When authors come to Google to give informal talks, videos get posted for all the world to see. Here are some language-related talks you might enjoy.

Erin McKean

Tom Dalzell

Geoffrey Nunberg

Steven Pinker

Noam Chomsky

John Updike, one of the greatest writers of his generation, died Tuesday at the age of 76. Some remembrances:

Guardian Books

Literary Kicks

Newsweek

Slate

Omnivoracious

The world has lost Nobel-winning playwright Harold Pinter, a master of language and silence. Bloggers remember.

Theater Loop

Parabasis

OC Register: The Arts

Mental Floss

Here are a few blogs for exploring the fascinating world of Latino literature.

La Bloga

Letras Latinas

Literanista

Here are social networking sites for book lovers, allowing you to create a virtual bookshelf and share recommendations with fellow bibliophiles.

LibraryThing

Goodreads

Shelfari

Here are some great online resources for getting children interested in poetry.

Poetry4Kids

Giggle Poetry

Favorite Poem Project

Scholastic Poetry