A Random Assortment of Book News & Links

This is, without a doubt, the ideal bookstore for in-store author appearances.



The hard numbers aren't in just yet, but it looks like the first day sales of Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol actually lost money for most retailers.


Okay, so you've read Barack's beach reads, Bill Clinton's book picks, and Michelle Obama's favorite kids lit. Isn't it about time you checked out Osama bin Laden's reading list for Americans?



A few weeks back we gave you the the trailer to the film of The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Now we're giving you a link to a mini-documentary about the author of the source material, Roald Dahl.


According to Amazon.com, the Kindle e-reader edition of Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol is the top-selling book (note: not e-book) on Amazon.com. Is this a sign of things to come (a'la the music industry & digital downloads), or just another example of Jeff Bezos' unique brand of "I can't show you any actual numbers, but you can take my word for it" public relations (a'la the Kindle's sales numbers)?


YourMonkeyCalled has created a book-based word game that's one unmasked Asian commuter away from going viral -- Book titles, If They Were Written Today.
An example:
Then: The Gospel of Matthew
Now: 40 Days and a Mule: How One Man Quit His Job and Became the Boss
(Via: Estoreal)


Recommended Viewing: A streaming video sneak peek at Universal Studios' new 'land': The Wizarding World of Harry Potter