Thunder and Lightning. Enter Three Witches.

Of all the trios of witches depicted throughout history (from Hocus Pocus to Charmed), there has never been a more powerful or more briefly portrayed batch than the Three Witches (or Weird Sisters) of William Shakespeare’s famed and beloved tragedy, Macbeth. Setting the tone for the sinister and dark vibe that pervades the play, these sisters appear in the very first scene of Act One, … Continue reading Thunder and Lightning. Enter Three Witches.

The Most Creative Made-Up Bag Contents From Abbi Jacobson’s Carry This Book

Just because Abbi Jacobson becomes increasingly famed for her role as Abbi Abrams on Broad City doesn’t mean she has any plans to neglect her first love, illustrating. Already the proud author of two coloring books, titled aptly Color This Book: San Francisco and Color This Book: New York, Jacobson’s latest larger scale project is a testament to her growth as a visual artist–not to … Continue reading The Most Creative Made-Up Bag Contents From Abbi Jacobson’s Carry This Book

“Harbor” by David Z. Morris

Outside acrobatic flips, the appeal of tween girls is pretty much lost on me. Of course they live forever in brightness and polaroid, but there is no drama there, in the whiteness and blondness and unironic tie-dyed t-shirts. Being idealized, and idealizing, it is so unmistakably boring. The house is a ruse. A trap. And then there is her Limber as a ballplayer A ghost … Continue reading “Harbor” by David Z. Morris

“how quickly I lose myself again!” by Elena Botts

how quickly i lose myself again! how quickly and so on and on. as the sky settles on the lake surface after the burst of wings in the periphery. and autumn means that all the old smells have come back again even though the earth and all of us are dying and i did not think of you then, i thought of the dining car … Continue reading “how quickly I lose myself again!” by Elena Botts

“it is harder to see you as we are at great distances” by Elena Botts

it is harder to see you as we are at great distances these that i spent often time trying to unravel. sometimes i go to the top of the hill to watch the sunset and other times i seek to steal the world away in a underneath of stars. the way you looked at me was untrue it was like hearing for the first time … Continue reading “it is harder to see you as we are at great distances” by Elena Botts

Madonna’s Name Unwittingly Promotes Classic Work By Turkish Author

When it comes to literary savvy these days, everyone is guilty of being, shall we say, a hair ignorante. But when the presenter of a media-related talk show on Turkish channel TV8, Funda Özkalyoncuoğlu, explained that the novel Madonna in a Fur Coat was about the pop star’s life, and would make a very interesting film adaptation, a new precedent was set for unenlightenment. Gradually doubting herself, … Continue reading Madonna’s Name Unwittingly Promotes Classic Work By Turkish Author

“You who never needed a man” by Malik Crumpler

Grandmas and all your friends relight your cigarette Grandmas and all that refill your glass Grandmas with no children turn off the television (for a sec’) Grandmas with no children we’ll be your grandkids Grandmas with no children you still so grand Grandmas with no grandchildren you who never needed a man sing to us so we may rise beyond our mistakes and though legless … Continue reading “You who never needed a man” by Malik Crumpler

Scribd Brings the Binge Potential of Movie Watching to the Book World

Kindles and Kobos (don’t get The Opiate started on the fake, somewhat sexual-sounding nature of these names) have long been a favorite method of many a subway rider, but the cost of downloading a book–such a depressing phrase, really–has frequently prevented those who might be prone to binge-reading from truly relishing the potential of their “e-readers.” Now, the demographic that might actually take advantage of inhaling … Continue reading Scribd Brings the Binge Potential of Movie Watching to the Book World

The Increasing Commodification of Literature & Bob Dylan Winning the Nobel Prize

There is no denying Bob Dylan is one of the few mortal gods left on this earth. He is an icon, a genius, a force to be reckoned with, etc. That being said, he has no place as a nominee for, and now winner of, the Nobel Prize in Literature. Even if one made the standard argument about how his songwriting is poetry or storytelling … Continue reading The Increasing Commodification of Literature & Bob Dylan Winning the Nobel Prize

WWDWT (What Would David Wojnarowicz Think)?: A Review of Tim Murphy’s Christodora by Fiona Helmsley

When I lived in New York City, I spent a considerable amount of time in Tompkins Square Park, in the shadow of the historic Christodora building. Built in the 1920s, the Christodora was conceived as a settlement house, a one-stop shop of services for recent immigrants to the city. Functioning on the principle of “scientific philanthropy,” the building was self-sustaining, and besides living space, offered its … Continue reading WWDWT (What Would David Wojnarowicz Think)?: A Review of Tim Murphy’s Christodora by Fiona Helmsley