December Speed Reads
Long, Last, Happy By Barry Hannah, out now
This posthumously released collection includes both classics and four new stories from the Faulkner Award-winning novelist and short story writer, who died this past March.
To Sound in the Know: Hannah was a famous personality in the lit communitytheres even a rumor that Hunter S. Thompson once called him crazy, which is like being called evil by Satan. ------
Whiskey: A Global History By Kevin R. Koar, out now
A look at the lineage of whiskey, from the origins of distillation in Egypt (the Sphinx loved those Sazeracs) to its evolution in Ireland, Scotland and the U.S., including a breakdown of whiskey types, cocktail recipes and stories about the water of life.
To Sound In the Know: Kosar, who is a researcher and writer for The Library of Congress, once wrote for New York Press. Id say that was a lateral move. ------
Stieglitz, Steichen, Strand By Malcolm Daniel, out now
This volume showcases photographs on display at the Met by three of the 20th centurys most famous photographers.
To Sound in the Know: This book accompanies an exhibition of the same name showing through April. ------
Great Food, All Day Long By Maya Angelou, out Dec. 14
Finally, all those Maya Angelou fans that wonder when one of Americas great poets will write a cookbook have an answer: now.
To Sound in the Know: Angelous secret is simple: eat whatever you want, when you want, just in small portions. ------
Baby By Paula Bomer, out Dec. 15
In this biting debut collection, Bomer tears apart the Brooklyn family crowd. Like shooting fish in a barrel.
To Sound in the Know: Bomer also co-publishes Artistically Declined Press and edits Sententia, a lit magazine. ------
The King of the Elves By Philip K. Dick, out Dec. 31
This is the first installment of a series that will encapsulate all of Dicks collected stories. Included in this volume is Dicks first published story Beyond Lies the Wub, as well as classics like The Preserving Machine.
To Sound in the Know: Disney is releasing an animated version of the collections titular story. ------
Moon Palace(Ink Series) By Paul Auster, out Dec. 28
The re-release of this 1990 Auster novel starring Marco Fogg, child of the 60s pursuing his puzzling fate, is the latest from the Penguin Ink Series.
To Sound in the Know: The Penguin Ink Series has tattoo artists (Grez from Massaqua, N.Y., in this case) imagine new covers to classic novels. Can the back of your Kindle do that? ------
The Celestial Café By Stuart Murdoch, out December
The Belle and Sebastian frontman is releasing a collection of his online diaries from 2002-2006 that cover the bands recording and release of Dear Catastrophe Waitress and The Life Pursuit.
To Sound in the Know: Though the book wont be available in most outlets until January, those who hit up a Belle and Sebastian show can snag an early copy in December.