Special Friday Links

Normally, of course, I take Fridays off, but since I’m holing up elsewhere for the weekend, the massive update will be delayed–possibly till Monday morning–so to tide you all over here are some choice links for the day:

Tomorrow, Barbara Peters’ famed mystery bookshop The Poisoned Pen will open up an annex in Phoenix. Poisoned Pen Central, as she reveals to the Arizona Republic, will still focus on mysteries but have a more eclectic list of stocked titles.

I’ve lost count how many different professions Tim Green has had or has — he also writes bestselling novels — but now he’ll anchor the new edition of…A Current Affair? He speaks to the New York Post about this new opportunity.

If you’ve read Laura Lippman’s latest novel you’ll realize it features an Orthodox Jewish client and moves in and out of that world. She talks to the Baltimore Jewish Times about the impetus for exploring Jewish themes as applied to Tess Monaghan and herself.

Bob Walch, writing for the Register-Pajaronian, looks at two mysteries set in Carmel, CA by Elaine Flinn and Shirley Rousseau Murphy.

The Freep’s Laura Berman looks at the cat mysteries of Lilian Jackson Braun and fondly remembers the nonegenerian’s tenure at the paper several decades before.

Belle de Jour’s book is finally out in the UK, and it’s not exactly getting the greatest reviews. The Hampstead & Highgate Express deems it “irritating” and Rachel Cooke, writing for the New Statesman, declares the book is “everything that’s wrong with current publishing.” (Last link via the Literary Saloon.)

The Independent meets Sally Beauman, once a writer of bestselling sagas whose latest novel is considerably quieter in tone.

In a profile for January Magazine, Margot Livesey speaks about her new book, BANISHING VERONA, where fiction fits into contemporary culture and what she’s working on next.

Don Quixote is 400 years old! To celebrate the birthday of Miguel Cervantes’ novel, the South African Star offers a retrospective on the classic work.

Jonny Geller, one of the leading agents in the UK, is spearheading a special book for tsunami aid that will feature the opening chapters of novels by the likes of Ian McEwan, Stephen King, Alexander McCall Smith and Margaret Atwood.

The WHSmith Literary Award has been given to Philip Roth, the first repeat winner in the award’s history (he also won in 2001 for THE HUMAN STAIN.)

And finally, this story is hilarious on so many levels, but I adore the last line the most. Good luck, you poor chap…