Lots of literary articles in Smithsonian this month. Most notably, there's a big piece on Hemingway's Cuba as Finca Vigia has recently reopened after receiving a much need facelift. The article is written by Valerie Hemingway, who was the author's secretary for a brief time, a companion to his wife Mary and later married his son Gregory (and had three children with him). There's an exclusive interview with Valerie, who lived in Finca Vigia in 1960, available on the web only.

Also, Kathy Reichs discusses what it's like to be - um - Kathy Reichs (which I think is a lot like Patricia Cornwall except not crazy) and Melissa Fay Greene reminds everyone that it sucks in Atlanta in the summer. (I'm not sure what this article contributes to the magazine but I guess some people think it's funny for people in hot climates to be cranky about the heat.)

Unfortunately this article is not online, but Seattle Metropolitan has a very interesting piece on Michal Gruber who apparently ghostwrited all of his cousin Robert K. Tanenbaum's books and then had to start from scratch when he decided to publish on his own. The cousins had a deal that made them both financially happy but Gruber wanted to publish (eventually) under both their names, which his cousin did not want to do. So Gruber walked. What's annoying is that it took so much for him to get published on his own after that - Tanenbaum's agents and editors knew Gruber was the ghostwriter and he's had huge success since. But it seems after writing so many blockbusters he should have had an easier time on his own (since it was no big secret to industry insiders.)

His new book, The Book of Air and Shadows, sounds very very good.

Gwenda has kicked off Always week over at the LBC and I am there giving my opinion on the book, the idea of strong female protagonists, the difficulty of where a nongenre book fits and why I think Aud rocks. Do check out the roundtable - it's been a blast talking about this book with so many other interested readers (and Nicola chimes in as well).

I am completely fascinated by underground tunnels in cities and found this post about Columbia University's quite interesting. (via Jenny D.) The underground comes into play in Not Flesh Nor Feathers and I have a great book about the NY underground. I still haven't done the Seattle underground tour but I plan too (maybe when my son is a little older and will enjoy it as well.) Part of me really wants to be Julia Solis when I grow up.

Maud Newton is running a great series on indy bookstores this month. If you have a store you love near here, do let her know.

Finally, this excerpt from Patty Boyd's rock and roll memoir makes me wonder how George Harrison and Eric Clapton were ever able to make the kind of amazing music they did. Talk about a long strange trip.....

(Post photo of Hemingway's actual typewriter in Finca Vigia taken from Havana Journal.)