The Pickled Cucumber

Hi, I’m Joshua Rigsby

I’m a writer and a bookstore owner. I enjoy tautologies.

ABOUT THIS WEBSITE

Y Pickles, Tho?

A fair question. I write about writing and books and life and 19th century tea clippers. None of that is particularly related to briny vegetables. I just like the idea that a pickled cucumber is a pickle. I enjoy the backhanded humor of it. I like to fuck with people. I’m not sure what to tell you.

Things I’ve Written

Pretty Good Books

LEARN MORE

Why Pickles, and also, Why Blog at All?

Joshua Rigsby

January 6, 2025

I can hear you asking. I can hear the incredulity whirring behind your crinkled eyebrows. Why, exactly, would someone restart a blog? A blog? A web-log? You say. Seems a […] Continue Reading →
In Defense of the MFA: My Story

Joshua Rigsby

July 6, 2015

I have decided to pursue an MFA in creative writing. Lots of people in the writing / publishing world have strong opinions about MFAs. Not all of them favorable. Here’s […] Continue Reading →
Book Review | The Tea Clippers: Their History and Development 1833-1875 by David R. MacGregor

Joshua Rigsby

June 18, 2015

The exploits of the great Victorian-era sailing vessels Cutty Sark, Thermopylae, Taeping, and Ariel have transported the imaginations of seafarers and would-be adventurers for over 150 years. These amazing clipper ships […] Continue Reading →
Re: Philanthropy, Thoreau Got It Wrong

Joshua Rigsby

June 10, 2015

Dear Henry, I’ve recently read your book Walden and would like to share my observations with you, if that’s alright. I’m sorry to hear that your cabin was […] Continue Reading →
Book Review | Running Her Easting Down by William F. Baker

Joshua Rigsby

March 11, 2015

Running Her Easting Down is an overview of the life and times of the great tea clippers of the 19th century. It was written by William F. Baker (not to […] Continue Reading →