M2 Best Books articles from August 2004

M2 Best Books archives from August 2004

REVIEW: The Secrets of Successful Team Management.(Book Review)
August 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD In the crowded and competitive business book market it is hard to tell exactly how different publishers try to make their promise of success and wealth stand out. Some go the blatant 'How to...

Random House sued over killer's accomplice book rights.(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Montreal-based publisher Trait d'Union has filed a CAD315,000 lawsuit against international publishing group Random House over a book about a serial killer's accomplice. Trait d'Union...

WH Smith sells Hodder Headline for GBP223m.(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Troubled UK bookseller WH Smith has sold its prize asset - publisher Hodder Headline - for GBP223m to French publisher Hachette Livre SA. The high street chain has been desperately...

BBC Books to streamline.(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD BBC Books is to undergo a major restructure which will lead to significant job losses after a review of the business. The publisher has decided to reduce its list to between 55-60 titles...

WH Smith secures new GBP270m credit facility.(W.H. Smith Group PLC)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Troubled UK bookseller WH Smith has agreed a new three-year credit facility worth GBP270m underwritten by HSBC, Lloyds TSB and the Royal Bank of Scotland. The retailer will use the...

Quarto Group acquires Aurum Press.
August 3, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishing group Quarto has acquired independent publisher Aurum Press for a total of GBP775,000. Aurum Press' directors Bill McCreadie and Piers Burnett will continue to run the imprint...

Amazon.co.uk refuses to stock controversial Bush book.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Online bookseller Amazon.co.uk has said that it will not be stocking the controversial book 'House of Bush, House of Saud'. The book was published in the UK on 29 July 2004 by Gibson...

Harold Pinter to receive the Wilfred Owen award for poetry.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD British poet Harold Pinter has been awarded the Wilfred Owen award for poetry thanks to his work on the war in Iraq. Pinter has been a fierce critic of the conflict and has represented...

Wolters Kluwer Education acquires BEAM.(Be A Mathematician)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD London-based mathematics publisher BEAM (Be A Mathematician) has been acquired by educational publisher Wolters Kluwer Education. A spokesperson for Wolters Kluwer said that the...

Pirated copies of Clintons 'My Life' found in China.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Pirate copies of Bill Clinton's bestselling memoir 'My Life' have been found for sale in China despite publishers Knopf having not sold the Chinese rights yet. The pirated version,...

Dangdang.com pulls out of Amazon takeover deal.(Amazon.com Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Online retailer Amazon.com has had its bid to takeover China's largest Chinese language shopping website Dangdang.com rejected. Amazon has offered to buy a 70-90% stake in the company for...

Profile shareholders receive first ever dividends.(Profile Books)(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The nine shareholder in independent publisher Profile have received their first ever dividend checks thanks mainly to the success of one book. Lynne Truss's surprise bestseller 'Eats,...

World Book Day 2006 to focus on adult literacy.(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Organisers of World Book Day 2006 have announced that the event will focus on adult literacy and will begin a campaign to improve adult reading. The literary scheme will be aimed at the...

'GarageBand: The Missing Manual' released by O'Reilly.
August 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishing company O'Reilly Media Inc has published David Pogue's 'GarageBand: The Missing Manual' for GarageBand 1.1, Apple's song-making toolkit and software recording studio. The book...

O'Reilly releases 'Upgrading to PHP 5'.(O'Reilly Media Inc.)
August 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishing company O'Reilly Media Inc has released 'Upgrading to PHP 5' by Adam Trachtenberg, a book which covers differences between PHP 4 and PHP 5. According to the publisher, the...

'Lost' Virginia Woolf essay to be published.
August 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A previously unpublished essay by the author Virginia Woolf about life in 1930s London is set to be published after being found in a university library. The essay was one of six written...

Gabriel Garcia Marquez sells film rights to 'Love in the Time of Cholera'.
August 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a legend of Latin American literature, has finally agreed to sell the film rights to his bestselling 1985 novel 'Love in the Time of Cholera' to a Hollywood producer....

