A number of indie book stores, squeezed by patrons using their shelves only for research into later online purchases, are starting to charge admission for in-store readings and events, the New York Times reports.
Indie Bookstores Charge for Readings
For the Grammarians
Who or whom? Which or that? Jon Gingerich has helpfully assembled a list of "20 Common Grammar Mistakes That (Almost) Everyone Makes."
Boys Might Cry
Look, we get it. You're as sad as the rest of us that Frank Ocean's new album didn't actually drop on Friday. Luckily, there's a fantastic essay over at The Atlantic which examines Ocean in the context of Harper Lee and the myth of the reclusive artist: "Channel Orange, like Mockingbird, is an unapologetic masterpiece for people defining themselves at the intersection of lived experience and possibility."
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The Role of Art and Artists in Contemporary Cultural Activism
In conjunction with the new documentary film “The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975” (reviewed by our own Bill Morris last week), New York’s Third Streaming Gallery will be hosting a conversation on the role of art and artists in contemporary cultural activism. The discussion will be held tonight at 7pm, and it will include Rico Gaston, Jacqueline Hoang Nguyen, Donna Murch, and Minkah Makalani.
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The search for absurdity
How The Daily Show may have an advantage over mainstream news, by virtue of its refusual to take "View from Nowhere." Conor Friedersdorf makes the compelling case that comedy writers, with their eyes rooting out the absurd in the world, can put give the news some much needed perspective.
In the Future, All Art Historians Will Work 20 Hours a Week
A couple of contrarian views on the current job market and its woes: "How Art History Majors Power the U.S. Economy" (at Bloomberg, no less) and "Cut the working week to a maximum of 20 hours, urge top economists" (sign me up).
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The Mask
Considering his experience as a musician and comedian, it makes sense that Jacob Rubin wrote his new novel about a performer. The Poser depicts the tumultuous career of a talented impressionist. At Bookforum, Rubin talks about the novel, his career as a screenwriter and his knack for impressions as a child. You could also read his interview with Reif Larsen here at The Millions.
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I know that bookstores are suffering greatly because of eBooks. We need to help them as much as we could if we would like them to survive. I also understand the urgency that bookstores have to make money wherever they could to try to make up for all their losses. However I think most of the people that are attracted and come to bookstore events and book signings are people that support the stores already. Would this turn people from buying books from a store that changing for every small event they offer?