In our morning reading: Marlon James and Namwali Serpell in conversation, thoughts on Steve Reich’s music, and more.
Morning Bites: Namwali Serpell and Marlon James, Patricia Lockwood Poetry, Mark Doten on Writing, and More
Afternoon Bites: Interviewing Emily St. John Mandel, Whiting Award Winners, Chelsea Bieker Fiction, and More
In our afternoon reading: an interview with Emily St. John Mandel, fiction by Chelsea Bieker, and more
Vol. 1 Brooklyn’s March 2022 Book Preview
And now, somehow, it’s March. We’re not sure how that happened, either. Nevertheless, it is the case, even as the weather decides to vacillate between “bitter cold” and “maybe picnic weather?” It’s a strange time. Our recommended books for the month also cover a lot of ground, from insightful looks into the art of writing to immersive forays into surreal landscapes. Read on for what we’re looking forward to this month.
Afternoon Bites: Gary Shteyngart on Pandemic Fiction, Folk Horror, Percival Everett’s Latest, and More
In our afternoon reading: talking fiction with Gary Shteyngart, thoughts on Percival Everett’s new novel, and more.
Weekend Bites: Larissa Pham Excerpted, Steve Reich’s Playlist, Revisiting Richard Wright, and More
In our weekend reading: an excerpt from Larissa Pham’s new book, looking back at the works of Richard Wright, and more.
Revisiting Steve Reich: Erik Hall on His New Recording of “Music for 18 Musicians”
Erik Hall isn’t 18 musicians, but you could be forgiven for thinking that he is. He’s recorded music as a solo artist and with the group In Tall Buildings; before that, he also had stints in His Name Is Alive and NOMO. For his new album, he opted for a particularly ambitious maneuver: recording Steve Reich’s Music For 18 Musicians. The ensuing record is both a loving version of a minimalist classic and a work that shows the impressive flexibility within Reich’s composition. I talked with Hall about the making of this album and his own musical journey over the years.
Afternoon Bites: Beastie Boys Retrospective, Akwaeke Emezi, Steve Reich Interviewed, Jonathan Lethem’s Inspirations, and More
In our afternoon reading: a look at the new Beastie Boys retrospective, interviews with Akwaeke Emezi and Steve Reich, and more.
Afternoon Bites: “Drumming” Revisited, Literary Florida, Assisting William T. Vollmann, Nick Cave Statue, and More
In our afternoon reading: revisiting a classic work by Steve Reich, exploring the literature of Florida, and more.