I am over the whole Pluto thing. But in case you aren't, here are some astronomy books. Get them while they're cheap -- you know, before they become collector's items.

Last chance to register for the Three-day novel-writing contest.

Sound erudite: Learn to pronounce literary names with this convenient guide (courtesy of The Millions). Don't even pretend like you knew how to say "Ngugi wa Thiong'o" before.

Galleycat points to a Newsday article about a (purported) new trend of books encouraging people to be nice to each other. Who wants to be nice when you could be rich? Oh, and if you need a book to tell you to be nice to others...maybe you need more than a book.

Poppy Z. Brite talks about Post-Katrina New Orleans.

We wish we were in Florence right now. So does Rare Book News.

More from me when my own coffee kicks in.