the future of 1965

I loved this album cover when I first saw it because of its off-kilter, evocative look. Only now catching up to Broadcast from their soundtrack to 'Berberian Sound Studio', it's beautiful and sad to listen to a ghost.

Dior Couture Spring 11

Based on the fashion illustration of Rene Gruau.

daughters of darkness

A gorgeous, louche, sexy vampire film from 1971...a gloriously empty hotel on the Belgian sea resort town of Ostend is an unfortunate stop for an innocent couple. The Countess oversees their education in indulgence. Beautiful to watch as the days start shortening, night falls sooner and windows must finally be closed.

brighton shock

Counting the days down to World Horror Convention 2010, which is being held outside the US for the first time, and its 20th anniversary!

redemption, with rita

There is nothing quite so comforting as rereading old, old favourites when everything is on the verge of spinning out of control around you. Currently I'm snatching warmth whenever I can on the subway and before lights-out with Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, from Stephen King's 'Different Seasons' collection. The movie was wonderful, but the story goes deeper and a bit harder, and all the better for it. It also makes you rather thankful for your little lot.

I'm alone with you tonight

The Sunnyboys were teenagers from north of Sydney, Australia who formed a band in '79 and in a flash were touring, famous and releasing their first record. They were incredibly talented and one of those cases of the exact right sound, crystallising the time & place. Very tight, melodic pop songs with beautiful Rickenbacker riffs and Hammond organ that still sounds new...their arc was short but so bright. I was madly in love with Jeremy Oxley, like every other Sydney schoolgirl.

midnight is a place

Joan Aiken was a British author who was known primarily for her children's books - The Wolves of Willoughby Chase series was very popular for years, first published in 1962 with a gorgeous cover by Edward Gorey:

She wrote many adult novels as well, in many genres from gothic thriller to mystery to supernatural. Her writing is a marvel of clarity and sly, sharp intelligence, as well as a wicked and playful sense of humour. She could combine elegance and tremendous human warmth with a shade of the sinister that stayed with you for days. Her titles are equally evocative: Black Hearts in Battersea, Voices in an Empty House, Midnight is a Place. But it's her short stories that show the sharpest edge, the highest polish.

Her short story collections are hard to find (I dug mine up on eBay) but well worth the search. Don't let the Puffin editions fool you. A Whisper in the Night and A Bundle of Nerves are full of nasty, beautiful wonders that will democratically haunt adult and child alike.