The goodie list

Oh ho! La Maslin gets her hands on Alexander McCall Smith’s new book, and the end result? Well, she’s of mixed minds, spending more time assuring readers that they’ll come back for more without actually committing to liking the book herself. Typical.

Now, one thing I don’t much get is the whole Paulo Coehlo phenomenon. He writes little books that affirm people’s lives or something? All I know is that when ELEVEN MINUTES was out in the UK, there was a freaking frenzy over his signing at Borders on Oxford Street, and the event was trumpeted for weeks. But in the US? Well, looks like he’s having a bit more trouble on that front.

Patrick Anderson gives props to John Altman for writing books with believable characters and quasi-realistic plots, but unfortunately, this seems to detract from the overall thriller element in THE WATCHMEN.

The Christian Science Monitor weighs in on the whole Kirkus Discoveries business where self-pubbed types can get reviews on order. (link from the Literary Saloon.)

If you’re looking to visit the Richard Brautigan library in Burlington (for the cult writer who still inspires a devoted following), do it fast, for it may be moving to the Presidio in San Francisco.

RIP, Francoise Sagan, the woman responsible for BONJOUR TRISTESSE, and down the line, for Judy Holliday’s eleven o’clock number in BELLS ARE RINGING.

The Berlin literary festival is well underway, and Deutsche Welle asks the tough questions, like why German lit just doesn’t do it for American publishers like they do around the world.

Lewis Black, the “funniest and most important comedian in America today”? Say what? Well, I do like him on THE DAILY SHOW, up to a point, and this profile in the Globe and Mail is interesting stuff, but…ooookay.

And finally, the obvious happens: a forensic scientist and a criminal justice prof, both from John Jay, watch CSI: New York, with hilarious results. Although I have to comment on Dr. Kobilinsky’s statement about increased enrollment in the forensic science programs: it’s true, until they get to the first week of lab. Then, baby, it’s all about Darwin in action…