#42 Deliverance (1970) « Widmerpool’s Modern Library Revue

This blog, W's Modern Library Revue, is going through the 100 titles of the Everyman Modern Library. It's interesting because it's good books, but it's also a contemporary reading of these books, and not what the dust jacket says, or what someone said about them at the time. And, she's funny. In #42 she calls out men for being men (including dear John Irving) instead of celebrating the Modern American Voice. I like it.

#42 Deliverance (1970) « Widmerpool’s Modern Library Revue

Scientology Booklist

I came across this today, and though it's not necessarily a history of scientology, it's an interesting look at a particular aspect of scientology - censorship and suppression. Enjoy!

Operation Clambake present: Scientology Booklist

Also, check out the new album by Neko Case on NPR. It's really good, if you like her voice. If you don't, well, then you won't like it so much.

Wire Tap: If Rappers Were Characters From The Wire | The Smoking Section

This looks pretty cool. And I was just discussing the Wire today...

Wire Tap: If Rappers Were Characters From The Wire | The Smoking Section

Women vs. Men - the battle continues!

I read an article the other day about a female author, Anne Patchett, who uses the question "What would Philip Roth do?" as a test to determine which events and requests she agreed to. I suppose that's a valid question, as Roth is an infamous recluse when it comes to endorsing his work. However, it seems the author of the article, Ellen Hetzel, got a little overzealous and felt that female authors should aspire to be like Roth in all things. I initially read this post and thought that it was a case of reverse feminism, where a female academic was criticizing other female academics (in this case, authors) for making women look bad:

What would Philip Roth do, indeed. For women writers who think they still aren’t taken as seriously as the men in their field, here was Exhibit A for why that might occur: a coupla chicks sitting around talking while an audience pays $26.50 a seat to hear them indulge in a bout of self- and mutual admiration. For all the chat-festiness of Oprah, it’s hard to envision the TV super-goddess engaging her old bud Toni Morrison like this. Morrison would flick off such public familiarity as easily as she would a bad sentence.

But I wasn't sure if I got that right. Today, however, I read this blog and felt that I was right. Gwen Dawson at Literary License blasts Ellen Hetzel for reinforcing two gender stereotypes by questioning whether "inherent stylistic differences between male and female writers may fuel the gender gap" as well as arguing that "the mundane (in other words, all the daily stuff that makes the world go ‘round) is their metier, which is probably why they write about it so well—and fail to produce not only the kind of writing but also the volume that might transform them from wordsmith into literary lion". So they can't win awards because they're too busy writing about household chores. Dawson is right to be frustrated, but she doesn't go far enough, in my opinion: "Patchett’s “What would Philip Roth do?” test is not a bad idea, but no matter how faithfully she applies the test, it won’t turn her—or any other female writer looking for more respect—into Philip Roth". Upon re-reading both articles, I feel that Hetzel should keep her opinions to herself - if her own aspiration is to become the female Hemmingway, then be my guest, but I would rather female authors - and all authors, for that matter - get judged on their own artistic merit than judged as failing to achieve some sort of gender equivilancy test. And Dawson's article starts out with the right ire but ends with a whimper, perhaps sensing her own perilous path to becoming anti-feminist herself. Not me, however. I will never fall into that trap!

Lost: New Losties!

Check this out as well.

Lost: New Losties! - Love-Watching - Videogum

Best cookies ever

Have you seen this site before? Snack or Die provides a recipe for Super Mario Mushroom Cookies. I think it's just super.

Dum dums

Hey Bonnie - here's a band you might like. Obviously I picked it because the band name features our theme of the month. Dum Dums make good music!

DUM DUM GIRLS on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos

Friday's book link

Here's one that is pretty interesting. Seems long overdue, I suppose, considering we took a class five years ago about this very subject. See you in the car!

Stein Calls for Redefinition of Book in TOC Keynote - 2/11/2009 7:46:00 AM - Publishers Weekly

New Stuff Revisited

Hey! I got tired of emailing all these links and stuff to you, so I'm just going to post them in one place and you can review them if and when you like. Here's today's roundup:

1. Dollhouse Reviewed

you might need this: La Femme Nikita

and you'll definitely need this: Whedonesque

2. Lost recap: One Song Recap

3. Did you know Death Cab dude was dating Zooey Daschanel? Oh, and Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams are engaged. This feels like some sort of Friends episode.

4. Check this out: Favtapes

See you later!

Some Advice for Work

7 Types Of Bad Bosses According To Star Trek (And How To Survive Them).
Yay!

Again with the lists...

For a good time, check out The 50 Greatest Comedy Sketches of All Time. I think you will like them.

List of 50 Best Cult Books

Check out 50 best cult books. I only know a few, but it's a interesting list. And I know that you love lists. :)