false 5 2 2 true 8097220 read 0 true 3266133 currently-reading 0 true 3266132 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/39722643 to: Transformer: The Lou Reed Story (Hardcover) by Victor Bockris
I found this in a cardboard box on my block. I'm a really big fan of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground, so i always enjoy reading about what a complete freak/misanthrope Reed is. Victor Bockris is a good writer, and thoughtful researcher, and manages to dig up some amazing stuff .The description of Reed bringing Doug Yule into VU essentially to be his slave/clone...and then watching as his management eventually tells them that Yule is more popular with 'the kids' than Reed...so Reed then attempts to become a clone of his own clone...is pretty awesome. Bob Quine's tales of his hero forming a great partnership with him for "The Blue Mask", only to be booted out (and then brought in in a more supportive/anonymous role) once people started to notice Quine's great playing, is heartbreaking and retarded. There are plenty of illuminating quotes, from Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison et al about the songwriting/creative processes, too. It is worth a look. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/39722319 to: Things Fall Apart (Paperback) by Chinua Achebe
This book confirmed what i sorta learned earlier this year, visiting Africa (Mali) for the first time: there are worlds out there that are totally different from what i know - that i can't even get a sense of without actually going there. Only being there really drives it home.

This is a great, refreshing, strange and sad book. ]]>