Can't get enough: photos and books

Lenka shot in black and white.

Can't stop looking at photographer Alavaro Deprit's series of Spain's Andalusia. The photos are a mixture of reality, dream, present and past.

There's also new mobile photo app worth downloading: Lenka.  Black & white photos with lots of depth -- and, oh so refreshingly, it is not a social media, sharing blah blah blah.  It just helps you take beautiful pictures with your phone.  

Nobel and Booker-winning writer Nadine Gordimer passed away.  In 1983, the great Paris Review published an "Art of Fiction" interview with Gordimer (Raymond Carver was the issue's other interview) in which she comments on growing up in South Africa, politics and conflict in her work, admired authors, and the act of writing.  

And now that it is summer, there are lists and lists of books to read.  The Financial Times' Summer Books of 2014 is an incredibly good bet and Gateway for Africa has a good list of the 50 Books By African Women That Everyone Should Read (yes, it includes Nadine Gordimer.)  And, in case such help is necessary, the WSJ has a list of books you shouldn't bother to pick up for the summer because you are just going to put them down again.

“Because a writer doesn’t only need the time when he’s actually writing—he or she has got to have time to think and time just to let things work out. Nothing is worse for this than society. Nothing is worse for this than the abrasive, if enjoyable, effect of other people. ”

— -- N. Gordimer

Can't Get Enough: Dots, Language, Alain

I rarely download mobile games, because when I do, I tend to spend an unnecessary amount of time staring at my phone.  But Dots Two from Betaworks, with it's beautifully soothing design, colors, and music, is worth both the indulgence and the addiction.

On a recent drive through Vermont, I couldn't help but notice all the signs in French, with Bienvenue!  as the border welcome for various towns and cities. Turns out French is the State's most commonly spoken language aside from English (a trait the state shares with NY, ME, and LA.)  These handy graphics from Ben Blatt of Slate detail just what languages are spoken where in the US.  So, Americans: look no further than North Dakota to practice your German; try out some Russian phrases in Oregon.

I've once again picked up and begun top peruse my shelved books by Alain de Botton, thanks to a recent profile in the Financial Times.  The writer/philosopher/businessman tends throw people into camps of intense love or intense hate, and he's built an empire too. 

Can't Get Enough: Paz, Samba, Workspaces

Photo by Nana B. Agyei

Purely by happenstance, as is often the way with such things that have great impact on one's life I picked up the book Itinerary: An Intellectual Journey, written (and posthumously published) by the great poetic Mexican writer Octavio Paz.  Not only does the book provide a deep commentary on Mexican life, history, and politics, but those of Spain as well -- interspersed with poetic phrases that will, without warning, lay you flat.  "I set sail in each word like a nutshell."  The book is a goldmine for further reading -- particularly Mexican, Spanish, and French thinkers --  and the notes provided by Jason Wilson are beyond compare.

The new album from Brazilian songwriter (and former Minister of Culture) Gilberto Gil is a great mood leveler; it'll simultaneously lift you  up and settle you down.  Listen to the album on his website.

Where They Create is filled with photos taken by Paul Barbera who has documented the workspaces of designers, writers, painters, editors, etc.  It's a good website for a look into the home/office of working creatives, for inspiration, and for a little envy.