Author Archives: J. Davis

The Day of the Locust by Nathanael West; Published by the Arion Press

Posted on October 15, 2013 by J. Davis

Let me just say right off that this was not my favorite novel. It could be because the subject matter isn’t of much interest to me. I’m not much of a movie or television watcher, so Hollywood’s film history doesn’t … Continue reading →

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The Lay of the Love and Death of Cornet Christoph Rilke; Published by the Arion Press

Posted on September 29, 2013 by J. Davis

Ever since I read Stephen Mitchell’s translation of the Tao Te Ching at just the right time in a critical juncture of my life, I’ve eagerly sought out anything else he’s done. That made finding a copy of the Arion … Continue reading →

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Biotherm by Frank O’Hara; Published by the Arion Press

Posted on July 31, 2013 by J. Davis

“Ut pictura poesis,” Horace wrote in the first century BC. “As is painting so is poetry.” In his Poetry Foundation blog post “Poets and Painters”, Martin Earl writes “Painters and poets have been wed from the beginning. Language itself has … Continue reading →

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A Special Colophon for the Arion Press edition of The Day of the Locust

Posted on July 20, 2013 by J. Davis

It’s hard not to be excited to see my daughter Kaelyn’s name on the Arion Press colophon for the first time. It’s a fine press book lover’s dream!

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The Cats of Copenhagen by James Joyce; Published by the Ithys Press

Posted on July 20, 2013 by J. Davis

The Cats of Copenhagen is a cute little children’s “story” that was written by Joyce and sent to his grandson Stephen James Joyce in 1936. According to the Preface, a love of cats was shared between the two, and had … Continue reading →

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Norfolk Isle & The Chola Widow by Herman Melville; Published by Nawakum Press

Posted on July 14, 2013 by J. Davis

The Chola Widow is one of ten sketches Herman Melville wrote as part of The Encantadas, or Enchanted Isles. As such, it is a short piece that can easily be read in one brief sitting. When a story like this … Continue reading →

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Check out “Outside” from the Nawakum Press!

Posted on June 27, 2013 by J. Davis

I just received a notice from David Pascoe of the Nawakum Press about a new book for 2013. Outside is a collection of stories by Barry Lopez illustrated by Barry Moser. While I am not familiar with the author, I … Continue reading →

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Jurgen: A Comedy of Justice by James Branch Cabell; Published by the Limited Editions Club

Posted on May 21, 2013 by J. Davis

The Whole Book Experience is all about how a particular book might affect me as I read it. Of course the experience is literary. And with the fine and private press books I concentrate on for this blog, it is … Continue reading →

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A Flame in the Heart; Published by Littoral Press

Posted on March 10, 2013 by J. Davis

On the first page of A Flame in the Heart: a love/hate anthology we learn that it “is dedicated to those we love with a blazing passion, to those we hope will burn in hell, and ideally, to the future … Continue reading →

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A glimpse of CODEX 2013

Posted on February 19, 2013 by J. Davis

CODEX 2013 was my third trip to the show and it grows more amazing each time I go. Set in the beautiful San Francisco Bay area, this time in beautiful Craneway Pavilion in Richmond. I spent a day and a … Continue reading →

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