The Invisible Library

I’m burned out, man. Over it. I’ve hit the wall and staggered off in search of warmth and compassion and found none. This week really brought it home for me. Perhaps my priorities are fucked or I’m just another insulated liberal but I’m tired of this shit. And then I read Scout’s post earlier about the poor kid from Georgia that shot himself because George Bush won the election.

The thing is, I get that kid. If I weren’t a little older and bit more level headed, I could be that kid. The world is just so fucked up right now and the US is acting like the lead lemur. But I don’t want to be that kid because it won’t change things.

So, for a while at least, I’m taking a break from the politics. This may cost me some readers but I don’t care. I need to not be plugged in for a while. So for the next few weeks, it’s just going to be posts like the one below, books, movies, cultural ramblings and thoughts on life. So, prepare for navel gazing.

There’s a new McSweeny’s collection coming out, McSweeney’s Enchanted Chamber of Astonishing Stories, edited by Michael Chabon ( I swear, once Grad School’s done, I’m going to finish Cavalier and Clay). And while this one’s technically published through Vintage, not McSweeney’s I have to say, the whole imprint is growing on me. They have some of the best designed books I’ve ever seen, and they’re full of interesting well written stories. Which is the point, of course, but still worth mentioning. While I didn’t realy grok You shall Know Our Velocity, I didn’t let that stop me from picking up McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern Issue 13, their comics issue, and really impressed with the breadth and scope of the work contained. My friend Viva recently showed me her stash of McSweeney’s books and I was all the more impressed. I’ve been missing out and for no good reason ( yeah, Dave Eggers is kind of a dick but at least he’s got a good head for storytelling and recognizing the talent of other writers).