Things I Love #55

It's cold, miserable and wet this morning.  The perfect day for couches and food and doing nothing.  Here's some internet goodness to keep you company:

Ordinary Batman is one of my favourite new things on the internet!  Check out this awesome Buzzfeed collection and the artist's tumblr.

Dying to read Dave Eggers' new book The Circle!  Here's one reader's reaction that I found quite interesting.

Leland Bobbe's photo series Half Drag...A Different Kind of Beauty is really awesome.

A list of bus stops in Japan where Totoro actually shows up.  All on my list of places to visit when I eventually get to Japan...

On a related note, here are some pics of real Catbuses! So cool!!

10 Reasons It's Not That Bad To Be A Walker From The Walking Dead.  So glad to be finally caught up with show and to be able to watch the online reaction after each episode!!

I held a hedgehog on Thursday night.  So cute and so much spikier that I expected:

Wax Nostalgic is  a tumblr dedicated to wax crayon carvings of pop culture characters.  They are AMAZING!!

Ceramics melting like ice cream...so pretty.

Bee and Puppcat have a Kickstarter.  I don't know about you guys but I would love to see this turned into a series!!

Pretty rings on Etsy:  Han Solo in carbonite,  Boba Fett and Godzilla.

Check out these gorgeous photos of the Hindu Fesitval Holi.  

Look at this super unusual cactus/succulent my folks found for me.  Love the colours:

Joel Micah Harris has put together the most awesome collection of X-men Manatees.  I want them all!!

Neil Gaiman did a Sandman Q&A with Rolling Stone.  Yay!

And, you can read Haruki Murakami's new short story Samsa In Love on The New Yorker site.

Awesome, awesome customised Stromtrooper helmets.  I want them all!

Wired put together a collection of some really amazing Lego art.  It's pretty impressive what you can create with such a simple toy.

Seen anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)

Things I Love #54

This time next week I'll officially be a 30 year old!!  I don't know how it snuck up on me so fast but suddenly, after months of waiting, my birthday is less than a week away!  Eek!  In some ways it feels like turning 30 is some of the best motivation I have ever had.  So many exciting things going on at the moment - birthdays, derby, French lessons and the fact that despite my stresses, I am doing consistently well at varsity makes me a happy girl!  Anyway, here's what I loved this week:

This game!!  We haven't actually played it yet but all information points towards awesome:

I love these nesting dolls inspired by video game characters, especially the Super Mario Bros one.

Your brain on coffee vs your brain on beer.  Interesting.

Hello Kitty contacts anyone?  Not so sure about these actually...

My desk needs these Sushi Memo Blocks ASAP.  I think I'd develop a permanent sushi craving though...

Funko have a new Star Wars range and it includes R2-D2 and Wicket!  Want!!

DC vs Marvel Roller Derby art by Kevin Bolk.  These are so super cool!

Dr Lukas Brezak has some of the best skull artwork I have ever seen.  The rest of his stuff is pretty impressive as well.

Mailbooks for Good is possibly one of the coolest ideas I've seen in a while.  

Black Milk Clothing's Halloween collection is fantastic.  I want all of it...

Speaking of Halloween, check out Guillermo Del Toro's intro to The Simpsons Tree House of Horror:

And in case you are wondering about all the references, someone has sorted that out for us.  Check out the video here.

If Halloween was a bigger thing in South Africa, I would totally make this googly eye wreath for our door.  In fact I might just do it anyway.

I'd also be taking the lazy route and opting for either this Peppermint Butler dress, this Jake the Dog dress, this Fionna Hooded dress or this Nightmare Before Christmas Sally dress.

And lastly, Pixar's 22 rules of story telling are full of good advice!

Seen anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)

Things I Love #51

This weekend has been my first peaceful weekend in like a month.  It was so nice to get out, get some sun and not feel guilty about impending essay deadlines or whatnot.  Here's what I loved on the internet this week:

How cool is this shark onesie?  Actually it's called a Sharkini and I'm not sure I'd really wear it but I like the idea.

