[Searching for an illustratration for this post, I entered "Internet" and "Reading" in Google Image Search. The best graphic on the first page was this Ukranian lovely. While I've been unable to determine the exact link between her and "Internet Reading," I have discovered that she is "a sincere, honest, reliable, well-mannered, kind, cheerful, caring, well-mannered, balanced, tender, accurate lady" who "would like to meet a reliable, honest, faithful, independent, creative, romantic and strong-willed friend and husband," which is, it seems to me, close enough, especially if Google, in its wisdom, promotes her as emblematic of web-based literacy.]
Worth Reading
Blogging the Bible
David Plotz, who describes himself as “a proud Jew, but never a terribly observant one,” has been blogging his way through the Bible (he’s in the middle of Judges now). His preface to the series is helpful:
So, what can I possibly do? My goal is pretty simple. I want to find out what happens when an ignorant person actually reads the book on which his religion is based. I think I’m in the same position as many other lazy but faithful people (Christians, Jews, Moslems, Hindus). I love Judaism; I love (most of) the lessons it has taught me about how to live in the world; and yet I realized I am fundamentally ignorant about its foundation, its essential document. So, what will happen if I approach my Bible empty, unmediated by teachers or rabbis or parents? What will delight and horrify me? How will the Bible relate to the religion I practice, and the lessons I thought I learned in synagogue and Hebrew School?
I’ll spend the next few weeks (or months) finding out. I’ll begin with “in the beginning” and see how far I get. My wife, struck by my new biblical obsession, gave me a wonderful Torah translation and commentary for Hannukah, the Etz Hayim, which was prepared by conservative Jewish scholars. I’ll read that and dip into the King James and other translations on occasion. (But I’ll avoid most commentary, since the whole point is to read the Bible fresh.) I’m sure I’ll repeat obvious points made by thousands of biblical commentators before; I’ll misunderstand some passages and distort others—hey, that’ll be part of the fun.
The quality of the postings is uneven, but when it’s good it’s very good, and I always look forward to new installments.
Overlooked Fiction
(This was Fall Fiction Week at Slate, so there are several items of interest from that site, including this one.) Bloggers and booksellers recommend their favorite little-known reads. There are at least a couple of books listed that are completely new to me that I’ve added to my “to read” list.
The Impermanent Period By Blake Bailey
I’m not convinced that the subtitle, Richard Ford’s modern-day Hamlet, is bang on, but it’s an entertaining, enlightening read for anyone who admires and enjoys Ford’s books.
Time after Time
A new book examines how music has facilitated centuries of coupling. What can I say? It’s a book review. I like book reviews. It’s about a book. I like books. It’s a book about music, and I like music. And, it’s about hooking up. What’s not to like?
The Novel, 2.0
A weeklong discussion (the link goes to the beginning of the dialogue) between two novelists about the impact that the internet may have on novels secondary to the increase in immediacy and transparency, the lessening of the importance of geographical distance, etc. It’s thought provoking if a tad imprecise and a little too well hedged.
Seduced By Snacks
It’s about snacks. I like snacks. It’s about — Oops, I already used that. This is an interview with Prof. Brian Wansink, who does research on the environmental factors influencing what and, especially, how much we eat. It’s interesting in its own right and offers insight into decision-making in general. (And, I am all about decision-making.)
Treadmill to Heaven by Sarah Hepola
This article is included because my assumption that everyone already had, by now, seen the Treadmill Video by OK GO was blasted to bits when Lawanda, whom I was visiting yesterday after her return home from the hospital, confessed that she had not only never laid eyes on this cultural icon du jour, but, indeed, had no idea what I was blabbing about. Although it seems unlikely, now that Lawanda has been baptized into the cult, that there remains anyone who has missed this treat, I suppose it is theoretically possible.
If you are one of those unfortunate wretches whose lives have not been touched by this video, which is, I read, currently the most-downloaded video on Youtube, which has been featured on network news and, more importantly, the Daily Show and the Colbert Report, and which was the hit of the MTV Video Music Awards, check it out, if only in self-protection.
The article has an interesting take on the phenomenon and the video itself is delightful (it even made me smile – a little).
The video can be seen via an embedded video player at
The Media Page For Recently Published Online & Worth Reading
or by visiting Youtube at
OK Go Treadmill Video on Youtube
