Charles Baxter
A excellent writer from what I can tell: capable of being emotionally, intellectually, and formally stimulating all at once —while maintaining a plain english style that avoids pretension. That’s quite a trick.
Fiction
It’s possible that non-fiction may be better for your career, but fiction is better for your soul.
How We Are Hungry by Dave Eggers
Just another reason for me to love Dave Eggers —or more specifically, Dave Eggers’ writing. From the outlandish to the mundane, all of these stories are have extremely engaging characters at their center.
The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor
The podcast has become an essential part of my morning ritual. Both inspiring and calming, partially due to the soothing nature of Garrison Keillor’s voice.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Expuéry
“I have spent lots of time with grown-ups. I have seen them at close range … which hasn’t much improved my opinion of them.”
Brief Encounters With Che Guevara by Ben Fountain
This is not just another capitalization on Che Guevara’s recent heightened popularity. In fact, there are no motorcycles or diaries in this book as far as I can remember. But there are several of well-written short stories, primarily about Americans experiencing life in third-world countries.
Timothy McSweeney's Internet Tendancy
It’s no secret that this site was heavily inspired by the McSweeney’s website. Well, you know what they say: “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. And plagiarism.