Recommended Reading: Tabitha Blankenbiller responds to The New York Times’ piece on Manly Book Clubs. “Reading the article yet again, my pity for this dude squad begins to blossom. To think that they will head into the ground without the words of Terry Tempest Williams or Lidia Yuknavitch or Sandra Cisneros in their hearts.” For a bit of humor about a manly book club, check out our rock ‘n’ roll book club.
Blossoming Pity
Reading Proust
For the Atlantic, Sarah Boxer recounts her experience reading In Search of Lost Time on her cell phone. Pair with Hannah Gersen’s year of reading Proust.
A History of Pen Names
This week in book-related infographics: “A History of Pen Names,” from Robinson Crusoe to Dr. Seuss to Toni Morrison.
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Lambda Literary Award Finalists
Congratulations to the Lambda Literary Award Finalists, who were announced this week. Finalists include Carrie Brownstein, Matthew Spender (our review of his memoir), and Truman Capote.
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The Destruction of a Ruin
Recommended Reading: Teju Cole meditates on the destruction of the Baalshamin temple in Palmyra, Syria at The New Inquiry. “The destruction of a ruin is like the desecration of a body. It is a vengeance wreaked on the past in order to embitter the future.“
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The Best Images of 2012
The winning images from this year’s National Geographic Photo Contest are worth your time.
Alison Bechdel on Howard Cruse’s Landmark Queer Graphic Novel
For the 25th anniversary of Howard Cruse's powerful graphic novel, Stuck Rubber Baby, Alison Bechdel reflects on his portrayal of his place in history.
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“The Threadbare Art of My Eye”
As Robert Lowell put it: “sometimes everything I write / with the threadbare art of my eye / seems a snapshot.” Poetry and photography.
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