The Heart Goes Last (Nan A. Talese) is Margaret Atwood’s latest piece of apocalyptic fiction. It finds a married couple living out of their car and fending off roving gangs as humanity’s final days unfold. In her review, Betsy Burton says “there is no tonic more bracing than [Atwood’s] smart and slyly funny cynicism, no stratagem more effective in warding off disaster than staring it in the face—and laughing at it.”
Then, Austen Diamond waxes poetic on the meaning of genre in music, and previews a diverse set of concerts happening this week. One of the most successful independent rappers ever, Murs will perform at Urban Lounge on Monday, October 19th.
Indie-electronica band CHVRCHES play at The Complex on Wednesday, October 21st.
Shakey Graves has a day named after him in Austen, Texas. He’ll be at The Depot on Sunday, October 25th.
Tracks heard on this Books & Beats:
Intro Music: "The Last of Us" by Gustavo Santaolalla
1: “Everything” by Murs
2: “Clearest Blue” by CHVRCHES
3: “Dearly Departed” by Shakey Graves (feat. Esmè Patterson)