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Is it still National Poetry Month? It is? Good. In a suitably cruel vein, Endpoint, John Updike’s last book of poems (until someone pulls another out of a drawer) talks seriously about the business of dying (“Does Updike’s Last Verse Hit Its Mortal Mark? Plainly.” by Michael Dirda, Washington Post). In “Flying to Florida” Updike reflects [...]

Donna Seaman, in her Booklist review of the essay collection A Narrative Compass: Stories That Guide Women’s Lives, wrote: “In each elegant interpretation, the author traces the ripple effects of a story that thrilled or provoked her, a story that became a catalyst for a lifelong passion, and a story that became a virtual home, [...]

Fanny Howe, author of five novels and many books of poetry (including Gone, reviewed by Donna Seaman), has been recognized by the Poetry Foundation for a lifetime of achievement. The Ruth Lilly Prize is $100,000. But the real story is that the critics get love, too. Ange Milinko, a poetry critic, earned $10,000 for her [...]

 . . . so far. Via Galleycat, Colson Whitehead offers a sample of his proposed poetry series Tony Danza Miracles: Haiku Inspired by Popular Television Programs. This one is a poem for the hero of 24. Release Jack Bauer! Quickly they reconsider Arrest Jack Bauer!

As Laura Tillotson reminded us, April is not only the cruellest month, it’s also National Poetry Month. Alas, poetry readership is at a 16-year low (“The End of Verse?” by Marc Bain, Newsweek). There are many things you can do to fight this depressing trend. You could take down that tattered copy of Robert Frost [...]

Just because I was the last one picked for dodgeball doesn’t mean I don’t have a competitive nature, and I’m totally bummed that no one invited me to the Booklist editors’ gaming session at Jake’s (see the “Dark & Stormy Afternoon“ posts for more info). So rather than get mad, I’m getting even. To distract Likely Stories readers from the play-by-play [...]

…And £40,000 for a lifetime of excellence in literature and being awesome. David Cohen Prize Judges’ Chair Andrew Motion said it better: “[Heaney's work has] crystallised the story of our times, in language which has bravely and memorably continued to extend its imaginative reach”, and for his critical writing, his translations and his lecturing, which [...]

Computer “archaeologist” David Ward has unearthed a software program from the early days of the Cold War that does something much more deadly than target missiles: it writes poetry. Badly. (“World’s First Computer Was Used to Generate Love Poetry,” by Nigel Bunyan, Telegraph.) Visit the Manchester Mark I emulator if you dare–and don’t say I [...]

First wovels and now poegels. I’m pretty sure the poegels won’t end up in p-books, however. Bear in mind that poegels are essentially something William S. Burroughs used to do with paper, scissors, and glue–which sounds like a lot more fun. And here’s Annie Dillard’s take, which, again, didn’t require the internet. (Thanks, Donna!) I hereby announce the [...]

More video. You are no doubt aware of our disgraced ex-governor’s penchant for poesy (see “Blagojevich’s Poetry Obsession Explained,” by Russell Goldman, ABC News)–naturally, it’s perfect for parody. Jason Sudeikis’ Chicago-guy accent doesn’t do justice to Blagojevich’s way of talking, but what the heck. It’s funnier than the real deal’s appearance on the Late Show last [...]