Whoops, I almost forgot to mention this week's generous sponsor, our friend the ridiculously multitalented Charlie Williams, who wants to let you know about his children's book Flush. It's cleaner than it sounds, and funnier than it has any right to be.

Congratulations to our friends (and frequent sponsors) at Shelf Awareness on their second anniversary today. "The Shelf" as it's known, is an email newsletter about the strange and wonderful business of books. From bookstore openings to publisher gossip to book reviews to which author is on which talk show, The Shelf constantly delivers insightful and entertaining reporting. And speaking as someone who works with a partner, publisher Jenn Risko and editor John Mutter deserve our respect just for working together for two years without killing each other.