This was a week of discovery, over at Lit Hub. We explored strange new worlds and re-contextualized the familiar. And as usual, we relished the puns and the bits.
James Folta has been enjoying a new Jon Bois video essay. The popular sports journalist and YouTuber has been conducting deep dives into nationally interesting esoterica for several years, via Secret Base. This latest piece is a history of internet-related technology, as seen through a series of relationships between inventors.
Says James: “Bois frames these partnerships as ‘Tims and Als,’ inspired by the dynamic of the two main guys on Home Improvement. It’s a classic Bois thesis, and very fun.”
Drew Broussard has a thrilling book recommendation. “After The Guardian mentioned it in their year-end round-up, I ordered a copy of Asta Olivia Nordenhof’s Money to Burn and I am now making it my mission to get a US publisher to pick up this series ASAP. Books 1 and 2 are out in the UK already, it’s projected to be seven books, all of them slim little volumes taking direct aim at capitalism by way of the Scandinavian Star ferry disaster in 1990 (which also gives the series its overall title).”
Our podcasts editor is predicting this septology will be the new On the Calculation of Volume. Scouts, take note!
Speaking of surprise treasure—Molly Odintz’s sweet thing of the week was some free cat merch. When a previous customer rejected a perfectly decent bowl, everything came up Fritz. Though she’s “kinda worried it’s a six word poem situation…for free, cat bowl, never used…” gratitude is in order. (Because furry friends deserve nice things, too!)
Jonny Diamond got into the music video business this week. After his kid’s daycare sent along a clip of junior being pulled on a scooter through an old church gym, our editor remembered this viral video starring a guy cruising along to Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams and took to iMovie.
Long story shirt? “I added the song to my son’s video and now I can’t stop watching it. It’s the little things, people.”
And this week, Jessie Gaynor’s Richmond saw its first big snow. The family celebrated by making a Sad Young Literary Snowman.
Seasons greetings from AKA Tim SnO’Brien!
This cold-hearted chronicler—“Olaf post MFA breakup and agent rejection,” according to Dan Sheehan—goes by several names. When not vexing about his place in the literary pecking order, he’ll respond to Robert Frosty, William Flake, or Edgar Allan Snow. (With thanks to James and Molly for the christening assist.)
Wishing you a weekend filled with devoted tinkering, delightful ends, and—why not?!—fresh snow.
