Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley

 

It’s a Friday night in a campus bar in Berkeley, fall of 2000, and Percy Marks is pontificating about music again. Hall and Oates is on the jukebox, and Percy—who has no talent for music, just lots of opinions about it—can’t stop herself from overanalyzing the song, indulging what she knows to be her most annoying habit. But something is different tonight. The guy beside her at the bar, fellow student Joe Morrow, is a songwriter. And he could listen to Percy talk all night.

Joe asks Percy for feedback on one of his songs—and the results kick off a partnership that will span years, ignite new passions in them both, and crush their egos again and again. Is their collaboration worth its cost? Or is it holding Percy back from finding her own voice?

Moving from Brooklyn bars to San Francisco dance floors, Deep Cuts examines the nature of talent, obsession, belonging, and above all, our need to be heard.  penguinrandomhouse.com

I've read a lot of great books lately but Deep Cuts was truly one of the best books I've read in a long time.  I devoured it in just two days and contemplated reading it again immediately after I turned the last page.  I wanted to live in this book and be friends with Percy.  Like Joe, I too could listen to her talk music all night.  Deep Cuts isn't just a love story between two people, it's a love story to music itself.  Every chapter is titled by the name of a popular song relevant to the chapter and I could hear all of these amazing songs in my head as I read along.  I wish this book came with a mixtape.  I also wish mixtapes were still at thing!  

I purchased my copy of Deep Cuts at Barnes & Noble on that shopping spree I had a few weeks ago.  You can pick up yours there or at your favorite bookstore or online shop.  For more information, check out the publisher's website linked above.

 

Horror Stories by Liz Phair

When Liz Phair shook things up with her musical debut, Exile in Guyville—making her as much a cultural figure as a feminist pioneer and rock star—her raw candor, uncompromising authenticity, and deft storytelling inspired a legion of critics, songwriters, musicians, and fans alike. Now, like a Gen X Patti Smith, Liz Phair reflects on the path she has taken in these piercing essays that reveal the indelible memories that have stayed with her. For Phair, horror is in the eye of the beholder—in the often unrecognized universal experiences of daily pain, guilt, and fear that make up our humanity. Illuminating despair with hope and consolation, tempering it all with her signature wit, Horror Stories is immersive, taking readers inside the most intimate junctures of Phair’s life, from facing her own bad behavior and the repercussions of betraying her fundamental values, to watching her beloved grandmother inevitably fade, to undergoing the beauty of childbirth while being hit up for an autograph by the anesthesiologist. Horror Stories is a literary accomplishment that reads like the confessions of a friend. It gathers up all of our isolated shames and draws them out into the light, uniting us in our shared imperfection, our uncertainty and our cowardice, smashing the stigma of not being in control. But most importantly, the uncompromising precision and candor of Horror Stories transforms these deeply personal experiences into tales about each and every one of us. -indiebound.orgI remember the first time I heard Liz Phair's music, it was Halloween 1998 and I was in high school attending a party thrown by one my good friends. My friend loved putting on mini-concerts at her parties, playing and singing the alt hits of the era and this party in particular featured a performance of Phair's Polyester Bride.  At the time, I was and still am obsessed with 80s music but there was something special about Liz Phair.  To me her songs seemed like little story snippets of her life.  Her memoir, Horror Stories showcases her strengths as a confessional story teller. Despite all her success in the music industry, Phair's experiences are everybody's stories: awkward relationships, break-ups and make-ups and struggles with self doubt.  Her honesty and candor is in this memoir is just what you'd expect if you're a fan of her music but I think her memoir would appeal to non-fans as well given the relatable nature of her stories.

What I also loved about this memoir is that the stories are not in chronological order and they can each stand-alone.  So, it's perfect if you're juggling multiple books at one time or are really busy and just have a few minutes a day for reading.

****/5 stars


Look for Horror Stories at your favorite local bookseller or check-out indiebound.org to order.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

10 Quotes I Love from Taylor Swift

I've been a Taylor Swift fan for a while, and the thing that has always captured me the most is her lyrics. There are so many clever turns of phrase, the perfect marrying of words, emotions caught in sentences. So I thought I would share some of my favorite short phrases here. I got creative this month and combined them with images. I'm quite happy with the way they came out!

Each quote includes the song title and album as well as any attribution required for use of the photographs and our website. You'll also find the link to the original photo, the creative commons license, and the full song on YouTube (linked to Taylor Swift's Vevo channel whenever possible). Please feel free to share any of the following images, as long as you also provide a link back to this post and proper attribution. Thanks!

1.

Photo by Tom Hall
Text added by Rebecca T
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
"Mary's Song (Oh My My My)" Taylor Swift by Taylor Swift

2.

Photo by TempusVolat
Text added by Rebecca T
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
"Back to December" Speak Now by Taylor Swift

3.

