JANUARY 2020 READS
JANUARY
TALLY: 65 Books -- 11 Autobiography/Memoir/Biography; 4 Art; 4 Children’s Literature; 6 Essays; 13 History; 1 Journalism; 1 Nonfiction; 4 Novels; 18 Poetry; 1 Religion; 1 Short Stories; and 1 cookbook.
An Ongoing Read: The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook by Tisha Gondo Domingo, Jorell Domngo, Jeannie E. Celestial, Art Swenson, Romeo Roque-Nido, and Jaymar Cabebe (Rocketships and Wonderment, 2019). So far, I've made arroz caldo once, putong puti once and kutsinta six times :)
A GIFT for A Little Child (Rufus Merrill, Concord, NH, 1843). Size: 2.25" x 3.25". Children's Literature. Read. Jan. 24. Read before shelving into Miniature Book Library as I wish to read as many of the tiny books before shelving them into collectible-oblivion.
Alphabet Life: bits and pieces by George Albion (sp, December 1994, 25/43). Size: 2.5 to 2-7/8” – 4.25 to 4-5/8”. Poetry. Read Jan. 24. Near-enough miniature that I decided to shelve in Miniature Book Library ... and I ended up reading it.
SECONDHAND TIME: THE LAST OF THE SOVIETS, An Oral History by Svetlana Alexievich (Random House, 2016). Finished reading Jan. 6. I skimmed a lot as the writing style of what the Novel Prize Committee calls "symphonic oral history" makes it difficult to connect with the writing unless one is really interested in the subject. Worthwhile reading but to be donated to local public library.
Somewhere Towards the End by Diana Athill (Norton, 2008). Memoir. Read Jan. 29. Interesting and from the author of another book I'd enjoyed years ago, Stet. But what lingers most is her mention of how John Updike was offended by atheism specifically because of its great "uninterestingness"--that made me laugh. Worthwhile but to be donated to local public library.
FLORANTE ET LAURA by Francisco Balagtas in English translation by E. San Juan Jr., with woodblock illustrations by Rodolfo Paras-Perez (National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Manila, 2011). Read Jan. 8. Epic poem by leading 18-19th century Filipino poet; made me sad I’m unable to understand the poem in its original Tagalog.
The Commons, Editors Thom Boulton and Joanna Morgan (Waterhare Press, Plymouth, U.K., 2019). Poetry. Read Jan. 27. I read my contributor's copy as I have a poem in this anthology. I'm glad to be included and thank the editors and publisher. Many lovely poems in the publication.
XI LXIV MOS Memoirs of a Bibliomidget by Anne C. Bromer. Read Jan. 4. A miniature prospectus (single piece of paper folded into four pages) (Bromer Booksellers & HM Editions, 2015). Folded size: 2.25” x 2-5/8”
SELF-PORTRAIT WITH TURTLES by David M. Carroll (Houghton Mifflin, 2004). Memoir. Finished Jan. 8. I admit to skimming the boyhood first section but moving enough in its second half to overcome what apparently is my limited interest in turtles. Donate to local public library.
ELSEWHEN by Robert Cowan (Paloma Press, 2019). Poetry. Read Jan. 26.
EXPELLED by John Cheever with Foreword by Malcolm Cowley and Afterword by John Updike. Read Jan. 13. Signed by Cheever Cowley, Updike, and book designer Warren Chappel. 141 of 150. (Sylvester & Orphanos, 1930/1987). Size: 2-7/8” x 2”. I suspect I skimmed my read of Cheever's stories as I was overly concerned with handling the miniature book. But Cowley's Foreword was compelling and entertaining and overruled my cautious hand for a close read.
JC by John Crombie and graphics by Sheila Bourne (spiral-bound Artist’s Book intended as meditation aid, Kickshaws / Bourne Graphics, Paris, 1988. 19/50). Size: 3” x 3”. Artist's Book. Read/viewed Jan. 24. Gorgeous graphics. Smart aesthetics.
A VICTORIAN GARDEN (Dawson’s Book Shop, Los Angeles, 1980). Size: 2.25” x 2-7/8”. Engravings. Read/viewed Jan. 29.
