I'm officially on holiday and am certainly trying to make the most of the lack of uni pressures and engagements. Apart from the obvious sleep-ins and catching up on books, movies and TV shows I've been hoarding all semester, I've spent a lot of time browsing the internet, searching for new blogs and websites to fill in these lazy summer days. Here are three of the literary related finds I've made so far.
1. Letters of Note - I came across this website on my weekly visit to passive aggressive notes in one of their sidebars. Basically it is a collection of letters by noteworthy people (who'd have thunk it?!), a copy of the original letter and then a transcript of the letter, which is especially handy when the note is handwritten in a crazy script with the ink half missing due to age. From Earnest Hemingway's opinion on Ezra Pound's racist (and crazy) broadcasts to Ren and Stimpy creator John Kricfalusi's advice to an aspiring 14 year old comic artist it makes fascinating reading. It's a look inside some of the world's most popular and impressive characters.When you read some of these letters and recognise the jealousy or anger or passion hidden within their words aspects of their persona click into place and you gain such a wonderfully new understanding of the person, It's really quite fantastic. I think my favourite (although perhaps that isn't the right word to use) is the letter asking about the value of a signed John Lennon album, I don't want to say any more because I don't want to take anything away from the letter, but it gave me chills.
2. Out of Print blog - For anyone who hasn't visited this site it is the home to some very wonderful t-shirts that are perfect for anyone hooked on phonics. I've long been a fan of the out of print clothing company and eagerly awaited their move into female sizes and styles.Although I haven't yet bought myself a shirt (how do I choose just one!) I return to the site regularly to gaze adoringly at the merchandise (my oh my that beautiful jumper for Pride and Prejudice - I can put aside my hatred for that author and novel for something so lovely!). While I've known of the site for awhile I only recently discovered their blog, and what a blog it is! Aside from updates regarding the store it is packed with literary related treasures, from music related literary news (an interview with The Books is the latest entry) to advising readers how to 'adopt a word,' to informing readers on the myriad of craft projects making the rounds on the interwebs that revolve around books. Not only it is centred on what I love (books, books and more books!) but it is giving me some excellent ideas for what to do with my busy hands this holiday period!
3. What Claudia Wore - A blog dedicated to Claudia Kishi from Baby Sitter's Club!! That book series pretty much sums up my childhood, I devoured those books and adored the characters, so this blog is a welcomed blast from the past! One part style blog - highlighting the fashionista subplots through the series or matching our favourite babysitter's (usually Claudia's) fashion with current trends, and one part gentle mockery - so many posts pointing out the sillyness of the covers or story lines, and a whole lot of happy reminiscing by blogger Kim and her many readers. Most importantly Kim made a connection I don't think I ever would have (considering how long it has been since I've read a BSC book), she attributes her overuse of parenthesis to the series, as they too seemed to love chucking bits of text between the brackets, as do I. Finally it makes sense!! Perhaps it is a generation thing and there are dozens more of us parenthesis-a-holics out there, all of whom were created by this delighted book series! I couldn't mention What Claudia Wore without mentioning Entropificus and her What Is You Childhood Trauma series of illustrations. The talented Phi has taken it upon herself to recreate outfits worn by Claudia on her blog. I implore you to take a look and see her wonderful recreations of the outfits we spent our childhood's imagining!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
No! It's SUPER MAMIKA!
This set of photographs bring a slight tear to my eye and a massive smile to my face. After seeing his grandmother seemed a little down in the dumps photographer Sacha Goldberger hatched a plan to brighten his grandmother's day.
The result was a series of photographs with Frederika posed in outrageous costumes in a variety of locations posing in a series of comical and outrageous poses. Not only did the project bring a smile to Frederika's face but the photographs are simply phenomenal. The muted colouring is reminiscent of vintage comics as are the sets, and the lingering smoke in several photos is incredibly evocative.
I absolutely love this project on both an artistic level and a personal level. I'm sure any clouds of loneliness or depression that Frederika suffered through before have now disappeared at these clear signs of a grandson's love and devotion and the world wide support she has received from new fans. For the full set of photographs and the complete story of why Sacha decided to begin this project and Frederika's phenomenal WW2 story (I won't do it an injustice by trying to summarise it here- I implore you to give it a look over though, very inspiring) click here and here.
