New York Press: What are you reading right now?

Arthur Phillips: I’m reading William Gaddis’ The Recognitions, mostly because I feel the literary world—bloggers I respect, mostly—has been daring me to for several years now. I’m 600 pages in, and while I get it (I think) and respect it (certainly), I’m afraid that I’m not more than mildly amused.

What books coming out soon are you looking forward to reading?

Prepare for a massively pretentious answer. Gyula Krudy, a dead Hungarian writer I admire enormously, is being very slowly translated into English. A new collection of his stories, Life Is a Dream, is supposed to come out this year. Less pretentious? How about a new book by George Saunders? He must be due for one pretty soon...

Any new, below the radar authors you recommend?

That depends how good your radar is. I perpetually recommend Kelly Link to anyone who will listen. Ron Rash should have gotten on everyone’s radar last year. If he didn’t, have your radar checked.

Where is your favorite place to read in New York?

Daily necessity leads me to read in Hillside Park, while my dogs frolic. Hard to beat that, actually.Though a couch wouldn’t hurt.

Since your new book is about music, do you listen to music while you write? If so, what?

That varies a lot, depending on the book and the draft. For this book, I listened to a lot of the music that ends up in the book: 1950s jazz and 1990s Brit-alt.The Sundays and I have had a very close relationship this past year.

Any favorite spots to go see live music in Brooklyn?

I know this completely ruins my Brooklyn credentials, but all the live music I’ve gone to see in the last four years has been in Manhattan. I’m so sorry. I feel like a dink.