Visible Voice Books Blog

New Magazines and Used Book Arrivals

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:12:00 +0000

New Magazines:
We have recently gone through our magazine inventory and have added a lot of new titles. We do this almost every year and the whole staff feels we really nailed it this time. Some of the new magazines we are carrying include: Tape Op,Wax Poetics, Relix,The American Scholar, All About Beer,Lapham’s Quarterly, Cooks illustrated ,and Elephant Magazine: The Art and Visual Culture Magazine.We now carry more than 110 magazine titles.

Used Book Arrivals: we have taken in some really good used books over the last two weeks. Some of the titles include:
-All the Harry Potter books
-He's a Rebel (Phil Spector book)
-Hardcore Zen by Brad Warner (popular Cleveland author)
-Lies My Teacher Told Me
-The Cat in the Hat
-Search & Destroy Vol 1 & 2 (anthology of famous 70's punk zine)
-Zydeco!
-A Whore Just Like the Rest of Us by Richard Meltzer
-Pastures of Plenty ( Woody Guthrie bio.)
Visible Voice Books pays a fair price for used books. Most of our customers are pleasantly surprised how well we pay compared to the competition. We also offer store credit. We are continually amazed at the quality (both condition and subject matter) that consistently comes into the store from our customers that we buy and resell in the store. It is just another example of what a great customer base we have.

A Different Opinion Concerning Afghanistan:

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:20:00 +0000

Patrick Cockburn is the author of several books about the Middle East including The Occupation: War and Resistance in Iraq and a book about Muqtada Al-Sadr. Robert Dreyfuss is the Mid East reporter for The Nation Magazine and also the author of The Devil’s Game: How the United States Helped Unleash Fundamentalist Islam. Both writers are against President Barak Obama’s troop serge and explain why in three excellent articles listed below. Yes, Visible Voice Books does carry both writers work:
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/patrick-cockburn-us-surge-will-only-prolong-afghan-war-1835054.html

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/dreyfuss/502355/exit_2011
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/dreyfuss/503861/exit_2011_part_ii
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/dreyfuss/508603/pakistan_s_trump_card

Drag City Press and Music

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:27:00 +0000

There is a great Record Label/Book Publisher out of Chicago called Drag City. We have recently picked up some of their books. Two great recommendations from the order we received:

GALACTIC ZOO DOSSIER issues 8Edited/Created by STEVE KRAKOW
It's been exactly two years this month that everybody's favorite hand-written-and-drawn psychedelic fanzine, Galactic Zoo Dossier #7 hit it and quickly went out of it (print that is). And it was exactly two years earlier that Galactic Zoo Dossier #6 did the same. This tells us (you) two things: one, that for summer reading and whiling away the hours with head-expanding psychedelic research trips, you can't beat the Galactic Zoo Dossier! Two, you gotta get your copy quick, or you'll be living in the harsh reality of getting stone sold out agin'. But why wait for it? As always, the Galactic Zoo Dossier delivers tasty tidbits on all your favorite obscurities: The Blue Things, The Gods, Kim Fowley, The Cake, Del Shannon, Hoyt Axton and more! Plus interviews with Vashti Bunyan, Djin Aquarian, Peter Walker and Bill Ham! Plus comics galore! Pin-ups! And of course, another round of Damaged Guitar God and Astral Folk Goddess trading cards — and a CD of further Unearthed Expansive Sounds. If it's too much, it must be the new Galactic Zoo Dossier. Available from any self-respecting book- or record-store on July 21, 2009 (for at least a month or two).

How Bluegrass Music Destroyed My Life by John Fahey
The truth, Winston Churchill once stated, must be accompanied by a bodyguard of lies. Guitarist John Fahey, whose folk-informed work has inspired musicians as dissimilar as George Winston and Jim O'Rourke, adheres to that principle throughout this conversationally voiced collection of ostensibly fictitious but semiautobiographical short stories. Fahey is no stranger to the written word: in the 1960s he published a volume on blues guitarist Charley Patton, and his albums have frequently included voluminous, fanciful liner notes. Fans looking for illumination of his guitar playing might be disappointed by this book: he spends more time spinning tall tales about a periodically horrific post-WWII suburban childhood and the many remarkable people he's met (from compassionate blues musician and fishing enthusiast Bukka White to pompous Italian film director Michelangelo Antonioni, whom Fahey claims to have punched out) than he does discussing his musical methodology. But his writing flickers with the same black humor and ambivalent mysticism that imbues his music.

