M2 Best Books articles from March 2004

M2 Best Books archives from March 2004

REVIEW: Bartending for Dummies.(Book Review)
March 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD If you've ever thought about what it would take to be considered the perfect host, then this book may well be for you. This is not just a simple recipe book for drinks and cocktails. The...

Judging panel for 2004 Man Booker Prize announced.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The judging panel for this year's Man Booker Prize for Fiction has been announced. The panel of five will be chaired by the Rt Hon. Chris Smith MP, a former UK Secretary of State for...

Young Irish writers signed up as success of chick-lit continues.(Fiction for young women)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The so-called chick-lit genre, consisting of novels for and about young women, is reportedly flourishing in Ireland. According to The Observer, publishers are signing up a new breed of...

Random House forms settlement with Thomas Nelson over 'Da Vinci Code' title.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Random House, publisher of bestselling book 'The Da Vinci Code', has reached a settlement in its legal battle over the release of a book called 'Breaking the Da Vinci Code'. The original...

New York education officials refuse to withdraw book from schools.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD State education officials in New York are resisting pressure to remove a book called 'This Is My House' from the school system. The book, which illustrates how people live in countries...

Jayson Blair's book to be published this week.(Burning Down My Master's House)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD 'Burning Down My Master's House', the book by former New York Times journalist Jayson Blair, is scheduled for release on 6 March. According to reports Blair admits in the book that he...

Vietnamese students' group publishes book about Japan.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Vietnamese Youth and Students Association (VYSA) in Japan has published a new book about Japan. The book features 1,001 questions and answers on Japan's history, culture, society,...

Literary archive offered to Scottish national library.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A collection of more than 150,000 literary documents is being put up for sale, with the National Library of Scotland being offered first refusal at a reduced price of GBP33m. The archive...

New book released by Bill Clinton's former pastor.(Rev. J. Philip Wogaman)(An Unexpected Journey)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The former pastor of Washington's Foundry United Methodist Church has written a book about his 10 years of ministry at the church, which lies about a mile from the White House. 'An...

Random House acquires niche publisher C.W. Daniel's lists.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishing group Random House has reportedly acquired the lists of independent mind, body and spirit publisher The C.W. Daniel Company Ltd. C.W. Daniel's titles, authors and copyrights...

Saddam Hussein's former doctor helps with new book.(Ala Bashir)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Ala Bashir, who was Saddam Hussein's doctor for more than 20 years, has given notes to a Norwegian television reporter for a new book. The book by reporter Lars Sigurd Sunnanaa, a Middle...

Author recounts stories of bird watchers in Big Year contest.(The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession)(Mark Obmascik)(Book Review)
March 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new book by Denver Post reporter Mark Obmascik tells the story of a bird watching event called the North American Big Year, a 365-day contest of birding. 'The Big Year: A Tale of Man,...

Business guide to outsourcing to India published.(Outsourcing to India: The Offshore Advantage)(Book Review)
March 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Author Mark Kobayashi-Hillary examines the trend for business to outsource technology and other business processes to India in his new book, 'Outsourcing to India: The Offshore Advantage'....

WH Smith books director in favour of removing cover price.(Trevor Goul-Wheeker )(Brief Article)
March 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The executive director of books at UK high street retailer WH Smith has said that he supports calls for a removal of cover prices from books. Trevor Goul-Wheeker said that abolishing the...

'Hamlet' third quarto to be auctioned next month.(Christie)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A rare edition of William Shakespeare's play 'Hamlet' is to be auctioned at the New York auction house of Christie's on 14 April. The third quarto edition, the final edition which was...

Taylor & Francis and Informa merge to form T&F Informa.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishing companies Informa and Taylor & Francis announced on Tuesday (2 March) plans to merge in a deal valued at GBP1.1bn. Under the terms of the agreement shareholders of Taylor &...

Book about John Kerry's presidential campaign to be released.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A book about Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign in the United States will be published in July ahead of the Democratic National Convention. The author of the as-yet untitled book,...

