One For the Books

Literary journals can be shapeshifters: The Thing appears as a different object every time it's produced. On the subject of objects, Reading Copy points to a demonstration that books make excellent sculptures. Norman Foster's going to tinker with the main NYC Public Library building. I'm a little worried. Nothing against Foster but why mess with a good thing, you know? At least the exterior will remain the same. For minutes of fun, try to guess how good a book is by its cover. Thanks to the Book Bench for finding this little time-sucker. In other news, I am still reading, though it may not seem so. I recently finished (and enjoyed) Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield. A book that provides a taxonomy of mix types (radio, dishes, I want to get with you, etc.) and precisely captures my early 90s with the selection of Morrissey's We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful is a friend of mine. Sheffield on NPR here.

Good Reads at The New Yorker

The New Yorker keeps writer Malcolm Gladwell busy in between books. In his latest cultural probe, Gladwell examines late-blooming artists and prodigies and spends time mulling the success of writers Ben Fountain and Jonathan Safran Foer. Also featured - recent short fiction from Roddy Doyle whose books are wonderful. Doyle appears at the International Festival of Authors at Harbourfront next week.

The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner Live

As noted by Pitchfork, Ben Folds Five hooked up in September (on my friend J's birthday, appropriately enough) for a reunion show. The gig was conceived as the inaugural event in a series - Front to Back - put together by MySpace and NowWhat.com. The series concept: artists perform complete albums in sequential song order. Um, love it. What a rare treat for music fans, desperate to hear those under-appreciated Track Nines which never make it into set lists. Soon enough, the following links should lead to concert footage and interviews. In the meantime be contented with, Don't Change Your Plans, a classic album opener and Lullabye, a closer that namechecks James Earl Jones. And I haven't even mentioned exuberantly fun Army or Magic, possibly their prettiest, sad song, used fittingly for a clip tribute to The Virgin Suicides here.

What's Being Done

First and foremost, Tina Fey is publishing a book so I am contemplating breaking my 'no buying hardcovers' rule. The NY Times is pondering the Nobel Prize snubbing of American literature. The funny, drunk girl from Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is getting deserved props from places other than The Pop Triad. Weezer is loving the Internet and world records.

Less is More

Last week, I attended a screening of Bravo!FACT short films (Thanks E). On the whole, the selections were very good. Favourites included sweetly choreographed Sigh, funny The Perfect Match and Facebook of Revelations: Heroes and visually stunning, not to mention eerie, The Facts in the Case of Mister Hollow. Keep your eyes on the tube for a shot at seeing these little gems. Bravo!FACT Presents airs on Bravo! at 7:30 on Sundays evenings with repeat showings throughout the week. Hooray for arts funding!