Bookish design

Working in a library, I know firsthand the excitement, romance and imperilment that can occur at the issue desk and in the stacks.

Why isn't there more fiction set in the noisy, dramatic confines of the library?

Julia Weist's novel about a sophisticated New York Librarian who moves to a small town in the American Midwest to discover life, liberty and happiness is published by writer, lecturer and designer Ellen Lupton, and designed by one of her students.

Lupton, who publishes usually writes about design, is soon to publish a book about self-publishing and book design.

The advent of publish on demand services like Lulu.com makes self-publishing a much better prospect than it was in the past for many writers and small publishers.

Self-publishers just need to make sure they get good design for their book covers.

37 Per Cent

In keeping with the yesterday's post-human/post-apocalyptic tone...

Everybody I know who read it was creeped out by World War Z last year.

Set in the near future, World War Z gives a fictional account of a zombie apocalypse - which would be a great name for a band - in the voices of its survivors.

The chill factor had as much to do with the zombies as with the book's coldly realistic portrayal of how governments and people react to the crisis and how individuals are repurposed for new social realities.

It will be interesting to see how well this translates to film.

For an added chill, visit the book's website and find out your likelihood of survival. You will never view your 'domicile' in the same way again.

I've got a 37 per cent chance. Post your survival ratings in the comment box.