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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
Glenda has commented on (12) products
A Brief History of Nakedness
by
Philip Carr-Gomm
Glenda
, September 22, 2011
While we have all seen streakers at sporting events, it is only thanks to Philip Carr-Gomm that I now know about "reverse streaking". This occurs at the annual nude rugby game at St. Kilda beach, New Zealand, when a clothed spectator runs across the field among the naked players. A Brief History of Nakedness, is a combination of history, philosophy and polemic. Carr-Gomm offers an overview of attitudes towards nakedness throughout history before devoting most of the book to the cultural, artistic, and political uses of nakedness. Our individual and societal reactions to nakedness are challenged, and I must admit that my own opinions on public nudity were affected thanks to the book's discussion of nakedness throughout the world and through time. I don't buy all of Carr-Gomm's philosophy, but this survey of an underdiscussed concept is well worth the read. You might also enjoy the photos. :-)
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Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip
by
Martell, Nevin
Glenda
, February 24, 2010
Calvin and Hobbes was, and is, one of the most-loved comic strips ever. But Bill Watterson, the strip's creator, guarded his privacy and since the strip ended in 1995, has been almost invisible, like the J.D. Salinger of the comics world. Trying to make sense of this reclusive man, Nevin Martell has written Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip. How can you tell the story of someone with utter disdain for publicity, who shied away from the limelight, and who is undoubtedly assisted by family, friends and neighbours who respect his right to privacy? Martell searches for any scrap he can. He interviewed what friends and family he could, he visited Watterson's old haunts, he examines the sources of Watterson's comic inspirations. The slogging and speculation is clearly a labour of love. I'd like to rate this higher, but it suffers from some flaws. Watterson's desire for privacy limits Martell's material in a way that a more outgoing - or dead - subject would not. Martell also seems uncomfortable with writing a book, and the sections often seem like stitched together magazine articles. Still, for fans of Calvin and Hobbes, there are many tidbits worth discovering, and it is always worth taking a trip into the life of a beloved author with someone like Martell who shares our affections.
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Nuclear Family Vacation
by
Nathan Hodge
Glenda
, February 25, 2009
Bored of the beach vacation, the trip to Europe, the Mediterranean cruise? Why not try touring defunct, decommissioned, and still-active nuclear facilities this year? That is the question asked, and answered, by writers (and spouses) Nathan Hodge and Sharon Weinberger. They chose to cross the globe, visiting Kazakhstan, Iran, the Marshall Islands and Wyoming in their search for the nuclear-tipped remnants of the Cold War, and the escalating nuclear programs of today. Hodge and Weinberger are even-handed in their treatment of nuclear scientists trying to keep cash-strapped facilities alive, those in the military managing their deadly arsenals, and skeptics and citizens questioning the cost and purpose of such poisonous weaponry. Why not try a vacation in West Virginia this year - at the hotel with a bomb shelter intended to save the entire U.S. Congress? Hodge and Weinberger will tell you how to get there.
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Elwoods Blues Interviews with the Blues Legends & Stars
by
Dan Aykroyd
Glenda
, January 29, 2009
Although Dan Ackroyd may be only an enthusiastic amateur as a harmonica player, he is also a man deeply in love with the blues. In character as Elwood Blues, he hosts the House of Blues Radio Hour, and has interviewed dozens of blues, and blues-influenced musicians. Stalwarts like Brownie McGhee and Buddy Guy talk about their upbringings, their blues education, and their struggles to survive as musicians. Rockers like Robert Plant and ZZ Top describe their respect for the music that has influenced them more than any other genre. And the new torch-bearers of the blues are represented by Marcia Ball, Shemekia Copeland and Keb' Mo'. Thirty-nine interviews are included, along with comedy pieces performed by Ackroyd on his radio program, and a discography of recommended listening. Ackroyd captures the breadth and personalities of the blues with love and respect. I enjoyed this much more than most blues books that I come across.
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Novels In Three Lines
by
Felix Feneon
Glenda
, January 14, 2008
Although not quite "novels", the short three-line stories in Novels in Three Lines somehow tell more than one would expect from a mere handful of words. Theft, illness, murder, suicide, accidents and children running away from home were the stuff of which Feneon made his stories. Even when simply laying out the facts, he succeeds in invoking a mood and feeling for the events. Some examples: "A dishwasher from Nancy, Vital Frerotte, who had just come back from Lourdes cured forever of tuberculosis, died Sunday by mistake." "Just married, the Boulches of Lambezellec, Finistere, were already so drunk it was necessary to lock them up within the hour." "Sailor Renaud carried out a suicide pact with this mistress, in Toulon. Their last request: a coffin for two, or at least a double grave." With more than a thousand stories contained in this book, you can be sure of being rewarded by opening a page at random and dipping into the tales within.
