Of all the amigurumi and plush toy-making books that i read this year, this might be my favorite. it is definitely my fave of the genre of knitted/croOf all the amigurumi and plush toy-making books that i read this year, this might be my favorite. it is definitely my fave of the genre of knitted/crochet toy making books. The patterns are cute, simple enough to be customizable, easy enough for an newbie to keep up. the accessories and design are all clean enough to show off the pattern. this was the first amigurumi book i read this year that made me think i could actually put a few of these adorable creatures together. there are simple, easy patterns for beginners, and more time-intensive techniques for more advanced crochet artists. the list of resources was helpful, since i have been looking for a good distributor of craft safety eyes on the cheap. instead of being awed by the amazing, untouchable craft, i felt like i could reach out & make some of them myself. in fact, i think my sweetie needs the adorable apple. ...more
I picked this up so I'd have some short stories to round out my 2008 reading list. It is adorable and dear in that This American Life sort of way (froI picked this up so I'd have some short stories to round out my 2008 reading list. It is adorable and dear in that This American Life sort of way (from WBEZ Chicago) and annoying and irrelevant in the same sort of way. There are moments I laughed & cheered - stories that overuse exclamation points, a woman turned into a zombie at the Jo-Anns Fabric Store, many reality tv show and internet references - including Livejournal's prominent role in one story. There were some drippy, dull, extra-earnest moments that I cringed.
This is the kind of book that proves that it is easier to write about misery, sorry, malaise, dread, and general unhappiness than to attempt narratives from optimists and happy people. The contentedness of happy people is such a singular, isolated experience that it seems contrived to form it into a short story.
I think the book is front-loaded with some of the better stories, but many collections like this are. Overall, the collection is a little cutesy, but not painfully so. And the final mark of my impression -- I mentioned some of these stories in conversation several times, which can be tough with unknown collections of short stories. It's not my fault I liked the most sci-fi story best (Clearview). ...more
This book has a lot of inspiration packed into a little book. There are interviews with various plush-makers, and (my fave) pictures of work spaces ofThis book has a lot of inspiration packed into a little book. There are interviews with various plush-makers, and (my fave) pictures of work spaces of plush-makers across the country. There are a wide variety of plushies represented, which I think just encourages you more to make your own, collect disparate styles, experiment with materials & techniques, stretch out your craft legs & get ridiculous.
I wasn't especially inspired to make any of the patterns included in the book, but it was enough to reignite some fires that get tired and busy underneath dishes, laundry, social obligations, and other projects....more
Having re-sprained my ankle (yes, again), I settled into my miserable days of RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate, for those of you outside the soft tiHaving re-sprained my ankle (yes, again), I settled into my miserable days of RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate, for those of you outside the soft tissue injury scene) with a pile of library books, including this quick jaunt into YAF. I picked it up because the author was also involved in the P.L.A.I.N JANES book, a graphic novel that I adored.
Yes, there was too much of myself here (skipping a grade, graduating early, the loneliness of high school, the excruciating torture of first crushes, an obsession with worthy heroines of science-fiction). It also felt a little bit like a watered-down FLB - turn down the magical realism and play up the torment of being a teen girl in Hollywood with "industry" parents and a crush on a boy who's too good to be true... maybe it's my fault for not being able to read teen girls in LA as anything but FLB.
Anyway, it took my mind off my swollen ankle for a while, and it was also the 80th book I finished in 2008, and also the first book I finished with my brand-new book-clampin' LED nighttime reading light -- Thanks, Mom! Now I can bookworm all night while my wife gets her sleep. ...more
**spoiler alert** Did I have a choice in loving this collection of four episodes of Buffy's unfinished business, aka "Season 8"? I was holding off on **spoiler alert** Did I have a choice in loving this collection of four episodes of Buffy's unfinished business, aka "Season 8"? I was holding off on reading this until there were more volumes available - I am the person who would rather watch a tv show on dvd after it's been canceled rather than try to tune in every week. But my kid was like, "Don't we have more Buffy? Isn't there another volume after Long Way Home? Can we go to Danger Room & see if they have volume 2?" So finally I just got it from the public library. And I read it. Yes, I read it before I let him read it. HA!
