Under my hashtag eileenreadsbooks on Facebook, I occasionally place Notes to my acquisitions as the library progresses. Here are selections in reverse chronological order from January 1, 2024 which is when I began inputting them on this blog. To see older book acquisition Notes, go to Facebook and look up the hashtag. Acquisitions from Jan.-March 2024 are HERE.
6/26/24
And my library is honored to receive as stellar poets Barbara Jane Reyes and Oscar Bermeo deaccession from theirs! I was delighted to receive this box of 33 poetry publications today! And I’ve already read my first book from it because it introduces a poet I’d not previously known: Dujie Tahat whose BALIKBAYAN is urgent, powerful, and pleasing (see sample poems below). But looking over today’s treasure trove, you know what also surfaces? Bearing in mind that these deaccessioned books are just part of Barbara’s and Oscar’s library, this sampling indicates that these poets pay attention. Kudos to them for that—if a poet doesn’t pay attention to their world, their work will inevitably show it and usually not to good favor. Delighted to be in company with poets who pay attention.
The gift of 33 books mean that with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that’s 841 books (1 was a duplicate) down, 14,675 books to go! Good evening!
6/224
Wow! Another treasure trove for my library-in-progress! Thanks so much to Kathryn Rantala / Ravenna Press for these books, including a dynamite edition of Tolstoy. I love certain old books for their graphics as well—see Tolstoy and Elliot Paul. Meanwhile, I’ve started reading through recent poetry gifts. Sandra Beasley’s MADE TO EXPLODE is fantastic—on one level, she does narrative poetry the way it should be done: with a certain propulsive energy that’s akin to song even as her poems are rife with meaty details (poets can learn from her—knowledge is supposed to benefit a poem but more often than not it makes the poem leaden). I also appreciated this fun anthology edited by Kathryn: THIS SPACE FOR CORRESPONDENCE. It offers prose inspired by postcard images. The project gives a nice twist on ekphrasis given its epistolary dimension. I post an example by Tsipi Keller and Deborah Woodard. The latter’s monostich evokes a Jasper John’s quote on to “see the thing for what it is.” Buzzing with joy as I read…
So with Kathryn’s latest 43-book box, I’m stoked to pass the 800-book threshold. With 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that’s 805 books down, 14,711 books to go! Good morning!
6/22/24
My favorite Communist continues to deaccession from his library into mine. I’m grateful he’s a poet in addition to being a scholar when he sends me books so that I get his spy thrillers in addition to literary criticism. As I’ve said before, someday, when I set up my permanent library, I’ll spend my days trawling the book spines and, occasionally, pause to pat affectionately a book that had come from E. San Juan, Jr.’s library—what a great way to remember…
So, with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that’s 762 books down, 14,754 books to go!
6/20/94
Latest additions to my library—both miniature and regularly-sized books—are gifts from Kathryn Rantala and Ravenna Press. Thank you! And Wow on that Ferlinghetti quartet! Book people are great people!
So with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that’s 759 books down, 14,757 books to go!
6/19/94
Cool. I discovered a tiny free library which promotes reading and neighborhood book exchanges under the concept of Take One, Leave One [if you can]. I’m not deaccessioning from my library which I’m trying to rebuild. But I don’t mind leaving spare copies. So I had two copies of Shreela Ray’s poetry collection and that will be my first book to leave. I also added a blank journal designed to encourage a grandmother to write down her memories for her grandchildren—I don’t know how I came to have it but it’s a good idea, though for someone else since my apongs have since passed. I have spare copies of other titles and will be going through my library to see what I can donate. Meanwhile, from said tiny library, I acquired two books for my To-Read pile; that Mallery looks like lite reading but it will be part of a subcollection I’m creating on books about bookstores (I’m YouTube bingeing right now on various indie bookstores who started up from scratch—I have more books currently than some did to start!). So, with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that's 731 books down, 14,785 books to go.
