The Culture We Love This Month, From Tarot Decks to Serial

Italo Calvino, The Complete Cosmicomics Even 30 years after his death, Italo Calvino remains one Italys most beloved and prolific figures; this new collection or previous work features over 30 stories, most narrated by something/someone named Qfwfq. Yes, it's as weird as it sounds. Also great. (Expand the gallery for more details.) Max Ufberg Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

Billy Martin, Wandering The drummer for jazz combo Medeski, Martin, and Wood puts down his sticks and picks up the pen in his new book. The topics of the short essays vary widely---music, dancing, carpentry, film---but the writing is always emotional and engaging. Also, the book is filled with Martin's delicate pen-and-ink drawings. $55---Michael Calore Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

Serial Forget everything you know about podcasts. This new project by This American Life investigates a 1990s murder case with all the high stakes suspense and he-said-she-said plot twists that only Hollywoods best crime dramas can usually offerbut this time, the drama is real. Issie Lapowsky

Taylor Swift, 1989 Deluxe Edition Ditch your digital library for a minute and hit up Target for the Deluxe edition of Taylor Swifts newest hotness, 1989. It includes three bonus tracks and three voice memos of pops crown princess mapping out the roughest stages of her songwriting process. Swifties (and common folk) rejoice! (Expand the gallery for more details.) Jordan Crucchiola Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

In Treatment In the wake of the Sopranos, HBO introduced viewers to a new psychodrama that made Dr. Melfi look like Lucy van Pelt. Adapted from an Israeli series, In Treatment dissected the life and patients of tortured therapist Paul Weston with the acuity and insight of a trained psychoanalyst. No co-pay required. Jason Tanz

Amy Poehler, Yes, Please From why people cry on airplanes to reflections while shrooming, Yes, Please provides a glimpse into the mind of one of my favorite comedians. It's even got haikus. Plus, no one has a better author photo. No one. Alessandra Ram Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

Blank on Blank This podcast has interviews with celebrities you wont hear from on other showsTupac, Bette Davis, and Kurt Cobain have all been featured in the past year. The series takes lost conversations from journalists audio archives, pulls out interesting nuggets, and turns them into terrific, brisk documentaries. (Free, Blank on Blank) Eric Steuer

Neil Patrick Harris, Choose Your Own Autobiography Child star. Broadway powerhouse. Awards-show host. Content gay man (and gay rights advocate). Magician. Neil Patrick Harris is a jack of many trades. Luckily, his autobiography covers all the facets of his lifeand then some. Angela Watercutter Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

Wax Tailor, Phonovisions Symphonic Orchestra The symphony is boring. But put turntablist Wax Tailor in front of an orchestra and youll get magic: the new live album Phonovisions Symphonic Orchestra. Its a French dude spinning with an orchestra. With a lady jamming on a flute. And it is good. Matt Simon

Childish Gambino,STN MTN/Kauai There's no rapper quite like Childish Gambino (who you might also know as Donald Glover). This newest project is half Gangsta Grillz mixtape, half introspective EP, but all Gambino: clever wordplay, strong vocals, and intelligent storytelling to continue his music adventure. Tony Vongprachanh

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The Culture We Love This Month, From Tarot Decks to Serial