Social sciences

摘要

Author Dave Eggers's McSweeny's publishing is home to a trend-setting website, a variety of book imprints, and unconventional magazines including the Believer, a monthly publication Eggers launched in 2003 that features interviews, book reviews, and essays with observations on pop culture and literature. Two of the Believer's, founding editors, Park (Personal Days) and Julavits (The Vanishers), have compiled these essays into a volume highlighting the magazine's quirky style and eclectic mix of topics. Some of the subjects covered include Victorian travel guides, fantasy writer Robert Jordan, comedian Dave Chappelle, and a record player that was made in the 1950s for car dashboards. Best-selling authors Nick Hornby (About a Boy) and Lev Grossman (The Magician) are among the writers featured in the collection. A slight improvement could have been made to this otherwise engaging read by including the original publication date of each piece, especially those with contemporary themes. VERDICT For fans of Eggers and McSweeny's publications, pop culture enthusiasts, and readers of literary magazines.