I know B.K.V. wrote more than Whedon, but it felt effortless to me. Giles & Faith are brilliant. I didn't even miss Buffy while she was busy warming the bench. Dawn's giantness is getting tiresome, but I'm sure she's more sick of it than I am. Willow & Kennedy still feel like such an empty relationship. The volume is adequate to feed an obsession, but wouldn't win any new fans for the Buffyverse. Which is fine by me. ...more
I admit that initially, I made some jokes about this book because some of the animal rights stuff comes across as a little hokey. I mean, on every pagI admit that initially, I made some jokes about this book because some of the animal rights stuff comes across as a little hokey. I mean, on every page there are suggestions for how to take animal exploitation out of your language, and the stories of animals saved by Farm Sanctuary on nearly every page. I've been a vegetarian / vegan for so long, this kind of stuff just seems tiresome to me.
Fortunately, I was able to get past the hokey stuff and try a few of the recipes. Holy crap, they are good. In the soups and bisques, the true beauty of the veggie flavors shine through. The seitan ribs recipe looks extraordinary, and I've been told by some credible sources that the ribs are as good as they look. The calories and nutritional info for each recipe are already worked out for you, and presented on each page. Anyway, this is one of the vegan cookbooks I would consider owning. As it stands, I think I'll be checking this out from the library over and over. ...more
Willie Nelson is an American treasure. He is a living legend. I'm happy I get to share the planet with him.
So what's not to love about this little boWillie Nelson is an American treasure. He is a living legend. I'm happy I get to share the planet with him.
So what's not to love about this little book of his Cowboy Tao? He meanders through the years, recalling stories of his friends, family, touring, musical career, many wives, and adventures. When I sat down and actually thought about how old he is and how the world has changed while he was watching, I was even more enthralled by how forward-thinking he is. This man has a big heart, a sharp brain, and a couple cheesy/good jokes for you. I've quoted this in conversation with my mother-in-law, I want to buy a copy for my dad, who is my favorite cowboy philosopher, and I feel like reading this book genuinely clarified some things and made me a little happier. It's not a great tome of philosophy, but it is charming. I took a special personal pleasure in his gay references, as subtle as they were. Because I'm a big gaywad. If you're interested in how Willie does things his way, this is the book for you. His advice is mostly sound, probably not anything you don't already know, but reassuring like the softness of well-worn leather. You know, like chaps.
I've been cooking out of VWAV for several years now; it's about time I write a review for it.
If you are new to vegan cooking, or looking for a basic I've been cooking out of VWAV for several years now; it's about time I write a review for it.
If you are new to vegan cooking, or looking for a basic place to start wooing a vegan date, this is a solid, dependable book to start with. While I love Isa's newer book (veganomicon) a lot more, I have to give credit where credit is due and say that VWAV is the root of much of my cooking ability. I would be lying if I didn't say that many of the basic dishes that I science up on the regular come from this cookbook. The biscuits that accompany my family's famous secret recipe vegan gravy - they are the biscuits from this book. The muffin recipes are semi-dependable, although I don't love the pumpkin muffins. The seitan recipe is simple & good.
Isa Chandra Moskowitz is a shining star in the vegan cookbook world, providing recipes that are often kid-pleasing, easy to cook, and push us vegans out of the "stir-fried tofu" arena into greener pastures. Some techniques that seem intimidating are clearly explained in the PUNK POINTS sections. This cookbook not only provides inspirational recipes - it gives you the tools & talents you need to take your cookery onto another level. I am definitely a better person as a result of this cookbook. And how many cookbooks can you say that about? Not too many. ...more
Angelina recommended this book to me. It was readily available through my public library, and I do love books about teenagers, so I decided to give itAngelina recommended this book to me. It was readily available through my public library, and I do love books about teenagers, so I decided to give it a chance. This is certainly a quick read, well-written, and funny.