THE ABUNDANCE: Narrative Essays Old and New by Annie Dillard (Harper Collins, 2016). Read Jan. 29. I was dismayed to find myself skimming through the words of a writer I admire--I so appreciated her Holy The Firm. But then I reached mid-book to arrive at her essay, "A Writer in the World"--I looked at the universe with different eyes after I finished it. As I wrote on Facebook, "If you identify as 'writer' but don't have unpublished work, then (perhaps) you're either dead or not a writer. As I write this, I have 2 unpublished poetry manuscripts, an unpublished novel, an unpublished essay collection (or 2), and (fortunately just) a handful of unpublished poems. So I was wrong: I don't have to have everything published before I 'retire'...yes, at some point, I'm going to transition from writer to reader. I look forward to the sheer relief of that transition. Relief, I say. Writing is hard. Thanks to Annie Dillard for reminding me today that my transition is not yet due. She reminded me with her essay 'A Writer in the World'. If you're a writer and perhaps especially if you need some bracing read the excerpts I'm posting. And if you're a young poet, read through to the last image. You're welcome." I shared those thoughts with these images:
NO MAN IS AN ISLAND by John Donne. Poem. Read Jan. 8. Fabulous, as ever. Read it as a miniature book (Peacock Press, Berkeley, 1964). Size: 2.75” x 3.25”
STORY by Jennifer Firestone (Ugly Duckling Presse, 2019). Poetry. Read Jan. 14. Documentation through evocation, and it's an admirable point of view.
FIGHTING FROM A DISTANCE: How Filipino Exiles Helped Topple A Dictator by Jose V. Fuentecilla (University of Illinois Press, 2013). History/Journalism. Read Jan. 31. Important and Must-Read. Well-documented and appealing writing style.
OPTIC NERVE by Maria Gainza, Trans. by Thomas Bunstead (Catapult, New York, 2014/2019). Novel. Read Jan. 25. #80.
PRIMITIVE MAN by Amy Gerstler (Hanuman Books, 1987). Size: 2.75" x 4". Essay/possibly Memoir. Read Jan. 30.
Mostly Clearing by Michael Gottlieb (Roof Books, New York, 2019). Read Jan. 13. Poetry. An interesting Afterword with self-explanatory title, "How I Came To Write Certain of These Lines."
Utopia Pipe Dream Memory by Anna Gurton-Wachter (Ugly Duckling Presse's, 2019). Poetry. Read Jan. 19. Freshens up intimacy, e.g. lines like "Every word is a nipple to me. // Every attempt is a breast forming in the air." And also varied, as with this passage--"no language is ever an act of real remembrance":
The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton (Harper Perennial, 2007). Novel. Read Jan. 28. A pleasing tale. But no need to re-read so library donation.
LETTER FROM NEW YORK: BBC Woman's Hour Broadcasts by Helene Hanff. Read Jan. 12. I picked up this book only because the author is the witty writer of 84, Charing Cross Road--one of my absolute favorite books and which I bought several times, shared with Mom (who also loved it), and reread several times (I rarely read a book more than once). Well, I won't read this LETTER... again (and skimmed through several sections). It's not as resonant as 84, Charing Cross Road though it has its moments, such as this excerpt: "... it feels so good to come home afterward, to thrust your feet into furry slippers, cup your frozen hands round mug of hot coffee, feel the rush of heat in the pipes as darkness closes in, and know why T.S. Eliot wrote: 'Winter kept us warm.'" To be donated to local public library.
Tools by Robert D. Hoeft with illustrations by Romilda Dilley (Mosaic Press, Cincinnatti, 1982). Size: 1.5” x 2”. Drawings and Poetry. Read Jan. 27. Enchanting, such as calling a nail a “simple exclamation point,” duly illustrated.
THE DESERT by Robinson Jeffers (Dawson’s Book Shop, Los Angeles, 1976). Size: 2” x 2.75”. Poetry. Read Jan. 29.
THE DESERT by Robinson Jeffers (Dawson’s Book Shop, Los Angeles, 1976). Size: 2” x 2.75”. Poetry. Read Jan. 29.
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (Collins Brown Dolphin Edition, London & Glasgow, nd though bookseller notes, “Worldcat.org says that the text is from Edward Fitzgerald's 1859 English version of this classic work and that it was probably printed pre-1956 and perhaps in 1927 although the book is undated.”). Size: 2.75” x 3-7/8”. Poetry. Read Jan. 24. Sometimes one returns to reading the Classics through miniature books which serve as a reminder through the auspices of being collectibles. In this case, I'm grateful:
History of Domestic Animals (Kiggins & Kellog, New York, circa 1850). Size: 2” x 3.25". Children's Literature. Read. Jan. 24. Read before shelving into Miniature Book Library as I wish to read as many of the tiny books before shelving them into collectible-oblivion.
