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Jillian Hess's avatar

Your recommendations are always fantastic! Thanks for this list!

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Michael Mercurio's avatar

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Zavin book; I've been curious-but-resistant due to my everpresent fear of being exposed to another Ready Player One situation. Like you, I'm not a video game person, but I recognize that they hold powerful sway over our culture, and I think we need more critical takes on them than we tend to get from anyone aside from William Gibson.

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Hurley Winkler's avatar

I would be interested to hear your thoughts on that novel (if only because much of it takes place in Harvard Square in the late 90s).

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Michael Mercurio's avatar

I will be sure to let you know! I'm waiting for it to arrive at my library so I can dive in.

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Thank you for including my Joan Didion poem — I can’t (but can) believe that they sold for $9,000!! Also I loved your essay. Especially this line: “Better question: why does my first thought always involve punishing myself?” YES.

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Hurley Winkler's avatar

Thank you for allowing me to share your marvelous poem! And thank you for reading my essay. That means the world.

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Sarah Gardner's avatar

I love your microessay, Hurley! And thanks as ever for the book recs!

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