Atomic Books Blog

Bookslut 's Jessa wants more brawling, less bawling in the literary world. "Not everyone should write a book. And not everyone who does write a book is deserving of praise, as if the literary community is one big Special Olympics. That's not interesting, and it's not how you foster growth." I'm not sure I want more brawling...maybe more balling BOWLING. Is that in the Olympics?

There are way too many local people using this template called Minima. It kind of confuses me. Do we have something in common? Maybe we should form a gang? The new Urbanite has a section on Baltimore Bloggers . I'd link to it, but there's nothing to link to on their site (hint, hint, you Urbanite People! How can you write about the internet and not have it online NOW?). The Shank is mentioned but it makes it sound like it just started last Fall. The Mobtown Shank Blog is new, yes, but the Shank in email form is approaching it's 6th anniversary this August. Hey, I have an idea, the Minimas should have a rumble with those MT/TypePad People . Or better yet, we could ALL gang up on those LJers ! UPDATE: The blogging article is up now.

Summertime Picks and Favorite Reads from Baltimoreans. Bug Me Not if you're not registered for the Sun.

If you really feel that way...um, why did you do it?

This week we all read Catholic No 1: Cats edited by Glynnis McDaris and Jesse Pearson: Lauren: "Originally this was a handmade zine that went with a group show in New York, Catholic: addicted to cats. The new version is a very beautiful art book. In it are photos, illustrations, musings on cats and a piece on taxidermy(which was my favorite). I'm not a cat person but this book is filled with really great images, like cats dressed in clothes, and interesting writings, like good cat names bad cat names. It's perfect for the coffee table or the crazy cat lady in your life." Rachel: "I'm allergic to cats, but I still find them appealing. They're sort of like baseball. I'm not really a fan, but I'm sucker for the idea of baseball. This isn't your grannie's take on cats. These essays and artworks range from meditations on their kitsch factor to images of a more pervy and violent nature. And of course, cats in funny outfits." Benn: "S...

First Madonna says that she "regrets being sexy" , now William Powell renounces the Anarchist Cookbook and wants it out of print. What next? Will Sid Meier admit that video games are a waste of time?

Coming in July, a collection of the Lulu Eightball strips by Emily Flake, published by Atomic Book Company, our brand new press! Emily will be here signing copies of our mutual first book on August 6th, Sat, 7-9pm . After party to be had somewhere on the Ave. More info to come! Check back on our events page .

Are you on flickr yet? Here's a neat little app . Type in sugarfreak (me) and the tag:"atomic books" and you get a faux album to look through. It's a little glitchy sometimes (still beta), but pretty fun when it works. I'm not a very diligent tagger, but now I'm going to go back and tag some shit up! (Thanks for the link, glueslabs !)

So Taschen is putting out special anniversary limited editions of some of their best art books. At $12.99 they're simply awesome, and most of them are hardcovers. Collect them all before they're gone.

"Are you Neal Pollack?" he said. "Uh-huh," I said. "I don't know you," he said. "But I think you're a waste." UPDATE: More hugs needed .

There's one in front of the store every morning. Except it's locked to a tree. John Glassie will be here this Friday , 7-9pm, to sign his collection of such things. Man, I had waaaay too much coffee today and got nothing done!

This week Lauren read Assassin & The Whiner 15 by Carrie McNinch: "It's been just about 3 years since Carrie did an issue of what has always been a favorite zine of mine. This time around it's a month of diary comics from January. I love Carrie's drawing style as well as her honesty. She talks about depression, the feelings of not really being yourself. There are moments of clarity for Carrie, though. Times that she embraces life. Carrie also talks about her feelings on drinking and addiction. A great zine. Highly recommended." Rachel read KnitKnit 5 by Sabrina Gschwandtner: "Since the knitting craze has swept the world (again) for the past decade or so, it's been kind of difficult to find publications for new wave knitters that aren't geared toward beginning knitters. Yes, we know how to knit and purl now. Where do we go from here? KnitKnit shows us the way. This issue is chock full of photos of crocheted food, art exhibits, interviews with a...

Half Male, Half Female, caught in the Chesapeake . Watson said the crab already has a name, Springer. The watermen thought it was strange enough to be on "The Jerry Springer Show." "Our next goal is, I want to catch a mermaid," Watson said. "Hey, man, you never know."

Baltimore is the 55th Sweatiest city in the country.

New Keyboard Man interview up!

From Lauren: "Recently I lost a friend of mine, Allison Crews. Alli was an amazing force in this world - a writer, activist and friend. Her loss will be felt by many. She was only 22 and leaves behind a loving partner and their 2 children. The following links are to some of Alli's works and to a fund that is being set up for her young family. Alli's contribution to this world, to women and young mothers everywhere will not be forgotten. For donations . Top 30 young activists . Essay from Breeder about Alli's experience as a teenage mother A piece on the reproductive rights of minors. Alli inspired the creation of this fund ."

Photo by defekto I have to admit that I'm a photo-taking slacker when it comes to events. For more really amazing Honfest photos check out the Flickr Group Baltimore Photo Pool . If you're on Flickr join the group!

Whew, I'm wiped out! The variation of Hons keeps getting broader and broader every year. Next time Attila shows up to Honfest would someone please get me so I can take their photo??