I included some of the new Black Milk Harry Potter range on my birthday wishlist but really I want them all.  Check out the full range here.

J.K. Rowling is writing a Harry Potter spin-off movie.  I am cautiously optimistic about this particular piece of news.  

And keeping with the Harry Potter theme, can someone please make me these house tie cookies?  Pretty please?

There is such a thing as Hello Kitty Beer!!  It's fruity flavoured and adorably cute:

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If you ever find yourself in Taiwan, you can stay in a Batman themed room.  Awesome.

These photos of Europe's jeweled skeletons are breathtaking and creepy all at once.

These Villan Affirmation Posters by Christopher Ables are super cool.  I especially like the Professor Snape one.

I may have posted this before but check out The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows.  It's a pretty interesting read.

Look at my new phone cover...so perfect:

Label.M have released a Powder Pink Spray that temporarily turns your hair an awesome shade of pastel pink.  Must have.  Must.

I love this DIY Braided Hex Nut Bracelet from Honestly WTF.  Definitely on my list of things to try.

Wild Birds Flying is a stunning photo series by Paul Nelson.  It features high-speed shots of exactly what the name suggests - Wild Birds Flying.

Star Wars Spin-Offs Will Be Origin Stories.  I quite like this idea to be honest.  I'm hoping for a Boba Fett story..

Check out this super cool Lego art that I bought at yesterday's I Heart Market.  He was created by Big Kid Art who are new to the market and have tons of awesome pieces.  I could've easily walked away with 2 or 3 or 10:

A Curious Bestiary is original art by Kaitlin Beckett and it's the perfect combination of quirky and unusual.   

25 Jokes Only Book Nerds Will Understand.  I must admit that I didn't get all of them...

Guillermo Del Toro is curating a set of horror books for Penguin.  Such a cool combination!!

And lastly, I leave you with PuppyCat's Fairy Tale from Bee and PuppyCat.

Seen anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)

Currently...

Grumpy hammy, Saturday's sunset, gratuitous selfie

Reading:  Maria, or The Wrongs of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft which is exactly as thrilling as it sounds.  It's one of my set works this semester and the first book that I am reading on my shiny, new Kindle.  It's not an easy read by any stretch of the imagination but the novelty of the Kindle is definitely helping me get through it.

Listening to:  For the last few days my iPod has been playing the most awesome playlists on shuffle.  Usually I skip constantly, even past tracks I love because I am impatient and hoping to come across something that suits my mood.  Since Thursday though, my iPod has been serving up the best playlists, the kind I don't even have to skip once through.  They are the perfect combination of upbeat and heavy and they are making my drive to work that much easier to deal with.

Thinking:  I've been thinking a lot about friendships these days; how they come about, how they change as you change, how to fix them if they are not quite right and when to let go.  I know that I often let life get in the way which means I am not always the greatest friend but I am also realising that some things have nothing to do with me and there is little I can do to change that.  Not too sure where I am going with this but there you go...  

Enjoying:  Roller Derby!!!  It's amazing exercise, I am meeting new people and I learning that I am capable of more than I expected.  Because of changes to the WFTDA minimum skills requirements, I am redoing the new and improved Fresh Meat program which I am kind of happy about. I am still really new to skating so it's an opportunity to build my confidence more before we get to the competitive side. I am thinking about keeping track of my progress on the blog but I will see how it goes.

Watching:  Happy Endings and Under the Dome.  Happy Endings follows the lives of six friends in Chicago and is our current sitcom of choice.  The characters are awesome and all of them are a little odd.  It makes me wish for a friend group just like that!!  We're only on episode two of Under the Dome and I am not sure what to make of it just yet.  It's escalated quickly and if nothing else, I'll be watching just to see what happens!!  Anyone else watched this yet?  Is it worth pursuing?  

