Atomic Books Blog

The Baltozine Roundup is a regular feature wherein we take a look at what national periodicals are saying about Baltimore-area arts, events, people, and places. Be sure to pick up the magazines and read the full articles. One of the most anticipated magazines this fall has been Outpost #2 . Aside from it being an excellent art/design magazine that zeroes in on interesting cities, a major factor in interest for #2 is that this whole issue is focused on Baltimore. Contributors include Dan Deacon, Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson, Shaun Flynn, Rachel Monroe, Gary Kachadourian to name a few. And articles cover The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, Twig Harper and Carly Ptak, The Baltimore Love Project, The Northeast Market, The National Pinball Museum, and, of course, National Bohemian Beer. Editors Manya Rubinstein and Pete Oyler say: "This tough and charismatic seaport city, famous in part for Old Bay, Hairspray and high crime, made quite an impression - at times, we felt...

Our big Small Press Expo weekend kicks off on Friday, Sept. 14. Dan Clowes and Alvin Buenaventura will be signing copies of their new book Modern Cartoonist: The Art of Daniel Clowes at the store from 5-7PM. Then our annual SPXplosion pre-party kicks off at 7PM. Brian Ralph will be hosting, and there will be comics readings by: Box Brown Derf Josh Bayer Ramsey Beyer Noah Van Sciver Our friends at Golden West Cafe are catering the party, and adult beverages will be served. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, we'll be set up in Bethesda at the Small Press Expo. Our table will have Ben Claassen, Luster Kaboom and Dina Kelberman. Here are some of the things you can find at our table: Ben Claassen 's Dirt Farm: Hideous Heart (published by us) Dina Kelberman 's Important Comics 2 Box Brown 's new Atomic Books Tote Original Lulu Eightball Strips by Emily Flake And more! And of course, Atomic Books will be open regular hours all weeke...

We know that not everyone can attend our signing with The Hernandez Brothers on Tuesday, September 18, but we still want to make sure people have an opportunity to get their favorite books signed. Pre-order signed copies of Love and Rockets books now. Orders must be received by September 17. Books will ship after signing on September 18. God and Science: Return of the Ti-Girls The Art of Jaime Hernandez: The Secrets of Life and Death The Adventures of Venus Dicks And Deedees Locas II: Maggie, Hopey And Ray Maggie The Mechanic: Locas Volume 1 The Girl From Hoppers: Locas Volume 2 Perla La Loca: Locas Volume 3 Penny Century: Locas Volume 4 Heartbreak Soup: Palomar Volume 1 Human Diastrophism: Palomar Volume 2 Beyond Palomar: Palomar Volume 3  Ghost Of Hoppers High Soft Lisp (A Love And Rockets Book) Esperanza (A Love And Rockets Book) Amor Y Cohetes Luba Luba: Three Daughters   Luba: The Book Of Ofelia   The Education Of Hop...

In case you've been too busy going back to school or work to hear about what's going on around these parts this weekend, we thought we'd take a moment to give you the rundown - it's something you're not going to want to miss. Today is First Fridays in Hampden - and a number of area businesses have special events, sales, refreshments, etc. It's also Celebrated Summer Records 6th Anniversary . The celebration starts with a massive $1 7-inch sale/happy hour. About ten boxes of singles will be marked down to one dollar! The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly are mixed through with some hidden gems as well! Also –  shirts, 5 dollar CD’s, donuts and root beer! Whatever survives the 7th will be out front for folks to dig through during Hampdenfest! Atomic Books will also be serving adult beverages. 6-8pm!! Then head over to the Golden West Cafe for the CSR 6th Anniversary Show (starts at 10:30PM, tickets are $12). The bands include Scum Again, Merchandise, White ...

The Atomic Fiction Series presents... authors Mikita Brottman and J.R. Angelella Saturday, September 1 7PM. Atomic Books. Hampden, Baltimore Both authors will be reading, discussing and signing copies of their books. This event is part of the Atomic Fiction Series, with hosts Kathy Flann & Benn Ray. THIRTEEN GIRLS  is a casebook of murder that plumbs the annals of violent crime, delivering thirteen bracing stories about its emotional fallout using fictionalized narrative. "Thirteen Girls manages the improbable feat of conjuring up the full horror and emotional devastation of serial homicide by focusing exclusively on the aftermath of the crimes and those left to deal with the consequences: family members, police officers, witnesses, survivors. Known for her brilliant, provocative cultural criticism, Mikita Brottman has produced a stunning work of crime fiction--a genuine tour de force." --Harold Schechter, author of The Serial Killer Files In  ZOMBIE: A ...

