The Book of Zines: Readings from the Fringe

by Chip Rowe (Editor)

When asked why 90 percent of science fiction was crap, Theodore Sturgeon replied that 90 percent of everything was crap. With zines that figure probably rises to about 99.9 percent. Luckily, we have editor Chip Rowe to sift through the detritus of the zine world and distill this entertaining volume. Included are selections from such well-known zines as Beer Frame (wherein the author discovers the horrors of canned pork brains in milk gravy), Murder Can Be Fun (about the truly bizarre Boston Molasses Flood), and Rollerderby (on the brutality and sexuality of "Little House on the Prairie"). With over 80 selections there's something here for every maladjusted ex-teenager, from cutely benign tales of Brady Bunch fandom to recipes for making your own edible underwear.

Genres: Nonfiction

178 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Chip Rowe is a freelance writer based in New York.

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

So entertaining and eloquent! Great advice on a plethora of topics, from summer attire to dating to drinking.

[Stephen Paul Chase, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sexually attractive to women.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author, the Publisher, and Goodreads for this free book to read and review.

When a person thinks of Playboy, the first thing that comes (no pun intended) to mind is naked women. Playboy is that and alot more.

The Playboy Advisor deals with all sorts of questions asked by the reading public and range from sex to grooming to automobiles. All topics are dealt with honest advice to the numerous inquiries the magazine receives.

This volume of collected questions and answers is quite informative.

Sure quite a number of kinky people out there, and no, I am not one of them (honestly). Strange reading about them. Again, no, I don't plan to pick up any ideas or 'tips' enclosed in this book. Well... maybe some of the tamer ones. ;-)

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

now this is what a collection of zines looks like!
i had so much fun reading this that i tried to ration it out. make it last. of course zines are super random depending on whom makes them, so there were so many different subjects talked about that it was brilliant. super nerdy. hilarious. fascinating. you name it.
plus it seemed to be a good way to either get into zine making or else see what is already out there. and if you fancied any of the ones in particular, you could order them via the index at the back.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone familiar with Playboy magazine will know about the advice column. In this book, over 800 questions have been chosen to be printed, along with the column's responses. It goes without saying that this is an adult read and a great read for both singles and couples. Many topics are covered and this cheeky read is sure to tittilate! You'll get those answers you always wanted!!! I won a copy of this through a GOODREADS giveaway

[Andie Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Great compilation. It made me nostalgic for the "golden age" of zine publishing (the 1990s). There are some really great zines profiled in this collection. I'm sad that so many of them are no longer publishing, but it looks like a handful have made it into the 21st century, which is cool.

[Rachel Linder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must have bathroom book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are answers to every question imaginable from stereo's to kink! Everyone should read this!

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raunchy, snarky, funny, sometimes sexy and occasionally way off the mark.

[Alecs Tusciuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

The right thing to read

[Isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

a reread, but still fun.