I’ve been suffering from a debilitating attack of literary boredom, manifesting itself most recently in a sudden inability to do a good job of reviewing the New York Times Book Review. A couple of weeks ago Bill Ectric stepped in to handle the weekly duties, and I’m happy to announce that another special guest will take the spot tomorrow. This guest reviewer is a good friend who often, like me, has strong feelings about the NYTBR. I hope you’ll enjoy the report. I will certainly enjoy my break.
I’m not sure how long my attack of literary boredom will last, but I hope I’ll be all better by the last week in May, when I plan to attend Book Expo 2009 in New York City. I’ll even be participating in a blogger book signing during the weekend (more about this soon) so I sure better wake up soon. I tried to cure my boredom with a Wells Tower book, but that didn’t help.
Anyway, while I’m here, just a couple of literary links to share:
1. All about Sholom Aleichem.
2. Open Book, a new literary TV show.
3. Tao Lin ponders the meaning of everything at the Poetry Foundation blog. (Sample question: “Do Blogs Help People Accept Death?”)
Have a great weekend, and don’t forget to stop by this weekend to check out the guest review.
2 Responses
Levi – I don’t recall if
Levi – I don’t recall if you’ve read 2666 – it is sure to cure your boredom. You can also try The Savage Detectives. Both books gave me hope that important fiction is still being written. Non-fiction – I started Beckett’s letters and can’t put it down (the ponderous footnotes can be ignored).
Sometimes when I get bored I go back to the basics and reread Tropic of Cancer and On the Road, the two books that showed me a different kind of life was possible. Also try the scroll version of Road; in my opinion it is better than the published text.
I must say that this weeks
I must say that this weeks NYTBR looks weak.
Good luck and best wishes.