Outdoor Sidewalk Sale/ Garden Courtyard

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:11:00 +0000

We have been receiving a lot of a really good used books. Our customers are always commenting on our unique and interesting book selection in the store. Well, we would like to return the compliment.If these books that we have been buying back from our customers are any indication of your taste in books or your collections then we have some of the coolest customers in the city...Anyways, we ran out of room in the store so on sunny days you can now find a great selection of used (and some discounted new books)on display on tables on our sidewalk. take a stroll through Tremont and browse our great used book selection on the cool shade of our front yard.

If you need a break from strolling around the neighborhood come on in and grab a glass of wine,coffee,tea,etc and sit down and relax on our Garden Courtyard.We have recently finished planting our flowers and it really turned out nice.It's a great place to read a book and enjoy the Cleveland summer.

Why Are All These Articles Posted On The Visible Voice Books Blog?

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:58:00 +0000

We have been asked a few times why we continue to put links to magazine articles on our blog. Three reasons: 1) almost all of these articles were originally printed in magazines that we carry at the store. So it’s a good way of illustrating some of the interesting topics that the magazines we sell cover. 2) It gives us an opportunity to turn some of our customers onto some very good reporting. Once you have read some of these articles we urge you to hunt down some of the other work by these writers 3) If you look at the articles we have chosen to place on our blog, they are full of information that you are not going to find in our local media and focus on very important topic’s we as a country are currently facing. These articles are a small public service that we feel responsible for continuing.

Below are three very current articles about the challenges facing the United States as we try to determine the best path of disengaging our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan:

Syria Calling:
The Obama Administration’s chance to engage in a Middle East peace. By Seymour M. Hersh
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/04/06/090406fa_fact_hersh

The Gathering Storm: Nir Rosen’s article that recently appeared in The National regarding the disintegrating situation in Iraq.
On the sixth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad to American forces in 2003, Nir Rosen finds that Iraqis are safer but hardly safe, sectarian tensions have been submerged but not eliminated, refugees are unwilling to risk a return to their homes, and almost everyone expects the worst after US troops withdraw.
http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090410/REVIEW/910535938

Sunni Iraqis Fear a Bloodbath of Reprisal after Possible U.S. Exit
By Patrick Cockburn, CounterPunch. Posted April 14, 2009.

As American troops prepare to leave, the Sunni who changed from insurgents to US allies over the last two years are fearful for their future.
http://www.alternet.org/story/136476/sunni_iraqis_fear_a_bloodbath_of_reprisal_after_possible_u.s._exit/

Bob Dylan and The Band Photo Exhibit at Kokoon Arts Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:56:00 +0000

One more note about Bob Dylan… William Scheele runs Kookon Arts Gallery off of West 80th Street. He was also the sound man for The Band and Bob Dylan in the early/mid 70’s. He has an amazing collection of photos that he personally took and has for sale. If you are interested in this period of rock or Dylan or The Band you will find this exhibit incredible. We highly recommend checking this out. None of these photos have been seen before.
http://www.wgsproductions.com/kokoon_index.php

Two More Articles of Interest:

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:32:00 +0000

Urban Theorist Richard Florida recently wrote an article for the Atlantic Magazine called “How the Crash Will Reshape America”. It discusses how the current economic downturn will give rise to new demographic shifts. These changes will have serious implications on our country’s cities. Throughout the article Florida details why some cities will make it while others will wither away. This article is for anyone who wants to understand what can be done to help turn the tide in Cleveland.

