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.
A Whole Lot of Amazing Writers Were Born on February 18th
The other day, we were looking at Library Booklists’ invaluable list of authors’ birthdays, and we noticed something: over a roughly 75-year period, a whole lot of critically important writers were born on the 18th of February. Here are some names: Toni Morrison. Sholem Aleichem. Audre Lorde. Wallace Stegner. Helen Gurley Brown. Nikos Kazantzakis. There are winners of major literary awards and groundbreaking figures in there–essential writers all. So, if you’re a writer and your birthday’s today: consider that there’s a pretty solid precedent going on.
Morning Bites: Wayne Koestenbaum on D.H. Lawrence, Ex Hex’s Latest, Hilton Als & Toni Morrison, Deafheaven Interviewed, and More
Wayne Koestenbaum on Sons and Lovers, Hilton Als interviewed Toni Morrison, new music from Ex Hex, India’s best-sellers, Ali Liebegott on writing for Transparent, and more.
Bites: Kim Kardashian vs. the Countess of Grantham, 2012 books, Tin House picks,The Men, and more
At Grantland: Downton Abbey vs. The Kardashian’s John Irving, Toni Morrison, and Michael Chabon all have books on The Atlantic’s books to look forward to in 2012 list. Scott McClanahan talks to 3:AM Magazine. On reading Jennifer Egan in Africa. (Not the same as reading Jennifer Egan while listening to “Africa“) Tin House picks their favorite books of 2011. At Salon: Stumbling upon a treasure trove of Yiddish theatre posters. One person isn’t as excited about forthcoming album by The […]
Aleksandar Hemon is My Favorite Writer I’ve Never Read*
This is true first because he inhabits Chicago, a city where some of my fondest memories are held. Second because of this, and finally this. Now, a video of Hemon along with Stuart Dybek hangin’ out on a porch in Chicago, discussing Chicago, is up at Granta Mag, in light of their summer 2009 issue which honors the city. *For a few months The Lazarus Project has been sitting on my nightstand–next to A Mercy, which I bought at the […]