The Christmas Dream of Little Charles (Kiggins & Kellog’s Second Series of of Four Series of 12 Books Each, antique). Size: 2.25” x 3.75”. Children's Literature. Read Jan. 21. I find myself moved by old (e.g. 19th century or earlier) books (often styled as what we'd consider "chapbooks" today) because they were printed before technology advanced to make publishing inexpensive or easy--a manifestation of commitment to the story.
POEMSIA by Lang Leav (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2019). Young Adult Novel. Finished reading Jan. 21. I read it partly to learn about the world of Instagram Poetry. I said on Facebook, "So I read this book to learn about Instagram/Twitter/etc., poetry world. I learned. Then much as I enjoyed the book--it has a really nifty description of the most boring, banal, and atrociously bad date ( so bad it became great) -- I know it's unlikely I'll read it again. But based on what I learned about Insta fans -- how rabid I mean, passionate they can be -- I bet myself that I can find a buyer for it on Ebay within 24 hours. Note that for many poetry books it can take forever, if that, to sell. So I put it on Ebay and yep, 'twas sold about 8 hours later..."
JOURNEY FOR JUSTICE: The Life of Larry Itliong by Dawn B. Mabalon, PhD with Gayle Romasanta and illustrated by Andre Sibayan (Bridge + Delta, Stockton, 2018). History. Read Jan 24. Worthwhile project; will give as a holiday present 2020 to some relatives who need to know their history.
The Birth of Thread by Julieta Marchant, Trans. by Thomas Rothe (TinFish Press, 2019). Read. Jan. 11. Poetry. First English translated publication by this Chile-born poet, and it's lovely.
Piece of Cake by Bernadette Mayer ad Lewis Warsh (Station Hill Press, 2020). Poetry/Memoir. Read Jan 31.
To Begin Where I Am: Selected Essays by Czeslaw Milosz, edited by Bogdana Carpenter and Madeline G. Levine (FSG, New York, 2001). Finished reading Jan. 17. Much wisdom, though I skimmed here and there. One of the funniest moments in the book is when he shares what he learns from reading many writers' diaries, something along the lines of "OMG. These writers sincerely thought they were great!" [Insert Pause for Bwahaha]. Also, here's my favorite line in his entire 462-page collection which I highlight in yellow below; 'twas from his praise of--and quotes from--Simone Weil. (How apt that in a book about Milosz's words, my favorite line is from another writer he quotes.)
SECONDHAND: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale by Adam Minter (Bloomsbury, New York, 2019). Finished reading Jan. 5. Journalism. Fascinating and illuminating.
Elementary Poetry by Andrei Monastyrski, edited and translated by Yelena Kalinsky and Brian Droitcour (Ugly Duckling Presse, Brooklyn, 2019. Read Jan. 18. Another of Ugly Duckling Presse’s publications. I have never—never—been disappointed by an UDP project. Not sure I can say that about another poetry press. Check out the gorgeous ducklings, I say. As for Monastyrski’s book, it’s always nifty to me when one can do a collective documentation of performance art and poetry and this one does it well. I admire the discernment of “Clouds,” the sustainability of “Nothing Happens,” the performance replicability of “Finger,” among others. Recommend this book which validates Monastyrski’s international recognition for his work and experiments with sound, form, and audience participation.
LUMINOUS RUSE by Paul Naylor (TinFish Press, 2019). Read. Jan. 11. Poetry. A ruse, but it indeed is luminous:
BALIKBAYAN BOXES for better or for worse by Ed Palenque (WingSpan Press, Livermore, CA, 2007). Essays. Read Jan. 22. Purchased for its title essay re the "evil"s of the balikbayan box; I empathized with its view but wished it delved deeper into the topic. Nearly tossed into library donation box but redeemed by its observations on the vicissitudes of the Filipino language.
NIGHT SOUNDS: listening to nature in the city by Sharon Parker (sp, 2017-2019, signed). Size: 2-7/8” x 2-1/8”. Memoir. Read Jan. 29. An evocative read.
SOVIET TEXTS by Dmitri Alexandrovic Prigov, Trans. by Simon Schuchat with Ainsley Morse (Ugly Duckling Presser's, 2019). Poetry. Read Jan. 27. I like many things about it, including this excerpt:
From Charcoal to Banking: The I.E. Solomons of Arizona by Elizabeth L. Ramenofsky (Westernlore Press, Tucson, 1984). History. Read Jan. 27. #39. To be donated to public library.
