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones and the Six
After reading several of this author's previous works, I was prepared for another fun read--but she straight up busts out a novel in the oral history format, chronicling the rise (and fall) of a 70s rock band! This isn't the first oral-history-of-a-band novel I've read (cf Elizabeth Hand's Wylding Hall, which is going for something different), but it is probably the first to sort of be in the mainstream.
Anyway, it's awesome. I did not want to put it down at all. Jenkins Reid does a great job with the characterizations, the different voices, the conflicting memories, the ladies dealing with sexism, and of course the sex drugs and rock and roll. I think I might quibble about the VERY end, but on the whole I thought this was great. A/A-.
__
A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be available in March.
After reading several of this author's previous works, I was prepared for another fun read--but she straight up busts out a novel in the oral history format, chronicling the rise (and fall) of a 70s rock band! This isn't the first oral-history-of-a-band novel I've read (cf Elizabeth Hand's Wylding Hall, which is going for something different), but it is probably the first to sort of be in the mainstream.
Anyway, it's awesome. I did not want to put it down at all. Jenkins Reid does a great job with the characterizations, the different voices, the conflicting memories, the ladies dealing with sexism, and of course the sex drugs and rock and roll. I think I might quibble about the VERY end, but on the whole I thought this was great. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be available in March.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
2017 favorites!
All right, we've reached the point in the year where I admit to myself that I am not going to read any more of the big 2017 books and have succumbed to the peer pressure to tally up my favorite books and albums!
2017 was mostly a terrible year but I did get to see Hamilton on Broadway with two of my closest friends and also I knitted several giant shawls, so I call that a win. It was also a great year for STUFF!
Alicia's Top 10 Albums of 2017 (in alphabetical order)*:
Aimee Mann's Mental Illness
All Our Exes Live in Texas' When We Fall
Alvvays' Antisocialites
Belle and Sebastian's How to Solve Our Human Problems (Part 1)
Charly Bliss' Guppy
Coco Hames' Self-titled
Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton's American Dream
A Giant Dog's Toy
Slowdive's Self-titled
Sweet Spirit's St. Mojo
*I acknowledge that this list is not very diverse.
Alicia's Top 11 Books of 2017 (in alphabetical order):
Naomi Alderman's The Power
Kristin Cashore's Jane Unlimited
Louise Erdrich's Future Home of the Living God
T. Kingfisher's Summer in Orcus
Meg Howrey's The Wanderers
N.K. Jemisin's The Stone Sky
Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere
Elizabeth Strout's Anything is Possible
Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give
Scarlett Thomas' Dragon's Green
Gabrielle Zevin's Young Jane Young
Here's hoping to a better 2018 with lots more great books and music!
2017 was mostly a terrible year but I did get to see Hamilton on Broadway with two of my closest friends and also I knitted several giant shawls, so I call that a win. It was also a great year for STUFF!
Alicia's Top 10 Albums of 2017 (in alphabetical order)*:
Aimee Mann's Mental Illness
All Our Exes Live in Texas' When We Fall
Alvvays' Antisocialites
Belle and Sebastian's How to Solve Our Human Problems (Part 1)
Charly Bliss' Guppy
Coco Hames' Self-titled
Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton's American Dream
A Giant Dog's Toy
Slowdive's Self-titled
Sweet Spirit's St. Mojo
*I acknowledge that this list is not very diverse.
Alicia's Top 11 Books of 2017 (in alphabetical order):
Naomi Alderman's The Power
Kristin Cashore's Jane Unlimited
Louise Erdrich's Future Home of the Living God
T. Kingfisher's Summer in Orcus
Meg Howrey's The Wanderers
N.K. Jemisin's The Stone Sky
Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere
Elizabeth Strout's Anything is Possible
Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give
Scarlett Thomas' Dragon's Green
Gabrielle Zevin's Young Jane Young
Here's hoping to a better 2018 with lots more great books and music!
Sunday, April 09, 2017
2017 book 62
Rachael Herron's The Songbird Sisters
Just throwing this out to the romance authors out there--maybe dooooooon't have your male love interest explain about consent to a character who has been sexually assaulted? I get that you want to be relevant/address "issues"/be educational, but that is kiiiiiiiiinda gross. Like mega mansplainy? Like I was not really into the characters in this book compared to its predecessors before that conversation, and that absolutely killed it for me? Jesus, you can't have a rich country singing dude "heal" a woman who feels damaged with the power of his words and his penis. Men are not going to rescue women and it is bizarre to read! Get a therapist, girl! Yoy. B-.
