Books

To be honest, I’ve never been an avid reader of poetry. I have nothing against poems, but for some reason my mind wants words on a page to present themselves as prose, and balks at taking them seriously when they’re organized in rhymed couplets, sonnet form, or—God forbid—free verse. When verse is set to music, I can generally handle it better. One reason I found Minneapolis poet Dobby Gibson’s new collection, Skirmish, so enjoyable is that his combination of mordant wit and bittersweet longing so recalls the lyrics of my favorite songwriter, Bob Dylan. MORE »

This week’s picks

Thursday, January 1
Swing by your local video store to rent a copy of Wall-E, the animated film that’s shaping up to be the surprise critical favorite of 2008.

Friday, January 2
“While some bands find Rock ‘N’ Roll after taking the most circuitous path possible,” writes Jon Behm, “Nightinghales take a straight path from A to B minor.” Catch them tonight at the 331 Club, where Dwight Hobbes praises the courteous barstaff—who don’t “saunter over with a kiss-my-grits disposition like they’re doing you a favor to let you spend your bread.” MORE »

The word “maverick” has garnered quite a bit of attention lately, overused by our recent election cycle to the point where, like your grandmother’s sterling silver platter, it has lost its sheen and perhaps some of its value. MORE »

The Minnesota Center for Book Arts is a hub of all things related to bookmaking. Among other things, they offer classes, host events and exhibit works by local artists. One important service they offer to local artists is the Artist Cooperative whose members gain access to the equipment in MCBA’s papermaking, bookbinding and printing studios. Access to Art Correspondent Beth Peloff visited the studio to watch some of these artists in action. MORE »

In Bristol’s Bastards, an account of his experiences in Iraq with the Minnesota National Guard, Nick Maurstad makes some bold, critical statements about his leadership. The reader would do well to remember that these are Maurstad’s opinions—not necessarily facts. MORE »

I was walking down Grand Avenue one day with a friend from the east coast when I mentioned that I’d always liked the design of Macalester’s Weyerhaeuser Memorial Chapel. She shook her head. “That is not an attractive building,” she said. “You’re just biased because you grew up here. If you were walking down the street in St. Paul, Minnesota and saw a pile of dog shit, you’d say, ‘That’s the best-looking pile of dog shit I’ve ever seen!’” MORE »

This week’s picks

Thursday, December 25
The Roundup Beer Hall opens at 1 p.m.

Friday, December 26
There are just a few days left to catch “the Twin Cities’ most honest holiday tradition,” the British Television Advertising Award Winners at the Walker. Many screenings are already sold out, so order your tickets now. MORE »

It’s difficult to find poetry as rich in lyrical power as that of Katie Ford—and this time around she has chosen a subject that readily lends itself to her vividly detailed, forcefully compelling voice. Colosseum (Graywolf Press) reflects on ancient ruins, war-ravaged lands, and such natural disasters as Hurricane Katrina and its catastrophic impact. Praised by the extraordinary poet Carolyn Forché and The Feminist Review, it’s a reading experience the artistry and humanity of which stays with you long after you close the book. Ford previously wrote Deposition for Graywolf. Her poetry has appeared in The Paris Review, The American Poetry Review, Ploughshares, The Seneca Review, and Pleiades. Publishers Weekly named Colosseum one of the Best Books of 2008. Last month, Ford received a prestigious Lannan Literary Fellowship—an award worth $100,000. MORE »