Library Thing is cool

I love my new LIBRARY THING widget! (see lower right of blog) I'm afraid I got very obsessive, and easily composed my 200-book list with nary a second thought. They allow listings of 200 books per free account; you can pay a premium to list your entire library. (PS: That's another thing that happens when you get old--I figure I've read thousands and thousands of books by now.)

You can match the widget to your blog colors and craft it to show however-many-books-you-want per page load. (Any more than 9 at a time seems to make the covers virtually microscopic, and that's no fun.) What's neat about LIBRARY THING is, if you are poor, you can change the book-display to a nicer cover, and no one will know you read it second-hand for 10 cents. Then again, some of the new covers are shit, and you can also keep the old ones if you like them better. (I also chose at least one cover of a foreign translation, since I thought it was prettier and showed up better on the widget.)

I didn't know if I should list books that changed my life, or just books I love since I eat up certain scandals like ice cream, or what. So, I went in several directions at once, and tried to make my list fairly representative. However, some aspects of my identity got decidedly short shrift; I think there is only ONE vegetarian book listed ((guilt)) and that is probably because it's the official cookbook of Michael Stipe's restaurant. Since this is ostensibly a feminist blog, I listed several now-forgotten Second-wave feminist books that I think are terrific, as well as important. I tried hard to keep the celebrity bios to a minimum, but sometimes, you simply must include certain people.

Library Thing also lists other members with your books in their catalogues. I have already noticed there is significant overlap in various cult-followings, particularly those of Philip K. Dick, William Gibson and J.G. Ballard (RIP, dearest one!) and I find this fascinating; I am trying to figure out why and how these writers' sensibilities are similar...or are the READERS the people who are similar, and our attraction to these writers ideas is about US, not them?

Some books have a mere 6 followers*, and some, of course, have followers numbering in the thousands. I have not yet reviewed books or participated in any of the conversations, but I hope to do so at some point. Right now, mere escapism. (I haven't had as much time to myself since one of my co-workers decided to walk off the job and I have taken up the slack.)

It's lots of fun to browse old books in musty second-hand bookstores and public libraries, and it's fun online, too.

~*~

*Nan Goldin's I'll be your mirror is also reviewed here.

Dead Air Church - I'll be your mirror

If you've never seen Nan Goldin's collection of photographs by the same name, it would serve you well to find them. They are perfectly joined to this song, in my mind. Once you see them, they will be forever connected in your head also. She is amazingly talented.

If you've never seen the movie loosely based on Goldin's life (High Art), please check that out too. Wikipedia says the photos in the movie were based on Goldin's, not really commenting directly on the story itself. (Ally Sheedy, Patricia Clarkson and Radha Mitchell are all quite outstanding as the lead trio!) I've seen the movie maybe, what, a dozen times? (Trailer included below.) I always get something new out of it every time. If you have ever been emotionally involved with an addict (as lover OR friend) this is required viewing; consider it as important as your reading list about co-dependency. (Nan Goldin's first showing/book of photos was titled The Ballad of Sexual Dependency, not surprisingly.)

The lyrics of this song (by Lou Reed) are childlike, sweet, and filled with love. This is what Lou felt for Nico. We know that Nico's life was often tortured and unpleasant, may her soul rest in peace. (Also recommended: Nico Icon) Hers was not a happy life.

Although we can reflect those we love, it is no guarantee they will see themselves as we see them. All we have is our attempt to show them what we see. This song reflects that aching desire, so perfectly.

The desire to be the light on the door, to show that they're home.


~*~

I'll be your mirror
Reflect what you are
in case you don't know
I'll be the wind, the rain and the sunset
The light on your door
to show that you're home

When you think the night has seen your mind
That inside you're twisted and unkind
Let me stand to show that you are blind
Please put down your hands
cause I see you

I find it hard to believe you don't know
The beauty that you are
But if you don't let me be your eyes
A hand in your darkness
so you won't be afraid

When you think the night has seen your mind
That inside you're twisted and unkind
Let me stand to show that you are blind
Please put down your hands
cause I see you

I'll be your mirror

~*~

The Velvet Underground & Nico - I'll be your mirror

[via FoxyTunes / The Velvet Underground]

Trailer - High Art (1998)