Best Of MetaFilter

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An interesting discussion on the origins of some printed mystery notations in a 1966 Penguin book: "The bottom of page 33—and only page 33 – in my 1966 Penguin edition of Saul Bellow’s “Seize the Day” has “T—S.T.D.—B” written on the bottom left, opposite the page number. What does it stand for?"

image via Book Riot

Metafilter members are discussing BookRiot.com's list of 20 genre-defying sci-fi books that broke the mold.

modified from an original image from Gareth Simpson on flickr

In Ask Metafilter, Not A Thing is looking for Skilful criminals criming skilfully: "Donald Westlake/Parker fans, what have you found that scratches a similar itch? I'm looking for something where a criminal is at the center of the story: no cops, wannabe cops or vigilantes. Like a police procedural, but for the other side."

Photo by Ed Robertson on Unsplash

There's a growing band of people digging through library stacks and second-hand bookshops in search of lost classics. I'm one of them. Wobbuffet posted Lucy Scholes' Meet the archive moles about surfacing worthy forgotten or overlooked books for reprint, with links to houses publishing recovered works.

Spare Barnes & Noble by Phillip Pessar (cc by)

There's an interesting ongoing discussion of "Spare" in FanFare with a 2-part extensive summary in the comments.

cozy by maisha.paradox (cc by-nc)

In Ask Metafilter: "I want to have a nice cosy new year's weekend - good food, crazy cats, and something nice to read/fun to watch. The first two are covered, but suggest me something for the rest?"

Under the stars by Fan.D & Dav.C Photgraphy (cc by)

IYKYK, but Wobbuffet has made a list, and that's always a reason to celebrate. This one breaks out recommended books that authors have enjoyed reading this year, plus adds links to excellent readable online works by each of those recommending authors. A labor of love for the end of a tough year. 💖

Movie Tickets (cc by-sa)

Week 2 of Metafilter Events is here! "Following Week 1, we’re back with more as we kick off a week about books, fiction and the humanities." This looks so great.

Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennet are apparently not on the same page

Mefites discuss the worst Jane Austen covers ever.

Burning Books by RRP-NYC (cc by-nc)

For the record, three of my books have been banned in TX, one has been banned in OK, and none of them got a sales boost: headspace speaking first-hand on the damage of book bans and how they are hurting kids.

B o o k s by Kate Mereand (cc by)

There are ghosts in all those haunted basements who are worth knowing. And there's no shame in being one of those ghosts: MrVisible with a poignant reflection on underloved books and their authors in the literary rejection thread.

New House - Home Library by G Travels (cc by-nc)

Metafilter members discuss How Many Books Make a Place Feel Like Home?

Sciatrix has some excellent recs and observations for some of Eric Flint's non-1632 series books in the Flint obituary thread.

Summer reading by miyagisan (cc by-nc-nd)

In Ask Metafilter, I'm on staycation in a week and want to spend a good part of my time in my backyard, off the internet and social media, with my nose jammed into a book that I can't put down.

Mermaid Tree by merwing✿little dear (cc by-nc-nd)

In Ask Metafilter, unicorn chaser is looking for good books that are also fast and easy reads