A few links here and there

No doubt the entire ‘sphere will be talking about this survey today, but the National Endowment of the Arts’ findings about literacy in the United States are certainly interesting, although I rather agree with the fellow who said that a 50% figure is “pretty good.” I may have more to say about it later on today.

Quintin Jardine is Edinburgh’s other popular crime writer, as his Skinner novels are quite the success (granted, not on the level of a certain Mr Rankin.) Anyway, he’s interviewed by the Scotsman on the eve of the publication of his new book.

The New Republic returns with its Pulps column, concentrating too much of its efforts on Helen Fielding’s new novel. Just infer my inherent disapproval that something else wasn’t chosen….

Penguin has oh-so-quietly sold off a good chunk of its rare book collection to a dealer in Dallas. Well, now it’s not so quiet anymore as people are somewhat pissed about the news.

What does Tom Perrotta’s LITTLE CHILDREN owe to classic literature? Katie Dean, writing for the Agony Column, attempts to find out and gets some interesting results.

Dr Rowling, I presume? Edinburgh University will award the Harry Potter author an honorary doctorate this week. Naturally, she’s quite chuffed about it.

And finally, if you’re going to travel somewhere, it might be a good idea to use a guidebook that was published recently–and not, say, in 1914.