Lolito

I grabbed this book from Barnes N Noble after winning a gift card from a luncheon I had attended. The cover was awesome, and the reviews that were plastered all over were stunning.

I like the idea of this book. I love the marketability of this book. That being said, I really did expect more from this writer. I really wanted Etgar to actually develop as a character instead of remaining stagnant the entire time. I also wanted to experience Macy, and I don't feel we were able to. She was there. She existed, but I really don't remember much about her. There were some quirky and some funny moments which were enjoyable. The teenage awkwardness was hella-apparent. Brooks wrote it well, but he didn't take it far enough. He tiptoed around the subject of the story and politely opened the door instead of opening the books spine and shoving it down our throats.

There's a lot of this story that could be cut. Mostly towards the beginning. Some chapters remain moments, but some of those moments could have been merged together.

It's not a great book. Not really an innovative book. But it's not absolutely terrible. It's decent. Has a few good moments, but overall not that impressive.

Fireball

Fireball is the second book I’ve read from Charles Joseph, as well as the second book I’ve read from Indigent Press, and I’m equally happy with both the publisher and the poet!

Charles Joseph is back, and he’s beating the fuck out of all his readers with his latest chapbook, Fireball. I recently did a review of Joseph’s chapbook Temporary Obscurity which also featured B. Diehl. That book was my first encounter with Joseph’s work and it’s pretty much left me wanting more. As you can imagine, I pretty much devoured the digital copy that was sent to me.

Charles Joseph starts the book out with a piece called The Return of Kid Lightning, which addresses a man from Texas who had given him some pretty nifty compliments, AKA me. Which is pretty cool to be honest. I like how the poem addresses the struggles with creativity, its irritating ebb and flow that’s inside all creators. When the muses are pissed with you, you know it. They’ll suck out the juice from your fingers and leave you dried up until they’re satisfied in their punishment. Although the muses are some the greatest friends to writers, they can be demons to us at times. Return of the Lightning Kid sparks fire for the whole chapbook. It’s the strike of a match that leads to a whole forest fire by the end of the book.

The thing I love most about Joseph’s work is that it feels real. The pages within are insecurities, frustrations, life and everything in between. It knocks you down into the concrete with each page. It’s a good ride, and one I plan on reading again. Fireball is definitely a recommended book to read.