Tom Lynch

Robert Sullivan's "Rats" is one my favorite nonfiction pieces to be published in the last few years, in which the author spent a considerable amount of time examining and studying the alley rats of New York City. He tells the rodents' history and current habits--what they eat, where they are, and, like cockroaches, how if you see one, there are one hundred others you don't see. The official title of his new book: "Cross Country: Fifteen Years and 90,000 Miles on the Roads and Interstates of America with Lewis and Clark, A Lot of Bad Motels, A Moving Van, Emily Post, Jack Kerouac, My Wife, My Mother-in-Law, Two Kids and Enough Coffee to Kill an Elephant." Sullivan recounts his annual family cross-country road trip from Oregon to New York--there are disasters, affirmations, ironies and epiphanies, all the things you want and need in a really long road trip across the strange states that make up this country. Ultimately, it's a road-trip memoir not totally unlike all the others, but with Sullivan's wit and willingness to offer elaborate, catching historical landscapes it becomes enough of its own beast.

Robert Sullivan reads from "Cross Country" on August 1 at Borders, 1144 West Lake, Oak Park, (708)386-6927, at 7:30pm. Free. (2006-07-25)

Also by Tom Lynch

Fest Funk
In a summer stuffed with overcrowded and steaming street festivals and art fairs, any self-respecting Chicagoan has to pick his battles. When considering which of the sweaty messes to attend, there's one indisputable fact that's unavoidable--there's always gonna be assholes
(2006-07-18)

Tip of the Week
Eric Elbogen's lo-fi indie project Say Hi to Your Mom has released four pop-perfect, understated odes to conceptual heartbreak in as many years, including last year's genuine, overlooked "Ferocious Mopes" and now this summer's "Impeccable Blahs"
(2006-07-18)

Tip of the Week
Along with Poetry magazine, MAKE magazine and THE2NDHAND, Newcity presents the second annual Printers' Ball, where the world of Chicago print publications, book publishing and literary organizations unite for one night of celebration and offer loads of free materials
(2006-07-18)

Soundcheck
The second act of a musician's career can sometimes be more absorbing than the first--with Davey von Bohlen and his Maritime project, that may be just the case
(2006-07-11)

Tip of the Week
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Tip of the Week
(2006-06-30)

Tip of the Week
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Tip of the Week
(2006-06-27)

Tip of the Week
(2006-06-27)

Tip of the Week
(2006-06-21)

Work Space
(2006-06-13)

Tip of the Week
(2006-06-13)

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