Better Than Friday - 336

Good evening everyone, and Happy Friday the 13th...again?
I can't recall ever having two in such close proximity...That can't be a good sign.

Luck be damned - we shall have a good year.
And I hope yours is off to a good start and filled with many great books.

Review of Latronico's Perfection coming up next.

Thank you so much for your continued support!

1. Book to Read: Celestina by Fernando de Rojas (Paid Link)

   A very nice birthday gift from my wife. Celestina is considered by some to be the first European novel. From what I can gather, it's a tragicomedy starring a brothel-keeper who facilitates a romance between two lovers using black magic, set in Inquisition-era Spain.

   I cannot wait.
   

2. Patrick Süskind Documentary

   This is so cool. I don't think I've ever seen an interview with Süskind.
   

3. Son House - Death Letter Blues
   Terrific performance. My dad liked this one, as do I. He thought highly of the line "I didn't know I loved her, until they let her down".
   

4. Recent Houellebecq Interview
   Always nice to hear from him. His quote near the beginning, "We are not made to live through historical moments." stuck with me, considering the era we're navigating.
   

5. Kulun Mankwalesh - Mahmoud Ahmed
   Groovy Ethiopian Jazz track.
   Discovered via The Sopranos soundtrack.

Another recent birthday gift from someone who (for now) remains a mystery - but clearly knows me.