Sunday, May 2, 2010

Local Natives, the magic of books



So I was fortunate enough to get to shoot the Local Natives for City Magazine the thursday before last. They're fantastic & if you don't know about them, you need to. I love all their stuff but I particularly can't stop listening to Airplanesand Wide Eyes. Click here to visit their site and buy their record!

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I'm juggling reading quite a few books right now, on top of all of my required school readings. I go through phases where I'm reading 24/7 all the way to droughts where I'm so busy or preoccupied with life that I forget the magic that books can bring. I'm a strong believer in the power of books---their ability to change the way we think, even change our lives--if not, at least, to bring us a little comfort in knowing we aren't alone. The author James Baldwin articulated this beautifully: "It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.” Amazing.
Another equally wonderful quote I love:
"My understanding of the meaning of a book is that the book itself disappears from sight, that it is chewed alive, digested, and incorporated into the system as flesh and blood which in turn creates new spirit and reshapes the world. -Henry Miller

I'm always asking for book recommendations, and am happy to give my own, so if anyone has a fav novel or knows about a lesser-known but amazing book, please do share!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend,
x

2 comments:

gonzalezjr said...

Hey - found your site through yewknee and am so glad. Your photos are amazing, and I've enjoyed following your links. I wanted to recommend a lesser known book by a great writer - Street of Crocodiles by Bruno Schulz. So beautiful and dreamy.

Katherine Squier said...

I'm just now seeing this for some reason. Thank you for the kind words & for the recommendation, I will absolutely look into it! :)