August 3, 2011
We can’t identify the artist, nor the exact date and time of installation, but Don Westphal from Maintenance noticed a stunning new display at the North Branch library this morning when he stopped by with the delivery. Devised from an assortment of individual pieces left behind by patrons past, and set on the checkout counter […]
August 1, 2011
Seeing recent movie advertisements for bestsellers such as The Help, due out next week, and Sarah’s Key and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, both currently showing, made me realize that 2011 has been a big year for books made into movies. The runaway best seller Water For Elephants debuted on the screen in April starring big […]
August 1, 2011
Best-selling author Ann Patchett is opening a new bookstore in Nashville, Tennessee to “connect with true book lovers”. According to Karen Hayes, who has teamed with Patchett to sell books: “There are times where even when it’s convenient to read on your e-reader, you want that printed word, you want that piece of art. You […]
July 31, 2011
Nina Sankovitch has always been a book lover, and now she’s an author as well. In June the former Evanstonian celebrated the publication of her debut book Tolstoy and the Purple Chair – an inspiring memoir that recounts her year spent reading one book a day in order to heal from her older sister’s tragic death. Moving and insightful, […]
July 30, 2011
The success of Amanda Hocking (who began as a self-published author and now has a multimillion dollar contract with a “traditional” publisher) shows that it is possible for a writer to make it big through self-publishing. This article in the New York Times provides a brief overview of some options currently available for anyone interested in becoming self-published. ~ […]
July 29, 2011
This eloquent article offers facts about Borders’ history, but more importantly, expresses concerns about the availability of books and the influence of books in our environment. While I was not a big customer of Borders, I liked knowing it was nearby in case I wanted to browse or I needed something. Boston Globe reporter James […]
July 28, 2011
Lovely Vanity Fair article about the torturous path Heller’s classic took before finding a publisher and an audience. But, “… thanks to a fledgling agent, Candida Donadio, and a young editor, Robert Gottlieb, it would eventually be recognized as one of the greatest anti-war books ever written.” Do yourself a favor: catch up with Catch-22 […]
July 28, 2011
This sound like a dream job for young (or old) booklovers: Robin Young offered her summer intern, Alyssa Greenberg, the chance to interview her favorite author, Neil Gaiman. They were discussing his book American Gods, which is 10 years old. I would say both the author and the student gained from the exchange. This story […]
July 28, 2011
In today’s Chicago Tribune, a brief article announces the decision by the New York City Public Library to allow anyone who owes outstanding fines to pay off their debt by doing one thing: read. For every 15 minutes of reading, one dollar will be knocked off the total fine. Since many of those who are […]
July 27, 2011
Recent documentary Behind These Books premiered May 27 at the Tribeca Cinemas in New York. Independently produced by 28 year olds Kaven Brown and Mills Miller, the film explores the controversial “Street Lit” genre. Not yet available for purchase, the film is being screened at major film festivals throughout the country. Read more in this […]
