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Slow Days, Fast Company
Slow Days, Fast Company: The World, The Flesh, and L.A. | Eve Babitz
No one burned hotter than Eve Babitz. Possessing skin that radiated its own kind of moral laws, spectacular teeth, and a figure that was the stuff of legend, she seduced seemingly everyone who was anyone in Los Angeles for a long stretch of the 1960s and 70s. One man proved elusive, however, and so Babitz did what she did best, she wrote him a book. Slow Days, Fast Company is a full-fledged and full-bodied evocation of a bygone Southern California that far exceeds its mash-note premise. In ten sun-baked, Santa Ana windswept sketches, Babitz re-creates a Los Angeles of movie stars distraught over their success, socialites on three-day drug binges holed up in the Chateau Marmont, soap-opera actors worried that tomorrows script will kill them off, Italian femmes fatales even more fatal than Babitz. And she even leaves LA now and then, spending an afternoon at the house of flawless Orange County suburbanites, a day among the grape pickers of the Central Valley, a weekend in Palm Springs where her dreams of romance fizzle and her only solace is Virginia Woolf. In the end it doesnt matter if Babitz ever gets the guyshe seduces us.
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BekaReid
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Yesterday was our first snow. The perfect kind with big, pretty flakes and then gone within hours so no shoveling required. And I got the chance to start the tagged book, which I'm enjoying immensely.

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 11mo
dabbe Hello there, sweet kitty! 🖤🐾🖤 11mo
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Vansa
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Vansa
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What an absolute jewel of a sentence. "Half lives of expectation". Absolutely gorgeous

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Esin
Pickpick

Went straight to Cafe Formosa afterward (Mason rec)

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Megabooks
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Pickpick

I had a love/hate relationship with Eve through this memoir. Were there times she came off as rude and condescending towards anyone not in her scene? Sure. Did I still love her flamboyancy and crazy life? Yes. However, my two favorite essays were about her more “normal” American experiences: the trip to Bakersfield and the Dodgers game. Ultimately, this is a pick just because I couldn‘t stop turning the pages! Thank you Barbara and Cindy! 💜

Megabooks #awesomeapril book 8/10 @Andrew65 trying to finish my other print book before my Covid shot Thursday morning 🤞🏻 4y
Cinfhen Excellent review! I also loved her essay about Bakersfield/ it was definitely the standout in the collection. She was a little off putting but im happy this was a pick for you 😁💕 4y
Cinfhen Is Thursday‘s shot still on? Good luck 🍀 💚 4y
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Megabooks @Cinfhen thanks! It was very readable even if she wasn‘t very likable. I think that‘s why this is a pick for me. And yes, I‘m glad I kept the Thursday Pfizer/Moderna appointment because J&J has been recalled here so mom isn‘t getting her shot Wednesday. Anyway, hope it goes well. I‘ve cleared my afternoon. (My appointment is at 11 am.) 💜 (edited) 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen headed to bed 🤞🏻🤞🏻 4y
BarbaraBB The Bakerfield was my favorite story too! So happy to hear you are getting vaccinated! Take care 🤍 4y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB thanks! I‘m excited to be vaccinated finally! I hope you‘re having a good trip. 💕💕 4y
BarbaraBB Finally? I think you are doing pretty fast in the US. I don‘t expect to be vaccinated before July 😩😩. My trip is already over, just a meeting a few hours away. But it felt good! 4y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB oh yikes! I wonder how they‘re apportioning vaccines globally. I vaguely understand how they‘re doing in the US and in Kentucky, but even within Kentucky, some areas it‘s easier to get vaccinated than others. I‘m glad you got to get out of town, though! 4y
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 4y
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Megabooks
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Thank you so much for starting my #nyrb collection, Barbara and Cindy!! Y‘all are truly the best!! 💜📚😘

Megabooks Also the flowers, minus the roses which I took out because they were fading, still look great! 💕💐 (edited) 4y
BarbaraBB Wow, look at those beauties! Gorgeous covers 🥰. And I‘m so glad the flowers are still looking great! ❤️ 4y
Cinfhen Yay 💗💚💜so excited they arrived ~ you‘re awesome xx 4y
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Megabooks @BarbaraBB they are really pretty! I love the look. 💕💕 I can‘t wait to crack them open! 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen thanks! I think you‘re pretty awesome, too!! 💚💚 4y
LeahBergen Lovely! 😍 4y
Megabooks @LeahBergen thanks!! 🤩 4y
batsy Ooh! Wonderful gifts 💖 4y
Megabooks @batsy absolutely! 😃 4y
Cathythoughts Fab 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
87 likes10 comments
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BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

