blank   

At a young age, I realized two key facts about myself: I like books, and I have a lousy memory.

---

Just about every city in the world—as well as suburbs and deserts—has stickers, murals, and wheatpastes to admire. But what if it’s all graffiti to you?

---

blank   

Christmas ain't all it's cracked up to be. 

---

30 iconic movie moments that almost didn't happen, including Indy bringing a gun to a sword fight and E.T.'s love of Reese's Pieces

---

Everyone, including the crazies, sounds sane in his or her own head.

---

​From 2006 to 2009, I was a reader for the Discover Great New Writers program, helping to select works of uncommon literary quality by first-time or undiscovered writers.

---

   Of all the words I've written, "writer" has given me the most trouble [PDF].

---

blank   

From 2008 to 2011, I reviewed fiction and nonfiction, including The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and The Possessed: Adventures with Russian Books and the People Who Read Them.

---

Three new books explore the reality (and the fantasy) behind realty.

---

blank   

Ackerman masterfully re-creates the Zabinskis’ world as it shifted from idyllic to nightmarish. 

---

Painting in caves, Kilroy traveling around, Cornbread falling in love, and other game-changing moments in the history of street art.

---

We’re all stuck in Plasticville, intimately yoked to “a variety of synthetica” that makes our lives more livable.

---

blank   

What makes him write might also make him unable to write.

---

blank   

People wandered by, asking, 'Who's playing tonight?' Those in the queue answered, 'Writers. A lot of writers.'

---

From 2004 to 2008, I reviewed literary fiction for the publishing industry's most important trade magazine [unbylined].

---

What do Gaia and Keith Haring have in common? They both started out as street artists.

---