A Guardian blog post, which, believe it or not, has a few positive things to say about Dave Eggers and Jonathan Safran Foer, appears in today’s Guardian.
Quick-Ass Roundup
- A University of Alberta researcher has discovered that men are more likely to enjoy a story if they know it’s fictional, whereas women are more likely to enjoy a story if they know it’s based on the truth. (via The Valve)
- Tao Lin on the levels of greatness a fiction writer can achieve in.
- Dubious music criticism from NPR.
- Some background on Mae West’s SEX.
- George R.R. Martin interviewed.
- OS: “I don’t want to get started on a rant over here, but why can’t male celebrities have the same freedom in describing their own same-sex dream romps?”
- Latest Maslin pearl of wisdom: “‘Diamonds, Gold and War’ is the work of an author who knows African history intimately. If this ambitious volume seems to follow too closely on the heels of ‘The Fate of Africa’ (2005), Mr. Meredith can draw on decades’ worth of earlier research and experience to give it authority.” Given that Meredith has indeed spent decades of his life to studying African history, it would seem patently obvious that he “knows African history intimately.” And who gives a damn over how fast Meredeith is pumping out his books? How is that a crime? And does Maslin even understand that The Fate of Africa deals with a different time period than Diamonds, Gold and War?
- Costs have risen big time in New York.
- The Progressive interviews Jane Smiley.
- Updike on Ha Jin.
- No apologies necessary. Finish the book!
- Support staff axed at the New York Times.
- 60% of America believes political coverage is politically biased. The other 40% have dates with Kool-Aid Man.
- No Swedish jaunts for Lessing.
Jimmy Breslin Returns on Semi-Regular Basis?
It appears that Newsday is publishing Jimmy Breslin again. There have been three Breslin columns so far this year. And Breslin has a new book out in February called King Rat.
NYTBR: Safer Than Pat Boone
If there are four words that best describe the NYTBR‘s Top Ten Books of 2007, they are: We Take No Chances.
Because a Hindenburg Tribute Really Pounds the Point Home
Ron Paul Blimp: “Two of the three airship companies we contacted had 3-12 month minimum contracts at a range of $225-$350K a month for various different features and blimps. Many airships only seat 3-9 people plus the pilots.”