John J. Dunphy has written a terrific, easy-to-understand primer on what makes a haiku. At least it’s fairly easy to understand….. What do you think?

What Is a Haiku and What Isn’t?

By  John J. Dunphy

Godfrey, Ill., haiku poet
 www.johndunphy.com
 
 …

I’ve gotten several good responses to the stories that ran Sunday about Harper Barnes’ new book, “Never Been a Time.” See Books page for stories.

A couple of readers had small nits to pick. One caller said I should have explained…

Missouri’s first poet laureate, Walter Bargen of Ashland, will read from his work and speak about “the power of silence” at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 29,  at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road.

Bargen has a new book coming out, “Theban…

Valgard Jonsson, a Post-Dispatch reader, picked up a copy of Leif Enger’s new book, “So Brave, Young and Handsome.” He also went to see Enger at the St. Louis County Library headquarters. Although Jonsson was a bit disappointed with the book,…

David Sedaris’ book signing Tuesday at Left Bank Books drew about 500 people, according to the store.

He signed books until after midnight and the store sold more than 450 copies of “When You Are Engulfed in Flames.”

Left Bank…

Does your school have summer reading suggestions?

A lot of schools offer lists. I recently received a press release from St. Louis University. One of its librarians puts together summer reading suggestions based on faculty recommendations:

 Gail Staines, director of University…

From Bloomberg News:

Lebanese author Rawi Hage won the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, collecting 100,000 euros ($154,000) in what is billed as the world’s richest prize for a single work of fiction.

Hage was honored during a ceremony in Dublin…

    The St. Louis Public Library is offering book scofflaws a way out: Pay with canned food. 

      Instead of hard cash, people with library fines for overdue books may pay down their fines with canned food, which will go the St. Louis…

A new reading survey by Scholastic publishing tells us pretty much what we already knew: Fewer kids read for fun as they get older. So many studies have shown this, that the fact can’t be argued with. But there are…