Wound and Stab

Wound & Stab
Wound and Stab

Teylor 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.

  1. W&S002 - The Garden of Many Forking Paths

    EPISODE 2

    W&S002 - The Garden of Many Forking Paths

    OCTOBER 23rd, 2017 The Garden of Many Forking Paths - Jorge Luis Borges The Work We discuss Jorge Luis Borges' titular short story from his collection The Garden of Many Forking Paths.  An Argentine, Borge's stories were written in Spanish, and there is some legal dispute that has held the release of English translations done by Norman Thomas Di Giovanni in collaboration with Borges himself. Fans of the author have made these translations available here at the Library of Babel. The Guest Our guest is artist Felipe Posada. He is a Brooklyn, NY based artist who grew up in Latin America. We discuss the experience of growing up within an educational system learning about the Latin American literature in contrast to North American, or European centric literary education. You can find Felipe's work at The Invisible Realm,  where you can also learn about his upcoming gallery shows and purchase prints of his artwork. You can also follow him on instagram @the_invisible_realm. Felipe mentions a few other works to seek out: Carlos Castaneda's The Teachings of Don Jaun Adolfo Bioy Casares' The Invention of Morel The Norse Epic Poem The Song of the Nibelungs Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude  &  Chronicles of a Death Foretold Pairings Spirits "Vortices" A cocktail that can be served one of three ways. 2 oz Irish Whiskey 1 large spoonful Sugar 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth 2 dashes Angostura Bitters 2 oz Black Tea (hot or iced) 1/2 oz Lemon Juice  Shake, Stir, or Serve Hot: It's up to you. Aural Stimuli Visual Stimuli The works of Xul Solar, artist and friend of Borges The Art Deco Architecture of Francisco Salamone Garden Mazes of Argentina like Parque-El-Descanso Next The Wine-Dark Sea We'll be discussing titular tale from Robert Aickman's The Wine-Dark Sea and conversing with practicing sorceress Sarah Lyons about women and power.

    1h 35m
  2. W&S003 - The Wine-Dark Sea

    EPISODE 3

    W&S003 - The Wine-Dark Sea

    OCTOBER 30th, 2017 The Wine-Dark Sea - Robert Aickman The Work We discuss Robert Aickman's short story "The Wine-Dark Sea" from the story collection by the same name. The print and ebook are both available. The Guest Our guest is writer Sarah Lyon. She is a contributor to Vice's Broadly. Sarah practices witchcraft out of New York.  You can find Sarah at sarahlyons.org and on Vice. You can follow her on instagram @citymystic. Sarah mentions some resources and inspiration: The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley The Witch-Cult in Western Europe by Margaret Murray Aleister Crowley's Thoth tarot deck Barbara Creed's The Monstrous-Feminine Carole Glover's Men, Women and Chain Saws  Silvia Federici's Caliban and the Witch Jodorowsky's The Way of the Tarot Arthur E. Waite's Pictorial Key of the Tarot The Rider-Waite Tarot by Waite & Smith Phil Hine's Condensed Chaos Gemma Gary's Cornish Book of Ways The blog of Sarah Anne Lawless Religion and the Decline of Magic by Keith Thomas Pairings Spirits "The Liquid Rock" There is no soil on the island. 1 oz Brandy 1/2 oz Lemon Juice 1 spoonful Fig Jam 2 dashes Angostura Bitters Shake, top with sparkling Lambrusco Aural Stimuli Visual Stimuli Hellenic Art from Athens. The Grecian island Milos. One of the oldest full Tarot sets, the Sola-Busca Tarrochi. Next House of Leaves, Part One: Overview We're beginning our first novel and with it our first introductory episode. No reading required but feel free to check out Mark Z. Danielewski's House of Leaves for yourself. We will be joined by guest Giaco Furino (@giacofurino) to discuss the genre of horror fiction.

    1h 32m
  3. W&S005 - House of Leaves, part 2: Prologue & Chapters I-IV

    EPISODE 5

    W&S005 - House of Leaves, part 2: Prologue & Chapters I-IV

    November 6th, 2017 House of Leaves - Mark Z. Danielewski Part Two: The Forward, Introduction, and Chapters I-IV The Work This is it. We're plunging into the hyper-textual horror romance of Mark Z. Danielewski. The big take-away question: If you were to disappear right now what would be the most mysterious thing you leave behind that keeps people guessing?   The Guest Giaco Furino returns to discuss horror fiction writing at the turn of the century, how it developed, what it looked like around the same time House of Leaves was being published, and a little on how it has continued to develop. He is a freelance journalist who writes for Vice, Popular Science, and many other publications. He also recently entered The Ranger, the independent horror film he co-wrote with director Jenn Wexler, into the festival circuit. You can find Giaco on twitter @giacofurino on instagram @giacofurino and his writings on his clippings page. Giaco mentions some additional reading: Carrie by Stephen King Peter Straub's Ghost Story American Psycho by Brett EastonEllis Choke, Lullaby, and Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk Broken Monster byLauren Beukes 30 Days of Night by Stephen Niles & Ben Templesmith Hellboy by Mike Mignola Pairings Aural Stimuli Visual Stimuli The Landscapes, Exteriors, and Interiors of Daniel Danger. Paintings from Joe Coleman. The Dingbat buildings of LA.   Next - House of Leaves, Part Three: Chapters V-VI Our second reading assignment in House of Leaves; Chapters V-VI. We'll be joined by Dr. Sydnee McElroy @sydneemcelroy to discuss physiology and fright.

    1h 51m
  4. W&S006 - House of Leaves, part 3: Chapters V-VI

    EPISODE 6

    W&S006 - House of Leaves, part 3: Chapters V-VI

    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.

    2h 3m
5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Teylor 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.

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