Jessica Zafra's Blog, page 107

Give Ursula K. Le Guin the Nobel Prize

Give science-fiction the respect it has long deserved and been flagrantly denied. And give her books better covers. Ursula K. Le Guin’s Speech in Acceptance of the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters To the givers of this beautiful reward, my thanks, from the heart. My family, my agents, my editors, […]

The Cats wish you a Happy New Year.

Illustration from A Visit to William Blake’s Inn by Alice Provensen The King of Cats Orders An Early Breakfast by Nancy Willard Roast me a wren to start with. Then, Brisket of Basilisk Treat. My breakfast is “on the house”? What a curious place to eat! Continue reading Meriadoc Brandybuck eats his brunch, a grilled […]

Our Top 10 lists for 2014: Books, movies, TV, taxi names, cat food flavors and more

In no particular order Top 10 Books that we read in 2014 1. How to be Both by Ali Smith 2. The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell 3. The Children Act by Ian McEwan 4. My Struggle Volume 1 by Karl Ove Knausgaard 5. Life After Life and Case Histories by Kate Atkinson 6. HHhH […]

The difference between Jealousy and Envy

Envy, 1914 by Georges Barbier Love makes the world go round, says the poet, while the cynic says it’s money; and Peter Toohey, professor of classics at the University of Calgary, constructs an entertaining argument for jealousy being the wellspring of a much greater part of our emotional lives, and of a larger proportion of […]

English Only, Please freshens up the romantic comedy

Absurdity is a given in the rom-com business. We wouldn’t have to point that out except that lots of people still think their lives are rom-coms, and that at some point they will be loudly declaring their love in a public place in front of a cheering crowd. The achievement of English Only, Please, directed […]

Some days the editor in your head just won’t shut up

On the radio: “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” the latest incarnation. – Why should they, if they have other religions? – And barring freak occurrences, there hasn’t been snow in Africa since the Ice Age. Advertising text: “The Greatest Artisanal Achievements of the Human Hand”. – As opposed to the artisanal achievements of the human […]

Thank you, Kim Still Less Famous Than Kardashian

We spent December 25 the way we did last year: hanging out with friends, coaxing Drogon out from under the furniture (sometimes he gets shy), eating leftovers (When will that lechon end?) and watching movies. This year we saw the biggest talking point of the season: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s The Interview. It’s stupid […]

Unmarketing

“Dear Satan”–this is what happens to children who can’t spell

Each year, due mostly to minor misspellings and very poor penmanship, hundreds of children’s letters are sent to Satan, Dark Lord of the Underworld. Always in the market for the souls of innocents, Satan will often take the time to respond. Dear Satan, What I really want this year more than anything is a Barbie […]

D’Angelo finally shows up