The idea of the beach read encapsulates how most people seem to regard reading in the 21st century: a solitary activity, preferably performed in a comfortable place, and accompanied by an alcoholic beverage. Modern readers display their bona fides on Instagram with stylish photos of reading nooks and “still life”-type imagery featuring books (or, I'm sad to note, Kindles and iPads) and beverages ... [ more ]

As a child, I was required to listen to many different things. Classical music, for one. Teachers getting annoyed with me for asking too many questions, for another. And… The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy quotes, for a third. For that last particular factor I have my father to thank. (Though actually, now that I think about it, he seems to have had a major hand in all three of those particular l... [ more ]

The following books were reported stolen: Zone, by Guillaume Apollinaire, translated by Samuel Beckett, published by the Dolmen Press, in an edition numbered and signed by Samuel Beckett, with a short haiku by Alan Ginsberg written on the front endpaper, and signed by Ginsberg; in navy blue boards in a blue slipcase, about 10 inches high North, by Seamus Heaney, paperback, signed by Heaney on the tit... [ more ]