Aretha Franklin got engaged. (We just really wanted an excuse to post a shot from Blues Brothers.) The Millions gives one of the best 2012 book roundups we’ve seen. Jonathan Lethem talks to Bloomberg. Is Sherlock sexist? Steve Almond has an idea how indie bookstores can battle Amazon. Mystery gold found in Paris. Follow Vol. 1 Brooklyn on Twitter, Facebook, and our Tumblr. Got tips for Bites? Info@Vol1brooklyn.com
When Isaac Asimov worked for Radio Shack
Posted by Jason Diamond
Morning Bites: Townes Van Zandt, Edith Wharton in Massachusetts, a Sportswriting century, Jesmyn Ward, and more
Aretha Sills remembers Townes Van Zandt at the Los Angeles Review of Books. Dana Spiotta is the featured guest on this week’s Other People podcast. Massachusetts reclaims Edith Wharton from Manhattan high society. Parul Sehgal reviews Jesmyn Ward’s Salvage the Bones for The New York Times. The Atlantic takes a look at 100 years of sportswriting. Follow Vol. 1 Brooklyn on Twitter, Facebook, and our Tumblr. Got tips for Bites? Info@Vol1brooklyn.com
Reimagining the sounds of Tarkovsky’s “Solaris”
Posted by Jason Diamond “Where Artemyev dabbled with space-age Bach, glittering, shimmering plinks symbolizing Breughel-esque snow, and ambient drones as vast as space itself, Frost and Bjarnason’s Solaris captures the final frontier with a lush string orchestra, guitar and prepared piano all manipulated to varying degrees of dissonance. “ – Composers Ben Frost and Daníel Bjarnason re-imagine the sounds of Tarkovsky’s Solaris at the Q2 Album of the Week.
Michiko Kakutani does Twitter?
Posted by Jason Diamond The literary Twitter world waits with baited breath to find out just who the person behind the Michiko Kakutani account is. Some people don’t believe it’s truly her, but until we hear otherwise, we’re going to hold out and hope that it’s the real deal. Follow Vol. 1 Brooklyn on Twitter, Facebook, and our Tumblr.
Bites: Where Nicholson Baker writes, bathtub Longreads, Sam McPheeters, Dragon Tattoo in jeopardy, and more
Nicholson Baker (above) shows us where he writes. A. N. Devers’ gives her top 5 Longreads read in the bathtub for the year that is about to end. Huffington Post Books pick their favorites of 2011. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo hasn’t done too hot at the box office, does that mean the sequels will be scrapped? (Via Sarah Weinman) Sam McPheeters writes about laundromats for Vice. (If you aren’t familiar with Sam, check out our interview with him, and […]
My Top Ten Short Reads* for 2011
Posted by Mikki Halpin *Because, to quote Sean Nelson, “I don’t have that much *time* for *reading* as I’m out there really trying to make a difference in the community.” 1. Christina Kelly, Five Reasons Why Black Swan starring Natalie Portman is a Sickening Male Fantasy (145 words) Sure, 145 words is a lot, but Kelly lays out her case in easily-understood bullet points, each one an imaginary quote from the male writers of the film: “It’s really hot when […]
Bites: Kim Kardashian vs. the Countess of Grantham, 2012 books, Tin House picks,The Men, and more
At Grantland: Downton Abbey vs. The Kardashian’s John Irving, Toni Morrison, and Michael Chabon all have books on The Atlantic’s books to look forward to in 2012 list. Scott McClanahan talks to 3:AM Magazine. On reading Jennifer Egan in Africa. (Not the same as reading Jennifer Egan while listening to “Africa“) Tin House picks their favorite books of 2011. At Salon: Stumbling upon a treasure trove of Yiddish theatre posters. One person isn’t as excited about forthcoming album by The […]