Given that it’s a slow news day — Rosie O’Donnell has declared she has no more to say about Donald Trump — I thought I’d take advantage of the silence and send you an overdue update on things Number-wise. The trade paperback edition came out just last week and seems to be doing well — it’ll turn up on the NY Times extended bestseller list as of January 21, just four notches below In Cold Blood, which has been out for over 40 years. The Number should live so long. I’m also pleased to report that Business Week selected The Number as one of the best “career” books of 2006. As far as world news is concerned, the Turkish edition of the book (announced here previously) will be published next month, joining other international editions in Taiwan and Korea, a geocultural pattern — the Axis of Enlightenment? — that defies easy explanation. Otherwise, I’m dividing my time between research on a new project — details a closely held secret, even from me — and giving updated presentations built around new reporting on The Number. Thanks to many of you for staying in touch — and, most importantly, warm New Year wishes to everyone out there.