Here's a link to teeny libraries: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Free_Library
6/17/24
And of course it is absolutely fitting that the first mail I would receive at my new rental would be BOOKS! Deep gratitude to Maileen for keeping me in mind--how thoughtful you are! Thanks for these latest additions to my library, especially as the bulk is poetry... though I'm intrigued by Arthur C. Jones' book on the Negro Spiritual (looking forward to listening to the CD that comes with the book!).
Before sending books over, Maileen had asked if I was open to books deaccessioned by libraries. Absolutely, I sez. And the deaccessioned poetry books reveal what I've long observed, though not for a happy reason: poetry books are often in great shape as befits not being read/checked out much by library patrons. Sigh. But I'm very glad to have these in my own home. With 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that's 729 books down, 14,787 books to go... with the help of dear friends.
6/16/24
ON THE TO-READ PILE:
Since there aren’t many bookshelves in this rental, I am using a low coffee table and stacking books on it as well as below it. It’s actually kind of cool—Tom says it gives a “bookstore vibe” to the room which I don’t mind. And something not discernible until I say so, I got the idea from bingeing on K-dramas where I noticed many scenes of people using low, wide tables. Along with a laundry bookcase that I moved into the new studio closet space, that’s where my approximately 200 To-Read books now stand.
In organizing the books on the coffee table, I did differentiate between books I likely will read first and those I’m not likely to read for a while. I put those books beneath the coffee table. Here’s the very first book that made it “downstairs”—sorry Kingsley Amis 😊
The rest of my library are comprised of miniature books and already-read books, both of which are still in boxes (see photo of boxed normal-sized books). I don’t actually have room for the already-read books; they might have to stay in boxes for a while, which pains me—part of the beauty of having a library is being able to be surrounded by shelved books. Thankfully for my books, this is just temporary housing.
Anyway, none of this will prevent me from growing my library. I recently picked up two books by Anne Porter and Tim O’Brien for the To-Read pile. So, with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that's 721 books down, 14,795 books to go. Continuing Onward!
6/4/24
I had an errand the next town over, and stopped by a bookstore. It was my first bookstore visit in a long while, which is to say, a reality check on books’ full retail prices nowadays. Conclusion? Well, I don’t want to say books are priced too high, but I will say books are priced too high for the current times. There are too many weak spots in the economy; too many people are limited financially. I just don’t see $30 hardcovers as affordable nowadays; when they’re older and get on sale, they’re at $9.99. I remember when hardcovers got to just under $24.99 and thinking that’s rich. And those sale prices used to be $3.99 or $4.99. And where were the paperbacks on sale? The store didn’t even bother; the margins must have seemed too skinny if those paperback prices got reduced further. Anyway, one bookshop visit does not a trend make. But I also have seen prices creep up on Ebay. I don’t know… something seems to need to give. Woe to the book without a tie-in “community” for support (e.g. textbook assignments or an associated interest group). Authors once thought (or maybe that's just naive Moi who thought) one could rely on presenting good writing. But... Sorry for the rant. Feel free to tell me I’m off base in moi analysis.
That said, speaking of books, I was pleased to receive Jose Elvin Bueno’s newest novel, GIGANTVM PENISIVM. Flipping through it, I came across the Acknowledgements that mention me! I wasn’t expecting it, but thank you, Jose. I’m looking forward to this book. Jose is not just an intelligent writer but a creator of one of the most energetic fiction styles out there. His books contain a propulsiveness that makes reading enjoyable. (See Jose’s “Filipino Shelfie” whichis worthwhile reading.)
With Jose’s book joining my library, this means that with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that's 719 books down, 14,797 books to go. Onward!
6/2/24
5/30/24
Is there anything more poignant than the sight of empty bookshelves? Yes, I know, plenty of alternative poignancies exist but work with me here :) . Clock's ticking and I continue to pack, but wouldn't you know, some more books slipped past my packing grumbles to slip cheerfully into my library-in-progress. So, with 15,516 books as the target for my library, that's 718 books down, 14,798 books to go. Good evening!
