The Blob Book Corner

Literature has been and will always be the cornerstone of our civilization. As I sit here struggling to put finger to keyboard searching for just the right turn of phrase I can only admire the true literary giants whose artistry with the written word leaves one breathless and in awe.
To those who feel that The Blob exists only to promote all that is crass in popular culture and to denigrate the higher arts I say " Fie, fie on thee, fie upon thee, filthy drab, and all thy false prophets." (so there!!)
I've heard the catcalls, endured the slings and arrows, and will bow to the pressure and focus today on books......a couple of excellent, highly recommended ones in particular.

The first is an unauthorized biography of famed percussionist "Slappy" Robertson. He came up through the ranks the hard way just as all the old timers did but his story is filled with so many twists and turns that I had trouble putting it down. (the middle section that deals with the period following the fabric softener accident was a real page turner!!)




Written by Maya Angelou, US poet emeritus and high priestess of Oprah, this is a book that should be read 3 times; the 1st to appreciate the epic narrative, the 2nd to luxuriate in the prose, and the 3rd to be eligible to win an all expenses paid trip to Cancun!!!







Two weeks ago the New York Times Book Review gushed "David Jerome has done it again!!" and his latest novel has been flying off the shelves ever since. The fact that he is this month's Oprah Book Club pick in the
science fiction/self-help category
doesn't hurt either. Do yourself a favor and zip over to your nearest bookstore, once there buy 2 copies (you'll want to give one to a friend!!)





















Last and by no means least is the latest from Jerry Mander whom you may remember from the late 70's where his book lambasting every aspect of television turned on a whole generation of kids to whittling and overly expensive comic books. Don't look now but it looks like he too has done it again with another crusade against a social ill that until now has gone largely unnoticed. It's a difficult but worthwile read.

Here's a short excerpt: ".......while surely a musical instrument in the broadest sense of the term the euphonium/baritone is the subject of a decades old conspiracy that continues to this day. Youngsters are encouraged to practice and perfect their technique but are never told that not one person has ever made a decent or fulfilling living playing the damned thing. It's a senseless waste of perfectly good brass that would be better used as door knockers or decorative wastepaper bins." (see photo)

So there you have it....this month's Blob short list. Happy reading!!