The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer

Review:

Amanda Palmer isn't everyone's cup of tea. She's brash, she's creative and she's not ashamed to let the world know it.

 

Amanda takes us on her journey, as an artist, from her beginnings as a human statue, through her stripping career, through to her highly successful Kickstarter, and her woes of allowing her own hubby, one Neil Gaiman, to help her with her struggles.

 

As an artist, asking is something I too struggle with, I await the 'fraud police' to visit any time I think about showing some work.  Why would anyone want to buy my work, or support my art, when there are so many other, far more talented artists out there.

 

Amanda's approach isn't really about asking, it's about connecting.  Seeing and being seen.  How often do we really see those around us? How often do we connect?

 

I came across some very fitting videos from a group called The Liberators earlier today, before I finished reading this book.  But sitting, watching their videos, showed the connection Amanda was talking about.  The simple act of eye contact left so many people open and vulnerable, they were being seen by someone, not just looked at.  Tears were shed, hugs were had, and those people had a whole new level of understanding about themselves and the strangers they shared that minute with. 

 

This same group did another similar act, one member stripping to her underwear in London, blindfolded herself, and asked strangers to draw hearts on her in an effort to encourage self acceptance.  A powerful gesture of trust and understanding.

 

Amanda's struggles with making ends meet, her own battles with her own inner 'fraud police'.  I now have a completely new perspective on street performers, they're s much more than someone standing, singing, playing, they are art, they're asking you to see them, not just as someone who needs to 'get a job', but as an artist in their own right.  Recognise that they are working, they're offering a service, it's just not flipping burgers or filing papers.

 

So the next time you're wondering why that busker wont go and get a job, rewind and ask yourself if you're enjoying their performance, if you find that you are, toss them a few bucks, you never know, they may be the next Amanda Palmer.

 

As a long time fan, who enjoyed Amanda's book writing as much as her quirky song writing, I gave the Art of Asking 5 stars.

 

Hit up amandapalmer.net/theartofasking for more on the book and her music.

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I just wanted to add some thoughts on the topic of Anthony.  At the time of my reading this book, Anthony had sadly passed along, mere weeks before.  The pictures of Amanda by his bedside during his last days really show the depth of love and care the two shared.  It makes me sad that he wont be around to share the joy of baby Palmer/Gaiman's arrival, and worse that the joy will also be full of sadness for Amanda and Neil.  

Original post: cafebiblioaus.booklikes.com/post/1232361/the-art-of-asking-by-amanda-palmer

Reduced Reading Time

Feeling a little sad of late.  Started back at Uni a few weeks back, and it's cutting into my reading time a bit more than I expected... The sacrifices we make!

 

Thankfully I haven't had to stop reading non syllabus stuff all together, it's just taking longer to get through things.  Just over a month until term break, then I'll have to get stuck in and do nothing but read for the entire time.

 

In the mean time, I've picked up some audio books to fill the void...  Right now it's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone with my children during dinner (I'm one of those weird parents who doesn't do tv), Hamlet when I'm running through my mathematics homework and the books on my currently reading shelf in the 20 minutes, or more, between going to bed and falling asleep.

 

Hopefully with this routine, I can get my reading challenges completed!

 

Original post: cafebiblioaus.booklikes.com/post/1223527/reduced-reading-time

The Color Purple

Review:

When I initially picked this up, I found it hard to get used to the lingo used. Not one for audiobooks usually, I felt that I needed to hear Alice Walker retelling her story. This made it easier to read when I did pick up the ebook while I was out and about without access to the audio files.

There is something about this book that resonates deep within me. Something that I can't yet put into words. I'll try to articulate my review soon.

Original post: cafebiblioaus.booklikes.com/post/1209744/the-color-purple

Looking for Alaska - John Green

Before you read any further, please note that this review may contain spoilers.

Not my favourite John Green book (Currently that honour goes to Paper Towns)... but it still hit me right in the feels.

I didn't feel it was as polished as his other books, being the first, and his characters lacked the depth that his later books have, but as it was still well written.

SPOILERy bits and my own thoughts/experiences to follow.







Firstly, the bit I didn't like... the counting the layers thing. JUST PLAIN CREEPY. Do teenage boys really think like that? Sadly I already know the answer; it's not just teenage boys, I spent 12 years with a man who was just as creepy (but that's a story for a different time).

Secondly, the drinking, smoking and sex was really going to be a 'don't like' bit. I was going to complain and say this feels a bit unrealistic, then in reflection I realised, I drank and smoked more at 16 than I have at 34 (having quit smoking at 23 and lived with the alcoholism of the above mention creepy ex), as for the sex, well the same is, sadly, also true. So now it's floating somewhere between don't and do like...

The need to fit in is so strong when you're a teen, you're trying to make your mark on the world in whatever way you can, that there doesn't even need to be peer pressure for someone to join in with an activity they wouldn't have previously considered. The consequences be damned.

Things I liked... The chapter count down gave a sense of anticipation, what could we be counting down to, is it going to be the prank of the century? Are Miles and Alaska going to hook up? Then BAM! he hits you with that, right there in them feels.

I have been lucky, I have never lost anyone close to me through a car accident, but I know plenty of people who have, some numerous times. I have lost many people that I loved though, some after long suffering battles with cancer or other fatal disease, others through sudden causes; like heart attack, some through suicide. I had dealt with all 3 by the time I was 13.

I don't think it matters whether you have had time to prepare yourself for loss or if it's suddenly thrust upon you, you still question yourself. Is there anything you should have/shouldn't have done? was it something you did/didn't do? It makes you question your own mortality, maybe more so as a teen, when you do feel invincible, but definitely as an adult as well, when you realise that this person (in the case of this book for example) is the same age as you.

