AltWeeklies Wire
Blogger Christian Lander on White Peoplenew
The Definitive Guide to Stuff White People Like: The Unique Taste of Millions is 150 blog posts -- uh, make that chapters -- with titles like "Michel Gondry," "Modern Furniture," and "Knowing What's Best for Poor People." Although the book does recycle some of the website's original content, it's still snarkily funny and well, true.
The Portland Mercury |
Kiala Kazebee |
07-03-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Poems That Marry Domesticity with Wars Abroad in 'Old War'new
In Alan Shapiro's latest book, we find many poems where he masterfully describes what seems to be absolutely nothing.
Repression Illustrated: People's History in a Graphic Formatnew
National Lampoon/Heavy Metal illustrator Rick Geary’s graphic bio of the notorious FBI strongman, J. Edgar Hoover, and American Splendor author Harvey Pekar’s anthology of new-left living-history reminiscences, Students for a Democratic Society are well-drawn histories.
Boston Phoenix |
Clif Garboden |
07-03-2008 |
Nonfiction
Stephanie Kuehnert on Her Debut Novel, 'I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone'new
Everyone wants to be a rock star. Kuehnert’s protagonist and narrator, Emily Black, is no different. Living in a tiny town in Wisconsin, left alone with her father as an infant when her mother hit the road following her own rock-star dreams, Emily's now your favorite teenager, much cooler than you were when you were there, the dark hair, the red lipstick and the witty asides and retorts all part of the angst-ridden fireball.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
07-02-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Is There a Middle Way in the Globalization Debate?new
As Sick Planet: Corporate Food and Medicine, by Stan Cox, and Starved for Science: How Biotechnology Is Being Kept Out Of Africa, by Robert Paarlberg collectively demonstrate, the globalization debate seems to demand either a stifling of common sense, or a radical reassessment of assumptions.
The Texas Observer |
James E. McWilliams |
07-02-2008 |
Nonfiction
'Fashion: A Philosophy' Tumbles on the Runwaynew
Relying heavily on Immanuel Kant and Walter Benjamin, Svendsen (as translated by John Irons) creates a concise and comprehensive primer on fashion and clothing as it relates to identity. He then stitches on a virtual CliffsNotes of philosophy on fashion, citing Roland Barthes, Charles Baudelaire, and Michel Foucault, and then appliques some hep quotes from Bret Easton Ellis, AbFab, and the Pet Shop Boys.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
D. Scot Miller |
07-02-2008 |
Nonfiction
Hipster Homicide: Rayo Casablanca Explains What's Killing Him About The Scenenew
Set in Williamsburg, Hipsters takes off at breakneck speed with a snarl of characters and lifestyles. "I can't tell you how many times people have told me that they really liked reading about hipsters getting whacked," Casablanca says.
Charleston City Paper |
Alli Marshall |
07-02-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Red, White and Blackwater: An Interview with Jeremy Scahillnew
As media coverage is slipping, Scahill, who has reported from Iraq in both the Clinton and Bush administrations, is releasing an update to his book. The new version includes a thorough account of that infamous day at Nisour Square, along with details on the Blackwater operative who shot and killed the Iraqi vice president’s bodyguard on Christmas Eve of 2006.
Weekly Alibi |
Christie Chisholm |
07-01-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Sheriff Joe Buffaloes Readers with Bogus Yarns in 'Joe's Law'new
An intensely boring read for all but those who are slavishly attached to the man, Joe's Law repeats many of the myths Arpaio has manufactured about himself over the years. With the assistance of friend and writer Len Sherman, the book regurgitates such cock-and-bull stories as Arpaio's supposed run-in with Elvis, Joe's implausible role in ending the infamous French Connection, and bogus threats on Joe's life.
Phoenix New Times |
Stephen Lemons |
07-01-2008 |
Nonfiction
Mark Doty Shies Away From the Title 'Political Poet'new
"Because when you say 'political poetry,' it sounds sort of dutiful, like, 'Oh, that's going to be work to read that,'" he says.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Paul Ruggiero |
06-30-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Porn Star Bobby Blake on Racism and Religionnew
Blake's a puzzle, writing frankly about unsavory aspects in his life, but he's also quite serious, talking about racism in the industry, gay marriage, life on the down-low and the scourge of HIV/AIDS in the black community.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
06-30-2008 |
Nonfiction
'Hiding in Hip Hop' Offers a Glimpse of the Troubles of a Young Black Bisexualnew
Dean laments that the world is not yet ready to face the truth about black gay/lesbian celebrities’ sexuality.
NOW Magazine |
Addi Stewart |
06-30-2008 |
Nonfiction
Combating Intolerance is a Big Motivating Factor for Author Carolyn Howard-Johnsonnew
Recently named Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by the California Legislature, Howard-Johnson, author of a book and short stories about Mormons, deftly uses minute details to bring life and depth to her fictional characters.
Pasadena Weekly |
Liz Hedrick |
06-30-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Jack Pendarvis Debuts with 'Awesome' Absurditynew
Besides a smattering of high-end literary references, prepare in Awesome to be treated to life's lower end: multiple examples of buggery and flatulence.
The Memphis Flyer |
Leonard Gill |
06-27-2008 |
Fiction
Darin Strauss's Third Novel Gets Under Readers' Skinsnew
Strauss cleverly constructing a story that burns and festers, leaving you slightly traumatized and utterly invested in the moment.
The Portland Mercury |
Courtney Ferguson |
06-27-2008 |
Fiction
