Smatterings

The Costa Awards have announced their shortlists. Faves Rupert Thomson and Nikita Lalwani made it to the best novel and first novel lists, respectively, but the story is the dominance of female writers in these categories. Oh, and that Ian McEwan didn’t make it. And that Catherine O’Flynn was rejected a lot so this is a good vindication.

Maxine Clarke makes a welcome return to the Philly Inquirer with her review of M.J. Rose’s THE REINCARNATIONIST.

Ed Siegel at the Boston Globe has his say on Henning Mankell’s KENNEDY’S BRAIN.

David Ulin hopes Denis Johnson’s National Book Award win will finally introduce him to a newer, wider readership.

Will a newly discovered letter finally solve the mystery of the fate of Edith Wharton’s HOUSE OF MIRTH heroine Lily Bart?

The Wall Street Journal looks at the comics pages, and what can be done to shake them up.

Dying author Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture will be the subject of a book that just netted $6.7 million from Hyperion.

Want a Kindle? Well, it’s out of stock, but also, the launch of the device may well have screwed over some bloggers.

Book Design Review’s favorite book covers of 2007. (via)

It’s really not much fun to be an adjunct lecturer, is it. (via)

And finally, there’s always a little one.