This piece by Andrew Shaffer may be all we ever need to believe authors should not read reviews of their books. It’s a piece about a review which author Lethem writes on a review of his novel. “Reviewing Lethem Reviewing Wood Reviewing Lethem”

“When authors confront critics,” Shaffer assures us, “sparks are guaranteed to fly. On this front, Lethem does not disappoint. While he admits that he’s “not actually trying to read James Wood’s mind, or to change it now,” he spares no expense when it comes to that time-honored literary tradition: Name-calling.” (via Ed Rants)