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Poet Jennifer Knox, known for her bold and genuine style full of profanity and dark humor, just listed the top five songs she’d pick for the hypothetical jukebox she’d bring along if ever stranded on a desert island.  I’d be shocked if you could guess any of them, or her reasoning…  As most people may pick a nostalgic song, or a comforting tune, or something soothing to help them sleep during the wild desert night, Knox, who grew up in the Mojave Desert, decided the key is to befriend the birds.  Therefore, she chose her songs “with the sole intent of ingratiating myself to avian island companions.”  Check out the full article here at The Poetry Society and enjoy her parrot-pleasing picks.

Picture and quote taken from The Poetry Society.

For those who haven’t followed the Pulitzer Prize controversy, the fact that the board of 18 members did not choose a fiction winner out of the three, fabulous novels presented to them by jurors has ruffled some literary feathers (the final nominees were David Foster Wallace’s “The Pale King,” Denis Johnson’s “Train Dreams” and Karen Russell’s “Swamplandia!”).

While I’d like to think this decision, or indecision, resulted from the fact that all three books were so good they couldn’t choose just one, it ends up sending a stronger message that nothing was good enough to win.  I find this to be insulting to the nominees and to other authors who published wonderful works this year.  But even more unfortunately, I think the Pulitzer Board lost an opportunity to celebrate “distinguished” literature in a way that actually does reach the masses.  Badly written novels end up selling millions of copies for millions of reasons, despite their lack in quality.  Sure, the nominated authors have sold many books and have achieved some level of fame, but my point is that a typical American reader doesn’t go out of his way to find well-written literature.  However, he might see an article in the Times on the latest Pulitzer winner, pick that book up on his way home from work and then maybe even share it with his friends who are still hung up on the Twilight saga.

The Pulitzer Prize is an opportunity to recognize and promote an extremely talented author with real skill and the ability to tell a great story, while also sending the message that well-crafted novels are still important and worthy of praise and attention.  This year, the board blew it.

Many writers much more distinguished and prevalent than I also have opinions on the Pulitzer:

Professor, author and 2012 Pulitzer juror Maureen Corrigan finds flaws in the process in her article in the Washington Post.

Author Ann Patchett claims the decision is a major loss for the fiction world in her Op-Ed in The New York Times.

AP journalist Hillel Italie presents a less biased, more news-based take on this year’s process in The Seattle Times.

The Daily Beast calls the decision a “snub” and explores differing opinions about the Pulitzer Board.

The Huffington Post claims the Board’s decision means “no book is worthy of the prize;” various Twitter comments accompany the article.

Readin’ N Rhythm’s April Fools Matinee at Matchless was wonderfully reviewed by Megan Soyars over at the Greenpoint Gazette. Her glowing words truly captured the mission and spirit of RnR – read the article here and please spread the word! Many thanks, Megan!

If you missed the show, or loved it so much you can’t wait to relive all of its strange and beautiful moments, browse through our photos here and check out our recordings in The Jukebox, featuring house band The Brooklyn Players Reading Society, readers Barbara Froman and P.K. Harmon, musician Billy Gray and band Berth Control.  Check back later for a peek at Cory McAbee’s new project, Captain Ahab’s Motorcycle Club (pictured right).

Thanks again to our fans, our emcee Jen Werner, our incredibly talented performers, our visual artist Galen Pittman, our venue Bar Matchless, and our sponsors The Literary Review and Serving House Books for an amazing and awe-inspiring afternoon.  Can’t wait till the next one!

Huge thanks to our amazing fans, Bar Matchless, emcee Jen Werner and our incredibly talented performers Barbara Froman, P.K. Harmon, Berth Control, Billy Gray, Cory McAbee and visual artist Galen Pittman for a wonderful afternoon yesterday!  It was inspiring, interesting, beautiful, silly and all around fun.  Photos and recordings coming soon.

This show wouldn’t have happened without the generous support of our sponsors The Literary Review and Serving House Books.  Go check out their websites and buy some great literature!

Program for Sunday, April 1st

2:30 pm – Introduction with The Brooklyn Players Reading Society (pictured)

2:45 pm – A Reading with Barbara Froman

3:00 pm – A Performance with Berth Control

4:00 pm – A Performance with Billy Gray

4:45 pm – A Poetry Break with P.K. Harmon

5:00 pm – A Performance with Cory McAbee

Featuring art by Galen Pittman