... recommends

Forough Farrokhzad
Iranian female poet, condemned during her short life by her country's conservative regime. Her work is "scandalous" but more importantly, true.

Emoh, Lou Barlow (2005)
First solo album from Dinosaur Jr.'s Lou. Sparse, acoustic, perfect for autumn.

Read David Rees if you value your life.

Jeff and Jules: sometimes music is very good.

Luc Sante: Aging punk writes about New York and how hypercapitalism is ruining all things that were once good. Brilliant. Start with Kill All Your Darlings.

The Kind Life: Plants are good. Just sayin'. Saw Alicia speak about her new book and she was engaging, passionate and as lovably ditzy as Cher Horowitz. Her best case for the macrobiotic vegan lifestyle: Lic' doesn't look a day over 1996.
(Luc Sante -- Punk-- XVX-- Alicia Silverstone. There.)

Desmond Dekker: "You Can Get if if you Really Want It" in the morning, "Sing a Little Song" if you're heartbroken. "Isrealites" all the time.

Waking up at 6 am for no real reason other than to see what the sky looks like.