Cynical little mail-room clerks who bug booksellers on their lunch hours to find out if the new issue of McSweeney’s has arrived will love The 2nd Hand. Very cool (in the aloof sense) and ironic (in the cool sense), 2nd Hand is written (mostly) by people you’ve never heard of, all posturing like Rick Moody and Sheila Heti. (There’s actually a story by Jim “Angry Young Spaceman” Munroe in #4). This is the perfect mini-fix to tide McSweeney’s junkies over between issues, and just like McSweeney’s, it’s artfully difficult to figure out just what the hell it even is at first (try starting on the back page). There’s enough winking cleverness on this folded 11″x17″ sheet to last at least two transit commutes. Beats looking at ads. (Shaun Smith)
litzine, #2,4 , 4 pgs, Todd Dills (ed.), free, 2641 1/2 N. Spaulding #15, Chicago, IL 60647, USA, [email protected]