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March 18, 2011
Shorties (Fictional Rock Stars, Books About Baseball, and more)
The Guardian Books Blog examines fictional rock stars.
These days, of course, we are accustomed to the detailed examination of pop culture in literary fiction, with novelists such as Pynchon, Vonnegut and David Foster Wallace writing in detail about TV and related ephemera. For Wallace: "One of the most recognisable things about [last] century's postmodern fiction was the movement's strategic deployment of pop-cultural references – brand names, celebrities, television programs – in even its loftiest high art projects." Still, literary rock stars – and by this I mean major fictional protagonists – seem relatively few and far between, given how saturated our culture is by popular music.
Sports Illustrated recommends new books about baseball.
The Millions interviews Chilean author Alejandro Zambra.
Bi Feiyu has won the 2010 Man Asian Literary Prize for his novel Three Sisters.
Rock Candy interviews Matt of Matt & Kim.
The Telegraph profiles author Christopher Isherwood.
The Japan Times examines the country's earthquake and tsunami's effects on its indie musicians.
PopMatters interviews Meric Long of the Dodos.
At Stereogum, musicians remember Alex Chilton one year after his death.
NPR recommends three books that explore the minds behind movie magic.
Wayward Blog lists the top 10 drunk sing-along songs.
NPR reviews Alan Heathcock's short story collection Volt.
The A.V. Club recommends entry points into the discography of Kate Bush.
The Jewish Book Council Blog interviews Joseph Skibell about his novel A Curable Romantic.
Spoonful of Hahne is counting down the 100 best comics of all time.
The Rumpus interviews Jessica Anya Blau about her new novel Drinking Closer to Home.
As the iPod turns 10 this year, the Guardian ponders the future of the device.
Brokelyn lists five literary contests to enter on a writer's budget.
On sale for $3.99 at Amazon MP3: Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday album.
At HTMLGIANT, Kyle Minor explains how he reads author Alexander Chee's blog Koreanish as a book.
Amazon MP3
Follow me on Twitter and Stumbleupon for links (updated throughout the day) that don't make the daily "Shorties" columns.
also at Largehearted Boy:
previous Shorties posts (daily links from the worlds of music, literature, and pop culture)
Atomic Books Comics Preview (highlights of the week's comics & graphic novel releases)
daily mp3 downloads
Largehearted Word (highlights of the week's book releases)
Try It Before You Buy It (mp3s and full album streams from this week's CD releases)
weekly music & DVD release lists
