I’m too occupied with BookExpo preparation to be of much use here. So consider this a hiatus. However, rest assured that on Thursday morning, copious BEA coverage will begin. (And if anyone would like to participate in a collective mooning of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, email me.) Until such time, check out the Segundo backlog and visit the fine folks on the right.

In the meantime:

• The 25 Sexiest Novels Ever Written (Thanks, Chad!)
• Rebecca Solnit’s commencement speech (via Scott)
• The Future of Criticism
• Lev “Chickenhead” Grossman talks with Curtis Sittenfeld: “I was kind of joking with my editor, saying, you know, ‘God save me if I ever write another scene where a young woman is maybe about to kiss a young man, but then she wonders if he really could find her attractive.’ I feel a little like, Curtis, please never do that again. You’ve been as thorough as you possibly could.” Because heaven forfend that young men and young women are portrayed kissing in literature these days. I mean, this doesn’t exactly happen in real life, does it? So let me get this straight: any novel that portrays a young woman and a young man kissing is “chick lit?”
• Jeff VanderMeer on knowing when not to write.
• 24 clock typography errors.
• And congratulations to Laila for being shortlisted for the Caine Prize.