Transcendental Smut

Look, I had every intention of spreading the word about author Dave Eggers' latest altruistic move to manufacture his new and most beautiful novel to date, A Hologram for the King with the help of Thomas-Shore printers, in Dexter, Michigan, after hearing the author interviewed on Bookworm, followed by an impassioned rant about the value of small presses, in general. But that will have to wait, cause look what showed up on our doorstep...

Look familiar? That's right! In the spirit of everyone's favorite handbook for frustrated sexual impulses comes Fifty Shades of... (wait for it) Louisa May. As in Alcott. As in "ABOUT TIME." As in "grrrrrr..." In fact, the only thing more titillating than transcendental porn, literally and figuratively, are transcendental porn-inspired woodcuts. None of which I can in good faith show you here. But I will say that in the process of admiring "May's" work, I understood for the first time how one could focus for so long on the same thing. Especially when that thing is a %^@(g&! getting %&*0/?!! by a ~">#:+^*$ ! Read an excerpt from Fifty Shades of Louisa May right here.

Bookworm, by the way, is a radio show and podcast from the studios of KCRW, in Los Angeles, featuring myriad great authors and your host, Michael Silverblatt. Listening to Bookworm is like smelling Auntie Anne's Pretzels or Cinnabons from far away. That is to say, irresistible. Though unlike Auntie Anne's and Cinnabons, equally indispensable. Be warned: you will want impatiently to get your hands on every book Silverblatt lends his ear and insight to.