The odd email exchange between a real journalist and a fictional book character

New York Times editor and book character trade emails. In a piece for Salon.com (“Thank you for killing my novel”), author Patrick Somerville tells a story about the rough New York Times review of his latest novel “This Bright River.” (“I … went past my wife and the computer and directly toward the alcohol.”) Turns out, reviewer Janet Maslin screwed up. She confused two of the characters in the book, which led to her misreading of the book. What happened next is even more bizarre: A Times editor emailed the book’s main character—Somerville had set up the account in his name—to discuss the error. They exchanged 38 emails, and Somerville remained in character the whole time. Read his account here.

The 50 books every African-American should read. On the heels of the 88 books that helped shape America, Huffington Post BlackVoices compiled this list of must-reads for African-Americas. Read the full list here.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” hotels and packages. This title is not among the 50 books every African-American should read, but it is one of the nation’s most widely read this summer among PR Daily readers. And now fans of the book can take “Fifty Shades” vacations. Read more here.