And now it’s December. What does December bring, in literary terms? An interesting array of books, representing a disparate array of styles and approaches to the craft of writing. Do you like short stories? We’ve got you covered. Do you enjoy poetry? There’s some poetry here, too. Throw some literary translations into the mix and you have a solid month for reading — with what might be your next favorite book as this year draws to a close.
Morning Bites: Jenn Shapland on Reading, Richard John Parfitt’s Latest, Frederick Wiseman on Filmmaking, and More
In our morning reading: Jenn Shapland on books, notable 2023 collections, and more.
Sunday Stories: “Night Plane”
Night Plane
by Ian S. Maloney
Dad woke me from a deep slumber. The call came in at 2:50 am. My head was covered in my Star Wars sheets. I was seven years old, living in Marine Park, Brooklyn and tagging along with my dad, Jimmy “Bugs.” His footsteps creaked across the parquet floors upstairs and a light tap followed on my bedroom door.
“Buddy, up for an adventure for a few bucks?”
Weekend Bites: Remembering Shane MacGowan, 2023’s Best Poetry, Jonathan Lethem’s Latest, and More
In our weekend reading: Tariq Goddard on Shane MacGowan, notable poetry from 2023, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Ottessa Moshfegh on Film, Mars Kumari’s Album, Claire Keegan’s Fiction, and More
In our afternoon reading: an Ottessa Moshfegh novel on screen, writing about pirates, and more.
Morning Bites: Daniel Nester’s Latest, Inside Flaming Hydra, Lexi Freiman’s Fiction, and More
In our morning reading: thoughts on books by Daniel Nester and Lexi Freiman, new music by Claire Rosay, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Nina MacLaughlin’s Latest, Interviewing Chris L. Terry, Nick Cave on Film, and More
In our afternoon reading: thoughts on Nina MacLaughlin’s new book, an interview with Chris L. Terry, and more.
Morning Bites: Sam Lipsyte on Writing, Deafheaven Interviewed, Revisiting Frank Miller, and More
In our morning reading: an interview with Sam Lipsyte, notes on desert art, and more.