Weekend Reading is a weekly collation of 3-5 articles that have caught my attention, published on Saturday mornings. Previous editions can be found here.

1. Bad Romance: to cash in on Kindle Unlimited, a cabal of authors gamed Amazon’s algorithm (theverge.com)

This is a surprisingly interesting piece about the shenanigans behind “Cockygate” — a Big Deal in the world of self-published romance novels, having to do with whether one can trademark the adjective “cocky”, but also (at its heart) about the ways that self-published novels are written, marketed, and read. Also there’s a lawsuit.

2. Cocky Court Hearing (.pdf on google drives)

MS. LACKMAN: There may very well be. I haven’t read the book, your Honor. But there is an impression or suggestion here that based on the image that is shown, based on the genre, Cocky Mothers Day refers to some event on Mothers Day or relating to Mothers Day or mothers themselves that might involve some male prowess.

When one comes to the store or goes on Amazon and says I’d like to buy a romance novel, they look for I want to buy a book by Faleena Hopkins, I want to buy a book in the Cocker series. When they see Cocky Mothers Day, that is the title of the book. Cocky Roomie is title of the book.

THE COURT: Cocky Mothers Day is clearly not an adjective.

MS. LACKMAN: It is an adjective of the book.

THE COURT: If it is, it is a nonsensical.

MS. LACKMAN: It describes the contents of the book. This is not to an average person what would identify the source any more than “Mothers Day.” “Mothers Day” is not an adjective, is not an indicator of source either. Book titles are inherently as a matter of law not protectable unless you can show —

THE COURT: Would you excuse me for five minutes.

(Recess)

This is the court transcript from the “Cockygate” lawsuit mentioned in the previous article. It’s hilarious, if you like this sort of thing. Which I do.

3. Nico Muhly on Why Choral Music is Slow Food for the Soul (The New York Times)

This is a lovely little piece about choral music, and includes a fantastic playlist. (Access the playlist directly on Spotify here.)

4. Black Beekeepers Are Transforming Detroit’s Vacant Lots Into Bee Farms (huffingtonpost.com)

This is a creative and encouraging bit of urban renewal: turning derelict blocks into community-tended apiaries. Learn more about Detroit Hives, the non-profit orchestrating the farms, here.