China's Xinhua Bookstore to turn to foreign investment.
August 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD China's Xinhua Bookstore distribution company is reportedly considering introducing foreign investment and transforming into a joint-stock company. The state-owned book supplier is the...

Rare Philip Larkin collection found.(Brief Article)
August 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A collection of poems by Philip Larkin has been found in the archives in Larkin's home city of Hull. The collection of 250 poems includes a never-before published work 'And Yet' which...

Author and publisher consider legal action over 'The Village'.(Brief Article)
August 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Children's author Margaret Peterson Haddix and publisher Simon & Schuster are considering legal action after similarities between one of Haddix's books and a new film were uncovered. ...

Anti-Kerry book's cover altered to appear supportive of presidential candidate.(John Kerry F.)(Brief Article)
August 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The cover of a new book critical of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has been sabotaged on the website of US online bookstore Barnesandnoble.com. 'Unfit for Command', which...

REVIEW: IP Telephony Unveiled.(Book Review)
August 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD As IP telephony begins to be incorporated into the everyday running of more and more companies, this book details how the technology can be implemented in a variety of organisations. The...

2004 Booktrust Early Years Awards shortlists announced.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Booktrust has announced the shortlists for its 2004 Early Years Awards, which celebrate the best books for the youngest readers. There are three categories: Baby Book Award, Pre...

Saga Award for Wit shortlist announced.(Saga magazine)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The shortlist for the Saga Award for Wit or the 'Silver Booker' as it has become known has been revealed. Seven novelists over the age of 50 have been chosen in keeping with Saga...

Scottish newspapers sign five-year sponsorship deal with Edinburgh International Book Festival.(The Herald and Sunday Herald)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Edinburgh International Book Festival will be sponsored by Scottish newspapers The Herald and Sunday Herald for the next five years, starting in 2004. The highlight of the festival...

GBP60,000 Dylan Thomas literary prize to be launched.(Swansea Dylan Thomas Prize)(Brief Article)
August 12, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new prize set up in memory of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas will become one of the biggest in the literary world when it is launched in Thomas' home town of Swansea in the autumn of 2004. ...

'My Life' to be released in China.(Brief Article)
August 12, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD 'My Life', Bill Clinton's bestselling memoir, is to get an official release in China in September 2004. Bootleg versions of the book have been available in the country for months but...

Vintage and WH Smith to produce reading group book guides.(Brief Article)
August 17, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publisher Vintage and UK bookseller WH Smith have entered into a partnership to produce exclusive guides designed for reading groups. The eight chosen books in the Vintage Reading Group...

Minimal job losses at Hodder Headline.(Brief Article)
August 17, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Hodder Headline has reported that it will suffer a small number of job losses after being bought by international publishing group Hachette. Two members of staff will be made redundant...

Author admits inaccuracies in book.
August 18, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The author of a bestselling Australian book has admitted she fabricated parts of her supposed life story. 'Forbidden Love' by Norma Khouri, which tells the story of the honour killing of...

Mainstream completes serial deal for Pavarotti book.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publisher Mainstream has announced that it has finalised a serial deal for the upcoming Pavarotti expose 'The King and I' by the opera star's former agent and publicist, Herbert Breslin. ...

Politico's director quits over publishers plans for new shop.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The director of Politico's Publishing, an imprint of the publishing house Methuen and off shoot of the bookshop Politico's, has resigned. Methuen are planning to open a politics-based...

Michael Moore to publish soldiers' letters with Simon & Schuster.(Brief Article)
August 19, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Author and film maker Michael Moore has signed a new book deal with the publisher Simon & Schuster to publish a collection of letters sent to him by US troops in Iraq. 'Will They Ever...

Books-A-Million reports flat second quarter results.(Brief Article)
August 19, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Books-A-Million the third largest bookstore chain in the US has released its second quarter results showing an increase in sales of USD114.1m. The chain which operates 202 stores saw...

