Really, the only things I want for Christmas (and would (may still eventually) buy myself)
Rising Up and Rising Down, a 7-volume set by William T. Vollmann
A labor of seventeen years, Vollmann's first book of non-fiction since 1992's "An Afghanistan Picture Show" is a gravely urgent invitation to look back at the world's long, bloody path and find some threads of meaning, wisdom, and guidance to plot a moral course. From the street violence of prostitutes and junkies to the centuries-long battles between the Native Americans and European colonists,Vollmann's mesmerizing imagery and compelling logic is presented with authority born of astounding research and personal experience.
A Subscription to The Believer
The Believer is an all-new monthly publication filled with long reviews of books -- both new and old -- in-depth interviews, facts about mammals, new applications for familiar power tools, and poetry. Co-edited by Heidi Julavits, Ed Park, and Vendela Vida, The Believer has thus far included essays by William T. Vollmann, Salman Rushdie, Heidi Julavits, Jim Shepard, Jonathan Lethem, Paul Collins, Ben Marcus, Nick Hornby, Howard Hampton, and Stephen Elliott. Interview subjects have included Terry Gilliam, Susan Straight, David Rees, Laura Owens, Timothy Taylor, Jamaica Kincaid, Ashida Kim, Kari Stefansson, Andy Richter, Martin Short, Usama Fayyad, and Jack White.
Also, come to the Broken Hipsters thing, 310 Quince St., preferably Friday (but Saturday still has tix, maybe, if you show up at 7pm)! (all 10 (?) of you who read this journal)