Curiosities
October 4, 2011
Reading The Orient Express 0
by Rachel Hurn
The Orient Express began service on this day in 1883—Paris to Istanbul in 83.5 hours. Agatha Christie may be the most famous writer to have capitalized on the train’s romantic allure, but the list of books begins decades before her (Dracula, for example) and goes for decades after.
October 4, 2011
Sloane Crosley’s Travel Advice 0
by Rachel Hurn
Sloane Crosley, this year’s editor of The Best American Travel Writing, out today, wrote some key travel tips for those who are vain, budget-conscious, and notoriously lazy.
October 4, 2011
SF’s Thriving Libraries 0
by Rachel Hurn
Book lovers say it’s nothing to keep quiet about: San Francisco’s libraries are thriving.
October 4, 2011
DARE, Hear Americans Talk 0
by Rachel Hurn
In 1965, researchers set out in campers to hear Americans talk. The Dictionary of American Regional English is a road trip of the mind. (Via Arts & Letters Daily.)
October 4, 2011
Nicholson Baker and Friendly’s 0
by Rachel Hurn
Nicholson Baker talks about why he does so much writing at Friendly’s, a fast food chain that soon may exist only in its descriptions.
October 4, 2011
Tuesday New Release Day: Lewis, Saramago, DeWitt, Ondaatje, Enright, Hoffman, Harrison, Barnes, Adria, Hawkins 0
by C. Max Magee
Michael Lewis’s last book made our Hall of Fame. Now he’s back with a new book that widens his focus to the financial dramas around the world with Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World. Also out this week, Jose Saramago’s posthumously published Cain, Helen DeWitt’s long-awaited Lightning Rods, Michael Ondaatje’s The Cat’s Table (reviewed [...]
