Bah Hum-book

What in hell’s name is going on? Why are almost all books sold at this time of year written by people who despise writing, for people who hate reading?

So asks Natalie Haynes in the Times. With a story of "post-adolescent, inter-continental hero worship" of Jorge Luis Borges, she establishes herself as a self-proclaimed bibliophile and literary snob, and then goes on a delicious little tirade about the Christmas crap that's being peddled this year in bookstores. So embrace a bit of bookish bah-humbug and enjoy.

If you'd rather not give up all hope of purchasing some decent books for Christmas this year, then follow that Times article up with this Independent article on the worthwhile books that are out there this Christmas season. Expect some overlap with the NY Times choices.