Interesting Reading in the Interweb Tubes
- Up in Arms (“There’s never been an America, but rather several Americas—each a distinct nation. There are eleven nations today.”)
- Should Literature Be Useful? (“Fiction’s lack of practical usefulness is what gives it its special freedom.”)
Blog Headline of the Week
Lawsuit of the Week
- A woman and her nephew are suing the NYPD, claiming officers came into her apartment without permission and wouldn’t leave until the nephew performed a rap song
Bookish Linkage
- The gender and race disparity in children’s books
- Authors of a history of library buildings pick some of their favorites among the world’s greatest libraries
- Woody Guthrie — yes, that Woody Guthrie — is on the shortlist for the 2013 Bad Sex in Fiction award
- How much do you know about conspiracy literature?
- Fifty of the best cult books
- As noted last week, “Best of” season, like Christmas, arrives earlier each year, as evidenced by Amazon’s list of its “Best Books of 2013.” I’ve only read two of the top 10.
Nonbookish Linkage
- Sign me up for the class on the theology of Bruce Springsteen (thanks to my oldest for bringing this to my attention)
- People are more moral in the morning
- The Kennedy assassination and the rise of conspiracy theories
Tonight this fool’s halfway to heaven and just a mile outta hell
Bruce Springsteen, “Better Days,” Lucky Town
A week or so ago, I heard that the primary measurable effect of going off (or on?) daylight savings time was a 7% increase in street crime. Earlier evening hours of darkness apparently appeals to criminals and street thugs who don’t like getting up in the morning. When asked primary implication of the data, the researcher said it showed the need for better street lighting.