It's crushing news for fans of narrative nonfiction--or fans of the New Yorker--or fans of graceful, elegant prose. The Talk of the Stacks appearance of Calvin Trillin, scheduled for next Wednesday, has been canceled.

Trillin's publicist, London King, said this morning that Trillin had a health emergency but was doing fine. In typical Trillin fashion, "he was already joking about it on the phone," she said. Still, "we're canceling all next week. He needs to rest."

King said Trillin hopes to reschedule his Minneapolis visit, perhaps next spring. And for a little jolt of Trillin's wit and humor, you can read our interview with him in Saturday's Star Tribune.

Fortunately, another Talk of the Stacks appearance is planned for next Thursday, Sept. 29--Lisa Randall, author of "Knocking on Heaven's Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World" will be at the Central Library at 7 p.m.