httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4MTq3tiktg
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J1n5sXBR5o
Opera’s no joke.
Justin Taylor—
Earlier today, one of my favorite editors asked me to be part of a “best of the decade” theme issue his magazine is doing later this year. This wasn’t a proper assignment, he just wanted me to name some books–fiction or non-, but not poetry–that I thought were among the best published in the last ten years. I have no idea how many people he asked to do this, and I don’t know whether the nominations will be aggregated into a master “top however many” list. Or maybe we’ll each get one or two picks and a note explaining them. I’ll let you know when the issue comes out. But in the meantime, I thought it might be interesting and fun to pass the question along to all of you. What do you think are three of the best books published in the last ten years? Leave it in the comments section.
Sunshine state
I was on the phone yesterday with Michael Greenberg, talking about some photo project thing, when it came up that he was in L.A. discussing the film rights to his most recent memoir, Hurry Down Sunshine. 
For those of you unfamiliar, it’s the story of his then 15-year-old daughter’s sudden and complete descent into utter madness during the summer of 1996. To me, Greenberg sounded understandably unsure as to whether he was comfortable with putting such a personal and emotionally ravaging experience up on the screen where, presumably, that adorable Abigail Breslin would play the cutest little crazy person America has ever seen. But hasn’t he had already let the cat out of the bag by writing the book? But he’d lose creative control if he signed the rights over to a movie studio. But he’d likely get a ton of money. In a similar situation, I’d like to think that I’d walk away, but I’m not sure that’s the right move. After all, I’d really love to have the flatscreen and signed Michael Vick Eagles jersey. Oh, and a butler. Actually, I’d probably hire Blake to be my butler, cause that’d be funny, right? Blake the Butler! Oh, and…
Justin Taylor—
(via Best American Poetry blog) “The Revenge of the Epigoni” by Lynn Chu, on why the Google settlement sucks. Thing is, Chu pretty much starts in the middle of the argument, so going to the BestAmPo post first for some context is actually a pretty good idea.
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Talking back at quotes on writing
I came across these nice quotes about writing, and since I can’t talk back at my mother, I figure I would talk back at famous writers. I’d rather get a roll in the grave than a slap in the face. All in fun, and much respect to these writers’ ideas on writing, but it kinda annoys me when people tell others “the final word” on writing, or art, or life in general. What makes Faulkner & Orwell (just a random pair) each so awesome is their completely different approach/goal, thus their completely different audience. I think the same applies to politics and religion, and other stuff people like to fight about. Certain arguments or dialogs are futile — writing just is, and I’m grateful to be able to choose what I read and to enjoy it. I’m happy that we all enjoy words, and that’s about it. Check out the linked quotes, some are really special. After the break is just for fun.
Matthew Simmons—
Just putting this out there into the world. If I stipulate that you are within your constitutional right to do so, would you consider maybe NOT BRINGING A FUCKING GUN to an Obama Health Care town hall, anyway? Could this be one of those, “Sure, I can do it, but I’m not going to” sorts of things?
Rate my bookshelf
The books here are pretty good or whatever, but what I like is that this bookshelf is functional. Who wants to make me one?