5/26/24
ON THE NOVELIST’S LIFE:
Okay I did one more book haul before moving. This includes a category to which I never/rarely pay attention: a “how to write” book. But I picked up Lawrence Block’s WRITING THE NOVEL because it reads as much as a memoir vs a craft book—he flatly says each person writes differently so he only tells how he writes versus suggesting how others should. Flipping through it before purchase, he says many interesting things—from writing “sex tales” (during a more innocent time than today) to make a living as a newbie writer to—and THIS IS TRUE, or at least true to my experience—how the most important thing about being a novelist is not the idea but the (hardened-by-many-writing-efforts) muscle to finish a long work. I know—this can seem contradictory when we often judge novels based on their ideas, but we’re talking about writing vs reading the novel. But while ideas are important in short stories precisely because you can address it in a “short” time period, even when the novelist starts out with an idea, novels often generate their own rationale from the writing process.
He does say something that I’ve seen many experienced writers often say: writing without being published or receiving awards can be its own reward. Thing is, many experienced writers say that as if they’re bestowing a gift of revelation to lesser-experienced writers. This has always smacked to me of the advisor’s limited self-awareness—that is, many writers who say such have already been published or received awards. That writing is its own reward is the kind of truth that’s useless if one doesn’t learn it for one’s self by, yep, having made the effort to be published and receive awards. Advising a writer on how to exist as as writer is advising them on how to live their life. Leave that alone—navigate your life and no one else’s. Btw, I implicate moiself: it can be difficult not to be well-meaning and I have counseled against the prize structure in the past. It just means I need to try harder to avoid the hypocrisy of going for the prize or publication, even receiving said prize, then counseling others not to bother.
I’ll end by quoting one of Block’s many witticisms: “If you want to write fiction, the best thing you can do is to take two aspirins, lie down in a dark room, and wait for the feeling to pass. // If it persists, you probably ought to write a novel.” I like that—because something he also said is something I wish I’d known much earlier in my writing life: one should write the novel right away; it’s not something to lead up to. It’s enough of its own unique form that one should just keep writing novels (including bad novels or what’s been called “trunk novels,” novels one leaves in a trunk) to be able to write that good one.
So, with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that's 712 books down, 14,804 books to go. Continuing Onward!
5/22/24
I continue to pack for our house move in about two weeks. So this likely will be my last set of book acquisitions before the move. I pick up Solzhenitsyns for the sentimental reason that I’d fetishized them as a middle schooler; the Russian introduced me to the concept of THICK books and decades later I continue to be enthralled by their idea of containing so many words. Because to word is to live.
A little-known fact until I share it. Publishers often ask authors to cite some books that they feel are comparable to the manuscript they're submitting. I'd cited Tracy Chevalier's art-informed novels as a comparison for THE BALIKBAYAN ARTIST, along with Irving Stone's THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY (re Van Gogh). I realized belatedly that I shouldn't have focused just on art, and should have cited Carlos Bulosan's AMERICA IS IN THE HEART as well.
Anyway, with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that's 711 books down, 14,805 books to go. Good afternoon!
5/13/24
I'm moving rental houses--I hope the next house doesn't have an ant infestation. And since I'm packing my modest 702-book library, it's not as big a job as when Alberto Manguel, Argentina's Director of its National Library, moved his 35,000 books. But I still picked up what looks like an interesting tome that he wrote about PACKING MY LIBRARY. Along with another acquisition about the wine tasting world where I dart in and out like a hummingbird in search for honey, that means that with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that's 702 books down, 14,812 books to go. Continuing Onward!
5/11/24
When you’re building a library from scratch and friends help you out, it’s interesting to see what they send. My favorite Communist sent me four books from his library along with an article on his partner, feminist scholar Delia Aguilar. I love Sonny San Juan’s packages—it offers a sensibility from an earlier time, like when parents/elders would clip out articles and send other material by snailmail that they feel I should read. Others of Sonny’s generation does that, too. It’s a charming throwback of a habit, more charming than being sent an electronc link 😊
So with Sonny’s latest gift package and with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that's 700 books down, 14,814 books to go. I’m glad to crack that 700-book threshold. Good evening!
