The usual link barrage

And we start with the Independent where Philip Hensher presents a rapturous ode to indexes. What happens if you read a biography and your name is mentioned, only to flip to the back of the book and oh no, your name’s not in the index? Anyway, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who’s a trifle index-obsessed.

What is it about Dale Peck that gets people so bloody riled up? Newsday attempts to find outby talking to Carlin Romano, Steve Almond, and Ana Marie Cox (going back to the Antic Musedays! Woo!) about the man who would be Hatchet King.

Nilanjana Roy, who not long ago wrote in praise of her favorite blogs, continues her amusing semi-regular column with the India Business standard by categorizing the bestseller list by level of junk food.

Dorothy Cannell’s THE THIN WOMAN is on the IMBA’s 100 Best Mysteries list, and Peoria has long been proud of its adoptive daughter (Cannell’s husband was born and raised there; she’s from England.) But now she’s saying goodbye, and Phil Luciano of the Peoria Star gives her a welcome sendoff.

Did John Steinbeck’s stint in Lake Tahoe during the 1920s–where he finished his first novel–seep into any of his work? The Southwestern Nevada Union attempts to find out, with some degree of disappointment.

Jeez, and here I thought Blackwell’s was just a nice, upmarket independent bookstore with a strong slant towards textbooks. Turns out those who run it keep wanting to fight nastily with each other.

For any other book news I haven’t gotten around to, go check out Monsieur Sarvas, who’s back from a well-deserved holiday weekend with a vengeance, as is Monsieur Champion.

And finally, book gossip from the 3 AM Girls? Why yes, for it seems that the “eagerly awaited” (insert sarcasm here) autobiography from Justin Timberlake has been pushed back to early next year to avoid a confrontation with Robbie Williams’ similar screed. Or maybe it’s because the book’s not ready because the ghostwriter isn’t working fast enough for everyone’s taste…?