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Thrift Scoreby Al Hoff
Vik has long been a fan of Al Hoff's Thrift Score 'zine. Covering the many facets of thrifting and thrift store sopping, the 'zine is essential for anyone wanting to save money or collecting the flotsam of vintage culture. Now Al has put together what might possibly be the bible of thrifting. Not simply a collection of articles from the 'zine, Thrift Score the book delves into the how (and sometimes why) of thrifting. Advice on where, when and how to shop for every room in your house, personal thrifting stories and suggestions for using your thrifted goods fill this book. Whether you are a novice or hardcore professional, if thrifting is your game, this should never be far from your reach.
[Harper Collins, ISBN 0-06-095209-1]
Inconspicuous Consumptionby Paul Lukas
Did you know there was a product called Pocari Sweat? How about Musk flavored LifeSavers? Know what a Brannock Device is? Name four brands of kraut juice. These overlooked consumer goods and more are covered masterfully by Paul Lukas. This is, in fact, a collection of articles from Mr. Lukas' always delightful 'zine of the same name. Inconspicuous Consumption covers the often overlooked (and usually amusing) fringes of consumer culture. Mr. Lukas finds revelation in the cereal aisle. Debates the merits of Hydrox over Oreos. Discovers the bizarre government funded information in US Army technical and field manuals. It's a trip into the everyday through the eyes of someone obsessed. Let this book open your eyes to the magic in the commonplace and send you looking for the 'zine.
[Crown, ISBN 0-517-88668-5]
Tips For Teens
Hipster parents have enough to deal with just keeping up with the latest cocktail creations much less raising a teenager! Thanks to Benjamin Darling], the job just got easier! "Tips For Teens" collects those swinging fifties teen "do's and don'ts" pamphlets into one swank collection. Advice on dating, parties, driving, grooming, petting and more! Delightfully illustrated, this slice of etiquette training will be invaluable for all parents (or those simply wanting class).
[Chronicle Books, ISBN 0-8118-0520-4]
Helpful Hints for Housewives
(A Treasury or Tips for the Model Homemaker)
by Benjamin Darling
[Chronicle Books, ISBN 0-8118-0006-7]
The Happy Mutant Handbookby Frauenfelder, Sinclair, Branwyn, Kreth & Eds
Designed by Georgia Rucker
So, you've gotten your fill of vintage this and retro that. You're looking for something cool and strange with a modern day twist. And, as you are reading this, you're online, baby. Well, let The Happy Mutant Handbook guide you through the fringes of the information superdirt road and the new counterculture. Church of the Subgenius, Theodore Geisel, Sun Ra, Burning Man, Jim Ludtke, Lamprey Systems and more will give the 21st Century hipster what he or she is looking for in phuture phun. 40 years from now, this stuff will be considered kitsch...be there now and brag about it later.
[Riverhead, ISBN 1-57322-502-9]
It Came From Weaver Five
For the Les Baxter compleatist, check out It Came From Weaver Five, a new book by Tom Weaver featuring interviews with sci fi-horror movie makers, which includes a lengthy chat with the B-man (along w/a fairly recent photo!). Deals mostly with his work on AIP horror and beach party films but also touches briefly on some of his exotic work, namely "Music Out of the Moon", "The Sacred Idol", etc.
It Came From Weaver Five is published by McFarland & Company, Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640. It's a small press devoted to fairly arcane film, TV and radio lore, and it's a little pricey but highly recommended.
Also of note...
Any fan of tiki lounge culture will find "High-rise Hawaii" an enjoyable read. It is the definitive chronicle of the suburbinization of Oahu following statehood. Krauss was a reporter for the Honolulu Advertiser, and an ardent believer that Hawaii was still paradise. The book covers such topics as mango smuggling, why hawaii five-o was phony, and Martin Denny on the witness stand. This book is out of print, but probably available at the local library under 919.69 k91hi. (Published in 1969 by Coward-Mccann,Inc. Library of Congress catalog number:71-81010)
The Esquire Handbook for Hosts c.1949. An oldie and a goodie. It tells how to throw a party with the class of the 50's. There's food and drink recipes, as long as "the sober-duty of a host" and "365 reasons to have a party". Plus there are tons of parlor games and tricks. If you see it grab it.
Two books from Keyboard Magazine...
Vintage Synthesizer and Hammond Organ
Absinthe : History In A Bottle
by Barnaby Conrad III (Chronicle Books, paperback)
Ralph
a collection of the Raplh zines.
Try the Essential Media cocktail culture pages.