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Chinese premier's caring image is a sham, dissident's book alleges
Critique of leader could land writer a prison sentence, Clifford Coonan reports from Beijing
I would run
Critique of leader could land writer a prison sentence, Clifford Coonan reports from Beijing
I would run
A Novelist Re-Imagines Shakespeare’s Juliet — and Challenges Literary Snobbery
...literature snobs — such as my Danish friends — seem to subscribe to the universal truth that books that make money are by definition commercial, and that commercial literature is by default rotten. The calculus is actually quite simple: bestseller is bad, bestseller with happy ending is worse and bestseller with happy ending and a page-turning plot is a one-way ride to the dime store. I’m sure German philosopher Immanuel Kant would agree; to be truly good, a book—like moral conduct—has to cause you pain.
...literature snobs — such as my Danish friends — seem to subscribe to the universal truth that books that make money are by definition commercial, and that commercial literature is by default rotten. The calculus is actually quite simple: bestseller is bad, bestseller with happy ending is worse and bestseller with happy ending and a page-turning plot is a one-way ride to the dime store. I’m sure German philosopher Immanuel Kant would agree; to be truly good, a book—like moral conduct—has to cause you pain.
Stand by for the new Hollywood hero – the publisher…
Even coming from the weird and wacked-out world of Tinseltown, the news that Sean Penn is to appear in a Hollywood biopic of Maxwell Perkins is somewhat startling. Perkins was a mild, courteous, self-effacing publisher’s editor.
Even coming from the weird and wacked-out world of Tinseltown, the news that Sean Penn is to appear in a Hollywood biopic of Maxwell Perkins is somewhat startling. Perkins was a mild, courteous, self-effacing publisher’s editor.
The Billionaire and the Book Lover
Are Barnes & Noble founder Len Riggio and his nemesis Ron Burkle the only people in America who still want to own a mega-bookstore?
Are Barnes & Noble founder Len Riggio and his nemesis Ron Burkle the only people in America who still want to own a mega-bookstore?
Bertelsmann Expose Stirs Controversy in Germany
A book published last week by Campus Verlag is causing quite a fuss at Bertelsmann headquarters in Gütersloh. Bertelsmannrepublik Deutschland is a critical look at the close personal ties between Bertelsmann AG, the corporation, and the Bertelsmann Stiftung, or foundation.
A book published last week by Campus Verlag is causing quite a fuss at Bertelsmann headquarters in Gütersloh. Bertelsmannrepublik Deutschland is a critical look at the close personal ties between Bertelsmann AG, the corporation, and the Bertelsmann Stiftung, or foundation.
Seth Godin Can't Quit Qutting Publishing
Last week, Seth Godin (self-described "bestselling author, entrepreneur and agent of change") announced in a Mediabistro interview that he would not "publish any more books in the traditional way." Bold words! They kind of remind us of that other time when Seth Godin quit traditional publishing, ten years ago.
Last week, Seth Godin (self-described "bestselling author, entrepreneur and agent of change") announced in a Mediabistro interview that he would not "publish any more books in the traditional way." Bold words! They kind of remind us of that other time when Seth Godin quit traditional publishing, ten years ago.
150,000 College Students to Save $12 Million Using Flat World Knowledge Open Textbooks for 2010/2011 Academic Year
With Flat World's textbooks saving the average student $80 per class, the company is on track to save 150,000 students $12 million or more in textbook expenses for the 2010/2011 academic year which begins this month.
With Flat World's textbooks saving the average student $80 per class, the company is on track to save 150,000 students $12 million or more in textbook expenses for the 2010/2011 academic year which begins this month.
Facebook Lawsuit Throws the -book at Social Networking Site for Teachers
Facebook has sued a little-known website for educators called Teachbook, claiming Facebook literally owns the “book” when it comes to naming social networking sites.
What hubris and a load of crap.
Facebook has sued a little-known website for educators called Teachbook, claiming Facebook literally owns the “book” when it comes to naming social networking sites.
What hubris and a load of crap.
Jardin de la Connaissance / 100Landschaftsarchitektur
The Jardin de la Connaissance is a temporary garden in a forested area involving approximately 40,000 books, multi-coloured wooden plates and several varieties of mushrooms.
The Jardin de la Connaissance is a temporary garden in a forested area involving approximately 40,000 books, multi-coloured wooden plates and several varieties of mushrooms.
A Book Attracts Loads of Facebook Fans. But Why?
Ms. Hays and Mr. Levey acknowledge that they haven’t seen a spike in sales as a result of his Facebook groupies
Ms. Hays and Mr. Levey acknowledge that they haven’t seen a spike in sales as a result of his Facebook groupies
Of Two Minds About Books
Auriane and Sebastien de Halleux are at sharp odds over “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” but not about the plot. The problem is that she prefers the book version, while he reads it on his iPad. And in this literary dispute, the couple says, it’s ne’er the twain shall meet.
Auriane and Sebastien de Halleux are at sharp odds over “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” but not about the plot. The problem is that she prefers the book version, while he reads it on his iPad. And in this literary dispute, the couple says, it’s ne’er the twain shall meet.
Sitting, lying or standing: what's the pole position for reading?
AbeBooks wonder if it's weird to read lying on your stomach. The answer is yes: everyone knows the side is best. Don't they?
AbeBooks wonder if it's weird to read lying on your stomach. The answer is yes: everyone knows the side is best. Don't they?
I stole from Wikipedia but it's not plagiarism, says Houellebecq
Houellebecq, who is the most successful French novelist outside France, does not deny that he copied technical descriptions from the anonymous compilers of Wikipedia. A couple of passages in his acclaimed new novel La Carte et le Territoire were lifted verbatim. They include a description of how flies have sex.
Houellebecq, who is the most successful French novelist outside France, does not deny that he copied technical descriptions from the anonymous compilers of Wikipedia. A couple of passages in his acclaimed new novel La Carte et le Territoire were lifted verbatim. They include a description of how flies have sex.
Peter Morgan accuses Tony Blair of plagiarising lines from his film The Queen
Did he know he had this many enemies?
Tony Blair's account of what was said when he went to kiss hands with the Queen in 1997 is perhaps the most controversial part of his memoirs because it represents such a flagrant betrayal of the trust that had previously existed between the monarch and her prime minister.
Did he know he had this many enemies?
Tony Blair's account of what was said when he went to kiss hands with the Queen in 1997 is perhaps the most controversial part of his memoirs because it represents such a flagrant betrayal of the trust that had previously existed between the monarch and her prime minister.
Authors' boycott cancels Teen Lit festival after Ellen Hopkins 'disinvited'
Hopkins, whose New York Times bestselling novels deal with topics from teenage drug addiction to prostitution and suicide, says she was invited to take part in the Humble Teen Lit Fest next January but after a librarian raised a fuss with some parents about the suitability of including her, the invitation was rescinded.
Hopkins, whose New York Times bestselling novels deal with topics from teenage drug addiction to prostitution and suicide, says she was invited to take part in the Humble Teen Lit Fest next January but after a librarian raised a fuss with some parents about the suitability of including her, the invitation was rescinded.

