M2 Best Books articles from August 2005

M2 Best Books archives from August 2005

Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest winner announced.(Brief Article)
August 2, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Organisers of a literary competition that celebrates bad writing have named Microsoft analyst Dan McKay as this year's winner. The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest challenges entrants to...

New Time Warner publishing imprint aimed at baby boomers.(Brief Article)
August 2, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Time Warner Book Group is reportedly to launch a new publishing imprint aimed at people in their 40s through to their 60s. The imprint, which has not yet been named, will specialise in...

Pirate translations of new Harry Potter book sold in China.(Brief Article)
August 2, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An unauthorised translation of JK Rowling's 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' has been printed and sold in China. The book, priced at around CNY20, reportedly contains several...

New Penguin Classics imprint to launch next year.(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishing group Penguin will reportedly introduce a new classic literature imprint in January 2006. Penguin Red Classics will publish classic novels without notes or introduction,...

Hyperion to publish book by Teri Hatcher.(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD US actress Teri Hatcher is to write a book of advice and inspiration for women. 'Burnt Toast' will tell Hatcher's story and explain how she felt to have a second chance at the age of 40....

Two Michael Jackson jurors to release books.(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Two jurors from the child sex abuse trial of pop star Michael Jackson have reportedly signed deals to publish tell-all books. Eleanor Cook is writing a book with the help of her...

Marlon Brando novel published.(Fan Tan)
August 5, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD 'Fan Tan', a novel co-written by actor Marlon Brando, is being published in the UK and the US. The book was reportedly written by Brando and Scottish film-maker Donald Cammell over a...

Film version of Kerouac novel planned.(Jack Kerouac, On the Road)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A film version of Jack Kerouac's novel 'On the Road' is reportedly to be made by director Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope production company. The company, which has owned the...

Finnish athlete to publish debut novel.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Retired Finnish athlete Heli Kruger is reportedly to release an erotic novel set in the sporting world. The former triple and long jumper's debut novel is called 'Olen koskettanut...

Dan Brown wins plagiarism case in the US.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A US court has ruled in favour of Dan Brown, author of 'The Da Vinci Code', in a plagiarism case brought by writer Lewis Perdue. Perdue had claimed that Brown's book contained elements of...

Hughes and Hughes to open more bookshops in Ireland.(Brief Article)
August 9, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Book chain Hughes and Hughes is reportedly planning to double the number of stores it operates across Ireland. The company is opening its 14th store this week and aims to have 30...

Consumer Protection Board warns public over "natural cures" book.(Kevin Trudeau)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A warning has been issued by the New York State Consumer Protection Board over a self-published book which claims to offer "natural cures" for cancer and other diseases. Kevin Trudeau's...

Madeleine Albright to release book on religion and politics.(Brief Article)
August 9, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD HarperCollins has said that the first of two books it will publish from former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will be about religion and international politics. 'The Mighty and...

Books by children's author to be promoted through SMS.(Meg Cabot)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publisher HarperCollins has unveiled a text message-based marketing campaign for children's novels by author Meg Cabot. As part of the campaign fans of the author who join the Meg Cabot...

Man Booker Prize longlist released.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The longlist for this year's Man Booker Prize has been unveiled, featuring established authors as well as first-time novelists. Ian McEwan, Kazuo Ishiguro, Salman Rushdie and JM Coetzee...

HarperCollins reports improved Q4.
August 11, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD HarperCollins, the publishing unit of media group News Corp, has reported operating income of USD12m for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year ended 30 June. Q4 operating income was up...

Robert Ludlum books to become computer games.(Brief Article)
August 12, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Novels written by author Robert Ludlum are to be turned into computer games under an agreement signed by Vivendi Universal Games. The company has entered into a long-term deal to develop...

Business book by Tim Waterstone to be published.(Brief Article)
August 12, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The founder of the UK-based book retail chain Waterstone's is to release a business book. 'Swimming Against the Stream: Ten Rules for Creating Your Business and Making Your Life' by Tim...

Spanish books removed from Denver libraries.(Brief Article)
August 12, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Thousands of Spanish-language books have reportedly been removed from public libraries in Denver because of concerns about their content. Some of the so-called fotonovelas are alleged to...

