Skin Deep: Tattoos, the Disappearing West, Very Bad Men, and My Deep Love for Them All
15 journalers for this copy...
This is one of those books that almost defies categorization. It's a memoir of an intelligent, creative woman who dropped out of college to become a photographer and who wound up being a tattoo artist, too. (She also, for a short time, shelved books in a library and worked as a phone-sex operator.) It's a memoir, but it's also an education in the history of tattooing, from the "discovery" of the practice by white people two millennia ago to the modern day (the practice was called "ta-tu" in Tahiti, along about the mid-1700s). But Griffin is interested in more than just history: she also explores the subculture of tattooing as it exists today. A surprising chunk of that subculture is located in Wyoming, and that leads the author into some provocative commentary on her home state of Wyoming, with special attention paid to the relatively recent popularity of body art. And the book is a personal story, too, as Griffin examines the bond we sometimes have with people who will destroy us (when the tale opens, the author is pregnant; the father, an ex-lover, is in trouble with the police and has a history of beating the mother of his child). The book does so many things that it's impossible to say which thing it does best. A remarkable performance, and one of the most unusual reads of the season.
This is an Advance Reading Copy, according to Amazon it hasn't been released yet.
I am reading this now and it will be a Bookray when I am finished.
1. When you receive book, please make a journal entry.
2. PM the next person on the list for their address. (Always check to make sure the list hasn’t changed.) Make sure the person is able to take the book.
3. After you read the book, tell us what you thought of the book.
4. When you mail the book, make another journal entry to let us know.
5. Try to keep the book for only a month. If you are having trouble please PM me or e-mail me.: j(dot)Chaban(at)Comcast(dot)net
6. If you see anyone on this list who is a known staller of bookrings please let me know that too!
7. At the end the book will be a Ray it Forward, so if you are the last on the list, read it and then pass on to a member of Bookcrossing!
8. Most importantly have fun and enjoy the book!! Thank you!
JennyC1230
List of participants for the Bookray:
1. Lumbermoose (GA)
2. Tempestsans (GA)
3. Flossie771 (GA)
4. jenptcfan (AR)
5. Trekwoman (IL)
6. RCLoriH (SD)
7. LadyKnightNiko (OH)
8. BethanieKay (TX)
9. Firegirl (AZ)
10. NMReader (NM)
11. princess-peapod (CA)
End of Bookray!
I really enjoyed this book. It was very well written especially considering that this was her first book. If you're a fan of the show Miami Ink, I'm sure you'll enjoy her perspective of the history and life of a tattoo artist.
to whomever ends up last in the ray...this is a book that i know both my BC buddies, hotflash and Firegirl, in AZ would enjoy. both would also see that it continues to travel so maybe consider an offer to them when you're done!
will journal more when i've finished this interesting read!
Released 15 yrs ago (2/16/2009 UTC) at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
have already PM (yesterday when i started reading this one) Flossie331 for her address and will put this in the mail the moment i have it. the book and an additional little RABCK is packaged and ready to go.
this was a very enjoyable and quick read. i'll be looking forward to more from Karol Griffin in the future. she has had quite a life already and i've no doubt she'll continue to have adventures and grow every day.
there's a lot i'd like to say about the book, but then i'd potentially spoil it for those who come after me. suffice it to say it's well worth the read for the history info surrounding the west, wyoming, tattoo and for the story of this young woman's life.
Going to the post office today.
mailed dc# 0308 3390 0001 1559 2087
This book is not one I would have normally picked up to read or purchased, but it was really interesting. A little out of my comfort zone, but like I said...interesting. That is one good think about bc, you get introduced to new books and new authors...thanks JennyC1230 for offering up this book.
Finished this up today. I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would. I especially liked the parts where she talked about how she learned how to tattoo and the story of the three "nonconformist" tattoos.
I already have Trekwoman's address and should get this in the mail to her in the next few days.
Thanks for sharing this!
That being said, I still believe tattoos and their culture are wildly interesting. I know and am related to plenty of people who have them, all with varying reasons as to why they've been "inked". Got to say, they're far braver than I. I wouldn't be able to withstand the needles (ack) going into my skin (shudders).
