Short Takes

Tidbits of literary fun, surprise or miscellanea.

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Pinker, King and Sager on writing

By Short Takes October 10, 2014

For this weekend’s selections, Storyboard recommends reading about writing; we’re highlighting some recent articles that feature advice from authors whose worlds range from horror to science to journalism. Harvard cognitive scientist, psychologist and dictionary boss Steven Pinker — he’s … Read more

Best of the best of the best?

By Short Takes October 2, 2014

Here’s a highly curated list for you. Robert Atwan, the editor of the “Best American Essays” series, has selected for the Publishers Weekly website his top 10 essays since 1950. Atwan is careful to point out that he chose the best … Read more

Pearls before Breakfast, Reprised

By Short Takes September 30, 2014

Almost anyone who loves narrative journalism or music or social experiments or who simply believes that children are wiser than adults knows the Gene Weingarten story “Pearls Before Breakfast.” In this Washington Post magazine piece, which won the 2008 … Read more