Weekend Links 3-20-20

This week was a strange one to say the least. I really had hoped to avoid any mentions of coronavirus but its effects are so far reaching that it's been hard to escape from it. Practically every aspect of our lives is now touched by it and that doesn't appear to be changing any time soon. I hope every one heeds the cautions being given and stays safe. In the meantime, here are a few articles of interest.

I saw this sentence on Twitter and was drawn to the article.

It was no small thing to evaluate the holdings of a seasoned dealer, a generation older than me, and pronounce his material fake.

As they say, read the whole thing. And yes, it's yet another book to go on my To Be Read list.

A strange history of one of the crime wages of the early 20th century: the poisoned pen letter.

Answering the important questions: What makes a breakfast "continental"?

Stuck at home? How about visiting a museum online. 

When exactly did we start calling baseball the national pastime? John Thorn is on the case. 

Since there is no baseball for the forseeable future, here is a list of recommended baseball books and movies to help pass the time. 

This is a booklover's dream: Capitol Hill Books in Washington, DC is allowing customers to have the whole store to themselves for an hour at a time. 

Tweet of the week #1:

Today me will live in the moment, unless it’s unpleasant in which case me will eat a cookie.

— Cookie Monster (@MeCookieMonster) March 15, 2020

Sounds like a good plan to me.

Meet the man who is a pull-tab connoisseur. Seriously.

This is a good way to pass the time: BBC Radio's adaptation of Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie. 

How a mystery writer and book collector created the biblio-mystery genre.

Tweet of the week #2:

You know who’s really gonna suffer during this social distancing?

Dudes on dating apps

Welcome back to courtship, Brad. Welcome back to talking to a gal for WEEKS prior to meeting.

We’re pen pals now, my dude.

We bout to get Jane Austen up in here.

Now, write me a poem.

— Kaitlyn McQuin (@kaitlynmcquin) March 15, 2020

This looks like it's going to be fun:

The P.G. Wodehouse Book Club -- a haven in troubled times -- is open and ready to welcome you. Follow the link to join and vote on our first book. https://t.co/UJTJXanOfL

Or just follow the conversation on Twitter as #PGWClub pic.twitter.com/EW1Yrya1L7

— HonoriaPlum (@HonoriaPlum) March 18, 2020

I look for virtual book clubs to become a bigger thing in the coming weeks.