Mudbound

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I think every American should read this book.  And PARTICULARLY every resident of Ferguson, MO.
This novel does so much to touch on the follies, wounds, and dangers of racism from multiple points of view.  All of the characters have flaws, and yet all (but one) are likeable.  I think any reader could find someone to identify with.  Because I don't want to reveal ANY spoilers, I'll just say, go read this book.  Weep if you must, but then recover and touch hearts.



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Know these books?

 

 I think that Rose Macaulay must have known me!  SO true.

And with that in mind, does anyone know anything about these particular books?  My alternate independent bookseller had them on display and they looked interesting, but I didn't have time to look for reviews and didn't have the cash to just buy them all!

 I think the 10 rules might need a blog post of their own. Of course, I might actually BUY this one and READ it rather than just assume I know what the writer's point was!

 At present I've caught up on all my favorite mystery writer's latest books (maybe not in hard cover, but at least in paperback.)  So I was delighted when I saw several authors who are new to me with LOTS of titles.  I've read other Scandinavian thrillers... but am not vamiliar with Camilla Lackberg.

 Even better was the fact that some of Andrea Camilleri's titles were remaindered, so I can "sample" one at a bargain price.

 And what a great conceit... Not quite Babe (a la Dick Smith), but Colonial Pigs... Irish, this time.

 I picked up Wool and read the jacked because I hoped it had to do with sheep.  Looks like it is actually science fiction and perhaps apocalyptic.

 

Is William Bernstein related to Karl? I'm kinda mad at media right now.

 And I need to think about these recommendations.  I was especially startled at Number 9.

 This looks like a challenging read... but who could resist all that beautiful callligraphy... not to mention the allure of analogy or metaphor!

When in doubt, go with sociopathy and true crime!

You can never be too thin, too rich or have too many books. Carter Burden

Originally uploaded by Sultry.
Click here to see the series larger.

At least that's what the caption might be if this were a poster. DH and I will never be too thin nor too rich, but we may be pushing the limits on too many books.

As we consider the logistics of relocating, we 've begun to think about our collection (hoard?) of books. DH has been like a bee in a hive: going upstairs, downstairs and all around the house collecting his paperback books (mostly science fiction as you can see if you look closely).
First he made an A-Z set of sorting guides, then spread them over just about every horizontal surface he could find.
Then, starting from Z, he alphabetized the books by author and started packing them into the custom cartons he'd ordered. He's gotten to the S's.
We discovered that even a smallish box of books, carefully packed, is TOO HEAVY. So there will be some rearranging and ordering of smaller boxes so they weight less than 64 pounds each!
Wait till we get to the hardcovers...

Retirement allows for a Brief Trip!!
We took a few days to come to San Antonio... (Lots more photos and images when I get back to my camera cable and computer). Today's adventure was the McNay. What a fun art collection and story of a woman ahead of her time... Only child born at the turn of the last century who studied art in Chicago, taught art, became a painter... married a much younger man who tragically died after being called up in WWI... from the Spanish Influenza. Along the way, oil was discovered on her father's property (inheritance!!), and she remarried... several times. Eventually she returned to painting, and got to know other painters and collectors.

At present they are having a special exhibit called New Image Sculpture.
They didn't allow photos, but I found some on line ones to share...



Margarita Cabrera: Arbol de la Vida
This is an actually John Deere tractor covered (I think) with clay and clay birds and butterflies. It's pretty and pink.













Sandy Skoglund: Cocktail Party



Made of resin covered CHEESE DOODLES!
She was born in Weymouth MA, attended Smith College, and has done lots of other neat food/environment/social commentary sculptures.

Jean Lowe also had pieces in the show. I loved how she satirizes therapists and therapy.
In the assemblage I saw there was a diploma-ish framed piece that had "Harvard" in large letters and "crew team" where the degree name should have been. She'd also made a huge fancy certificate that actually said "Reinstatement of Rescinded Driver's License."


In another area there were therapists notes (made of enamel on cardboard) that said things like:
"pt is bitter misanthrope.
works in human
relations"
and
"7th session w/ S_____
On and on about his mother!"
with sexy little doodles at the bottom of the page.

I also got to see original Picassos, Chagalls, J. Mitchell and some 15th century Netherlandish art that reminded me of my college studies.

I might have to buy the book! (on Amazon) and might also write a letter to the curator(s). Lots of work that seemed out of the ordinary, but not totally off the deep end.

Run

I recommend this book. Can't even think how to begin explaining it. I'd had it on my shelf for several years and the opening page just hadn't clicked. But last week it did. Nice prelude to SOTUS and harmonious/attention getting accompaniment to current racial and socioeconomic issues in the US. Set in Boston. The good news is that "family values" (of a deep and soulful variety) prevail at the end.

There's a review (and some spoilers) here.

I am so frustrated!

I've been doing an Illustration Friday illo... and my computer locked up, or barfed or something when I tried to save it after if was all done. NO GO.