Loving:  Peanut M&M's, the fact that it is getting lighter a bit earlier and darker a bit later, The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, phone conversations with my friend Collette, finally reading Sandman (I know!!!!) and my new Led Zeppelin t-shirt.

This post is inspired by the ones over at Sometimes Sweet.  You can check out the latest one here.

Things I Love #45

So I don't know about you guys but this has been a BUSY weekend:  Dirty Royal shows, weddings, lunches and a ton of reading for varsity (Confession: I am already behind).  Luckily we only have a three day week what with public holidays and leave.  I am looking forward to the mini-break.  Now, on to the things I loved this week:

How awesome does this Shark Week party on Little Chief Honeybee sound?  I'm going to keep this in my bookmarks for when Shark Week rolls around in South Africa.

On the topic of sharks, these photos of sharks with human teeth make me laugh.

How Selfies Became a Global Phenomenon is a pretty interesting read.

The Mary Sue has an interview with Olivia Olson, the voice of Marceline the Vampire Queen.

37 Things only Star Wars fans will find funny.  My favourite is number 29!

This week, my nails made me think of Gloomy Bear:

Mamelodi for a Month is a pretty interesting project where one middle class family will live in a shack in Mamelodi for a month.  They are doing it to highlight the circumstances of the majority of South Africans.  

I love the Grammar Girl site, it helps me out at work more often than I care to admit.  Here is her take on Yoda Grammar.

This 1800s Raptor Family Portrait from Etsy seller The Painted Hollow is super cool.

Brazilian kids correct celebrities grammar on Twitter.  This made me laugh!

These two-sentence horror stories are surprisingly creepy!

How great is this anti-chandelier made from 85 light bulbs.  I swear when we get our own place, the first thing I am buying us is a chandelier of some form.

I got hold of another Adventure Time game this week - Fionna Fights.  It's super simple but super awesome:

On the subject of games, Hipster Zombies looks pretty fun.  I love the tagline: Defend your neighborhood ironically.

I am totally drooling over these vintage dictionary art prints by Danielle Richey.

What if superheroes used Instagram?  I'm not sure but I know that I would follow ALL OF THEM!

And finally, how great are these ice cream flavours inspired by books?  

Seen anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)

Things I Love #42

Right now the internet is full of news of the upcoming San Diego Comic Con and, as per usual, the desire to be there myself is overwhelming.  It's definitely one of our long term goals to go.  We'll need a ton of cash though because I know I will want to buy ALL OF THE THINGS.  Daydreams aside, here's what I loved this week:

Malala Yousafzai is AMAZING.  Not only did she stand up to the Taliban and survive an assassination attempt but she's also addressed the UN on her 16th birthday.

Since I bought my piggy planter at the I Heart Market, I've been on the lookout for awesome animal DIYs.  Buzzfeed has a collection 14 that I'd really like to try starting with the Plastic Animal Taxidermy Plaques.

Also on Buzzfeed, 38 Signs You're a Basset Hound.  The puppies on this list are so adorable!!

Goodreads have put together an interesting infographic about the Psychology of Abandonment.

One of the biggest reasons I wish I was going to SDCC this year?  This amazing Wolverine Labbit!!

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I want everything in this awesome new The Walking Dead clothing line from Her Universe.

There is a new Ratchet and Clank coming!  Yay!

The Revolution will be Crowd-funded.  An interesting interview with Alan Moore from Salon.

The Secret Toy Society is possibly one of the coolest ideas I have seen in a long time.  Basically you make a toy and leave it somewhere for someone to find.  Just the idea makes me smile.

Neon Werewolf takes photos of everyday Wookies and they are just as awesome as they sound.

Have you seen these Star Wars inspired Mickey Mouse ears from Etsy?  I'd like the Boba Fett ones please.

Street Art Utopia put together this list of some of the year's best street art.  Blows my mind.

