Omni Daily News

By Tom

The winner, and still champeen: In the finals, the Tournament of Books turns into a democracy (or maybe an oligarchy) rather than a dictatorship, with all the judges weighing in. Nearly everyone liked both finalists--as more than one pointed out,A Mercy and City of Refuge stand as harrowing bookends to American history--but Toni Morrison wins on points. Junot Diaz sums it up: "In boxing when it's a tie they always give it to the champ and that's what I did."

Do not avoid: In Manhattan? Do you find that constraints add to your vigor? Visit Oulipo in NY, April 1-4. (This squib has no "e'.) [Via Lit. Saloon]

Still running: The WSJ talks to John L. Parker Jr., whose cult running novel, Once a Runner, sold out of his car at races for years after he self-published it in 1978, is finally coming out in hardcover.

Dead soul: Happy 200th birthday today, Nikolai Gogol! The Guardian reports the anniversary is one more reason for Russia and Ukraine to argue.

--Tom