A Charmed Life, by Liza Campbell

I read this one on a beach, toward the end of summer, while camping with a group of friends. I think because of that I'm somewhat biased. It really is the best way to read a book.

As the daughter of the 25th Thane of Cawdor and the last child born in the fairy-tale castle made famous by Shakespeare, Liza Campbell was privy to not only wealth and history, but also to the madness of a father fuelled by drugs and power, all of which are documented in A Charmed Life, a beautifully written memoir that is rich in detail, but somehow leaves readers wanting more.

Farm City, Novella Carpenter

All right, I'm going to have to start doubling up on my one-sentence book reviews until I'm all caught up. Just one tonight, though. Ben is sleeping on one of my arms, so typing is a time-consuming endeavor right now!

Farm City, by Novella Carpenter

Inspired by her hippie parents and a love for the fresh food and city life, blogger-turned-author Novella Carpenter chronicles her heartbreaking failures (think mangled carcasses following a wild dog attack) and triumphant successes (backyard self-sufficiency) in her witty memoir, Farm City, The Education of an Urban Farmer, a tale of dumpster diving, mail-order poultry, and above all else, mouth-watering, sustainable food.

Playing Catch Up

I should have known my ambitions were greater than my time management here. Just a week after beginning my one-sentence book reviews, I've already failed miserably. I have some catching up to do! And I will catch up, I promise!

Time Windows, by Kathryn Reiss

One of my favourite books from childhood, Time Windows by Kathryn Reiss, is just as addictive fifteen years after I first cracked its spine, as it follows Miranda's discovery of a life-like dollhouse capable of transporting her back in time, taking her on an adventure that seamlessly weaves tales of the underground railroad, World War II, and even a child's body in her own attic...

Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and A World Without Rape, edited by Jaclyn Friedman and Jessica Valenti

Twenty years ago today, 25-year-old Marc Lépine opened fire at the École Polytechnique, killing 14 female engineering students before turning the gun on himself. In remembrance, today's one-sentence book review will be on Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and A World Without Rape, edited by Jaclyn Friedman and feministing founder Jessica Valenti. Both are reminders that each day women are targeted and victimized simply for being women.

In attempt to move beyond the "no-means-no" model associated with rape, editors Jessica Valenti and Jaclyn Friedman assembled an impressive cast of writers, including Hanne Blank and Stacey May Fowles, in a revolutionary and necessary anthology that should reach beyond women's studies classrooms, encouraging readers to critically view the ways in which society vilifies female sexuality and pleasure, thus supporting a culture of rape.

Half World, by Hiromi Goto

Swept into a violent purgatory, Melanie Tamaki is the unlikely hero of Hiromi Goto's novel for young adults, Half World, a twisted, yet addicting, tale of three mysterious realms, brimming with vivid detail and beautifully illustrated by Skim's Jillian Tamaki.

Columbine, by Dave Cullen

Ten years after two gunmen opened fire at the now-notorious suburban high school, Columbine, Dave Cullen -- a respected American journalist present at Columbine on the day of the attack -- released his haunting tale of tragedy, Columbine, which acts not only as a chilling tribute to the 12 students and one teacher who died on April 20, 1999, but also debunks dozens, if not hundreds of the myths, rumours, and errors that defined Columbine, many of which continue to circulate in the media a decade later.

Notice a trend here? I read a lot of non-fiction! I'll try to switch it up tomorrow.

My Life as a Dame, by Christina McCall

Weaving together personal journalism and social commentary, the late journalist Christina McCall was known for her eye-opening looks at Canadian politics, including, among many subjects, the Liberal Party of Canada and the women's movement, two topics that are included in My Life as a Dame, an anthology featuring some of McCall's most memorable work, acting as an excellent read for fans, aspiring journalists and even those, like myself, who are unfamiliar with McCall's work and her contribution to Canadian journalism.

Egg on Mao, by Denise Chong

Beginning with a paint-filled egg, hurled upwards toward the giant oil painting of Mao that hung in Tiananmen Square in 1989, Denise Chong's Egg on Mao is the heartbreaking, yet inspiring, true story of Lu Decheng — a Chinese man whose act of vandalism helped to unmask a violent dictatorship — acting as a humanizing snapshot of one person's quest for change that is easily of the best non-fiction releases of the year.

Let the run-on sentences begin!

