Mairead Case’s first novel, See You In the Morning, was a moving and unpredictable coming-of-age story; I spoke with her about it in 2015. Her new novel, Tiny, uses a more formally inventive structure to tell a story of family, grief, and community. (It’s also a retelling of Antigone.) It’s a fantastic work in its own right and an impressive demonstration of what Case is capable of, a work that’s simultaneously intimate and epic. We checked in via email to talk about the book’s origins and the ways in which it resonates right now. Experimental post-punk bands/art projects came up as well, as they tend to do.
Afternoon Bites: Mairead Case’s Playlist, Cheryl Boyce-Taylor, Clifford Thompson on Memoir, Olivia Cronk, and More
In our afternoon reading: a playlist from Mairead Case, an interview with Cheryl Boyce-Taylor, and more.
Vol.1 Brooklyn’s October 2020 Book Preview
And it’s October, home of colder weather, heated political talk, and a growing number of Halloween decorations. Awards season shortlists are growing; so too are lists of seasonally-appropriate scary books. (We’ve got a few of those here as well.) So here’s a look at some of the October books that have caught our attention.
Weekend Bites: Justin Taylor, Rachel Aggs’s Solo Album, Robert Glück, Colin Dickey on Political Books, and More
In our weekend reading: a review of Justin Taylor’s memoir, thoughts on Rachel Aggs’s solo album, and more.
Morning Bites: Adapting “Brave New World,” Mairead Case, Boy Band Histories, Colin Dickey, and More
In our morning reading: adapting “Brave New World,” an interview with Colin Dickey, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Lee Rourke, Mairead Case Nonfiction, Brandon Taylor, Horse Lords’ Latest, and More
In our afternoon reading: an excerpt from Lee Rourke’s new book, an in-depth exploration of Brandon Taylor’s new collection, and more.
Morning Bites: Emma Copley Eisenberg, Carmen Maria Machado Fiction, Lance Olsen, Jeet Thayil’s Playlist, and More
In our morning reading: interviews with Emma Copley Eisenberg and Lance Olsen, new fiction by Carmen Maria Machado, and more.
Morning Bites: Perumal Murugan’s Latest, Mairead Case, Penelope Rosemont Revisited, Oliver Zarandi, and More
In our morning reading: thoughts on a newly-translated novel from Perumal Murugan, new writing by Mairead Case and Oliver Zarandi, and more.