Yesterday we mentioned Mental Floss and their series of videos that explored the classic “Bo Diddley Beat“. While we totally appreciate the selections (yes, even the George Michael song), and anything Bo Diddley, we gotta point out that they sorta missed the boat on making mention of basically anything The Gories ever did, which is a shame. The Detroit band somehow took said guitar and drum beat originated by “The Originator”, and did something totally unique, and amazing with it. […]
Bites: The last Nobel mentions (maybe…), libraries in trouble, browsing, new Tom Waits, Mussolini working for the Brits, and more
One final Nobel link roundup. The New Yorker on President Obama’s “Nobel surprise“. N+1 says: “The peace prize’s reputation makes it a powerful tool. It’s not always the right tool, and it’s not always effective, but it’s good to have around.” “Herta who?” Drama over the economics Nobel winner? Lit. Dave Eggers, Jay Leno, and Roger Ebert. What do they all have in common? They are all in a book talking about their favorite childhood books. Over at McSweeney’s, a […]
Bites: Chabon Interviewed, Granta Changes, Literary Doppelgangers, Grand Theft Auto & Inherent Similarities, Anderson to adapt Dahl, Real Chocolate, and more
Michael Chabon is interviewed at Jacket Copy on fatherhood and the writing process: “I think in a way, that’s sort of what you’re engaged in doing as a writer, too. You come into this inheritance of things that have been done and the ways in which they have been done, and people who influence you sort of pass along what they think is important, and what they think you need to know how to do. But over time you begin […]
Bites: Chicago reflects, James Ellroy, new Eastwick, Twilight soundtrack, and more
The Guardian looks at literary Chicago, in it’s more “reflective period” in the wake of the Granta issue that focuses on the Windy City. Lit. To answer your question Gawker: no, we don’t need another Eastwick. Mental Floss has Kurt Vonnegut reading Breakfast of Champions three years before it’s released. (via 92Y) Minneapolis Star Review (via Largehearted Boy) talks to James Ellroy. And over at The Cult, they talk to Mr. Ellroy also. I guess because I’m a blogger, […]
Aleksandar Hemon is My Favorite Writer I’ve Never Read*
This is true first because he inhabits Chicago, a city where some of my fondest memories are held. Second because of this, and finally this. Now, a video of Hemon along with Stuart Dybek hangin’ out on a porch in Chicago, discussing Chicago, is up at Granta Mag, in light of their summer 2009 issue which honors the city. *For a few months The Lazarus Project has been sitting on my nightstand–next to A Mercy, which I bought at the […]
Bites: Tragically o.o.p., who shot rock n’ roll, new book deals, Granta in Chicago, Andrew Bird + St. Vincent in Paris, and more
Lit. Dennis Cooper continues his “Tragically o.o.p. search and rescue mission”, with writer Tony Duvert’s Strange Landscapes. Cool Hunting on the photo book “Who Shot Rock n’ Roll“ In the never ending parade of folks getting book deals, Old Jews Telling Jokes has made it to the front of the line. (Thanks The Awl) Chicago Subtext asks you to write fiction in under 100 words or less. The Rumpus on the new Soft Skull book Label 228 Boston Globe talks […]
Bites: The Tolkien clan gets their due, People like 2666, Jim Carroll interviews, that guy who knows Chuck Norris, and more
Lit Breaking! Nerd World scoops EVERYBODY and gets the “terms” that Warner Bros. and the family of J.R.R. Tolkien (above) settled on. Stephen Elliott at The Rumpus on people who have read, who are perpetually reading Bolaño’s 2666. Three Guys One Book review Beg, Borrow, Steal by Michael Greenberg. Boing Boing posts an interview from 1987 with the late Jim Carroll All the cool stuff you didn’t know the Boston Public Library had is going on display. Granta is hitting […]