Ngugi wa Thiong’o talked about language, political unrest, and his new memoir with NPR.

Sheila Heti gives us “A New Canadian Myth for New Canadian Times.”

“In the album, it’s possible to hear the kaleidoscopic ambition and bruised optimism of What’s Going On and Innervisions, hints of Miles Davis’ prolific funk-fusion period and Bob Marley’s ascendant good vibrations, the lingering specter of Love’s death-of-innocence opus Forever Changes, and the drawn-out, spaced-out folk-rock sigh emanating from Laurel Canyon.” Eric Harvey on Shuggie Otis, at Pitchfork.

The Paris Review on Jim Thompson’s home in Bangkok.

“…the book is riddled with playful homages and allusions to writers like Fitzgerald and Hemingway – every single chapter begins with an epigraph – and you get caught up in the game of figuring out what’s “real” with a narrator who admits that he is a liar.” Amanda Bullock on Kristopher Jansma’s The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards.

Folks from Electric Literature, Tin House, and more will discuss storytelling at KGB next month.

“Nevertheless, this is where that old maxim comes into play. You must murder your moon landing description. If it helps, picture yourself as a powerful king.” Seth Fried’s “Murder Your Darlings,” at Tin House.

That time Vampire Weekend hung out with Steve Buscemi.

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