George Perec's "The Art Of Asking Your Boss For A Raise"

Georges Perec is a writer who likes to play. He is also a writer that for one to enjoy has to be willing to go on the drive with him, and he is for sure the driver. Remarkable on many fronts, this book has super anxiety attached to it. The fear of asking money from your boss or head of your station at work is sweat stained existence for many. And Perec plays on those fears in a very playful way. "Everything needs to be simple" is a thought that runs through out this small book, but simple is often either complex or opens up other issues. Maybe way too many issues! 

Especially when one is planning "how" to approach the boss in asking for a raise. What will happen if he is not there at the time, or he's on the phone or..... The "or" is the part that can drive one mad, and Perec captures the irrationality that is basically in the workforce. But then therefore does that mean it only exists in the workforce?

Alexy Brodovitch's "Ballet"

When I think of the well-designed magazine lay-out, the name Alexy Brodovitch comes to mind. He was consistently a man who understood the importance of how a visual makes a statement on paper. And in the context of a book or magazine as well. But here he focuses as a photographer (and book designer as well) on the subject matter of various ballet companies that performed in New York during the 40's. Personalities don't stand out, but the movement and energy of the performance comes off the page like a punch to the head. Dynamic, beautiful, and visually witty.

The original edition is almost impossible to find. So what we have here is a book on the original edition of "Ballet." The original lay-out of its photographs, and its text by poet and dance critic Edwin Denby. Important and of course essential serie

Tosh Talks Feb.25.2011

I give a mini-lecture on recent photo books that I find to be perfect.

LA BOOKWOMAN DAY

Meet agents and producers!
Get published!
Learn social media strategies that work!

The Women's National Book Association/LA chapter presents an all-day workshop on how to get published in 2011.

Saturday February 26, 2011 from 9-4pm at the Marina del Rey Hotel.

For more information & to register, visit
http://www.wnba-books.org/la/


(*Click the flyer above to enlarge!)

Tosh Talks Feb.07.2011 "Wormwood Star" and the Jack Parsons' biographies