Globalpost tries to save journalism by a for-profit business model, in which profits come from three sources: online ads, subscriptions, and syndication. The website looks professional, although the text/images need to be integrated better (In the articles, you have to scroll quite far to get to the words). It’s a bold venture, especially in these […]
784 pages of homosexuality, alcoholism and solipsism: how could “Cheever: A Life” get any better? The New Yorker reviews the Cheever bio (written by Blake Bailey) under the condemning-by-faint-praise title “Basically Decent,” which serves for both man and book, I suppose. Also, the byline is John Updike. Perhaps his last review? Harper’s Magazine (behind a […]
[Editor’s Note: This post was written in 2009, and only one of the three companies still exists. Read my 2016 review of the four new companies who offer a netflix for books service.] I grew curious about the book rental companies out there, and decided to compare the three options: BooksFree, BookSwim and […]
The Tournament of Books, every literature geek’s equivalent to March Madness, is in full swing, and my bracket is already devastated. Sure, Bolano’s juggernaut 2666 steamrolled over the competition yesterday, but how about the titanic upset of O’Neill’s Netherland today? I didn’t foresee that one, but I am predicting a return in Zombie Round. Why […]
Daniyal Mueenuddin Interview: On Pakistan from James Roland on Vimeo. In this second part of a two-part video interview with Daniyal Mueenuddin, we talk about Pakistan — the power struggles between genders and class and its inevitable plunge into chaos. Also, we discuss the wonderful and delightful benefits of misery. Daniyal Mueenuddin’s book is “In […]
Daniyal Mueenuddin Interview: On Writing from RedFence Video on Vimeo. Daniyal Mueenuddin’s debut collection of short stories, “In Other Rooms, Other Wonders” chronicles the struggles among the affluent and destitute in Pakistan. The stories revolve around the extended family of a wealthy landowner, Mr. K. K. Harouni, mostly taking place on farms in Pakistan. Previously, […]
Yes, I did just happen to predict the winner of The Story pharmacy online no prescription usa Prize . . .
I love the story of Atmospheric Disturbances by Rivka Galchen and I love its cover art as well. It’s cover art that’s not only beautiful, and hooks your attention, but is connected to the events and people and meaning of the novel. It’s the type of cover that gives you a sense of what […]
I just got around to reading the winter issue of Zoetrope, and it was quite good, especially the lead story “We Were Champions” by April Wilder, which deals with molestation by a softball coach and a metaphor-heavy image of a roasting pig. Beat that! I do wish that instead of re-printing the Scott Fitzgerald story […]
The New Yorker has the most authoritative article on David Foster Wallace that I’ve seen yet. Quite long, with a goody-bag of detail about his life and struggle with depression. It’s an accurate portrait of the man’s intelligence and empathy. This issue also has an excerpt from Wallace’s work in progress, a novel about IRS […]
