The “Cat Who” author Lilian Jackson Braun dies at age 97

June 9, 2011

Lilian Jackson Braun, a prolific and popular author of over 25 novels and three short story collections, died last Saturday in South Carolina. As a teenager, Braun contributed sports poetry to the Detroit News, and then wrote advertising copy for many of Detroit’s department stores. From 1966 through 1968, she released the first three “Cat Who” mysteries to […]


Now Everyone Shake Hands and Be Nice

June 7, 2011

A long-standing literary feud ended last weekend when Nobel laureate V.S. Naipaul and novelist Paul Theroux shook hands  at a book festival in Wales. The two literary giants stopped speaking 15 years ago when Mr. Theroux discovered that a copy of one of his books, which he had inscribed to Mr. Naipaul, had been put […]


Senators Add Voices to Anti-tracking Movement

June 5, 2011

Protests against computer companies who track consumer activity online has led to a series of attempts to limit the tracking. Senators McCain, Kerry, and Rockefeller have been working on introducing opt-out clauses and rules to control the  marketers who trace online customers. Teens who use the Sony PlayStation Network were just exposed through hacking, so […]


Beam Yourself Up to SciFi FanCon Evanston!

June 2, 2011

Other worlds and future fantasies will abound at the Evanston Public Library’s SciFi FanCon which lands on Saturday, July 30 from 2-3:30 pm. This free event will feature a wide range of activities and programs, including a meet and greet with keynote speaker and Chicago Reader Critic’s Choice author Paul McComas, who will also read […]


Printers Row Lit Fest This Weekend

May 31, 2011

Beginning June 4 at 9 AM visitors can take advantage of dozens of booksellers and literary programs taking place on Dearborn from Congress to Polk in Chicago. Over 100,000 people are expected over the 2 day event. Shira S.


Mystery, Sci-Fi, and Cooking Awards Dished Out

May 26, 2011

Mystery, science fiction, and cooking fans have plenty to pore over this month as the Edgars (named after Edgar Allen Poe), the Nebulas, and the James Beard Foundation prizes were distributed to many hardworking authors.  These are all significant awards in their respective categories. Steve Hamilton won Best Novel for The Lock Artist and Chicagoan […]


‘Bee’ ready! The final competition starts May 31st.

May 26, 2011

It’s that time of the year again, comparable to March Madness, say, or Super Bowl Sunday, when many school children (8  to 15 years old), their parents, families, teachers and schoolmates become totally consumed with correct spelling. Yes, the 2011 Scripps National Spelling Bee starts on May 31st and runs through June 2nd. Once again, ESPN […]



BN’s New Nook Released

May 24, 2011

Barnes and Noble premiered its smaller touchscreen  Nook today. The company is claiming it’s the most intuitive,easy to use E-Reader for everyone. You can pre-order it for $139 and it should ship by early June. See article for details and features. Shira S.


Erik Larson in Chicago 5-23-11, Other Authors Arriving

May 22, 2011

Author Erik Larson will be appearing at three locations in the Chicago area tomorrow and Tuesday. His latest work is “In the Garden of Beasts,” about an American family taking a year abroad during the Nazi era (see review of book).  I recommend checking the first link for other upcoming author visits. Keep an eye […]


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