Still on vacation and will be ’til Monday, so here’s your news in slurry form, blended and served in a styrofoam cup.

Scientists develop sarcasm detecting software, presumably much to the detriment of scientist egos everywhere

Great Toronto mag Taddle Creek gets some press with a wicked stunt*: they’ll give any reader to spots a mistake between their covers a free 2-year subscription

First Holmes book with inscription could be yours, except you’re worthless in comparison

Don Paterson will judge star-making new poets contest for Picador

Bush’s book starts with his decision to quit drinking, and presumably ends three months before the start of his presidency with his decision to take it back up

Kids books: the Hummers of literature?

To follow up on Stephen Fry Twitter prize of yesterday, Bookninja pal Jian Gomeshi “wins” Twitterary prize of his own

Facebook is right now announcing new privacy features to supposedly address the mounting criticism over its privacy invasion… this is what I was holding out for. If it doesn’t really address them, I’m gone — I’m sick of being laughed at (from Julie’s feed)

Random US restructuring works, despite having all the excitement of a grass growing race

Finally the world is jaded enough to hear Mark Twain’s story without gouging out own eyes in disgust

*You thought it was going to be Conan doing a wheelie on a chopper bike with a banana seat, didn’t you