• Fans of books turned into Hollywood treacle rejoice! Pat Conroy, not to be confused with Pat Barker, is finishing his first novel in more than a decade. The new book is set in Charleston and is more than 700 pages. Take that, John Irving!
• USA Today has selected “25 books that leave a legacy.” Dan Brown, John Gray and Helen Fielding certainly do leave a legacy: the same one carved out by Spandau Ballet, the starved Twiggy look, and Daniel Boone caps.
• Is it too late to bring civility to the Web? What the fuck are you talking about?
• The hallowed silence of libraries appears to be in jeopardy. (via Bookninja)
• The Chron on what all the recent bookstore closings mean.
• Darby observes Stephen Dixon’s retirement from teaching.
• C. Max Magee is interviewed at Litminds.
• Twin Peaks Season Two: “This TV show did not get workshopped.”
• The latest Pulitzer finalist list.
• Callie Miller investigates the Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalists. (via TEV)
• Erin O’Brien calls out Bryan Appleyard.
• Whitney Pastorek has concerns about the Spider-Man 3 soundtrack.
• Bon Jovi won’t be playing BEA? Lance Fensterman, your “regret” is admirable, but I’m sobbing like a BOP-reading bobbysoxer curling beneath a duvet with a gargantuan teddy bear in a 1985 suburban split-level home. Goddam you, Mr. Bon Jovi! Goddam you all to hell! You cruel, CRUEL man! Well, you can forget about any BEA coverage by this dutiful litblogger. If Jon Bon Jovi can’t back up his literary mojo with his musical mojo, then, while indeed I was halfway there, I shall be living (or perhaps covering BEA) on a prayer. Perhaps if someone takes my hand, I’ll make it. I swear.
• Tim Martin talks with Neil Gaiman. (via Jenny D)
• Charlie Anders: “Just three years in, and the new Doctor Who series already seems to be cannibalizing itself.”
• Christopher Walken had fantastically destructive plans for Silicon Valley in 1985.
• The spring issue of ZYZZYVA is now available online for your literary edification.
• I’m with Lev Grossman. Does anyone still care about the Webbies anymore? Particularly since nominees have to pay $245 to enter into the Awards. The Webbies are the Golden Globes of the Internet: its nominees and ceremonies and sycophantic adulations limited to those who can pay for it. It is about as useful to any discerning Web surfer as a fusillade of pop-up ads.
• The Onion: “‘Most E-Mailed’ List Tearing New York Times’ Newsroom Apart.”

© 2007, Edward Champion. All rights reserved.