Ernest Hemingway was born 112 years ago today, Marshall McLuhan was also born on this day, 100 years ago.  And of course we can’t forget to wish Robin Williams (above) a happy 60th as well.

• The long and winding road to publish Joseph Heller’s anti-war masterpiece, Catch-22.

• Elif Batuman ponders douchebags.

• Dangerous Minds pays tribute to SJ Perelman.  The interview is priceless, especially when Perelman says he read through the “slush and claptrap” as a kid.

• There is a Guided by Voices fan in the White House.