Weekend Reading List

It's great to read online that Stefano Tonchi, of New York Times's T Magazine (which I love) has signed on as the editor in chief of W. Mr Tonchi professed his love for print magazines, but will focus on the web and building the brand's presence online. But his first focus is on W's stories. I've long ROFL at W's horrible editor-free writing and the shocking tabloid-worthy puns, and of course, those tiresome bloated spreads and visuals. I've long since given W up as a lost cause, one amongst many magazines, I might add. It's nice that Mr Tonchi's input will be seen as early as the July issue, and I can't wait to see his full revamp in September. I can only wish that the powers that be at a few of our local magazines would make the same chop and change, rather than let their titles deteriorate unstoppably. Can they not see how bad things really are? Is there no judgement? There's certainly no paucity of talent in Singapore.
To prep for next weekend's theatre date with Jac, I'm going to speed-read through Shakspeare's The Tempest. I studied it ages ago and discussing it over the phone with Jac recently, and realised I've forgotten a lot of it. Talking to Jac about books is always illuminating, and I enjoy these conversations very much - she feels literature so keenly, as do I. Over at G's last night, she urged me to read The Velveteen Rabbit (1992) written by Margery Williams and beautifully illustrated by William Nicholson, the story of a stuffed rabbit and his quest to become real. G generously pressed the book on me, despite it being of some sentimental value to her, having been given to her on her birthday by her friend Timothy Nga, the actor.
It's appropriate for Easter, don't you think?
I was too sleepy at that point in the night to ask her just what the relationship was, just managing to stagger downstairs, wade through the louche Orchard Towers crowd (it was just the beginning of the work day for the denizens of this building), and get into the cab. It was a looong night.