I Want To Write An Honest Sentence by Susan M. Schultz (Talisman House, Northfield, MA, 2019). Poetry. Read Jan. 26. Brilliantly lucid and evocative sentences from a poet deserving of more attention:
THE WORLD I LEAVE YOU: Asian American Poets on Faith and Spirit edited by Leah Silvieus and Lee Herrick (Orison Books, 2020). Read Jan. 10 while proofing manuscript as I have 2 poems in it. A wonderful way to present the beauty and diversity of Asian American poetry.
ON LONGING: Narratives of the Miniature, the Gigantic, the Souvenir, the Collection by Susan Stewart (Duke University Press, 1993). Cultural Studies & Literary Criticism / Essays. Finished reading/skimming Feb. 13. I picked this up mostly as part of my research on miniature books though I skimmed the other parts. Well-considered and executed approach. Stewart also addressed my discovered balancing act between miniature books as books-to-read versus collectibles.
A LOLONG TIME AGO: a Prehistory of the Philippines by Michelline Suarez, Joonee Garcia, Divine Reyes and Benjor Catindig (Tahanan Books for Young Readers, Manila, 2016). History / Young Adult. Read Jan. 26.
THE BOOK OF MINI: Inside the Big World of Tiny Things by Kate Esme Unver (Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 2019). Study/picture book on miniature objects that includes a miniature book! Read/viewed Jan. 29. I wish it contained more about miniature books, but that's just my bias--I do appreciate the inclusion of an actual mini book:
WINTER WHEAT by Mildred Walker (University of Nebraska Press, 1944). Novel. Finished reading Jan. 7. Superb characterizations—quite satisfying to read!
BALTIMORE’S CATHEDRAL by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando, 1988. Edition of 200). Size: 2-1/8” x 2-7/8” History. Read Jan. 17.
FRAY JUNIPERRO SERRA by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando, nd). Size: 2-3/8” x 1-7/8”. History/Biography. Read Jan. 17
Los Angeles International Airport by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando, 1988. Edition of 250). Size: 2-1/8” x 2-7/8”
Msgr. Benjamin G Hawkes by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando, nd. Edition of 350). Size: 2” x 2.75”. Biography. Read Jan. 17. A moving ending per that Cardinal McIntyre statement that applies to many things in life:
The National Archives by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando, nd. Edition of 200). Size: 1-7/8” x 2-7/8”. History. Read Jan. 17.
Peter Arrives in the Promised Land by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando, nd. Edition of 600). Size: 2-1/8” x 2-7/8”. History/Religion. Read Jan. 17.
SAN XAVIER DEL BAC by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando 1985. Edition of 300). Size: 2.25” x 2.75. History. Read Jan. 18.
Silver Jubilee Memoir [of Jesus Christ] (1959-1984) by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando, nd. Edition of 350). Size: 1.75” x 2.75”. Religion. Read Jan. 17.
SAN XAVIER DEL BAC by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando 1985. Edition of 300). Size: 2.25” x 2.75. History. Read Jan. 18.
THE XXIII OLYMPIAD by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando, nd. Edition of 350). Size: 2” x 2-7/8” History. Read Jan. 17
The Unfinished Psalter by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando, nd. Edition of 200). Size: 2” x 2.75”. History/Book About Books. Read Jan. 17
The Great Pardon of Portuncula by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando 1986. Edition of 300). Size: 2.25” x 2.75. History. Read Jan. 18
VALUE VERSUS WORTH by Francis J. Weber (Opuscula, Bradenton, 1985. 150 edition). Size: 1.75” x 2.25”. Read Jan. 4. It seems fitting that early on in the year I read this wonderful essay about how to value "miniature books" by one of the renowned names in the Miniature Book World. But, also, how ironic and/or fitting that this book exactly rationalizes why I had to embark on an anti-Tsundoku path--because when I went to shelf it, I realized I already owned a copy of it! Aaargh. But serves me right for not reading it earlier and preserving it in my memory!
PUPPY DOGS! PUPPY DOGS! by no named author (no named publisher, nd but vintage). Size: 2-1/8” x 2-5/8”. Children's Literature. Read Jan. 18. This was a gift from another miniature book collector and the read is quite enchanting. It also fits with my interest in children's literature printed decades/centuries ago before printing technology made such printing accessible. This book, like others from that time, were printed in small formats that show an obvious treasuring of children's stories even if it may have been expensive to disseminate them. Bow.
Comments
Post a Comment