5/8/24
My latest poet-discovery is the textually-energetic Indonesian poet Afrizal Malna viz fine translations by Daniel Owen. Malna’s essay-Afterword on his poetics (see third image below for excerpt) made me salivate to write a new poetics essay as if the world needed such :)
Malna’s DOCUMENT SHREDDING MACHINE is a release from the brilliant poetry publisher World Poetry Books helmed by Matvei Yankelevich. I am such a fan of Matvei for his poetry that encompasses innovative publishing (before World Poetry, he’d helped create Ugly Duckling Presse). World Poetry introduces the work of modern masters, emerging voices, and pioneering innovators from around the world to English-language readers in affordable, high-quality trade editions. If you haven’t already, do check out this fine press: https://worldpoetrybooks.com
Malna’s book is among latest additions to my library-in-progress. With Patricia Evangelista’s book that is, after all, required reading and Steve Martin’s novel whose fine writing doesn’t surprise me since I consider Martin to be brilliant, that’s that's 696 books down, 14,818 books to go to meet the library's target of 15,516 books. Good evening.
5/6/24
Salamat to Barbara Jane Reyes and Oscar Penaranda for their book regalos. I go waaay back with Barbara, having written the Introduction to her first full-length book. And she recently sent me signed copies of her POETA EN SAN FRANCISCO first released by Tinfish and which will be rereleased as an expanded version in the near future. But until then, here’s a chance to not just get a signed copy but with stickers, like how I put on my copy. All you have to do to get it is provide a review for next issue of The Halo Halo Review. Next deadline is Nov. 15 so you have time, but please contact me only if you’re serious about doing a review. If you’re interested, DM or email Moi.
Oscar’s book is also special, a long-awaited autobiography of sorts to this multi-faceted poet-scholar who originated many courses on Fil Am history and culture, some of which are still being taught today. See review at current Halo Halo at https://halohaloreview.blogspot.com/2024/04/follower-of-seasons-onethology-in.html
Their books are among adds to my library-in-progress. So, with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that's 694 books down, 14,820 books to go.
4/26/24
It takes a certain mind to be able to evaporate the utility of periods and commas. Eileen Myles has that capability which creates a charismatic propulsiveness in her writings, or vice versa. I saw that in what's become my favorite of her books so far, FOR NOW, her book in Yale University's "Why I Write" series. Myles' book also reminds me to check out the rest of this series--I much enjoyed the one by Karl Ove Knausgaard, INADVERTENT, and now plan to look into the rest.
Myles' book was among most recent book acquisitions, aided with the help of friends (thanks Matvei Yankelevich, Elsa Valmidiano, Pamela Uschuk, and Barbara Lee!). So, with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that's 690 books down, 14,824 books to go. Good Afternoon!
4/21/24
For Hernan Diaz’s TRUST, it was a tolerable Part I. But I got impatient with Part II and for most of Part III (which made me mentally berate the literary world for giving this novel the Pulitzer). Fortunately, the book concludes with its best aspect: Part IV. One might say Part IV redeemed the book’s pace which I question. That is, could not this 416-page book be tightened so one need not slog through its middle? (If I wasn’t reading the book trapped in an airplane I might have set it aside when I was half-way through it). But Part IV was brilliant, and it certainly helped that its passages—some fragmented—often lapsed to prose poetry. Still, as a writer, this book also teaches me about pacing, or its pitfalls that this novel barely survived, albeit survived with glory.
The second image shows other recent book acquisitions, including from fellow poet-writers Scott MacLeod and Maw Shein Win (thanks friends!). So, with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that's 679 books down, 14,835 books to go. Good evening.
