More good stuff on tap. From an abundance of entertaining book reviews to the symbolism of the labyrinth, from the truthiness of Stephen Colbert to the basics of podcasting, and beyond. Get enlightened, get informed, and have a few chuckles on us this week.
Let me remind those of you who are chosen that you are invited to submit your own pick for next week (due to space considerations, please limit it to one). Please feel free to email me your picks (including the URL) by next Tuesday.
MUSIC
From Music Editor Connie Phillips:
DVD Review: The Black Crowes - Freak ‘N’ Roll Into The Fog by El Bicho
We get a detailed look at the concert that is immortalized on the DVD from Fantasma el Rey who also shares entertaining background information on a missed concert.
Stephen V Funk has his own unique way at looking at things and CD Review: Geoffrey Brady - Fob is no exception. Here we get an entertaining as well as educational look at Geoffrey Brady's career and this CD in particular.
BOOKS
From Books Editor Natalie Bennett:
Steal This Book: When Best-Selling Authors Provoke Others to Write Their Own Books by Don Baiocchi
"How to write a best-seller" is an old line, but Don has come up with a new idea of how to piggy-back on an existing top-seller. He's kindly shared it with Blogcritics' readers before heading off to utilise it himself.
Book Review: Seventy-Two Virgins by Boris Johnson by Quo Vadis
Some might accuse me of UK bias in this choice, but I can assure you I'm no fan of "Bonkin' Boris". The "upper-class twit (or fake twit)" is a pose that I suspect you have to be born British, and into a certain class, to enjoy. But you don't have to know Boris to enjoy this review, full of clever wordplay and painting a clear picture of the text.
From Editor Gordon Hauptfleisch:
Kaavya Viswanathan, the youngest writer that Little, Brown & Co has ever published, "unknowingly and unintentionally" plagiarized her debut novel. Twenty-nine times. Has she also smashed her credibility into a Million Little Pieces? Michael J. West, in Fictionalizing and Plagiarizing: Not the Same Thing, deftly and incisively tackles the issue of plagiarism, and triggers some varied and heated responses. We're still waiting for Oprah to weigh in, however.
TV/FILM
From Culture Editor Diana Hartman:
Reviewer Chris Evans has written a divinely inspired review of the movie Akeelah and the Bee. Very few reviews leave me feeling like I can't wait to see the movie, but this one certainly did. Chris effectively introduces the plot and the characters, giving up just enough background to leave a reader wanting more. By the end of the review, I couldn't wait to get to my local theater listings to find out when it would be showing here.
CULTURE
From Culture Editor Diana Hartman:
Richard Marcus takes a most interesting and in-depth look at the role of symbols in our society, particularly the seemingly defunct but historically significant labryinth in Labyrinths: A Symbol To Share.
POLITICS
From Politics Editor Dave Nalle:
If It Is Broke, Fix It! by Paul Jordan, Sr.
A heartfelt cry for the same principles that make personal responsibility such a good idea to also apply in government, specifically in the management of FEMA.
Article comments
1 - Stephen V Funk
Fobtastic! Thanks!
2 - Michael J. West
Wow. Thanks very much!
3 - Chris Evans
Awesome! Thanks!
4 - Richard Marcus
Once again I'm humbled by your appreciation of my work. I was nervous about the chronic pain article because I hate "sharing", but sometimes it's important to talk about an issue and be able to site original sources. When you are the horse's mouth I guess that makes it just a little easier to report the facts and find examples.
What was nice was that the people who commented felt like I was giving them a voice...that's cool.
So thank you Gordan, and thank you Diana.
5 - Don Baiocchi
Thank you! Quite an honor.
6 - Pratyush
Thank you. Always feels special. :)
7 - Amrita
Thank you! Outshined by the company btw.