on october books and other nonsense

Here again are some of the books I've read over the month of October. Okay, maybe I read some of them in September, but all I do is school all of the time, which means I don't have time to think things or say things or remember shit. So check plus for that. So yes, here are books and some things I liked/did not like about them.


the failure six Shane Jones

I liked this one probably more than Light Boxes, which I read sometime in the summery months. I like, in general, the way Shane Jones doesn't try to unfuck things. I like the way everyone dies and doesn't die. I simultaneously like and dislike that as a reader I am completely ignored. I also like that my copy came signed even though I ordered it off of amazon.com. Maybe they all come this way. Thanks amazon.



AM/PM Amelia Gray

I like flash fiction much more because of this book. Not that I didn't like it before. But now I may not like it. Haven't decided yet. I like that everything in this book is pointed. Like when I bite off just the sides of a fingernail and unintentionally stab myself later. I didn't like that I was hoping for more lateral integration. What I actually needed when reading this book was to paint up a character tree. But of course I was too lazy, so this is probably my fault.




Prose. Poems. A Novel. Jamie Iredell

This picture is going to show up abnormally large, so now I feel nervous that I don't have enough to say. I really like how Iredell uses the prose poem in a sonaturalbutstillunusual way so that I forgot that I was reading poems even when I didn't forget that I was reading poems. I like the way the people and the landscapes become intertwined and irreversible. I don't like the way that boozing becomes a long range crutch throughout the book. Like nothing is happening right now so I/we/they got really fucking drunk and that was that. Probably true to life/bad ass, but I mostly read this in one sitting, so enough was enough.





grease stains, kismet, & maternal wisdom Mel Bosworth


I really like the way that this book lies. How some things happen or don't happen and I'm never sure which but it doesn't matter because that's how it is. I like how the characters are real enough to be somethings and still unreal enough to display little reminders of the way memory changes everything. I don't like how there is so much & We Were In Love and not much Maybe. I'm also not crazy about the title. It works, but it's also the entire book.





A Common Pornography Kevin Sampsell

I like the structure of this book. Probably a memoir works best when it's episodic because that's mostly how memory works anyway. When I was reading an episode or two between classes I thoroughly enjoyed them. I felt full. When I sat down and finished it all, each episode began to hollow out. Post daddy death, the book becomes pretty campy. If I read it again, I'll just skip that part and pretend it ends sooner.



A Little Middle of the Night Molly Brodak

There are some stunning poems in this collection. To the point where I would read one and couldn't do anything else for the rest of the day. There are also some poems that feel out of place or ear marked, but there is enough awesomeness here to anchor the rest. I would take more Brodak anytimeanyplace.


Daddy's Lindsay Hunter

Blogger says no more pictures, but you've seen it. I really like the quirky terribleness of this book. I like how uglywonderful it made me feel. I don't like how some of the stories read like other stories I've read within the past year. This is probably not Hunter's fault and probably says something about contemporary literary tendencies or something about how I've been recently attracted to grit. But I don't need to say this book is wonderful because 780 people have already said this.


The short of it is I would recommend all of these books, and you should probably read them. Maybe then you'll have something to say next time I try to avoid you in passing.

As an aside, I've spent a long time thinking xTx was a man. Sorry about that dude.

fish on fish: a conversation with Hazel Dixon-Cooper

Hazel Dixon-Cooper has been a professional astrologer for more than twenty-five years, and is the author of the internationally bestselling Rotten Day astrology book series. She writes the daily horoscopes for Cosmopolitan.com, Cosmo Mobile for your cell phone, and a weekly horoscope for Cosmo Radio: Sirius channel 111 and XM channel 162. She is a research member of the American Federation of Astrologers and teaches astrology workshops. Additional information can be found on her website.



KD: I am honored to be a stop on your blog tour this month, especially since – as I’m sure you’ve heard echoed again and again since its debut – Born on a Rotten Day has enjoyed a long standing residence on my bedside table. Work on a Rotten Day is your latest book. Tell me, what sort of gruesome details can readers expect to uncover about their workplace?


HDC: Thank you, Kat, for being part of the tour, and for the kind words.
In Work on a Rotten Day readers will learn how to deal with the more gruesome aspects of their jobs. They'll discover how to better handle the boss, avoid conflict with coworkers, protect themselves from backstabbers, and stay motivated even in a job they dislike.


