In our weekend reading: Robert Macfarlane on language, Jason Diamond on John Hughes, and much more.
Afternoon Bites: Janelle Monáe and Science Fiction, Caitlin Moran Interviewed, Marlon James, Steve Reich’s Latest, and More
A look at Janelle Monáe and science fiction, Steve Reich’s latest is reviewed, thoughts on new books from Eula Biss and Marlon James, an interview with Caitlin Moran, and more.
#tobyreads: Geography Revisited — Brian Francis Slattery, Francesca Lia Block, and Nicola Griffith Rewrite Familiar Landscapes
Fiction has a particular ability to rework familiar places into new iterations of themselves. In some cases, this can be by presenting alternate or fantastical versions of a certain space; in others, it can come through pushing that space into the future (or pulling it back into history.) The three books discussed today reveal new sides to cities and towns we thought we knew — and make for good, sometimes moving reading.
Review: Brian Francis Slattery’s ‘Dense, Meditative Apocalypse-saga’ “Lost Everything”
Lost Everything by Brian Francis Slattery Tor; 304 p. At this point, a global ecological collapse is so certain that the best we can hope for is that it looks pretty. Or at least that it gives us a chance to get back to basics and mull over some weighty philosophical matters as the final day approaches. Is that so much to ask? Meager pleasures like those lie at the core of Brian Francis Slattery’s dense, meditative apocalypse-saga, Lost Everything. […]
Afternoon Bites: Daniel Clowes, Brian Francis Slattery, Duff McKagan, and more
Alexander Chee spoke with Daniel Clowes for BOMB. He’s written up more of his thoughts on the process for his blog. Spencer Ackerman on Duff McKagan’s It’s So Easy: “…a book about feeling like a zombie in a supermarket because the choices required to endure life’s routines can overwhelm. “ Hobart‘s Aaron Burch has a new short story, “Or,” in the latest Bull. The Outlet looks at some noteworthy book reviews from the past month. Later this month, Housing Works […]