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Scandal Jujitsu

What can a president do when he’s hit simultaneously by three scandals?

Evan Gottlieb: The Power of Plot

Look up any review of Brown's fiction, scan it for descriptions of his prose, and you'll likely find the adjectives "clunky" and "repetitive" playing central roles. What redeems Brown's novels -- or, at least, compels readers to buy and read them?

Jaime Fortuño: When Facing a Major Decision, Do You Lead With Your Gut, Brain or Heart?

We make 70 important decisions per day and our 'lead organ' makes us who we are.

'Stuck in the Middle' offers a singular perspective on parenting

Author and transgender advocate Jennifer Finney Boylan looks at motherhood, fatherhood and the putative difference in this new memoir. Jennifer Finney Boylan was the father of two young boys, a devoted husband, a keyboard player in bar...Show More Summary

Mark Coker: New Smashwords Research Helps Authors and Publishers Sell More Ebooks

Don't let data-driven decision-making cause you to make stupid decisions. If the data shows (and it does) that shorter book titles might give you a slight sales advantage, don't change your title to two words if the absolute best and necessary title is seven words.

Jane Vandenburgh: How I Learned to Read

Early reader? Let's just say that had the word had currency in the L.A. of the Fifties, I'd have been the girl with the big dictionary on her lap trying to find "dyslexia." Since I couldn't read it'd never have occurred to me that I'd become a writer.

How to Frame an Abortionist (VIDEO)

As Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell went on trial for murder in late April, Live Action, a pro-life group, began releasing hidden-camera videos recorded inside other abortion clinics. The videos were shot by pregnant “investigators”...Show More Summary

Would novelists want to be friends with Humbert Humbert?

In a widely circulated interview with Publishers Weekly, writer Claire Messud was asked if she would want to be friends with the protagonist of her new novel, "The Woman Upstairs." She responded with frustration: "For heaven’s sake, what kind of question is that? Would you want to be friends with Humbert Humbert?"

What’s a Vulcan?

Slate sent two staffers who have never seen a single episode or movie in the Star Trek franchise to see J.J. Abram’s Star Trek Into Darkness. Note: Spoilers galore below, insofar as our intrepid viewers understood what was going on. Click here if you’d prefer to read Dana Stevens’ spoiler-free review.

John le Carre's 'A Delicate Truth' isn't gentle with war on terror

The novelist takes on the idea that sins committed in pursuing national goals will be forgiven and forgotten. John le Carré's novels have responded brilliantly to the absence of the Cold War, which was, from 1963's classic "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" to "The Secret Pilgrim" in 1990, their traditional domain.

Would You Want to Be Friends With Humbert Humbert?: A Forum on “Likeability”

Claire Messud’s new novel, “The Woman Upstairs,” is narrated by Nora, a schoolteacher who is outwardly tidy, quiet, and pleasing, and inwardly enraged at her constant capitulation to the desires of others and her own stalled artistic impulses. Show More Summary

Advertisement: The Week's Top IT Stories: 03/29

Every week, Eaton scours the Internet to bring you the top five industry headlines of the moment. This week, American Express confirmed its website was hacked, RIM announced a new strategy to revive the company, and Google launched its same-day delivery service. See what else made our top headlines.  Eaton >> Read more Ads by Pheedo

What “Social Welfare” Work Do Tea Party Groups Perform?

President Obama demanded and received the resignation of the acting commissioner of the IRS on Wednesday. The agency gave special scrutiny to conservative groups applying for 501(c)(4) status, which is reserved for “social welfare” organizations. Many Explainer readers have asked the obvious question: What social welfare functions do Tea Party groups perform?

“QB or not QB”

Is Rick Reilly’s poem about Tim Tebow so terrible that it could’ve sent “a shockwave through time, producing reverberations before it ever happen[ed]?” Matt Ufford thinks so. Related posts: He Also Plays Football Tonight at 8pm They’ve...Show More Summary

Admit You’ve Paid For It: The Savage Honesty of David Henry Sterry

Writer, performer, educator, and activist David Henry Sterry talks about the deep cultural roots of shame associated with the American sex industry, and how freeing it can be to bleed out the truth about our lives as buyers and sellers of sex.

James Franco's 'As I Lay Dying' [video]

Where the Wild Things Are

What’s your favorite animal video on YouTube? Maybe it turns on the antics of domestic pets, or perhaps it’s the honey badger you rate highest—the “crazy nastyass” honey badger. The badger sacks a hive full of angry bees; and after a fight with a cobra, awakes from near-death, shameless and indomitable, to resume chewing on the snake. Show More Summary

'The Nation' magazine launches e-book imprint

With e-book sales almost doubling in 2012, there’s no shortage of authors, editors and publishers jumping on the bandwagon to take advantage of the hottest medium for books these days. However, the weekly political magazine “The Nation” published its first e-book in a big way, using its new...

Books on Sale: Contemporary Comedies from Toni Blake, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Farrah Rochon

by SB Sarah RECOMMENDED: One Reckless Summer is book 1 in Toni Blake's Destiny series, and is.99c right now. This is an adorable summer romance. I reviewed it and gave it a B-: Even with occasional flat notes in the characterization, One Reckless Summer was not at all a reckless summer read. Show More Summary

Writing Reviews: Some Guidelines and Suggestions (There are No Absolute Rules)

by SB Sarah When I announced the 2013 RITA® Reader Challenge last week, MissB2U asked: I would be interested in any pointers from you or other reviewers here on the basics of writing a review. New skillset! Yea! I am a little embarrassed that I haven't discussed this before, especially since we've been doing the RITA® Reader Challenge for years now. Show More Summary