Roundup - Reluctant Habits

Darby Dixon outlines his thoughts on reading The Sot-Weed Factor.
Tao Lin has a few ideas about telling writers that they’re good. Alas, the world is often a casually inconsiderate place, particularly here in New York, where I am still negotiating the way in which people — even supposed acquaintances — snub each other when more “important” people are present. (What they don’t know is that I carry a long memory.) This confuses me because my own social m.o., inherited from California, is to say hello to as many people as possible. But Tao is right to point to being kind and supportive to other writers — although I’d add that a degree of honesty doesn’t hurt either.
Quiet Bubble on 8-bit side-scrollers.
Tom Stoppard on rock ‘n’ roll.
Joshua Henkin’s “Handball.”
I’d like to think that some writing games extended beyond quick-witted Canadians. Then again, the Canadian dollar is better right now. So perhaps our nice northern neighbors have every right to favor themselves.
“The Pleasures of Apocalypse.” (via Pete Anderson)
Just in time for a forthcoming book containing all of his lyrics, Sting has been voted the worst lyricist of all time.
Why bloggers should get outside their apartment from time to time.
Kakutani hates on Sebold.
Yes, all hail Cleveland. Someone needed to show up Yankee hubris.
Stephen Dixon name-checked in Esquire. (via Black Garterbelt)