Today I’m talking about the energy of old books: the stories in them, and thinking about who wrote them, and also who owned them. This is a long one, because I do a bit of a show and tell, and then show you a great new (old) book I got recently.
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Great video. I've discovered the newsletter a tad late, but better late than never, I'm definitely going to stick around.
Thanks Jamie! (And you're not that late, I only moved to Substack in October.)
Ohmygoodness, I know I already write WAAAAY too much after these, but this was such a delight. I am at the airport, waiting for the second leg of my flight, and feeling very tired, and then BOOM! All jazzed and energized again.
Julie, Fun with Stunts is...wow. It sounds like a book that Amy Sedaris could maybe pull off a new version of--I remember her saying in an interview she likes to fill her guest bathroom medicine cabinet with marbles (HOW?) before parties so she can see what guests are snoops.
And that Explore a Spooky Swamp book--inc. THOSE ENDPAPERS and Johnny!?!? There is a LOT to unpack there. I have always wondered if there was actually a guy named Johnny Rockets (for the hamburger place) and I feel like...that guy is Johnny Rockets. "Johnny Rockets, Swamping Tours for Youths." ("We are not responsible for alligator-related injuries sustained during Jonny Rockets Swamping Tours for Youths.")
Maybe the generation of books we grew up with is partially why I'm so apt to vibe with your books. I love them, too. There are so many great ones from the late 70s/early 80s! Ann Jonas books, The Giant Jam Sandwich, The Rainbow Goblins, anything by Harry Allard and James Marshall...anything that ever was on Reading Rainbow, basically. I like books older than that, too, though, esp. if it has great illustration work, like block print work, etc. I even find myself buying old kids' illustrated dictionaries from time to time to see what was included and how the art was used. I found an illustrated spelling guide once, for example, that included the name "Carl" as if it was a legitimate thing for a kid to learn to spell. https://www.instagram.com/p/ChSLO71rrcH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Maybe a very early Easter Egg, meant for that person's grandpa?
That is all. Sat by myself in isolated splendor in the terminal before I was joined by a guy I will refer to as Coughy McLiarpants, who is having loud phone conversation and asserting "I am at home!"--(he obv. is not!) And he is both coughing and maskless. (I mean, if you are going to travel sick, wear a mask! For goodness sakes!) So I am going to have to move to somewhere else. 😬
Have a lovely Friday, all!
Oh man, The Rainbow Goblins. Sometimes I wonder if that book is real or if I imagined it. I love love love The Giant Jam Sandwich. I am not generally someone who memorizes things without trying, but I can do that whole book by heart.
My filmmaker friend Ian always says if you want to understand Gen Xers and what life was really like, watch Little Darlings. There's a specific scene he always points to where Kristy MacNichol is smoking and rebuffing some adult which I can't remember enough about it to search properly for it. But also: Let's Explore a Spooky Swamp.
Also, ha, about Amy Sedaris and the marbles. She would love Fun with Stunts.
Safe travels! Stay away from the coughers! (I mean, I know you are, it just felt like I needed to add more than just wishing you safe travels.)
Julie, yes re: basically all of this, but esp. The Giant Jam Sandwich! It's so great!!
I never saw Little Darlings, but this is not the first recommendation I've gotten to watch it, so I will remedy that soon! :)
Thank you for the safe travels wish--I think it worked! I am back now and so far, no coughs or snorts (other than laughter). Whew! (I was totally picturing me bringing home an illness to my whole family, just in time for Christmas, with every hack, achoo and cough I heard while traveling.) I must have checked my mask's fit on my face fifty times or more during the weekend. LOL! BUT WHO'S LAUGHING NOW, illness gods! <--on second thought, I better not tempt them...
I haven't seen Little Darlings in DECADES, so I'm not sure I'm full-on recommending it. But maybe?
I'm always ready to get a bit witchy. So glad this sparked something!