Thursday, September 4, 2008

All the Latest...

Trying to come up with the perfect name for your new bundle of joy (or fur)? Try A is for Atticus: Baby Names from Great Books by Lorilee Craker. Harry and Bella are the current popular names, but there are some great ones that none of the other kids (or dogs/cats) will have. I like Mr. Tibbs for a cat name. (Ok, so that's not from a book. But who knows what movie that is from?)

One of my new favorite mystery writers, Ariana Franklin, has two more books in the works, both part of her great historical mystery series featuring the mistress in the art of death, Dr. Vesuvia Adelia Rachel Ortese Aguilar. Book 3 will be released in the spring of '09 and book 4 will be released in the spring of '10.

Last month I mentioned the story about Random House cancelling the publication of Sherry Jones' novel, The Jewel of Medina, a historical fiction novel detailing the origins of Islam through the eyes of the prophet Muhammad's youngest wife A'isha, because they were afraid the book might be offensive to some in the Muslim community. It seems that this has caused some bad feelings toward Random House. The Langum Charitable Trust, which awards two $1000 prizes each year to writers, says it will not consider any submissions of any books from Random House or any of its affiliates due to its "cowardly self-censorship." Meanwhile, it seems that all this attention has helped get the book published overseas. The rights to publish the novel have been sold to publishers in Denmark, Spain and Brazil.

Three finalists for the 2008 Thurber Prize for American Humor have been announced. The finalists are: Larry Doyle for I Love You, Beth Cooper, Patricia Marx for Him Her Him Again The End of Him, and Simon Rich for Ant Farm.

Another film adaptation of a Cormac McCarthy novel is set to hit the big screen this fall. The Road will be released on November 26th, starring Viggo Mortensen.

I just read that XBox has partnered with Rock the Vote to allow people to register to vote via their XBox Live subscription. That is seriously cool. Has anyone tried this?

Oprah will be announcing her next book club pick soon. The book is apparently a Harper Collins title that is only available in hardcover and large print. People who care are betting on either Paul Coelho's Brida or David Wroblewski's The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. After her disappointing pick for the last book, I've given up hope.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Road has become my favourite fiction novel of recent times. I really hope that Hollywood doesn't make too much of the marauding band of killers etc. They tend to screw up books all the time. I have a feeling they will try to make it all "Mad Maxian".

MissMcGyver said...

We don't have A for Atticus! What a way to tease! Could you order it?

Anonymous said...

Hey-Mr Tibbs is from the movie and book called "In the Heat of the Night." The book is by John Ball. Just to FYI :)