50 Books: On Liberty, Black Boy, Things Fall Apart, The Alchemist, etc.

If you have an anarchist bookstore in your area consider yourself lucky. These stores are usually chocked full of interesting titles by free-thinking people who are working tirelessly to provide readers with the opportunity to see beyond the status-quo, or to understand it in a way that isn't always obvious. Not only can you find great titles that are unavailable at other bookstores, you can count on the staff to know who Noam Chomsky is. 

When I lived in San Francisco I had the privilege of frequenting Bound Together Books on Haight St. It was here that I was able to find titles that I never would have known about otherwise. In addition, there were always flyers for events and pamphlets for exciting organizations.

One day when a collective member was ringing me up I noticed a flyer taped to the front counter. On it there was a small drawing of books being passed through prison bars. This was how I learned about the Prisoners Literature Project. The project started at Bound Together in the early 80s by volunteers and continues through their work. All the books given to prisoners are donated. Since most prisons don't allow individuals to send books to prisoners, as there could be razor blades hidden in the binding, most of the books in prisons come from "pre-approved vendors" like book publishers or chains such as Barnes and Noble; this is where PLP steps in. (for an interesting article about how prisons in Utah are profiting from this click here)

While some may question giving to those who have committed crimes, it would be gracious to consider that prisons are places built, in part, to re-habilitate some members of our culture, and that many will eventually re-enter society having served their time. Reading and literacy are fundamental to having a thoughtful and considerate populace, and prisoners, whether we like it or not, are part of that populace. 

The U.S. Supreme Court recognized this in Procunier v. Martinez (1974) where Thurgood Marshall expressed, "When the prison gates slam behind an inmate, he does not lose his human quality; his mind does not become closed to ideas; his intellect does not cease to feed on a free and open interchange of opinions; his yearning for self-respect does not end." (For more on this click here)

In addition, it is also worth considering that the criminal justice system in our country does not serve all people equally. There is evidence to suggest that people of color, poor people, and political activists are frequent targets of law enforcement, and as such are disproportionately incarcerated. Many of our greatest leaders for social change spent time in the clink: Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and Henry David Thoreau just to name a few. 

So today I sent 50 books (mostly fiction) to the Prisoners Literature Project in Berkeley, Calif. in hopes that the power of a good book will provide a window that may not otherwise be available.  

1 Book: "Leaving the Saints" by Martha Beck / 2 CDs: One A.M. Radio, Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton

When I met Yvonne I wasn't quite sure what to think. She was polite and reserved; the quiet type. As I grow to know her, I am pleased that she agreed to marry my father. I'm not sure if there is anyone else willing or ready to take on one of my kin in a domestic relationship. 

The Greenslate tribe of California can be quite a handful. We're a determined, serious, hard-working people. Our expectations are outrageously high; for ourselves and for others. We can be stubborn, arrogant, and at times bluntly insensitive. However, at our core we're 

tender, thoughtful, and generous. 

This was most clear at our most recent family event, my birthday. Last week I grew into my late-twenties, and after a wonderful Porcini Mushroom Stroganoff I was lucky enough to receive some expensive and much appreciated gifts. The thoughtful generosity of my family was clear. So much so, that none of the gifts will be things given away through this project. My grandmother made me promise. No family heirlooms will be passed on. 

Once the evening started to wind down and as the So Delicious ice cream was settling, great conversation ensued. Somewhere along the line, things veered towards religion. Yvonne, having been ex-communicated from the Mormon church was kind enough to share some of  her experiences with us; answering our questions and allowing us to pry into what is a fascinating religious group.

Our conversation allowed me to reveal my own feelings about religion, and by the end of the night it was clear that I needed to hand off Martha Beck's memoir "Leaving the Saints". Beck's account of the LDS community, and her allegations about the sexual abuse she received from her father, make for a vivid and compelling read.     

