Today's Word

GAUCHE, adj.

Lacking ease or grace

Unsophisticated and socially awkward

Book Review

Title: Women Of The Beat Generation

Author: Brenda Knight

Publisher: Conari Press   Berkeley, CA  copyright, 1996

Rating: 8

This book was a pure joy to read. I read about the men of the Beat Generation: Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, William Burroughs among others. The women are just as interesting as the men. Like their male counterparts, they tired of expectations, conformity, and the conservative society of the 1950s for freedom to be what they wanted to be. They could party, drink, love, and write.

I particularly enjoyed reading about Eileen Kaufman, Bob Kaufman's wife. Edie Parker Kerouac and Joan Haverty Kerouac, Jack ex-wives, were no slouches. They held their own in a man's world. They were tough, persistent and contributed much to the beats. Jan Kerouac's, Jack's only child, was interesting. There were some casualties. Elise Cowen, a poet who briefly dated Allen Ginsberg, ended her life at twenty- eight by jumping out of her parent's sixth floor window. It happened in 1962, not too far from where I currently reside.

I like any thing associated with the beats. Women Of The Beat Generation didn't disappoint.  Reading about some women I never read or heard about was a special treat. I borrowed this book out the library but will purchase a copy for my personal library.

Book Discussion.

This evening the trans literature book club discussed the above book. I and others read it a few years back while few just read it. I'm not what you call a big novel reader (non-fiction is my specialty) but liked this book a lot. If you haven't read it, I recommend it.

A Challenge To Read

War and Peace is a book I've known about since high school. I sometimes get it confused with Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment which I did read.  War and Peace is a book I will need to read in the coming months. I believe this book since around 700 pages. The last book I read a book that long was John Milton's Paradise Lost. Then again I love challenges.

Words Of Wisdom

Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that with the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.


~Henri Nouwen, Cleryman (1932-1996)

Open Mic and Storytelling.

Have an open mic coming up on August 20th. Another one is scheduled for late September. I'm back to doing them. I am writing some new poetry along with some new stories. One of my future projects is to read more of the classics. I'm not really married to any one style. I try and get something from all styles.  

I love telling stories of my life experiences. Someone told me that I was a great storyteller. I may incorporate that into my open mic routine.

Indian Point

This important documentary is playing currently at the Howard Gilman Center at Lincoln Center.

Info: www.filmlinc.com

Words Of Wisdom

Poetry is the one place where people can speak their original mind. It is the outlet for people to say in public what is known in private.


~Allen Ginsberg, Poet (1926-1997)

Today's Word

HAGIOGRAPHY, n.

A book about someone's life that makes it seem better than it really is or was.

A biography that praises someone too much.

Words Of Wisdom

Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.

~Jonathon Swift (1667-1745)

Milestone

1700 posts!

Women Beats

I've read the work of the male beats (Kerouac in particular) but now I'm focusing on the women who were part of this literary movement.

Words Of Wisdom

It is Impossible to talk or to write without apparently throwing oneself helplessly open.



~Herman Melville

Nevada

This is the book I'm presently reading. Could be a possible review in my book group in the future.

4th Of July

Fourth Of July Authors

Here is a partial list of authors who were born on July 4th.

1. Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

2. Christina Garcia

3. Neil Simon

4. Ted Joans (1928-2003)