‘You’re in Trouble. Am I Right?’: My Unsentimental Education
A story of love, LSD and higher education. Monroe is the author of five books, most recently the memoir, On the Outskirts of Normal. This is from her sixth book, in progress.
Reading List: The Political Mistress
From Monica to the D.C. Madam, some all-time favorite stories on politics, sex and power.
Reading List: The Writing Life vs. The Blinking Cursor
This week’s picks from Emily includes stories from Rookie, Brain Pickings, The Millions, and The New York Times.
Caught Up in the Cult Wars: Confessions of a New Religious Movement Researcher
Palmer reflects on the difficulties studying NRMs (New Religious Movements)—not just how to get inside, but how to not be forced into taking sides or having one’s credibility questioned:
“As a mature researcher, somewhat scarred from my forays into that embattled terrain known as the cult wars, I am now ready to make a confession. I do see myself as a connoisseur. For me, NRMs are beautiful life forms, mysterious and pulsating with charisma. Each ‘cult’ is a mini-culture, a protocivilization. Prophets and heretics generate fantasy worlds that rival those of Philip K. Dick or L. Frank Baum. When I venture into the thickets of wild home-grown spirituality, and explore the rich undergrowth of what society rejects as its ‘weed’ religions, I sometimes think of Dorothy’s adventures in The Emerald City of Oz. Dorothy follows the yellow brick road that leads her through Utensia, a city whose inhabitants are kitchen utensils. Managing to escape King Kleaver (who threatens to chop her), she wanders into Bunbury where houses are made of crackers with bread-stick porches and wafer-shingles and are inhabited by living buns with currant eyes. She ventures on to meet the evil headless Scoodles, then continues on down the yellow brick road.”
Reading List: Required Reading from Journalism Professors
Six syllabi from journalism professors on what you should be reading. Are you teaching a course? Share yours in the comments.
College Longreads Pick: ‘Undocumented but Unafraid’ by Yanan Wang, Yale University
Every week, Syracuse University professor Aileen Gallagher helps Longreads highlight the best of college journalism. Here’s this week’s pick.
First Chapters: ‘White Oleander,’ by Janet Fitch
This week we’re excited to introduce First Chapters, a new series on Longreads dedicated to sharing your favorite first chapters, nonfiction or fiction, past or present. Our first pick comes from Longreads contributing editor Julia Wick, who has chosen Janet Fitch’s 1999 novel White Oleander. If you want to recommend a First Chapter, let us know and we’ll feature you and your pick: hello@longreads.com.
Reading List: Fashion Week
New reading list from Emily Perper featuring picks from Utne Reader, The New Inquiry, Refinery 29, and Newsweek.
College Longreads Pick: ‘The Final Barrier: 50 Years Later, Segregation Still Exists’ by Abbey Crain and Matt Ford, University of Alabama
Every week, Syracuse University professor Aileen Gallagher helps Longreads highlight the best of college journalism. Here’s this week’s pick.
On Muppets & Merchandise: How Jim Henson Turned His Art into a Business
In 2011, we highlighted an essay called “Weekend at Kermie’s,” by Elizabeth Hyde Stevens, published by The Awl. Stevens is now back with a new Muppet-inspired Kindle Serial called “Make Art Make Money,” part how-to, part Jim Henson history:
“The real breakthrough in Henson’s career—the thing that would make him a mogul—was Sesame Street. It debuted in 1969, a good fifteen years into Henson’s television career. Because it taught children across the country, Henson became a household name, and through Sesame Street toys, Henson became a millionaire. In short, merchandizing is the ‘secret’ to Henson’s success. However, licensing toys, to Henson, felt like selling out. Before he became a mogul, he had to find a good reason to do so.”