M2 Best Books articles from July 2004

M2 Best Books archives from July 2004

Amazon to cut jobs in French office.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Online bookseller Amazon.com is planning to cut jobs from its office in Guyancourt, France and move some of them to the UK as part of a global reorganisation. The company is negotiating...

New musical based on bestselling children's book opens in New York.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new musical based on the bestselling children's book 'Children's Letters to God' has opened in New York, USA. The book, which is made up of questions that children would want to ask...

Publisher claims to have reduced picture book printing costs.(MidAmerica Publishing Company)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Blue Foot Press, an imprint of MidAmerica Publishing Company, claims to have significantly reduced the cost of publishing hardcover children's picture books. The publisher's new...

JK Rowling plans eighth Harry Potter book for charity.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD JK Rowling has said that she might write an eighth book for charity after she finishes the seven planned Harry Potter books. Rowling has always maintained that there would only be seven...

Independent online publishing reveals new generation of Chinese authors.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new generation of young Chinese writers are publishing their novels online in order to get their bleak and pessimistic work seen. The trend was started by Murong Xuecun and his novel...

Clinton announces UK promotion dates.(for 'My Life')(Brief Article)
July 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Former US president Bill Clinton has announced his UK promotional schedule for his record-breaking bestseller 'My Life'. Clinton will be in London to promote the memoir on 12 and 13 July...

Chorion in search of new TV series for Mr Men and Enid Blyton franchises.
July 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Intellectual property and brand company Chorion has announced that it is looking for animation producers to create new animated series for its Mr Men and Enid Blyton franchises. Chorion,...

Waterstone's announce rise in sales and new store plans.(financial results)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK bookstore chain Waterstone's has announced that sales have risen from GBP406.2m to GBP428.9m for the year ending 24 April 2004. Like-for-like sales over the twelve months rose by 4.8%...

Heyer reissues prove a success.(sales at Georgette Heyer )(Brief Article)
July 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publisher Georgette Heyer has announced that sales of it backlist have risen since it re-packaged and relaunched them in January 2004. The publisher, which specialises in Regency-period...

Gulf Air launches 'sky bookshop'.(services)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Airline Gulf Air has announced the launch of a 'sky bookshop' on its longhaul flights. The international carrier will have a different book on sale each month beginning with 'The Murder...

REVIEW: Haynes Computer Troubleshooting.(Book Review)
July 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Haynes car manuals could turn your dad into an expert Cortina mechanic in the space of an afternoon, so lets be thankful that Haynes has decided to spread its wings and start writing...

REVIEW: The Maze.(Book Review)
July 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Donovan Wylie's photographic study of Northern Ireland's Maze prison is a haunting and buzzing picture of one of the UK's most iconic symbols. Built in the 1970's at the height of the...

REVIEW: The Big Idea Book.(Book Review)
July 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A spin off from the Idea-a-Day.com website, 'The Big Idea Book' is a fascinating modern history of how the world has moved on over the past four years, as well as a book full of inspiration...

REVIEW: Electronic Dance Music Programming Secrets.(Book Review)
July 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Roger Brown, a freelance music programmer and former columnist for The Mix and Future Music Magazines, has teamed up with Martin Griese, the founder of Newtronic, to release a second edition...

Sean Connery signs GBP2m autobiography deal.(Brief Article)
July 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Scottish actor Sean Connery has signed a GBP2m deal with publisher HarperCollins for his autobiography. The 73-year-old former James Bond star will receive GBP1m for the UK and...

Publishers target 'Rooney-mania'.(Wayne Rooney)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Following an impressive showing at the Euro 2004 football tournament in Portugal publishers are racing to release titles related to new England star Wayne Rooney. The 18-year-old striker...

Japanese author assaults bookstore owner - report.(Hiroshi Kono)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Japanese author Hiroshi Kono has been arrested by police in Hiroshima for allegedly assaulting the owner of a bookshop where he was trying to buy a copy of his own book. Kono, whose book...

Lance Armstrong fined by French court in book battle.(Brief Article)
July 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A French court has rejected an attempt by cyclist Lance Armstrong to force a publisher to include the star's denial of drug allegations in a new book about him. Armstrong wanted the...

Writers set up new specialist crime publisher.(Iain Pattison, Lynne Patrick opened Creme de la Crime)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new crime publishing company has been set up by two freelance writers. Creme de la Crime is the brainchild of writers Iain Pattison and Lynne Patrick who feel that new writers are...

