Jason's Blog, page 4

December 10, 2024

Some books I've read 66

Pursued by Death by Gunnar Staalesen

Not one of his best, mostly staying out of Bergen this time. Give us another one, Staalesen!

Harold by Steven Wright

Starts off well enough, capturing some of Wright's stand up spirit, but then drags in the second half, apparently going nowhere and nothing really having any consequences.

Mr. Breakfast by Jonathan Carroll

After some disappointing books, I thought this was a return to form for Carroll. Some of his dialogues can be a bit too cloy for my taste, but everything in this Russian doll novel came together at the end.

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

A bit uneven collection of stories, more fantasy than science fiction.

The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez

Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez

Interesting mix of reality and fantasy in these stories mostly taking place in Buenos Aires and mostly with female protagonists, but also a bit repetitive, nothing really standing out in my memory having finished the books some time ago.

The Blues Brothers by Daniel de Visé

Not only about the movie - they start shooting it on page 200 - but also biographies of Belushi and Aykroyd, their start in improv and their period at Saturday Night Live. And the movie got bad reviews when it came out! A disgrace! It's a comedic masterpiece. And we're wearing sunglasses.

Lonely Boy by Steve Jones

Well written book by Jones about compulsive stealing in his youth (including David Bowie's microphones), his time in Sex Pistols and then a solo career before becoming a radio dj. Doesn't hide the less appealing parts of his personality.

All The Madmen by Clinton Heylin

A book about Syd Barrett, David Bowie, Pete Townshend, Ray Davies and Nick Drake. A generation of English singers, through drugs or not, that moved towards the limits of sanity and sometimes stepped over.

Ridley Scott: The Making of His Movies by Paul M. Sammon

Okay book, but short, about Ridley Scott's films, some masterpieces, some not so much. And ending just before Gladiator, that would have been Scott's triumphant return. Should have waited another year!

The Romita Legacy by Tom Spurgeon

An art book about John Romita senior and junior. Interviews and lots of great drawings by both. Who's the best Spider-Man artist of the two? I'd say senior, but junior is not far behind.

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