APRIL 2020 READS
APRIL
TALLY: 48 Books – 10 Art; 15 Poetry; 7 Memoir/Autobiography/Biography; 4 Children’s Literature; 1 Fiction; 3 Cookbooks; 1 Philosophy; 3 History; 2 Religion; and 2 Nonfiction and Journalism
LEONARD BASKIN’S MINIATURE NATURAL HISTORY (Seven Fish, Insects, Domestic Animals, and Extinct Creatures) (in slipcase, Pantheon Books, 1983). Size: 3.75" x 3.75". Art. Viewed April 23. Reproductions of watercolors by a renowned naturalist. Charming.
I’LL DROWN MY BOOK: Conceptual Writing by Women edited by Caroline Bergvall, Laynie Browne, Teresa Carmody, and Vanessa Place (Les Figues Press, Los Angeles, 2012). Poetry. Read April 14. Meaty and satisfying. Loved Juliana Spahr's "The Remedy," among others.
Being Glimpsed by Christopher Bowers (sp, 2020). Memoir. Read April 11.
PEANUTS: A Charlie Brown Christmas (RP Minis, 2018). Size: 3” x 3.25”. Children's Literature. Read April 25.
PEANUTS: A Charlie Brown Christmas (RP Minis, 2018). Size: 3” x 3.25”. Children's Literature. Read April 25.
Sonnets From the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Running Press, 1989). Size: 2.75" x 3.25". Poetry. Read April 2.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (BijouMiniBooks, 2020). Size: 1.5” x 1”. Children's Literature. Read April 17.
Mad Hatter Tea Party (from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) by Lewis Carroll and Edited by Zachary Liebman Blair, illus. by John Tenniel (with tea tray, cups, pitcher and sugar and creamer, Running Press Miniature Edition, Philadelphia, 2014). Size: 2.5” x 3”. Children's Literature. Read April 28.
JOURNALS by Kurt Cobain (Viking / Penguin, 2002). Diary/Autobiography. Read April 24.
GRANDE DAME (Ruth Adomeit) by Evron S. Collins (The Miniature Book Society 2003). Size: 2” x 2.5”. Biography. Read April 23.
Letters to Emily 1943-45 by Glen Dawson,(Glen Dawson, Pasadena 1996). Size: 2.25” x 2-7/8”. Autobiography. Read April 30. Autobiography in letters to a niece; really charming.
Glen Dawson at 99: A Pictorial History of Lifetime Awards (Sponsors: Thomas Andrews, Azusa Pacific University, Mariana Blau, Robert R. Bothamley, Robert & Maureen Cates, George & Susan Kinney, Denny & Peggy Kruska, and Stuart F. Robinson, 2011). Size: 2.25” x 2-7/8”. Biography. Read April 30.
Cursed And Other Stories by Noelle Q. De Jesus (Penguin Southeast Asia, 2019). Short Stories. Read March-April 16. Well-crafted stories plumbing the human psyche. I ended up reviewing it for The Halo Halo Review.
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). Cookbook. Read April 24. Egged on my Michelle Bautista who's cooking through Covid-19's lockdown, I thought to finally make something else beside kutsinta. Thus: leche flan! All because Michelle told me of the cheat to use 4-5 whole eggs (thus no separation of the yolks from its whites--sounds tedious) and using maple syrup instead of caramelizing sugar for the base. It turned out GREAT!!!
A TESTAMENT OF FREEDOM edited by Norman W. Forgue (Black Cat Press, Chicago, 1966. 1/200. Signed). Size: 2-5/8” x 2.5”. Quotes/Philosophy/History. Read April 13.
Selected Prose of Bobbie Louise Hawkins, Edited by Barbara Henning (BlazeVOX Books, N.Y., 2012). Autobiography. Read April 20.
IN PRAISE OF PARENTS (Little Book of Quotations) (compiled by History and Heraldry Rotherham, U.K., 1999). Size: 2” x 2.25”. Read April 30. Quoting from kids usually generates funny results and this is no different. Charming.
Poems of Promise by Philip O'Bryen Hoare (with Richard Simon's bookplate (Robert Massmann's nephew), Leopold B. Hill, London, c. 1915). Size: 2.5” x 3.75”. Poetry. Read April 21.
KANDINSKY (Donna and Peter Thomas, Santa Cruz, CA, 1997, Keepsake for Miniature Book Society Annual Conclave). Size: 1-3/8” x 2”. Art. Book-length quote by Kandinsky. Read April 22.
RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM, Trans. by Edward Sullivan with illustrations by Edmund J. Sullivan (Avenel Books/Crown, New York, nd). Poetry. Read April 1. A useful introductory essay as well.
FORECAST: 2018-2019 by Marton Koppany (institute of broken and reduced languages, Hungary 2020). Visual Poetry. Read/viewed April 4. As ever, outstanding work from a Master Vizpo Poet.