I suppose if I hadn't been doing it digitally, something different could have befallen the image after a similar time investment. The cat could have walked on it while it was wet, or I could have tipped paint on it. But for something mechanical that is supposed to be "fail safe/protected" I am very disappointed right now. And it is so much easier to get mad at a machine than mad at myself.

Save Often.

Don't take myself tooooo seriously.

In the meantime, I've read and enjoyed two books in the last couple of days:


The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova

Apparently the format/narrative is simmilar to Kostova's first book, The Historian, which I've not (yet) read. This one has to do with an artist, his obsession with an historical artist, his life, loves and psychiatrist who gets sucked into the worlds of art, love and personal myth.


The Sentry by Robert Crais

Crais is writing about Joe Pike this time rather than Elvis cole. It isn't very "deep," but I basically read it in one sitting. The guy can tell a story. Takes place in Los Angeles.

Illustration Friday: Detective
Originally uploaded by Sultry

Hooray for Arthur C. Clarke and his wisdom. I am not sure what current politicians are reading. And sometimes I wonder what they are smokin'.

Books are my friends

Wouldn't this be a fun one to work through? Cinnamon and Cardamom and who knows what else. Lefsa! Aebbleskiver (sp?!) and who knows what else.
These sort of lept out at me when I was at Legacy Books in Plano. I read a few pages of the Russo and wondered if I've read it before... it came out several years ago. But I might try it again. Making Toast was too sad for now: about a couple whose surgeon daughter dies of a congenital heart defect leaving behind a distraught husband and three children. The couple goes to his house to help with the children "forever."

Has anybody read the predecessor to Barbara Bretton's Laced with Magic? Knitting AND a contemporary fantasy might be a fun airplane read. I'm sticking with easier bridge books than this one. This guy is serious and talks about duplicate bridge contests. I am not that serious.

Everything I need to know-- from Children's Books was a great browse. As a former children's librarian, I tended to make judgments about the recommender based on the specialness of the book they picked. I thought I wanted the book... but I think I like the IDEA of the book more than this actual incarnation. Tikki Barber, having just left his wife-pregnant-with-twins at eight months, might have considered something different than The Little Engine That Could.

If I had gotten to "the" Beach
these are the books I would have wanted.

As it was, I read these in the sand-free, airconditioned atmosphere of my bedroom and living room.
I picked this up because it had a mention of Ireland, and a woman "finding herself" in the blurb. I think I also hoped it would talk about knitting because I bought it at the same time as Casting Off. There isn't any knitting as I recall. But there is interesting conflict and development of character by males and females among the three plot lines' worth of characters. Cathy Kelly has written lots of other novels that I've never seen in the US. In some circles she's cited as having taken up the pen (laptop?) of Maeve Binchy.

Another Irish locale, this one on an island where knitting has been in the family for generations. And a troubled single mother, anthropologist student of fiber lands trying to recover from a hauntingly bad relationship. The rural charm and simpleness of the characters are as comforting to the heroine

I've read and enjoyed all of Joanna Trollope's novels (so far as I know). Usually there is a compelling central issue dealth with from a variety of points of view by an interesting assortment of characters. I suppose the "issue" of Friday Nights is loneliness of the urban (or suburban) woman. It wasn't terribly compelling to me personally (but then I have "the internets" to keep me company!)-- yet it also includes what happens to friendships between single women when a relationship with a man begins, ends, or sours. That was more interesting. From an 88 year old retiree, to two young sisters who are NOT peas in a pod, and business partners who see things from different points of view.

For me, this was the most challenging book to read. A group of "friends" who graduated together are reunited years later for the marriage of two of them. That the wedding is to take place at the Maine "estate" of Bridezilla's horrible mother, and that no one except the bride thinks it is a good match is painful to observe. The novel itself is told from the point of view of a Jewish (i.e. non-WASP) woman who IS who the groom should be marrying. Considerable suspense and concern for just desserts ensues.

Color Knitting!

Lately, I've been able to pass up rather than buy most knitting books. But the production values, explanations and appearance of Margaret Radcliffe's (relatively) new book was so amazing, I HAD to get it. YUM.

She includes LOTS of examples of what dyed yarns "do" in various kinds of patterns, which should save lots of swatching, ripping and time. Not to mentioned frazzled fiber. AND she includes patterns for FO's as well as instructions for particular designs.

This is an amazing book. It makes me think about food. It makes me sick. It makes me sad. It makes me mad. It makes me think twice before I eat. It helps.

Librarians are necessarily heroes and warriors - albeit in disguise.

Just a reminder.

They keep our history, our stories and keep them accessible for now and the future.

Investigative reporters and historians are in the same valuable category.

Do you recognize Heavy Equipment? Laymor brand?

Mar-24-09-Equipment-B-WIP
Originally uploaded by Sultry

I revised this painting and rotated it 90 degrees right.
Next, I got some useful insights on how to liven it up from Lois Griffel's book Painting the Impressionist Landscape. I don't care that it isn't terribly recognizeable as a pavement pourer any more, I just want an interesting painting! One person suggested a new title: Strange fish yodeling on a box.

