In our morning reading: interviews with Kristopher Jansma and Bruna Dantas Lobato, fiction by Raymond Roussel, and more.
Kristopher Jansma On Memory, Trauma, and the Making of “Our Narrow Hiding Places”
I’ve long been an admirer of Kristopher Jansma’s fiction and the way it blends an empathic view of the world with an abundance of stylistic verve. His new novel Our Narrow Hiding Places explores the complicated history of one family, beginning with the Nazi occupation of Holland and continuing on to the present day. (As an added bonus, Jansma and I grew up in adjoining New Jersey towns.) I spoke with him about his new book’s evolution, the real-life history he drew from when writing it, and his forthcoming nonfiction book Revisionaries.
Afternoon Bites: Jami Attenberg on Writing, BASIC’s Debut, Kristopher Jansma on Epigraphs, and More
In our afternoon reading: Jami Attenberg on writing, new nonfiction from Ann Hood, and more.
Morning Bites: Justin Taylor on Writing, Mercury Rev Interviewed, Kristopher Jansma’s Latest, and More
In our morning reading: Justin Taylor on writing, an interview with Mercury Rev, and more.
Books of the Month: August 2024
Behold, it’s August and — for the moment, at least — the weather is almost….nice? The heat and humidity aren’t conspiring to make our lives miserable; instead, there’s something almost cozy in the air. “Cozy” and “August” aren’t two words often used together, so it’s a moment worth savoring. Also? Books. We have some we’d like to recommend. Unnerving takes of the uncanny, thoughtful works of nonfiction, and sharp explorations of familial dynamics are all on the menu; read on for what we’re reading this month.
Afternoon Bites: Anthony Veasna So’s Writing, Interviewing Kaveh Akbar, Bonnie Jo Campbell’s Playlist, and More
In our afternoon reading: revisiting the writings of Anthony Veasna So, notable book podcasts, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Lauren Elkin on Art, Mat Johnson on Writing, Laurie Penny on Worldbuilding, and More
In our afternoon reading: interviews with Lauren Elkin and Mat Johnson, Laurie Penny on worldbuilding, and more.
Morning Bites: Revisiting Osamu Dazai, Maira Kalman’s Latest, Nick Drnaso Interviewed, and More
In our morning reading: considering the legacy of Osamu Dazai, an interview with Nick Drnaso, and more.