Article published 9th Sep 09

What:
Shoplifting from American Apparel

Who:
Tao Lin

Where:
Melville House Publishing or ask your shop to order it!

When:
Officially released Sept 15, but out now

How much:
Around AUD $15 ex. postage

Win:
Thanks to Melville House, we have a copy to give away! To enter email win@threethousand.com.au with the subject 'I am not Carles'

Penny! I just got back from Tao Lin's book launch in Brooklyn for Shoplifting from American Apparel. My god it was nuts. Every kid in the audience was super ‘authentic' and they were all reading novels. I interviewed Tao while he signed my book. I was kinda high at the time so please don't judge me as a credible journalist. I know you don't like that shit, but I'm experimenting with being a gonzo... OK, not really. I was just high.

By the way, Tao Lin is a genius disguised as your shy thirteen-year-old brother on Xanax. He read the first few pages from his new book all deadpan-like, then got the crowd to stare at his videophone for thirty seconds. I had a quick read on the way home. It's definitely a book ‘of our generation'. A must read for the kids back home in Melbourne. Five stars. Deeply intoxicating wit. Detached yet relevant. Reckon they'll use those quotes on the marketing material? I hope so. PS: Here's that lame-ass interview:

Me: Do you like to write?
*Pause*
Tao: Yes.
Me: Umm. Shit. Does writing like to you?
Tao: Yes.
Me: If I say Melbourne, what's the first thing that comes to mind?
Tao: Florida. Cause there's a city in Florida.
Me: Cool. Umm, Twitterfon?
Tao: Interesting.
Me: Ebaying?
Tao: Funny.
Me: If I said I had evidence that you are not Carles the HRO bro, what would you say?
Tao: Interesting.
Me: Could I sell it to you?
*Pause*
Tao: Interesting.
Me: Ha! I don't really. I lied. I'm sorry.
Tao: OK.