I've been remiss. Don't think anybody missed me.

Sigh.

Last week I stayed up till the wee hours finishing the second of two chemo caps for a friend. Below is what one looked like, but that I forgot to photograph. The other, also unphotographed, was without eyelets. I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK. They are unbelievably soft. My friend's hair fell out within the week... so the rush was worth it. The plain cap was in color 09, the eyelet one was in 19. I have enough left over (the pattern takes about 1-1/4 skeins, to do a striped one. SO soft! I've known about Bill Pronzini since my days as a librarian a hundred years ago. (Well, 30!!) But I never read any until this recent one. Ripping good yarn! Book stores don't carry many (not many in pbk so far as I can tell), but libraries seem to keep them. Just started my first of his "Nameless Detective" series.

Oh... and Michael Connelly AND Lee Child AND Harlen Coben AND David Baldacci have new titles coming out in the next month or two. Woohoo! Based on a recent NYT book review I reserved The Spare Room from the library. It's semi-autobiographical plot is about a woman who takes in an older, terminally ill friend while she has questionable cancer treatments. The heartache of death, dying and avoidance is definitely here, although I was (perversely) hoping for gut-wrenching emotions. On the other hand, I read it in one sitting and never came close to dozing off... so my expectations may have been misdirected!

Now you know what I did this week.

Book Store Discoveries

DH and I went to the big box store this evening where I saw these. We had another stop to make so rather than purchase them there, we went to our WONDERFUL independent book store. Unfortunately, it had already swapped out the "old" issue of Cloth Paper Scissors for the new one. And had already SOLD out of I am a Strange Loop. And didn't stock Line from the Creavite Painting Series. So I might have to go back...especially for Cloth Paper Scissors-- because I think a "Charm Swap" is JUST the thing to keep Spring wonderful.

I never made it through Godel, Escher, Bach. But this examination of physics, philosophy, cognition and the concept of "I" looked interesting.

Theories aside, it's impossible not to experience this book as a tender, remarkably personal and poignant effort to understand the death of his wife from cancer in 1993—and to grasp how consciousness mediates our otherwise ineffable relationships. In the end, Hofstadter's view is deeply philosophical rather than scientific. It's hopeful and romantic as well, as his model allows one consciousness to create and maintain within itself true representations of the essence of another.

What I DID find at Legacy Books was a Barrons title by the same artists entitled OIL. It has 14 techniques-- each represented by a well-known artist and then demonstrated by one or both authors. Lots of inspiration there!
Oh, and then we went to the library where I picked up The Spare Room, and some oldies by Bill Pronzini (who's written OODLES, but who I only just discovered) and Anne Rivers Siddons, Who helps me cry.

Why isn't anybody reading this?

I thought I was through with politics now that the election is over. But, of course, there is always a (morbid?) fascination with power, evil, cheating and how they overlap.

This book was published in June of 2008, and somehow I completely missed it. I suppose it came out just before the national party conventions and may have been usurped by a halcyon Journaling Convention I attended in Denver.

PLEASE READ THIS BOOK.

Whether you are conservative or liberal, the "other side" could do this to YOUR side. The tactics for trying to establish a "third Reich" or PERMANENT Political Party in Washington are out there. If Rove hadn't mis-judged himself so often, he might have succeeded. If Bush hadn't been such a bungler at key moments, Rove might have succeeded.

GHW Bush doesn't come off squeaky clean either.

And if you live in Texas, like me, wait till you read about John Cornyn, and Rick Perry. Or Channel 8 in Dallas. And journalists who knew that Rove was stretching the truth or fabricating facts and because they couldn't prove the negatives that he put forth, felt it was appropriate to publish the stories anyway.

(Alone the lines of "John Doe says he has not been beating his wife." What great publicity for Mr. Doe, right?)

If you live in the wake of Katrina, my sympathies are with you. It was politics even more than "Brownie," or FEMA or poor planning that hit harder than the storm.

A pre-1999 primary article, called All Hat, No Cattle by Mr. Alexander in Rolling Stone is on-line HERE.

Keep questioning what you read. Read lots of opinions. Voice yours. Vote.

Here endeth the RANT.

New Sketchbook

Composition Thumbnails

These don't indicate lights and darks, but I am finding lots of value in playing with shapes, curves, repetition, abstractions etc. Color must REALLY distract me! The pen and ink drawings challenge me in different ways.

Sheep! I found a great book with pictures of the major sheep breeds in the US. (Cattle, goats and pigs, too). I started at "A." Not only am I begining that they "don't all look alike," I am amazed by just HOW different the breeds are from each other. Silly me. St. Bernard's and Shih Tzu's are different, why not Blackbellies and Dorsets?!!

Fantasy sheep -- As I get more familiar with drawing sheep, fleece and animals in general, there is this temptation to make them into "people" with character. I hope to find images worthy of the time and effort to make them into paintings.