Amazon.co.uk introduces author interviews.(Brief Article)
March 3, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Online retailer Amazon's UK web site has launched a facility called Authors' Lounge, in which visitors to the site can watch interviews with selected authors. Located at...

Author Daniel J. Boorstin dies, aged 89.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
March 3, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Historian and author Daniel J. Boorstin, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1974, has died of pneumonia at the age of 89. Boorstin was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for 'The Americans: The...

Author outlines alternative theory on dreams.(Tess Castleman)(Threads, Knots, Tapestries: How a Tribal Connection is Revealed Through Dreams and Synchronicities)(Book Review)
March 3, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Jungian analyst and author Tess Castleman has released a new book on how our dreams connect us and can give us information about others. 'Threads, Knots, Tapestries: How a Tribal...

New book shows how to choose colours for your home.(Choosing Colors: An Expert Choice of the Best Colors to Use in Your Home)(Book Review)
March 3, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD 'Choosing Colors: An Expert Choice of the Best Colors to Use in Your Home', a new book by Kevin McCloud, has been published in the US. The reference book shows readers how to choose the...

Tony Martin denies cooperating with author of new book.(Brief Article)
March 3, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD British farmer Tony Martin, who was jailed for shooting dead a 16-year-old burglar in his home, has denied that he cooperated with the recently released book, 'Tony Martin: A Right To Kill?'....

REVIEW: Man About The Kitchen - Recipes for the Reluctant Chef.(Book Review)
March 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD From the author of 'Student Grub', comes the next stage on the kitchen evolutionary ladder - the adult male, in 'Man About The Kitchen - Recipes for the Reluctant Chef'. Putting aside...

Oxfam set to sell second-hand books online.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Charity organisation Oxfam has announced that it has started to sell second-hand books online through a partnership with Abebooks, an online book retailer. The books will be made...

Disney to back new Narnia film.(Walt Disney Co.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The Walt Disney Co has said that it will support a new film based on 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' by C.S. Lewis. Disney has signed a deal with Walden Media to co-finance and...

Controversy over 'Da Vinci Code' and Mel Gibson film leads to higher sales of religious books.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Sales of religious books have reportedly increased following the controversy surrounding Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code' and the new Mel Gibson film 'The Passion of the Christ'. ...

Over 1m copies published of poetry book from the Pope.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A poetry anthology released by Pope John Paul II last year is now available in 20 languages, with over one million copies being published to date. There are also plans to publish the...

UK copyright agency pays out record sum.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The UK's Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA), which licenses organisations for photocopying and scanning, paid out a record sum to copyright holders in the year 2002/03. The agency paid...

Author examines rise of interest in spirituality.(Robert Forman)(Grassroots Spirituality: What it is, Why it is here, Where it is going)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new book by author Robert Forman examines the increased interest in spirituality, the movement in which people from all religious traditions and none are finding spiritual direction and...

REVIEW: The Stealing of the Irish Crown Jewels.(Book Review)
March 4, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Myles Dungan`s book, on one of the great unsolved thefts of the 20th century, reads like the best of who done it novels, but contains an even more intriguing cast of characters and a...

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport releases book.(DFW: A Balance of Nature and Global Technology)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Dallas/Fort Worth Airport has released a book titled 'DFW: A Balance of Nature and Global Technology'. The book celebrates the 30th anniversary of the airport and a century of aviation...

New web site supports children's book series.(The Fantastic World of the Oddies)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new web site has been launched to accompany the children's book series 'The Fantastic World of the Oddies'. The site can be found at http://www.oddieworld.com and offers visitors the...

Survey finds accountants read for pleasure most often.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A survey carried out to mark World Book Day has found that accountants spend more time reading books for pleasure than any other profession. Accountants spend an average of more than...

JK Rowling says later Harry Potter books possible.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, has hinted that she may write another book about Harry as an adult. The author was asked during an online chat with fans whether she would...

German children's author signs Hollywood film deal.(Cornelia Funke)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Film rights to a novel by German children's writer Cornelia Funke have been acquired by New Line Cinema. The film company has optioned the novel 'Inkheart' and has signed a three-movie...

