The University of Iowa's book Poems from Guantanamo: The Detainees Speak got a very compelling write-up in the Wall Street Journal today. Among the details: prisoners scratched poems on stryofoam cups with pebbles and passed them between the bars. The military censored some of the poems, citing the possibility of hidden messages in the verses, … Continue reading Poetry from Guantanamo, Part 2

When last we saw Michael "Mouse" Tolliver, in Sure of You, the sixth novel of Armistead Maupin's beloved Tales of the City series of novels, he was living with HIV. But lest anyone worry, Maupin is happy to reassure everyone that Michael Tolliver lives. That's also the title of his latest novel, which he insists … Continue reading Mouse (Back) in the House

My favorite blog has posted an article about what's on the shelves of the world's libraries. Compiled by the Online Computer Library Center the list details the thousand most common holdings in 53,000 libraries in 96 countries. You can browse the list at de.licio.us. I can't decide if I'm surprised about this: "The Joy of … Continue reading What do Steven King and Eusebius of Caesaria have in common?