I once read that in vaudeville, it was often the straight guy who got paid more than the comic because that's the tougher job. He has to set up the jokes in just the right way. Michael Dirda comicguyjob Change image and share on social
My urge at Christmas time or Hanukkah-time or Kwanzaa-time is that people go to bookstores: that they walk around bookstores and look at the shelves. Go to look for authors that they've loved in the past and see what else those authors have written. Michael Dirda authorbookstorechristmas share on social
For me, the two weeks between Christmas and Twelfth Night have come to be reserved for desultory reading. The pressure of the holiday is over, the weather outside is frightful, there are lots of leftovers to munch on, vacation hours are being used up. Michael Dirda christmasdesultoryfrightful share on social
Born in 1910, Wilfrid Thesiger spent his childhood in Ethiopia, or Abyssinia, as it was then called, where his father was an important and much-admired British official. Michael Dirda abyssiniaadmirebear Change image and share on social
Some travelers collect souvenirs, postcards, or bumper stickers; I bring home a pencil from the various places I visit. Michael Dirda bringbumpercollect Change image and share on social
I don't think of myself as a critic at all. I'm a reviewer and essayist. I mainly hope to share with others my pleasure in the books and authors I write about, though sometimes I do need to cavil and point out shortcomings. Michael Dirda authorbookcavil share on social
For even the ordinary well-read person, the French Enlightenment is largely restricted to the three big-name philosophes: Diderot, Rousseau, Voltaire. Michael Dirda bigdiderotenlightenment Change image and share on social
Like most people, I find watching the lazy and quiet underwater realm of a big aquarium exceptionally calming. Michael Dirda aquariumbigcalm Change image and share on social
Digital texts are all well and good, but books on shelves are a presence in your life. As such, they become a part of your day-to-day existence, reminding you, chastising you, calling to you. Plus, book collecting is, hands down, the greatest pastime in the world. Michael Dirda bookcallchastise share on social
Adventurous reading allows one to escape a little from the provincialities of one's home culture and the blinders of one's narrow self. Michael Dirda adventurousblinderculture Change image and share on social
