Ben O'Connell

Same. I thought it was like Beastie Boys’s Hot Sauce Committees, Part One and never be released.

I’ve wanted to hear this for years. And all I had to do was donate to a good cause. Easiest decision in forever…

Albini Sessions (Benefit for Letters Charity), by Fugazi 12 track album

Holy heck, Fugazi just released the 1992 Albini sessions for Bandcamp Friday! Proceeds going to Letters Charity.

I have a later copy as well. Love this cover.

Freezing Point intrigues me!

Rimbaud and Verlaine in Washington Square Park “Godlike,” by the seminal punk musician Richard Hell, transposes a notorious affair between nineteenth-century French poets to nineteen-seventies New York—and testifies to punk’s paradoxical relationship with the past.

“Godlike,” by the seminal punk musician Richard Hell, transposes a notorious affair between 19th-century French poets to 1970s New York—and testifies to punk’s paradoxical relationship with the past. newyorkermag.visitlink.me/UsuIy8

Look Inside Richard Hell’s East Village Tenement Apartment The punk-rock icon and writer has spent more than 50 years in his East Village tenement apartment.

Richard Hell has lived in the same rent-stabilized East Village apartment for over 50 years. He's got some great books.

Franco got a haircut today. He’s ready to join Inspiral Carpets in 1991.

A bunch of folks here love Rebecca West's Black Lamb Grey Falcon, but I haven't read it myself.

I enjoyed Ismail Kadare's A GIRL IN EXILE. It's about a playwright navigating life in Albania during the Cold War. Years ago, I read a fascinating account of UK/US covert operations in Albania that included a lot of cultural/historical context, but googling hasn't helped me come up with the title.

Prove this place is good for culture and post a good book cover

Sure thing.

I’ve read that but don’t really know much about it.

I had a love/hate relationship with Dan Simmons’s work, but reading the highs (HYPERION, THE TERROR) were more than worth enduring the lows.

We are tiny. Just fyi.

Thank you!

Is the interview available online?

Bill Clinton will be the first ex-president to testify before Congress (congressional committee) since Gerald Ford in 1983. That time was about Latin American policy. Here is a list of such occasions, per the U.S. Senate website.

www.senate.gov/committees/S...

These all may be too doom/paych to fit the bill, but seeing Kowloon Walled City in the replies inspired me.

It’s been a while since I’ve dove into that end of the pool, but a few others haven’t mentioned that come to mind: Inter Arma, SubRosa, YOB, Thou

Pretty sure we've already discussed this, but Don Quixote is one of the highlights of my reading life in recent years.

The black and white dogs both on the loveseat in the bay window

They do, sometimes, share the perch.

A white dog is now on the loveseat in the bay window

Displaced

I’ve only read Olga Ravn’s excellent THE WAX CHILD. I’ve enjoyed (?) Bora Chung’s previous work, so THE MIDNIGHT TIMETABLE goes on my TBR. Marie NDiaye’s THE WITCH also intrigues me.

Anyone have thoughts on other titles?

A black dog lays on a loveseat in a bay window

Ivy has claimed her sunbathing spot for the day.

Feel free to send the good ones to me if helpful.

I started Octavia E. Butler’s PARABLE OF THE TALENTS this morning not knowing today is the 20th anniversary of her death.

John Darnielle's novel DEVIL HOUSE for $150

The most intriguing new addition to Steve Albini's ongoing estate sale is Albini's signed copy of DEVIL HOUSE by @themountaingoats.bsky.social. It's a little outside my price range, but I hope it goes to a good home. www.stevealbiniscloset.com/stuff/books

Very true.

Mine used to be the same. And then somehow I lost my humor as well.