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In Bad Taste The Adventures & Science Behind Food Delicacies
by
Massimo Fra Marcone
Glenda
, January 07, 2008
Massimo Marcone is a food scientist who has decided to take his research out of the lab; delving into some of the most exotic locales on Earth, looking for some of the most exotic foods. Marcone has some interesting tales to tell about food, particularly his investigations of the legendary Kopi Luwak "scat" coffee. Prized by some, this coffee is processed by travelling through the digestive tract of civet cats. Marcone was able to determine that this unique cleaning method does make a difference to the flavour of the coffee bean. Will that make you want to try some? Marcone recounts travels to Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, among others, in his quest to determine what we are eating and why. Although some of the stories are fascinating, this book could have used a stronger editorial hand. Marcone is not the best prose stylist, and he seems to think every paragraph is improved by having at least one sentence end in an explanation mark. Some material could also have been reordered or omitted, and some stories could have used more detail. Still, if you want to find out what scorpion tastes like (hint: it's not chicken), Dr. Marcone is your man.
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Zen of Fish The Story of Sushi from Samurai to Supermarket
by
Trevor Corson
Glenda
, July 04, 2007
Imagine studying a discipline that seems a melange of martial arts, history linguistics and fine art, all timed with a stopwatch. Mastery of this is what makes a sushi chef. The Zen of Fish, by Trevor Corson, illuminates the world of sushi by weaving two stories together. There is the struggle of Kate Murray, an aspiring sushi chef studying at the California Sushi Academy. Corson follows Kate and her classmates through a grueling 12 week course as they struggle under the demands of their instructors and their customers. Along the way, Corson breaks from Kate's story to tell us the history of sushi. Preserved fish became street food and then an art form. While the sushi tradition informs the art today, there have been continuous innovations, like the industry's dirty little secret - the sushi robot that turns out thousands of blocks of rice per hour. Pick up this book, and you'll learn why you might want to try bream next time you enjoy sushi, and why you might want to pass on the salmon.
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Worldchanging A Users Guide for the 21st Century
by
Alex Steffen
Glenda
, April 01, 2007
Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century is an almanac, not just of what is, but what could be. The book, an offshoot of popular website worldchanging.com offers information on a range of transformative possibilities for ourselves, our neighbourhoods and our world. The articles can be as short as a paragraph, or several pages long. Some articles provide concrete information for the individual, including information on freecycle.org, a site for the free exchange of items too useful to throw out. Others suggest how business might green itself, offering Nokia and HP's attempts to better recycle their products. At the most ambitious end, case studies and ideas are presented on how all of us can make our voices heard to effect positive change. While not a step-by-step guide to curing the problems that afflict our world, Worldchanging is inspiring in its belief that change is not only necessary, but possible, and that we can make it happen.
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Gullibles Travels
by
Cash Peters
Glenda
, March 07, 2007
Cash Peters is a world-weary travel writer, and the host of "Bad Taste Tours" on public radio. One suspects that he is a masochist as well, because for all the complaining about his travels, his job, his life, and his family, Peters plods on. His quest is to find the worst tourism has to offer and experience it. Sometimes his cynicism wears on the reader, but when his mood is lifted for those attractions that Peters finds noteworthy or enjoyable, we share his joy at the lifting of his burden.
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(4 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
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Its Easy To Fake Rock Guitar
by
Joe Bennett
Glenda
, February 06, 2007
One of the difficulties of starting to learn to play guitar is the time it takes to learn something that is recognizably music - especially if you have aspirations to be a rock god. It's Easy to Fake... Rock Guitar gives you the tools to sound believable while you are working your way to finding your inner Clapton. The book has three strengths: First, it offers a series of riffs at differing levels of difficulty that capture the essence of various guitar rockers. (with titles like "Smells Like Kurt", "Mauve Haze", and "Emergency Speed Lick in G") Second, it is a brief guide to players, styles, history and equipment to help you understand the rock genre. Third are the bluffer's guides - instant opinions on the rock world you can throw into conversation to prove your worthiness to play your axe. Critique Steve Vai's fashion sense, or praise Chuck Berry as the Godfather of Rock 'n' Roll - you can bluff your way fearlessly! Add to these the tongue-in-cheek approach of author and guitarist Joe Bennett, and you have one of the most enjoyable instructional books I've ever used.
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Absurdistan
by
Gary Shteyngart
Glenda
, November 08, 2006
Gary Shteyngart takes the habits, traditions, and tics of the Russian immigrant (and I've known many of them) and makes a laugh-out-loud collision of cultures from them. His protagonist, the American-educated rapper-wannabe Misha, wants to return to the United States more than anything else, but is denied because of his father's criminal activities. Misha stumbles through his quest for a way back to his adopted home while illustrating the oddities of Russian and American life. Shteyngart himself makes a barely-disguised cameo in the novel as a decadent professor who alienates the affections of Misha's American girlfriend.
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(27 of 45 readers found this comment helpful)
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Elect Mr Robinson For A Better World
by
Donald Antrim
Glenda
, August 28, 2006
Pete Robinson: civic-minded citizen, political aspiree, dedicated teacher, and a man obsessed with medieval torture. Robinson is the hero of [t]Elect Mr. Robinson for a Better World[/t], a satire of suburban norms and conformity detailing the funny and terrible consequences of a small community's struggles. Only [a]Donald Antrim[/a] could conceive of, or find humour in, a late night mine-clearing expedition in a community park, using books purloined from the local library. You won't look at your neighbours in the same way after reading this book.
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(5 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
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