this/that...
been reading a lot...
finished waking up in iceland, a great book about iceland and its music scene...
believe it or not, i am not trying to curry favor with the scandinavian demigoddess, but iceland seems real cool. seems like the population has a great attitude towards the arts and music - definitely a diy attitude - and a view that art is not just for artists -i guess that in a way is my approach to my photography...i have been able to listen to some of the bands, both from this site and nart nibbles from here
also finished dylan's chronicles which, like dylan is not a typical memoir - he doesn't necessarily write what you'd think he would and its not linear, but it is tremendously insightful - looking fwd to next 2 volumns...
also read nick hornby's new one - one of my favorite writers, makes you want to read about any subject he writes about...
next up, sting's autobio then wayne shorter bio with this gem mixed in here and there....
btw - i am not begging for comments, but can you drop a line if you read this. i am unsure if many of my old readers made the move or don't like the comment system, or i have not written anything of note worth commenting upon...
posted by Mike @ 9:33 PM
13 comments
13 Comments:
A friend of mine (George) follows the music from Iceland, also. There is some pretty funky stuff produced there.
omg I've been wanting to read the new Nick Hornby but for some reason the bookshops havent had it yet (but in all honesty, I only checked with one). Now I will call all the bookstores tmr!
How the hell do you have time to read so many books? Do you think if I didn't surf the internet for about 5 hours a day I could read a book too? ;)
JenBen
and i forgot to list "what the best college teachers do..."
well, since our computer has been comandeered and converted to "phantom central", i am down to about 9 hrs a day online...
hey, i read pretty fast and these were good books - plus i need to do something while procrastinating working on next semester...
I'm going to pick up 'waking up in Iceland'. Almost finished with the Rings books again and I'm going to need something to get me back into this world :)
-Herb
might be a good transition, lotr was based on norse mythology as wuii points out...
p.s. jen - this was over a month or two...
additionally, ask me how long it is taking to get through walden, a book i would consider a favorite, though i've never completed it...
Iceland is really high on my list of places to vacation. I changed planes there once, and it was beautiful from the air.
Any country that gave us both the Sugarcubes and Sigur Ros (among others) is great with me.
I can't recommend Haruki Murakami's novels enough, Mike. I read my first one two summers ago and have read six since.
I liked walden too but also, like you, never completed it. LHB is right-Murakami is the coolest! He's got a new book out but my favourite is still "Norwegian Wood"
I don't have a favorite Murakami book, I love most of his work. I just finished his biography, "Murakami and the Music of Words," written by one of his translators and good friends. It is one of my favorite literary biographies, taking into account the music in Murakami's life.
Mike, here's a Pitchfork list of the top 20 Icelandic albums (it's a bit dated, 2002):
http://pitchforkmedia.com/watw/02-04/iceland20.shtml
Sorry Mike for not commenting lately. My motherboard fried and the 24 hour Dell service guarantee is quickly turning into 72 hours which is about how long I've been on hold with them.
Blogger comments drive me crazy but that's my problem. ;-)
Mileah
...you simply MUST go to Iceland. Art is everywhere there, every window is a frame for a sculpture, ceramic, etc...the people are reserved, but if you make a connection, intelligent, well-read and wonderful. If you do go, read Laxness - Independent People to understand their stubborness and pride, and Iceland's Bell to understand their history. There is a dark side, esp. the drinking. I would go for a week every month if I could afford it. In the off-season its cheap to get there, but it is VERY expensive to be there. If you are going to Europe, you can layover for just the cost of a hotel. If you go into the country, be prepared to have your mind continually blown...the sublime Kristín is just the tip of the iceberg, er Iceland...
it's definitely on the travel plans - though i really don't get much of a chance - perhaps after i get tenure - finish masters kids get bigger, etc...
and i may read laxness regardless...
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