The search for a Times book review editor is starting to drag on, considering that Steve Wasserman told his bosses he was leaving before the Festival of Books in April. Publishers Weekly updates the roll of candidates being mentioned, and The Elegant Variation runs the list. On it are outsiders David Kipen, David Ulin and Benjamin Schwarz and Times insiders Nick Owchar, Susan Salter Reynolds and Kenneth Turan.

Also at the Elegant Variation: Daniel A. Olivas reviews The People of Paper, Salvador Plascencia's novel set in and around El Monte..."a wonderfully strange, hallucinogenic and hypertextual blending of fiction and autobiography." Rumor is the LAT pronounces the book a big event in this Sunday's Book Review.

Previously: Steve Wasserman resigns, More on Wasserman, Wasserman observed