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James Lileks

Columnist
Food & Culture
Lileks, a Minneapolis resident since 1976: "I've never repeated myself once. I don't like to say I write a 'humor' column, since that's subjective. What might be amusing to me might leave you poker-faced. Let's just say my columns are not intended to be taken seriously." He also writes "Streetscape" pieces, which detail the delights and errors, past and present, of the Twin Cities urban environment. He's the author of four novels, four pop-culture "humor" books on vintage subjects and two collections of columns. "People who like my stuff will probably like lileks.com, and those who don't are probably grateful for the heads-up, and will avoid it," Lileks says.

Latest from James Lileks

Culture

Strip malls abound in the Twin Cities area. Here’s why they’re useful, ugly and convenient.

Postwar developers made one big mistake in the efficient mall design, and it’s spoiled the suburbs for decades.
September 7, 2024
Then: When it opened in 1954, the Hub had 32 stores and was the largest planned shopping center in the Twin Cities. Some residents still find it a great place to shop: "I shop at the Hub all the time, and I've never been afraid," said Doreen Ulrich, who lives nearby. "I love Richfield. It's easy, it's convenient and it's safe."
Food & Culture

7 things city planners could learn from the Minnesota State Fair

The once-a-year fantasy land in Falcon Heights has some real-world applications, if only we’d relax a little and let some Sham-Wow barkers into our curated commercial world.
August 23, 2024
Huge crowds on opening day of the Minnesota State Fair.
Home & Garden

7 things you don’t know about the Minnesota governor’s residence but should

It’s not called a mansion, and not every occupant was thrilled to live there.
August 20, 2024
The Governor's Mansion - er, residence.
Variety

Lileks: Why is this column like deep-dish pizza?

You can stick a fork in both.
August 12, 2024
Star Wars ' nerds' - J Star Trbune columnist James Lileks
Food & Culture

Minnesotans can take a long time to say goodbye. Here’s one columnist proving the point.

It’s not my last column. It’s my penultimate column.
August 9, 2024
Food & Culture

Does the Minnesota accent confound AI?

Maybe if we exaggerate our accent, we’ll foil Big Brother.
August 4, 2024
An old-fashioned card catalog
Variety

Don’t call it August

There are better ways to think about this time of year in Minnesota.
August 2, 2024
Sweet corn at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market.
Variety

How your dog feels about Social Security

It may surprise you to learn he probably doesn’t care when you start to draw it.
July 28, 2024
All U.S. residents are eligible as long as they have a work-eligible Social Security number and meet the income requirements. (Karin Hildebrand Lau/Dreamstime/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1619858
Food & Culture

Minnesotans can take a long time to say goodbye. Here’s one columnist proving the point.

It’s not my last column. It’s my penultimate column.
August 9, 2024
Food & Culture

Does the Minnesota accent confound AI?

Maybe if we exaggerate our accent, we’ll foil Big Brother.
August 4, 2024
An old-fashioned card catalog
Variety

Don’t call it August

There are better ways to think about this time of year in Minnesota.
August 2, 2024
Sweet corn at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market.
Variety

How your dog feels about Social Security

It may surprise you to learn he probably doesn’t care when you start to draw it.
July 28, 2024
All U.S. residents are eligible as long as they have a work-eligible Social Security number and meet the income requirements. (Karin Hildebrand Lau/Dreamstime/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1619858
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