Billy Collins is a former two-term Poet Laureate of the United States and about as acclaimed as a contemporary poet can be. He reads from his new book and reminds us of the importance of taking a walk in the park.
books
Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky’s Runaway Fingers
Book critic Liesl Schillinger reads a darkly comic excerpt from a newly-published short story collection by early-20th century Russian author Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky.
LeVar Burton and the (Paper) Cut Threat
LeVar Burton takes refuge in libraries, says 'meh' to Google Glass, and answers other pressing questions in this excerpt from our recent live event.
A Lucky Long-Distance Call to ‘The Fifth Beatle’
The newest production from award-winning Broadway producer Vivek Tiwary is a graphic novel about the man who helped discover and promote The Beatles. Vivek tells us a tale of the phone conversation that changed the course of rock history… and which almost never happened.
Salman Rushdie on Undercover Life
Rushdie’s new memoir recounts the surreal years following the publication of “The Satanic Verses,” after the Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him.
The Selby is in Your Dream Kitchen
Todd Selby, mastermind behind the New York Times column “Edible Selby” recently released a coffee table book chock-full of beautifully-shot kitchen spaces.
Blasphemy and Protest
For over twenty years, Sherman Alexie has been one of the country’s finest (and funniest) storytellers. Today we overhear Sherman reading from his new collection “Blasphemy.”
Alain de Botton Believes in Non-Belief
Alain de Botton has penned a string of bestsellers exploring the nature of Architecture, Philosophy, Work, Status, Love, and Religion. But, y’know, maybe one of these days he’ll try to focus on something actually important.
Jackie Collins Goes on a Power Trip
Jackie Collins’ sexy romps have sold over 500 million copies. Her latest offering, The Power Trip, brings together a few billionaires and beauties on (where else?) a luxury yacht, and throws in some murder for good measure.
Karen Russell Gets Right to the Juicy Bits
Karen Russell’s debut novel “Swamplandia!” was a finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer prize. Her new book - the entrancing, Gothic-tinged story collection “Vampires in the Lemon Grove” - has been receiving similarly rapturous reviews.