SMITH recommends…a writer’s attempt to complete his obligatory review of Goncalo M. Tavares’s Neighborhood series in the midst of his excitement about the World Cup.
Bookslut’s Latin Lit Lover columnist, Jesse Tangen-Mills, writes a beautifully mixed-up review that begins with Eduardo Galeano’s Soccer in Sun and Shadow, proceeds to gush about the impending World Cup, and [...]

A new memoir from a writer-turned-obsessive poker player is wildly fun read—and a cautionary tale about what happens when you choose the road less traveled.

Elsewhere on SMITH, Lewis Schiff interviews Josh Axelrad, author of the memoir, Repeat Until Rich. Below, Axelrad offers a long riff to the question, “When was the last time you went to Vegas and what was that like?”
I was last in Vegas for two days in September of 2006. It was a bleak mission for [...]

SMITH recommends…this short interview with Ray Bradbury in The Paris Review.
I love this interview; among other offerings from Bradbury, he helps me understand how my partner goes to the Brooklyn Public Library to return two books and comes back with ten. Read Bradbury’s thoughts on libraries, college, the importance of following your own instincts, [...]

A conversation about memoir, letters, diaries, and writing, from Anne Frank to the age of Gawker.

Memoirvile recommends…an interview with memoirist Bruce Benderson about his book, The Romanian on The Rumpus.
The conversation that unfolds between author and sex worker Antonia Crane and Bruce Benderson bounces between conceptions of memoir, power dynamics in sex work, and Benderson’s story of falling in love with a Romanian hustler.

A deeply personal graphic novel memoir about how Belle Yang recovered from an abusive boyfriend, in part by her father’s healing powers of storytelling.

The Rumpus’ new monthly book club begins with Citrus County by John Brandon, author of Arkansas. Rumpus editor, and friend o’ SMITH, Stephen Elliott, says he’s launching with this choice “because we’re big fans of McSweeney’s and we’re always excited about their novels.” The club includes: a new book in the mail each month—often galleys [...]

The story of how Bill Ayers’ classic, practical guide to teaching has been updated and taken on a new life as a graphic novel.

The story of how one guy’s random Twitter feed became an online sensation, a bestselling book, and an upcoming sitcom starring Wiliam Shatner.