Harris Kappa Kappa itibaren Randhiya, Gujarat, Hindistan
An absolutely stunning collection of photos along with essays and musings by Ms. Teese herself. It's interesting to read about her thoughts on burlesque, fetish, and high-femme presentation.
At times brilliant, at times infuriatingly monotonous, Ballard's 1970 novel is nonetheless a worthwhile read for its relentless sloganeering (chapter titles like 'Why I Want to Fuck Ronald Reagan' and 'The Assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy Considered as a Downhill Race') and occasional psychological insiciveness. I would certainly recommend this Flamingo edition which includes an introduction by William Burroughs and extensive notes to each chapter by Ballard himself - an interesting re-evaluation of this 60s celebrity-culture-obsessed novel from the perspective of the 90s. I am still unconvinced of Ballard's talent as a novelist, and found the mini-essay notes a necessary addition, providing an intellectual clarity sometimes lacking in the prose itself.
I really enjoy Anna Quindlen, but generally enjoy her non-fiction more than her fiction. This is one of the few exceptions. (This, and the adult novel Black and Blue.) I seem to love these twisted fairy tales, and this is an especially good one.
My children still love me to read this to them at night...a true classic.