I was recently tagged to do a video called the “If you liked…” book tag.
The idea is to choose some popular books and give recommendations of other books that people who enjoyed them might like.
My picks included books by Roald Dahl, David Sedaris, Donna Tartt and J.D. Salinger.
So what are you waiting for?
Do you have a recommendation for me based on my favourite book, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Hallowe’en!
Worry not, there’s no kitschy spooky shit here.
I spent last weekend in London and much of the week working til dark, so here are a few Internet snippets and a handful of awesome podcasts links for you to enjoy.
An Isaac Asimov essay on creativity has been unearthed and published for the first time. He asks, “How Do People Get New Ideas?”
The author of a One Direction fan fiction that got 1 BILLION hits on Wattpad got a 3-book deal and a movie deal. Not bad, eh?
Race the Tube: Glasgow Style. Nevermind the guy that beat the Clockwork Orange from Buchanan Street to St Enoch Square (a 58-second ride); this dude has the right idea. (Okay spoiler alert it’s a Tennant’s ad. Clever, but.)
It’s been a podcasty week, so it has.
Maria Popova on the Tim Ferriss podcast. He’s kind of a blowhard but I’ll deal for the nerdy work process chat.
Mallory Ortberg on Reading Lives. She reads in the shower?!
Conor Friedersdorf of The Atlantic also has some tips for binge podcast listening.
Serial is quickly becoming one of my most anticipated podcasts each week. (Mine and everyone else’s.) Although I have to agree with this point…
The problem with Serial is the guy sounds perfectly content to hang in jail so the stakes are low, low, low.
— Jessica Stanley (@dailydoseofjess) October 27, 2014
This week I finished reading Under the Skin for tonight’s book club. And oh, how it deserves a faithful adaptation. It has themes and character development and everything! I may even get around to his new book soon.
Also, please make this happen.
Who will pay me to edit "Best Internet-Era Nonfiction 2004-2014," an anthology feat. digital & print work? I pledge to include a token man.
— ann friedman (@annfriedman) October 28, 2014
An uncomfortable read about the trial of skinniness in the New Inquiry: You’re Right, I Didn’t Eat That.
Canadian radio journalist Jian Ghomeshi has had some serious allegations brought against him this week. I’ve enjoyed his work on Q for some time. Now 8 or 9 women have come forward. One of his friends was pretty blunt about it, saying: “Jian Ghomeshi is my friend, and Jian Ghomeshi beats women”.
What have you been reading this week?
Happy July! The weather has been glorious here in Glasgow – which means plenty of excuses to sit outside in the sunshine when I really ought to be working.
How have you been enjoying the summer weather?
–– ARTS & CULTURE ––
Richard Linklater’s 12-years-in-the-making Boyhood is out now and it’s wonderful. Here’s a nice review on Little White Lies.
A Prisoner’s Reading List. 1,046 books over 10 years – and none since.
Alyssa Rosenberg takes on that post-Elliot Rodgers debate. Some great film and gendered culture analysis here. Ann Hornaday v. Judd Apatow and how culture shapes our expectations of sex.
My friend Milo’s Week of Trying Not to Try with Canongate Books. Their #NudgeYourWorld series challenges readers to live by the book for a week. I’m next.
–– DIGITAL ––
Is email newsletter writing the new blogging? Joanne McNeil suggests as much in this lovely piece: Tiny Letters to the Web We Miss. (Incidentally, I’ve been signing up to them like a crack fiend of late.)
Speaking of newsletters, hows about I recommend one per week? Here’s the first: Today in Reassurances. I shan’t explain; see for yourself.
How to be a smarter emoticon user – and further studies on emoji use (with a misleading headline).
A dude trolled Kickstarter with plans to make potato salad. He’s raised in excess of $70,000. One New Yorker writer says he should keep every penny.
–– &c. ––
My friend Holly discovered a ghost town and took some really striking photos.
I want a Mod (90s portfolio for the 10s) sooo bad. About the design. Where to buy. Wish I had a spare £160 right now for the Writer Mod in Toffee Tan. Beautiful.
What have you been reading / coveting this week?