Every Friday I point you towards some recommended reading around the blogosphere:
1.I was blown away by Steve Jobs’ (new to me) commencement speech at Stanford University a few years back. (Hat tip: Quiet: The Power of Introverts)
2. Over on Mother Jones, here’s the best journalism job listing ever.
3. British education secretary Michael Gove caught a lot of flack for suggesting that all children should read at least 50 books a year. Here’s The Daily Telegraph‘s tongue-in-cheek response, in which they list *not* the 50 books you must read before you die. Love the Pride and Prejudice entry.
4. My former Politics Daily colleague Julie Moos has a really moving post on her personal blog called 5 Years Later, I’m Still Here.
5. Finally – and I hope that non-subscribers can access this as well – here’s Anthony Lane’s very funny preview of the 2012 Oscars in The New Yorker.
Have a great weekend!
April 1, 2011, 6:46 pm
I love, love, love that Steve Jobs speech. Outstanding. Makes me cry every single time. xox
April 1, 2011, 8:32 pm
Oh yes so do I Lindsey. Amazing.
April 1, 2011, 7:37 pm
Thanks for the 50 Books to Not Read link! Funny how many of them I’ve slogged through. I completely agree with their assessment of “Lady Chatterley’s Lover.” Most boring book about sex ever.
April 1, 2011, 8:38 pm
@Naomi-boring…and just plain weird.
April 1, 2011, 10:02 pm
Haven’t linked to any of your suggestions YET! but I have heard the Steve Jobs speech several times and it is truly amazing. David Brooks was posted on TED talks a couple of weeks ago and his speech about being social animals is quite a good listen also.
I wanted to tell you about the Bread for the World Fast that started a week ago – I just signed up to skip 2 meals a day for the next week to join the fast. It is in support of the veterans, children, health issues, being cut out of the budget and all the wealthy few getting tax breaks. After the NY Times Food critic Mark Bittman spelled it out, joined the fast Last Monday – 4,000 folks joined the next day – I am impressed with the thousands calling out this moral dilemma in this way FYI http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/why-were-fasting/ thought you might be interested in this grassroots initiative by the people?
April 2, 2011, 9:36 am
thx patricia-i will have a look at both…
April 2, 2011, 1:42 am
I always look forward to your Friday reading list! The Guardian book list is perfectly hilarious.. thanks for including a good mix of British and American links.
April 2, 2011, 9:35 am
thanks joanna-me too!
April 2, 2011, 9:48 pm
Interesting list, Delia–but I must have overlooked the “Anna Karenina” reference. I DID see the “War and Peace” reference. I haven’t read the latter, but did get around to “Anna” several years ago. (I couldn’t get around the idea that someone half my age had read it before I did.) Despite its length, I was, and remained, enthralled by this great, great novel, a product of great observation and great heart.
As for the two F. Scott Fitzgerald books on the list–as someone whose blog title is a tip of the hat to the writer, I am honor bound to argue with the backs-of-the-hand administered to TENDER IS THE NIGHT and THE GREAT GATSBY.
April 3, 2011, 10:08 am
@Mike-sorry! Did I say “Anna K…” I meant “Pride and Prejudice!” – will duly correct…I also love Anna K-one of my all time faves…my feeling on all of these was that it was all quite tongue and cheek but yes, I hear you on Hemingway. (I love McEwan but still thought the jab at Saturday was hilarious.) Thx for dropping by…