A Year in Books/Day 203: Raving Fans

  • Title: Raving Fans A Revolutionary Approach to Customer Service
  • Authors: Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles
  • Year Published: 1993 (William Morrow and Company, Inc.)
  • Year Purchased: 2010
  • Source: An ex-place of employment
  • About: I hate this book. I’m tempted to say that I passionately hate this book, but it’s too ridiculous and poorly written to engender that amount of feeling. If you’re wondering why I’ve kept a book this bad instead of tossing it on a rubbish heap whilst kicking up my heels in glee, I use it as a reminder to work my writing fingers to the bone so I do not have to toil in the corporate world again. Ever, ever again. Ever. Because if I do, I’ll probably have this crap thrown at me a third time. I’m not knocking the premise behind Raving Fans; it is sound-very basic, but sound. The execution, though, is worthless. The single worst passage I’ve read in my entire reading life is in this book. (See below) Honestly, if you can run through 132 pages in 15 minutes while knocking back Scotch in a dark, noisy bar without missing anything, what you are reading is too watered-down. Continue reading

Shopping for the Bookworm: Truman Capote Edition

I love Truman Capote. He makes me giddy. His writing-when he was at his best, when he cared enough to really try-is sublime. I could listen to his voice all day long. No, I could listen to his voice all the live long day. Enjoy these Capote-themed goodies from Etsy.

Truman Capote Necklace by Art History Nerd

Truman Capote Necklace by Art History Nerd-$25.00

I adore the photograph embedded in this necklace. It’s probably my favourite of Capote. If I wore this piece, I’d spend too much time fiddling with it like a toy.

Truman Capote Quote by hendersweet

Truman Capote Quote by hendersweet-$3.00

A nice little card with a quote from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Truman Capote Print by Senioritis

Truman Capote Print by Senioritis-$15.00

Colourful, kitschy print (11×17).

Vintage 1970s Cosmo featuring Truman Capote Article from Shop Buy Love

Vintage 1970s Cosmo featuring Truman Capote Article from Shop Buy Love-$24.99

This July, 1972 edition of Cosmopolitan features the article Truman Capote by Truman Capote.

House of Flowers Soundtrack from The Vinyl Frontier

House of Flowers Soundtrack from The Vinyl Frontier-$25.00

This is the soundtrack to the Truman Capote/Harold Arlen musical, House of Flowers. Starring Pearl Bailey, it was recorded in 1954.

The Grass Harp by Truman Capote from Bound By Books

The Grass Harp by Truman Capote from Bound By Books-$10.00

A Penguin Books edition of The Grass Harp.

 

Voices from the Grave #34: Mae West on Mr. Ed

Yes, I’m serious with this one. Mae West wasn’t just a performer; she was also a playwright and screenwriter. Whether you love or hate her, she still fits the bill for inclusion here.

Mae West on Mr. Ed in March 1964, when she was 70. This is the full episode, so feel free to skip ahead to the tasty/ridiculous bits.