As the Book World Turns….

Okay kids, we’re keeping it short and sweet this week. Demetri Martin’s due in the store in a few hours and we have some running around to do. Here’s the week’s news in a nutshell:

Natalie Portman’s dad is self-publishing a thriller about fertility: Misconception.

Amazon released its first-quarter earnings statement and it looks like the web giant is expanding beyond its means.

Greg Mortenson’s former climbing partner defends his accused bestselling buddy.

Argentina is considering whether or not to set up a pension program for its professional writers.

Harper Lee had a birthday, and denied that she’d participate in a biography of the Lee sisters as had been reported earlier in the week.

Norman Mailer’s apartment in New York is up for sale. Who has two and a half million bucks?

Martin Amis had a good piece about his friend Christopher Hitchens in The Observer this week.

Awards:

The Mystery Writers of America announced the winners of this year’s Edgar Awards.

The shortlists for the 2011 Orwell Prize were announced.

Nominees for the Hugo Awards were announced.

Nominees were announced for the LAMBDA Literary Awards. Emma Donoghue is up (though not for Room.)

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It’s the end of National Poetry Month. Here’s Christopher Walken to send us out.