The End Is Nigh

Can't say the title of the new Megan Abbott book, The End of Everything, without cuing that Chris Isaak song in my head. Come to think of it, they sorta go nicely together - both are melancholy and haunting, shimmery summer mirages that come on sweet and twist something in your gut before they're through. Anyway, I'm talking about Ms. Abbott's latest over at Ransom Notes. Planning on hitting Square Books in Oxford, MS. on July 27 for Megan's event, and I'll be in Corydon, IN. September 10 for Frank Bill's event with the Donald and company. I've also just found out about a Surreal South shindig at SIUC in Illinois hosted by the Benedicts in October... hmmm, wonder if John Hornor Jacobs will be there? Have you checked out Senor Jacobs' blog Bastardized Version lately? He's doing a new interview series called Why I'm Badass. So far he's spoke at Daniel O'Shea and Julie Summerell Teat. Entertaining format, yup.

Anybody seen or know interesting shit about (that other Arkansas guy) Jeff Nichols' latest Take Shelter with Michael Shannon? If you saw his feature debut with the same star Shotgun Stories, then you, like me are excited about this one based on pedigree alone. How about Martha Marcy May Marlene? John Hawkes as a creepy-ass cult leader? Sold. Speaking of creepy, the usually so Peter Stormare leads in Small Town Murder Songs which looks terrific and Monte Hellman's The Road to Nowhere looks like it could be something good featuring songs by, no not Ozzy Osbourne, but Craig McDonald favorite, Tom Russell.

I got nothin.