News Around the Net

The New Yorker's list of the top 20 writers under 40 will come out next week, but I think now is better than next week. They will also be publishing short fiction by everyone on the list coming up.

Why do so many writers feel the need to write about writing/writers? This should be required reading for Dave Eggers. There are other things to write about!

The Irish Book of the Decade was awarded to children's fantasy writer Derek Landy in an upset. I wouldn't really know since I haven't read any of the books mentioned, but that's what they say.

Ian McEwan wins another award. This one is for making funny things happen in his new book, Solar. His mantle is probably full, so this one will have to settle for the sock drawer.

Reading as an obligation, even if the books really suck. Luckily, I don't have this problem. It would be exhausting. I quit reading Martin Dressler a couple weeks ago. Good times.

What's your favorite thriller of all time? I'll go with The Spy Who Came In From The Cold.

Coolest book club ever. Sorry, twitter book club, but The Rumpus has you beat.

Last, but certainly not least - probably the opposite, probably the most noteworthy - heiress Peaches Geldof is writing a book of short stories for children. And she compares her writing style to Bret Easton Ellis. Yes, that Bret Easton Ellis. He of American Psycho.