Steven Beeber has written the music book I've been waiting to read. From Lou Reed (ne Lou Rabinowitz) to Blondie's Chris Stein, Punk Rock's Jewish rooSteven Beeber has written the music book I've been waiting to read. From Lou Reed (ne Lou Rabinowitz) to Blondie's Chris Stein, Punk Rock's Jewish roots are vitally important but have been too long ignored. Beeber has the music scholarship and the writing chops to create a vital and compelling read. I couldn't put it down! The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGB's is a must have for every serious music lover....more
Sometimes you a read book because you want to go deeper into what you know. Other times you read a book as escape from what you know. This book deliveSometimes you a read book because you want to go deeper into what you know. Other times you read a book as escape from what you know. This book delivered me to a world I don't know at all: what it's like to grow up in 1970s South Boston, in large irish family, dirt poor but proud. As someone who lives in Cambridge, MA. I was eager to learn more about local history - especially the busing crisis-- and understand it from an insider's angle. MacDonald goes deep into the grief and violence of his community, with humor, vivid detail, and most importantly, empathy. This book, though at times bleak, was full of a humanity and grace. I'm glad I read it....more
It was a warm evening so we opened all the windows for dinner and ate shredded carrots, mashed potatoes, and burgers in the low light. A spirited discIt was a warm evening so we opened all the windows for dinner and ate shredded carrots, mashed potatoes, and burgers in the low light. A spirited discussion followed about The Very Busy Spider (Eric Carle), which Finn had motioned for me to read (a new favorite of his). Annabel asserts the book has no real point. I say it's all about the spider's industry. While all the other animals want to goof off (napping cat, mud-rolling pig, rock-jumping goat) the spider is the only community member who works steadily to build something -- a web, which in trapping flies betters society for all. Annabel says catching one fly is not all that and we agree to disagree....more
Us, After is an unforgettable read. Rachel Zimmerman illuminates the impact of an unthinkable loss with remarkable grace, honesty and wit. She somehowUs, After is an unforgettable read. Rachel Zimmerman illuminates the impact of an unthinkable loss with remarkable grace, honesty and wit. She somehow manages to combine vulnerability with a reporter's dogged curiosity all the while keeping the pages turning. Zimmerman cuts through personal tragedy and leaves you with something that we find too rarely in nonfiction today: hope. ...more
I loved Caitlin Moran's voice, which is full of intelligence, humor and spark. In this book she smoothly moves between self-effacing accounts of her eI loved Caitlin Moran's voice, which is full of intelligence, humor and spark. In this book she smoothly moves between self-effacing accounts of her experiences becoming "a woman," and what it means to become a woman in western society today. She's reclaims feminism from the stale stereotype of the grumpy furry protesters and gives it a winning style and a fresh coat of lipstick. Reading Moran nightly was such a pleasure but I eventually put it down because topics of marriage and childbirth are a little behind me now. It's audience is probably women aged 16-38....more