issue 014's : Reader’s Poll

We sent out a poll to our writers and our fans, on Twitter and through emails asking them what they were reading and who writes the best dialogue. The answers were varied as you might expect; a compelling look into the minds of Shelf Lifers all over.

Question one: What are you reading right now?

Only a miniscule few mentioned journals:

Smokelong Q, elimae, Hobart, Diagram always, every issue.

Even less mentioned poetry (EE Cummings)

A few of the highlights of the rest:

the Aeneid, Moonwalking With Einstein by Joshua Foer Cannery Row by John Steinbeck, Kundera, Star Wars Slave Ship by K.W. Jeter, A Flag for Sunrise by Robert Stone, Names by Don DeLillo, Whiskey & Ribbons by Leesa Cross-Smith, The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector, Sherwood Anderson, The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe, and Bossy Pants by Tina Fey

Question two: Marquez or Faulker?

27% answered Marquez. Just under 73% answered Faulkner. Two or three people said both.

Best answer: On a day when I want to see the world as beautiful and romantic, Marquez. On a day when I want to wallow in somberness and general loathing of the human condition, Faulkner.

Question three: Best dialogue writer?

Not a bit of agreement on this one.

Everyone from Salinger to Hemmingway, Lucas Southworth to Tao Lin received a vote.

Wesley Stace, Jonathon Safran Foer, Jeffrey Eugenides and Jane Austin were also nominated.

There is apparently no single king or queen of writing dialogue which is certainly a wonderful thing for us readers.

Question four: Contemporary author most likely to be remembered a hundred years from now?

Cormac McCarthy was mentioned a handful of times here.

But it came down to two extremely different writers, David Foster Wallace and J.K. Rowling.

Thoughts on Wallace:

“When we descend into post-apocalyptic tribal warfare it'll be his books that burn the longest.”

“Unique in his own mind/time.”

Thoughts on Rowling:

“As much as I want it to be someone else, you know it’ll be J.K. Rowling.”

“You cannot kill Harry Potter.”

Issue 15 reader’s poll

(send answers to contact@shelflifemagazine.com)

Question one: What rapper would make the best writer?

Question two: Right before I write I…

Question three: What music do you read/write to?

Question four: What movie adaptations of books were better than the actual book?