I laughed along with the unnamed Taiwanese-American narrator, suffering through his adolescence at the Jersey Shore in a crappy motel owned by his parents. It's all there - sexual fixation and awakening, wayward mentors, distant parents, the futile black hole of school. Surrounded by porno magazines abandoned in empty rooms and hourly rooms rented to johns & prostitutes, his budding sexual desire is a primary element in the story. There's more, though, as the seasons change and the winter tenants become the summer vacationers and the school year slips away. Every room rental has a story - even if it is a story nearly identical to the previous one.
Waylaid is charming & feels authentic. It gave me a sense of real humanity in just a few quick pages. It's interesting, and ultimately, hopeful & reassuring. ...more
I moved to Washington State, and quickly learned that Bigfoot is from here. Okay, okay. I know that there are stories of really tall, hairy hominids fI moved to Washington State, and quickly learned that Bigfoot is from here. Okay, okay. I know that there are stories of really tall, hairy hominids from around the world, but Bigfoot & Sasquatch do most of their North American appearances in Washington State. Well, sometimes Oregon & Northern California, but mostly around here. And as a recent transplant, I can tell you the forests are beautiful and I don't blame Bigfoot for staying around here.
So, I started reading books about cryptozoology. I only mention this because I'm planning on reading several more, so you can brace yourself now. This volume is enough to get you excited, with a skepticism that lends a sense of reality that is just lacking from the testimony of true believers. The author collects crytid legends from around the world - mostly large hairy hominids and deep lake-dwelling monsters - offers a smattering of evidence and testimony, provides a few interviews with prominent witnesses and researchers, and wraps it up with a brief illustrated cryptodictionary for your ease of reference.
I can't wait to get into some texts with more evidence and witty banter between believers and nonbelievers. This was a nice teaser as a jumping off point, though. ...more
My wife & I have been working through this cookbook for a year now. Finally, I am going to write my review of it. Isa Chandra Moskowitz is a vegan fooMy wife & I have been working through this cookbook for a year now. Finally, I am going to write my review of it. Isa Chandra Moskowitz is a vegan foodie sensation. If you make vegan food regularly, you know there are basic techniques and styles we all rely on, and every once in a while, some sort of revolution sweeps through the vegan cooking world, and suddenly everyone is looking at their tofu a little differently. Veganomicon is that moment.
We are busy people who love to cook delicious vegan food, and we often try to tackle five new recipes a week, so we read a lot of cookbooks. We cook for a twelve-year old, too, so kid-friendliness is a high priority. Maybe, though, our kid-friendliness is different, since our kid is a life-long vegetarian with a lot of adventurous eating under his belt.
The book is well organized and easy to use. Ingredients are listed in the order you use them - it's the little things, you know? Ingredients are exotic enough that you should have access to a few specialty groceries or a coop, but not so insane that you can't make these recipes in a small town. I live in a small city and can find pretty much everything we need.
There are some classics in here, recipes we make over and over again. A lot of the recipes are easily adapted to keep things interesting. The muffins and soups are strong points - recipes worth repeating. And the vodka sauce? It's delicious. It makes a pasta dinner special! Our kid asks for it by name.
I only made one thing from this cookbook that I wasn't crazy about - the chickpea cutlets - and nearly everyone I've talked to about them LOVED the recipe, so I can only think that I did something wrong?
Any time I talk to anyone about vegan cooking (which is OFTEN!) I always end up talking about this book. it's just one of the best, most dependable, most rewarding cookbooks available today. vegans and non-vegans can both indulge and delight in these recipes. even my vegan-hating co-workers were converted to vegan-appreciation by a few of the cookie recipes....more
This book is aptly titled, although not in the way I hoped. I don't really buy into the notion of "sin," inherently, but it is SINFUL to use such a heThis book is aptly titled, although not in the way I hoped. I don't really buy into the notion of "sin," inherently, but it is SINFUL to use such a heavy hand with tofu in dessert recipes and depend heavily on expensive amounts of maple syrup (two and a half cups? REALLY?) as a primary sweetener.
