For want of a motive for the book thief, let’s run through some possibilities | Stephanie Merritt

Filippo Bernardini is accused of stealing manuscripts. For money or just a good read?The theft of books occupies a complex place in our moral judgment, depending on motive. In Markus Zusak’s 2005 novel The Book Thief, the actions of the title character are heroic – she steals books to save them from destruction. During the 2011 London riots, it was frequently observed, with a hint of reproach, that the looters pointedly left bookshops untouched and this deliberate spurning was seen as further indictment of the mob’s character, as if we’d have thought better of the rioters if they had heaved a bollard through the window of Waterstones and made off with the latest Jeanette Winterson.In the run-up to publication of the final Harry Potter novel in 2007, the publisher laid on extra security at the printworks after it was claimed that tabloid reporters were hanging about offering cash bribes to any worker willing to slip them a sneak preview. In this instance, the opprobrium was not because such a theft might have deprived the publisher and author of income, but because only a sociopath would deliberately ruin the ending for millions of children. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2022-01-09 09:30:16 UTC ]
News tagged with: #filippo bernardini #stealing manuscripts #good read #markus zusak #extra security #sneak preview #harry potter

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Your Brain On Audio Books: Distracted, Forgetful, And Bored

Of all the ways to enjoy a book, minds wander most when we're listening to someone else read it.With so much focus in the publishing world on ebooks, you might have missed the recent explosion in the popularity of audio books. They've become a billion-dollar industry with huge annual sales... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2014-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In Brazil, Amazon Starts Selling Kindles Direct, Books are Next

After 13 months of using partners to sell Kindles in Brazil, Amazon is now offering direct sales. If they can do that, books are not likely far behind. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sell kindles


Connecticut: ‘Wait and See’ How Library E-book Market Develops

A report from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection on the state of the library ebook market has recommended no legislative initiatives, instead advocating a “wait and see” approach. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Valentines revamp for S&S Books and the City

Simon & Schuster UK Ltd is giving its women’s fiction and lifestyle website Books and... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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February’s Top Reviews of Self-Published Books from BlueInk Review

February's notable reviews of self-published titles include stars for a 'startling' memoir about the Vietnam War and a 'fascinating' exploration of human rights. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #top reviews #self-published books #blueink review #vietnam war #human rights


Libraries, E-books and ReadersFirst

ReadersFirst was born because libraries need to have in-house ebook collections,” explains Rachel Wood of the Arlington Va. Public Library, a member of the Leadership Working Group of ReadersFirst, an international coalition of libraries that have banded together to set down principles,... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #public library


Anders Breivik is subject of Åsne Seierstad's new book

Norwegian author of The Bookseller of Kabul turns her attention home for 'the hardest book I have ever written'The award-winning Norwegian journalist Åsne Seierstad, best known for her account of an Afghan family living under the Taliban, The Bookseller of Kabul, has turned her attention to a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #long time #shooting rampage #english translation


Canadian Government Signs E-book Consent Agreements with Four Publishers

After what the government said was an 18-month investigation, Canada’s Competition Bureau has reached consent agreements with four multinational publishers regarding their ebook pricing policies. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #multinational publishers #competition bureau


The Audio Book Club on The Group

To listen to the Audio Book Club discussion of The Group, click the arrow on the player below. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2014-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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February 2014 Audio Books: In the Studio

All-star cast gathers for ‘Suspicious Incidents’ and more in this month's audio book news. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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VIDEO: Book fans flock to Calcutta fair

The International Kolkata Book Fair has been welcoming hundreds of thousands of people to the Indian city of Calcutta. Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2014-02-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ed Sheeran to publish book with childhood friend

Cassell Illustrated will publish a book with UK singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and his childhood... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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India’s Buoyant Book Market Attracts More Foreign Deals

India's effervescent literary culture have begun to attract more foreign writers looking to license books in search of a bigger audience and accolades. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #foreign deals #foreign writers #bigger audience


A Gift Registry for Baby Books

A small bookstore hacks it system to prevent expectant parents from receiving 10 different copies of Good Night, Moon.     Continue reading at The Atlantic

[ The Atlantic | 2014-02-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Duchess of Cambridge writes RAF book foreword

The Duchess of Cambridge has written the foreword for a book which reveals “what life as an... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-02-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Slovenians Cheer Passage of Fixed Book Price Law

Years of effort on behalf of publishers has resulted in a new fixed book price law in Slovenia, which should help stabilize the tiny nation's book business. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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OverDrive Distributing HC E-books in the U.K.

OverDrive has announced that it is making available HarperCollins' 5,000 ebooks to schools and libraries in U.K. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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U.K. Indie Saqi Books Seeking Investor

London-based independent publisher Saqi Books is examining its strategy as it seeks an investor. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Netflix and Google Books Are Blurring the Line Between Past and Present

We are now living in a history glut; the Internet has muddled the line between past and present. As our past gets closer and closer to the present and the line separating our now from our then dissolves, we're approaching an odd sort of asymptote.     Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2014-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #google books