In addition, having previously bonded with Yvonne about the singer/songwriter (and French first lady) Carla Bruni, I made sure to send her home with more music to enjoy. Beyond burning her copies of several albums I knew she would like, I also gave her my copy of Emily Haines' debut solo album "Knives Don't Have Your Back" and the most recent release from The One A.M. Radio "This Too Shall Pass". 

I hope she likes them, and that I will be able to continue to call her family for a long time. 

1 CD: Sondre Lerche's "Two Way Monologue"

Finding a decent restaurant while on the road can be a challenge, and at times it's like playing intestinal Russian roulette. If you're a culinary conquistador like myself, you're pretty determined to find the best meal possible wherever 

you are. 

In Philadelphia, it's Gianna's. In Fort Lauderdale, it's Sublime. In Phoenix, it's Green. I look for a diverse menu, unforgettable food, and appropriate atmosphere. If you're in Bar Harbor, Maine, it's the Eden Cafe.

Last month I was in Surry, Maine completing my M.Ed. through the Institute for Humane Education. On the last evening of my trip, a small group of us decided to hike in Acadia National Park and have dinner afterwards. Thankfully our friend, colleague and mentor Zoe Weil directed us toward Eden Cafe. 

The food was delicious. Located near the harbor, this small, elegant restaurant did more than satisfy my appetite. In addition to our server being prompt and engagingly mysterious (I think the Turnip tatoo helped), she also took the time to answer my questions about the music I heard throughout the evening. I recognized Andrew Bird playing as we walked in, but to my surprise I knew very little of what came afterwards. 

From her I learned about Madeline Peyroux, Beach House and more. To show my gratitude, I decided to send some music back to Eden. I have sent them my copy of Sondre Lerche's "Two Way Monologue" as well as burned copies of One A.M. Radio, Carla Bruni, and Emily Haines. 

Music is one the most powerful human connectors, and hopefully including these records in their rotation will keep visitors like me coming back for more. 

  

1 Book: "The Rising" by Brian Keene

This world would be a better place if people spent time considering and preparing for the zombie apocalypse. Think about it. People would be ready in case of disaster, they would be in better physical shape, have training in firearms, and know some basic survival skills.

My fascination with the zombie apocalypse began with Zack Snyder's "Dawn of the Dead" remake, and has grown considerably ever since. I have created a Netflix queue just for zombie films. I've given zombie lit a consistent place in my reading life; including titles by Max Brooks, David Wellington, Brian Keene, and Robert Kirkman. I've spent hours playing video games like "Resident Evil" and "Zombies Ate My Neighbors,"  and I've even started a new music project as a result.

This playground of the dead has provided for hours of entertainment and revived my creative pulse. 

Much of the motivation for this was the result of a video podcast known as The Dead Report. My cousin and her husband created this show to bring zombie news and reviews to the public, and they did a great job. While there hasn't been an episode in few months, I'm hoping for one soon. 

In an effort to show my gratitude for The Dead Report, I have sent Joanne and Dave my copy of Brian Keene's book "The Rising". I hope they can look past the fact that the zombies talk and use weapons, and enjoy the story for what it really is, a reflection on the living. 

3 Issues of VegNews Magazine / 1 CD by Sondre Lerche

Retail magazines have never quite done it for me. In fact, I get agitated at the sight of a celebrity gossip rag and teeter toward aggressive when people I like are reading them. Yet there is one that I am pretty fond of: VegNews. 

Now, VegNews is no US Weekly, but as far as reading material goes, it's the only magazine I read on a regular basis that is sold in stores. Academic journals and punk zines gain more traction in the landscape of my interest. 

Yet, while I don't over-consume magazines, I do read a lot of publications that are relatively disposable; local weeklies like City Beat, The Reader, Encinitas Magazine, Vision Magazine, and the Coast News all come to mind. In addition I receive monthly publications from many of the non-profit organizations I am a member of. It adds up quickly and the reading rack in the bathroom could be considered a fire hazard.

