Good week for interesting book reading!
The Millions compares contemporary fiction to contemporary Detroit — both due for a comeback now that the economy has burned them down. The article mentions Joshua Cohen; I’ve been hearing about him for a while now but have yet to check him out.
Speaking of contemporary problems, here are some challenges to adapting a novel to television. I know we’re in kind of a golden age for well-written television (especially compared to the current shlock coming out of Hollywood), but can’t we appreciate fiction for its own sake?
New York Magazine created an infograph to assess Philip Roth. Roxane Gay finds it troubling for its lack of female participants.
Friction between Barnes & Noble and Simon & Schuster, probably related to B&N wanting more discounts. It’s a tough situation for S&S authors with new books this month, but it’s probably nothing to the turmoil to come. I think B&N should go private, because those Wall Street jackalopes are going to drive them out of business.
Will Wilkinson talks “defamiliarization.” Excellent reading.
AWP is coming up. Here’s all you need to know.