In our afternoon reading: interviews with Junot Díaz, Laurie Anderson, and Thomas Ligotti; thoughts on literary annotations; and more.
When Pulitzer Prize Winners Converse
If you’re in New York right now, you’ve probably noticed that it’s a particularly cold day outside, and the weekend promises to bring with it equally unenticing weather. Why not spend some time listening to two outstanding writers discuss a host of topics–by which we mean this conversation between Toni Morrison and Junot Díaz that took place a few years ago at the New York Public Library. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to edit Muhammad Ali, all your questions will be answered.
Morning Bites: New Megan Stielstra Writing, Junot Diaz, Nick Jaina’s Latest, New Lightning Bolt, and More
In our Friday morning reading: new writing from Megan Stielstra, news of a new Lightning Bolt album, process notes from Margaret Atwood and Zadie Smith, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Penelope Fitzgerald, Writers on Re-Reading, Jenny Slate Interviewed, Stevie Wonder at MSG, and More
Alexander Chee on Penelope Fitzgerald, writers on revisiting their own work, notes on Stevie Wonder at MSG, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Junot Diaz, Molly Crabapple at PEN, Victor LaValle Interviewed, Ellen Willis, and More
Junot Diaz on MFA programs and race, a 1969 Ellen Willis essay reappears, interviews with Victor LaValle and Molly Crabapple, a Jan Elizabeth Watson playlist, and more.
Notable American Blurbers
Not long ago, a galley of Craig Davidson’s forthcoming novel Cataract City showed up at my door. I haven’t yet read it, but a quick glance at the back cover motivated me to send a quick email to a friend indicating that it might be up his alley. That certainly had something to do with the book’s plot, which involved grit and corruption in a Canadian town, but it also had more than a little to do with the blurb on […]
Afternoon Bites: “Fun Home” Musical, Hardcore Comps, Donald Fagen, Ray Davies Interviewed, and More
The “Fun Home” musical gets reviewed; Junot Diaz gets interviewed; notes on hardcore benefit compilations; Donald Fagen released a memoir; and more.
Afternoon Bites: Christgau on Delany, Kathleen Hanna, Junot Diaz Q & A, Body/Head Reviewed, and More
Robert Christgau on new books from iconic New York writers, Maura Johnston interviewed Kathleen Hanna, Jessica Hopper reviewed the latest from Body/Head, a Junot Diaz Q & A, and more.