I don‘t know who Eve Babitz is but I really liked her attitude in these stories of her life. She is fearless and shameless and hedonistic. She knows exactly though how empty it is and how little it all means in the end. I especially loved the story where she travels to Bakersfield and discovers that there is a real life behind the glamour of Hollywood - and she loves it!
Thanks much for sending me this one @Cinfhen I had such a good it 💕 #NYRB

Cinfhen Lovely photo and that was my favorite vignette as well💕so glad you enjoyed this book 4y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen There were some more I really loved. In the end I became less interested though, it was a bit repetitive. Nevertheless, a good read 😘 4y
Ruthiella I have her books Eve‘s Hollywood and Sex and Rage on my TBR but not yet read either . Your review makes me want to get to them SOON! 😀 4y
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BarbaraBB @Ruthiella Like your review makes me want to read Trollope 😀😘 4y
Megabooks Sounds interesting!! 4y
Gissy Yes! It really sounds interesting. I like that title! 4y
batsy Great review! I really want to read her. And I love this photo and how the book's pink cover pops against the background 😍 4y
vivastory Fantastic review. I really must move Babitz up my TBR 4y
Centique And what a pretty spot for reading! 😍 4y
Taylor What a sick cover. 4y
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BarbaraBB
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#WeeklyForecast 32/20

My current read is The Alienist, which I am enjoying a lot. Then another #1001books (Flame Throwers) and the one you sent me Cindy (the gorgeous #NYRB). If there‘s time left I‘ll try Monsters... but I never read graphic novels and I‘m not really looking forward to it 🤷🏻‍♀️ #challenges

TrishB I never read graphic novels either, hubby loves them. 4y
BarbaraBB @TrishB Mine too but only series, like Largo Winch and XIII 4y
Flaneurette graphic novels are not necessarily my thing either(superheroes=nope)but this one is sui generis and the illustrations def enhance the story. I'm anxiously awaiting the sequel 4y
BarbaraBB @Flaneurette I have indeed heard so many good things about this book, maybe I shouldn‘t be that anxious starting it! 4y
Kalalalatja I love the art work in Monsters. Even if you don‘t like the format or story, I‘m sure you‘ll appreciate the illustrations 👌 4y
70 likes5 comments
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Cinfhen
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Mehso-so

Eve Babitz is an excellent writer and her vignettes flow effortlessly, however I can‘t say I connected with her writings. This was just ok for me. I‘m happy to pass this along to you @BarbaraBB 💗

Cathythoughts Gorgeous cover though 💕✨💕✨💕✨ 5y
BarbaraBB Your picture is gorgeous. I am looking forward to it. Thanks 🙏 💗 (edited) 5y
Cinfhen Not sure when I‘ll get to the PO @BarbaraBB 🤪but it‘s being put aside for you!!! Thanks so much @Cathythoughts it definitely is a #ThinkPink cover 💖💖💖 5y
mrp27 That's a bummer! I was eyeballing Babitz for the set in Hollyood prompt. 5y
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Cinfhen
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My #CoronaStack 😷Looks ambitious but my brain is feeling finicky 😉plus I have 3 audiobooks I‘m listening to 🎧 #MondayIsTheNewSunday

Simona My Monday is the new Sunday too. Actually, my whole week is going to be like Sunday ... a little bit selfish, but I‘m quite pleased with that🤗 5y
Cinfhen You deserve it @Simona xx hopefully your book arrives today!!!! 5y
Kalalalatja I‘m excited to see what you think of the new Morgenstern. It is waiting for me at the PO, and I‘m working on getting a friend to pick it up for me 😄 5y
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Crazeedi Looks like a perfect #mondayisthenewsunday 5y
Cinfhen I haven‘t picked it up yet @Kalalalatja maybe we can buddyread if your friend gets your copy!! 5y
Kalalalatja It looks like I might be able to pick it up myself! The Danish government is changing its strategy, so if I‘m not showing symptoms, I can go outside (while still being cautious and keeping safety distance to others). So I‘m planning to pick it up tomorrow or Wednesday, when another package for my bf arrives. So I could be up for a buddy read! 😊 5y
Cinfhen Ok @Kalalalatja let‘s wait and see xx hope you‘re feeling better ☺️ 5y
116 likes7 comments
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bookwrm526
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Mehso-so

Each chapter is a story, and I‘d love to know how “semi” autobiographical the stories are. As always with stories, some of them were great and some of them were complete whiffs.