Released 15 yrs ago (3/25/2009 UTC) at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
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Out in today's post to RCLoriH.
Just waiting for the address of the next person in line and will get it on its way.
Released 14 yrs ago (6/2/2009 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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Sending to LadyKnightNiko - hope you enjoy & sorry for the long delay!
I did think her personal story was a bit sad - meaning, pathetic - because she seems like a strong, independent woman. It always upsets me to see women who make such bad choices in their personal lives. Once or twice is okay, but repeatedly? I hope that she has turned a new leaf and will stay away from those "OUTLAWS".
Oh, and incidentally - I laughed out loud at the "nonconformist" tattoos. ;)
I've got Firegirl's addy and will be dropping this in the mail to her after work today.
Thanks for letting me join, Jenny!
Released 14 yrs ago (6/24/2009 UTC) at
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Book is now on its way via media mail to Firegirl in firey Arizona ... Happy Travels, little book!
I found I could relate to Karol a bit, though she has taken things much more to the extreme than I. I have five tattoos (with plans to get more) and got my first one about 15 years ago. It wasn't as mainstream then so I admit, I too, have a bit of the same underlying resentment at how popular tattoos have become as Karol seems to have. I also have dated my share of "socially unacceptable" men, though never as extreme (or, thankfully, as dangerous) as the ones she has kept company with. I think the moral that her ex-boyfriend tells is very true ("you knew I was a snake when you picked me up") and is something more women should remember. "Bad boys" can certainly be a lot of fun and get your adrenaline pumping, but the truly bad ones are just that -- bad. I certainly hope that she has stayed away from that type of guy since writing this book, especially since she has a child to be concerned about now.
Arizona isn't quite as much "the West" as Wyoming, but it is definitely different from living back East or out in California. The desert is its own world and I liked reading about Karol's love for her own little world.
All in all, a decent read. Enough history to be interesting but not a dry history lesson, enough personal experience to be unique but not something others cannot relate to on some level or another. (And I, too, laughed at the "nonconformist" tattoo story.) Thanks for including me in this!
I enjoyed listening to the author's description of Laramie. I wwent to university in Laramie in the '80s. I could relate to some of the descriptions. The town she describes seems more "eastern" then the Laramie I knew.
I learned a lot about tattooing. I found the history interesting. I also had to laugh about the nonconformist tattoos.
I think Karol next book could be great if she can continue to write at this level.
Firegirl - I enjoyed the book - you did the right thing passing it on to me. I will admit I think it made my sister's eyebrows jump off her head but that was probably good for her.
Thanks for including me
I'll drop at the PO either over lunch or on the way home from work
Thanks for including me
Delivery Confirmation Number: 0308 2690 0001 9863 9815
"Read in order to live."
Gustave Flaubert
I just found out though that I am moving next month & trying hard to get books from other bookcrossers moving before they get packed up! I enjoyed this book for the history of both Wyoming (though I have never been there & have no plans too anytime soon) and of tattooing. I found Karol's story to be interesting, yet her choices were so unlike what I would do that it made it hard for me to relate to or like her as much as I would have liked. I am glad for the chance to read this, which is one of those books I might not have read if it were not for BookCrossing...thanks JennyC1230
now to see where this one will be headed next...
If you found this book while in the area of San Luis Obispo, CA. feel free to come by and check out Joe Mommas which houses our bookshelf! We also hold our local meetups on the first Tuesday of each month at 5pm there, please come join the fun! The books on the shelf are free to for you to read, enjoy and pass along to another!
this was taken from my shelves by a fellow bookcrosser to read and enjoy : )
happy travels...
"A book is a mysterious object, I said, and once it floats out into the world, anything can happen. All kinds of mischief can be caused, and there's not a damned thing you can do about it. For better or worse, it's completely out of your control."
Paul Auster
Released 6 yrs ago (3/20/2018 UTC) at Starbucks @ W. Warm Springs & Julia St. in Henderson, Nevada USA
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