“The Daniel Day-Lewis of the method prank” On How to Sharpen Pencils: A Practical and Theoretical Treatise on the Artisanal Craft of Pencil Sharpening, for Writers, Artists, Contractors, Flange Turners, Anglesmiths, and Civil Servants, with Illustrations Showing Current Practice

“Balkan-Klezmer-Gypsy-Punk-Super-Party-Band” plays exclusive Air Canada show This made me smile so hard. Yay, for sure.

Expand your vocabulary (beyond the bounds of the dictionary) All kinds of words you didn’t realize were missing from your vocabulary. Heck, tons of people say ciao, so why not meraki (my personal favourite)?

In other ‘things you didn’t know you wanted until now’ news A DIY paper gramophone.

Back Alleys and Urban Landscapes Michael Cho launches his (gorgeous) book this Wednesday at Type Books. Wednesday, May 23, 883 Queen Street West, 6-8 pm.

The eh List this week Michel Tremblay and Sheila Fischman (Tremblay’s English-language translator) discuss their work at TPL’s North York on Wednesday evening, et en français à Northern Disctrict jeudi soir. Also Thursday evening: Gail Bowen at Runnymede.