Just throwing this out to the romance authors out there--maybe dooooooon't have your male love interest explain about consent to a character who has been sexually assaulted? I get that you want to be relevant/address "issues"/be educational, but that is kiiiiiiiiinda gross. Like mega mansplainy? Like I was not really into the characters in this book compared to its predecessors before that conversation, and that absolutely killed it for me? Jesus, you can't have a rich country singing dude "heal" a woman who feels damaged with the power of his words and his penis. Men are not going to rescue women and it is bizarre to read! Get a therapist, girl! Yoy. B-.
2017 book 61
Rachael Herron's The Songbird's Call
The second book in Herron's Darling Songbirds trilogy follows the same formula as the first in terms of story beats, but I found the characters in this one (the middle sister, the "chubby one," and the local sheriff) more compelling--like the first thing the couple does is rescue a kitten! I am here for this! Herron attempts to bring in real life issues like domestic violence to some good effect, which I appreciate. I am now off to read the third one, which I do hope varies slightly. B+.
The second book in Herron's Darling Songbirds trilogy follows the same formula as the first in terms of story beats, but I found the characters in this one (the middle sister, the "chubby one," and the local sheriff) more compelling--like the first thing the couple does is rescue a kitten! I am here for this! Herron attempts to bring in real life issues like domestic violence to some good effect, which I appreciate. I am now off to read the third one, which I do hope varies slightly. B+.
Saturday, April 08, 2017
2017 book 60
Rachael Herron's The Darling Songbirds
The first book in Herron's trilogy about a trio of sisters who used to be famous country singers--and now are struggling in various ways--centers on oldest sister Adele, who makes her way to her father's hometown after her uncle's death, to deal with his various businesses--and to deal with the bartender who wants to buy his saloon. These two are mostly cute together, though Adele has some moments of incredible bitchery (she is very cruel about an alcoholic woman the reader knows is her love interest's mother) and slut-shamery (Adele is sexy in a classy way, not like all those OTHER women in their low-cut tops). Otherwise this is nice, light entertainment, and I am curious to read the followups. B/B+.
The first book in Herron's trilogy about a trio of sisters who used to be famous country singers--and now are struggling in various ways--centers on oldest sister Adele, who makes her way to her father's hometown after her uncle's death, to deal with his various businesses--and to deal with the bartender who wants to buy his saloon. These two are mostly cute together, though Adele has some moments of incredible bitchery (she is very cruel about an alcoholic woman the reader knows is her love interest's mother) and slut-shamery (Adele is sexy in a classy way, not like all those OTHER women in their low-cut tops). Otherwise this is nice, light entertainment, and I am curious to read the followups. B/B+.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Favorite stuff of 2016!
2016 was not a great year by any stretch of the imagination, but there were some bright spots.
I did read a lot of really good books this year, but not many that I flat-out LOVED. So first up, here are my top five favorite books of 2016--plus two more that will be released in early 2017! And then some other things I loved this year. :)
Top Five Fave Books (+2!)
-- Louise Erdrich's LaRose
-- Melina Marchetta's Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil
-- Maggie Nelson's The Red Parts: Autobiography of a Trial
-- Emma Straub's Modern Lovers
-- Jacqueline Woodson's Another Brooklyn
Plus two:
-- Kayla Rae Whitaker's The Animators
-- Shannon Hale and Dean Hale's The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World
Top Five Fave Albums
-- Eric Bachmann, Self-titled
-- Beyonce, Lemonade
-- A Giant Dog, Pile
-- Lady Gaga, Joanne
-- Ladyhawke, Wild Things
Top Five Comics
(I am seriously behind on my comics to-read pile, so I am probably missing something awesome that came out in 2016--oh well!)
-- Ghosts (by Raina Telgemeier)
-- Lumberjanes (ongoing)
-- March (by John Lewis et al)
-- Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (ongoing)
--The Wicked and the Divine (ongoing)
And finally . . .
