The New York Review of Books has published for the first time excerpts from a talk given in 1988 by Saul Bellow.

It is, as you may expect, a very nuanced speech that catalogs Bellow’s thoughts on being a Jew, a writer and an American. He acknowledges anti-Semitic remarks uttered by several of his contemporaries but brushes them aside.

Here’s more:

However disagreeable the phenomenon may seem at moments of sensitivity it is seldom more than trivial. The dislike of Jews was a ready way for WASP literati to identify themselves with the great tradition. Besides, it is something like a hereditary option for non-Jews to exercise at a certain moment when they discover that they have a born right to decide whether they are for the Jews or against them. (Je

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As we approach the festive holidays, surely one of the most important questions is what exactly to pick up your gadget-loving relatives. Luckily IFC is here to help. We’ve sorted through stacks of movies, music, video games, comic books and gadgets to filter out the best gift offerings of 2011.

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The queen of soul announced Monday her wedding has been called off. So much for love being forever lasting!

For more on this story visit Yahoo!

Buy Respect: The Very Best of Aretha Franklin On Amazon

Oily skin can be really difficult to manage, especially in the winter. You might have to do a couple of things differently to make sure that you can manage your complexion. Here are some quick tips on how to take care of your skin this winter:

Put a barrier between the wind and your face One of the things that will cause excess sebum (aka: oil) to produce is the face becoming irritated. Harsh winds beating your face and freezing temperatures will do that. Create a physical barrier between your face and the wind.

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Q: My partner and I are headed to Napa Valley in Northern California. Any local gay tour guides who can line up a memorable trip for us?

A: There is a great local company for LGBT visitors called Gay Napa Travel. It’s owned by the friendly Charles Kimball, who moved to the area several years ago. He even became an ordained minister so he could perform same-sex weddings in this lush region.

“The longer I live here, the more and more gay couples I meet,” Charles says. “But they’ve made their money, and now they want to lead a quiet life in a beautiful place.”

Charles knows all the secret nooks and crannies of the area, and enjoys taking gay and lesbian visitors to out-of-the-way spots. He recently

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