Loading...

Kevin King Recommends

Books

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael ChabonThe Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Chabon, Michael
2000
This brilliant epic novel set in New York and Prague introduces us to two misfit young men who make it big by creating comic-book superheroes. Joe Kavalier, a young artist who has also been trained in the art of Houdiniesque escape, has just smuggled himself out of Nazi-invaded Prague and landed in New York City. His Brooklyn cousin Sammy Clay is looking for a partner to create heroes, stories, and art for the latest novelty to hit America the comic book. Inspired by their own fears and dreams, Kavalier and Clay create the Escapists, The Monitor, and Luna Moth, inspired by the beautiful Rosa Saks, who will become linked by powerful ties to both men.
Blankets: An Illustrated Novel by Craig ThompsonBlankets: An Illustrated Novel
Thompson, Craig
2003
At 592 pages, Blankets may well be the single largest graphic novel ever published without being serialized first. Wrapped in the landscape of a blustery Wisconsin winter, Blankets explores the sibling rivalry of two brothers growing up in the isolated country, and the budding romance of two coming-of-age lovers. A tale of security and discovery, of playfulness and tragedy, of a fall from grace and the origins of faith. A profound and utterly beautiful work from Craig Thompson. The New Printing corrects 3 small typos, widening the spine graphics, but otherwise is identical to the first printing.
Middlesex by Jeffrey EugenidesMiddlesex
Eugenides, Jeffrey
2002
A dazzling triumph from the bestselling author of The Virgin Suicides--the astonishing tale of a gene that passes down through three generations of a Greek-American family and flowers in the body of a teenage girl. In the spring of 1974, Calliope Stephanides, a student at a girls' school in Grosse Pointe, finds herself drawn to a chain-smoking, strawberry blond clasmate with a gift for acting. The passion that furtively develops between them--along with Callie's failure to develop--leads Callie to suspect that she is not like other girls. In fact, she is not really a girl at all. The explanation for this shocking state of affairs takes us out of suburbia- back before the Detroit race riots of 1967, before the rise of the Motor City and Prohibition, to 1922, when the Turks sacked Smyrna and Callie's grandparents fled for their lives. Back to a tiny village in Asia Minor where two lovers, and one rare genetic mutation, set in motion the metamorphosis that will turn Callie into a being both mythical and perfectly real: a hermaphrodite. Spanning eight decades--and one unusually awkward adolescence- Jeffrey Eugenides's long-awaited second novel is a grand, utterly original fable of crossed bloodlines, the intricacies of gender, and the deep, untidy promptings of desire. It marks the fulfillment of a huge talent, named one of America's best young novelists by both Granta and The New Yorker.
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris CrutcherStaying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Crutcher, Chris
1993
The daily class discussions about the nature of man, the existence of God, abortion, organized religion, suicide and other contemporary issues serve as a backdrop for a high-school senior's attempt to answer a friend's dramatic cry for help.
Rats Saw God by Rob ThomasRats Saw God
Thomas, Rob
1996
In hopes of graduating, Steve York agrees to complete a hundred-page writing assignment which helps him to sort out his relationship with his famous astronaut father and the events that changed him from promising student to troubled teen.
Perfect from Now On: How Indie Rock Saved My Life by John SellersPerfect from Now On: How Indie Rock Saved My Life
Sellers, John
2007
In Perfect From Now On, John Sellers has written a fan's memoir overflowing with humor, self-deprecation, encyclopedic knowledge of musical minutiae, and "you should have been there" personal anecdotes. Despite vowing never to get caught up in music due to the nuttiness of a Dylan-obsessed father and playground taunts about his preference for Top 40 trash, he found himself powerless to resist the lure of indie rock, the genre that begat the likes of Sonic Youth, Pavement, Built to Spill, and Modest Mouse. When his favorite band, Guided by Voices, called it quits in 2004, Seller examined his own listening habits, caught a few mind-blowing shows, got drunk with his heroes, and wrote this book - one that is sure to resonate with anybody who has ever obsessed over good music.

Movies

L.A. Confidential by L.A. Confidential
1997
This 1950s crime thriller brings together dirty cops, gangsters, politicians, and tabloid blackmailers.
It Happened One Night by It Happened One Night
1934
A classic comedy about an antagonistic couple determined to teach each other about life. Best picture, Best Director-Frank Capra, Best Actor, Best Actress.
Hoosiers by Hoosiers
1986
An unorthodox high school basketball coach and the town drunk join forces to lead their underdog team all the way to the state championship.
Batman Begins by Batman Begins
2005
The untold story of Gotham City's Dark Knight, from a boy's family tragedy to a guilt-clouded manhood and a fateful encounter that spurs Bruce Wayne's training, transformation, and triumph.
The Breakfast Club by The Breakfast Club
1985
Five teens from drastically different cliques spend a day in detention with each other, delving into each others' true personalities.

Music

The Crane Wife by The Crane Wife
The Decemberists went from cult favorite to the top of indie rock with albums brimming with flawless melodies and songs filled with various characters. This album follows in that tradition and promises to be their most ambitious effort to date.
Blood on the Tracks by Blood on the Tracks
Retreating to the past, recording a largely quiet, acoustic-based album, Bob Dylan offers the sound of an artist returning to his strengths.
The Queen is Dead by The Queen is Dead
One of the Smiths' most acclaimed and legendary albums. The album combines dark punk and hard rock influences with lush instrumentation and intense emotion.
Yoshimi Battles Pink Robots by Yoshimi Battles Pink Robots
Filled with lush, psychedelic sounds and sweeping orchestras, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots shows the Flaming Lips taking their experimental sound in new directions. The album includes the singles Do You Realize and Fight Test.
And I Feel Fine...:The Best of the IRS Years, 1982-1987 by And I Feel Fine...:The Best of the IRS Years, 1982-1987
Along with highlighting some of R.E.M.'s earliest hits, including "The One I Love", this two-disc collection includes a disc of rare tracks, studio demos, live performances, and more.

Websites

Pandora Radio
ESPN.com
The Official Site of the Detroit Tigers
Newsarama.com
Truthdig