Apr 26, 2019
I mean.....that’s one way to fix the problem
seen from United States
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seen from Canada
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seen from China
I mean.....that’s one way to fix the problem
My 2019 reading journey finishes not with a bang but a whimper in the form of The Obama Inheritance: Fifteen Stories of Conspiracy Noir. Sadly, despite an incredible concept, (noir fiction based on and inspired by Obama conspiracy theories) the actual execution of this collection fell flat. Even with tales of lizardpeople, time travellers, post-apocalyptic wastelands and more, the majority of the stories felt uninspired and benign, falling into the same trap of ‘twist’ endings that were flagged from the start, or attempts to be controversial in a tame or unneeded way. The most interesting thing was how relevant and accurate a lot of the conspiracies are given the currently unfolding political events. I had high hopes, I really did, but with two or three exceptions, was left sorely disappointed. #theobamainheritance #thanksobama #minimonotonebookclub #booksivereadin2019 #booksivedrawnin2019 #booksreillustrated #bookstagram #illustration #houlart #houl (at The White House) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6uKtiFB0Xi/?igshid=1kr758obvfiu6
The Short Story Advent Calendar by @hingstonolsen Honestly, the best thing about Christmas this year was this advent calendar. A new story each day from a brilliant collection of authors, and only a small handful were actually Christmas themed or Christmas Adjacent. I definitely discovered some new names im going to be following up, and finally have a reason to look forward to Christmas next year. I tried to include a sneaky nod to the original art too. #theshortstoryadventcalendar #hingstonandolsen #minimonotonebookclub #booksivereadin2019 #booksivedrawnin2019 #booksreillustrated #bookstagram #illustration #houl https://www.instagram.com/p/B6owwfDBsoa/?igshid=1j0tjqwtt72fb
The Horse and His Boy C.S.Lewis In 8th grade, maybe 9th, a girl showed me how to draw a horse. I’ve never used that knowledge properly until yesterday. Thanks, Daisy, I hope you’re still drawing horses, wherever you are Also, the book is fine. A little less Narnia than I was expecting but nothing wrong with that. #thehorseandhisboy #cslewis #thechroniclesofnarnia #minimonotonebookclub #booksivereadin2019 #booksivedrawnin2019 #booksreillustrated #bookstagram #illustration #houlart #houl https://www.instagram.com/p/B6mK15hhiDH/?igshid=am9e6c0na6g8
Animal Farm by George Orwell It’s time to come clean. Hello, my name is James and I’m an English Teacher who, until this week, had never read Animal Farm. Shameful, I know, but don’t stress, I’ve since rectified this error. I won’t lie, I found the allegory to be painfully direct and obvious, completely lacking subtlety, in other words, perfect for teaching. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and regret not reading it earlier as it’s so ripe for dissecting and destroying, and will be teaching it at the next possible opportunity, I just prefer not be be beaten about the face with the metaphor. Maybe I need to read more classics... #animalfarm #georgeorwell #minimonotonebookclub #booksreillustrated #booksivereadin2019 #booksivedrawnin2019 #bookstagram #illustration #houlart #houl (at Manor Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6jfUxIhLVm/?igshid=5dvrs63xdjv
The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway Powerful and poignant. Hemingway conveys so much through so little, both in his writing as well as the narrative. A stunning piece of literature from start to finish. #theoldmanandthesea #ernesthemingway #minimonotonebookclub #booksreillustrated #booksivereadin2019 #booksivedrawnin2019 #bookstagram #illustration #houlart #houl https://www.instagram.com/p/B5n_FjOhXJM/?igshid=1sivhw4t1bxyi
Death to the Bullshit Artists of South Texas by Fernando A Flores @f.a.flores . This is a book with fists. Each story a scrappy fighter, massaging its knuckles in preparation, getting ready to throw down in the car park behind a BBQ joint while someone hands out cigs and collects bets. Flores’ writing is raw and rough and real, with beautiful characters living intricate lives, deeply entangled in the music they each play. Each story explores a musician or band connected to South Texas. To list my favourite stories would do the collection disservice, (but they’re definitely ‘The House Band for the Hotel Cuerpo de la Paz’ and ‘The Exit and Arrival of Beebee Kwaiczar) Honestly, one of my favourite books this year. #deathtothebullshitartistsofsouthtexas #fernandoaflores #minimonotonebookclub #booksreillustrated #booksivereadin2019 #booksivedrawnin2019 #bookstagram #illustration #houlart #houl (at Austin, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4qTaSght8R/?igshid=19r8bmq1gyi4e
The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis . A fun and lighthearted delve into the origins of Narnia. A little heavy on the Christian allegory, but it’s hard to complain too much when you’re chilling with Aslan again. #themagiciansnephew #thechroniclesofnarnia #cslewis #minimonotonebookclub #booksivereadin2019 #booksivedrawnin2019 #booksreillustrated #bookstagram #illustration #houlart #houl https://www.instagram.com/p/B4VdPMKh-_X/?igshid=1m9did6l6n9ix