From Ruth Breindel:

• A book review:

The Shadow of Vesuvius: A Life of Pliny, Daisy Dunn, 2019

               Since not much is known about the life of Pliny the Elder, the author has concentrated on Pliny the Younger.  We, as classicists, know much of what Dunn has to say; most of the hard data comes directly from the Plinys, so there is not much new in substance or speculation.  Because the evidence in many places is scant, Dunn adds information that isn’t really germane; e.g., earlier and later eruptions of Vesuvius, later English historians and characters.  Her style is very nice and breezy, so it is fairly easy to read; borrowing it from the library is your best bet.

• Speaking of Pliny, here is a recent article from the NYT about the alleged discovery of his skull: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/14/science/pliny-archaeology-skull-vesuvius.html

• And, speaking of Pompeii, new ruins have been uncovered in the city. https://www.sciencealert.com/pompeii-s-restoration-is-still-revealing-surprising-treasures