Jesmyn Ward wrote about Beyoncé’s “Formation” for NPR.

Sam Lipsyte wrote an affecting essay on his connection to, and memories of, Earth, Wind, and Fire.

Brooklyn Magazine has a new essay from Maris Kreizman.

“Listening to a man you yourself find funny laugh at jokes you don’t get is, in retrospect, a master class in learning to read social cues.” New writing from Zachary Lipez at Hazlitt.

Scaachi Koul wrote a fantastic essay about her name, and perceptions of it.

Kate Wadkins on the world of punk ephemera.

At the NYPL: a look at great literary scenes of love in New York City.

Follow Vol. 1 Brooklyn on Twitter, Facebook, Google +, our Tumblr, and sign up for our mailing list.