Number One Clothing Item Purchased
-- Sherpa cardigan from The Gap. So freaking cozy.
Oh, and also this. We all need comfort food to cuddle in these troubled times.
I did read a lot of really good books this year, but not many that I flat-out LOVED. So first up, here are my top five favorite books of 2016--plus two more that will be released in early 2017! And then some other things I loved this year. :)
Top Five Fave Books (+2!)
-- Louise Erdrich's LaRose
-- Melina Marchetta's Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil
-- Maggie Nelson's The Red Parts: Autobiography of a Trial
-- Emma Straub's Modern Lovers
-- Jacqueline Woodson's Another Brooklyn
Plus two:
-- Kayla Rae Whitaker's The Animators
-- Shannon Hale and Dean Hale's The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World
Top Five Fave Albums
-- Eric Bachmann, Self-titled
-- Beyonce, Lemonade
-- A Giant Dog, Pile
-- Lady Gaga, Joanne
-- Ladyhawke, Wild Things
Top Five Comics
(I am seriously behind on my comics to-read pile, so I am probably missing something awesome that came out in 2016--oh well!)
-- Ghosts (by Raina Telgemeier)
-- Lumberjanes (ongoing)
-- March (by John Lewis et al)
-- Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (ongoing)
--The Wicked and the Divine (ongoing)
And finally . . .
Number One Clothing Item Purchased
-- Sherpa cardigan from The Gap. So freaking cozy.
Oh, and also this. We all need comfort food to cuddle in these troubled times.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
2016 book 57
Mo Daviau's Every Anxious Wave
Daviau's debut novel may have been written JUST FOR ME--it centers on TIME TRAVEL and INDIE ROCK! Cat's Cradle even gets a shoutout! Anyway, it's the story of a guy, an aging indie rocker, who owns a bar and discovers a time travel portal thing in his closet (don't question it) and he and his buddy set up a business sending people back in time to awesome rock shows. I mean, that is genius. But then things go awry, and his friend ends up trapped in Manhattan in the year 980. And the bartender has to call in a cool young astrophysicist (a lady!) to save the day. I didn't find their inevitable romance entirely compelling--I wished she had been slightly better developed, or at least not seen only through his eyes, and I could have done w/o mentions of rape--but really enjoyed all the time travel shenanigans. This book was super fun. B+.
Daviau's debut novel may have been written JUST FOR ME--it centers on TIME TRAVEL and INDIE ROCK! Cat's Cradle even gets a shoutout! Anyway, it's the story of a guy, an aging indie rocker, who owns a bar and discovers a time travel portal thing in his closet (don't question it) and he and his buddy set up a business sending people back in time to awesome rock shows. I mean, that is genius. But then things go awry, and his friend ends up trapped in Manhattan in the year 980. And the bartender has to call in a cool young astrophysicist (a lady!) to save the day. I didn't find their inevitable romance entirely compelling--I wished she had been slightly better developed, or at least not seen only through his eyes, and I could have done w/o mentions of rape--but really enjoyed all the time travel shenanigans. This book was super fun. B+.
Friday, January 29, 2016
2016 book 19
Libby Cudmore's The Big Rewind
I finished this book a little while ago, and still can't decide what I think about it. It's the story of Jett, a 20-something in Brooklyn, temping instead of following her dream career as a music journalist, part of an extremely hipster-y community--when one of her friends/neighbors is MURDERED! But like, it's not a straight up mystery; it could just as easily be a sort of New Adult/women's fiction story, because so much of it is Jett thinking about old relationships, and music, and mix tapes (this book VERY MUCH nails young romance, music, and the connections therein). So it's sort of both of those kinds of stories, but also neither? Which is cool? But confusing? I definitely wished this actually had been more of a mystery. I want to see a series where Jett sets up as a hipster PI. I would read the hell out of that. B/B+.
__
A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on February 2nd.
I finished this book a little while ago, and still can't decide what I think about it. It's the story of Jett, a 20-something in Brooklyn, temping instead of following her dream career as a music journalist, part of an extremely hipster-y community--when one of her friends/neighbors is MURDERED! But like, it's not a straight up mystery; it could just as easily be a sort of New Adult/women's fiction story, because so much of it is Jett thinking about old relationships, and music, and mix tapes (this book VERY MUCH nails young romance, music, and the connections therein). So it's sort of both of those kinds of stories, but also neither? Which is cool? But confusing? I definitely wished this actually had been more of a mystery. I want to see a series where Jett sets up as a hipster PI. I would read the hell out of that. B/B+.