Nimbly presenting the moral implications of obesity, while crafting sympathetic characters, is an undeniably tall order. But not even trying is worse; obesity is an issue too commonplace to ignore.
My paper of record
Whenever I consider actually buying a new device, I put it off. Partly I dread the data entry and the learning curve, but I strongly suspect that the luscious gadgetry -- not to mention my new, streamlined existence -- would eclipse all that. Besides, plenty of data I wouldn't need to transfer -- the blue book is bloated with dead information that is largely responsible (along with the bulky leather cover) for its ridiculous weight. By going electronic, I would shed the addresses and phone numbers of people whose names I only dimly recognize now, or not at all! -- "Books, rare: Robert 480-2138" -- not to mention defunct businesses: World Gym on Lafayette Street; Nada theater on Ludlow
Whenever I consider actually buying a new device, I put it off. Partly I dread the data entry and the learning curve, but I strongly suspect that the luscious gadgetry -- not to mention my new, streamlined existence -- would eclipse all that. Besides, plenty of data I wouldn't need to transfer -- the blue book is bloated with dead information that is largely responsible (along with the bulky leather cover) for its ridiculous weight. By going electronic, I would shed the addresses and phone numbers of people whose names I only dimly recognize now, or not at all! -- "Books, rare: Robert 480-2138" -- not to mention defunct businesses: World Gym on Lafayette Street; Nada theater on Ludlow
Buyers (and sellers) queue for hours to get hold of signed Tony Blair book
Tony Blair is getting hard to classify as the variety of stories surrounding his book escalates. He almost needs his own section!
Tony Blair is getting hard to classify as the variety of stories surrounding his book escalates. He almost needs his own section!

Apparently Julie Nixon made her father read The Feminine Mystique...
Roald Dahl Day expands into full month of special treats
Although he died 20 years ago, the author's popularity has not waned, and various events are planned to celebrate his writing
Although he died 20 years ago, the author's popularity has not waned, and various events are planned to celebrate his writing
Lawyers step in over Kay Burley's account of prime minister's 'affairs'
Kay Burley, the broadcaster, has been asked to remove details from her book about three women in the life of a prime minister. Ho hum
Kay Burley, the broadcaster, has been asked to remove details from her book about three women in the life of a prime minister. Ho hum
Are hardcover books doomed?
No. Not by a long shot.
A variety of sources, most notably Jack Shafer at Slate magazine in his recent article The Fallen Status of Books - Hard times for hardcovers, are pronouncing the demise of the book, and the hardcover book in particular. They are wrong.
No. Not by a long shot.
A variety of sources, most notably Jack Shafer at Slate magazine in his recent article The Fallen Status of Books - Hard times for hardcovers, are pronouncing the demise of the book, and the hardcover book in particular. They are wrong.

Among other things, bad metadata, incorrect publication dates, misidentifying the author of Madame Bovary.
Books mentioned in this topic
The Farm (other topics)The Red Tree (other topics)
The Gate to Women's Country (other topics)
The Song of Achilles (other topics)
Parable of the Sower (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Joanne Ramos (other topics)Sheri S. Tepper (other topics)
Ed Lynskey (other topics)
Irish novelist accused of cashing in on Fritzl horror
AN Irish writer has been accused of cashing in on the Josef Fritzl case with her novel about the horrific imprisonment of a young mother and her five-year-old son.