The website balkantravellers.com is touting the bookstore culture of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. There, as the day draws to a close, Serbs crowd the bookstores. Not for them the beerhalls or bistros of other European capitals.The article goes on to posit a slightly grim reason for this literary enthusiasm: "Belgrade’s book craze ... is … Continue reading A Literary Escape

The intrigues. The plots. The kickstools. Bismark, North Dakota's KFYR goes behind the scenes of a local Barnes & Noble as part of its "Try My Job" series and blows the lid off the scandals lurking below the calm, bookish surface. OK, they don't really, but it's still a funny segment. Watch it here.--David E

The town of Noblejas in Spain is paying its children one euro an hour--about a dollar and a half--if they spend the time in the library. The plan is in response to an amazing eighty percent dropout rate among the village's children. Details are here.--David E