This past weekend's broadcast of NPR's show Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me! had a literary question that was too good not to pass along: Bram Stoker based his most famous character on which of the following: a) his mother-in-law b) Walt Whitman c) Prince Albert. The answer, you've no doubt guessed already, is Walt Whitman, … Continue reading Sincere Flattery?

A recent article in the Winona (MN) Daily News could just help you plan a weekend escape from the Twin Cities.The Bookshelf, Winona's independent new and used bookstore, is moving. They will share quarters with the Blue Heron Coffeehouse. The Bookshelf will shutter its current location on May 24. Both businesses will reopen May 30 … Continue reading Going and Doing

Irish memoirist Nuala O’Faolain, author of Are You Somebody?" among several other books, has died of cancer at the age of 68. She was diagnosed six weeks ago, but declined treatment. "As soon as I heard I was going to die, the goodness went from life," she said.The Irish Times has an obituary.--David E5/13/08: The … Continue reading Somebody, Indeed