Authors object to UK proposal on scrapping cover prices on books.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Proposals in the UK to remove recommended retail prices from book covers have been criticised by a group of 37 authors. Authors including JK Rowling, Philip Pullman, Nick Hornby, Antony...

Study asks non-book readers to explain why they prefer other forms of entertainment.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Interviews with 200 people who rarely read or buy books has found that they tend to believe that CDs and videos provide better value for money, because of repeated use in the future. ...

New book tells the stories of autistic women.(Women from Another Planet? Our Lives in the Universe of Autism)(Book Review)
March 5, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The stories of autistic women are brought together in a new book edited by Jean Kearns Miller, titled 'Women from Another Planet? Our Lives in the Universe of Autism'. The book features...

New book uses teddy bear stories to teach children good morals.(Little Bear Belly Valley)(Book Review)
March 5, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD 'Little Bear Belly Valley' is a new children's book by author and poet Lady Anne Greywolf which aims to give children a positive message with good morals and values. The book features...

Publishing industry reacts to booksellers cover price proposal.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publishers, agents and authors have all voiced their concern over the major booksellers' proposal to remove book cover prices. Authors and agents have issued angry statements claiming...

National Book Critics Circle announces award winners.(Edward P Jones)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The National Book Critics Circle fiction prize has been awarded to 'The Known World', Edward P Jones' novel about a black slave owner and the collapse of his plantation. Jones' first...

First ever 'Audiobook of the Year' awards finalists announced.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The first ever 'Audiobook of the Year' awards are to be given out at a ceremony at the 2004 Book Expo in Chicago. The awards will recognise not just top class spoken word content but...

New 'Left Behind' book bestseller before publication.(The Glorious Appealing)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Christian publisher, Tyndale House, has announced that all 1.9m copies of the final book in its 'Left behind' series have been sold to booksellers. 'The Glorious Appealing' by Tim LaHaye...

Christian bookstores boosted by success of 'The Passion of the Christ'.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The success of the controversial Mel Gibson film 'The Passion of the Christ' has rubbed off onto Christian bookstores. Merchandise from the movie has pushed sales beyond February 2003...

'Lit Idol 2004' down to last five.(Winner gets contract with Curtis Brown Ltd.)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The short-listed finalists for 'Lit Idol 2004', the search for a major new novelist, have been announced. The competition to win a lucrative contract with major literary agency Curtis...

Disney sees Lewis as new Tolkien.(CS Lewis)(JRR Tolkien)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Disney is hoping that CS Lewis' fantasy world of Narnia can become the next 'Lord of the Rings'. JRR Tolkien's classic trilogy has dominated the box office for the past three years,...

2,400 pirated Lonely Planet guides confiscated in Vietnam.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Inspectors in Vietnam have seized over 2000 pirated copies of Lonely Planet travel guide books. The illegal copies of guides to Thailand and Vietnam were found in a bookshop in Ho Chi...

'Noddy' gives 627% boost to Chorion.(success of the Make Way for Noddy)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The owner of the children's character 'Noddy', Chorion, has reported a pre-tax profit jump of 627% to GBP3.1m. Chorion's sales jumped by 100% to GBP18.6m in 2003, with the company saying...

Salman Rushdie appointed president of PEN.(International Writers Organisation)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Salman Rushdie, the 56 year old author of 'The Satanic Verses', has been appointed president of PEN, the International Writers Organisation. PEN was one of Rushdie's biggest supporters...

Sri Lanka Telecom and The Asia Foundation to distribute 100,000 books.(Books for Asia programme)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) has joined The Asia Foundation's 'Books for Asia' programme in an attempt to re-establish the country's educational facilities and help build for the future. SLT...

'DUNE' authors rumoured to have secured largest ever sci-fi advance.(Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert)(Tor Books, Hodder & Stoughton Ltd)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD It has been rumoured that Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert have been awarded the largest-ever advance for a single science fiction contract for the final two 'DUNE' books. The deal,...

