What our writers love this week

Streets

Broadway

Hang in there, Harvard Exit. Ditto, Deluxe and Dick's Drive-In. With the imminent closure of Bailey/Coy Books, another charm drops off the bracelet of Broadway — consigned to the jewelry box of memory, alongside Andy's Café, Ernie Steele's and the Broadway movie theater. One can only hope that with the advent of light rail, this once vibrant boulevard will regain its luster. Until then: Grüv (music and DVDs, 422 Broadway E.), Broadway News (#605) and Pilot Books (#219): We've got our fingers crossed for you.

Lynn JacobsonSeattle TimesA&E editor

Books

'Old Filth'

This incomparable novel by English author Jane Gardam is the story of Sir Edward Feathers, a wealthy old Englishman who has endured loss after loss in his long and complicated life. By turns hilarious and haunting, "Old Filth" is simply one of the best novels I've ever read. Gardam has a new book out this fall, "The Man in the Wooden Hat" (Europa), another chapter in Sir Edward's story. It's at the top of of my get-to reading list, but in the meantime, you can't go wrong with "Old Filth."

Mary Ann Gwinn

Seattle Times book editor

Music

Tahoe Jackson

You never know what you're going to find on an Internet wander. Recently I stumbled across an impromptu performance by Portland jazz singer Tahoe Jackson, recorded with the Nick Jaina Band at 2 a.m. on the last night of Portland's Music Fest NW in September. Jackson makes a sultry inferno out of the torch song "Mr. Wonderful." Wonderful stuff, indeed. You can see it by scrolling down the page at www.onepot.org.

Michael Upchurch

Seattle Times arts writer