No. 342: What's the Point of a Book?

Good morning, everyone.

I spend a good amount of time thinking about what books can offer us today that other mediums can't. Taken in toto with the historical developments of the time in which it was written, good literature is what ties a period together and gives it character. It's more enduring than a movie or even a painting.

In many ways, it's the literature of an era that provides it its narrative. Without writers documenting, opining on, and lyricising during any particular period of history, the only way we could make sense of that period would be by poring over a chronological history of wars, treaties, and political intrigue— paperwork, graveyards, and graffiti.

Today, books have a decidedly different role than they used to; the era of the novel as the predominant form of entertainment is over. In Once Upon A Time in Hollywood..., we see Leonardo DiCaprio's Rick Dalton reading a book as he lazes around on set. Rick's not a particularly sophisticated guy. He represents the kind of old-school, blue-collar actor that was common in 1950s Hollywood. That said, he still reads pulpy Westerns from authors like Louis L'Amour for entertainment.

A tweet I saw recently put it well: "No one reads books anymore, so if you read 5 nonfiction books a year people will think you’re a genius." I think that's generally true. It also seems to indicate an attitude towards reading that demands it be productive. It's not enough to simply laze around with a book for pleasure anymore: you must justify the time you spend reading by learning something. The medium needs to offer a return on investment in order for you to spend your time on it.

I'm not bringing this up to rant, reactionary-like, against the present world, but simply to say that when I encounter a writer today, I wonder aloud what kind of book they are writing. Bill Rivers, whom I talked to on our podcast, wrote a book that fits neatly within the "novels as entertainment" spirit found in Rick Dalton's day. The book is a breezy, coming-of-age tale called Last Summer Boys which details the trials and travails of three brothers over the Summer of 1968 in Eastern Pennsylvania. For those of you looking to justify your time, it provides a unique perspective on that revolutionary summer.

You can listen to my conversation with Bill Rivers here.

Onward.

You can follow us on Twitter (@realpamphleteer), Facebook (@realpamphleteer), or Instagram (@realpamphleteer) for additional content.

Also, be sure to check out our podcast. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks for reading.

❦ QUICK FALL GUIDE

It’s officially Autumn and it’s time to plan your season accordingly.

IN THE HILLS OF TENNESSEE

Who better to tell us about fall foliage than the Gatlinburg Guide:

“Leaves begin to change color as days become shorter and nights become longer. That’s the primary catalyst for getting the fall colors developing in the foliage. During the fall, the nights are longer so trees slow down their photosynthesis process (which is what makes leaves green). When photosynthesis comes to a halt, the leaves go from green to a gorgeous display of red, orange, and yellow.”

Check out the 2022 Fall Foliage Prediction map. (More Info)

We also outlined a few scenic drives through Middle Tennessee. Great routes, no matter what time of year. (More Info)

FALL HAPPENINGS

Cheekwood Harvest (September 17th - October 30th)
Pumpkin Village features three Pumpkin Houses, Mums & Scarecrows throughout the Garden, Beer Garden featuring Special Performances, Extended hours during Thursday Night Out, Japanese Moon Viewing, Halloween Pooch Party, El Día de los Muertos, and more.

Boo at the Zoo (October 14th - 30th)
Features special animal shows, trick-or-treating, rides, a pumpkin patch, and more.

Oktoberfest in Germantown (October 6th - 9th)
Oktoberfest has Delicious German foods from dozens of restaurants & vendors, world-class beer, tons of events, Arts & Crafts vendors, live German music, the Dachshund Derby, and the 2nd largest 5K Race & Run in Tennessee – plus so much more!

Nashville Whiskey Festival (September 29th - October 1st)
Tastings, education, food, music, and more.

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage Ghost Tour (September 23rd - November 6th)

PUMPKIN PATCHES AND CORN MAZES

• Walden Farm (Smyrna): September 24th - October 31st
• Lucky Ladd Farm (Eagleville): September 17th - October 30th, extended hours start October 6th
• Shuckle’s (Greenbrier): September 23rd - October 30th
• Honeysuckle Hill Farm (Springfield): September 24th - October 30th
• Gentry Farm (Franklin): October 1st - 31st

POP-UP HALLOWEEN BARS

• Hocus Pocus pop-up: September 21st - October 31st
• BeetleBar pop-up: September 21st - October 31st
• Falling For Fairline: September 16th - October

HEADLINES

• People invited to ask questions about new Titans stadium plans in forum (Channel 5) People had a chance to voice their concerns about the discussions to build a new stadium on the East Bank Sunday. Nashville residents are asking if a new stadium is needed and want to be more involved in the decision-making process.
• City Updates List of Flood Risk Homes, Prepares for Buyouts (Scene) Recent extreme floods have prompted buyouts of Nashville homes deemed too risky to continue living in. A combination of local, state and federal government entities have stepped in to offer exit packages to owners in South Nashville otherwise facing chronic devastating property damage.
• Tennessee a hotspot for inflation-based price increases (Center Square) Nashville ranked 14th in the country in the number of businesses that reported moderate or large price increases in a new poll from LendingTree. Tennessee, meanwhile, ranked 11th among all states.
• MTSU adjunct professor pens official U.S. Space Force song (Fox17) Jamie Teachenor, adjunct professor of songwriting at Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media and Entertainment, penned “Semper Supra,” which the Space Force officially adopted on September 20, MTSU announced.

