Books To Jump Up and Down Over
Magic Hours by Tom Bissell: This marvelous collection of essays chronicles everything from film shoots to novelists rescued from oblivion. (The essay on the Underground Literary Alliance, with its portrait of raucous factions, unexpectedly reveals how soft today's literary world has become.) But if you peer between the cracks of these smart pieces, you may very well see how cultural lives are formed from the most unexpected life choices. And as we follow Bissell's development as a writer over the years, that goes for Bissell as well. (Bat Segundo interview with Bissell)
Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway: Harkaway's latest novel greatly improves on his previous book, The Gone-Away World, which I'm already on record as praising. Angelmaker adopts genre elements without ever feeling like a genre book, and it leads me to believe that Harkaway is well on his way to a narrative grace close to China Miéville's. Yet inexplicably this very fun book, which includes an eightysomething badass named Edie Banister, a mysterious mechanical object that may destroy the world, farcical scenarios involving lawyers and the police, and some unexpectedly moving moments about fatherhood, doesn't appear to be getting much attention in American newspapers. Nothing from the snobs at The New York Times Book Review, nothing from The Washington Post. And since I can't get Harkaway on Bat Segundo, I hope this Jump Up and Down mention gets you hopping as well.
The Age of Insight by Eric Kandel: Unless you're really pressed for time, forget Jonah Lehrer. If you want to understand creativity and its relationship to neuroscience, then the bowtie-wearing Nobel laureate is your man. In addition to being a physically beautiful book (you will drool over many of the paintings), there are helpful overviews on optical illusions, science, biographical backgrounds, and many vital figures from the Vienna Secession. Kandel's enthusiasm (and his call for greater unity between the humanities and science) is contagious.
Alcohol Archive
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A Foolproof Statement
Posted on December 12, 2007 | No CommentsAP: “A man nearly died from alcohol poisoning after quaffing a liter (two pints) of vodka at an airport security check instead of handing it over to comply with new... -
Do You Mean “Greatest” or “Most Frequently Plastered?”
Posted on March 2, 2007 | No CommentsHollywood’s Greatest Drinkers -
Milwaukee — A Drunken Port In a Storm
Posted on August 30, 2006 | 4 CommentsMilwaukee has been named “America’s Drunken City” — by no less an eminence than Forbes. San Francisco isn’t on the list. Neither is Los Angeles nor New York. Which suggests... -
But On the Upside, It’s Better Than Getting Stuck in a K-Hole
Posted on April 7, 2006 | 1 CommentMcCall: “New findings indicate that when the popular Red Bull energy drink is consumed with alcohol, it actually reduces the user’s ability to recognize loss of motor skills….’The myth is... -
In Which Your Narrator Falls for the $48.50 Ruse
Posted on March 17, 2006 | 3 CommentsSnce it was indeed St. Patrick’s Day, and since there were friends who had requested his presence, your humble narrator decided to partake of these dubious festivities with trusted parties.... -
Where Everybody Reads Your Name
Posted on January 20, 2006 | No CommentsA Bookbar! So do they serve paperbacks during happy hour? (via Booklust) -
#1 — The Burgess Cocktail
Posted on November 5, 2005 | 2 CommentsSo, per the instructions, I prepared the Hangman’s Blood. This is one serious beverage. The taste is overpoweringly pungent and I cannot imagine anyone other than a drinker of Burgess’... -
Burgess-Style Beverages
Posted on November 2, 2005 | 4 CommentsThe erstwhile all around good guy who, as it so happens, is currently living and breathing to great effect, Golden Rule Jones points to this alcoholic combo favored by Anthony... -
The Drunk
Posted on January 7, 2005 | 1 Comment“I can’t breathe, motherfucker! I can’t breathe!” The drunk had only his voice left, but he was determined to fight. A neighbor and I called from the window. We begged... -
Quickies
Posted on December 27, 2003 | No CommentsThe Guardian has an excerpt of Carol Shield’s unfinished novel, Segue, which she was working on at the time of her death. Terry Gross interviews Stephen King. Hearing Terry Gross...