Look at this Totoro hat form Scotako Boutique on Etsy.  I need this in my life before Winter ends....

On the subject of Totoro, look at this adorable Pickachu/Totoro mashup I saw on Tumblr:

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The NeuroKnitting project turns brainwave activity into awesome knitted scarves.  Awesome.

Hello Kitty gets her first comic, launches fan-fiction contest.  In another SDCC exclusive, Sanrio is releasing a Hello Kitty comic called Hello Kitty Fashion Music Wonderland inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

I am in love with these Day of the Dead Nightmare Before Christmas Funko Pop toys.  They are available for pre-order and I am definitely going to try get my hands on Jack:

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Lastly, I am fairly sure I have the best parents ever.  Today they surprised me with a Kindle!  Yay!! Thanks guys, I love you both!!!

Seen anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)

Things I Love #35

So yesterday, I typed up this whole post and then Safari crashed and I lost EVERYTHING.  Seriously.  I tried to redo it and then the internet kept dying so I just gave up and watched Brave and ate toast.  It seemed like the better option frustration wise.  Anyway, here is your day-late list of Things I Love:

First up, Oh So Plush has some new creatures.  I really, really want Fuja...anyone?

I love these Pokemon literary mashups.  Especially The Great Gastly one.

This collection of Instagram photos were taken during the manhunt for the Boston Bombers.  Social media definitely gives us a whole new perspective on new events.

These animated GIFs of earth over time are quite breathtaking.  I'd be lying if I said that the glacier one doesn't make me feel just the tiniest bit insecure!

If you can spare 8 minutes and you need a laugh then check out this awesome Star Wars/Snatch mashup!  Think Darth Vader as Brick Top:

Curious about the new City & Colour album?  You can check out a song preview here.  I rather like it. Also can I just say how much I like the album/song name, The Hurry and the Harm.

I just love this slide show of Europe's Wild Men.  So quirky.

This website has a rundown of all the gadets used in every James Bond movie ever.  Pretty cool.  And while we're on the subject, who do you think the best Bond is?  I'm a Sean Connery fan.

This Cartoon Brew article has some pics from the Princess Mononoke theatre production in London.  Would absolutely LOVE to see this.

The Oatmeal is so good at portraying dogs.  Check out How I See My Dog vs How My Dog Sees Me.

I thought that Rolo's yawns were scary until Kyla Roma shared this link of terrifying bunny yawns.  They are both creepy and cute.  

Here are some random pics from my Saturday - a photo of a rainbow out my mom and dad's flat window and our new orchid:

How great is this chandelier that projects tree shadows onto the wall?  In theory I want one but I know in reality, it'd probably creep me out a little.

I basically want to do all the Galactic DIYs in this list.  Especially the nails and the pants and the shirt and, and, and...

And lastly, tomorrow is my Mom's happy birthday and considering I love her and she is awesome, I thought I'd include her on this list.  Happy (early) birthday my Mother xx

Seen anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)

Things I Love #32

Another Sunday, another Things I Love post. What was supposed to be a fairly busy weekend become a super quiet one which is just as well because it's been cold and wet and perfect for the couch:)

What if all the Disney Princesses were sloths?  Phillip Light shows us exactly how cool that would be.

How great are these floral Porcelain Skulls by NooN?

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This is a very interesting (and open ended) conversation on cultural appropriation.  While I don't agree with everything that was said, it definitely made me thing.

For every awesome old photo, there is an equally creepy one.  Like these old pictures of humans that look like zombies!

Apparently April the 13th was National Scrabble Day!  The Daily Beast celebrated with this poem to remember all 101 two-letter words!!

I basically want everything in the HoraEffect Etsy store.  Especially this, this and this!

The Sinking World of Andreas Franke is an amazingly beautiful exhibition that's on display 27 metres underwater on a sunken ship!  Crazy!!

This is my favourite part of the English department!  It's even a pun!!