Photo by Gwenael Piaser
Text added/recolored by Rebecca T
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
"Stay Stay Stay" Red by Taylor Swift

4.

Photo by micadew
Text added/recolored by Rebecca T
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
"How You Get the Girl" 1989 by Taylor Swift

5.

Photo by Meg Wills
Text added by Rebecca T
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
"Last Kiss" Speak Now by Taylor Swift

6.

Photo by Marc Biarnes
Text added/recolored by Rebecca T
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/
"Red" Red by Taylor Swift

7.

Photo by Aftab Uzzaman
Text added by Rebecca T
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/
"The Story of Us" Speak Now by Taylor Swift

8.

Photo by Mo
Text added/recolored by Rebecca T
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
"All Too Well" Red by Taylor Swift

9.

Photo by Kevin Dean
Text added/recolored by Rebecca T
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
"Bad Blood" 1989 by Taylor Swift

10.

Photo by Loving Earth
Text added/recolored by Rebecca T
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
"Innocent" Speak Now by Taylor Swift

Falling for Fall

It's the saddest day of the year for me, today is the  last day of Summer.  I hate the change of seasons.  I'd be happy with 80 degree weather and sunshine year round.

Rather than sulk around over the impending chill of fall and dread of winter that looms ahead, I decided to focus on some of the good things that I am looking forward to this fall and asked the BWOBNY crew to share what they're looking forward to.

I can't get enough pumpkin spice lattes or pumpkin spiced anything for that matter.  I'm also really looking forward to picking up the new jazz album that combines the talents of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga which is available tomorrow.  Plus, the fall signals the return of some of my favorite TV shows such as The Good Wife and The Big Bang Theory.  And the new show Forever, which features an immortal medical examiner, looks intriguing. 

Kiersten White has a new book coming out called Illusions of Fate that I'm really really looking forward to. Every book she does is so different and the cover for this one is absolutely gorgeous! I'm also excited about The Maze Runner movie. Not only did I really enjoy the book but the previews I've seen look like they do the book justice. And Dylan O'Brien is a phenomenal actor.  I'm looking forward to a bunch of my favorite TVshows coming back, but for new shows I'm most excited about CW's The Flash and, after seeing quite a few previews in the past couple of weeks Gotham looks really intriguing.  

Kimbra's new album The Golden Echo just came out and I will be listening to it all fall in preparation of seeing her in November! I also can't wait for the final installment of the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. 

The Piano Guys newest release Wonders will be coming out in October. It includes their cover of Let it Go which is AMAZING!!!! 

I'm excited to watch Arrow and The Flash.  I'm really unaware of what books are coming out because I keep reading old dead things. I think Lemony Snicket's new book is coming out soon, which will be exciting to read. And I'm excited for Piano Guys too. I lurve them.
  
Eileen is also looking forward to the new Piano Guys album and adds "Houdini  and the new season of Doctor Who are my TV picks for this fall. I also cant wait to see The Maze Runner film." She is also interested in checking out 
Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder, which comes out in November. 



What are you most excited for this fall?  Share with us! 

What About Bach's Music?

I have been away for much too long.   Life changes have distracted me. But this past week I was honored to spend time with a friend who is homeschooling her five children. Together we read a wonderful book about Bach's music history entitled Bach's Goldberg Variations by Anna Harwell Celenza and published by Charlesbridge. It is a delightful story about how this piece of music could have gotten its name. The basic facts are accurate and written in a way to captivate young readers while keeping the attention of older children. I also enjoyed the illustrations by JoAnne E Kitchel.  Celenza has also written several other books on other composers. I must read more of her books. If you are not sure where to start teaching your children about classical music composers, then I suggest you start here. An added bonus is the CD included with the book. I did not have the opportunity to listen to the music, but would have liked to. Hearing an interesting story is a great way to build interest to listening to a composer's music. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more of Celenza's books. 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!  We'd like to wish you all a wonderful holiday as we share some of our favorite Christmas song with you.

Rachel enjoys the Bright Eyes version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."
 
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Rachel also shares my love of 80's music and notes "Do They Know It's Christmas," by Band Aid is one of her favorites.  However, it's kind of scary to look back and see how young everyone looks.  Bono looks like a kid here.



I also love "Christmas Wrapping," by the Waitresses but "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth," by David and Bing Crosby is my all-time favorite.  It was part of Bing's last Christmas special before he passed away.  The lyrics are just beautiful. 




And once you hear "Christmas Conga," by Cyndi Lauper, you'll never get it out of your head.



Alan is a fan of "Thank God It's Christmas," Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song," and Bing Crosby's "Do You Hear What I Hear?" plus "Blue Christmas" by Seymour Swine and the Squealers.  




