the kwok talk forums

Another milestone hit as this weekend, we'll reach Episode #150!

To celebrate, let's try something else out instead of the routine question of the week. Submit an audio clip to kwoktalk@gmail.com and ask whatever you want. Be sure to include your name and where you're from! Try to get your clips in by Th/Fr this week so I can be sure to include them

I just sent you an MP3 of my lovely, lovely voice. Lookit me! I'm using this Web 2.0 I've been hearing so much about.

JeffR wrote:I just sent you an MP3 of my lovely, lovely voice. Lookit me! I'm using this Web 2.0 I've been hearing so much about.

It's perfect! Thanks so much!

Kwok Talk
Episode #150 - A Brand New Dance

02:40 - Super Shock Football is a great offering for us non-Madden folk
09:40 - Final Five: So You Think You Can Dance
17:33 - Immortal Iron Fist #9
25:17 - Paramore comes out swinging with Brand New Eyes
30:39 - Jeff Lemire addresses loneliness and hockey in Essex County Vol 1
37:16 - Immortal Iron Fist #10
43:35 - Listener Feedback: JeffR wants to know about how to learn about new bands
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Subscribe on iTunes. Discuss. Read. RSS.
Direct download: KT_-_150.m4a

Thanks for the answer to my question. I like music but, given the opportunity, I would rather listen to something that is spoken word, like a podcast or an audiobook. When I'm at work and I need something playing on my iPod to drown out the noise around me as I'm trying to decide on book purchases, that's when I listen to music the most.

Sorry about that sound quality. Was that mostly the microphone's fault? Was it too quiet and you had to boost the volume?

And I'm dying to read ESSEX COUNTY. Glad to hear that it's as emotionally real as everyone says it is.

The sound quality was fine, but I had to find ways to manipulate it to have it sound as loud as the other vocals. I played around with some effects, finding that a “megaphone” setting was the only way I found to tweak yours up a bit. That’s why it sounds a lot fuzzier than it really was. Not a biggie at all, just wish I found a way that didn’t involve distorting it.

I subscribe to a lot of podcasts which I listen to at work and on the commute. I generally reserve certain podcasts for the commute where I can listen more w/o interruption, and leave the others to just general listening at my desk at work, even though I might not necessarily catch everything. Somewhat related, I really wish I was more into audiobooks, but having to stop and start would cause me to forget a lot of what’s going on and I don’t think I could pay close enough attention while working or working out to keep up with the story.

I need to check if my library has the subsequent Essex County volumes. I read through The Nobody (which will show up on a future episode) first just because it was a little more recent than the other stuff (I think) and (sadly) because the cover intrigued me.

You know that whole "don't judge a book by its cover" thing that librarians and teachers told you about? That's bunk. Publishers put those covers on there for a reason: to get you to buy the book. I've read studies that show that after having a book recommended to you by a friend or someone you trust, covers are the most common way that people choose what books to read. Just wish I could find a study now to support this statement a little bit, but you'll have to take my word for it, I guess.

In fact, when I'm helping select what books to buy for the teen area, covers play an important role in deciding how many copies we should buy. Does a book with great reviews belong in every library branch? Well, even a book with great reviews isn't going to check out if the cover is horrible. And believe me, there are some horrible covers out there.

When it comes to graphic novels, I think that covers are even more important. You're going to be reading this book that is nothing but art for at least a hundred pages. Shouldn't you kinda like that art before you start reading? That's what the cover should be doing in that case.

Had myself a little rant there. Sorry about that.

Very interesting. I’m definitely a sucker for a good cover and marketing, but I never thought there’d be studies done about that. That’s kind of an interesting perspective coming from a librarian, since I often think about library books as having the generic blank color cover and spine due to library binding. (That’s actually one of the reasons why I haven’t actually done any binding of comics because I’m not totally in love with that generic encyclopedia look.) On a partially related note, there’s a Liberty Meadows volume at our library which I want to really read, but I can’t get myself to check it out b/c of the cover which has a gorgeous cover with Brandy on it that also kind of plays into the “comic readers just like hot chicks” stereotype.

Yeah, I understand that issue. Stick it under a copy of THE NOBODY again and then act surprised if someone brings it up.

Seriously though, library staff is *supposed* to be non-judgmental on the materials that a person is checking out. After all, the material was purchased by the library and is currently sitting on library shelves. It's there for you to check out.

And I'm shocked that you still have a LIBERTY MEADOWS volume just sitting in your library. Those volumes tend to disappear around here for some reason.