__
A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on February 2nd.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
2015 book 292
Elizabeth Hand's Wylding Hall
AHHHHH this book was so creepy and cool! I think if I had read it a week earlier, I'd have considered it for my favorites-of-the-year list, even though it gave me major willies. It's centered on a British folk revival band in the 70s--well, really it's the current day and everyone is telling the story (a la a rock doc) about the band recording an album at a crazy old manor house in the 70s--at least until their lead singer mysteriously vanished. AHHHH and it's so creepy and good!!! But seriously, I am gonna have nightmares. I am so glad I live in a house that was built in like 2005. A/A-.
AHHHHH this book was so creepy and cool! I think if I had read it a week earlier, I'd have considered it for my favorites-of-the-year list, even though it gave me major willies. It's centered on a British folk revival band in the 70s--well, really it's the current day and everyone is telling the story (a la a rock doc) about the band recording an album at a crazy old manor house in the 70s--at least until their lead singer mysteriously vanished. AHHHH and it's so creepy and good!!! But seriously, I am gonna have nightmares. I am so glad I live in a house that was built in like 2005. A/A-.
Monday, April 27, 2015
2015 book 106
Jessie Ann Foley's The Carnival at Bray
Well, how could I not love/relate to the protagonist of a book who was a teenage girl in 1994 and was super into music and stuff? Not that my life resembled hers, otherwise--she's sixteen, and her mother's new husband has moved the family from Chicago to Ireland (where she befriends an adorable old man). There's a whole thing with her uncle/godfather, a super cool young musician, and there's a whole thing with Nirvana's concert in Rome (which, if you've been reading the press on Montage of Heck, you probably know alllll about), and there's obviously a cute Irish boy. (The romance here was just a touch too *soulmates* for me, but I mostly liked it.) But man, I was almost cringing when I read parts of this because Foley makes those moments so vivid--and I remember those feelings so well. Really, really realistic teenagers here, very well-done. A-.
Well, how could I not love/relate to the protagonist of a book who was a teenage girl in 1994 and was super into music and stuff? Not that my life resembled hers, otherwise--she's sixteen, and her mother's new husband has moved the family from Chicago to Ireland (where she befriends an adorable old man). There's a whole thing with her uncle/godfather, a super cool young musician, and there's a whole thing with Nirvana's concert in Rome (which, if you've been reading the press on Montage of Heck, you probably know alllll about), and there's obviously a cute Irish boy. (The romance here was just a touch too *soulmates* for me, but I mostly liked it.) But man, I was almost cringing when I read parts of this because Foley makes those moments so vivid--and I remember those feelings so well. Really, really realistic teenagers here, very well-done. A-.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Favorite Music of 2011!
2011 was a pretty good year in music, so now I will commence with the annual Listing of the Albums I Liked.
In no particular order, except The Rosebuds is first b/c seriously, that album is GREAT, why isn't it on more end-of-year lists?
1. The Rosebuds -- Loud Planes Fly Low
2. Des Ark -- Don't Rock the Boat, Sink the F----er (my Mom hates when I swear, hence the dashes)
3. Mates of State -- Mountaintops
4. The Generationals -- Actor-Caster
5. Destroyer -- Kaputt
6. Real Estate -- Days
7. Crooked Fingers -- Breaks in the Armor
8. Mount Moriah -- Mount Moriah
9. Wye Oak -- Civilian
10. Megafaun -- Megafaun
Also, you can listen to some of my favorite songs of 2011 on Spotify here (not all the albums listed above were available, hence no Des Ark): http://open.spotify.com/user/wordnerdy/playlist/4FYo6mkU566yuD4Y5bHi3i
In no particular order, except The Rosebuds is first b/c seriously, that album is GREAT, why isn't it on more end-of-year lists?