Inspired by today's launch of the Advent Bookblog and a pathetically low 2009 post count right here on my own blog, I've decided that I'll make myself useful in December by committing to write a one-sentence book review each day. Seems simple enough -- Hell, I probably write hundreds of sentences a day, but I have a feeling this might be a greater feat than I imagine. It requires both commitment (amidst Christmas shopping and holiday partying) and calling on my memory to think of some of the titles I read this year. While I can't promise each review will feature a book written in 2009, it will feature a book I read in 2009.

Let the run-on, likely front-loaded sentences begin!

Proving he didn't drive himself too close to the brink of craziness during his previous two experiments-turned-books, Esquire's Encyclopaedia-reading, adulterer-stoning, pigeon-egg fondling A.J. Jacobs was back in 2009 with the Guinea Pig Diaries, a succinct, yet hilarious series of social experiments, each highlighting Jacobs' awkward fumblings and witty anecdotes, while at the same time shedding some light on the absurdities of modern North American life.

Feeling inspired.

"They're out to get you, there's demons closing in on every side ..."

I had no plans this weekend, unless you count taking our new addition to the vet to get his shots and recovering from one of the worst flus I've had in years, yet somehow it turned out to be an absolutely fantastic weekend -- complete with zombies, blood, and, well, the far less intriguing act of picking our own fruit.

In an act of complete spontaneity, Jordan and I ended up taking to Hamilton's streets as part of the city's zombie walk from Gore Park to Tapestry Bistro. I've got to say, people in this city don't shy away from getting involved and seeing hundreds of zombies -- many of which stayed in character the entire walk -- was quite the sight.

Today we drove up Ancaster way, in search of pumpkins and apples. We were successful, hauling back two decent-sized pumpkins and enough end-of-season apples to last us awhile.

Anyone know any decent apple recipes? Let me know!

Should I keep him?

First Weekend of October ...

I had an exciting weekend, busing back and forth between Hamilton and Toronto for the rabble.ca staff retreat. It was both productive and encouraging, and made me very happy to be a part of the site.

Unfortunately, my camera was having some performance anxiety on Saturday, so I wasn't able to take a picture of our delicious (and eco-friendly) catered lunch from Zero Waste Catering, or the new restaurant in Kensington Market where we had dinner. It was called Krepesz and I'd highly recommend it.

Luckily, my camera overcame it's anxiety in time for Nuit Blanche. I stuck pretty close to Union Station so I could be home by a reasonable hour, but as always it was great to see everyone take to the streets to appreciate art.

Blog By Request: Pictures of Arlo!

Lazy Sundays

"Mirabelle Buttersfield moved from Vermont hoping to begin her life. And now she is stranded in the vast openness of LA. She keeps working to make connections, but the pile of near misses is starting to overwhelm her. What Mirabelle needs is an omniscient voice to illuminate and spotlight her and to inform everyone that this one has value, this one standing behind the counter in the glove department and to find her counterpart and bring him to her."

-Shopgirl (2005)

I'm finally having the day I've been dreaming about for weeks -- a day to simply stay at home and clean, read, watch movies, and listen to records. It's sort of an odds and ends type day, which seems to be a rarity these days. I'm half way through Shopgirl, which is definitely a Sunday afternoon sort of a movie.

The summer is winding to an end, way too prematurely it seems. Luckily, I love Fall, except for the ominous feeling that accompanies it.

This summer's final hurrah was a solo trip to Montreal last weekend. Without getting too Elizabeth Gilbert about it all, solo travelling really is wonderful.

Here are just a few of the many pictures I took.

Jackie Washington, Part II

Since Jackie Washington died a few months back, there have been a number of tributes to him, both in this city and across the province. I was lucky enough to go to two of them: One at Jackie Washington Park and another at Festival of Friends. It's taken me awhile, but I've finally posted the video of the twilight memorial that followed a few days after his death. 

While researching, I just stumbled upon this quotation by one of my favourites — Farley Mowat.

"It is in our nature to travel into our past, hoping thereby to illuminate the darkness that bedevils the present."

This is beyond priceless ...

Vanity Fair edits Palin's acceptance speech:

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2009/07/palin-speech-edit-200907?currentPage=1

Miley Cyrus: Too Young for Hooker Boots?

Interesting article from Salon.com about the ways young women are sexualized.