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200903/meltdown-geography

Bob Dylan has a new album coming out at the end of the month. We ran across this new Dylan interview. It does a great job of exemplifying why Dylan is not only one of the greatest writers of the last 100 years but also one of the coolest people alive:

http://www.bobdylan.com/

Recent used books that have showed up at the store

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:54:00 +0000

Throughout the past week we have received some really good used books. A few of the authors and subjects include Roberto Bolano, Michael Chabon, some children’s books and a copy of the Book of the Subgenius. As a reminder, we are always taking used books that we feel will sell in the store.

Also the Graffiti Artist Banksy has a new book that has just been released called Banky’s Bristol: Home Sweet Home. It should arrive in the store on Friday April 3rd.

Two Magazine Articles of Interest:Saving the American Newspaper and The Current Economic Crisis

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:51:00 +0000

We wanted to point out two very insightful articles on two topics that are dominating the headlines.

The first article appeared in the April 6th edition of the magazine The Nation. Titled:” The Death and Life of Great American Newspapers”, written by John Nichols and Robert McChesney, the article explains the role the government should play in saving Newspapers. The article also details how Newspapers got into this mess (and it isn’t all due to the web)

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090406/nichols_mcchesney

The second article appeared in Rolling Stone magazine and was written by Matt Tiabbi.It is by far the best article that we have come across that simplifies the who, what and where’s of the current economic crisis. Warning! There is a lot of explicit language throughout the article.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/26793903/the_big_takeover/

Lee Friedlander Photography Exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:01:00 +0000

March 1 – May 31, 2009

We are big fans of Lee Friedlander. He is a very under rated photographer who has spent his life chronicling American life in all it’s honestly. Think Robert Frank’s The Americans without the Jack Kerouac intro. (Which is probably the only thing separating the popularity of Robert Frank from Friedlander). We highly recommend checking out this exhibit and we have pulled some Friedlander books out of our vault and are proudly displaying them (two first editions, one signed by Friedlander and a more recent compilation).

This description was taken from the Cleveland Museum of Arts website concerning the Friedlander exhibit:

While Lee Friedlander’s name may not be a household word, his photographs are widely familiar as iconic representations of common American experience. Born in 1934, he gained fame in the early 1960s with off-balance street photographs that evoke the complexity the modern world. Explore Friedlander’s witty and unblinking view of everyday American life in this expansive exhibition that gathers some 375 photographs plus special edition books and portfolios to trace a five-decade career.

Always working in series, Friedlander mines what he calls “the American social landscape,” beginning with a layered view of city streets—shop fronts, ads, televisions, and cars. This central theme is supplemented by subjects including portraits, self-portraits, landscapes, still lifes, nudes, and studies of people at work. This body of work stands as one of the major achievements in 20th-century art, combining astute observation and graphic verve to present a compelling vision of contemporary America.

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:47:00 +0000

We would like to congratulate cab driver-turned-author Thomas Jasany for the full page profile that appeared in The Cleveland Plain Dealer Monday,February 16,2009.The article appeared in the Arts and Life Section,page D3.Mr.Jasany was interviewed by Michael Heaton and photographed at Visible Voice Books.The photo was taken the night of his book signing/reading of his new book," A Fares of a Cleveland Cabby".The book is available at the store. Congratulations Tom!

Updating The Visible Voice Books Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 02:08:00 +0000

One of the many things that has gotten shuffled under the pile at the store is our blog site. On the day of our second anniversary we affirm to keep this much more up to date.That being said we would like to point out some great new art books that have come in:

A brand new edition of Shepard Fairey"s Supply and Demand( black cover expanded by 40 pages)

Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York (a Photography book celebrating the storefront art of New York City)

We have also taken in a few vintage books about marijuana that are a real trip(ha!ha! no pun intended)

Stop down and check it out.

By the way John Gorman, former program director for WMMS, came to the store to sign his new book, The Buzzard, on Friday and pronounced that we had one of the best music sections that he has ever seen. We'd like to thank John Gorman for the kind comments and for bringing Murray Saul to the store which was a real treat and honor.

