- The Weather Machine People have given me a snow day to work on revisions; thank you, beneficient rulers. We've already had yummy whole wheat pancakes (frozen rain made the trek to the coffee shop seem less appealing), and, yes, the dogs got their half a Mickey Mouse pancake each.
- The Washington Post named their best kids' books in several areas over the weekend, and lists are very good.
- The WaPo also has a piece today basically recycling Anita Silvey's SLJ essay that made the rounds in October and November, questioning whether the Newbery has gotten too downer with its selections in recent years. I still say that Laura Amy Schlitz should have won for A Drowned Maiden's Hair instead of Good Masters, Sweet Ladies, and I suspect we might not be having this conversation had that happened. Whatever the case, and I think there are some valuable points raised on all sides, the Newbery is still one of the most influential, coveted awards in all of litdom and that seems unlikely to change. (Via Sarah.)
- Hardcover vs. paperback, how publishers decide. (Via Colleen.)
- Speaking of Colleen, she recently hosted Max Leone, aka the kid who did that PW piece, giving some holiday book recommendations for teenage boys. He has taste.
- The rediscovery of Correggio.
- Elizabeth Genco visits the oldest known Tarot deck in existence, at the Morgan Library, with links to photos.
- Last weekend was the Times' annual year in ideas issue.
- Official Hot Topic Edward Body Glitter revealed!
- An excerpt from Ted Chiang's essay, "The Problem of the Traveling Salesman," in the new LCRW. (Dear Aunt G found herself under deadlines and out of advice for this one, but shall return, kiddies.)
- Jincy Willett may be running an online writing workshop, and she's looking for a couple of guinea pigs. If you haven't read her latest, The Writing Class, yet, please do so immediately.