In our weekend reading: talking with Bud Smith and Rae Buleri, thoughts on the writings of Ishmael Reed, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Catherynne M. Valente Interviewed, Mitski Returns, Diane Williams Fiction, and More
In our afternoon reading: an interview with Catherynne M. Valente, fiction by Diane Williams, and more.
Morning Bites: Jess Walter, Nisi Shawl on Writing, Ray Bradbury, Adrianne Lenker’s Latest, and More
In our morning reading: thoughts on Jess Walter’s new novel, Nisi Shawl on writing, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Matthew Salesses Interviewed, Jeff Noon, Darin Strauss’s Playlist, Jess Walter, and More
In our afternoon reading: an interview with Matthew Salesses, a playlist by Darin Strauss, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Tiphanie Yanique, Matt Bell & Brian Evenson Talk Craft, A Sacred Bones Mixtape, and More
A playlist from Tiphanie Yanique, new writing from Roxane Gay and Matt Dojny, notes on cities and anxiety, Matt Bell and Brian Evenson discuss craft, and much more.
Afternoon Bites: Jess Walter’s Latest, Sonic Youth’s Live Album, “Minimum Wage” Returns, Nick Cave Protest Song, and More
“For all that Walter is frequently lauded as a humorist, the best stories in We Live in Water play the simple emotional chord of men just trying to do their best.” Alison Hallett on Jess Walter’s new collection We Live in Water. Hyperallergic on Nick Cave’s protest song. Richard Nash on the business of literature. “This is the beautiful paradox of Sonic Youth: making their instruments sound like everything that a guitar ought to be capable of creating, while simultaneously using them in […]
A Partial Recap: The Southern Festival of Books
The Southern Festival of Books was this past weekend in Nashville, TN. I went to it; at least I went on Saturday, parked in a parking garage, ate a granola bar, and thought about last year when I made a fool of myself in front of Chad Harbach. But that was then. And this is now. Or at least it was “now” a few days ago.
Beach Reads for Intellectuals: Jess Walter’s “Beautiful Ruins,” Reviewed
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter Harper; 352 p. Jess Walter’s new novel, Beautiful Ruins, is an important book that might not make it. With an implacable burst of books, no one can possibly stay on top of everything out there while at the same time attempting to catch up on the classics. How we decide what to read depends so much on taste, but nothing will ruin a book for some more than the title of Great Beach Book. When […]