Nicholas Clee to step down as editor of The Bookseller.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The editor of The Bookseller magazine Nicholas Clee is to leave the post in autumn 2004 to pursue other opportunities in the industry. Clee joined the magazine in 1984, becoming deputy...

Springer adopts partial open access policy.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Science journal publisher Springer has announced that it is to allow its author's to make their work freely available, putting pressure on academic publisher Reed Elsevier to adopt open...

Dorling Kindersley to publish BBC's 'Fat Nation' tie-in book.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publisher Dorling Kindersley has announced that it is to launch the tie-in book for a major new BBC health series. 'Fat Nation - The Big Challenge' will begin on BBC1 in the autumn 2004...

Clinton charity cookbook boosted by 'My Life' release.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A charity cookbook released in January 2004 by Bill Clinton's library foundation is riding high on the back of the former President's bestselling memoir 'My Life'. 'The Clinton...

O'Reilly to release guide to PayPal.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishers O'Reilly is to release a guide to the popular online payment system PayPal. 'PayPal Hacks' claims to allow users to make the most of the service whether you are shopping on...

Children's author Paula Danziger dies aged 59.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
July 12, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Paula Danziger, author of the popular The Amber Brown children's book series, has died aged 59. Danziger was the author of over thirty books including the teen bestseller 'The Cat Ate My...

New Permira company may make WH Smith bid.(W.H. Smith Group PLC)(Brief Article)
July 12, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new company formed by private equity firm Permira is considering making a revised takeover offer for troubled UK bookseller WH Smith. Permira dropped a previous takeover bid in June...

Winner of the 2004 Carnegie medal announced.(Jennifer Donnelly)(Brief Article)
July 12, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Carnegie Medal, the UK's most prestigious children's literature prize has been awarded to American author Jennifer Donnelly for her novel 'A Gathering Light'. Donnelly had been...

Independent bookstore voted best bookstore in Living London Awards.(Stoke Newington Bookshop)(Brief Article)
July 12, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The independent Stoke Newington Bookshop has won the title of Best Bookshop in LBC 97.3's Living London Awards in the UK. The store, co-owned by a former Penguin sales rep Jo Adams, beat...

JK Rowling to appear at Edinburgh Book Festival.(Brief Article)
July 12, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD JK Rowling will give a rare public reading at the Edinburgh Book Festival on 15 August. The event will also give some fans the chance to put questions to the bestselling Harry Potter...

Quarto Group acquires Creative Publishing International.
July 13, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD London-based book publisher Quarto Group has announced the acquisition of US-based publisher Creative Publishing International (CPi) for USD10.8m. CPi specialises in 'how-to' books...

Private bookshops allowed to exhibit at Chinese book fair for first time.(Brief Article)
July 13, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Private book companies have been allowed to exhibit at a national book fair in China. The move signals a loosening of regulations on the publishing industry and will see 60 private...

Body Shop founder to release two new books.(The Body Shop)(Brief Article)
July 13, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The founder of The Body Shop chain Dame Anita Roddick is to release two books in the US in September 2004. Both published by Roddick's own Anita Roddick Books imprint, 'Troubled Water:...

WWE launches Summer Reading Spectacular.(World Wrestling Entertainment)(Brief Article)
July 13, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD World Wrestling Entertainment has announced the launch of its second annual Get R.E.A.L. Summer Reading Spectacular designed to encourage young people to read. Through out the summer WWE...

Chile celebrates birth of Pablo Neruda.(Brief Article)
July 13, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Chile has marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of its most famous poet Pablo Neruda with a series of celebrations. The country's president Ricardo Lagos travelled to Neruda's home...

REVIEW: 50 Fast Photoshop CS Techniques.(Gregory Georges)(Book Review)
July 19, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Adobe has recently released its latest photograph editing software, Adobe Photoshop CS, a powerful new upgrade from Photoshop 7.0. The release has prompted Gregory Georges to produce a guide...

JK Rowling sells more than 260m Harry Potter books.(Brief Article)
July 19, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter stories, is said to have sold more than 260m copies of her books. In the seven years since the launch of her first Harry Potter book - 'Harry...

Agatha Christie named the nation's favourite detective writer.(Brief Article)
July 19, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Agatha Christie has topped a poll of crime authors to be named the nation's favourite detective writer. The creator of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot wrote classics including 'Death on...

John Steinbeck's relatives argue over royalties and copyright.(Brief Article)
July 19, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Relatives of US author John Steinbeck are said to have filed a lawsuit against the estate of his third wife Elaine over royalties and copyright control. Steinbeck's son, Thomas...

