Author: group therapy

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The Book Nook Weekly Discussion

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Welcome to the Book Nook! This is the weekly thread for Avocados to discuss books we’re currently reading, recommendations, genre, and serious literary criticism. This week’s recommended discussion: real books in surprising fictional places. This isn’t about a movie or TV character loving a particular writer, or touting one of your favorite books. This is about a character casually reading something a bit obscure, and there being no mention of it – it’s essentially window-dressing, yet it makes a comment on a scene or character. When I saw the season 23 Simpsons episode “The Book Job”, I noticed a real … Continue reading The Book Nook Weekly Discussion

BooksLeave a comment

The Book Nook Weekly Discussion

group therapy

Welcome to the Book Nook! This is the weekly thread for Avocados to discuss books we’re currently reading, recommendations, genre, and serious literary criticism. This week’s recommended discussion: We’ve talked about adaptations a lot, but how about this time we talk about biopics about writers. The only criteria is that the subjects have to be real people (not Barton Fink, etc.). Hat tip to a quiet storm One caveat: because we’re here to use our words, this is a NO GIF/YouTube/social media embed zone (the OTs are full of clutter, and I want to keep that out of this thread). … Continue reading The Book Nook Weekly Discussion

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Artist Spotlight: Michael Bolton – (Yeah, You Heard Me)

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I originally approached this Spotlight with a bit of snark, wanting to draw the reader in with jokey shenanigans. But I realized that’s dishonest. I don’t enjoy the distancing effect of irony or insincerity when it comes to things I genuinely appreciate. When I love something, I embrace it, and Michael Bolton’s low-key charm and dorky silliness (not to mention talent) make him someone to celebrate. Blessed with a multi-octave range and the hair of a god, Michael Bolton began his professional music career as a teenager in the 70s. Originally gravitating to a more folky sound, he was signed … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: Michael Bolton – (Yeah, You Heard Me)

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Album Club: Smog – Knock Knock

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Album: Knock Knock Artist: Smog Released 1/12/99 Knock Knock, the seventh album from Smog (AKA Bill Callahan), ranked #233 on our Album Poll. I think only two of us voted for this. In fact, that other person’s inclusion of Knock Knock is what inspired me to think seriously about coming up with a good ballot. It’s just such a good album that I wanted it to place somewhere on the poll results (so I put it at my #1, and I have no shame about gaming the system). Smog started as a true lo-fi artist, self-releasing his first few albums … Continue reading Album Club: Smog – Knock Knock

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Artist Spotlight: Adam and the Ants

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When the album poll results came out, I realized that not enough of us are fans of Adam and the Ants. Kings of the Wild Frontier was way down at #100 on my ballot, and there was no Ant representation anywhere on the results. I’m not an expert on Ant, and I don’t regularly celebrate his entire catalog, but I had to include this album. His swashbuckling confidence and unique sound left an indelible imprint on music as it shifted between post-punk and new wave. I mean, those drums, that bass line! That declaration – “A new royal family, a wild nobility, we … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: Adam and the Ants

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Artist Spotlight: B-52’s

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One of the things I love about Artist Spotlights, and about the Avocado in general, is how we personally relate to our pop culture totems. There’s an intimacy to how we talk about our influences and loves, a sense of history and context, and the stories about our favorite artist/song/movie/TV show allow us to know each other more fully. I love the B-52’s. They have an energy that’s embraceable, and they create a party atmosphere where everyone is welcome. I first encountered The B-52’s in music video form. I was in the juniors section of a department store (Fashion Bar’s … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: B-52’s

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