Stay ConnectedTeylor Smirl and John Holt ask you to read along as they explore books that challenge.
We align our thinking with Kafka when he said “I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound or stab us. If the book we’re reading doesn’t wake us up with a blow to the head, what are we reading for?”
Tune-in each week for a lively discussion of books followed by conversation with guests from all backgrounds who share their experiences and enrich the reading.
House of Leaves - Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Twelve: Exhibits & Appendices
The Work
The tidbits and annotation that the text has referred to and which give more texture to the work. Our question this week: When you make a mental picture of a place, a character, or a phenomena in a book how do you react when those elements are visualized by someone in an adaptation?
The Guest
Media critic John Teti, formerly of the A.V. Club joins us as we conclude our interviews for House of Leaves. We discuss interactivity and storytelling.
You can follow John on twitter @johnteti.
The end of the main text for Johnny, Zampano, and the residents of the House. But is it a true ending? Our question this week: What memories do you associate with Halloween?
The Guest:
Artist Shell Falcone joins us to discuss their career in capturing events in photo and video. We discuss consent and the responsibility of the photographer, to the subjects, the client, and to the art.
You can find Shell's work on their website Outershellpictures.com
You can follow them on instagram @outershellpictures & twitter @outershellpics.
Next -
House of Leaves, Part Twelve:
Exhibits & Appendices
Our final reading assignment is a loose one, as we explore the Exhibits and Appendices that introduce more questions than they answer.
The Work
Darkness against darkness. The heroes prepare all their weapons to combat the house to find themselves and one another. But the House is so big. Our question this week: Would you endure what Will is enduring given the choice?
The Guest
Dr. Sydnee McElroy returns to discuss the human body in extreme conditions.
Dr. McElroy is a physician practicing family medicine. She hosts Sawbones, a medical history podcast with her husband as co-host, and she is one of the trio of sister-hosts on the multi-generational podcast, Still Buffering. You can follow Dr. McElroy on twitter @sydneemcelroy.
Sydnee recommends getting out and taking a basic life-saving course and for additional reading John Walden's Jungle Travel & Survival.
The Work
We're on the other end of the violence, but the trap still calls to the prey. Our question this week: What is a recurring nightmare you've had, if any?
The Guest
Beth Nakamura joins us to discuss photojournalism and her role as observer and documenter.
November 20th, 2017
House of Leaves - Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Four: Chapters V-VI
The Work
Something is stalking Johnny. We learn more about the house and first explorations into the darkness. Among the questions we ask this week: Have you ever been in a physical altercation? Did you initiate it?
The Guest
Willem Hartong
November 13th, 2017
House of Leaves - Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Three: Chapters V-VI
The Work
Something is stalking Johnny. We learn more about the house and first explorations into the darkness. Among the questions we ask this week: Have you ever given or received a letter unbidden or acted in anyway over a one-sided obsession?
The Guest
Dr. Sydnee McElroy joins us to discuss human biology and fear. We wonder whether knowledge inoculates against fear or makes us more susceptible to fear.
Dr. McElroy is a physician practicing family medicine. She hosts Sawbones, a medical history podcast with her husband as co-host, and she is one of the trio of sister-hosts on the multi-generational podcast, Still Buffering. You can follow Dr. McElroy on twitter @sydneemcelroy.
Sydnee mentions some additional reading:
Mary Roach's books Stiff, Gulp, Spook, & Bonk
Pairings
Spirits
Former Model
What did you trade your career for?
1 1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz lemon
1/2 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
3 wheels muddled cucumber
4 leaves muddled mint
Build in shaker, muddling herbs and veggies first, shake, serve over rocks in a Collins glass, topped with soda. Garnish with a cucumber wheel
Visual Stimuli
Medical Illustrations of Carmella Fifty.
A Pinterest of Biological and Green Architecture.
The Speedboys' tattoo blog posts.
Next -
House of Leaves, Part Four: Chapters VII-VIII
Our next reading assignment in House of Leaves; Chapters VII-VIII. We'll be joined by Willem Hartong, songwriter, musician and former classics major, to discuss mythology.
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