Last night's roast of Molly Ivins went off without a hitch. It sounds like it was a very pleasant, friendly gathering (so most likely not officially a roast). Foley was sending sketchy emails to pages back in 2000 . . . and people knew about it. American Nobel prize-winners so far for 2006: Six. "(E)very prize except for the literature and peace awards, which are yet to be announced, have gone to Americans." How... more ›

Another Austin writer has made good. Attorney and novelist Mark Falkin has written a coming-of-age story about a man coming to terms with his life after losing his mother to cancer. (Aside: All of the proceeds from the book will go to the American Cancer Society. Bravo, Mr. Falkin.) Told in a modified stream of consciousness style, Days of Grace portrays a young man's confusion and anxiety as he sets out on a humorous and touching journey of self-discovery, performing, as he states, "a series of anthropological experiments of sorts. However, the control group is me and in the end it is me who is also the lab rat." more ›