The perfect way in which to tell this story about a band with a big fat mystery at the center of it. Who named the band? How should Unknown PleasuresThe perfect way in which to tell this story about a band with a big fat mystery at the center of it. Who named the band? How should Unknown Pleasures really sound? Why did Ian Curtis commit suicide? Who knows? I appreciate the kaleidoscopic lens approach for all these questions with no answers. Also, the graphics and photos fans have never seen before add tons of visual appeal.
Fun epistolary that fed my Terence Conran/tarragon vinegar in 1983 London fantasies quite nicely. Cute family, funny kids, wacky neighbors, and a veryFun epistolary that fed my Terence Conran/tarragon vinegar in 1983 London fantasies quite nicely. Cute family, funny kids, wacky neighbors, and a very sneakily done (view spoiler)[ romance (hide spoiler)] revealed in exactly one line in the author's note. Awww!
I like it when people are fully formed as teenagers, and was pleased to find out that Johnny Marr left school to play guitar and marry Angie, andI like it when people are fully formed as teenagers, and was pleased to find out that Johnny Marr left school to play guitar and marry Angie, and that's just what he did. ...more
Jane Eyre gets a job with the Wild Children of Aveyon, all told with such a droll voice that never talks down to the reader. Plus, Jon KlassenJane Eyre gets a job with the Wild Children of Aveyon, all told with such a droll voice that never talks down to the reader. Plus, Jon Klassen illustrations! I am late to this party, but this is just delightful....more
OK, so I stopped reading and started flipping pages around 1980. But I really enjoyed all the stuff about Lydon's growing up as a poor kid who hungOK, so I stopped reading and started flipping pages around 1980. But I really enjoyed all the stuff about Lydon's growing up as a poor kid who hung around at the library all the time and his no-holds-barred account of the beginning of punk. The guy is not a bit impressed with punk mythology or hagiography cause duh, he was there and is naturally contrary. Thus, many unflattering remarks about Vivienne Westwood. A bit windy, could have used a stronger edit, but worth a look if you find this time in history interesting. ...more
Totally pleasant book for baby-boomer grandparents and their grandkids. Theodora's illustrations and designs are nice. Family photos are cute. WhyTotally pleasant book for baby-boomer grandparents and their grandkids. Theodora's illustrations and designs are nice. Family photos are cute. Why not?...more
Fun, smart large-format UK history of global street style. Includes British subcultures like Northern Soul people and Crusties, some of the moreFun, smart large-format UK history of global street style. Includes British subcultures like Northern Soul people and Crusties, some of the more influential recent Japanese fads (KoGals, Decora, Ganguro) and one group of 80s Italians I had never heard of but am about to get obsessed with, the Euro-preppy Paninaros. ...more
Multiple-perspective trashy tale of swinging London in 1969, told by a low-class, ambitious gigolo, an innocent heiress recently released fromMultiple-perspective trashy tale of swinging London in 1969, told by a low-class, ambitious gigolo, an innocent heiress recently released from boarding school, and a jaded, spoiled rich man's wife. Fun to see what was shocking and hip in 1969 as well as what songs they play at the pre-disco disco HOBO.
Collins does a good job with the multiple perspectives, allowing for lots of deceit and disrespect amongst the various characters. Very quick moving -- the print is large and the book is short. I can't recommend it as a satisfying beach read because it's pretty ridiculous and dated, but as an amusing precursor to reality TV, sure. Definitely worth 25 cents at Goodwill. ...more
Caffeine addicted weasels run amuck in large format picture book full of funny details. Great for kids who are fascinated by the idea of MissionCaffeine addicted weasels run amuck in large format picture book full of funny details. Great for kids who are fascinated by the idea of Mission Control. Rather British! They are cowed by a Health and Safety inspector. ...more
I'm not able to read this straight thru, but it has been a pleasure to dip into here and there. Moz is angry and catty about a lot of stuff, but heI'm not able to read this straight thru, but it has been a pleasure to dip into here and there. Moz is angry and catty about a lot of stuff, but he seems to get a lot of pleasure out of being a fan of things and being kind to animals. On page 400, he saves a baby bird and says "Not everything ends horrifically." I'll take it. ...more
Totally pleasant read about what a nice time everybody had making the Princess Bride. No scandals, no dirt. Some good Andre the Giant stories. CaryTotally pleasant read about what a nice time everybody had making the Princess Bride. No scandals, no dirt. Some good Andre the Giant stories. Cary Elwes worked really hard on his swordfighting. Nice. ...more
Super entertaining, especially the chapter about lying in bed not wanting to get up. Those are some good words. Excellent bibliography of slangSuper entertaining, especially the chapter about lying in bed not wanting to get up. Those are some good words. Excellent bibliography of slang dictionaries in the back. ...more
So enjoyable! I am way into the appropriately glossy format of this little gem -- it's totally a fans' book. Each artist's entry includes a playlist,So enjoyable! I am way into the appropriately glossy format of this little gem -- it's totally a fans' book. Each artist's entry includes a playlist, personal reflections by the authors and a mini interview with the artist split into Then and Now.