This book would be great if some relative of yours wanted to cook up a special vegan dessert for an isolated visit from you. Or if you were just learning to cook vegan and had no idea what makes vegan desserts delicious, or delicious desserts vegan. This might be good if you loved to cook with tofu in every single dish you ever make, or if you have money to burn and love to sweeten every recipe with maple syrup, even though it's not inherently healthy and has a distinct flavor that doesn't even go well with, oh, i dont know, mint and chocolate.
This book might not be good if you have any experience with vegan desserts, or if you want to try new ingredients and techniques. I think I'll skip the "sinful" tofu pudding and tofu cream pies, and stick with the Vegan with a Vengeance series, along with veganizing Martha Stewart and Paula Dean recipes myself. ...more
I just moved to Olympia a few months ago, and quickly realized that I wanted to spend a lot of time walking around this adorable town. Somehow I stumbI just moved to Olympia a few months ago, and quickly realized that I wanted to spend a lot of time walking around this adorable town. Somehow I stumbled across this little book and checked it out of the public library. Granted, this was written in 1995, but a lot of the geographic and architectural features remain unchanged.
I have done 4 or 5 of the walks so far, and the directions are clear. The walks are pretty easy, and suitable for different walking ability levels. Variations are offered for distance, hills, etc, so you can customize based on the time available.
I love the way Rosana Hart situates the history, architecture, and context of the city into each walk. This is my favorite way to get to know a place. With the background she offered at each stop on the walks, I was able to make sense of some of the history there. There was enough to sate your casual interest, and give you leads if you want to research anything further.
My only complaint is this: it is tough to walk around with a book in Olympia. It rains. A lot. Your book will get wet, and that is a terrible sin for a library book. I guess I should photocopy and laminate each walk individually?...more
Discarded, anonymous grocery shopping lists are the material for Hillary Carlip's performance of these imagined characters. From a Suicide Girl to a nDiscarded, anonymous grocery shopping lists are the material for Hillary Carlip's performance of these imagined characters. From a Suicide Girl to a new widower octaganarian, Carlip reaches across class, race, gender and generational lines to find some characters that are deliberate and diverse. I traded the book back & forth with my stepson as we read the stories out loud to each other. We were both amused as the stories were extrapolated from handwriting, spelling, grammar, and stationary. The portraits of Hillary Carlip are funny, too. "She even dresses up like a guy," my kid pointed out, giggling.
This book skips the intimacy of strangers you might get from, say, Post Secret, but provides enough of the voyeuristic delight to keep me engaged. Thanks, Timberland Public Library, for stocking it! ...more
In this 1970s tome, Mr. Wilson taps into why we love terrariums, with an apt and accurate eye that was a little unsettling to me. Yes, Mr. Wilson, my In this 1970s tome, Mr. Wilson taps into why we love terrariums, with an apt and accurate eye that was a little unsettling to me. Yes, Mr. Wilson, my terrariamania is due to a fascination with miniaturization and a desire to have non-animal pets, how did you know?
The book explains how to create your terrarium in a biologically authentic manner, and maintain them for maximum pleasure over the years. The book includes a lengthy list of suppliers and resources, which I can only imagine is virtually useless 35 years later, but the gesture was significant nonetheless. Unfortunately, I haven't found a terrarium book for the modern age, so I have to google my own resources for obscure tropical temperate deciduous forest dwarf plants.
Great diagrams and explanations of nutrient cycling, and a few good ideas for using terrariums as teaching tools. I'm so glad my public library had a copy. Even as an experienced terrariamaniac, I got some useful ideas out of this book, and a beginner would certainly gain even more.