Which is why I will start passing on these publications frequently. My mom, Lynda, is the first to receive a few of them. Not only is she getting these three issues of VegNews, I am promising that she will get them for as long as we are subscribers.  

My mom went vegan in the summer of 2007 when her doctor informed her that her cholesterol was over 230. The physician was ready to prescribe a pharmaceutical to combat this, and lower her risk of heart disease, but mom knew better. Having two vegan children, she was well aware of the health benefits of going vegan (my cholesterol is 102). 

After a year of maintaining her new lifestyle, I can now say that my mom makes the best chocolate cake I've ever had, and of course, it's vegan. Her cholesterol is around 150, without the use of a drug, and she has done it all on her own.  So, she's the perfect match for our VegNews issues.

In addition, I have given her my copy of Sondre Lerche's most recent album, "Phantom Punch". I hope she will enjoy it as much as I have, and maybe Sondre's upbeat jams will inspire her to make a delectable new vegan dish. 

2 Books: "Days of War, Nights of Love" and "Youth in Revolt"

There are few things that I actually spend money on. Food. Music. Books. Travel. These are the things that claim most of my income after bills are paid. I could spend my life lambasting mass consumption, but put me in a hip used book store and watch duplicity take human form.

Eating good local, organic, vegan food satisfies in a way little else can. Discovering new music, or old music for that matter, keeps me moving forward. Reading a well articulated argument, passionate treatise, or lurid metaphor offers new ways of looking at our own lives and the world around us. Traveling allows us to relinquish some control, and experience things we never knew existed. My life without these things would be far less satisfying.

While somethings are best consumed in moderation, I have no qualms with over-exposing myself to new bands, artists, and authors. Which is why I own far too many albums, and far too many books.

Dave Tow, a fellow teacher, friend and writer, is one of two people who understood when I started throwing around the idea that I no longer needed to own physical copies of albums I loved. He had also taken similar measures in holding on to the songs themselves, and not the plastic medium they are transported on.

Books however are a different story.

If I give away a book I can't just access the file on my computer and read it. Yet, I own so many books that I have started piling them everywhere. There are books in nearly every room of our house, and we just keep getting more. I have taken more than my fair share of the bookshelf space. Last weekend at Comic-Con I picked up two graphic novels by Adrian Tomine (he was sitting there signing them), last night I almost ordered a copy of Alan Moore's "Watchmen", and today I initiated a trade on SwapTree.com for John Perkins' work "Confessions of an Economic Hitman".

It's time I took my library card seriously. Instead of using it for research materials, music and dvds, I should really use it for most of my reading. I do have two fantastic libraries right in my area.

So, as an act of commitment, and as a symbolic fist step, I have given two of my favorite books to Dave. I have no doubt that he will enjoy "Youth in Revolt" by C.D.Payne and "Days of War, Nights of Love" from Crimethinc. They've been sitting on my bookshelf for a few years, and now they will finally get some much need attention.   

2 Chuck Ragan Albums

When I met Patrick he was wearing a black t-shirt shirt that said, "We don't pee in your pool, stop eating animals." Little did I know that we would spend the next several years together writing music, playing shows, and protesting. 

When Patrick joined my old band The Cause it was clear we had a lot in common. Six years later, with shared triumphs and disappointments behind us, Patrick has moved on to play country music with his band the Western Set, and still gets together with me to indulge in our new zombie apocalypse band Destroy the Dead (more on this in the future). 

When we get together to write songs and record, I often send him home with a couple new things to listen to. Either I burn him some stuff that I have files of, or just give him the cds altogether.

Since my cd collection has grown to over 2,000 albums, I have no problem handing things over for other people to enjoy, especially since I've got everything on file as mp3s and saved on backup external drives. You will see 90% of these records passed along over time; sometimes in large groups and at other times parceled out as they are here. 

These first two are the available albums by Chuck Ragan, primary vocalist of the band Hot Water Music. Ragan's style is honest and timeless, just as any good friendship should be, which makes Patrick the perfect fit for these.