When it comes to political theory, anarchism is really the closest thing I can associate my ideas with. As with so many things I gravitate towards, this is just another label that tends to lend itself to cliques and elitist attitudes in the most unfortunate of ways. Most recently this became ever so prevalent in reading the latest offering from Oakland’s AK Press.

An Anarchist FAQ (AFAQ), Volume 1 edited by Iain McKay would seem more aptly titled A Selection of Anarchist Quotes. While this is something McKay addressed in the introduction, it is almost amusing to flip through the book and look for the bold type referencing the title of a quoted book. I also appreciate Iain’s understanding that with anrachism being what it is at a base level - individual freedom, many will not agree with the way he (and an apparent collective) have defined the word or its adherents. However, in acknowledging this fact, it seems an impossibilty to nail down such a definition. In doing so, I feel AFAQ reads more in a “my way or the highway” style rather than allowing the true freedom anarchist theory would generally suggest. A rather ludicris section in the book (A.1.3) goes about quoting the American Heritage Dictionary on the words Libertarian and Socialism, afterwards stating that “Those wanting to debate dictionary definitions are free to persue this unending and politically useless hobby but we will not.” All while this is the essence of AFAQ, to determine or answer what is and is not anarchy!

In all it’s bound splendor, AFAQ is over 500 pages of terrefic anarchist quotes linked together by McKay’s incessant rights and wrongs of anarchism as according to himself and a short list of contributors. I love it for a lot of the quotes and hate it for what seems to be an absolute want for recognition as well as the overbearing need to discredit the anarcho-capitalist theory on McKay’s end.

Again, with anarchism being the freedom angled theory it is, I felt AFAQ reads in too many absolutes. This is really too bad considering the size and obvious effort that has gone into the project. Being a book McKay stated he would hope turns others on to anarchy, I am surprised this is the final outcome.

Find out more as well as find some great reading at AK Press

Jeani Rector (the author) is destroying me. Around a Dark Corner is the second book I have reviewed for Jeani and I will note, as I did in reviewing Open Grave, Jeani’s first book - I am not generally a fiction fan. What fiction I do read is generally reserved for Wes Craven so Jeani, you’re in good company. That said, I blew through Around a Dark Corner in 2 days. Finishing it standing in the kitchen after work - I had to know how the final story ended.

Around a Dark Corner consists of 9 short stories and a final 12 chapter novela. Something that really stands out when looking at Jeani’s writing as a whole are the sometimes identical descriptions of environments, objects and even some characters from story to story. When reviewing Jeani’s first book this was something I didn’t appreciate for what it provided to the book as a whole. After reading Around a Dark Corner I am a fan of the method. Not being the astute critic of literature, I am unsure whether this method is something that is good, bad or indifferent. All I know is I like it and enjoy how it intertwines all the stories and provides a constant familiarity.

I truly enjoy Jeani’s writing and the only consistent negative aspect I have come up in her books is cover design and a lack of bicycles throughout each story. While the bikes really don’t make a damn bit of difference, I feel the cover has a high school art class quality to it and could ultimately keep it on the shelf at a bookstore which is a shame. However, what the hell do I know about fiction books… this may be the norm.

As with her last book, Jeani relies on a lot of religion through out her stories, but not so much as it doesn’t have a place or that it ever references how you should live your life. And like Open Grave, the final novela in Around a Dark Corner titled “A Teenage Ghost Story” was the one that I couldn’t seem to put down before finishing. This has lead me to wonder what Jeani could be capable of if she set out to assemble a full on novel. I hope we find out.

In full disclosure, Jeani has been an advertiser in Lattitude Zine. You may feel this sways my critique of her books while I may feel you’re an asshole. My reviews are honest and true, if something sucks I’ll let you know. If Jeani didn’t want to advertise because I was giving my honest opinion - I wouldn’t want to help promote her products in the first place.

To find out more visit: aroundadarkcorner.com and be sure to tell Jeani we sent you. You can also check out Jeani’s previous book at opengravenovel.com