I think it’s safe to say that October is something of a juggernaut, as far as books we’re looking forward to are concerned. The full spectrum is covered: surreal short fiction, expansive works in translation, smart juxtapositions of pop and literary culture, insightful memoirs, and more.
In our afternoon reading: checking in with Spitboy’s Michelle Cruz Gonzales, new writing from Luke B. Goebel and Kelefa Sanneh, Carrie Brownstein recommends books, and more.
Maybe Sleater-Kinney changed your life. Maybe you saw Wild Flag a couple of times and were thoroughly floored. Maybe you’re a fan of absurdist humor. Either way, Carrie Brownstein is a figure that looms large for a whole lot of people, for a number of understandable reasons.
In our Tuesday morning reading: Kim Gordon and Carrie Brownstein in conversation, Dennis Cooper on xTx’s new book, notes on horror soundtracks, Eric Nelson on his new collection, and more.
In our afternoon reading: notes on iconic musicians on Instagram, thoughts on the new album from Steve Gunn and Black Twig Pickers, a review of John Benditt’s new novel, an interview with Eileen Myles, and more.
In our morning reading: new fiction from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a look at Broad City, an interview with Larry Wilmore, a look at novels where very little happens, and more.
Thoughts on realism in fiction and Haruki Murakami’s latest, building the musical instruments of the future, a history of Dick Tracy, new writing from Marie-Helene Bertino, and more.
The art of Lynda Barry, new writing from Megan Stielstra and Mike Meginnis, Carrie Brownstein talks with Hamilton Leithauser, and more.