Marsh Hawk Review, Editor Mary Mackey (Marsh Hawk Press, Spring 2020). Poetry journal. Read April 17. Fabulous as ever!
A Treasury of Children’s Poetry (Running Press, 1994). Size: 2.75” x 3.25”. Poetry. Read April 2.
Poems of Love: A Treasury of Verse (Running Press, 1993). Size: 2.75” x 3.25”. Poetry. Read April 2.
FORECAST: 2018-2019 by Marton Koppany (institute of broken and reduced languages, Hungary 2020). Visual Poetry. Read/viewed April 4. As ever, outstanding work from a Master Vizpo Poet.
Content (Elizabeth Zoe Lindsay Drink Fanta) by Jon Leon (Content Series, nd). Art/photography. Viewed April 23.
The Artist as Culture Producer: Living and Sustaining a Creative Life, edited by Sharon Louden (Intellect Books / University of Chicago Press, 2017). Art. Read March-April 11. The book was so compelling I decided to review it (for forthcoming issue of The Halo Halo Review). Here's a 2-paragraph excerpt:
The Artist as Culture Producer: Living and Sustaining a Creative Life, edited by Sharon Louden (Intellect Books / University of Chicago Press, 2017). Art. Read March-April 11. The book was so compelling I decided to review it (for forthcoming issue of The Halo Halo Review). Here's a 2-paragraph excerpt:
Presented are lives of non-solipsistic artists, artists whose engagements and collaborations with others are an integral part of their art-making. I knew what the book was about before beginning to read it. But it was only after reading the entire book that I realized just how much it benefited from the autobiographical perspective taken on by the essays—these artists wrote essays after they’ve lived through the art-making, thus eliding premature conclusions about their ways of life and art. Each conclusion or point-of-view is hard-earned.
Indeed, my biggest takeaway from reading the book is just how f*cking hard it is to live the lives that these artists have lived. ...There is a particular difficulty in having to rely on others and elements out of one’s control; these artists had to rely on public interest, others’ participations/collaborations, overcoming certain bureaucracies, etc. What a pleasure to witness their mental acuity as they, indeed, became true artists with “out-of-the-box thinking.” It’s all organic, of course—many effective/successful artists inherently must think out-of-the-box, but these artists do it with the extra difficulty of doing something that results in them becoming “change agents in their communities.”
Marsh Hawk Review, Editor Mary Mackey (Marsh Hawk Press, Spring 2020). Poetry journal. Read April 17. Fabulous as ever!
Pomarine Jaeger by Scott MacLeod (Just Press, San Francisco/Fairfax/Half Moon Bay, 2020).
METPO by Scott MacLeod (sp, 2020, 6/6). Poetry. Read April 5. Same reading note as above, but also appreciate the gift of a miniature book--thanks Scott!
FACTORY MAN by Beth Macy (Little Brown, New York, 2014). Journalism. Reviewed April 20. To be donated to local public library.
Mr. H. In America, or, Anonymus Redivivus by Wallace R. Nethery (First Edition, Pamphlet privately Printed by Wallace R. Nethery limited to 30 copies and his first effort as a printer, 1956). History. Read April 29. A brief history of the failure of Charles Lamb’s 1813 comical play Mr. H; or Beware a Bad Name when presented in Drury Lane, London, and its relative success when the play was staged in America. Charles Lamb was an English writer and essayist. Wallace Nethery was a southern California librarian, bibliophile, historian, and hobby printer. Acquired with its miniature book version.
The Diary of Samuel Pepys VI - 1665, Editors Robert Latham and William Matthews (University of California Press, Berkeley & Los Angeles, 1972). Journals/Autobiography. Read April 25. As I said on a Facebook note:
The Course of Time by Robert Pollok (O. L. Sanborn, Portland, Maine, 1839). Size: 2-1/8” x 3-3/8”. Poetry. Read April 22. A 276 pp.; a ten-book poem in blank verse, first published in 1827; the last published and most famous work of Scottish poet Robert Pollok; includes a memoir of the poet and index.
Rosebuds and Promises (E.P. Dutton & Co. / Richard Clay & Sons, New York / London circa 1885 via handwritten giftnote). Size: 3.25” x 3.5”. Religious/Devotional. Read April 15.
FACTORY MAN by Beth Macy (Little Brown, New York, 2014). Journalism. Reviewed April 20. To be donated to local public library.
MBS 1997 (Unfolds to reveal a letter press. Keepsake for Miniature Book Society 1997 Conclave). Folded size: 1-5/8” x 1-5/8”. Art. Viewed April 22.
With apologies to Carl Sandburg / CAT (Mauritom Press Keepsake for Conclave XV, 1997). Size: 2.75” x 2”. Poem. Read April 22.