BMO is getting his own Funko Pop Vinyl toy!!  In other Adventure Time news, Finn, Jake and Marceline should be shipping this week.  Can't wait!

Then and Now is an awesome site that has before and after pictures of just about everything.  

I might have posted this before but just in case I haven't you should check out Gregoire Guillein's Secret Hero Life collection.  So cool!

I will unashamedly buy all of these Star Wars dog costumes for our future dog.  All of them.  

How adorable is this photo of Rolo?  He looks like he's smiling *heart melts*

 

And finally, Dirty Royal are on YouTube!!  Here's some super awesome live footage from Splashy:

Seen anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)

Things I Love #15

I can't believe that we are heading into the last week of August.  Next week Saturday will officially be Spring here in Durban but considering the fact that it was 40 degrees outside yesterday and we spent this morning on the beach, you'd think it was here already!  Which brings me to the first item on the list:

Spending the morning on the beach.  We only live about 3 km's from the main beach in Durban but we never seem to get there.  This morning we up early(ish) and we decided to make the most of it!  

Lego birds by Thomas Poulsom.  I think these are really great and if you agree, you can support him here and hopefully, Lego will make them into an official set!

The Power of Being an Introvert in a World That Can't Stop Talking.  Interesting article.

Ever wondered what Pokemon would look like if Tim Burton created them?  Click here to find out.

This Sharky Floating Tea Egg is amazing.  Definitely earned a spot on my wishlist!

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These Dough Portraits by Soren Dahlgaard are weirdly amusing.

I'd love to be able to visit this Confessions exhibition by Candy Chang.  Luckily there is an equally intriguing exhibition at the KZNSA called You and Me.  Local artist Skullboy has collected stories of people's first times and converted them into artworks.  You can check out the tumblr devoted to the project here.

These vintage photos of tattooed woman are amazing.  It must have taken real guts to be that tattooed in that day and age.  I can't help but admire them!

The Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab creates scents inspired by Labyrinth, Neil Gaiman and Hellboy.  Sounds pretty awesome to me.

After hearing my brother raving about Infamous, I have finally started playing it myself.  I have to admit that his hype was totally justified.  

American photographer Camille Seaman takes the most stunning pictures of dying icebergs and dramatic clouds.  I don't know about you but pictures like this leave me slightly in awe of nature.

I am pretty much in love with these Star Wars talking plushies...so cute!  Out of all of them, I would choose Chewy.

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Have you heard of Dog Shaming?  Before you get tense though, it's just some guilty looking pups posing with signs confessing their sins.  Having had some naughty dogs of my own, I am very familiar with some of those faces...and their crimes.

Aurora Jungle Juice is a cocktail that glows pink and aquamarine under a black light.  Kind of like the Aurora Borealis.

The Daily Bunny has the cutest slow motion bunny flop you ever did see.

My copy of The Bell Jar has finally arrived and I can't wait to start reading it.  Just as soon as I finish reading Catching Fire and Mockingjay (finally)!

Another thing on my wishlist?  These super cool Adventure Time Mimobot flash drives.  Pity there isn't a Marceline one though...

And lastly, I had a prawn sushi salad for lunch on friday.  It was amazing!

Seen anything you love?  Feel free to share:)

Things I Love # 12

I have returned!  All my good blogging intentions in the last two weeks fell victim to the worst flu that I have had in ages and somewhere in the middle, a trip to Malelane.  Now that I am home and recovered, it's back to business. As if to prove that, I spent most of my afternoon cleaning our much neglected flat...not a recommended way to spend your Sunday.  Anyway, on to more interesting things:

This article on the future of bookstores was rather interesting.  Personally, I think a world without bookstores will be a very sad place....

This awesome shirt that I have just ordered.  The print says In Loving Memory of Oscar Wilde, one of my all time favourite writers!!  I hope it arrives fast...

