Love this Steven Spielberg interview in Entertainment Weekly. It’s not all on-line yet, but check out some highlights here: http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/12/01/this-weeks-cover-steven-spielberg/

His quote about how we all see a different movie is like what I always say about none of us reading the same book at Books & Bars. 

None of reads the same book, sees the same movie or hears the same song. But I contend books are the best of these for adding our own interpretations. Like Jonathan Jones said in his review of Franzen’s Freedom:

“he also offers something no HBO series can – the solitude and moral introspection of the novel, the beauty of prose, the imaginative love affair you form with characters you alone see in the way you see them. Freedom is the novel of the year, and the century.”

I’ve decided this is the winter to finally tackle the 7 Harry Potter books. Was feeling kind of left out in all the movie hoopla, so my goal is to finish them in time for the final film release this summer. Maybe I’ll get a slight Return of the Jedi high from the anticipation. Was originally going to wait to read them to Pablo y Doodles, but I think it best I know the material before I attempt interpretative bedtime readings. Plus, they’re only 6 and 4, we’ll have time, but it’d take too much time to try to read it to them before this self-imposed deadline. 

Note: I read the first one years ago, liked it enough, but not enough to do more about it. Decided to wait. Watched the movies. Decided to stop since they made less and less sense. I’ll read them. The kids will be a reason to re-read them. And probably re-read them. I thought they were still too young. Bring it on, nerds.

Another hibernation project will be watching the 5 seasons of Friday Night Lights. Past hibernation screenings included The Wire and Battlestar Galactica. So the bar is pretty high, but everyone tells me this show will clear it. At least most of it is on Netflix Watch Instantly. Hopefully, I can get Mama fired up about this project, too. Speaking of Netflix, be sure to check out Louie by Louis C.K. It’s a pretty amazing variation on the single camera sitcom blending elements of Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, but going much deeper and darker into a non-comedic realm. And I mean that as a compliment believe it or not. 

This couch and computer binging is all in addition to the two Books & Bars books I’ll have to prepare for each month, trying to scrounge up some real work, house projects, family man duties, writing, etc. But this is my blog, so I can dream, right? Tumblr the fun stuff. 

It’s winter in Minnesota. We turn off the video games and TV OFF from April to October and then we leave them ON from November to March. Don’t get me wrong, there will be more Embracing Winter posts to follow. You’ll see sledding, snow-man making, snowball fights and the like, too.

What about you? Do you have Hibernation Projects planned? 

theyounger:

One of the things I’ve loved best about starting Replacement Press has been the opportunity to partner with some really cool people—our dear friends at Books & Bars come to mind, and the dynamic trio of Paper Darts, of course.

Now, for our last big blowout of the summer, we’re harnessing some serious literary synergy to bring you The Quickies! It’s a 4-stop, midwestern, 100% FREE literary tour in which each of the readers has a mere 5 minutes to read a complete work of prose—no exceptions, no exerpts, no cheating, and no mercy! We’re especially excited about this one because we get to team up with some of the coolest literary outfits around, including Featherproof Books, Hobart, Dzanc Books, Books & Bars, and more.

The tour comes to the Twin Cities on August 28. We’ll be in the Clown Lounge (lower level of the Turf Club) starting at 7. No cover, just readers, drinks, and scary pictures of clowns. We’ll be featuring local favorites John Jodzio, Brian Judd, and Eric Vrooman, plus guests Aaron Burch, Jac Jemc, Amelia Gray, Lindsay Hunter, Mary Hamilton, and Blake Butler. Deets and RSVP here.

Other stops on the tour include Madison, Iowa City, and Chicago.

“First book club in space.” - I’m humbled into hiding. Thanks to all who contribute to make Books & Bars a staple of our cities.