P.S. don't miss the part about putting in a ceramic miniature as a central point of interest. the pictures are precious. ...more
I have long had a fascination with personal ads in the back of the free weekly in cities across the country. The ads that veer towards the sexy and weI have long had a fascination with personal ads in the back of the free weekly in cities across the country. The ads that veer towards the sexy and weird are always my favorite. I read them over and over, and imagine the person who placed the ad, and who might answer it, and how that meet-up might go. The allure comes partly from the fantasy of it -- these ads are about things someone *wishes* for, not their experience or reality. Ok, so our fantasty lives are interesting enough.
And here, Ellen Forney turns these tiny filthy morsels into beautiful single panels of comic art that capture the hilarity, exuberance, heart and, yes, lust of weekly fantasies. The bodies, people, and kinks are real.
I decided to read this book in the middle of a cross-country move. I had already pared down my belongings a few months earlier, in an apartmental moveI decided to read this book in the middle of a cross-country move. I had already pared down my belongings a few months earlier, in an apartmental move, but I still owned way too much of two things - books and costumes. Anyway, I got rid of pretty much all my clutter and moved across the country in a Honda Civic before I got a chance to read this book. By the time I got to it, it just seemed like I had already broken the emotional ties of the "stuff" I owned and started "living the life I wanted to live."
Anyway, about half the book is de-cluttering, and the other half is maintaining, and there are some good ideas and tips for zones, and kids' rooms, things I have never really had to deal with before. So even though a lot of the "hard work" of breaking up with my possesions was already done, some of the maintence ideas were enlightening. I don't think I'd live or die by this book, but it's a pretty realistic strategy toward owning less & living more. ...more
I pulled this off a recommended reading list because it's a YAF book about a kid with a gay dad. Gay dads & adolescence, what's not to love? I mean, tI pulled this off a recommended reading list because it's a YAF book about a kid with a gay dad. Gay dads & adolescence, what's not to love? I mean, this is the stuff our lives are made of. Sprinkle in a first kiss and some Serious Issues like domestic violence & ankle sprains, and you have Jack's coming-of-age story, bookended by driving lessons and finally getting his permit. Please don't compare this to other "edgier" coming of age tales - this is decidedly suburban, fag baby. ...more
I got this at the Pittsburgh Airport, which actually has a semi-decent bookstore in its AIRMALL, on my last trip to Olympia. I am currently facing a lI got this at the Pittsburgh Airport, which actually has a semi-decent bookstore in its AIRMALL, on my last trip to Olympia. I am currently facing a life with 2 difficult cats and 2 difficult dogs, so I thought an uplifting story of man's best friend could bring some peace and hope. Dude is overtly British and makes too many references to his Choice to Be A Writer, but he paints his ladyfriend in a darling light - I like people who are able to communicate how much they love someone without endlessly professing their adoration and devotion. He provides the same charming perspective on his relationship with Ollie, the rescued lurcher -- there were moments where his frustration and defeat dripped from the page, and my own patience wore thin with their struggles. The book was a quick and easy read. I laughed when his lurcher humiliated him again and again at the park. I felt like the climatic "bonding" moments were splayed out in a way that was realistic and endearing. Difficult rescue dogs don't "normalize" overnight -- oftentimes it happens when you aren't even looking. I felt like this story captured that process realistically. I never need to read this book again, but it was a pleasant enough way to pass the plane ride. ...more
I don't often get into volumes of poetry, but I feel like Lynda Barry made me. I came to this book looking for poet"All I know of spirit is this love."
I don't often get into volumes of poetry, but I feel like Lynda Barry made me. I came to this book looking for poetic imagery, and I found it, but I left it feeling so much more overwhelmed and opened to all the happenings of the universe. Reading the love poems out-loud to my sweet wife, and we passed the poems back and forth. "What sort of person says that he or she wants / to be polished and pure, then complains / about being handled roughly?"
"Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance, when you're perfectly free."...more
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