I’ve never hidden my love for the work of Brian Evenson. In fact, overly enthusiastic may be a good way to describe my infatuation. His stories are like none other, both in concept and execution. So, know that this review of Windeye, Evenson’s latest story collection, comes to you with a deep history of appreciation. You aren’t getting a first-time reader here. You are getting a fan’s true perspective. With that being said, WHAT A DAMN FINE BOOK!
Hear the amazing, 100% true(ish) story of how I got my copy of Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom signed by the author during an author reading in Kansas City on September 22, 2010. You’ll hear the first-hand account of my bravery in the face of an elderly security guard, the strength of punches needed to take babies down, and why I’m glad Franzen is an author rather than a professional investment broker.
I’ve realized during my few months of video-making, along with my previous couple of years making podcasts, that I tend to break apart my speech with ums, uhs, ers, ahhs, and every other sort of cerebral flatus out there. A desire to break away from so many speech errors is one of the reasons I picked up Michael Erard’s book Um: Slips, Stumbles, and Verbal Blunders and What They Mean. My thinking was that if I could understand why I flub my words, then I could eventually eradicate those flubs.
I’m likely beyond help, but at least this book did teach me that speech blunders are perhaps less something that needs to be cleaned away, and more something that we all need to approach differently. Speech errors aren’t, by themselves, errors at all. Instead, what’s important is measuring speech disfluency from a baseline. Think of reading ums and uhs as similar to reading a lie-detector test; we’re all our own level of nervous even without being hooked up to a spooky machine. The trick is to measure how much more nervous we get when asked potentially compromising questions.
Among the questions addressed in Um: Slips, Stumbles, and Verbal Blunders and What They Mean are
Many theories have been created to explain the meaning of a speech error including ones from Viennese professor Rudolph Meringer who supposed that language is like a living organism whose evolution is responsible for our collective blunders; Yale psychologist George Mahl who chalks speech errors up to anxiety; and the famous Sigmund Freud who felt that speech errors were windows into the speaker’s subconscious.
Click here to watch the video review of Um: Slips, Stumbles, and Verbal Blunders and What They Mean (or click the image above). DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!
For some reason I tend to shy away from the BIG books, those being the books that rountinely make best of lists, fill the limited space in book review columns, and can generally be purchased at Wal-Mart (not that I have something against shopping at Wal-Mart…I went there just today, as a matter of fact…though, I only do so when hurting for money; see, I can’t agree with the business ethics of the company, and oh crap, I’m rambling). I don’t know if my aversion to widely-praised books can be simply diagnosed as hipsterism, or if there’s something more sinister at play. But none of that matters, as I recently read one such department store paperback, Room by Emma Donoghue, and I really, really liked it.
Click the image below to watch the video review (links to YouTube).
What did I buy during my Wal-Mart trip today? The Bedwetter by Sarah Silverman. Will my success rate be two for two?
I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos lately. A lot. Too many. I think I’m falling in love. YouTube personalities (the ones I watch, mainly video blogs, or “vlogs” as those cooler than me can say) aren’t too concerned with polish and appearance (though again, qualifier, many appear quite polished). The personalities, generally, aren’t the focus and purpose of the videos. It’s the passion these people have for their subject matter that’s on display.
I admit, my watching began more as a study to learn how to bring people to my own author YouTube channel. It was a selfish endeavor. But something happened. Something amazing. I suddenly “got” what so many others have understood for a long, long time: YouTube (specifically the vlog aspect) is a grand, grand thing. I actually appreciate and truly enjoy everyday, non-famous people talking about books. I’ve long loved talking with my friends in person or chatting on forums about books, but when video comes into the picture (literally…ha!) I take on a new appreciation. I suddenly don’t mind listening to people harp on about Twilight or Harry Potter. I’ll never read those books, but the passion these people have (and their general articulateness) makes it somehow okay.
I’ve created a video that explains how I plan to use this new love to hopefully spread the word about the books I enjoy (yes, the books I’ve authored, but plenty of other books as well; just see my previous videos for proof).
Oh, and before I go, a quick shout out to a few of the YouTube channels that have brought me ‘roud to the dark side (a Star Wars reference from me, a guy who has never seen the Star Wars movies; wow this YouTube thing is changing me).
About Ophelia Dagger
From YouTube: I have a Master’s degree in Film. Never going to use it. I can also name all 50 states in alphabetical order. I’ve used that a couple of times – mostly in pub quizzes and whilst wooing rudeboys.
Note: Definitely one of my new favorite things online. She’s quite intelligent, reads great books, and damn funny. Plus, the accent.
About Unleash This Book Reviews
From YouTube: 24-year-old English grad who couldn’t find a job after reading books for four years. Now I do this, for free.