In our morning reading: thoughts on Obnox’s new album, a review of Lynn Steger Strong’s novel, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Julia Phillips, Leland Cheuk Interviewed, Nathan Ballingrud, Will Oldham Revisited, and More
In our afternoon reading: interviews with Julia Phillips and Leland Cheuk, news of a Nathan Ballingrud adaptation, and more.
Morning Bites: Paul Tremblay’s Recommendations, Renaming Literary Awards, Johannes Göransson, Nathan Ballingrud Adapted, and More
In our morning reading: book recommendations from Paul Tremblay, an interview with Johannes Göransson, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Hanif Abdurraqib Interviewed, Matt Cardin, Revisiting Meat Loaf, Gary Lippman, and More
In our afternoon reading: interviews with Hanif Abdurraqib and Matt Cardin, revisiting Meat Loaf, and more.
Weekend Bites: Ling Ma’s Award, Sonic Youth’s Live Album, Nathan Ballingrud’s Fiction, and More
In our weekend reading: an award for Ling Ma, thoughts on Nathan Ballingrud’s fiction, and much more.
Weekend Bites: Binyavanga Wainaina Remembered, Casey Cep, Vivian Gornick on Nelson Algren’s Work, Sasha Fletcher, and More
In our weekend reading: looking back at the life and work of Binyavanga Wainaina, Casey Cep on her new book, and more.
Visceral Histories: Nathan Ballingrud Returns With the Unnerving Horror of “Wounds”
The title of Nathan Ballingrud’s debut collection, North American Lake Monsters, simultaneously conveyed a sense of the pastoral and an abundance of menace. The stories within spanned a broad stylistic range, establishing just what Ballingrud could do — everything from deadpan surrealism to forays into the horrific. Collection number two opts for a different approach: this one’s called Wounds: Six Stories From the Border of Hell. Were you to guess that this ventures more overtly in the direction of horror, you’d be right, but even then, Ballingrud’s fiction showcases an impressive tonal range.
Vol.1 Brooklyn’s April 2019 Book Preview
Rumor has it that it’s now springtime. And while we’re tempted to volley forth a “spring cleaning? more like spring reading, am I right?”-level salvo, it may be the wiser course of action to simply make with the book recommendations. And thus, here were go, with April’s notable titles encompassing everything from fictional trips into the uncanny to nonfiction that may bring clarity to a frustrating world. Here are some of the books that have caught our eye this month.