da vinci code trial

Da Vinci trial pits history against art

Everyone in the world seems to have read this book (apart from me). This trial is interesting though because of the intellectual property issues involved. To what extent can originality be copyrighted, especially in this time and age? Incidentally my friend Ginette is writing a thesis on this, and it should be interesting to read her finished product.

edit:
Originality Sins
A pretty good article on the subject of originality, with some references to the trial.

book lover's journal

I have this gorgeous book lover's journal which helps me keep track of the books that I have read. I write down little reviews of the books along with the dates when I have finished reading them. Also, there's a section where I can record books that are recommended to me by friends. Pretty handy.

bookshops in london

Guardian provides a list of the finest bookshops in London.

Recently I found an anarchist bookshop tucked away in an alley off Whitechapel Road, which is weird because I used to live there but didn't notice it till lately. It is independently run by volunteers and has a very small, specialised collection of books and zines. If you are into your anarchist literature (they have feminist and situationist books as well), it's worth checking out Freedom Bookshop.

long overdue

Will Borrower Pay $6,114 Fine for Overdue Library Book?

Book Overdue for 61 Years, but the Fine Is Waived