More hiatus links
The Antigeist throws a mean BBQ and can build you some kitchen cabinets in a single afternoon. But wait, there’s more. She also proves that Williamsburg isn’t all electro scenesters and trucker caps:
You know the universal “Whew, it’s hot!” gesture, the one where some fella –usually a range-weary cowboy or pro-ball player–takes his [...]
A handful of literary links
A new collection by A.L. Kennedy continues to explore salvation and other themes she considered in Original Bliss, D.T. Max says, in a mixed review.
The Independent shares its readers’ selections of the worst books they’ve ever read. Sample blurb:
Angela’s Ashes, by Frank McCourt
“Sentimental claptrap masquerading as social history. A tale of inadequate parenting – [...]
More on writing
My friend Emma turned from the TC Boyle interview to another 3AM interview, with Alain de Botton, a writer she likes. She sends this excerpt:
I have lots of fears as a writer — that what I write isn’t good enough. A huge fear, because mostly, what I write and think about first time is [...]
Moving a story
T.C. Boyle, in an interview with Peter Wild for 3AM Magazine, takes issue with the rise of literary theory:
I’ve thought about the domination of the literary arts by theory over the past 25 years — which I detest — and it’s as if you have to be a critic to mediate between the author and [...]
Chanks
Chancletear. Now there’s a word that makes me homesick for Miami.
But right now my flip flops and I are going to proceed noisily to lunch here in Greenwich Village.
Have a good weekend.
Quick links
Publishing companies are going for size. (Thanks to Ed for the link.)
Chris Suellentrop, writing for Slate, dubs John Steinbeck’s East of Eden the quintessential Oprah book, and argues that this Oprah pick “is likely to confirm the suspicions of those critics who look down their noses at [Steinbeck] as a simplistic writer not worthy of [...]
Ironbound
Yesterday a member of Japan’s House of Representatives stirred up a bit of controversy, with this statement:
Gang rape shows the people who do it are still virile, and that is OK. I think that might make them close to normal.
(Link courtesy of Max, who suggests reading the reader comments that follow the story.)
Kind of makes [...]
Something you should know
In light of the alleged 2-week hiatus around here, there will be no guest blogger today.
One by one all day
Take Note: “It’s not Michael Savage’s Foucault.”
“Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore,” a little ditty by John Prine, quoted in full by Jaap Stijl.
Orwell quiz. (Via Kitabkhana.)
From the proprietress of Lindsayism: “#1 Blog Pet-Peeve: The Ubiquitous Amazon.com Wish List.” I thought it was just me. (Lindsay also points us to Sarah [...]
No matter when or where or who
In an astonishing display of fair-mindedness and good judgment, the Supreme Court has struck down a Texas ban on gay sex, ruling that the law is an unconstitutional violation of privacy.
Justice Kennedy, writing for the majority, said the plaintiffs “are entitled to respect for their private lives.”
“When homosexual conduct is made criminal [...]
Submit description
If you’ve forgotten it, the folks at Stump the Bookseller will help you remember the title of your favorite children’s book. (Via Moorish Girl.)
The site’s $2 fee can be applied toward the purchase of the book.
Fickle and capricious woman
The results of Eyeshot’s silent reading.
From Ang: “Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University takes the guess work out of acceptable attire with a handy slide show!”
The Columbia Letters, by Kevin Guilfoile & John Warner.
Illuminated Flemish manuscripts. (From Stephany, via Caterina.)
Alleged Scientology Picture Book from the 70’s. (Also from Stephany, via Boing Boing.)
The best and worst D&D monsters, [...]
Donation
Due to the recent death of a friend, a computer, printer, computer desk, and bookshelves are looking for a home.
The family would like to donate all of these items to a nonprofit organization or a lower-income family with a child in need of a computer. If you know how to make this [...]
Time off
Due to deadlines and other things, I won’t be posting much, if at all, for the next two weeks. I’ll start wasting your time again on Monday, July 7.
In the meantime, you might want to visit these fine websites.
Happy summer.
Token Harry Potter links
In the Washington Post, Lynton Weeks talks about the vast historical import of the Rowling books:
Harry Potter has changed the world.
You just can’t say that about many books. You’ve got the Bible, the Iliad and the Odyssey. Copernicus wrote something or other. So did Newton and Malthus, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Charles Darwin.
Oh, sure, Newton, [...]