"The outrage has so little to do with her being sexualized and everything to do with the way she's being sexualized. We're all too happy to see her clad in a girly frock and schoolgirl socks -- however, black thigh-high boots, and a black pushup bra? Horrors, that's a child! But in both cases she's an eroticized 16-year-old celebrity who has been very successfully marketed and sold to the masses. It's the straightforwardness of the sexual imagery in the Elle photos that trips our cultural inappropriateness alarm. Instead of sexualizing her childlike innocence and naiveté, it pictures her as a sexually motivated and experienced teenager (similar to the apparently outrageous bedsheet photo). Miley has crossed that fine cultural line between sexy purity and sexiness that is actually sexual."

Great things - 2; Bad things - 1

Two great things happened while I took a few well-deserved days off and headed to Ottawa for Canada Day. A not-so-great thing happened, as well.

The Good:
Sarah Palin resigns.
Al Franken finally wins his senate race.

The Bad:
Karl Malden died at the age of 97.

Two Eulogies

I wish I could say that I have a bad habit of eulogizing celebrities, but that's a vast understatement. Fact is, I eulogize everything: Record stores that I've never stepped foot in, friends who move away, time periods of my life, a pet, and even entire years.

I guess, really, that's what this blog is -- A series of eulogies. And this post will be no exception.

1) Michael Jackson:

The second tape I ever bought was Michael Jackson's Dangerous. My sister and I would belt out "Heal the World," standing on top of our twin beds, fighting over who would recite the monologue at the beginning of the song. Eventually, we decided just to take turns. 

This is just one of dozens of Michael Jackson memories I have. After all, I was a child of the 80s. However, it's not my first Michael Jackson memory.

I remember seeing the video for Thriller when I was just a few years old. It must have been the first music video I ever saw, because I didn't know what it was. I remember thinking "They're making movies out of songs now." Because, really, that's what Thriller is -- a short film, set to music. 

I truly don't think I can think of another artist who is as entwined with my childhood, and even parts of adulthood, as Jackson, whether it be: The friend who used to kiss the screen when the Michael Jackson video came on at the end of the VHS copy of Free Willy; The Super Bowl half-time show where he stood completely still, for what seems like hours; Listening to Billie Jean on repeat in the Fshop audio room because it's what was used to test the speakers; Dirty Diana on car rides home. 

I realize I'm jumping on a bandwagon here. Jezebel posted the perfect headline this week: When a Superstar Dies, Everybody Gets to be a Jerk or a Poet for 15 Minutes, but I'm unapologetic about it. The last few days have been nostalgic, as everyone seems to be paying their own tribute to the King of Pop by blaring his albums from car and house windows. 

2) Jackie Washington:

While the death of Michael Jackson is being felt on a global scale, this one hits closer to home. Yesterday, local-legend Jackie Washington died, at the age of 89.

For as long as I can remember, Hamilton's Festival of Friends has been a long-standing family tradition. And nearly every year, until arthritis made it too difficult for him to play, Jackie Washington was a staple. 

According to The Hamilton Spectator, Washington was the grandson of a slave, and performed for 80 years.

It's a bad, bad week for music.  

Youtube Channel

I have no flashy title for this one. It's simple really — I was very productive this weekend as Jordan was jet-setting to New York with the band, so I created my very own Youtube channel. I've even posted some content. More to follow!

News flash ... Sarah Palin cares about women's rights ...

... But only when they affect her personally.

It's funny how someone who is seemingly willing to roll back the women's movement by a century, can issue a statement like the following and expect to be taken seriously.

"I would like to see him apologize to young women across the country for contributing to kind of that thread that is throughout our culture that makes it sound like it is OK to talk about young girls in that way, where it's kind of OK, accepted and funny to talk about statutory rape."

I'm not defending Letterman's joke, but seriously, this is clearly a subject that Palin knows nothing about.

26/7

I just wrote a lengthy post about how I'm pretty sure decades from now I'm going to look back at the simplicity of this time in my life with great fondness, but I seem to have pressed something I shouldn't have, because the whole post is gone. Unfortunately, I don't have time to rewrite it. I'm off to put the finishing touches on a book review for Ricepaper.

So, just a few quick things:

• I had an incredible birthday. Jordan surprised me with tickets to see Macbeth at Stratford, which I thought was wonderful, though the Toronto Star obviously did not, calling it "worse than murder."
• As if turning 26 wasn't enough to make me feel old, Jordan and I are heading to the Royal York on the weekend to celebrate 7 years.

I'll have to write later to make up for the deleted post!