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November 11, 2005

In Praise of Libraries

Being unemployed in a conventional sense (i.e. more time and less income) has given me a chance to renew my relationship with our local library. Initially, I did it to put a dent in our Amazon bill, but I've found it has other benefits as well:

• Encourages me to read books I wouldn't necessarily buy

• Reduces the clutter of too many books around the house

• Gives me that mildly warm feeling of being environmentally sensitive

In addition to these benefits, I discovered the SF library offers free access to huge number of useful online resources, for example InfoTrac OneFile and the New York Times historical search. They also have over 1000 audiobooks and 5000 ebooks available for free download to card holders. Pretty impressive!

If you live in SF, I suggest you check it out. Regardless, it's worth seeing what your local library has on offer.

Link

October 23, 2005

Good Introduction to Anime Culture

Cruising the Anime City : An Otaku Guide to Neo Tokyo

Manufacturer: Stone Bridge Press

Rating:

I've always had a weird attraction to Anime, particularly the films of Hayao Miyazaki. If you haven't seen them, checkout Princess Monokoke, Spirited Away, and Howl's Moving Castle - they're the closest thing on film to kids' dreams. However, I was always aware there was a darker/geekier side out there, and this book is a primer. Written as a shopper's guide to Tokyo, the authors also explain a wide range of popular pursuits which seem to have Anime at their root. They range from G-rated comics to some truly strange behaviors. If you're heading that way soon, this book might add some entertaining detours to your trip. I think I'll stay home with a movie.

October 08, 2005

More Than You Ever Wanted to Know about Movie Distribution

Open Wide : How Hollywood Box Office Became a National Obsession

Manufacturer: Miramax Books

Rating:

I was excited to get this book, as I thought it would be a good insider's view of Hollywood. Turns out that insider's view means you get lots of anecdotes about Reese Witherspoon and Arnold Schwarzenegger. There are also a lot of stories about the pioneers who figured out different ways of releasing movies to maximize the money, but frankly who cares? Worse yet are the stories about the folks who figured out that the studios liked to have lots of data. Wouldn't waste your time on this unless you want to work in a studio.