- Robert D. Kaplan’s insufferable wonkage was one of the reasons I let my subscription to The Atlantic lapse. But I’ve never had the time, much less the synaptic capacity to pinpoint exactly why. Thankfully, Tom Bissell, a much smarter guy than me, tells us precisely why Kaplan’s such a problematic writer.
- I should observe that Neve wasn’t the only one who talked to Updike about fellatio. I’ll say no more. Just wait until Show #50. That’s all I have to say.
- There are e-book standards? Who knew? (via Booksquare)
- As widely reported, the Center for Book Culture’s latest issue of Context is out. I concur with the Rake that Anne Burke is right on the money when it comes to James’ jihads.
- Alice Munro: to retire or not to retire? (via Mark)
- I’ll confess. I was dubious about The Picolata Review, until I stumbled upon interviews with RotR fave Lee Martin and Dan Wickett.
- Derik Badman test-drives the 1959-1960 Peanuts volume.
- Is knowledge of the Bible necessary to study literature?
- Bengali writer Sunil Gangopadhyay has won a Calcutta suit where he allegedly defiled an idol of a Hindu goddess. Gangopadhyay insisted that the only defilement that concerned him was satisfying specific requests originating from his nubile groupies.
- Ed Guthmann remembers Judith Moore.
- Bridget Jones turns ten.
- Cringe-worthy moment in television history: the Growing Pains intro.