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When we finally get a place that's puppy friendly, the first thing I am going to do is buy us a squishy face dog!  Right now, my dog of choice is a pug.  So when I found Pugs not Drugs I was all over it!  So much cuteness!

Pomegranate flavoured Rooibos is my new favourite tea.  It's got an awesome flavour and I don't need to add sugar:

This kissing rodents are sooooo sweet:

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The Would You Rather tumblr is pretty awesome.  Not sure which I would rather for any of the options though....

Did you know there is a giant Lego bridge in Germany?  Click here to see just how cool it is...

The Hunger Games.  Man, I wish I had read this book earlier!  I took it with me to Malelane to see what all the fuss was about and I loved it.  LOVED IT. 

Feeling stressed?  Let the Calming Manatees cheer you up, calm you down or just generally make you feel good.

At long last the Spark is back from the panel beaters and it looks as bright and shiny as it did before my run in with the truck.  I almost feel bad selling it now....

Some more Pugs!  This time dressed as Yoda or Darth Vader.

My awesome cousin Natalie bought me a Husse!  He is apparently a little character from Afrikaans poetry and I think its rather cute.  The one she bought me is a naughty Husse with detachable ears.  He also comes with a little booklet about all the things they like:

These Molecular Addictions necklaces from Aroha Silhouettes are gorgeous.  I think the Caffeine one would be rather fitting for me.

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I keep seeing these awesome cone spike bracelets online but alas!  I haven't been able to find one locally.  This DIY looks super easy though so with any luck I'll have my own one soon.

Dark Knight Rises Converse?  Yes please.  

Here is a hilarious interview with Dog from Text from Dog.

And last but not least, here is a Stormtrooper nail art tutorial featuring Darth Vader:

Things I Love #11

Happy July everyone!  It's hard to believe we are over half way through this year already.  It's madness I tell you!  Anyway, let's get started with Things I Love #11:

Its been a weekend for sweet things.  I had an amazing lemon meringue cupcake at my friend's 30th birthday party yesterday (left) and then today I had a red velvet waffle with berries and fresh cream (right)!  Amazing!!

Danielle from Sometimes Sweet did a great post on tattoo inspired art work.  While I love all the artists on the list, Liz Clements really stood out for me.  I'd absolutely love to own one (or ten) of her prints, especially Love Sick.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly tempted to wear a perfume that makes me smell like books.  It's called Paper Passion and the packaging is designed by Karl Lagerfeld.

Something I have discovered while playing on Pinterest is a site called Bookshelf Porn.  Tons and tons of pictures of bookshelves...its glorious!

And while we are on the subject of books, these drunk texts from your favourite authors made me laugh.

Totoro is finished!  I'll do a proper post on him during the week but isn't he cute?

Anna Karenina is being made into a movie!  I can't believe that I only found this out now but I am so excited.  That means three of my favourite books (The Great Gatsby and The Hobbit being the other two) will be movies soon.

100 Things to do instead of procrastinating on the Internet.  This article from Gala Darling is great!  I love the internet but everyone needs a break occasionally!

Amazing winged jewelry by Dukno Yoon.  This stuff is amazing although I suspect it wouldn't last more than 10 minutes on my clumsy hands:(

Speaking of jewelry, have you guys seen the awesomeness that is Sea of Bees?  I am officially coveting at least 90% of the shop.  Especially the Cameo Deer Necklace.

I've always been a big fan of Freddie Mercury and Queen but did you guys know that Freddie Mercury was also an artist?  Check out his drawings here.

What if Star Wars characters were out of work?  Click here to find out (also includes a random picture of Spiderman).

I loooooove this Pikachu Pinafore!

Cross Stitch is something I used to be able to do many, many years ago.  These Pixel People patterns make me want to start again.

The Sky Punch weather phenomenon is easily one of the creepiest and coolest things I have ever seen in the sky.

And lastly, we got our Save the Date for my friend Collette's wedding which I am so looking forward to!  Yay!

