Is the recently announced 2018 Man Booker Prize winner worthy of a read? Listen to Kiran’s thoughts on Milkman below:
Kiran
RNZ's Nine to Noon: Human Relations & Other Difficulties by Mary-Kay Wilmers /
This week on RNZ’s Nine to Noon, Kiran reviewed Human Relations and Other Difficulties by Mary-Kay Wilmers. Wilmers co-founded the London Review of Books in 1979 and has been its editor since 1992. This collection brings together 23 polished, informative and entertaining self-contained pieces which are fine examples of her wonderfully dry and brittle wit.
95bFM's Loose Reads: Mars By 1980: The Story of Electronic Music by David Stubbs /
On 95bFM’s Loose Reads, Kiran and Mikey talked about Mars By 1980: The Story of Electronic Music by David Stubbs. A thrilling deep dive into technology and invention, it propels us into sonic space and charts how developments in technology have shaped music over the years. One of the best music books of 2018!
95bFM's Loose Reads: The Only Girl by Robin Green /
Kiran reviewed The Only Girl: My Life and Times on the Masthead of Rolling Stone by Robin Green on 95bFM’s Loose Reads. A juicy, candid memoir from journalist Robin Green who wrote excellent and often damning long-form profiles for iconic magazine Rolling Stone in its 1970s heyday, this is essential reading for lovers of pop and counter culture, West Coast bohemia, political reportage and pacey biographies.
95bFM's Loose Reads: Messing Up the Paintwork: The Wit and Wisdom of Mark E. Smith /
Kiran nipped into the bFM studio to talk to the wonderful Rach and Tess about Messing Up the Paintwork: The Wit and Wisdom of Mark E. Smith, a book that celebrates the very quotable late Mark E. Smith from iconic group The Fall. A crabby, belligerant codger, Smith was known and loved for his sharp wit, caustic insults and wonderful way with words. You’ll want to read bits of the book out to anyone who’ll listen!
RNZ's Nine to Noon: Sex & Rage by Eve Babitz /
A spunky and glamorous figure of the 1960s and 70s LA counter culture, Eve Babitz was an alluring ‘It Girl’ who wrote startlingly sharp essays, memoir and fiction. Kiran reviewed the reissued edition of Babitz’s 1979 novel Sex & Rage: Advice for Young Ladies Eager for a Good Time on RNZ’s Nine to Noon.
95bFM's Loose Reads: All Gates Open: The Story of Can by Rob Young & Irmin Schmidt /
Kiran talked about All Gates Open: The Story of Can by Rob Young and Irmin Schmidt, a definitive biography of the legendary, important and influential German group Can who were an exciting mix of jazz, improvised music, electronic music, avant garde and classical music. Kiran spent five months reading this hefty book, and highly recommends it!
95bFM's Loose Reads: Sharp: The Women Who Made An Art of Having An Opinion by Michelle Dean /
On 95bFM's Loose Reads, Kiran reviewed Sharp: The Women Who Made An Art of Having An Opinion by Michelle Dean. It's a fascinating group biography of ten brilliant women writers from Joan Didion to Susan Sontag, who were some of the sharpest thinkers and writers across literature, criticism, philosophy and journalism.
RNZ's Nine to Noon: Crudo by Olivia Laing /
Kiran reviews Crudo, which she has announced is already her novel of 2018. With elements of auto-fiction, Laing poses herself as Kathy Acker writing over 7 weeks of a 2017 British summer.
95bFM's Loose Reads: How to Be Famous by Caitlin Moran /
On 95bFM's Loose Reads, Kiran reviewed Caitlin Moran's new novel How to Be Famous - it's like Pippi Longstocking with whisky, a comic novel about music, music writing, ambition and confidence set when the upswell of Britpop was gathering speed...
95bFM's Loose Reads: The Story of The Face: The Magazine That Changed Culture by Paul Gorman /
On 95bFM's Loose Reads, Kiran reviewed The Story of The Face: The Magazine That Changed Culture by Paul Gorman. It's a lavish, beautifully produced book which celebrates the history of the iconic British magazine The Face. Essential reading for lovers of magazines, fashion, culture, design and photography.
95bFM's Loose Reads: Listen to This by Alex Ross /
On 95bFM's Loose Reads, Kiran reviewed the new updated edition of Listen to This by Alex Ross, who appeared at the Auckland Writers Festival last week. A wonderfully engaging book about musical culture which explores essential figures in classical music alongside alternative views on pop music.
RNZ's Nine to Noon: To Throw Away Unopened by Viv Albertine /
Watch out! This may be Kiran's favourite memoir of 2018. From the author of Clothes, Music, Boys, To Throw Away Unopened is an amazing story of family conflict, motherhood and dysfunction. Listen below:
95bFM's Loose Reads: Afterglow by Eileen Myles /
Today, Kiran reviewed Afterglow, Eileen Myles' memoir of their dog. Sadly, Myles has been a late cancellation for the Auckland Writers Festival but we recommend checking our their work as well as listening to this interview with RNZ's Kim Hill.
95bFM's Loose Reads: Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art: The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue /
Kiran's brought in a rock-infused number this week. Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art: The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue is exactly what the title suggests: a full feature of design collective Hipgnosis, showcasing groundbreaking cover art created for iconic rock 'n' roll giants including Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd to name a few.
95bFM's Loose Reads: Sodden Downstream by Brannavan Gnanalingam /
Kiran reviewed one of the 2018 Ockham shortlisted titles, Sodden Downstream on 95bFM this morning. A story about marginalised voices, refugees, class & zero hour contracts. You can listen here:
RNZ's Nine to Noon: Too Much and Not the Mood: Essays by Durga Chew-Bose /
This week, we've been so lucky to have Kiran Dass joining the Time Out team. Here's her review of Too Much and Not the Mood, from today's Nine to Noon. Also, don't forget that Durga Chew-Bose is here for the Auckland Writers Festival in May.