There’s no denying it — the self-help book business is booming. Recently, we read a fascinating article in New York magazine that argues that part of the reason the industry is doing well is that publishers have changed the way we think about self-help — no longer just how-tos, but memoirs, narrative nonfiction, business writing, and yes, even novels are making their way onto that once-scoffed-at shelf. Indeed, why relegate yourself to cheesy self-help books proper when you could clear that paranoia/codependency/narcissism right up with a good novel? A novel, you say? Which novel? Never fear, sufferers: after the jump, we prescribe (though take our comments with a grain of salt, we’re nerds, not doctors) a few books to cure whatever ails you. Have some prescriptions of your own? Be a good Samaritan and leave them in the comments. … Read More
10 Literary Board Games for Book Nerds
When it’s cold outside, book nerds tend to hibernate with their novels. But what about a bookish activity that’s also social (and indoors)? This week, the Paris Review pointed us towards Pride and Prejudice: The Board Game, which seems like just the ticket — if you’re a Jane Austen fan. However, what to do if you’re more of a Twainish persuasion? Never fear — we’ve collected a whole selection of board games based on novels, from fantasy to the classics, for your… Read More
Adorable Letters from Famous Authors to Their Children
You’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again: it’s a shame people don’t write letters anymore. Especially writers, whose missives are often so beautifully composed and simply inspiring that we hoard them in volume upon volume. We’ve already put together a collection of authors’ letters to their young fans, but this week, we spotted this wonderful letter from Sherwood Anderson to his son over at Brain Pickings, and we were inspired to dig a little further into the letters writers send their own children. After the jump, read loving, advice-filled, gentle parental love letters from some of our favorite authors to some of their favorite people — their kids. … Read More
Sylvia Plath’s ‘The Bell Jar’: A Visual History
On this day, 50 years ago, the first edition of The Bell Jar was published in England under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas. It didn’t make it to the United States until 1971, because Aurelia Plath was embarrassed by what her daughter had to say about her family. But make it to the States it did (as well as many other countries), and in the last 50 years, Sylvia Plath’s one and only novel has become a cult favorite, a classroom staple, and a source of inspiration and solace for thousands of young people. To celebrate the book’s 50th anniversary, and with the help of excellent Plath resource A celebration, this is, we’ve taken a look at the many changes the cover has gone through over the years — some beautiful, some strange, and some that make us think about it the story in a whole new way. Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments. … Read More
The Private Book Collections of 10 Famous Readers
Earlier this month, we stumbled across Carolyn Kellogg’s great article about Bernie Madoff’s book collection, parts of which are being sold slowly on eBay by the person who won Madoff’s books in an auction. Sure, the books someone has may not be as great an indicator of their personality as, er, some other things we know about them, but, nerds that we are, we tend to consider our libraries extensions of ourselves. So of course, we did a little digging, pouring through the collections of famous (or infamous) cultural icons and see what they were made of. After the jump, browse through our excerpts of the private libraries of everyone from Darwin to Houdini to Oprah, and draw your conclusions where you may. … Read More
The Very Best of Amy Poehler and Tina Fey
We have a confession to make: we’ve never been that excited about the Golden Globes. After all, it’s kind of the kid sister of the Oscars, and we only have so much award show patience. But this year, we’re totally psyched, because the event will be hosted by Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, who may be our very favorite set of best friends of all time. So in preparation for tonight’s festivities, we’ve gone back through the archives and picked out some of the best of the pair’s collaborations. After the jump, our favorite Poehler/Fey onscreen moments, from good to better to best. Let us know which ones you love the most (and if you’re excited for tonight) in the comments. … Read More
Conspiracy Theories About Classic Literary Characters
This week, we read a pretty fascinating article over at Salon, in which Greg Olear argues that Nick Carraway, the narrator of Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, was gay and in love with the novel’s eponymous character. Though a Google search indicates that Olear’s not exactly the first person to think of this, we have to admit that we’d never considered the idea before, and his arguments are pretty persuasive. The article got us to thinking about the other theories and alternate interpretations that are floating around about some of our favorite classic literary characters. An investigation, and perhaps a few sides of characters you’ve never seen before, after the jump. … Read More
10 Famous Directors on Movie Violence
The Internet has been abuzz this week about Quentin Tarantino’s explosive interview with a British journalist for Channel 4, in which the director snapped after being asked why he didn’t think film violence and real violence were connected. “Don’t ask me questions like that. I’m not biting. I refuse your question,” he retorted. “I’m not your slave and you’re not my master. You can’t make me dance to your tune. I’m not your monkey.” Though he goes somewhat off the handle, Tarantino is right about one thing — he has been asked about violence quite a bit. And so have many other directors that use it in their films. After the jump, we’ve collected a few of their answers, which range from quippy to sincere, to get a better view of how violent Hollywood views itself. Any good quotes we’ve missed? Add to our list in the comments. … Read More
Is This the Most Amazing Library in the World?
Last week, North Carolina State University opened the doors on its brand new library, a technological marvel that’s bigger than a football field. Designed by Snøhetta, the James B. Hunt Jr. Library is staffed by a bionic librarian, bookBot, who can find any of its 1.5 million books for you. Innovative, yes — but does it rank as one of the most beautiful college libraries in the world? Or even one of the ones you’d most want to work in? … Read More
Seen and Overheard at a Sherlock Holmes Charity Ball
If you’ve been seeing a few more deerstalkers roaming the streets this weekend than you’re generally accustomed to, let us let you in on a little secret. This week marks Sherlock Holmes’ birthday, and therefore we are embarking on the annual NYC Baker Street Irregulars Weekend, a few days of fun and Sherlock Holmes jokes for the surprisingly large faction of the loyal. Last night, your intrepid literary editor attended The Daintiest Thing Under a Bonnet Charity Ball, hosted by the Baker Street Babes, a young, hip group of all-female Sherlockians. The evening, which benefited the Wounded Warrior Project, was a delightful affair, with music, a pop quiz, toasts both fictional and non-fictional, and much well-deserved nerdery all around. After the jump, a few snapshots (including yours truly dressed as an admittedly droog-like Dr. Watson) and quips overheard during the evening. … Read More
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