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quietjenn
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Totally living up to it's reputation, thus far 🧡

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RealLifeReading
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Definitely feels more like SoCal than NorCal these past few days with all this hot hot heat we‘ve been having. So this book by Eve Babitz, set in SoCal, is quite fitting. To be honest, I hadn‘t heard of Babitz or this book. I just happened to be scanning the shelves and thought it sounded interesting. Turns out that Babitz is having a comeback - her books are being reissued, a TV adaptation is being made, and a biography published in January

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RealLifeReading
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#libraryloot this week - two new books with “Rise” in the title, and a classic from the 1970s, all about Southern California. Have you read any of them?

Lindy I‘m 9 hours deep into the audiobook 6y
BarbaraJean Early Riser is a good one! 6y
rretzler Early Riser is great! 6y
Tonton Slow days, Fast Company! 6y
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youneverarrived
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Pickpick

These ten short stories, or vignettes, are all set in and around L.A in the 1970s & are a blend of fiction and memoir. It‘s got such an evocative sense of time and place. The imagery and the way she describes the characters is spot on. An easy, often funny read that captures a mood. 💕 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #newtoyouauthor #booked2019

Cathythoughts Great review!! I wish I was more inclined to read short stories.. I often like them when I do ... & well done on another #Booked2019 👍🏻 6y
batsy She sounds like a fascinating writer. 6y
Theaelizabet Just bought this (and Eve‘s Hollywood) Can‘t wait to read them. 6y
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TheBookStacker
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Ready to start his one, but might not get to it until tomorrow.

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BooksCatsMaine
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#Bookhaul! @Kitta and I went to the Brooklyn book fest today and got totally carried away! Which is especially bad as I also bought Never Anyone But You in the airport a couple of days ago and forgot 🙀
So now we both have big new #TBR stacks!

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AlizaApp
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Pickpick

This might be my favorite thing I have read so far this year. Eve‘s unabashed love of LA in the 70s is gorgeous to read about, everything is sunshine, sex, drugs, rock n roll but with wit and honesty and the teensiest bit of gossip.

Cinfhen This sounds great and your pic is 🙌🏻 7y
AlizaApp @Cinfhen thanks 😊 it was pretty perfect! 7y
25 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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AlizaApp
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All about Eve right now 👑

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MLRio

Since I‘ve started carrying a book everywhere, even to something like the Academy Awards, I‘ve had a much easier time of it, and the bitterness that shortens your life has been headed off at the pass by the wonderful Paperback. Light, fitting easily into most purses, the humble paperback has saved a lot of relationships for me that would have ended in bloodshed.

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MLRio
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Pickpick

Eve Babitz does what so many other writers fail to do, which is to write about L. A. without making you hate L. A. and everyone who professes to love L. A. Her clever prose, her keen perception, and her unapologetic honesty make for an engrossing read, and combine to offer the reader the scintillating sense of place she herself was so enchanted by. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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MLRio
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#BookMail is the best mail. #EveBabitz

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katedensen
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Help me out!

Only two votes for my next novel (see this post:
http://litsy.com/p/aVRNVERKRFBS) for #24in48 and I'm almost done with Killing and Dying (which I am LOVING, by the way).

Suzze Question. How do you get a URL for your post? 8y
katedensen @Suzze the little arrow thing-y at the bottom. 8y
Suzze Hmm, I tried that, did COPY and it copies the whole written part of the post. Oh, well. 8y
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katedensen @Suzze Weird! Android or iPhone? 8y
Suzze Even weirder, the text it copied was from a post I made last night, while the arrow I used was on my most recent post. 8y
Suzze OK. I went to a different post of mine, did it, and it worked perfectly. Thanks! Don't know why it was so crazy. 8y
13 likes7 comments
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brendanmleonard
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Pickpick

