false 8 47 35 true 7706544 read 0 true 7706543 currently-reading 12 true 7706542 to-read 0 false 8625606 on-the-side <![CDATA[David added 'Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80719102 Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations (Hardcover) by Clay Shirky
bookshelves: to-read
]]> <![CDATA[David added 'American Flagg']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80125994 to: American Flagg (Paperback) by Howard Chaykin
I personally didn't really enjoy this book, but can appreciate the influence it had on the comic book medium.

The two books that typically are attributed to the huge shift of the modern comic are Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns and Alan Moore's The Watchmen. This book came out years before both (1983) - and its influence is certainly apparent in The Dark Knight.

American Flagg is praised by the biggest names in the industry, and after years of being out of print is finally available again.

Chaykin was a pioneer in fusing a graphic design and typographic sensibility with the medium. In truth, this is what made it a bit difficult for me to read. Though I will say that the visual style did not come at the expense of the story. I was very surprised at how on many levels this book still holds up today - which says a lot for this medium.

Just in the end was not my cup of tea. ]]> <![CDATA[David added 'The City & The City']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76358244 to: The City & The City (Hardcover) by China Miéville
Really enjoyed this book, but took me a while to get into it and get my footing.

The book is a murder mystery set in two neighboring (and overlapping) cities. Where they overlap (called "crosshatching" in the book), they might share same street, or alternate floors in a building even.

For some (unexplained) Kafkaesque reason citizens of each city aren't allowed to acknowledge what they see in the other city in these convergent areas - they are required to "unsee" them. The cities are in fact considered their own countries. You're required to pass through immigration go to a location that's around the block from you - in that other country.

What happens if you illegally cross the country lines, or accidentally stare at a foreigner? Well, that's where a more supernatural element comes in.

The murder in question is tangled up between the two cities. Fun concept. And it's all set in the world we live in today (complete with pop cultural references) which makes it even more inventive.

Miéville's writing of course is imaginative, vivid, and engaging. Currently he's my favorite author. ]]> <![CDATA[David added 'Northlanders Vol. 2: The Cross + The Hammer']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78242031 to: Northlanders Vol. 2: The Cross + The Hammer (Paperback) by Brian Wood
I really enjoyed volume 1 of this series, and this volume didn't disappoint. Brian Wood obsessively researches his Nordic history. While I enjoyed the art a bit better in the first volume, Ryan Kelly does a great job here. With so many bearded characters running around it can sometimes be hard telling one from the other - but I guess that comes with the territory.

There's an entirely new cast of characters here - but Wood manage to get you invested them almost immediately.

All in all I'm digging this series and think I spring for the next trade. ]]> <![CDATA[David is on page 108 of The City & The City ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76358244 David is on page 108 of 312 of The City & The City ]]> <![CDATA[David added 'The Alcoholic']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77797273 to: The Alcoholic (Hardcover) by Jonathan Ames
I have to admit, I had never heard of Jonathan Ames before picking this up. The book came highly recommended through more than one comic book podcast that I follow.

The book is allegedly an autobiography - apparently a lot of the people and places aren't accurate, but Ames claims that it's "emotionally true".

The book chronicles his life: becoming an alcoholic in his teens, going clean in his 20's, and off the wagon in his 30's. While his escapades are insane and incredible, they're also believable. And as dark and gritty as this gets, somehow there's so much that you can relate to.

As far as the medium goes, the art and narrative are great. There's even moments that are executed in a way that only comics can do.

You don't have to be a fan of comics to enjoy this one.

Highly recommended. ]]> <![CDATA[David added 'Stitches: A Memoir']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78315552 Stitches: A Memoir (Hardcover) by David Small
bookshelves: to-read
]]> <![CDATA[David added 'Alternadad']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78244438 Alternadad (Hardcover) by Neal Pollack
bookshelves: to-read
]]> <![CDATA[David added 'Never Mind the Pollacks: A Rock and Roll Novel']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78244345 to: Never Mind the Pollacks: A Rock and Roll Novel (P.S.) by Neal Pollack
]]> <![CDATA[David added 'How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77612674 to: How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day (Paperback) by Michael J. Gelb
OK, who wouldn't want to learn how to think like da Vinci?

While the title seemed a bit preposterous, I thought I'd give it whirl - especially since I noticed it on one of my friend's reading list.

As it turns out, this book falls more into the self-help realm - which I wasn't looking for. That said, creating a bridge between da Vinci and "how to live a happier life" works.

It's also pretty easy for folks like myself in the creative services world to find some professional guidance too.

The book basically illustrates how opening you mind and senses - and leading a healthy life - can contribute to creative and insightful output.

And it reaffirmed my old belief that creative people tend to be more happier in life. ]]>