*Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all book reviews on Alternative Muses are for volumes I’ve read as part of my J biography research. I hesitated to use the word review, as this series heavily focuses on WHY I chose to read a book and what I got out of it research-wise. As a compromise, I’ll end each post … Continue reading [Book Review] A Square Meal: A Culinary History of the Great Depression
Tag: Reading
Why I’m Writing This Book…
Why am I writing a book about an obscure musical theater performer whose career started approximately a century ago? The genuine answer is long and complex. I'll dig deeper into that conversation in the future. Today, I'm talking about the idea of distilling my motivation into an easily digestible statement--the kind that I can repeat … Continue reading Why I’m Writing This Book…
Making My Studio Spiffy for the New Year
When I started my research back on 9 October, I maintained office hours...same time, same place every day. This made sense, as the work I initially did was computer-based and very intensive. I tried to sit down at my desk, a mug of hot tea in hand, by 9:30 AM. After the first month, my … Continue reading Making My Studio Spiffy for the New Year
Energy
December 25th, 1921: A Holiday Greeting from J
One of the many hardships of being a touring performer is spending holidays away from your loved ones. J faced this challenge more than once. She was close to her mother and stepfather; spending Christmas across the country from them in California couldn't have been easy. In this telegram, J's vivacious personality and laid-back wit … Continue reading December 25th, 1921: A Holiday Greeting from J
[Book Review] Frommer’s Nashville & Memphis
*Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all book reviews on Alternative Muses are for volumes I’ve read as part of my J biography research. I hesitated to use the word review, as this series heavily focuses on WHY I chose to read a book and what I got out of it research-wise. As a compromise, I’ll end each post … Continue reading [Book Review] Frommer’s Nashville & Memphis
[Book Review] The American Plague
*Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all book reviews on Alternative Muses are for volumes I've read as part of my J biography research. I hesitated to use the word review, as this series heavily focuses on WHY I chose to read a book and what I got out of it research-wise. As a compromise, I'll end … Continue reading [Book Review] The American Plague
The Serendipitous Scrapbook
This little book doesn't seem very promising, does it? 7 1/2 x 9 1/2. No cover. What did it look like the day it was purchased? Was it colorful? Textured? Patterned? We'll never know. Why was it preserved? It looks like trash, inconsequential. Maybe it meant something to someone, long ago. Let's find out. 120+ … Continue reading The Serendipitous Scrapbook
Samuel Johnson on Reading
Brainstorming Chart
I have a lot to do, wouldn't you say? My brainstorming sessions have produced hundreds of items, most of which you would find yawn-inducing. The above chart, however, is a nice representation of the topics I'm researching for this biography. It's a good thing that I love weird minutiae. A QUESTION FOR YOU: Are visuals … Continue reading Brainstorming Chart
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