Author: Douglas McLennan

After nearly flaming out in the early-90s, writes Thomas Winship, book clubs have become hugely popular again. But today’s book clubs serve more niche audiences…

Michael Kinsley’s claim not to have read all the books as a judge of this year’s National Book Awards has a fellow judge annoyed. “His failure to read more books represents an abdication of responsibility—and a cynicism about the literary enterprise. When was the last time someone boasted in print of not doing his job? Which raises the question: Why did he agree to judge the National Book Award?”

For much of the past 2,200 years, the Greek poet Posidippus was at best a footnote in history. But scolars found a collection of his work on papyrus that had been cut up for scrap as a mummy casing. And now there are conferences on his work, and – after 2000, a new book of his work…

A group of publishing industry groups is suing to overturn a South Carolina law that prohibits posting images on the internet that the state considers unfit for children. The law was passed by legislators last year, and “prosecutors say the lawsuit is premature because the law it challenges has never been enforced.”

Many applaud heiress Ruth Lilly’s gift of $100 million to Poetry magazine. And yes – giving money to something so worthwhile as poetry is a good thing. But really – what can a big slug of money do to help the cause? It’s not like funding our way to the moon, or underwriting research for a new drug. “The fact is, poetry’s current problems aren’t the sort that are easily solved by large infusions of money.”

The New Yorker magazine has been promising it’s on the verge of profitability for years. Now it finally looks like the magazine is in the black and is expected to announce a profit of $1 million. “Since Si Newhouse took over The New Yorker 17 years ago, he’s sustained losses estimated at more than $215 million – including nearly $40 million over the past five years alone.”