Pick-A-Day

March 2024
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Archives

Whatchamacallit 126: Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

When I left the States to (temporarily) move to Germany, this was a present from one of my wonderful colleagues at Indiana University Bloomington.

It lived in my office before I moved to Berlin, in Berlin it lives in my bookcase, catching my eye, bringing me back to Bloomington. It also describes my life […]

Whatchamacallit 107: The Male Nude by David Leddick

I bought this book in the summer of 1998, shortly before moving to Bloomington, Indiana.

In fact, I ordered it online and had it shipped to Bloomington, only for it to get there before I got there. A friend had to pick it up from the UPS warehouse and keep it for me – […]

Whatchamacallit 88: Abraham Lincoln by Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire

This book has been mine since when I was born, or thereabout. However, my mother did not leave it in my bedroom: it was always kept in the living room until I was an adult.

The book is signed:

Very special greetings to Adam from his grandparents friends, Edgar and Ingri Parin d’Aulaire

Wikipedia […]

Whatchamacallit 83: Continental Divide

I just finished Continental Divide, the above book – I wish I could remember where I first learned about the book. It was an instant decision to read it: the book is set in Wyoming – why I wanted to read it – and is about a transgender Harvard freshman who finds himself in […]

Whatchamacallit 79: Latter Days

Latter Days is a film and – as above – a novelization of a film.

As a book, it is meh – it covers the story of the film, but this is a case where the film is absolutely outstanding. As a film, it grows better and better with time – at least for […]

Whatchamacallit 76: Tikki Tikki Tembo

This is a book that I remember from my childhood – but not the details.

Sometimes in idle moments my mind would play back the name of the first-born son: as I recalled it, “Rikki Rikki Tembo Nosa Rembo….” And then my mind would start cycling the name and I would remember the moral […]

Whatchamacallit 73: My Paperwhite Kindle

The first time I saw a friend with a Kindle, I mocked it – I asked my friend if it got lighter when she deleted the books she’d already finished reading.

Now I adore my Kindle: As somebody who likes to travel, the Kindle is a terrific way to carry a large number of […]

Whatchamacallit 69: Larry Kramer – The Tragedy of Today’s Gays

I woke Thursday morning to the news that Larry Kramer died.

Thanks to other writers – namely Dan Savage, but others as well – I am well aware of Larry Kramer. But I only have one book by him, The Tragedy of Today’s Gays.

Which is, in many respects, a shame: Larry Kramer is […]

Whatchamacallit 33: Check Please!

Back in December, I went to New York City for Christmas, meeting a friend there, seeing some shows, a concert, the city, and whatever else one does whilst one is in The City.

Along the way I stopped by the Bluestockings Bookstore, Cafe & Activist Center (there’s a mouthful) – which is a liberal, […]

Been readin’

Like always, I am often found with a book in my hand – recently including two actual books (like on paper), and one on my Kindle that is actually a collection of three works by one author.

There is a common theme through the three books that I’m reading.

Starting up with a recommendation by […]