KD: Considering the state of the American and global economy and the ever fluctuating unemployment rate, do you feel that this new book speaks to those who are unemployed and on the job hunt as well as those who are currently employed?


HDC: Absolutely. I offer advice throughout the book on how to stay motivated in any situation. Further, I specifically included a section, "Ace an Interview" which shows readers how to be aware of and control their own shoot-yourself-in-the-foot behaviors, as well as career advice about what jobs might appeal to his or her Sun sign.


KD: Will this book be formatted in the manner of your previous books? What sort of chapter subheadings can we expect for each sign?



HDC: Work On A Rotten Day is my first hardcover. It has a pop-out chart of the zodiac with brief descriptions of each sign and colorful artwork throughout. There are many sub-headings. Some are: Learn to Kick Your Own Ass, From Fed up to Fired Up, Know What You're Dealing With (boss), and Coping with a (sign) Coworker.


KD: You are sort of the all-around astrology gal. Can you talk briefly about your astrology work outside of the Rotten Day series? Is there any part of your job that you favor more than others?



HDC: I write the daily horoscopes for Cosmopolitan.com and a weekly horsocope for Cosmo Radio, Sirius/XM. My favorite part of my job is corresponding with my fans around the world. I've met so many wonderful people.


KD: What was the least enjoyable aspect of compiling the manuscript for Work?


HDC: It was all enjoyable, but it takes a lot of effort to write a book. Organization, research, meeting deadlines, and with the Rotten Day series, sticking to the astrology of the topic. In this book it's how the Sun signs behave on the job. I think the most difficult was finding job-related quotes from well known people. I use famous quotes in all of my books and I had to dig a little harder for work-specific ones.


KD: Is a person’s sun sign the hands down most important determinant of leading characteristics? Or are there other astrological factors? How do you handle people born on the cusp between signs?



HDC: The Sun sign is only the beginning. The Moon sign, Ascendant (rising sign), Mars, and Venus form the basics. The natal chart is a snapshot of where the planets were at the moment of birth. It's as multi-layered and diverse as is each human being.

A true cusp is only about a 36-hour window, not the three or four days as commonly believed. Although you are the sign you're born under, you may have a few or many traits of the cusp-sign, depending on other factors in your chart. I tell people who are born on a cusp to read both signs in either an astrology book or their horoscopes.


KD: Okay, now for a few rounds of quick response questions. In your opinion, what sign makes for the best astrologer?


HDC: Any sign can be a good astrologer with study, practice, and a geniune interest in people.


KD: On average, how long does it take for you to properly pinpoint a person’s sign?


HDC: If I'm trying to guess his or her sign, two minutes to never!


KD: If you were stranded on a desert island with only one other person, what would you like his or her sign to be?


HDC: Ouch! I refuse to answer on the grounds it will look as if I'm playing favorites. :-)


KD: Which sign makes for the best one night stand?


HDC: Gemini



KD: I’m also fascinated by the fact that you answer every letter you receive from readers and fans.


HDC: I feel that if people take the time to write to say they enjoy my books, I should acknowledge that, even with a simple thank you.


KD: Do you have a most memorable fan letter?


HDC: My most memorable fan letter was from a guy in England who took exception to his sign's description in my first book, "Born on a Rotten Day." He was a Libra and blasted me in the email. I wrote back and said that he was acting exactly as I'd described in the book, and reminded him it was intended to make us laugh at ourselves. He was shocked that I'd responded and ended up laughing about it. I made a friend.


KD: What’s next on your agenda? More books perhaps? Care to offer a sneak peek?



HDC: My immediate goal is to start consulting again. Although I offer free, brief answers to fans who write with questions, I've had so many people ask for in-depth charts that I decided it was time.

I do have a book idea rattling around but I'm still in thinking mode so can't offer a sneak peek. However, speaking of sneak peeks, your readers can go to my website and get a peek at Work On A Rotten Day.


KD: Thank you so much for your time. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of your latest book!


HDC: Thank you for having me here today, Kat. I enjoyed it so much!



A lucky reader will win a signed copy of Hazel's newest book. Comment on this blog for your chance to win!!
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morning commute

I have this little poem in today's protestpoems.org soapbox. Maybe rioting is in order, I don't know.