Very few books take New Wave seriously (Rob Sheffield always and Simon Reynolds sometimes), so to get a book that feels like a 1985 copy of Smash Hits edited by two cool writers who worked at Spin in the early '90s is quite a treat.
Also, it gave me spiritual permission to binge on INXS videos, so thanks! ...more
Delightfully gloomy Sylvia Smith carefully notates the condition of the bathroom facilities and the cigarette situation on every trip she ever took inDelightfully gloomy Sylvia Smith carefully notates the condition of the bathroom facilities and the cigarette situation on every trip she ever took in her life. Smith fans will be delighted to find out Who Taught Her To Smoke! And for a capper, she is a block away from the Twin Towers on Sept. 11! OF COURSE!
This book is hilarious and great. If you are a fan of dumpy lodges full of Germans, petty arguments or clueless people, this one is for you. ...more
Turns out Chaplin is a total introvert! Once he becomes famous, 75% of the stories are: I met this other super famous person and didn't know what toTurns out Chaplin is a total introvert! Once he becomes famous, 75% of the stories are: I met this other super famous person and didn't know what to say.
His childhood memories are the 5 star part, tho. The guy grew up in extreme Dickensian poverty and he describes it like the gifted observer that he was. There is definitely a sense that his ability to observe, mimic and entertain was a survival skill.
My favorite chapters were the ones when he was on tour with the Sherlock Holmes theater troupe as a teenager. The rabbit! GILBERT! That stuff is EXACTLY what I want to read about at all times.
Oh for Pete's sake. If you have fantasies about hand feeding a fabulously wealthy and extremely bitter quadraplegic until he is softened by your pluckOh for Pete's sake. If you have fantasies about hand feeding a fabulously wealthy and extremely bitter quadraplegic until he is softened by your pluck and becomes your sugar daddy, you will love this one. ...more
As a fan of extremely dry and boring British things, this may be my ideal book. It's the memoir of a 38 year old lady living in a crummy bedsit inAs a fan of extremely dry and boring British things, this may be my ideal book. It's the memoir of a 38 year old lady living in a crummy bedsit in 1984. She drinks tea. She does the washing up. She smokes. She tries to see a play on Christmas Eve with her friend, but it doesn't work out. Who's turn is it to buy the toilet roll???? Dustier than a 10 year old packet of McVities. I love it! PS: There is an entire chapter devoted to "Handicrafts". (!!!!!)...more
Oh dear. Reading a book about a hot suicidal rock star written by his wife who was kind of dumb and very unhappy is not super fun. Also, theOh dear. Reading a book about a hot suicidal rock star written by his wife who was kind of dumb and very unhappy is not super fun. Also, the descriptions of the exact provenance of the laundry rack made me feel like a morbid ghoul. Even more than usual! ...more
This lady has met all the famous people and been everywhere and worn everything, but she still turned out to be a cat lady who prints all her emails.This lady has met all the famous people and been everywhere and worn everything, but she still turned out to be a cat lady who prints all her emails. I LOVE IT!
I hate hunters and so does Roald Dahl. This one was a bit didactic, but that is OK because who wouldn't like to curse their jerky neighbors with THEI hate hunters and so does Roald Dahl. This one was a bit didactic, but that is OK because who wouldn't like to curse their jerky neighbors with THE MAGIC FINGER? ...more
Not only does this book tick off a dozen categories of things I like to read about, it is solid black and filled with pictures of insane ephemera.Not only does this book tick off a dozen categories of things I like to read about, it is solid black and filled with pictures of insane ephemera. Peter Hook remembers everything relating to money and pranks, so this is a new and fun way to think about Joy Division. Also, he comes off as quite honest and open. Delightful!...more
So canonical as to be kind of boring now. I have been meaning to read this since 1994. *shakes fist at the person who immediately stole it fromSo canonical as to be kind of boring now. I have been meaning to read this since 1994. *shakes fist at the person who immediately stole it from Jackson Library and the librarians who never replaced it during my college career* Now that I finally have a copy, I have already learned too much about the era to be thrilled with this. HOWEVER, I did learn that Poly Styrene started her career selling weird vintage clothes at a dodgy market. AWESOME....more
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