Saul Bellow has died. One of my favorite authors. Here's the NYTimes obit. Sad sad sad. I have to admit, though, I was always surprised to find that he was still alive. I recommend Humboldt's Gift and Mr Sammler's Planet though I've yet to read one of his books that I wouldn't recommend.

Also, Prince Rainier of Monaco has died. I don't have much to say about this except that he earned my everlasting admiration and envy for marrying Grace Kelly. Yum. Oh yeah, she's dead, too, but that was over twenty years ago.

Update: Christopher Hitchens has an obituary for Saul Bellow in today's slate.