1. The Rosebuds -- Loud Planes Fly Low
2. Des Ark -- Don't Rock the Boat, Sink the F----er (my Mom hates when I swear, hence the dashes)
3. Mates of State -- Mountaintops
4. The Generationals -- Actor-Caster
5. Destroyer -- Kaputt
6. Real Estate -- Days
7. Crooked Fingers -- Breaks in the Armor
8. Mount Moriah -- Mount Moriah
9. Wye Oak -- Civilian
10. Megafaun -- Megafaun
Also, you can listen to some of my favorite songs of 2011 on Spotify here (not all the albums listed above were available, hence no Des Ark): http://open.spotify.com/user/wordnerdy/playlist/4FYo6mkU566yuD4Y5bHi3i
Thursday, September 15, 2011
sorry
Sorry for the fewer-than-usual number of book updates this week--I've been busy exploring Pottermore while listening to new music (Wild Flag, Girls, Mates of State, etc) (plus Hopscotch was this past weekend) and have been less focused on reading. Plus fall tv season is starting which cuts into reading time. I was psyched to be managing a book a day for a while there, but that might be unrealistic.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Glory days!
So tongiht was the Audubon Park CD release show--loved hearing the new songs and some old favorites (Blasted Heath and Register especially!) but of course the highlight of the night was Aimee Argote (Des Ark) joining the AP boys (and Bob Wall) (and some other special guests) on stage to perform Springsteen's Born in the USA in its entirety. Sheer genius.
Lots more crappy photos at Flickr.
Monday, May 09, 2011
link roundup!
New Audubon Park song, omg!!! New album is out this month and the release show is the 28th at 506!
Kenyon grads on DFW's 2005 commencement speech there.
This is my favorite part of the pencil-necked/Neil Gaiman kerfuffle.
Similarly, I've been enjoying Jillian Tamaki's (she of the embroidered book covers) webcomic about a school of mutant-powered teens--this one is a highlight.
And also speaking of webcomics: First Second is serializing its upcoming graphic novel Americus--please go read it from the beginning--it's been one of my favorite things for a while now and I need to spread the love more.
Kenyon grads on DFW's 2005 commencement speech there.
This is my favorite part of the pencil-necked/Neil Gaiman kerfuffle.
Similarly, I've been enjoying Jillian Tamaki's (she of the embroidered book covers) webcomic about a school of mutant-powered teens--this one is a highlight.
And also speaking of webcomics: First Second is serializing its upcoming graphic novel Americus--please go read it from the beginning--it's been one of my favorite things for a while now and I need to spread the love more.
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
best music of 2010!
I don't think I'm going to be buying any more new CDs this year, so here are my top ten releases of 2010 in alphabetical order!
Gayngs--Related
Janelle Monae--The ArchAndroid
Love Language--Libraries
Magic Kids--Memphis
Mates of State--Crushes
Rabbit--Connect the Dots
Scott Pilgrim Soundtrack!
Sleigh Bells--Treats
Superchunk--Digging for Something
Teenage Fanclub--Shadows
I also enjoyed songs this year by Tennis, Best Coast, Wavves, Broken Bells, Bird and the Bee doing Hall and Oates, Radio Dept., The Salteens, Lissie, and a whole bunch of others. It was a fun year for music and I can't wait for 2011!
Gayngs--Related
Janelle Monae--The ArchAndroid
Love Language--Libraries
Magic Kids--Memphis
Mates of State--Crushes
Rabbit--Connect the Dots
Scott Pilgrim Soundtrack!
Sleigh Bells--Treats
Superchunk--Digging for Something
Teenage Fanclub--Shadows
I also enjoyed songs this year by Tennis, Best Coast, Wavves, Broken Bells, Bird and the Bee doing Hall and Oates, Radio Dept., The Salteens, Lissie, and a whole bunch of others. It was a fun year for music and I can't wait for 2011!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
magic kids!
Tonight Christina and I went to see Magic Kids, b/c seriously, that album is so in my top ten this year! It was a super-fun, though poorly attended, show. We also hit up Carrburrito's and Bowbarr beforehand with K and F (I highly recommend the Pom Collins, which tastes like a pomegranate limeade, and is thus my ideal drink). Hooray for awesome nights!
Ps. Sorry for the crappy picture--I forgot to unplug the battery for my camera from the charger. :(
Ps. Sorry for the crappy picture--I forgot to unplug the battery for my camera from the charger. :(
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