Lux Lotus

"Overlooked Brilliance"

Following Maud's appreciation of Cakes and Ale, I am taking a page from Tayari today and her list of too-secret literary masterpieces that should be on everyone's lips. Obviously, I've worked to publicize many worthy books in that category (Ms. Jones' The Untelling included) but that's another story. This list is of the top five novels that altered my sensibility in such a way that I couldn't (and still can't) stop telling people. Some of these titles may be cult favorites but they merit a much broader audience.

1. SWIMMING SWEET ARROW by Maureen Gibbon.

2. ARC d'X (and pretty much everything) by Steve Erickson

3. THE PATH OF MINOR PLANETS by Andrew Sean Greer

4. GERMINAL by Emile Zola

5. MEMOIRS OF HECATE COUNTY by Edmund Wilson

See also: Jeff Bryant's Underrated Writers, 2005 and 2006; and Laila Lalami's "Underappreciated Books," and the Litblog Co-op, all utterly genius and in service of a purpose that is my favorite expression of the unique value of emerging networked cultural conversations-- bringing attention to books and authors that are simply deserving.

Windowlicker

If I were to collect anything, it would probably be old silver regatta trays. They're unique and collectible -- but not impossible to find in charity shops, or outrageously expensive -- and best of all, they remind me of that quintessential last line of The Great Gatsby: "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

[1958 Greater Wildwood NJ GWYC Silver Tray, "buy it now" for $15 at ebay]

Windowlicker - from the French for window shopping: faire du lèche-vitrine - appears on Tuesday and Thursdays at 10am EST.

Terms of Post-Endearment

"hes so desperate, the movie superstar when she kisses the tree would be him fucking it."

Now that I've stumbled across the sheer cinematic magic that is DontDateHimGirl.com, I'm not sure I can ever look away. Also, an alias is a clue. And, confidential to Brokenhearted in Baltimore: you know that we know that you knew that "Dusty" Beavers was so gonna be bad news.

Pretty Smart

Even though I never brush it and I haven't had it cut in ages, my hair is really shiny today, probably because I spent half the holiday weekend catching up on beauty sleep (which half? the second half). I've been working overtime lately but all in good service to excellent things-- currently publicizing: FREE FOOD FOR MILLIONAIRES by Min Jin Lee, THROW LIKE A GIRL by Jean Thompson, Barnes & Noble's UPSTAIRS AT THE SQUARE. Check 'em out. Meanwhile, Book Expo America (BEA), the biggest conference in publishing is taking place this weekend and so I'm sorting through party invitations and making appointments to meet up with clients, friends, et al. I'll be covering the most artistic, political and stylish aspects of the festivities here at Lux Lotus just like last year so expect a full report. 'Til then, enjoy the silence. Before I go... in this week's edition of The Smart Set, my weekly round-up of all that is haute and happening in New York for MaudNewton.com: the soundtrack to my soundtrack.

The Lux Lotus Trend Forecast

The look I love, spring, summer, fall, winter, night, day...

For men:

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For women:

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Lux.Links

UNTITLED [insurgent muse]
JESSIE MANN INTERVIEW [eight diagrams]
LES CONCERTS A EMPORTER [de la blogotheque]
REVIEW FOR PUTAIN DES PALACES BY ETAT LIBRE D'ORANGE [blogdorf goodman]
36 HOURS IN DUBLIN [new york times]
BLACKBIRD POEMS [rodcorp]
CLOTH CULT: "Why Congolese men rather starve to death than look cheap." [boingboing]

Windowlicker

Living a literary life doesn't just mean having one of those magical old double-height libraries that require a sliding ladder to reach the highest shelves (although I dream of that, too). Maybe it's just a little poetic flourish here and there. For instance, I wouldn't mind starting each morning by reminding myself of a tenderhearted admonition from one of my true heroines, Colette, author of much-loved subversive classics like La Vagabonde, Cheri and the Claudine novels: You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm. It certainly bears repeating! If said while seated at the perfect vanity in homage? All the better ["Colette" vanity, on sale at Anthropologie for $199.95]. Related: keeping a crumpled copy of the poem "Chanel Lipstick" by Reetika Vazirani in the drawer.

Windowlicker - from the French for window shopping: faire du lèche-vitrine - appears on Tuesday and Thursdays at 10am EST.

"We're moving faster than Amtrak and you know it" aka The Lux Lotus Memorial Day Playlist

A dozen bands/acts/songs that I want to hear a whole lot more of:

THE BLOW, "Parentheses"
HELOISE & THE SAVOIR FAIRE, "Odyle"
LOOKER , "Gregory"
THE MEDICINE SHOW, "Vagabonds" (Lola is Beauty sez: "Young London band have Talent and a van.")
PONEY PONEY, "AM Music"
POPUP, "Lucy what you trying to say?" ("Sounds Like: A butterfly that rests unaffected on the knuckle of your index finger for a whole two minutes of a summer's afternoon.")
SANTOGOLD aka SANTI WHITE "LES Artistes"
SIMONE WHITE, "The American War"
TYCHO, "Dictaphone's Lament"
WHY ARE WE BUILDING SUCH A BIG SHIP, "Dance" (more @ No Notes)
THE ZAX (*Post title from "Fool Us By Clapping") 

and most definitely: ELK CITY, "Cherries in the Snow" (join us Upstairs at the Square, June 14).

On Houston

I was in a cab on my way to an appointment, thinking about the traffic and how I didn't want to be late, so it was for just a split second that I glanced out the window, but... if current British Vogue covergirl Agyness Deyn lives in New York and rides a bicycle, well then, I saw her earlier today!

Previously: 55th & 5th.

Image: Mert + Marcus for W.

Cures for Heartbreak

I read my horoscope while I was in Croatia and scoffed when it said that this month would be all about my career. Of course, the stars were right. It's funny though, that all it takes is the best company and the best wine (at Clandestino natch), to remind one that not thinking about less than lovely things of a romantic nature is not the same as forgetting them. Fortunately it would seem that "tristesse" is at least partially remedied by downloading Astrud Gilberto songs. Thank goodness for that.