July 31, 2012
July 27, 2012
[The London Review of Books is
Britain's most esteemed literary magazine. Published fortnightly, it
features essays, reviews and the most outrageous personal ads ever
set in type. The following is a selection from the latest issue.]
email: amantessuntamentes0@gmail.com
*Writer 41. London. Knocking about in a big house with only words and next doors cat for company. Seeks an attractive and articulate woman with whom to share wine, sofa space and add to the global burden of overpopulation. Slim, handsome, of independent means, and guarantees a steak meal.
email: writerseeks@gmail.com
*Lovely woman writer seeking attractive man 50s/early 60s with big heart and expansive mind for new plot. London.
email: beautifulwriter@hotmail.com
July 26, 2012
Earlier this year, writer Patrick Wensink posted the cover to his new book, Broken Piano for President (above, right), on his blog. Not too long after, he received what he called "perhaps the most polite cease and desist ever written" from an attorney for Jack Daniel's — here's an excerpt:
We are certainly flattered by your affection for the brand, but while we appreciate the pop culture appeal of Jack Daniel's we also have to be diligent to ensure that Jack Daniel's trademarks are used correctly. ... As an author you can certainly understand our position and the need to contact you. You may even have run into similar problems with your own intellectual property. ... In order to resolve this matter, and because you are both a Louisville "neighbour" and a fan of the brand we simply request that you change the cover design when the book is reprinted. If you would be willing to change the design sooner than that (including on the digital version) we would be willing to contribute a reasonable amount towards the cost of doing so.
Is that not the most charming lawyer you've ever encountered? You can read the rest of his very personable letter on Patrick's blog here. Incidentally, the book is selling quite well, thanks to all the press.
It's shaping up to be a great winter for book adaptations — the trailer for Ang Lee's adaptation of Life of Pi was just released. Do me a favor — watch it, and then imagine how this trailer would look in the hands of the project's original director, M. Night Shyamalan. Who the hell thought that was a good idea?
The film hits cinemas November 21.
July 20, 2012
July 13, 2012
Like Bombay+Hollywood, bacon+maple syrup, and Harry+the Hendersons, here's another odd pairing that somehow just works: Hunter S. Thompson+Franz Kafka, courtesy of the nonprofit organization Goodbooks International.
To help us get the Good Books word out our amazing creative partners have developed this unique and literary way to tell the Good Books story.
A loving homage to the High Priest of Gonzo — and one of the most original talents ever to put ink to a page — Hunter S Thompson.
This is an entirely fictional and completely unendorsed representation. [Though we humbly suggest Hunter S might have liked it.] We are devoted fans paying homage. No disrespect is intended.
Watch, enjoy, and have a glorious weekend.
Watch, enjoy, and have a glorious weekend.
July 11, 2012
How fun is this shelving? It's the brainchild of Danny Kuo, who calls it Staircase.
More info and photos here. It's available — in white — for purchase from Opinion Ciatti here.
July 10, 2012
Just when you think Helena Bonham Carter couldn't get more brilliant, she quietly turns up as a sexy, stressed-out librarian in a Rufus Wainwright video. Love it.
From Rufus's new album, Out of the Game.
July 03, 2012
Sorry about turning this into Infographic Tuesday — it wasn't my plan, I swear. But if, like me, you've read recent reports that Fifty Shades of Grey writer E.L. James has been raking in $1.34 million a week and you've wondered, "Who the hell is buying that tripe?" then this provides some answers.
Goodreads examined the book's prevalence and popularity among its more than 8.6 million members, and discovered that New England — that former bastion of Puritanism — boasts the highest Grey readership per capita. But that doesn't mean they liked it. States in the South and the Plains rated the book highest, leaving the East Coast with some shred of dignity. (And before anyone feels a defensive urge coming on — yes, I've read the book. I've read all three. And no, I don't want to argue its merits or lack thereof; many, many others, who are funnier and/or more eloquent than I, have done so instead.)
Goodreads then goes on to show the effect Grey has had on works of erotica in general. It's worth a look. You can check out the rest of the infographic here.
Even a bright and punchy infographic can't disguise how ugly the situation has become for public libraries. To illustrate its latest report, the American Library Association put its findings in graphic form, and the stats are stark: 57% report a flat or decreased budget, and nearly half report inadequate Internet connection speeds. This, despite the vital resources they provide — 76% report that they help their patrons fill out online job applications; 96% actively assist patrons with using online government services. It's hard to read the good stats without a sick feeling in one's stomach.
[via ALA]
July 02, 2012
For writers, it's usually only the words that matter. But author Jane Langton is a bit different. This mystery writer starts out by sketching illustrations of her story, and then knits together her tale from there. Her method got me thinking — this could be a very useful tactic for those suffering from writer's block. Take a break from those obstinate words and just freehand the images bouncing around in your head instead. Even if the drawings are rough, this gives your brain a fleshed-out point from which to pick the story back up, and allows you to approach things with a new perspective. It's worth a shot.
[Thanks, Nina!]
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