A new survey of women book buyers points out their interest in nonfiction. The study indicates that the average woman in the survey bought 17 nonfiction titles, 11 fiction titles, 1.6 audiobooks, and 1 ebook. It also asserts that 43% of them aspire to write a book of their own one day.
Warner Brothers has bought the rights to the Shannara series by Terry Brooks.
Horror writer Peter Straub has agreed to write a graphic novel.
No surprise here, but Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency will be made into a movie.
And speaking of unusual detectives, how about a flock of sheep who solve the mystery? And it’s actually good enough for a Booklist Starred Review. Three Bags Full: a Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann.
The Guardian has an interesting list of Top Ten Outsider Books.
How about Netflix for books? There are two companies trying out the concept, booksfree and Bookswim. Bookswim is hoping to bring libraries on as customers.
We always thought it was Gutenberg, but here is a photo of the oldest existing document in the world printed with metal movable type: an anthology of Zen teachings, made during the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea in 1377.
Check out Library Journal’s interview with bestselling author Zane.
July 7 would have been the 100th birthday of Robert Heinlein, one of the most important science fiction writers ever. This article provides a good overview of his influence.
Lloyd Alexander, author of The Prydain Chronicles and other series passed away recently and his obituary in the Guardian sums up his career.
