NOOTS- March 2024

Posted:

By Juniper March 5, 2024

Friendly Reminders: 

  • Open the blinds at the beginning of an opening shift and close them at the end of a closing shift 
  • Log all interactions in the OOTS transaction log, yes even if they’re just asking for directions to somewhere else 
  • Please place all returned and donated books on the shelf indicated in the brown cabinet to the left of the OOTS front desk for Kira to deal with the cataloging overhaul process is a delicate organism 
  • Let people know that we have a section for games and RPGs 
  • Lastly, drink some water if you haven’t today and if you have we appreciate you guys and hydration is important, take a break and take care of yourself 

What’s new in OOTS  

  • New and Updated Volunteer Manual A
  • Nonprofit Grant Application in Progress 
  • Ischool RPG nights run from 5:30-8:30 by our very own Sam 
  • New schedule coming out soon and late January opening! 
  • Given Youtuber hbomberguy’s recent video exposing popular queer video essayist James Somerton’s rampant plagiarism of other queer writers (watch all 3 hours and 50 minutes here trust me it’s worth it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDp3cB5fHXQ) we have compiled a list of all of the works that scumbag shamelessly stole from or dared to mention that we have at OOTS enjoy! https://docs.google.com/document/d/17zOMaL8NMhgrZ8e25JZhbrTjoLknIbXmyApjjwhbLZs/edit 

Queer Creator spotlight

Clive Barker 

Born in 1952 in Liverpool England, Clive Barker is an icon of queer horror and an important figure in the body horror and splatterpunk subgenres specifically. He is a writer, director, illustrator, playwright, and comic artist whose work depicts the intersections between kink, body horror, and queer sexuality. Not to mention a few fantasy epics and even a children’s novel.  Clive Barker is a maker of strange and queer monsters, celebrating nontraditional bodies and desires alike through exquisite paint and prose. His work is not for the faint of heart but if you don’t mind a little bit of viscera it’s well worth it. His work celebrates Othered bodies and shamelessly queer sexuality. Barker’s work was inspired by his time working as a hustler (his word) in the 1970s as well as the horror and fantasy books he read in his youth as well as fairy tales, films and visual artists like Francisco Goya. The first of Barker’s work to be published was The Books of Blood a series of short horror story collections beginning in 1984. In 1987 he released his directorial debut Hellraiser based on his novella, The Hellbound Heart published in 1986 about a man who seeks pleasures beyond the mortal realm and reaps the deadly consequences. The Hellraiser franchise is probably what Barker is best known for especially since it introduced the world to Pinhead, one of the distinct faces of horror, even if Barker never liked that particular nickname for his beloved BDSM Hell Priest. 

He would only direct two more films after this one, Nightbreed in 1990 based on the 1988 novella Cabal and Lord of Illusions in 1995 based on the novella, The Last Illusion published originally in 1985 as one of The Books of Blood. Since then he has worked on screenplays for many films, some based on his work including the now iconic modern folk horror Candyman (1992) and lesser-known gems like Rawhead Rex (1986). He has also published a series of YA fantasy novels known as the Abarat series, The Thief of Always, his only children’s book, among his other adult fiction such as Coldheart Canyon, which is housed in our very library and Mr. B Gone a personal favorite about a demon down on his luck. These days Barker resides in Beverly Hills, California surrounded by his beloved birds. 

The Gay Agenda 

Queer Story Recommendation 

Defekt by Nino Cipri Nino Cipri’s novel, Finna made its name in modern fantasy with its gripping hook in 2020. Who wouldn’t be drawn in by the promise of an Ikea full of doors to alternate dimensions? As good as the first book is with its sweeping world-building and endearing characters I have a soft spot for its sequel Defekt published in 2021. The book follows Derek, a loyal Littenvarld (definitely not Ikea) employee who is launched into a world of monsters and doppelgangers when he is assigned to a late inventory as Littenvarld’s top-of-the-line products begin sprouting eye-stalks and teeth. The book is a funny and biting critique of capitalism and retail hell with a delightful cast of queer characters and a poignant message about embracing your otherness in a system that runs off of conformity. It’s short and available on audiobook as well so pretty easy to access and can be read independently of Finna. Nino Cipri is a queer and nonbinary writer, educator and self-identified professional oddity. Their work has been nominated for several awards and with another book coming out this year they are certainly a writer to watch.  

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