10-4 over and out

January Newsletter Sent!

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:13:00 +0000

Look! Look over there -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->

Now look up a little bit. See that little box? Put your email in it and click 'SEND'. Then you'll get our next newsletter, too - just like all the happy folks who get it already.

It's got good stuff in it. If you like us, you'll like it.

And we promise we won't sell your info to any sleazy info-collectors. We won't even GIVE it to them. Not even if they ask real nice.

Cheers,
VVB

Recently Arrived Used Books

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Check out some of the cool used books that recently came through the doors of Visible Voice Books. All are in excellent condition and most are priced at half or below list price. Give us a call or shoot us a message if you’re interested in any of these.

The Movie “Barfly” by Charles Bukowski
The Last Night Of The Earth Poems by Charles Bukowski
Sifting Through The Madness For The Wordy, The Line, The Way by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski: Laughing With The Gods by Fernanda Pivano
Against The American Dream: Essays On Charles Bukowski by Russell Harrison
Pulp by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski: A Comprehensive Price Guide & Checklist, 1944-1999 by Al Fogel
Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
The Melancholy Death Of Oyster Boy And Other Stories by Tim Burton
Incredibly Strange Films
Eaten Alive! Italian Cannibal And Zombie Movies by Jay Slater
Crackpot: The Obsessions Of John Waters
Marley And Me by John Grogran
The Onion: Our Dumb World
Body Type: Intimate Messages Etched In Flesh by Ina Saltz
1000 Tattoos (A scarce hardcover published by Taschen)
Dos And Don’ts: 10 Years Of Vice Magazine’s Street Fashion Critiques
The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks
Love & Desire by William A. Ewing
This Book Will Change Your Life: 365 Daily Instructions For Hysterical Living by Benrik
We Thought You Would Be Prettier by Laurie Notaro
Ghost World by Daniel Clowes
Ninja by Brian Chippendale
The Sandman: King of Dreams by Alisa Kwitney (hardcover)
The Sandman: Endless Nights by Neil Gaiman (hardcover)
Fantastic Tales by Nan Goldin (hardcover)

Themed Window Displays

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 22:38:00 +0000

After the gorgeous windows we created for the Kerouac event ("On The Road"/Kerouac on one side and a general tribute to The Beats on the other), we decided to try out a few months of additional window display themes.

At this point, the new "Travel Books & Travel Writing" window is just about complete, and we have another idea in store for the other window which should be finished up next week.

BUT - we could use some more suggestions. Any ideas on themes for future Visible Voice Books window displays? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Cheers, V.V.B.

"On The Road" Event

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:00:00 +0000

It took a minute to get it out here, but we wanted to send out a big THANKS to everyone who attended and/or read at the "on The Road" 50th Anniversary event here last month. It was an excellent night and we hope you all had as much fun as we did.

If you read, and did NOT receive one, make sure you stop by for your commemorative poster. And if you'd like one and didn't read - we still have a few left for sale.

We're looking forward to having many more wonderful events here in the future. Please keep checking in!

Cheers, V.V.B.

Bike Rack

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 20:01:00 +0000

We would like to let everyone know that the Walt Whitman quote "sculpture" that appeared in Visible Voice's front yard a few weeks ago is actually and indeed a custom-made BIKE RACK!

It's true!

It was made by local artist Bruce Edwards and was donated to Visible Voice Books through a grant from Tremont West Development Corporation, which we were recommended for by our Tremont neighbor, Marc Dorsey.

So next time you pedal over to visit us, slip your lock through one of the letters in the sign and help us let everyone know that the sign has a purpose other than just jazzing up the yard.

Thanks, all!

Cheers,
V.V.B.

On The Picket Line reading a great success!

noreply@blogger.com (Visible Voice) — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 19:55:00 +0000

Thank you to everyone who came out to Visible Voice Books today for Mary Triece's reading from her book On The Picket Line. It was a beautiful day for an event in our lovely courtyard.

Thanks to all who came for making it a wonderful success!

Cheers, V.V.B.