Jess P. feels jolly whenever she hears Burl Ives sing "Holly Jolly Christmas" and the Trans Siberian Orchestra's "Christmas Canon."



Jess B. enjoys "Carol of the Bells," as performed by the Barenaked Ladies.



Jennifer P. gets into the spirit with "Where Are You Christmas,' by Faith Hill.



Rebecca T. our Muppet maven loves, "Bless Us All," from "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and also the traditional hymn "O Come Emmanuel,"  she sent me a link to her new favorite version.





And finally Naomi shared her favorite Christmas song, "Either Reindeer," by The Knife and "Christmas Unicorn," by Sufjan Stevens, I had never heard of either of them but they're unique and interesting just like Naomi.




Now, let's hear from you!! What are your favorite Christmas songs?  Please share with us.  

The Hills are Alive With the Sound of Julie Andrews

I have loved Julie Andrews ever since I can remember.  The first time I heard something she sang was when I was about 5 and we were rehearsing a number for my dance recital...the song Do-Re-Mi from the Sound of Music.  As I grew older I learned all of the songs from The Sound of Music, thanks to my grandmother, who loved the movie.  My sister can also confirm that The Sound of Music soundtrack was one of the few tapes we were allowed to play in their car when we took vacations.  Although I cannot quite understand why it took me so long to actually see the movie in full.  Usually when we watched it I was only allowed to see up to "So Long Farewell" and then it was off to bed with me like the rest of the VonTrapp Children.

As I grew older I of course finally saw the end of The Sound of Music, and also Mary Poppins.  When the Princess Diaries I was more excited to see Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse than the actual storyline.  It still is one of my favorite movies that I can just put on and lose myself in.

So that brings me to last month.  I follow a few former Borders Managers and Asst Managers.  Some of which have gotten other jobs with in the book industry.  Imagine my reaction when one  of them posted that Julie Andrews would be doing a book signing at Fairfield University Bookstore in Fairfield, CT.  I didn't know what to do!  I posted on facebook asking my friends if I should even consider going.  I mean it's an hour and a half away from me, and I didn't even have details yet. The answer was a resounding YES!

So a couple days after the announcement the details came through.  Tickets would be available if you purchased one of her children's books.  They would start giving out tickets February 1st at opening.  So I questioned myself again...did I really want to drive to Fairfield twice in 1 week.  I decided to leave it up to fate.   If I ended up with a closing shift or off on February 1st I would do it.  As luck had it, I didn't have to work until 2 on Feb 1st so my mom and I took the trek (so that we could get a book and line ticket for my sister as well).  Apparently all the tickets were taken within 2 hours of the store being open!

So today was the day!  My sister Jennifer and I arrived at the bookstore around 1:45, an hour prior to lineup.  We had our tickets and because we were early ended up being placed 20 and 21st in line.  Around 2:30 they started queuing us up.  Honestly the only complaint we had was that we were queued too early.  The signing started later than scheduled and because we were queued in a tight space (and not really moving) our backs started to hurt.

An impromptu sing-a-long took place while we were waiting to go to the signing area. Imagine a whole bunch of strangers belting out Do-Re-Mi for Julie Andrews (who was already in place) to hear.  Amazing and fun! Around 3:15 or so the first 25 people were brought up to the signing area.  The girls in front of Jennifer and I posed an interesting question, "What do you say to Julie Andrews."  I pondered it the entire time we were queued and upstairs.  The line moved rather quickly and soon I was waiting to actually meet her, I heard her say "hello" to the girls ahead of me and I really couldn't believe it.  She seriously sounds the way you hear her in movies.

Finally it was my turn.  I went up to her table and just stared at her, she really is a beautiful woman.  She asked how I was and I said "Good."  I then blurted out "I have loved you since I was 5 years old"  She replied "Oh how nice!"  She then asked if the book I had was for me and I said "No it's for my 10 month old daughter."  She then said "I hope she grows to love it."  I told her "I will ensure that she does."

Then it was time for me to go.  Yes there were no photographs, or any personalization, but it was because her schedule was so tight.  I am so very blessed that I got to see someone who I have idolized for a very long time, that I truly didn't care about it!

I do have to give kudos to the staff at Fairfield University Bookstore, who put on a great event.  They had their cafe staff running back and forth to the queue to get people drinks if they wanted them. Their bookstore staff were very personable and friendly to all the people who showed up!

A big thanks to Craig Kennedy whom without I would have NEVER found out about the event!!!!

By the way it is quite surreal going to this bookstore, it was fomerly a Borders so all the fixtures, sign holders, shelf talkers etc. are Borders things.  It made me sad in a way.....


Here I am in line with my book (and post-it with my place number)

Here is the autograph!

