At The Awl, Dan Nosowitz writes about the history and singular charms of what’s called the “Greek salad,” and about the slippery nature of authenticity. After the financial agreement Greece recently signed with its creditors, it’s a good time to be reminded of the strength of Greek’s handiwork with greens, veggies and herbs, and their influence […]
2015
Posted inEditor's Pick
Whale Tales: A Reading List
These four stories demonstrate humans’ multi-faceted relationship with whales—where politics, the environment and the economy intermingle with love, terror and cruelty.
Posted inNonfiction, Reading List
Whale Tales: A Reading List
These four stories demonstrate humans’ multi-faceted relationship with whales–where politics, the environment and the economy intermingle with love, terror and cruelty.
Posted inNonfiction, Reading List
Whale Tales: A Reading List
These four stories demonstrate humans’ multi-faceted relationship with whales–where politics, the environment and the economy intermingle with love, terror and cruelty.
Posted inNonfiction, Quotes
On the Difficulty of Separating Van Gogh the Artist from Van Gogh the Brand
It has become harder over the last 130 years or so to see Van Gogh plain. It is practically harder in that our approach to his paintings in museums is often blocked by an urgent, excitable crescent of worldwide fans, iPhones aloft for the necessary selfie with Sunflowers. They are to be welcomed: the international reach […]
Posted inNonfiction, Quotes
The History of Weak American Beer
In The Atlantic, Joe Pinsker writes about the historical conditions that shaped the flavor and body of America’s popular commercial brews. Like the cultural melting pot of America itself, various factors, including market forces, thirsty laborers, WWII rationing, religious movements and the idea of temperance all thinned our big brand beers into the light, offensively […]
Posted inFiction, Quotes
‘Puro Amor’: A New Short Story by Sandra Cisneros
The truth was that the Mister had always been dishonest. Not with his feelings but with his heart. He would be the first to tell you how honest he was about his dishonesties. He was like a chronic bed-wetter; he could not control himself. He would always be a bed-wetter even if he were not […]
Posted inUncategorized
Industrialization and the History of the Matzo Machine
For centuries matzo was a handmade specialty, carefully rolled into a thin, cratered moon shape and pricked with a fork. Today, many Orthodox communities still make this version — called shmurah — which is supervised by a rabbi from start to finish. But industrialization in the mid–nineteenth century forever changed the matzo industry. Historians trace the first […]
Posted inQuotes
It’s Friday, Friday: Rebecca Black, the Politics of Entertainment, and Growing Up
When she turned 14, Rebecca Black’s mom paid a couple grand to have her daughter record an inane, hyper-catchy music video in Los Angeles.
Posted inNonfiction, Reading List, Top 5
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
Below, our favorite stories of the week. Kindle users, you can also get them as a Readlist. Sign up to receive this list free every Friday in your inbox. * * *