This set of photographs bring a slight tear to my eye and a massive smile to my face. After seeing his grandmother seemed a little down in the dumps photographer Sacha Goldberger hatched a plan to brighten his grandmother's day.
The result was a series of photographs with Frederika posed in outrageous costumes in a variety of locations posing in a series of comical and outrageous poses. Not only did the project bring a smile to Frederika's face but the photographs are simply phenomenal. The muted colouring is reminiscent of vintage comics as are the sets, and the lingering smoke in several photos is incredibly evocative.
I absolutely love this project on both an artistic level and a personal level. I'm sure any clouds of loneliness or depression that Frederika suffered through before have now disappeared at these clear signs of a grandson's love and devotion and the world wide support she has received from new fans. For the full set of photographs and the complete story of why Sacha decided to begin this project and Frederika's phenomenal WW2 story (I won't do it an injustice by trying to summarise it here- I implore you to give it a look over though, very inspiring) click here and here.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Let's get 'The Price' made!
Just a quick blog entry to show my support for Christopher Salmon's Kickstarter project and to inform as many people as I can about it in the hope that it succeeds in its goal.
Mr Salmon's project is a wonderful animated film rendition of Neil Gaimain's short story 'The Price'. Because of Gaiman's renown in the comic world the film is to be animated in the appearance of a graphic novel come to life, and from what has been completed so far I think it looks absolutely phenomenal. Neil Gaiman has already signed up to narrate the project and has shown his support for the endeavour as have several other key artists and musicians.
With only 12 days to go and not quite at the half way mark Mr Salmon needs everyone to get behind him and show their support. As with most Kickstarter projects there are a series of gifts available with your donation, so even if you don't care about supporting an outstanding project put in some cash to get yourself a signed copy of the DVD or even a place at the premiere alongside Mr Salmon and Gaiman!
But enough from me. Watch the video below to get an idea of the project from the artist himself and if you think this is something you'd like to get behind go here to make your donation. Or if you haven't any money to spare re-blog, facebook or tweet this to all your friends and get them involved!
Mr Salmon's project is a wonderful animated film rendition of Neil Gaimain's short story 'The Price'. Because of Gaiman's renown in the comic world the film is to be animated in the appearance of a graphic novel come to life, and from what has been completed so far I think it looks absolutely phenomenal. Neil Gaiman has already signed up to narrate the project and has shown his support for the endeavour as have several other key artists and musicians.
With only 12 days to go and not quite at the half way mark Mr Salmon needs everyone to get behind him and show their support. As with most Kickstarter projects there are a series of gifts available with your donation, so even if you don't care about supporting an outstanding project put in some cash to get yourself a signed copy of the DVD or even a place at the premiere alongside Mr Salmon and Gaiman!
But enough from me. Watch the video below to get an idea of the project from the artist himself and if you think this is something you'd like to get behind go here to make your donation. Or if you haven't any money to spare re-blog, facebook or tweet this to all your friends and get them involved!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Zing!
" I haven't any right to criticize books, and I don't do it except when I hate them. I often want to criticize Jane Austen, but her books madden me so that I can't conceal my frenzy from the reader; and therefore I have to stop every time I begin. Every time I read 'Pride and Prejudice,' I want to dig her up and hit her over the skull with her own shin-bone."
Mark Twain on Jane Austen. I couldn't agree more. Read more author on author putdowns here
Top 10 Villains
Now that uni has finished for the year I have time to do all the things I've been meaning to do all semester, and near the top of that list is take part in a few of the literary memes floating around the interwebs. So for my first ever meme attempt I'm going to list my top 10 villains for The Broke and the Bookish's Top 10 Tuesday!
I love villains. They're the best part of the book or film, they're so deliciously evil and their deeds are so dastardly and they stimulate your imagination so much more than the protagonists usually do.
