On Colin Kaepernick, Free Speech, and Bad Arguments
So, Colin Kaepernick. What’s the deal? Over the past week, a lot of folks have had some pretty strong opinions about Colin Kaepernick’s choice to refuse to stand for the national anthem — and his reasons for doing so. If you don’t know what’s going on, I’ll let you read a more detailed account here. My job, today, is to offer a few scattered thoughts about responses to Kaepernick’s protest. Since I don’t feel like writing a proper introduction, I’ll just get right into it: 2. He has freedom of speech, duh!
Gym Reads Poll #3 (Non-U.S. Edition): What should I read next?
It’s that time again! Another Gym Reads Poll! Thus far, you all have made me read the following: The Book of the Dun Cow by Walter Wangerin, Jr. (1978)(podcast forthcoming) Sarah Canary by Karen Joy Fowler (1991) To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis (1997)(almost done) Now, I need something new to read while I’m at the gym. This time, I’m mixing things up by providing a list of books by authors who are not originally from the United States. The following list includes authors from England, Australia, India, Nigeria, Jamaica, South Africa, Portugal, Ireland, and Germany!
Gym Reads Poll #2: What should I read next?
It’s that time again. In the last poll, folks chose Karen Joy Fowler’s Sarah Canary. I’m almost done with that particular book, and I will have some thoughts about it when I complete it on Monday. Heck, there may even be a podcast about it (and The Book of the Dun Cow, which I finished about a week and a half ago).
Gym Reads Poll: What should I read next?
Fun fact: I read when I’m at the gym. In fact, I really like reading while cycling, since it distracts from the monotony of doing a repetitive motion and it lets me do some much needed “fun reading.” Recently, I decided to tweet a picture of a pile of random books to ask folks online what I should read. I ended up reading The Book of the Dun Cow (1978) by Walter Wangerin, Jr. And I’ve quite enjoyed it. But now I need another book, and I like the idea of making that process random and fun.
Negative Bookstore Experiences: Why Bookstores Should Be Like Libraries
A few weeks ago, I flew out to California to visit family and friends, pursue some possible job opportunities, and get some much needed decompression from the stress of PhD life. During that time, I stopped at a Barnes & Noble to pick up a book recommended to me by a friend. Unlike previous stops at one of the big chain stores — whereat the cashier tries to sell me on their membership card, to which I always respond “no, thanks” — I had a far less pleasant experience. It went something like this: Cashier: Are you a Barnes & Noble member? Me: No, but… Cashier: *judgmentally* …you know what the membership card gives you, right? Me: I do, but… Cashier: *dismissively* …Alright then. $15. What I had meant to say was this: I understand what the card provides, but Barnes & Noble closed down the only store within a 30-40 minute drive of my house, so I don’t get the opportunity to browse there anymore. And I don’t like browsing for books online, which means I don’t buy books all that often from any online bookstore. Sorry.
2016 WISB Awards: The Winners
Now that awards season is in full swing, it’s time to release the winners of the 2016 WISB Awards. As with every year of the award, the winners are selected from my reading and viewing experiences throughout 2015 and during my annual Hugo Awards reading binge. As such, the long list included works published decades ago. Unlike previous years, the 2016 WISB Awards included a long list, which you should check out to see all the great stuff I enjoyed. You might also check out the 2016 Hugo Awards Reading/Watching List, which includes works from my original list and works suggested by readers. As with every year of the awards, these selections are based entirely on my own tastes, which are imperfect, narrow, and weird. The winners are below the fold. Some of the categories include runners up; the categories that do not contained far fewer entries on the long list, and so including a short list would basically have included the long list anyway.