I looooooooved this. Like "new favorite author" loved. It really is like someone took the best of 70s California rock and put it in a book. Babitz is such a fun, poignant, insightful, and true writer - I didn't want it to be over! It's also perfect winter reading, a book that conjures a dream of a warm place that seems so far away, a place you'd want to visit, at least for a while. And did I mention it's feminist AF? Read read read it! #readwomen

Josie Haha great review! I lol'd at "feminist AF" 8y
brendanmleonard @Josie thank you! I wanted to talk more, but I ran out of space! (edited) 8y
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Josie @brendanmleonard I have that problem often! You did great though! I wanna read it! 8y
MLRio This sounds marvelous. 8y
[DELETED] 3323341091 i loved this book as well! 8y
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brendanmleonard
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This quote is too real for life and/or America. 😂😭😂

JanuarieTimewalker13 Ain't that the truth!!! 8y
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brendanmleonard
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Are you looking for something loose, warm, and languid to get you through these long winter nights? Do you want the vibe of great SoCal Seventies Rock (Linda, Jackson, Warren, Joni) in book form? Have you read all of Joan Didion? Then you have to check out Eve Babitz - one of my favorite 2017 discoveries so far. It's all of the above, plus the best kind of gossipy prose...and full of sentences that will take your breath away. #readwomen

ValerieAndBooks Synopsis looks really good! Is it a recent release? Have not heard of her until just now! 8y
brendanmleonard @ValerieAndBooks it's a reissue through NYRB Classics. Originally came our in 1974. She's a fascinating figure. 8y
katedensen I picked the NYRB repub at @bookculture when it came out but haven't gotten around to it yet. It definitely just got bumped up on my list! 8y
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brendanmleonard @katedensen I went out and grabbed Eve's Hollywood too - you remind me I need to check out the NYRB display at Book Culture! 8y
katedensen @brendanmleonard Book Court had the BEST NYRB selection, but they closed 😭😭😭 (edited) 8y
brendanmleonard @katedensen I was so heartbroken when Book Court closed! 8y
katedensen @brendanmleonard Just another item on the epic "Why 2016 Was the Worst" list. 8y
69 likes4 stack adds7 comments
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brendanmleonard
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Six books + 4 journals (fourth journal not pictured) + 8 pencils + more than 10 pens (other pens not pictured) + 1 kindle (with an additional 100+ books) = everything you need for a week in the wilds of Pennsylvania!

BookishMarginalia 💜💜💜🙌🏼 8y
Marchpane Looks like you're all set! 8y
Suet624 😍😍😍 I think you might be all set. 8y
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LeahBergen 👍🏼👍🏼 8y
Ellsbeth Oooo...Staedtlers & Leuchtturms. Nice. 8y
Victoria_C @Ellsbeth ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
103 likes6 comments
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ampersunder
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Visited a new-to-me bookstore near work today. They had an amazing selection of new & used, but I only had 20 minutes. Looking forward to another trip!

6 likes1 comment
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slothandtabby
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Reading Eve Babitz at lunch on a workday in New Haven, CT seems super antithetical to...well, all that is Eve Babitz-y. Clearly I should be hungover and overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Possibly wearing a fabulous coat of some sort? And yet!

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katedensen
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I'm in bed already because I have an early day at #BKBF tomorrow. I have only 20 or so pages left of my current book, so which of these should I read next? Also, making this my contribution for #somethingforsept #womenwriters. Yay, multi-tasking. #brooklynbookfestival #septphotochallenge

RealLifeReading Wish I could help but I haven't read any of these! Also hooray for multitasking! 👍 8y
erinreads The Beautiful Bureaucrat is a quick, weird, enjoyable read! 8y
katedensen @RealLifeReading ☺️ @erinreads I like all of those adjectives! 8y
33 likes3 comments
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katedensen
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Today's #bookhaul, courtesy of @bookculture on Columbus.

BookishFeminist Love Book Culture so much. I have their red bag! 8y
katedensen @BookishFeminist ❤️❤️❤️ I went a little nuts because I had 20% off...So We Read On and The Late American Novel were bargain books though! 8y
BookishFeminist @katedfisher They have one of the best bargain sections upstairs! I've gotten so many half price NYRB classics from there 8y
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MrBook Very nice! 😎😻 8y
katedensen @MrBook Thank you! Glad to see you back ☺️ 8y
MrBook Glad to be back! @BookBabe and I missed ya 😊👍🏻. 8y
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