there are times i wish i could just sit down alone in the store and just read through every synopsis for every book that looked remotely interesting. luckily, when shelving, i am able to do that, but to an extent: i only have time to read a few sentences while walking, or else i'll be falling and skidding all over the place like a koala on an ice rink. another thing that ties into the desired browsing is when i have access to amazon and the assorted book-finding uber-technology we have brimming from our pristine flat-screened monitors. i swear, sometimes i look at and read about so many different books that i believe my summer reading list looks like Leviticus and Deutoronomy put together. currently i'm in giddy anticipation to read "Fantasyland" by Sam Walker and "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" by Susanna Clarke. and since i'm aware that you're absolutely melting to know, my newest pet peeve is currently obtaining papercuts from handling books incorrectly. yeah, that's right, there is a WRONG WAY TO HANDLE BOOKS. i can't even begin to tell you the amount of literature-instigated fatalities i've heard about in 2006 alone. it'd make your granny wet her depends.

graphic novels are, in fact, literature. there. i said it. i've never been a fan of arguing with those who diagree and swear that comics are just pictures with word bubbles; there are too many amazing stories to be taken away from them, too many phenomenal authors to ignore. with that said (as an superb segue, if i do say so myself), Superman Returns works best as a testament to the power of graphic novels and comic books. the rich story, the messianic comparisons, the iconic american symbols, all of it has permeated our culture, and it all sprung forth from a measley five cent funny book. the movie, which i was fortunate enough to see in advance last night, is captivating and stunning - i have to see it again! i feel that also, as an avid comic reader, i took more away from the movie with my prior knowledge, which is why (full circle now!) i think everyone should read a few Superman graphic novels and comics before diving in. it only helps to further enrich the tapestry of the film, and plus, it's reading so you feel good about yourself. i know i do. reading, that is. good. ahem. Superman. comparable to the original version, and did you know that Mario Puzo (THE Mario Puzo of Godfather fame!) worked on the original movie's screenplay? ha-cha!

Ah, the sweet aroma of world wide webbing. Welcome to this, our first foray into the wacky world of web-logging (or "blogging" as kids like to call it). Here we'll be charting thoughts, ideas, reviews, recommendations, and other tidbits of knowledge and humor that connects you to us, and then you to River Bank Books & Music, a new urban bookstore filling 10,000 square feet in the heart of downtown (as well as comfortable chairs and air conditioning)! Consider this blog to be the delightful middle man in this whole adventure. First things first, what I consider to be the best possible album to get your hands on, which coincidentally we have in stock! The band? Gnarls Barkley, consisting of DJ Danger Mouse (the man behind the Gray Album and DangerDoom) and Cee-Lo. In a tripped out frenetic piece of R&B-Hip hop mastery, this infectious album will have you rocking and rolling and singing and dancing, but not all at the same time because you might pull something. And we don't want that, so be sure to stretch appropriately before indulging. I know I do.