JK Rowling speaks to Harry Potter fans in Edinburgh.(Brief Article)
August 19, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD JK Rowling gave Harry Potter fans a teasing glimpse at the future of the young wizard when she spoke to a select group of 500 fans in Edinburgh. Rowling read chapters from the fifth...

Amazon acquires China's Joyo.com.(Booktrade.com)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Online bookseller Amazon.co.uk is set to acquire Chinese online book and entertainment seller Joyo.com for USD75m. The deal will give Amazon access to the world's second biggest Internet...

Dylan Thomas Prize seeks funding.(Organisers)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Organisers of the Dylan Thomas Prize aimed at writers under 30 from anywhere in the world are looking for funding for the GBP50,000 prize. The Swansea, Wales-based prize is offering...

Scottish librarians to discuss compulsory open access publishing for academic research.(Brief Article)
August 23, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Librarians in Scotland are considering whether to make it compulsory that ever piece of academic research written in Scotland is made freely available over the Internet. The Scottish...

REVIEW: The Inmates are Running the Asylum.(Book Review)
August 24, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Alan Cooper's book isn`t an anti-technology, the-machines-will-take-over rant as the sub title `Why High-Tech Products Drive Us Crazy and How to Restore the Sanity` would suggest, but is in...

Louis de Bernieres loses laptop in robbery.(Brief Article)
August 24, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Louis de Bernieres, the author of 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin', is offering a reward for the return of a laptop computer that was stolen from his garden shed. The computer contains the...

Enid Blyton's Famous Five named most popular children's books.(Brief Article)
August 24, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Children's author Enid Blyton's Famous Five books have been named as the books that today's adults most enjoyed as children. The Famous Five series of 21 adventures beat 'The Lion, The...

Piers Morgan signs GBP1m book deal - report.(Ebury Press)(Brief Article)
August 24, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The former editor of British tabloid newspaper the Daily Mirror has reportedly signed a deal worth more than GBP1m to publish his memoirs. Piers Morgan is said to have agreed a contract...

Bob Dylan writes three-volume memoir.
August 26, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Simon & Schuster is to publish a memoir by singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The 304-page book, the first in a series of three, will be called 'Chronicles: Volume One'. It is scheduled...

Anti-Kerry book sells out in many stores.
August 26, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD US bookstore chains Barnes & Noble and Borders have reported huge sales of 'Unfit for Command', which questions Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's military record. Demand for...

Guide to Chinese language published ahead of Beijing Olympics.
August 26, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The People's Education Press in China has released a book aimed at helping foreigners become acquainted with basic Chinese language and culture ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. ...

Braille version of the Quran to be published.
August 27, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new edition of the Holy Quran, translated by Maulana Sher Ali Sahib, has reportedly been produced for people who are blind or partially sighted. The Braille version will be available...

Booker Prize 2004 longlist released.
August 27, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The longlist for this year's Booker Prize has been released, with commentators noting that a number of established authors have been excluded. Of the 22 nominees on the longlist, six are...

Edinburgh bids to become World City of Literature.
August 27, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Harry Potter author JK Rowling has given her support to the attempt by the Scottish city of Edinburgh to become UNESCO's first World City of Literature. Commenting on the bid, Rowling...

British Library concerned about shortage of book conservators.(Brief Article)
August 30, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A worldwide shortage of conservation experts could hamper the ability of the British Library to conserve its 150 million documents. The lack of book conservators has resulted from a drop...

Paris Hilton to release memoir.('Confessions of an Heiress: A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose')(Brief Article)
August 30, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Hilton heiress Paris Hilton is to release a memoir called 'Confessions of an Heiress: A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose'. The 198-page book, published by Fireside, includes details...

'Cloud Atlas' firm favourite for Booker Prize.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD 'Cloud Atlas' by David Mitchell has been installed as the hot favourite to win the 2004 Booker Prize after the longlist was announced. Bookmaker William Hill installed the book as...

Publishers appear on 'name and shame' list from Burma Campaign UK.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Lonely Planet, Random House and Pan Macmillan are among eight publishers that appear on a new 'name and shame' of companies that allegedly help to finance Burma's military dictatorship. ...