John Leslie to write book about rape allegations.(Brief Article)
July 19, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Former UK television presenter John Leslie is writing a book about what he call his "year of hell". Leslie is said to have already started work on the book, which will chronicle rape...

REVIEW: Art History: A Very Short Introduction.(Book Review)
July 20, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Forming part of Oxford University Press's 'A Very Short Introduction' series this book on the origins, development and methodology of art history is concise, clear and beautifully thought...

John Travolta to write autobiography.(Brief Article)
July 20, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Actor John Travolta is reportedly planning to write a book detailing his life story. Travolta, who is also an actor, singer and pilot, is said to be submitting plans with publishing...

Judges named for 2004 Smarties book prize.(Brief Article)
July 20, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Judges for the 2004 Smarties book prizes have been announced. Broadcasters Libby Purves and Mark Lawson will be part of the panel, along with journalist Geraldine Brennan and children's...

Martha Stewart to write book on trial experiences.(Brief Article)
July 20, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Martha Stewart is reportedly planning to write a book about her trial experience. Stewart was sentenced to five months in prison and five months home confinement for lying to...

REVIEW: The Complete Book of Personal Training.(Book Review)
July 20, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Douglas S. Brooks has produced a book - 'The Complete Book of Personal Training' - to provide practical guidance to all aspects of the personal training business. The comprehensive, personal...

Brian Chikwava wins 2004 Caines Prize for African Writing.(Brief Article)
July 20, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The 2004 Caine Prize for African Writing has been awarded to Zimbabwe's Brian Chikwava. The 32-year-old - who grew up in Bulawayo but spent his formative years in Harare - was presented...

Stolen library books prompt police chase.(Brief Article)
July 20, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A 36-year-old man stole a number of library books from Syracuse University's Bird Library in the US, resulting in a police chase. The man is said to have run a red light on Sunday near...

REVIEW: Full-Body Flexibility.(Book Review)
July 20, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Stretching is the key to maintaining flexibility - how far and how easily you can move your joints. Stretching is the simplest of physical activities, and when done properly it can enhance...

Symantec and Addison-Wesley Professional launch Symantec Press.(Brief Article)
July 20, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Information security provider Symantec and Addison-Wesley Professional, a publisher of information for programmers, developers and system administrators, have entered a strategic...

Reed Elsevier plans to raise the price of academic journals.(Brief Article)
July 21, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Reed Elsevier, a publisher of information for professional users, is reportedly pushing to raise the price of its academic journals. The company is planning to raise the price by more...

Two bars both claim to have been Hemingway's favourite place.(Brief Article)
July 21, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Two bars in Key West are at odds over which was Hemingway's favourite place to drink. The owners both claim that their bar is the preferred watering hole of the Nobel Prize winner during...

Erica Jong to release new novel.(Brief Article)
July 21, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Author Erica Jong is to release a new novel, which will be published by Arcadia Books in August 2004. The book, titled 'Sappho's Leap', travels back 2,600 years to inhabit the mind of...

Stone Village Pictures purchase film rights to Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel.(Love in the Time of Cholera)(Brief Article)
July 22, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Stone Village Pictures has reportedly purchased the film rights to Nobel Prize-winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez's classic novel 'Love in the Time of Cholera'. The book, published in 1985,...

Robotic librarians being developed.(University Jaume I)(Brief Article)
July 22, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A group of robotics researchers at University Jaume I in Spain is reportedly working on a robot librarian. The prototype is said to have cameras, sensors and grippers so it can locate...

Bill Clinton's book faked by Chinese counterfeiters.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Chinese publishing pirates have reportedly counterfeited former US President Bill Clinton's new book, 'My Life'. Publishing pirates counterfeit entire books and rewrite the contents to...

Scotland's attempts to secure lottery grant in question.(finance to the archives of John Murray Publishers)(Brief Article)
July 22, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Scotland's attempts to secure a multi-million pound literary archive have been thrown into question after the Heritage Lottery Fund deferred a request for a contribution. The National...

Alicia Keys sued by literary agency.(Brief Article)
July 26, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Soul star Alicia Keys is reportedly being sued by her former literary agency. Lukeman Literary claims that it helped Keys to negotiate a publishing contract but she then negotiated and...

New book looks at changing newspaper design.(Book Review)
July 26, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new book examines the changes to the design of newspapers in recent times. 'Contemporary Newspaper Design', edited by John D. Berry, includes essays about redesigns around the world...