Peter Kaufman, who writes about the Alaskan canneries in which he previously worked in during the 70's Vividly captures the mood of that era, in her new book "Barometer's Shadow. " Barometer's Shadow, published by Silvercrest captures a time when protesters burned bras or draft cards and thousands of war veterans came home in thick clouds of marijuana smoke as the lingering specter of Vietnam systematically tore most of the country apart.

Actress and Oscar winner Renee Zellweger can now add her name to a list of notoriously famous people who have outlived their short-lived marriages. Zellweger joins the likes of stars such as Lisa Marie Presley, Drew Barrymore, and Jennifer Lopez, all of who didn't have much luck in the marriage department. Of most recently, Britney Spears held the crown as queen of quickie marriages, marrying childhood friend Jasen Alexander in an impromptu marriage in Las Vegas in January 2004. Their marriage lasted only 55 hours.

The UK is searching for its favorite lesbian or gay novel, with works by Alan Hollinghurst and Sarah Waters among the early picks. The brainchild of Manchester publishing agency Commonworld, the Big Gay Read is open to any lesbian or gay-themed novel in a public vote.

"Cable's first full-figured beauty competition" is scheduled to air this weekend, hosted by Mo'nique from UPN's "The Parkers. "The two-hour reality show, titled "Mo'nique's Fat Chance," will crown one "full-figured" winner on-air Saturday on the Oxygen Network.

A pageant queen at a local Indiana fair has her crown and title stripped amid claims her aunt rigged the contest. Sarah Rice, 18, was stripped of her title by the Fountain County 4-H Council, who named her queen Saturday. Grievances filed claim runner-up Jordan Snoddy had more points.