Despite huge advances in the headlines, most authors earn less than GBP20,000 a year.(Brief Article)
March 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The attention grabbing advances that are rumoured to be paid to first-time teenage authors, politicians and people in the news are not a reflection of most writers' pay packets according to...

Borders UK appoints new senior buyers.(Sullivan, Mike Brookes, Joanne Owen, Mel Yarker)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Bookstore chain Borders UK has announced the appointment of three new senior buyers to head specialist teams charged with managing the buying strategy for Borders and Books Etc. Mike...

HarperCollins pays GBP145,000 to settle libel claim.(Irish boxing promoter and businessman Barney Eastwood)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publisher HarperCollins has reportedly paid GBP145,000 to settle a claim from Irish boxing promoter and businessman Barney Eastwood for libel damages. Eastwood accepted the out-of-court...

Second British Book Awards party at the Grosvenor.(2004)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A second British Book Awards party is to be held on the same night as the main awards ceremony due to the unprecedented demand for tickets for the event on 7 April 2004. The Nibbies...

Early Hemingway letter expected to fetch GBP30,000.(letter written in 1925 by Ernest Hemingway)(Brief Article)
March 9, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A rediscovered letter by Ernest Hemingway, written in 1925, is expected to fetch up to GBP30,000 when it goes under auction on 8 April 2004 in London. The letter launches a blistering...

REVIEW: Frommer's London 2004.(a guide)(Book Review)
March 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Aimed squarely at the US market, Frommer's London 2004 is a detailed and interesting guide to England's capital city. Unlike the Rough Guides or Lonely Planet series, Frommer's has a more...

2003 Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalists announced.(Bibliography)
March 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The finalists for the 24th annual Los Angeles Times Book Prize have been announced. The 45 finalists in nine categories, from fiction to science and technology, were revealed in New...

David & Charles Group reports impressive sales and profit growth.(Brief Article)
March 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK-based publisher and specialist book club operator, David & Charles Group, has announced a 38% growth in operating profit to GBP1.96m for 2003. The US-owned company also reported a 10%...

Canongate revel in success of 'The Life of Pi'.(Brief Article)
March 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Scottish publisher, Canongate, have announced a profit of GBP950,000 for 2003, thanks mainly to the Booker Prize winning novel, 'The Life of Pi' by Yan Martel. The publisher's sales of...

Archbishop of Canterbury praises Pullman's 'blasphemous' trilogy.(Brief Article)
March 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Dr Rowan Williams, The Archbishop of Canterbury, and leader of the world's 70 million Anglicans, has praised Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy and its recent stage adaptation. ...

German publisher heads for English language market.(Campus Verlag)(Cyan Books)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Frankfurt-based publisher, Campus Verlag (Campus), which specialises in business, self-development, science and general interest books, is to expand into the English language market. ...

2003 PEN/Faulkner Award nominees announced.(Brief Article)(Bibliography)
March 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The nominees for the prestigious PEN/Faulkner Award for fiction have been announced. The 1985 winner, Tobias Wolff, is nominated for his first full length novel, 'Old School', while...

Jacqueline Wilson holds mammoth eight hour signing session.(Brief Article)
March 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Children's author, Jacqueline Wilson, has unexpectedly held what could be the longest book signing in British history. The signing at Waterstone's Bournemouth Castlepoint store began at...

Former New York Mayor's ex-wife to write about love.(Brief Article)
March 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The ex-wife of former New York City Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, is to write a book about love. Actress and TV presenter Donna Hanover's 'My Boyfriend's Back: Second Chance Love', is based on...

WH Smith to start Scottish Book of the Month promotion.(Scottish Publishers Association)(Welsh Book Council)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Bookseller, WH Smith, is to begin a Scottish Book of The Month promotion in all of its Scottish stores after pressure from the Scottish Publishers Association and the Welsh Book Council. ...

Open access publisher hits back at criticism.(Harold Varmus, president of United States Public Library of Science)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Harold Varmus, president of the US Public Library of Science, which publishes open access scientific journals, has hit back at criticism from traditional publishers that open access could...