4/13/24
DA VINCI POETICS:
You know, with all the SPD hoopla, I've been asked why I don't seem to be troubled that 5-6 of my books will become Out-of-Print. I am not overly troubled, indeed, because the books are poetry books so that the matter at hand is Poetry. If you read my autobiography THE INVENTOR, you will see me show how "my poetry is not [just] words." This reminds me of a reminder I wrote in forthcoming novel THE BALIKBAYAN ARTIST--that Leonardo da Vinci is acknowledged as one of the world's greatest artists despite his relatively small artistic output (only 17 works survive!!). But his greatness can be attributed to how he created systems that both generate new works by others not just himself (i.e. triangular composition) and consider art in new ways (he advocated studying anatomical models which was considered illegal during his time). In Poetry, I aspire to be Da Vinci--words alone don't capture that perspective (pun intended).
Speaking of others' words, I'm grateful to friends who helped augment my latest batch of additions to my library-in-progress. So, with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, that's 675 books down, 14,839 books to go. Continuing Onward!
4/8/24
Much has been said about Will Alexander’s poetry—I, too, have contributed to that muchness. For his latest poetry collection—in my beloved miniature book format—I note something that I’ve noticed before but not paused to address until my read of his CHARISMATIC SPIRALS. His language is so other-worldly voluminous and voluptuous that his use of the brief word “sans” (see image below) becomes a resting point, and I wonder if that rest is also needed by him, if subconsciously. As well, I read something in this collection I hadn’t sensed in prior readings of his work (though mind you I haven’t read everything yet that he’s written): the person behind the poet who’s pushed so hardily to the forefront of impression by his forceful language. I welcome it, because I somehow sense the presence is tinged by age’s increasing sense of mortality, which makes engagement between reader and text more human.I look at the words behind me and concede that perhaps, in the poet’s words, “I am speaking as a blind river,” and that’s okay because when the universal skirt sways randomly at its denizens’ foolishness, it can do so as prettily as a star, so prettily it reveals the occasional “splendiferous “snapshot of the Milky Way.
P.S. I appreciate what he said about John Coltrane—that he “did not appropriate the infinite.”
Will Alexander’s book, along with others shown below, join my library-in-progress. With said library’s target of 15,516 books, that’s 665 books down, 14,849 books to go. Good afternoon.
4/3/24
Remember Hanuman Books, the legendary, cult series founded by Francesco Clemente and Raymond Foye that were printed in India and published out of NYC's Chelsea Hotel between 1986 and 1993? Well, starting last Fall (2023), a modern edition—Hanuman Editions—was inaugurated and I just acquired five of their editions.
But I acquired them for the Miniature Book Library section of my library. This leads me to discuss miniature books, specifically “macrominiatures” which are books sized from 3 to a maximum of 4 inches. Currently, I believe Hanuman Editions and Isolarii are the finest literary publishers of macrominiatures and I recommend them, not just for their charming scale but for what they’re publishing (see images below). I highly recommend—frankly, I gobble up their books while there’s mula in the wallet—Isolarii and Hanuman Editions. Do check out the links as their websites and books also are gorgeous and can provide a visual feast whether or not you acquire them.
In fact, let me digress briefly to address you PUBLISHERS. Some of you are publishing books sized at 4.25 inches or thereabouts. If you are able to squeeze those books into no larger than 4 inches, that would make those books eligible for the miniature book market without you doing anything extra from the editorial standpoint. As miniature books, your publications can become of interest to a new market: the miniature book collectors. I know—as a miniature book collector, I acquire books that might not interest me if they didn’t fit the miniature book scale and category. I include chapbooks, btw, which often can be custom designed so why not design them to fit the miniature book market?
P.S. As a summary, from Wikipedia: Standards for what may be termed a miniature rather than just a small book have changed through time. Today, most collectors consider a book to be miniature only if it is 3 inches or smaller in height, width, and thickness, particularly in the United States. Many collectors consider nineteenth-century and earlier books of 4 inches to fit in the category of miniatures. Book from 3–4 inches in all dimensions are termed macrominiature books. Books less than 1 inch in all dimensions are called microminiature books. Books less than 1/4 inch in all dimensions are known as ultra-microminiature books.)
So, with 15,516 books as the target for my library-in-progress, the four new Hanuman Editions and other recent acquisitions mean that's 660 books down, 14,854 books to go. Good afternoon!
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