In our afternoon reading: new writing from T Fleischmann and Bud Smith, a report from a Philip Roth book stand, and more.
“It’s Like Getting to Pittsburgh”: An Interview With Bud Smith
About two years ago I left grad school and got a big boy job. And it was as if someone flipped a switch behind the scenes of my life: all of a sudden, I felt free. And for the first time in a long while, I was able to read books. I could read for fun. I could read without having to worry about wasting time, without having to feel guilty about reading for no other reason than to enjoy it. So I bought books, I bought them from all kinds of stores, from websites, from yard sales. It was great, and I was constantly looking for new stuff to read but didn’t know what to look for. Then I realized that back when I did read books – back before grad school – I had briefly touched upon this world of independent literature that felt so wild and free. So I went back to see what was up, to see what I should be reading, and by convoluted paths over recommendations and tracing out who’s friends with who and mapping out which presses put out which books and etc. and so on, I remember at some point just staring at the evocative and bold cover of Double Bird on the Maudlin House website and thinking “I bet this is good.” Then I looked up some of Bud’s writing and decided “ok, yeah, this is good,” and ordered the dang thing.
Afternoon Bites: Bryan Washington’s Playlist, Summer Brennan, Andrew Ridker Interviewed, and More
In our afternoon reading: a playlist from Bryan Washington, thoughts on Summer Brennan’s new book, poetry by Bud Smith, and more.
Morning Bites: Esmé Weijun Wang Interviewed, Victor LaValle’s Recommendations, Brian Alan Ellis, Tortoise Revisited, and More
In our morning reading: interviews with Esmé Weijun Wang and Bud Smith, book recommendations from Victor LaValle, and more.
Weekend Bites: Roberto Bolaño, “The Dog of the South” Revisited, Hala Alyan, Lynn Steger Strong Nonfiction, and More
In our weekend reading: reviews of books by Roberto Bolaño and Hala Alyan, new writing by Lynn Steger Strong and Bud Smith, and more.
Morning Bites: “Native Son” on Film, Dubravka Ugresic Interviewed, Paul Harding, Marci Vogel’s Playlist, and More
In our morning reading: thoughts on the film adaptation of a classic novel by Richard Wright, a conversation with Paul Harding, and more.
Morning Bites: Bud Smith Nonfiction, Yukiko Motoya, Claudia Castro Luna’s Poetry, Writing Resolutions, and More
In our morning reading: new writing by Bud Smith, reviews of books by Yukiko Motoya and Claudia Castro Luna, and more.
Morning Bites: Deborah Eisenberg Interviewed, Bud Smith, Literary Gifts, Fran Lebowitz on Nightlife, and More
In our morning reading: interviews with Deborah Eisenberg and Bud Smith, a holiday gift guide, and more.