5 Books Update: Atonement

Remember this post?  Well, I decided to start with Atonement by Ian McEwan.  I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this book.  I picked it because it has been on so many lists of what to read and justifiably so.   For those of you that haven’t read it, Atonement is basically about a little girl who gets in the way of the romance between her sister and the cleaning lady’s son.  That's the simple version that doesn't give too much away because the story is so much more complex than that.

Truth be told, I actually finished Atonement about a month ago already but for some reason, I haven’t been to put any thoughts on it down on paper.  So, in the absence of a well put together review, I have decided to just list the things I liked and the things I didn't like.  

Things I liked about it:

• The beginning.  I loved the low building of the tension and the anticipation of what would come.  I eventually suspected what might happen but I was still shocked when it did.
• The fact that Briony in the beginning of the book made me think of myself when I discovered what writing could be for me.
• The descriptions of the war in the second part were powerful and I found myself cringing or feeling sympathy for characters who weren’t central to the story at all.
• Same thing with the description of the nurses training in the third part.  It made me feel the discipline and rigidity of the lifestyle.
• Actually, the descriptions as a whole were really effective.
• The ending.  I love stories with a twist and this one I did not expect.  Although in hindsight, I probably should have.
• Ian McEwan's style of writing.  I’ll definitely be looking out for more of his work.

Things I didn’t like about it:

• The ending.  I must admit that at first, I was very put out by the ending.  Once I got used to the idea though, it stopped being an issue.  I think it’s a testament to how much I cared for the characters.

Overall if you haven’t read Atonement you should.  Now I need to track down the movie!   In other 5 Books news, I have already made a significant dent in Brave New World and so far so good.  Also, unless a can find a copy of Slaughterhouse Five that A) ships to South Africa or B) doesn’t cost the earth, I’m going to switch it for something else instead.  Suggestions welcome:)

Everybody Loves Our Town...

Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge

Let me be honest, I don’t know much about Grunge.  Kurt Cobain was gone before I knew who he was and aside from a few songs, I’ve never really gotten into the likes of Pearl Jam or Soundgarden.  Jason however, grew up on the stuff which made this book a fitting Christmas present.  While on leave, I ran out of reading material and decided to give it a try.  I picked it up and started reading only to find that I couldn’t put it back down.  What really caught my attention is the fact that it is literally an oral history.   The book is made up of various interviews compiled into a narrative.  There are some obscure stories and different perspective are rife.  For example, a manager might say X and in the very next paragraph, the band member in question says Y or, more often, doesn’t remember the incident at all!  The author, Mark Yarm, does little to frame the goings on, although he obviously chose what to use and what not to use.  This makes the book feel like one long, interesting conversation.  It also makes for really easy reading.

Here are some things random bits and pieces I picked up:

• Grunge is not a popular term at all. 
• Courtney Love is a stain....there is no other way to put it.  I always felt a bit bad for her but the way she comes off in the book is just downright unpleasant!
• There was a lot of beer and a lot of heroine consumed in Seattle...like a lot!
• A lot of really talented people died young.  When they get to the part about Layne Staley from Alice in Chains dying, I actually teared up.  Self inflicted or not it was tragic and sad.
• It’s amazing how many of the ‘big bands’ in grunge actually still had to keep day jobs to keep alive. With the hype around the scene you’d have thought everyone was making money but that doesn’t seem to have been the case!

What I liked the most about this book is the after effects.  I found myself scrolling through Jason’s iPod looking for the likes of the Green River, Mudhoney and the Screaming Trees - music I probably wouldn’t have looked twice at otherwise.  It was like an education in music that is different to my usual fare (aka screamy, loud and punky) and anything that makes you see beyond your norm is a good thing.  If you have even the remotest interest in Grunge, I’d recommend reading Everybody Loves Our Town.  For arguments sake, here are a few reviews and an interview with the author.  There is also an official tumblr here.  If you’ve read it yourself, let me know what you think.