The Smart Set is a weekly feature, compiled 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 lauren [at] maudnewton.com by the Thursday prior to publication, with the date in the . . .
By far the most chilling passage in the old family paraphernalia I’ve been digging through is this one, from a letter sent by Terrell State Hospital — formerly, the North Texas Lunatic Asylum — to inform my grandmother’s mom that her daughter, Louise, died from tuberculosis-related complications: We are sorry this girl could not have been mentally restored. We . . .
Cormac McCarthy’s The Road — powerful as Blood Meridian — takes the last round of the ToB over Shteyngart’s very smart and very funny Absurdistan.
Singling out excellent essays by Zelda Lockhart and K.L. Cook, Pete Coco reviews When I Was a Loser for Time Out Chicago.