AbeBooks' Reading Copy

More science fiction news this morning, Cory Doctorow and Ian MacLeod were announced as the joint winners of the John W. Campbell award for the best science fiction novel of the year. It was Doctorow’s Little Brother and MacLeod’s Song of Time which won them the honors. It’s only the third time that the balloting [...]

Alice Hoffman apologizes for scathing Twitter remarks made in response to a negative review of her latest book, The Story Sisters.

The 2009 Locus awards for the best science fiction books were announced yesterday. You can see the whole list of winners at their website but here are the highlights Sci fi novel: Anathem by Neal Stephenson Fantasy novel: Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin First novel: Singularity’s Ring by Paul Melko YA book: The Graveyard [...]

I missed this story yesterday about the Philip Roth dance track, created by writer and critic James Marcus after he interviewed the famous American author about his latest novel, Indignation. The track features Roth doing ‘Jewish shouting’!!!!!! During the course of the interview, Marcus asked Roth what he thought of the film version of Portnoy’s [...]

There has been steady demand for collectible Michael Jackson books over the past few days. During the weekend, a signed first edition of Moonwalk sold for $450. There have also been a couple of articles about Jackson’s love of books and particularly poetry – here’s the LA Times on the bibliophile/music icon. Ordinary copies of [...]

The Guardian offers a literary summer heatwave quiz – I got a woeful four out of 10.

Precious Ramotswe, leading character of McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series is “writing” a cookbook to share her favourite recipes for Botswanan dishes.

I thought this was a joke at first – Farrah Fawcett’s friendship with Ayn Rand. (Spotted on Bookslut)

Happy Gay Pride Day! June 28th marks the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, marking the first time members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community fought back against a routine police raid. Help us celebrate Gay Pride this year with a great book.

We sold a typed Charles Bukowski letter earlier this week for $1,500. It’s a great letter, from the poet to Ann Menebroker, another poet and long-time friend. Hello Ann— Hold yourself together, the glue may arrive to keep you and Wayne going. Of course I’d like to see you but I can promise you nothing– [...]