As the Book World Turns….

Here’s a smattering of what went on in the book world this week, in brief:

One of our favorite new writers Tea Obreht won the Orange Prize for her novel, The Tiger’s Wife.

Edith Pearlman won the PEN/Malamud Award for excellence in the “art of short fiction.”

Ann Patchett, whose new novel State of Wonder went on sale this week (we have signed copies!), will open a bookstore in Nashville.

Mystery writer Lilian Jackson Braun passed away. She created the popular The Cat Who… series.

Megan Cox Gordon sparked a firestorm of controversy with this piece about the state of YA fiction in the Wall Street Journal. Sherman Alexie, one of the authors targeted in Gordon’s essay, had this response.

Greg Mortenson of Three Cups of Tea fame/infamy had a rough week: emergency open heart surgery and his wife called the cops to report that he was “assaultive” and “screaming.”

The first novel written by Sherlock Holmes’ author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has been unearthed and will be published.

A Chilean judge has opened an investigation into the death of Pablo Neruda in response to allegations that his driver may have poisoned the famous poet.

The Quarterly Conversation is running an online symposium titled ‘Who Was David Foster Wallace?’ A damn fine writer, for one.

Johnny Depp will star in an upcoming remake of Dashel Hammett’s The Thin Man.

Actress Jennifer Hudson announced she will write a weight loss memoir.

Little, Brown for Young Readers picked up Glee’s Chris Colfer for a two book deal.

SIMON PEGG’S BOOK WENT ON SALE THIS WEEK! Pegg will be here next Wendesday, June 15, 7p. We are currently handing out wristbands for the signing. Buy the book, get a wristband, meet Simon Pegg. There’s a VIDEO CONTEST wherein you can win a copy of Simon’s book and first spot in the signing line for you and a guest. DO IT!

Stay cool this weekend, kids. And you know there’s nothing cooler than reading. BookPepole, book, you, Barton Springs. Don’t forget the sunblock.