In the Pleasure Groove by John Taylor

"Hungry Like the Wolf," is my standard song for karaoke and I like to think I'm pretty awesome at it.  Duran Duran is one of my all time favorite bands.  I was delighted to see them perform last summer.   Later that year, my wonderful friend Melanie was also kind enough to take time during her recent stay in Glasgow, Scotland to meet John Taylor for me and gifted me with an autographed copy of his autobiography, "In the Pleasure Grove: Love, Death, & Duran Duran" for Christmas.

"In the Pleasure Groove..." is indeed a pleasure.  The narrative reads like you're sitting at a cafe with a good friend as he shares wonderful anecdotes about the wonderful triumphs of his career through the band he founded with his lifelong friends Nick Rhodes and Simon LeBon.  You can't help but read the early sections of the book with a smile on your face as the group rises from playing in tiny clubs, to selling out arenas, to recording the theme to a James Bond film, to meeting Princess Diana, Bowie and the adoration of fans around the world.  The middle section of the book deals with the effect all that fame and pressure had on John, he dealt with substance abuse issues for years that threatened to destroy the success he had both with the band and with his family.  He also shares some wonderful stories about his devoted parents.  Like me, he is an only child and had great love and respect for his parents.  The band's popularity and grueling schedule demands also caused strife with its members but John is very classy and never reveals any dirt on any of his bandmates and friends.  Of course the book is full of descriptions to the songwriting, brainstorming, passion and hard work that goes into making their music.  I've always been a fan but the level of commitment they put into making their music the best it can be has intensified my fandom. 

I highly recommend "In the Pleasure Groove: Love, Death & Duran Duran," by John Taylor not just to fans of Duran Duran but to anyone who appreciates great music and a great story.

In the meantime, check out two of my favorite Duran Duran videos.  The first is "Rio," from their second album of the same name " and the second, "Girl Panic," is from their latest album, "All You Need is Now."





And if you want to see something wild, and you're over the age of 18, look for the "night version" aka the uncensored version of "Girls on Film."  It's insane but brilliant and is a wonderful showcase of Duran Duran's creativity.

John Taylor performing with Duran Duran when I saw them at Foxwoods in the summer of 2012.

As always I received no financial compensation for this review.  I simply love good books and good music.  

We Got the Beat

In addition to books, we also sold a lot of music at Borders.  It was my job to set up the new music displays each week and often the current popular music baffled me.  Other than Lady GaGa, I can't think of a current artist who I really enjoy.  I decided to find out what the BWOBNY crew likes to listen to and we'd love to hear from you as well.

 
Alan rocks out to the legendary Queen and AC/DC. 

Albert enjoys the band NOFX, which he calls "a classic."

Jennifer P. kicks it up to Gaelic Storm, Nightwish, and Christina Perri.

Naomi likes to mix it up with Switchfoot, We Were Promised Jetpacks, and Of Monsters and Men but her favorites change depending on her mood. 

Rachel, who often brought her favorite mix-tapes (CDs) to play in the store has many favorites including: Bright Eyes, Pickwick, The Black Keys, M. Ward, My Morning Jacket, Coheed and Cambria, Feist, Fleet Foxes, The Dear Hunter, and Kimbra.

Rebecca meanwhile taps her foot to the sounds of Christian rock band Mercy Me. 

I'm obsessed with 80's bands especially Duran Duran, The Go-Go's and Berlin.  I also love British rocker Robbie Williams.  






What tunes are you guys interested in?  Please share with us!

The Sounds of Music

Do you hear what I hear? Music is a vital part of our lives. But teaching it to my children was a challenge. It always seemed like an optional subject. So I had to search for books that would help dispel that nonessential deception. Music was an important part of a classical education, so it should be important for today. It is interesting how music got relegated to the area of entertainment in the United States. But that is another topic altogether.

One of the books I found useful was A Young Person's Guide to Music by Neil Ardley with Music by Poul Ruders. It has a CD to accompany the text.There are two sections: the first is about the different types of instruments; the second gives a brief history of the musical periods. There is also a "How to use this book" page. I liked being able to teach about a particular instrument, show the clear pictures, and then play the CD to hear what that instrument sounded like. This book has a wealth of information, including a reference section that has "A-Z of Composers", "Musical Forms", and a glossary of musical terms.

Instruments are intriguing to study, and this book is a sure way to understand them. The illustrations show how instruments work, as well as how they relate to one another. How many notes can a woodwind player produce? 10? 20? 40? Would you believe it is 40?! On page 32 you can find out how. And what about brass instruments? How does tightening the lips affect the notes played? You will have to read the section about brass instruments to find out.

So no matter what stage of life you are in, this book makes fascinating reading if you have any interest at all in music. We are never too old to learn. That is one of the advantages of teaching my children; I learned right along with them. So pick up this book at your local bookstore and enjoy reading about and listening to music