My favorite basketball blogger, Bethlehem Shoals of FreeDarko, is covering the Barry Bonds trial for The Daily.  I don’t know what the Barry Bonds trial is and I’ve never read The Daily, but his twitter account over the past few days has been hilarious.  Best trial coverage I’ve ever read.

I would like to hear optimistic statements about the writing life.

The Paris Review is running ‘James Salter Month,’ a series of essays on Salter’s work, in anticipation of their annual Spring Revel on April 12.  The most recent essay is on Salter’s famous story “Last Night.”  Salter’s being honored at this year’s Revel with the Hadada Prize.  Looking forward to it.

Do (or should) book reviewers have any moral responsibilities? Does whether they’re getting paid or not influence this consideration?

UbuWeb Sound is filled with happiness, of course. Here’s some recent happiness: The Tape-Beatles discography. Plagiarism can often be a really beautiful thing. Additionally: Big City Orchestra’s sublime—and unpleasantly named—Beatlerape.

Mainstream. University. Small press. Your own self. Where do you want your book to be born and why?

What’s the value in being mean? Is there a purpose in publicly shaming people?

Are you a poetry fan who hates poetry readings? Why?

Crowdsource an indie bookstore: yes. And this yespraise of ornament/excess/fat from Johannes at Montevidayo.

Do you have nostalgia? Do you have nostalgia for “life before the internet”? What makes you nostalgic? Does what makes you nostalgic actually exist, or did it ever?