First, I’m asking for your help

As I have for the past several years, I competed in this year’s March Xness Tournament of Songs. The theme is March Sadness, ‘90s edition. I chose Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain,” because when I first read Hamlet I thought his closest contemporary avatar was Axl Rose. That essay is now in the Final Four! (Which is so cool because I have never advanced out of the Elite 8 in past tournaments!) And it is getting crushed by Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” If you want to pull for Shakespeare and guitar solos, please vote here before noon (Eastern time) on Friday. Tell your friends! And thank you! An honest to goodness championship ring is on the line!

And about that Emily of New Moon podcast …

I put the Blair Water Literary Society on hold when my own dear aunt — Aunt Regis, not Aunt Elizabeth — died last year. Grief takes time to work through. But I think we all could use a break from the contemporary horrors right now, and touch base with the things we loved when we were young. Like books, which are always worth fighting for. So look for an update soon on timing and release dates. Meanwhile …

Listen to the show’s teaser, and find me on your favorite podcast platform, where you can now subscribe. (Here we are on Apple Podcasts, if that’s your thing.) Give the show a follow, if you’re so inclined, so you’ll know when Episode 1 drops. Emily of New Moon is a good book. We’ll talk about it, I promise.