In this episode of the Short Fuse, Elizabeth Howard is in conversation with Ann Kjellberg around reading and the importance of literary criticism and commentary. Ann is the founder of Book Post, a newsletter-based book review that publishes short book reviews by distinguished figures in literature, history, science, social sciences, and the arts. "To me the importance of literary criticism is to have magnitude of thought, sustained reflection and a kind of demonstrable argument. This is why I'm interested in book reviews, because commentary is a way of connecting written culture with something that is enduring." Ann Kjellberg
Ann Kjellberg founded Book Post, a newsletter-based book review, in 2018. Book Post publishes short book reviews by distinguished figures in literature, history, science, social sciences, and the arts. Kjellberg also reports for Book Post on the book industry, journalism, and the state of writing and ideas. Her essays have appeared in The New York Review of Books, The Observer, The Browser, and LitHub. She was on the editorial staff of the New York Review of Books from 1988 to 2017, and from 1985 to 1987 she was an editor at Farrar, Straus & Giroux. She is the literary executor of the poet Joseph Brodsky and editor of several editions of his work. She founded the literary magazine Little Star and has taught literary journalism at Bryn Mawr College.
The Short Fuse Podcast hosted and produced by Elizabeth Howard, are conversations with artists, writers, musicians, and others who have a lens on contemporary thought and stir us to seek change. With their art, their music, their performances, and their vision they lead us through the social and environmental transformations sweeping across the globe.
“Artists are here to disturb the peace.” James Baldwin.
The Short Fuse is distributed through the Arts Fuse, a journal of arts criticism and commentary.
Alex Waters is the technical producer, audio editor and engineer for the Short Fuse Podcast. He is a music producer and a student at Berklee College of Music. He has written and produced music and edited for podcasts including The Faith and Chai Podcast and Con Confianza. He writes, produces and records music for independent artists, including The Living. He lives in Brooklyn can can be reached at alexwatersmusic12@gmail.com with inquiries.