I just finished reading the New York Magazine article “My First New York“, which includes three of the essays being included in a book of the same name. Nora Ephron recalls her first job in NYC as a mailroom worker at Newsweek. David Rakoff tells the story of his Mother’s purse being stolen on the [...]

David Sedaris is one of the few authors I prefer to listen to than read. His audio book When You Are Engulfed in Flames was no exception. Not only are the autobiographical adventures funny, but his voice just makes them all the better.

Happy new year! Here’s a list of my favorite things from 2009 (several items were out prior to 2009, but 2009 is when I first experienced them): Favorite Book: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón Favorite Book Cover Artist: Chip Kidd Favorite Book Podcast: Books on the Nightstand Favorite Film (Theater): A [...]

It’s difficult to believe, but Elliott Smith would have been 40 today. I have written a number of posts on Elliott over the years, so I’m not sure there’s much more to say. Here are my favorites: Thoughts on his album New Moon Elliott Smith and the Big Nothing (book) My one and only experience [...]

One of my favorite podcasts at the moment is Books on the Nightstand. I was listening to their audiobook episode in which quite a few listeners recommend The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. A week later I uploaded it to my iPhone and I was on my way to listening to my first fiction audiobook. [...]

Here’s my list of the best of 2008: Best Book: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz Best Film: tie between Wall-E and Wristcutters: A Love Story Best TV Show: Lost Best Album: Acid Tongue by Jenny Lewis Best Purchase: Wii Fit (I just don’t use it consistently yet) Best Meal: Union [...]

11:00 a.m. – Esther K. Smith, author of How to Make Books 1:00 p.m. – Out of Place panel: Rivka Galchen, Moustafa Bayoumi, and David Rakoff 4:00 p.m. – Esmeralda Santiago, author of The Turkish Lover 5:00 p.m. – Thirsty for Fiction pannel: Charles Bock, Chuck Klosterman, and Ed Park

The Brooklyn Book Festival has released their schedule for the September 14 event. Here’s my tentative schedule: 10 a.m. @ the Borough Hall Courtroom – Inside/Outside. Nathan Englander (The Ministry of Special Cases), Joseph O’Neill (Netherland), and Susan Choi (A Person of Interest) discuss imagined communities, global past-times, hopeless illegitimacy, and erasing death. 11 a.m. [...]

They say everyone remembers their first love. I say you never forget your first cassette tape. Mine was a compilation by K-tel called “Love Is…” Side One What’s Forever For by Michael Murphey Even the Nights are Better by Air Supply I’ve Never Been to Me by Charlene Could it be Love by Jennifer Warnes [...]