all of the above » Books

Carlo McCormick, Marc Schiller, and Sara Schiller – “Trespass: A History Of Uncommissioned Urban Art”

Benjamin — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:48:45 +0000

I’ve only given it a cursory perusal but so far this book is a steal at $40. It’s huge, hardcover and full of some amazing work. I was at the book launch last night and had it signed by a bunch of the artists, including Elbow Toe and WK Interact. Check it out.

Kurt Vonnegut – “How To Get A Job Like Mine”

Benjamin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:22:51 +0000

Do yourself a favour and what all five of these. Kurt Vonnegut is one of my favourite writers and if you haven’t read him then you’re in for a treat. I particularly love the anecdote about his joke at Asimov’s funeral.

“We are here on earth to fart around and don’t let anyone tell you different.”- Kurt Vonnegut

via kottke.

Michael Foreman – “Erik the Viking”

Benjamin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:25:54 +0000

Written by Terry Jones and illustrated by Michael Foreman, the saga of Erik the Viking was a favourite book from my childhood. It’s easy to see why from the imagery. via Sci-Fi-O-Rama

Adam Simpson – “This must be the best of all possible worlds”

Benjamin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:42:55 +0000

This will make more sense if you’ve read Voltaire’s “Candide”, which is an utterly fantastic book. It’s been one of my favourite books since my fantastically mad english teacher gave me a copy many years earlier than she probably should have.

Quentin Blake – “Matilda”

Benjamin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:33:03 +0000

Sula Wolff – “Children Under Stress”

Benjamin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:15:42 +0000

via ffffound

Solaris book cover

Benjamin — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:24:41 +0000

via Sci-Fi-O-Rama

The Brothers Karamazov – Fyodor Dostoevsky

Benjamin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:34:02 +0000

“[...] Tell me straight out, I call on you–answer me: imagine that you yourself are building the edifice of human destiny with the object of making people happy in the finale, of giving them peace and rest at last, but for that you must inevitably and unavoidably torture just one tiny creature, that same child who was beating her chest with her little fist, and raise your edifice on the foundation of her unrequited tears–would you agree to be the architect on such conditions? Tell me the truth.”
“No, I would not agree,” Alyosha said softly.
“And can you admit the idea that the people for whom you are building would agree to accept their happiness on the unjustified blood of a tortured child, and having accepted it, to remain forever happy?”

Neuromancer

Benjamin — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:11:25 +0000

Bond

Benjamin — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:50:14 +0000

Penguin is reprinting the Bond books, all with newly illustrated covers. They’ve been doing it a lot to older titles and I think it’s a great idea.