Notes on the alleged decline of reading
For years now, says Ursula LeGuin, “editors have had to waste most of their time … fighting Sales and Accounting.” (Via.)
God: The Novel and other stories never told
Writers — including Coe, O’Hagan, Self, Feinstein, & Craig — discuss projects that didn’t pan out. (Via.)
Chris Abani & Elias Khoury giveaway
Next Monday, February 4, the 92nd Street Y hosts an event featuring Chris Abani and Elias Khoury, both of whose latest books focus on the horrors of war as experienced by children.
I’m giving away five pairs of tickets to the event. To enter, email me at maudnewton [at] gmail [dot] com by noon [...]
R.I.P. Marianne Kjos
Marianne Kjos, my beloved high school creative writing teacher, died last Friday after a protracted bout with ovarian cancer. My friend Carrie, another former student, passed on the sad news Tuesday afternoon.
I could rave about Mrs. Kjos as an inspirational figure, about all the things she did that good writing teachers do. She introduced [...]
Scott Korb, Catholic atheist, on his faith
As a devout agnostic who’s as turned off by the proselytizing atheism of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, et al. as by my mother’s blaming and weirdly self-congratulatory brand of Evangelical Christianity (think Jesus Camp), I was interested in much of what Peter Bebergal and Scott Korb had to say last summer at Jewcy in “What [...]
New Brooklyn bookstore incoming
The Written Nerd has won $15,000 from the Brooklyn Public Library for her indie bookstore plan.
Bed bugs and the modern reader
Translator Edith Grossman used to like to buy used books, but is wary now because of bed bugs.
A fifth Public Space
James Lasdun, Wells Tower, & Roberto Bolaño are among the contributors to A Public Space’s fifth issue.
Morrison endorses Obama
Toni Morrison, heralding Obama’s creative imagination & wisdom, endorses the Illinois Senator.
Paging Nicholson Baker
As newspaper archives get tossed and microfilm starts to fade, will ANR expand?
Waterloo author’s new projects
Karen Olsson, whose first novel made me yearn for Austin, tells Dwight Garner what she’s working on.
The Smart Set: Lauren Cerand’s weekly events
The Smart Set is a weekly feature, compiled and posted by Lauren Cerand, that usually appears Mondays at 12:30pm and highlights the best of the week to come. Special favor is given to New York’s independent booksellers and venues, and low-cost and free events. Please send details to Ms. Cerand at lauren [at] maudnewton.com by [...]
Archeologists, theologians, DNA experts ponder possible Jesus artifacts
The debate over a tomb some claim to be Jesus’ was reopened in Jerusalem last week. The tomb itself remains sealed.
Six degrees of King David
On a graph of social relationships in the Bible, David & Moses have more contacts than Jesus. (Via.)
Pamuk assassination plot foiled, but lawsuits allowed
As a plot to kill Orhan Pamuk is foiled, an action by Turkey’s high court allows suits by martyrs’ families to proceed against him for insulting Turkishness.
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