War and New Piece

Posted by trav in Book Talk, Publishers, Upcoming Titles      No comments

Feb
19

Every year, Tolstoy’s War and Peace makes it as one of the top-ten best novels every written. So what does publisher Harper Collins want to do to honor this distinction? Put the 1500 page classic on a diet and change the ending, of course!

That’s right, the new edition coming out this year will be half as long and characters who were previously killed will live and others that lived will die. Why?

Harper Collins says…

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That’s too bad

Posted by trav in On the Web      No comments

Feb
15

Posting has officiallly ceased over at Tech Ramblings for the Rare Bookk Trade.

Apparently the uncontrolled exposure was too much for the “higher-ups” to have to think about. It’s a shame as I always enjoy reading posts by someone so much smarter than myself. Maybe the “boss” will realize the value their blogger has and bring it in-house.

Here’s hoping for the future!

Two places at once

Posted by trav in Birmingham, Book Talk, On the TV, On the Web      1 comment

Feb
14

The Birmingham Public Library has posted its first show on YouTube. You can view the video here, from their blog. It’s the epsiode promoting Alabama Bound and discussing a book on Miles College and drama titled Mayor Todd.

The YouTube video has a couple of weird edits and lasts around six minutes. Unless I’m mistaken, this is the same show that airs on public access here in the ‘ham. Which is pretty cool if you miss it on TV.

Props to the BPL crew for doing this. I hope they keep it up!

Over yonder

Posted by trav in Book Design, On the Web, Type      No comments

Feb
14

Last night I stumbled across this gem of a site. It’s a photo database of early soviet-era children’s books hosted by a Canadian University. Great stuff! The typography is my favorite part of it all. But the character styles are fun too.

I have to agree…

Posted by trav in Book Talk      No comments

Feb
14

this guy is right on about the state of books today. I’ve been looking for a clean white 100% recycled paper for a while and nada. If you know of any PLEASE let us know! I can’t figure out why it’s so hard to do.

Don’t forget…

Posted by trav in Book Talk, On the TV      No comments

Feb
2

to check out this weekend’s Book TV schedule.

Booking the ‘ham

Posted by trav in Birmingham, Events      No comments

Feb
2

If you’re in the ‘ham this weekend you’ll want to swing by the Vestavia Hills library. Their BIG annual book sale kicks off this afternoon at 5pm and runs through Tuesday. The library opens at 9am on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday.
I’m thinking about taking elbow pads and a helmet, in case it’s anything like last year’s sale. Some people are CRAZY about $1 books and I always seem to be in their way!

Potter and Paper

Posted by trav in Bookstores, Events, New Releases, Publishers      No comments

Feb
1

July 21, 2007 has been flagged for the release of the final Harry Potter book. I know tons of people that read the book and I may be the only person on LibraryThing that has never read/owned an HP book. Though I have not missed a release date!

The last two releases were quite fun. Most of the bookstores in the city stay open through midnight to try and cash in on the hype. It’s fun to drive around town visiting all your favorite bookstores, checking out all the fans’ costumes, play a few games and eat some free snacks.

Then there is other side of a new Potter book coming out…

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1986

Posted by trav in Book Talk, Publishers      No comments

Feb
1

According to the booktrade gurus, 1986 was the year that “hardback books began selling like paperbacks”. I honestly had previously wondered when the publishing industry started down the road of ordering up millions of first run hardbacks, all set to sell at hardback prices.

Apparently it all started when Stephen King, Danielle Steele and Tom Clancy, started to put pen to paper, churning out books at a regular schedule.

All this is from a pretty interesting piece in the Telegraph today.