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1. Girl Power: The Nineties Revolution In Music by Marisa Meltzer. This book is perhaps more sociology than music criticism, a series of snapshots of feminism from the early nineties to present day; as such it touches on the tension between second- and third-wave feminists, the shifting terminologies/identities and mainstream appropriations thereof (e.g. grrrl to grrl to princess to lady), wardrobe as signifier, etc.--primarily from the context of the riot grrrl movement and the female-centered artists and trends that latched onto that energy. That sounds like a lot because it is, and it's covered in a pretty short book; I think I would have liked a bit more depth on some of the artists (like Bikini Kill, Liz Phair, Sleater-Kinney). But it's a smart, thought-provoking book with a lot of passion behind it.
Jan. 4th, 2011
1. Girl Power: The Nineties Revolution In Music by Marisa Meltzer.
2. The Patriot Witch (Book One of the Traitor to the Crown trilogy) by C.C. Finlay. First of Charlie's three books about witchcraft (I think it's safe to say that it's magic, but in context it's witchcraft) and the American Revolutionary War. Proctor Brown has big ambitions, but they have to do with farming and marrying just slightly above his station, not with revolution and a shadow war between witches, so of course it's the latter that he ends up with. Brown knows little of his own powers, so when he stumbles into the middle of a struggle between British and Colonial magic, he's in completely over his head--this is the sort of story where power without knowledge can get you killed. It's fast-moving, smart, and well-researched; the period details feel genuine, and the historical events are presented with accuracy, as far as I can tell--at least, I was able to answer a question on "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?"* based entirely on what I learned from this book, so I'd say I was learning as I was entertained. Charlie manages to get his characters involved with historical events without making it feel forced, which is saying something.
I liked the Ohio joke, too, Charlie.
*No, I wasn't on the show, I was watching it.
2. The Patriot Witch (Book One of the Traitor to the Crown trilogy) by C.C. Finlay. First of Charlie's three books about witchcraft (I think it's safe to say that it's magic, but in context it's witchcraft) and the American Revolutionary War. Proctor Brown has big ambitions, but they have to do with farming and marrying just slightly above his station, not with revolution and a shadow war between witches, so of course it's the latter that he ends up with. Brown knows little of his own powers, so when he stumbles into the middle of a struggle between British and Colonial magic, he's in completely over his head--this is the sort of story where power without knowledge can get you killed. It's fast-moving, smart, and well-researched; the period details feel genuine, and the historical events are presented with accuracy, as far as I can tell--at least, I was able to answer a question on "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?"* based entirely on what I learned from this book, so I'd say I was learning as I was entertained. Charlie manages to get his characters involved with historical events without making it feel forced, which is saying something.
I liked the Ohio joke, too, Charlie.
*No, I wasn't on the show, I was watching it.