Sublime

For this purpose I also recommend Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik, Heartburn by Nora Ephron (when you find out it’s about the guy who broke Watergate ...!!!!), Argonauts by Maggie Nelson, I Love Dick by Chris Kraus (this one made all the Semiotexte books feel like part of an extended cinematic universe). I’ve heard that Kathy Acker does this sort... See more

So, in shameless imitation of a master and tastemaker, here are my notes on “taste.”

1. To start very generally, taste is a mode. It’s a manner of interpretation, expression, or action. Things don’t feel tasteful, they demonstrate taste. Someone’s home can be decorated tastefully. Someone can dress tastefully. The vibe cannot be tasteful. The

... See more

The wonder of public libraries was not lost on Jack Kerouac, who wrote gorgeously about the NYPL in his journals—which, incidentally, I read in the NYPL. And, okay, yes, he was also writing about the Boston Public Library, which is lovely too.

ON BIG CITY LIBRARIES

The two big city libraries that I’ve had occasion to frequent, the one in Boston and

... See more