Overall, I think the book was fairly true to how I remember my teenage years, and how I've dealt with loss (looking for answers, wondering if it was my fault etc).

I was going to give this 3 stars, but upon writing this and looking at my written thoughts, I've moved it up to 4 stars.

Original post: cafebiblioaus.booklikes.com/post/1202755/looking-for-alaska-john-green

The True History of the Kelly Gang - Peter Carey

Before you read any further, please note that this review may contain spoilers.

I seem to be having a very Ned Kelly year, starting off with my daughters First Fleet assignment, in which Red Kelly, Ned's father, was the first Irish convict to be transported to the new colony. That was followed up with the musical Ned, in the fitting setting of the old Bendigo Gaol, which has been converted into the new Ulumbarra Theatre.

 ~130 years since the man was hanged for his crimes, his legend still lives on. The original Aussie Battler, trying hard to survive the harsh Victorian countryside, when everything was against him, his heritage, his upbringing, even his name. I don't know what it is with us Aussies, but we love a good underdog story, someone sticking it to the man, when most would have long given up. Ned Kelly seems to be the epitome of this.

 Carey created a wonderful, well researched, flowing narrative. It was easy to imagine Kelly sitting down, writing out these letters, reliving his life in paper, in an open letter to his daughter. It was not hard to picture the beautiful yet dangerous countryside that the Kelly's and their various cronies roamed around, this is my home after all.

 I am in awe of the distances they traveled on horseback. These trips take hours in a car on a freeway, though we don't have the joy of following ridges and dry creek beds. As much as I romanticise about travelling on horseback around this beautiful state, I can't imagine the conditions they must have deal with spending days travelling from one hideout to another, let alone in the heat of our Summer, the chill of our winter, during a bushfire, or when there's torrential rain and flash flooding.

 I would recommend this to anyone who loves history, to every Victorian and to anyone who loves a good underdog story.

 5 stars.

Heart: A Romantic Short Story by Rose Fall

A quick, light read.  Enjoyable for the most part, even if it's not my usual genre.

As someone who has had her heart broken once too many, a pessimist when it comes to love and relationships, I found some of these stories were very relatable. The optimistic whim of a teenage girl exploring life, the distraught accusations of a woman who loved and lost, the rekindling of a flame, if even for one night only... All experiences I've had in my own way.

Some of the stories were told quite well, as though Fall was using her own experience for the basis of her story telling. Others just seemed rushed and incomplete... Like someone just spewed their thoughts onto paper and didn't take a second glance.

I loved the idea of the playlist for each story.  It was nice to hear the author's thoughts and feelings through a secondary medium. It added something to the story telling.

My favourite of the stories was the first, <i>European Boy</i>, it reminded me of a time when I too was carefree filled with innocent wonder at the world.  A time when I wanted the world to stand still so I could live in the moment, a time when I believed in love.

I enjoyed the excerpt of Fall's soon to be released novel, <i>How to Get Your Heart Broken</i>. For me this one seemed to have the most care and though put into it, I look forward to picking up a copy when it's released later this year.

Heart received a 3 star rating from me,

A copy of Heart: A Romantic Short Story can be found on Amazon with a release date of July 10.

Ready Player One - Ernest Cline

Before you read any further, please note that this review may contain spoilers.


I've seen numerous mixed reviews for Ready Player One, but I tried to keep myself mostly spoiler free, and I think I managed that.  Set in a none-to-distant, dystopian future where climate change and greed have ruined the planet, the only escape people have is to the virtual reality of OASIS.   Due to its popularity, the games own virtual currency has become a more profitable commodity that that of actual cash.

The value of which shot up when the games creator, James Halliday, died.  The multi billionaire had no family to leave his fortune to,  so instead he created an epic scavenger hunt across the OASIS universe, the player who solves the riddles and passes the challenges would win his fortune.

Halliday, as it turns out, was quite nostalgic.  A big fan of the 80s, the era in which he grew up in, Halliday left hints and clues in his memoir the Anorak Almanac, Anorak being the name of his Dungeons and Dragons character from his school years.

The puzzle left people stumped, for 5 years after Halliday's death not a single person was any closer to finding the first key mentioned in the riddle.  Billions of people had begun searching, but as time wore on, only those dedicated individuals, known as Gunters, kept up with the research and dedicated study of Halliday's life.

This is the story of Wade Watts, a likable, tech savvy, overweight teenager. Born to teenage parents at the height of the global crisis, Wade was forced to live with his Aunt, in a trailer at the top of a stack, after his parents had died, one shared with numerous other people.  The people were poor, and the living conditions even poorer.

Early on Wade discovered that he had to fend for himself, his Aunt pocketing the food stamps meant to cover Wade's meals. Because of this Wade created himself a hideout, a place where he spent most of his life, a place where he had privacy.  It was here he went to school inside the OASIS, rigging up a charging system for his Oasis gear, scavenging and repairing technology to pawn off in exchange for food. It also covered some sundry costs while Wade researched Halliday's riddle.

The story is filled with 80s references, from Atari to Dungeons and Dragons, music, movies, games and books. You name it, Cline referenced it, to the point that, at times, I felt it was too much. Yes I'm a geek, gamer, and a child of the 80s, I love looking back upon my childhood just as much as the next person, but sometimes the references were just overkill.

For this, the book lost half a star, giving it a 4.5 star rating out of 5.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves cheesy 80s references, or gaming, or general geekery (Players of Kingdom of Loathing, I'm looking at you).