The Baltozine Roundup is a regular feature wherein we take a look at what national periodicals are saying about Baltimore-area arts, events, people, and places. Be sure to pick up the magazines to read the full articles. Under The Radar #42 features a cover interview with Dan Deacon by Matt Fink as part of their "Protest Issue". "'When I first started touring, I was this loud, garish, weirdo dude,' Deacon says excitedly from his Baltimore apartment. 'I'm sure most people would still say that I'm this ridiculous asshole, but it's different now. Obviously, it should be. Spiderman of the Rings came out five years ago. If I hadn't aged in those five years, something would be horribly creepy and wrong.' ... " The magazine also gives his new album, America , a rating of 8.5 out of 10. "...Deacon stretches the borders of his songcraft to the limit and it's a joy to hear a showman pushing every part of an orchestra like a...

We know that not everyone can attend our signing with Alvin Buenaventura and Daniel Clowes on Friday, September 14, but we still want to make sure people have an opportunity to get their favorite books signed. Pre-order Dan Clowes books now. Orders must be received by September 13. Books will ship after signing on September 14. The Art of Daniel Clowes: Modern Cartoonist   Caricature - Nine Stories David Boring The Death-Ray Ghost World Ghost World (Special Edition) Ice Haven Like A Velvet Glove Cast In Iron Mister Wonderful: A Love Story Wilson

As part of our 20 year celebration, we'll be reprinting articles from Atomic Books Catalogs from the 1990s.  FIGHTING CORPORATE AMERICA WITH MR. CLIPSON by Rod Lott Corporations are often perceived - and rightfully so - as cold and uncaring entities of pure, unadulterated evil, preying upon the lifeblood of collective America. While this has merit, it is a little known secret that in their book, in terms of importance, image comes in at a close second to profits. Which is why, provided you assume the identity of a slightly senile senior citizen (which may be redundant) and take pen in hand, you can have a little fun with them, and get payback! If a mega-company feels in any way, shape or form that its crystal-clear image has been tarnished or threatened, they'll try to smooth things over with you via a kind form letter and a bribe here and there. Since Oct. 5, 1991, I've been periodically digging out my withered Smith-Corona and banged out some perfectly strange c...

As part of our 20 year celebration, we'll be reprinting articles from Atomic Books Catalogs from the 1990s.      WIRED TOP TEN Top 10 bestselling fringe publications (from the Atomic Books WWW catalog) 1. Splosh! The Wet and Messy Fun Mag Fetish magazine for fans of "sloppy" sex. Anyone for Spaghetti Os in the undies? 2. Answer Me! The First Three Three-issue compendium of malice and mayhem from hatemeisters Jim and Debbie Goad. 3. The Anarchist Cookbook, by William Powell A skyrocketing bestseller, thanks to senators and broadcasters who have waved it around on television. 4. Crackpot, by John Waters A collection of essays by sleaze guru and filmmaker John Waters. Signed by the author. 5. Nudist Magazines of the 50s & 60s, by Ed Lange Gimme that ol' time nudity. Reprints from old nudist mags. Back then, they airbrushed over genitals so the models looked like ET. 6. James Taylor's Shocked & Amazed - On & Off The Midway Interview...

The Baltozine Roundup is a regular feature wherein we take a look at what national periodicals are saying about Baltimore-area arts, events, people, and places. Be sure to pick up the magazines to read the full articles. Dope Body has a profile in Ghettoblaster #32 , written by Andrew R. Fetter. "To outsiders, music that originates in Baltimore, MD often gets lumped into the music that comes out of the D.C.-area. David Jacober, drummer for Baltimore-based noise rock band Dope Body, says the distinction between the two areas is very clear. 'Baltimore and D.C. are worlds apart from each other. There's a lot more open space in Baltimore to create. Plus D.C. kind of sucks to live in because it's a lot more expensive. There's not as much opportunity for much of an art scene, since artists don't have a lot of money.' ..." Monster Children #35 has an interview with Baltimore cartoonist (and former Atomic Books intern), Will Laren . "... I j...

