Don't get caught reading this at work.

Thanks, David!

If only.....

Who doesn't love sock monkeys?

I'm starting to see a pattern here.


Thanks Jeff!

Armadillos, oh my!

The book ideas are coming in!

Sounds like a conspiracy to me.









Thanks Jen!

Words from YOU!

OK, I know about the interesting literary items from the past and present. At least I know what I find interesting. Now here's the thing. What do you find interesting? What would you like to see as a book? See the link to my email? It's over there in the upper right hand corner. Yeah, that's it. Click on it and tell me what you want to see. I mean, what kind of book would you run out and buy? Maybe a picture book of people in strange places? No, how about a book about Pygmy Eskimos who emigrated to Australia? Well, whatever that secret dream book is, let me know about it and I will post it here. No pornography or illegal stuff...that's not my style, plus, its a cop out. That stuff is way too simple and crude. I'm talking about the creative, odd, unusual, fresh or unique books that would fill a hole in the literary world. It may take a bit to draw in the ideas. I will keep it all anonymous, I will post a first name if you give it to me. If you worry about your email address (don't worry I won't keep it) you can make a temporary one through mail.com or Yahoo. Now that you're off the hook I know you'll come up with some great ideas. If you want credit, that's ok too. Just create a mock up of your book cover. Use any simple graphic program. (you can download free ones like PhotoFiltre which is easy to use) Like its been said before, if you ask they will come....or was that build? Whatever it was, they shall come.

I'll start it off with my idea. How about a book about disgruntled kittens? It could be a nice coffee table book full of fluffy little disgruntled kittens. You say the idea's been taken by other animals? Do rabbits and bull dogs hold the license to bad moods? So what, kittens make great subject matter, so there!

October and the frightful tale

Macabre and dark literature reigns the month of October. Edward Gorey is right up there when it comes to the deep, soulful tale of gloom and doom. His house is open to the public as a shrine to his time on Earth. He wove his words into a poetic stance and paired them with his dreary inspired illustrations. Gorey was a master at depicting pessimistic fables with a hint of sarcastic humor. Like Poe, Gorey saw life's darker side and did not hesitate to utilize it in his writing. There's a difference between a pessimist and a misanthropist (one who hates humankind). Gorey was a bit of both and none. He put all the negative thoughts that whirled around in his head onto paper. Yet he lived his life in the public eye. He wrote and illustrated many books. His illustrations were also used for he PBS Mystery series.
Edward St. John Gorey (February 22, 1925-April 15, 2000) was a writer and artist noted for his wry, macabre illustrated books. Born in Chicago, he attended Harvard University from 1946 to 1950, where he studied French and roomed with future poet Frank O'Hara.
Although Gorey was not into television himself, he did become a Star Trek fan. As a result a fan gave tribute, in Gorey style, to the episode "Trouble With Tribbles", which can be seen here. Or Here
Its always interesting when you find out that an enigmatic icon, such as Gorey, turns out to be, well, dare I say it...human. So, he wasn't a minion of Mephistopheles portraying his master's deep philosophies. He was a man, like many, who had a passion and acted on it. He used his creative forces as an outlet for his inner cynic. Its a good thing too. Just think what might have become of him had he buried it inside?

He's not a foe, he's Edgar Allan Poe

So much for poetic titles. If you're ever roaming around the country and end up in Richmond Virginia, you might want to stop by the Poe Museum. If for no other reason than to satisfy a strange curiosity about the enigmatic writer. They even host an "unhappy hour" for guests on special dates. What a perfect way to honor this author of tragic tales!
Other places around the country lay claim to Poe, like Baltimore Maryland where they have a Poe house and the Poe Society. New York has their claim, like the others, a place where Mr. Poe once resided and even written, no less. Poe Cottage was his final residence where his wife passed away. However, Baltimore was where he died. Like George Washington, people want to know where he slept while he was alive. Once I've left this terrestrial plane no one will be marking my sleeping places I can be sure of that. No matter, Mr. Poe left his mark on the world of the macabre and rightly so.
At the Poe Museum, in person or online, you can buy the ever sought after Edgar Allan Poe action figure (see picture). Who wouldn't want to play with their own little Poe with his own tiny raven perched on his tiny shoulder? Or how about the Poe shot glass? When you feel the urge to imbibe on your favorite shot you can see Poe's etched face staring back at you. The Poe bobble head, of course, is a obligatory gift shop item. Everyone who's anyone has a bobble head made in their likeness.
Like most people. Poe had his ups and downs. Trying to get literary notice and still make a living took up much of his young life. Like any writer who toils away at the novels and poems floating around in his or her head, Poe kept writing. Try as he might he couldn't get the literary big wigs of his day to care about torture chambers, death and tell-tale hearts. But, eventually he won out and became a published author much to the delight of readers everywhere.
So, here's to the wonderful world of Edgar Allan Poe and his museum in Virginia. Check it out and wallow in its misery.

Disapproving Rabbits

A book about rabbits? Disapproving ones, no less. What could it be all about? I mean really, does anyone really care if rabbits approve of you or anything for that matter? Well, apparently people do care. Not to be left out, the powers that be at Harper Collins decided they wanted a piece of the disapproving action. They contacted a disapproving rabbit's owner and asked her to tell all.
Sharon Stiteler usually known as Birdchick has a rabbit named Cinnamon. She noticed that her endearing pet rabbit always had the countenance of disapproval on his little furry face. Not to be undaunted, she loved her furry friend unconditionally. Even when Cinnamon decided to take on the neighbor's cat by overpowering the annoying feline, she still supported him in all his fluffiness. Cinnamon has a blog where people who are interested or simply "not amused" can keep up with the rabbit's disapproval ratings. Believe it or not, Stiteler cares for rabbits, birds and even bees! I have to admire anyone who is able to care for other living things. I do well to care for myself and that isn't saying much.
Since we love the elusive literary works, Disapproving Rabbits is our kind of book. Sure, it is'nt out yet and sure, it's been published by a major publisher, but hey, that doesn't make it any less elusory. Ok, we haven't actually been sent a book to review (hear that Harper Collins?) but we do, nonetheless, eagerly await the book's debut on October 16th 2007. And yes, this blog is more elusive than the books it reviews, so there!