Bloomsbury puts paperback plans for Judith Kelly memoir on hold.(Bloomsbury Publishing PLC)(Brief Article)
August 16, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publisher Bloomsbury has revealed that it is indefinitely postponing the paperback release of 'Rock Me Gently' by Judith Kelly. The hardback edition of the memoir sold around 30,000...

Ireland's Eason & Son sees sales rise after British Bookshops acquisition.(Brief Article)
August 16, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Irish book retailer Eason & Son has reported a 22% increase in sales following its acquisition of British Bookshops and Stationers plc in south-east England. Turnover for its 2004/2005...

Google's scanning of copyrighted books halted temporarily.(Brief Article)
August 16, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Internet company Google has reportedly announced a three-month pause in the scanning of copyrighted books for its Google Print Library project. As part of the project, which involves...

Borders reports fall in net income.(Borders Group Inc)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Book retail chain Borders Group Inc has reported a decline of 84% in net income after weak sales in the United Kingdom. The US-based company earned USD1.3m, or USD0.02 per share, during...

Vote launched for UK's favourite gay-themed novel.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A public vote is to be held in the UK to find the most popular lesbian or gay novel. The Big Gay Read, devised by librarians and publishing agency Commonworld, was reportedly inspired by...

Ottakar's may be taken private - report.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A management team at UK book chain Ottakar's is reportedly holding talks with a private equity firm about taking the company private. Chief executive James Heneage, chairman Philip Dunne...

Barnes & Noble reports increase in sales and profit for Q2.
August 19, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Book chain Barnes & Noble Inc (NYSE:BKS) has reported a 6% rise in sales for the second quarter of 2005. Sales revenue in the quarter ended 30 July totalled USD1.17bn compared to...

Libel damages awarded over book about Malaysian politician.(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A former deputy prime minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, has been awarded libel damages over a book that accused him of sexual misconduct. Anwar had sued author Khalid Jafri for his...

Online library to offer thousands of titles.(My Book Your Book)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new online book-sharing scheme called My Book Your Book is reported to have received 750 applications before going live. According to Peter Baillie, the online library's founder, all...

Gyldendal ASA reports first-half pre-tax loss of NOK50.0m.(Brief Article)
August 23, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Norwegian publishing group Gyldendal ASA issued on Tuesday (23 August) its figures for the first half of the year, reporting a pre-tax loss of NOK50.0m, as compared to a loss of NOK40.9m...

Amazon.com offers exclusive short stories.(Brief Article)
August 23, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Online retailer Amazon.com Inc is now offering exclusive digital copies of short stories that are written exclusively for the company. The 'Amazon Shorts' stories are being offered for...

Book vending machines launched in France.(Maxi-Livres book store chain introduces vending machines)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Five vending machines containing paperback books are now available in France following an initiative by French publisher and bookstore chain Maxi-Livres. The machines in Paris feature 25...

Audio book service for self-published authors launched.(Spoken Books Publishing starts audio book publishing service)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Spoken Books Publishing, a division of print-on-demand publisher Infinity Publishing, has launched an audio book production service for self-published authors. Under the service Spoken...

Gyldendal reports first-half record operating result of DKK28.88m.(Brief Article)
August 25, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Danish publishing group Gyldendalske Boghandel, Nordisk Forlag A/S (Gyldendal) issued its six-month report on Thursday (25 August), posting an operating result of DKK28.88m as compared to...

Prospect of new TV series from 'Sex and the City' author.(Candace Bushnell)(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The author of 'Sex and the City', which was turned into a successful television series, has said that her latest book may follow the same route. Candace Bushnell is in talks with US...

Audiobook downloads available from US libraries.(Brief Article)
August 29, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Public libraries in the US have reportedly started offering audiobook downloads without the borrower needing to visit the library. Titles can be downloaded to a computer or portable music...

Directors to recommend management bid for Ottakar's - report.
August 29, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The independent directors of UK book chain Ottakar's are reportedly planning to recommend a takeover offer from a management team at the company. The non-executive chairman, managing...

Author criticised for guide to dating Jewish men.(Boy Vey! The Shiksa's Guide to Dating Jewish Men)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
August 29, 2005... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An author has received criticism from some quarters of the Jewish community after releasing a book for non-Jewish women on understanding Jewish men. The light-hearted guide, called 'Boy...