SUMMER READING STRAND.WALKER EVANS
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, into a family already in the petroleum business, he was one of the first people in the world with a Museum, $19.95) Advocate arts writer Robert Plunket's affectionate essay wraps through this fascinating photo book, capturing the late master photographer's funny, observant, and occasionally surreal takes on the Sunshine State. shot thoughout the state in 1941, Evan's photographs are at once very much of their era and timeless. IS HE GAY? by Ed Baker and Chris Busick, illustrated by Ed Baker (Fireside Books, $10) Your clue-challenged hetero hetero prefix, Latin, different lady friends--you know, the ones who can't figure out why their well-dressed, gym-obsessed, E!-watching guy pals show no interest in kissing or dating--will appreciate this guidebook. Tip-offs like "dried flowers," strawberry margaritas," and "wants to know you as a person" will help these gals separate the gay men from the boy toys. M: THE MAN WHO BECAME CARAVAGGIO by Peter Robb Peter Robb is an Australian author. He was born in Toorak, Melbourne in 1946 and spent his formative years in both Australia and New Zealand. Between 1978 and 1992 he spent most of his time in Naples and southern Italy, interspersed with sojourns in Brazil. (Henry Holt, $30) Meticulously researched (although, perhaps, a bit sparsely illustrated), this biography explores the explosive life and tumultuous times of Caravaggio, whose chiaroscuro chiaroscuro (kyärōsk  `rō) [Ital.,=light and dark], term once applied to an early method of printing woodcuts from several blocks and also to works in black and white or monotone. style and outrageous subject matter (politics, religion, sexual convention) continues to intrigue art lovers and scholars, Robb creates a flesh-and-blood portrait of the artist placed firmly in historical context, and readers will want to make tracks to the nearest museum before they're done. THIS IS BLYTHE by Gina Garan (Chronicle Books, $12.95) A celebration of those collectible (and somewhat creepy) Blythe dolls from the '70s, this wild photo book is an oddly fascinating mix of art and kitsch--as if Cindy Sherman shot a Barbie photo album. KAMIKAZE kamikaze (kä'məkä`zē) [Jap.,=divine wind], the typhoon that destroyed Kublai Khan's fleet, foiling his invasion of Japan in 1281. LUST by Lauren Sanders (Akashic Books, $14.95) A young lesbian on a voyage of self-discovery delves into the world of porn, hoping to paying some bills and figure out her life, This sexy little novel isn't afraid to be steamy--but it isn't log jaded for romance either. FABULOUS HELL by Craig Curtis (Alyson, $12.95) The sassy sas·sy 1 adj. sas·si·er, sas·si·est 1. Rude and disrespectful; impudent. 2. Lively and spirited; jaunty. 3. Stylish; chic: a sassy little hat. , acerbic (and unnamed) protagonist leaves Orange County, Calif., behind for wild gay times in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Seattle, his life careening The careening of a sailing vessel is laying her up on a calm beach at high tide in order to expose one side or another of the ship's hull for maintenance below the water line when the tide goes out. out of control all the while. Buzz for this debut novel has been enthusiastic. JACKIE: HER LIFE IN PICTURES by James Spada (St. Martin's, $29.95) She was so classy, so beautiful, so tragic--and this lavishly illustrated volume will deliver all the Jacqueline Bouvier Bouvier refers to several things:
BREAKUP GIRL TO THE RESCUE by Lynn Harris, illustrated by Chris Kalb (Rack Bay Books, $13.95) This entertaining guide on ending relationships isn't just for hots: gay and lesbian readers can glean much useful knowledge on topics like "How to Get Your Stuff Back" and "The Curse of the Nice Guy." THE STRUGGLE FOR HAPPINESS by Ruthann Robson (St. Martin's, $22.95) This collection of short stories from award-winning lesbian novelist Robson introduces us to a psychic at a gay resort; an environmentalist environmentalist a person with an interest and knowledge about the interaction of humans and animals with the environment. professor who plans to commit sabotage; and a criminal defense law researcher haunted by her twin brother on death row. DEBORAH HARRY by Cathay Che (Fromm International, $25) One of rock's most provocative and influential women gets the full treatment in this thorough biography. Out author and Advocate contributor Che doggedly tracks her subject through punk, rock, new wave, reggae, disco, rap, and all-out divadom. KEEP ON DANCIN': MY LIFE AND THE PARADISE GARAGE by Mel Cheren, as told to Gabriel Rotello, with assistance from Brent Nicholson Earle (24 Hours for Life, $24,95) Return to the glorious days of disco with the frank new memoir by Cheren, a financial backer of the Paradise Garage, New York's premier gay disco of the '70s and '80s. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion