Category Archives: Books

Reviews, comments and thoughts on books

The Future of Bookshops

Posted on 27 November 2009 by Robert

So Borders have gone into administration. In an analysis for The Evening Standard, Lucy Tobin describes how independent bookshops might benefit as the sector is hit by the rise in online shopping and supermarket competition. [James] Daunt reckons his competitive … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Internet Philosophy | 1 Comment

Two Americas – Infinite Jest and The Wire

Posted on 16 September 2009 by Robert

The two pieces are obviously very different in style. The Wire is brutal realism (if not totally real), whereas Infinite Jest is satire, fable, comedy, with a little magical realism thrown in. Nevertheless, the two have a fair few similarities. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, USA, Visual | 1 Comment

Big Geeky American Novels

Posted on 20 July 2009 by Robert

I’m glad to see Infinite Jest mentioned alongside Cryptonomicon, because there are some obvious similarities. Continue reading →

Posted in Books | 1 Comment

Infinite Summer: A Database? A Metaphor for the Mind?

Posted on 8 July 2009 by Robert

More thoughts on David Foster Wallace’s ‘Infinite Jest’ (no spoilers). Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Internet Philosophy | 2 Comments

Infinite Jest and Attempts on Her Life

Posted on 30 June 2009 by Robert

I’ve taken the plunge and started reading Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace, using the Infinite Summer blog as a handy pacemaker and reading aide to what I am beginning to understand is a supremely complex book. It’s only annoying … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Theatre | 1 Comment

Twitter Books

Posted on 24 March 2009 by Robert

No mention of where the revenues for this will go. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Internet Philosophy, Visual | 2 Comments

The Printed Blog

Posted on 27 January 2009 by Robert

Meanwhile, down the rabbit hole, The Printed Blog is a US newspaper created entirely from blog content. The founders are currently “beta testing” the newspaper at “select locations”. It reminds me of Things Our Friends Have Written on The Internet. The Main difference being that The Printed Blog is a paid for product, not a labour of love. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Internet Philosophy, Literature | Leave a comment

Internet Humour

Posted on 22 November 2008 by Robert

Pick two ideas, any two ideas, and put them in a blender. Corporate Pie-Charts vs Commercial Pop Music, for example. Or another, which rather brings this post to a full, zen-like circle: Cats and Hitler. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Internet Philosophy, Media, Visual | Leave a comment

Was it worth it?

Posted on 9 September 2008 by Robert

Perversely, if the earth implodes into a black hole, it might actually be the one moment where human beings discover a true understanding of one another. Six billion people united in a single thought: “Whoops.” Perhaps that moment will be worth it. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Religion, Science | 2 Comments

Full Stop

Posted on 22 February 2008 by Robert

Oh, the sadness at the end of a good book! I’ve just finished a 917 page doorstop of a novel, and I am fidgeting with loss. Reading a good book is tinged with tragedy. Its fantastic, but you know it … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Diary | 3 Comments