Beach-la-Mar by Wallace R. Nethery (Dawson's Book Shop, Los Angeles, 1988. 75-edition). Size: 2-3/16" x 2-13/16". History/Language. Read April 30.
Beach-la-Mar is a Melanesian trade language, a form of pidgin based on English and spoken in Melanesia, New Guinea and North East Australia. Publisher Glen Dawson had a life-long interest in human languages partly because of his interest in Christian mission and missionaries were often the first people to give alphabets to spoken languages.
Mr. H. In America, or, Anonymus Redivivus by Wallace R. Nethery (First Edition, Pamphlet privately Printed by Wallace R. Nethery limited to 30 copies and his first effort as a printer, 1956). History. Read April 29. A brief history of the failure of Charles Lamb’s 1813 comical play Mr. H; or Beware a Bad Name when presented in Drury Lane, London, and its relative success when the play was staged in America. Charles Lamb was an English writer and essayist. Wallace Nethery was a southern California librarian, bibliophile, historian, and hobby printer. Acquired with its miniature book version.
The Little Book of Jellies, Creams & Ices AND The Little Book of Preserves & Pickles (George Newnes Ltd., London, early 1900s). Size: 2.5” x 3-5/8”. Cookbooks. Read April 23.
Carries former owner’s signature and date of 10-7-38. But other books in this series show owners’ signature of 1918 and 1920. The books were part of a series which each included the term THE LITTLE BOOK OF in the title and included – in addition to Preserves & Pickles AND Jellies, Creams & Ices -- Sandwiches and Beverages; Salads and Savouries; Confectionery; Pastries and Cakelets; Puddings; French Cookery; Jewish Cookery; Simple Remedies; Household Hints; and Etiquette!
The Diary of Samuel Pepys VI - 1665, Editors Robert Latham and William Matthews (University of California Press, Berkeley & Los Angeles, 1972). Journals/Autobiography. Read April 25. As I said on a Facebook note:
“Finally, I get to reading Pepys due to my anti-tsundoku project! [Husband] Tom collects various editions of Pepys' diaries and I've planned for years to start reading them as I love reading diaries/journals. I began with Vol. VI as Tom says it doesn't matter where I start. And I begin from an edition gifted to us by poet-critic-niceguy John Bloomberg-Rissman when he had to deaccession to move. This may be meaningless to you but tis a moment for Moi.”
Rosebuds and Promises (E.P. Dutton & Co. / Richard Clay & Sons, New York / London circa 1885 via handwritten giftnote). Size: 3.25” x 3.5”. Religious/Devotional. Read April 15.
A Treasury of Children’s Poetry (Running Press, 1994). Size: 2.75” x 3.25”. Poetry. Read April 2.
The Rolling Stones Book of Rock (Running Press, Philadelphia/London, nd). Size: 2.75" x 3.25". Art/Quotations. Read/viewed April 2.
Abraham Lincoln 1809-1959, The Address by Carl Sandburg Before the United States Congress Washington D.C., February 12, 1959 (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1959). Size: 2” x 2-5/8”. History. Read April 17. A magnificent recap -- wonderful writing -- by Carl Sandburg.
POSITIVE MAGNETS, Issues 6, 7 and 8, Editor Collin Schuster (April 2020). Poetry journals. Read April 15. Fabulous work in all three issues. Honored to have about a dozen prose poems in Issue No. 6; I excerpt one poem below because it's an old poem and I'd forgotten I wrote it!
Infection by Jade M. Steel (Delete Press, 2020). Poetry. Read April 19.
THE LAST SUPPER (Da Vinci's) by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, Pasadena, 1998). Size: 2-7/8" x 2-3/8". Art. Read April 28.
Abraham Lincoln 1809-1959, The Address by Carl Sandburg Before the United States Congress Washington D.C., February 12, 1959 (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1959). Size: 2” x 2-5/8”. History. Read April 17. A magnificent recap -- wonderful writing -- by Carl Sandburg.
POSITIVE MAGNETS, Issues 6, 7 and 8, Editor Collin Schuster (April 2020). Poetry journals. Read April 15. Fabulous work in all three issues. Honored to have about a dozen prose poems in Issue No. 6; I excerpt one poem below because it's an old poem and I'd forgotten I wrote it!
A Shakespeare Quiz compiled by Ward Kermit Schori (1993 MBS Conclave Keepsake / Press of Ward Schori, Evanston, IL, 1993). Size: 2-5/8” x 2-1/8”. Quotes/Poetry. Read April 29. Charming.
Infection by Jade M. Steel (Delete Press, 2020). Poetry. Read April 19.
The Finishing Touch: Becoming God’s Masterpiece by Charles R. Swindoll (Running Press, 1995). Size: 3” x 3.75”. Religion. Read April 2.
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams illustrated by Michael Green (Running Press, Philadelphia, 1989). Size: 2.75” x 3.25”. Children's Literature. Read April 2. Enchanting!
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