On Inside Ron Johnson's Victory Party: Reason Concedes to Ron Johnson
Do people always wear name tags at political victory parties? (Or do all people in Wisconsin always wear name tags?)
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On Future Fatigue: Gary Shteyngart's Attack on the Young
If only it was Hard SciFi
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On 'The Phantom Tollbooth,' or, The Democratizing Principle of Literature
To this day I have a mad crush on Anne Shirley.
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On Behind the Franzenfreude
Having worked for five years in a bookstore with a sizeable romance section, I'd like to offer some anecdotal information. Many romance fans have voracious appetites for the stuff they like. They read about five or more romance mass markets a week, and, in a general sense, people who read that many books tend to be less picky about what they read.
I have a hard time believing that romance readers, the real hardcore ones who buy every Nora Roberts title, would ever consult The Times book section. Perhaps because their genre of choice is dismissed by others, they have other ways of determining what to read. Namely, finding a new author (usually through word of mouth or a bookseller's recommendation) and then buying EVERY TITLE by that author. They usually buy books by the handful. I would also add that the buying tendencies of romance readers is different than other genres, such as mystery, and this is reflected in the speed in which romance writers release new books and the way romance publishers market their product.
I usually only have time to read one book every two weeks so I tend to be a bit more selective.
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On The History and Use of "Spoiler Alert"
You not caring doesn't negate others' opinions or make the issue moot. I'd have preferred to watch the episode with no idea about what was about to happen.
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On The History and Use of "Spoiler Alert"
I clicked on a Slate article which was purported to be an historical look at the whole Reno divorce thing that Betty was heading off to do at the end of season three. The first two sentences were:
"When the curtain fell on the third season of Mad Men, Betty Draper, our favorite housewife in crisis, was on her way to Reno to get a divorce. When we see her again this Sunday, it'll be a year later, and Betty will be divested of Don and married to Henry. "
http://www.slate.com/id/2261131/
I will admit to being somewhat miffed at this revelation(s) about Mad Men season four when the article was promoted as "a visit to the glamorous divorce ranches of the Mad Men era" and thus NOT specifically about the show. Even more frustrating was that the spoiler was in no way relevant to the article as all fans who had seen Mad Men season three already knew about the Reno divorce situation. Gah! I mean, I didn't smash my computer on the floor, but, still. Right?
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On Stupid Currency Markets Will Allow Chuckleheaded Canucks To Think They're Better Than Us
The health care is pretty neat.
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On Iced Out: The End is Near--the Medal Count, Less So
The cross country relays were RIVETING. Watching the last Norwegian guy hunt down the lead group in the men's 4x10km relay the other day was likely my favourite moment of the Games so far (and I have never watched the sport before). The agony of the French team in placing fourth. I wanted to give him (the anchor of the French team who just couldn't do it)a hug.
Watching athletes break in endurance races...I can't look away.
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On Are You Ready For Some Thursday Night Football?
I'd like a new Galloway photo essay. I'll read it!