Ash Wednesday! Overbooked

​OverBooked 
Written By: Ash Catcher 


Hello, hello! It’s Wednesday yet again, this week I wanted to share some of the most outlandish books that I have come to own in the past 30 years on this space cake of a rock. Currently I have "an office” in my house and I say that loosely because as of May I have been working outside remotely on my back deck getting hecka tan- but in this office happens to be uhhhh like 3 bookshelves and I have two in my room currently. I just got back my big one finally and gave her a stellar paint job. She is saged and ready to get more books put on her! I cannot wait to acquire more. 

     Most of my shelves are categorized by genre loosely- but instead of my records - alphabetical and genre - if I really need a cookbook I know that is going to be kept on the bookshelf closest to the kitchen. Or… are they up and in my room. I’ll have to check on that. Okay so in no particular order I randomly chose a book off of each bookshelf! 

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1. “Please Kill Me, The Uncensored Oral History Of Punk” Written by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain This was one of the books that I first got at the Newtown Book and Record Exchange back when I lived with my parents- for what is is worth they have a great vinyl selection if you like music from the 70s and 80s- I have been known to skip genres every once and awhile and act like a damn hippy. So I have had this book for almost 20 years- it has survived like 10 punks borrowing it and it has miraculously came back to me every fucking time- to which I am always surprised- very rarely do I lend out books nowadays. This book covers punk on all fronts both coasts in the USA are accounted for- mostly Brooklyn I guess the authors are a tad bit biased and naturally the UK. This thing is riddled with witty interviews, vulgar stories backstage- where let's be honest that is the real show right there. All within less than 500 pages. Word count who the fuck knows! Gahhhh Anarchy responsibly. 

1. “Shroom” A Cultural History Of The Magic Mushroom.” Written By: Andy Letcher. We all know this so ill be quick to hate alcohol, but drugs when dosed properly, big, big fan of that- Anything psychedelic to make my head feel like a frisbee. This book is broken up into 3 parts and they’re all genus of mushrooms- Agaricus, Amanita, and Psilocybe. This one is particularly interesting in that not only do they break down all the components in these shrooms- covering all topics such as history, archeology, and even chaos magic now who doesn’t like that?! 
2. “Fifty Shades Of Kale” Written By: Drew Ramsey, and Jennifer Iserloh. I found this book and the Silver Lake Center in Bristol Pa while on a hike with a friend of mine. I instantly loved the pun so much that I snatched it and threw it in the car before we went for our walk. Inside are you guessed it, 50 recipes on Kale- while boring to some I quite like kale, beets, and carrots- I have to be honest the cover jacket is pretty fucking raunchy- I also think its cute when people sexualize vegetables. I have been honked at quite a few times for eating a cucumber whole at a red light. They were kind enough to provide a metric conversion chart too- which we should all use! I really like the Kale Pesto with Toasted Walnuts recipe- all though I always cave and use cashews cause it makes the pesto that much better! Fuck Authority, I’ll use any nut I please. 
3. “The Year Of The Flood”. Written By Margret Atwood we have all seen or read the  Tale but this book I managed to read in an afternoon at the beach while still getting maximum beach rat sun status! I recall getting the advanced copy back when I worked in a bookshop in high school. When I ordered the real copy I have to say first versions are always riddled with mistakes but they’re fun to find and tend to keep me more engaged. The plot follows two characters, Toby and Ren, whose stories intertwine with each other and, at points, with major characters from Oryx and Crake. Much of the story is told through flashbacks with the two main characters separately surviving the apocalypse described in the previous novel. Who doesn’t love unsesacary confusion flashbacks, plot holes and split story lines- I blame the Twilight Novels for fucking with character  P.O.V because clearly you’re strapped for ideas. 
4. “Body Astrology”, Written By: Claire Gallager— oh are we surprised I snuck one book on Astrology because I am not. I think I saved the best for last honestly. I don't remember where I got this book. I think it was in one of those I am so manic I have to buy something to calm me down in stages of my life but I am glad I did because this book is great! It's broken up by sign and included everything from possible her;th problems, yoga poses, diet, wellness, and answered my age old question: why air signs have the worst astmatha? You’re so lofty you are air, why are you choking like that? Get this book you'll need a book like this! 

Happy Wednesday!