Rejected Heinlein novel published.(Brief Article)
March 10, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The 'lost' manuscript of science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein's first novel 'For Us, the Living' has been published 60 years after it was rejected by two publishers. Heinlein, the...

REVIEW: The Five Biggest Unsolved Problems in Science.(Book Review)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD This book, which details the five biggest unsolved problems in science, is ideal for anyone that is curious about how the world works and the extent of our knowledge. The five biggest...

REVIEW: Pains on Trains; A Commuter's Guide to the 50 Most Irritating Travel Companions.(Andrew Holmes and Matthew Reeves)(Book Review)(Brief Review)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Anyone who undertakes a daily commute will be able to relate to this book, 'Pains on Trains; A Commuter's Guide to the 50 Most Irritating Travel Companions'. Andrew Holmes and Matthew Reeves...

New York Times appoints new book development director.(Alex Ward)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The New York Times has appointed its editor of special sections, Alex Ward, as the new editorial director of book development effective 26 March 2004, reporting to both the newsroom and...

Publisher, John Wiley & Sons announces dividends.(stocks)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Publisher, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., has announced a quarterly cash dividend of USD0.65 per share. The board of directors said the dividend would be payable on Class A and B common stock...

Disney sign children's author Judy Blume.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Disney has signed a deal to film the bestselling books of author Judy Blume. Blume has sold over 75 million copies of books such as 'Are You There God?' and 'Superfudge', which have been...

REVIEW: XML in Theory and Practice.(Book Review)(Brief Review)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD This new book by Chris Bates seeks to teach the reader how XML can be used in many aspects of web and software development. For anyone that is looking to utilise XML in their software...

British Book Awards grand prize finalists announced.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The finalists for the main prize at the 2004 British Book Awards have been announced. Following the trend of the awards rewarding sales as much as critical acclaim, the nominations...

REVIEW: Inside Maya 5.(book of Mark Adams, Erick Miller, Max Sims)(Book Review)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Ask most people what they think of Maya and they may respond with comments about ancient peoples and mystical languages and religions. One thing that they are highly unlikely to recount are...

Web diary prostitute signs book deal.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A prostitute who detailed her life as a call girl through an Internet 'weblog' is rumoured to have signed a six-figure book deal. Publisher Weindenfeld & Nicholson has bought Belle de...

New Beijing publishing group formed.(Beijing Publishing Group Co Ltd)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A new Beijing-based publishing group has been formed with the backing of China's central government. The Beijing Publishing Group Co Ltd is made up of four of the city's bookshops, the...

New York Times appoints new Book Review editor.(Sam Tanenhaus)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The New York times has appointed Sam Tanenhaus as the new editor of The New York Times Book Review, one of the most coveted jobs in the industry. Tanenhaus comes to the job from his...

Somalian author attacked by stalker.(Waris Dirie)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Somalian born author and former supermodel, Waris Dirie, has been attacked by a stalker in her home in Vienna. The author, who's bestselling biography recounted her circumcision at the...

Uneasy response to the growth of China's juvenile authors.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The rapid emergence of the trend for young writers in China has reportedly split the literary community and the public. Publishers are actively encouraging their young prodigies and with...

Martin Amis available for new US publishing contract.(Miramax)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Martin Amis, recovering from a critical backlash, is reportedly available to publishers in the US. Amis' USD850,000 deal with Talk Books, now Miramax, which tempted him away from Random...

Singapore police ban gay literature seminars.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The authorities in Singapore have banned a theatre group from holding three seminars on gay literature and issues. Rights groups have condemned the decision to not allow The Fun Stage...

'Da Vinci Code' critiques hope to cash in on an old hoax.('Secrets of the Code' and 'Breaking The Da Vinci Code')(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Attempts to cash in on Dan Brown's bestselling novel 'The Da Vinci Code' have begun in earnest, with two books attempting to prove that the thriller's foundations are more than fiction. ...