Baltimore has had a long, rich history of record shops.   40 years ago, the city region had over 15 stores selling records. Here's how they were described in a city guide called Bawlamer: An Informal Guide To A Livelier Baltimore from 1974, published by the Citizens Planning and Housing Association. Athenaikon Music Center (4717 Eastern Ave.) Greek records, periodicals, and cookbooks. A must for budding belly dancers. Downtown Sounds (529 N. Howard St.) In the heart of downtown shopping district. Records and tapes. The sounds were from Broadway to soul. For The Record, Inc. (Howard & Fayette St., 217 E. Baltimore St., Reisterstown Road Plaza) Baltimore's discount record shop. Sales weekly, largest collection of contemporary records. Excellent stock of standards, folk, classical, and "old rock". The staff was knowledgeable and helpful in all areas. Italia Kanta (3512 E. Lombard St. ) A converted rowhouse in the heart of Highlandtown, this...

Over the years, Baltimore has seen a lot of bookstores come and go.   40 years ago, the city region had over 25 booksellers. Here's how they were described in a city guide called Bawlamer: An Informal Guide To A Livelier Baltimore from 1974, published by the Citizens Planning and Housing Association. Aquarian Age Bookstore (813 N. Charles St.) As the name would indicate, offered selections in mind-consciousness-body expansion, etc. Baltimore Museum Of Art (Art Museum Drive) Wide selection of art-related books, both hardbound and paperback. The Black Book (2607 W. North Ave.) Carried a large collection of black culture, black history, and related material. Offered fiction and non-fiction, children and adults sections. Book Fair (3121 St. Paul St.) If you were worn out from rummaging through uncatalogued, dust-laden stacks, this neat, well-stocked, well-organized shop may have been just what you were after. Bookyard (817 S. Broadway) If you were rea...

The Baltozine Roundup is our regular blog feature wherein we take a look at what national periodicals are saying about Baltimore-area arts, events, people, and places. In Fretboard Journal (#25) , Peter Szego's article "Building A New Old Banjo" talks to local banjo makers Kevin Enoch and Banjo Pete Ross. "And while Enoch became best known for his interpretations of banjos from this historic period [turn of the 20th century] , in time he researched earlier styles of construction. These days he's equally known for his Dobson-style banjos, which are based on the instruments built by the Dobson clan in the 1870s. Enoch's assistant, Pete Ross, is something of a banjo time-traveler himself. Under the name Jubilee Banjos, Ross crafts gourd banjos based on instruments played by enslaved Africans in the Americas as early as the late 17th century." The new issue of Print Magazine (#66.4) has a feature called "Killing Time", where they talk to dif...

Otakon2012-22 , originally uploaded by coolsteel27 . Otakon starts today.

Thinking of visiting Baltimore this Summer? We've updated our local links for places to check out and things to do. The Hampden Merchants page has a handy guide to John Waters' picks in Hampden . And for your summer reading, try some of John's favorite authors and books mentioned in his memoir,  Role Models . And there's always our own twitter - AtomicBooks , to follow and now Celebrated Summer Records is finally on twitter - CSRecordshop . Rachel's Twitter (be warned: lots of tweets about local issues, food and tv.): sugarfreak Benn's Twitter (be warned: mostly tweets of The Mobtown Shank posts, politics and 4square checkins): mobtownshank

I'll be on WYPR's (88.1FM) The Signal this evening at 7PM (and again Saturday at 1PM) to discuss summer reading suggestions, and I have a quite a few - covering fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels. You can only talk about so many books on the radio, so stop by the store to see what's new - there have been a lot of great books that have come out so far this summer. And there a bunch of books slated to be released in the second part of the year that are worth getting really excited about too - more than I can recall seeing an a long time. So please be sure to listen in. Listen live online.

FF July , originally uploaded by sugarfreak . We will be closed this Wednesday for the 4th of July. But this Friday, come on out for our Atomic Luau!

Tomorrow night, June 29th, Tim Kreider will be here at Atomic Books, presenting from his brand new book, We Learn Nothing . 7-9pm. Adult beverages will be served.

The new issue of The Fader (#80) has a cover feature on Beach House by writer Sam Hockley-Smith called "Tidal Pull": "Conversation turns to John Waters, the Baltimore-based director that has fashioned himself into something of a guru for the city's scrappy artistic community, hosting yearly Christmas parties to which Scally and Legrand are regularly invited. ... 'John Waters is like the kind of artist that makes entertainment like...' she [Legrand] trails off, seemingly at a loss at how to describe Waters' ability to portray the deeply weird tendencies of artists in his films. 'Why are people so insecure? All performers are so insecure and need affirmation,' she stares at a corner of the bar's low ceiling. 'Is that what this is? That all humans - they just want to hear themselves to prove they exist?'" In the new Big Take-Over (#70) , there's a review of Free Electric State's new record, Monumental Life : "...a...