I tried really hard not to just list Roald Dahl's villains because they are simply wonderful and some of the best characters to grace the page, and thank god this didn't include film or I'd have simply listed Disney's fantastic villains!
So my list, picked as wildly as I possibly could from my favourite books, are as follows, in no particular order...
God I love villains!! All of these wonderful characters made my list either because they are simply the most rotten, terrible, despicable yet fantastic characters (i.e. Alex, Eli or Shere Khan) or because of the impact they have within a favourite series or book (i.e. Voldemort, The Smiler).
NOTE: After reading everyone else's lists I can't believe some of the people I forgot to add!!
Delores Umbridge from HP, God I hated her, every other character I thought had some redeemable quality, even Voldemort (I felt so sad for him as a child) but she was the embodiment of every disgusting trait evident in society.
Randall Flagg aka The Dark Man from Stephen King's The Stand. If I'm on the subject of King I have to add Pennywise the clown (IT) and Annie Wilkes (misery). I couldn't even finish IT, I think it is the only time I've literally thrown a book across the room because I was too afraid to even have it near me!
Plus so many more I know and hate (or love to hate) and a few that I'm looking forward to familiarising myself with in the near future.
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On another note Carol from Carol's Notes is having a fantastic giveaway that I'd give my right arm or first born for!! Enter here to win not one, not two, but EIGHT (gah!!!) signed books.
 |
| Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists! |
I love villains. They're the best part of the book or film, they're so deliciously evil and their deeds are so dastardly and they stimulate your imagination so much more than the protagonists usually do.
I tried really hard not to just list Roald Dahl's villains because they are simply wonderful and some of the best characters to grace the page, and thank god this didn't include film or I'd have simply listed Disney's fantastic villains!
So my list, picked as wildly as I possibly could from my favourite books, are as follows, in no particular order...
10. Voldemort
Harry Potter by JK Rowling
9. Shere Khan
The Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling
8. The Man Jack
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
7. Alec D'Urberville
Tess of the Durbervilles by Thomas Hardy
6. Robert Neville
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
5. Alex
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
4. Eli
Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
3. The Smiler
Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis
2. Aunts Spiker and Sponge
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
1. The Queen of Heart
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
God I love villains!! All of these wonderful characters made my list either because they are simply the most rotten, terrible, despicable yet fantastic characters (i.e. Alex, Eli or Shere Khan) or because of the impact they have within a favourite series or book (i.e. Voldemort, The Smiler).
NOTE: After reading everyone else's lists I can't believe some of the people I forgot to add!!
Delores Umbridge from HP, God I hated her, every other character I thought had some redeemable quality, even Voldemort (I felt so sad for him as a child) but she was the embodiment of every disgusting trait evident in society.
Randall Flagg aka The Dark Man from Stephen King's The Stand. If I'm on the subject of King I have to add Pennywise the clown (IT) and Annie Wilkes (misery). I couldn't even finish IT, I think it is the only time I've literally thrown a book across the room because I was too afraid to even have it near me!
Plus so many more I know and hate (or love to hate) and a few that I'm looking forward to familiarising myself with in the near future.
-------
On another note Carol from Carol's Notes is having a fantastic giveaway that I'd give my right arm or first born for!! Enter here to win not one, not two, but EIGHT (gah!!!) signed books.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
2, 4, 6, 8
I hate odd numbers, I'm one of those people that will adjust the volume of the tv to be on an even number, even out the shortcuts on my desktop into even rows and so forth. One of my special little quirks I guess you could say!
I was sitting on 89 posts when I opened Blogger and I couldn't leave it like that so here is a rather useless post with two new clips from the upcoming Harry Potter movie. Only one more week until the magic hits the screen, I simply cannot wait! Enjoy these sneak peaks guys, I think it looks like it'll be a ripper of a film, what a way to end the series!
I was sitting on 89 posts when I opened Blogger and I couldn't leave it like that so here is a rather useless post with two new clips from the upcoming Harry Potter movie. Only one more week until the magic hits the screen, I simply cannot wait! Enjoy these sneak peaks guys, I think it looks like it'll be a ripper of a film, what a way to end the series!
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