POLITICS

• Nashville’s mayor pushes for more federal funds to reduce homelessness (WPLN) Nashville’s mayor is urging the Metro Council to spend $50 million of federal COVID relief funds to chip away at homelessness.

DEVELOPMENT

• Progress On 900 At Cleveland Park, An Affordable Housing Development In East Nashville (Now Next)
• Waymore's Guest House and Casual Club opening in East Nashville (NBJ)
• Nashville slated for new hotel concept (Post)
• Large-scale residential project eyed for east side (Post)
• Reinvention of adult entertainment club property planned (Post)

✹ CHART OF THE DAY: WHO GIVES?

⚔ MISSIVES ⚔

• 🇮🇹 Early results from Italy’s snap election on Sunday indicate that a right-wing coalition, led by the Fratelli d’Italia party, had scooped a majority of the vote.
• 🇩🇪 Authorities in Germany are trying to establish what caused a sudden drop in pressure in the defunct Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, with a spokesperson for the pipeline's operator telling Reuters on Monday it could have been caused by a leak.
• 🤡 The FBI reportedly arrested Catholic pro-life activist and author Mark Houck in a raid on his rural home early Friday morning.
• 💸 Forty-seven individuals, primarily in Minneapolis, Minnesota’s large Somali community, have been charged for their roles in allegedly stealing $250 million in COVID-19 federal funds meant for a child nutrition program.
• 🇨🇳 China’s navy is already the world’s largest by ship count, and has been rapidly building new warships as part of a wider military expansion. It launched its first domestically designed and built aircraft carrier in June, and at least five new destroyers are on the way soon.
• 🇬🇧 Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers blasted the economic policies being adopted by newly installed UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, saying they’re creating the circumstances for the pound to sink past parity with the US dollar.
• 📦 Amazon’s business relationships with two Chinese surveillance giants, Hikvision and Dahua, may violate a law prohibiting federal contractors from doing business with certain Chinese firms, a joint investigation by National Review and IPVM reveals.
• 📉 Apartment rents are falling from record highs across the U.S. for the first time in nearly two years, offering the prospect of relief to millions of tenants who have seen steep increases during the pandemic.

THINGS TO DO

View the full calendar here.

🍺 The Pamphleteer hosts Bar Hours on the third Thursday of every month (the next meeting is this Thursday, October 20th) at Lucky's 3 Star Bar from 6-8 PM.

🤠 Undie Fest - September 29th through October 2nd, 60 artists, 2 stages all at the Underdog in East Nashville.

👨🏻‍🌾 The Pamphleteer farmer's market guide.

⚔️ The Knights in Armor exhibit is running till October 10th at the Frist: European arms and armor from the renowned collection of the Museo Stibbert in Florence, Italy.

🎧 Listen to the Pamphleteer's Picks on Spotify, our playlist of the best bands playing in town this week.

TONIGHT

⛸ Predators vs. Panthers @ Bridgestone, 3p, $5+, Info
+ Split squad game

🎩  History Class @ Bold Patriot Brewing, 5p, Info

⛸ Predators vs. Panthers @ Bridgestone, 7p, $8+, Info
+ Split squad game

🎸 Memphis Mondays @ Basement, 7p, $10, Info

🎸 Harry Fontana @ American Legion Post 82, 7p, Free, Info

💀 Grateful Monday @ Acme Feed & Seed, 7p, Free, Info

💥 The Shitdels, Snooper, and Gee Tee @ The Basement, 7p, $20, Info
+ Bring your earplugs

🕺 Motown Monday @ The 5 Spot, 9p, $5, Info

🎹 Jazz Jam @ The Villager, 11p, Free, Info

ON THE RADAR

🕺 Remi Wolf @ Brooklyn Bowl, (10/6), $30, Info
+ Young talented funk/pop/hip-hop singer, one of the few

🎸 Yes @ Ryman, (10/11), $60, Info

🕯 W.I.T.C.H. @ Blue Room, (10/17), $15, Info
+ The biggest rock band in Zambia in the 1970s and spearheaded a new genre: Zamrock

🎻 Mozart & Tchaikovsky@ Schermerhorn, (10/28-29), $25+, Info

🎸 Smashing Pumpkins @ Bridgestone Arena, (10/10), $133+, Info
+ 90's alt-rock from Chicago

🎸 The Doobie Brothers @ Bridgestone Arena, (10/12), $43+, Info

🎺 Too Many Zooz @ Basement East, (10/31), $20, Info

🎸 Widespread Panic @ Bridgestone (10/30-31), Info

🌶 The Gypsy Kings @ The Ryman, (11/1), $39.50, Info
+ The roving band of flamenco guitarists

🎻 Sierra Farrell's NYE Circus Spectacular @ Brooklyn Bowl, (12/31), $35+, Info

🎙 Weyes Blood @ Brooklyn Bowl (2/22), $23+, Info

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Words of Wisdom

"Humans fear reason, but they ought to fear stupidity— for reason can be hard, but stupidity can be fatal."

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