The HipsterHandbook
By Robert Lanham, publishedby Anchor Books, a divisionof Random House The Spin
That both are Random House books is “acoincidence,” says Anchor PR man David Hyde:“I mean, it’s not as if it’s goingto start a ‘Hipster’ division.”Inspired By
Lisa Birnbach’s 1980 Official PreppyHandbook: “But our content’s moreR-rated,” says author Robert Lanham.Sources“Hipster lit” category includes WhiteTeeth, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius,Infinite Jest.Insights
“Similar to Eskimos, who have several words for‘snow,’ Hipsters have many terms forreceiving a check from the parents.”Last Words
“Mine’s more tongue-in-cheek,” saysLanham. “Perhaps they’re trying to reach abroader market. And theirs doesn’t have aslang dictionary!”
A Field Guide to the Urban Hipster
By Josh Aiello, published by Broadway Books, adivision of, um, Random HouseThe Spin
“We bought ours first,” insists Broadwayassociate editor Becky Cole.Inspired By
A forties Audubon Society bird-watching guide:“But mine’s, like, a human version,”says author Josh Aiello.Sources“Hipster lit” category includesEverything Is Illuminated, A Heartbreaking Work ofStaggering Genius, Infinite Jest.Insights
“Many specimens live off a parentally providedallowance, in order to meet the high demands dictatedby their social lives.”Last Words
“I actually had this idea seven or eight yearsago and just never pursued it,” snaps Aiello.Hmmm. Sounds like a lot of slacker-hipsters we know.