The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has released the first batch of documents relating to the raid on the compound where they found Osama Bin Ladin. Among the documents is an accounting of the English language books found on Bin Ladin's bookshelf. Here, in its entirety, are the 39 English language books Bin Ladin kept around the house: The 2030 Spike by Colin Mason A Brief Guide to Understanding Islam by I. A. Ibrahim America’s Strategic Blunders by Willard Matthias America’s “War on Terrorism” by Michel Chossudovsky Al-Qaeda’s Online Media Strategies: From Abu Reuter to Irhabi 007 by...
Critics choose the greatest children’s books of all time
At BBC Culture Jane Ciabattari surveyed dozens of the leading book critics around the world to find out what are the best children’s books (for ages 10 and under) ever published in English. When all was said and done 151 titles were mentioned by the critics. Here are the top 11 with links to collectible copies currently on the market: 1. Charlotte's Web 2. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe 3. Where the Wild Things Are 4. Alices' Adventures inWonderland 5. Little Women 6. The Little Prince 7. Winnie the Pooh 8. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 9. A Wizard of Earthsea 10. A Wrinkle in Time 11. Little House on the Prairie...
It’s time for the ‘oddest book title of the year’ competition
Another year brings another shortlist of stunning book titles for Bookseller magazine's annual Diagram Prize for “oddest book title of the year.” Created in 1978, with Proceedings of the Second International Workshop on Nude Mice taking top honors, the Diagram Prize has become a yearly hi-spot providing guaranteed entertainment to us book folks. This years nominees are: Nature's Nether Regions by Menno Schilthuizen (published by Viking). Advanced Pavement Research: Selected, Peer Reviewed Papers from the 3rd International Conference on Concrete Pavements Design, Construction, and Rehabilitation, December 2–3, 2013, Shanghai, China edited by Bo Tian (Trans Tech). The Madwoman in the Volvo: My Year...
Seattle book scene takes a big hit: Paul Constant leaves The Stranger
Paul Constant, the long time book editor and content machine for The Stranger, has announced he is leaving “Seattle’s Only Newspaper.” Following on the heels of other top writers and contributors who have recently exited, his departure marks the end of the glory days for the paper. This is a huge blow for the Seattle book scene. Nobody covered the local book beat better. Nobody provided more extensive coverage, nobody showed up at more events, nobody. Constant clearly has some renaissance leanings, he has also capably covered film, food, breaking news and the 2012 presidential election, but he is first and foremost a...
Digital vs. Print: The Book Battle Rages On
As the holiday shopping season swings into full force, it’s interesting to watch people buying books. Many a wish list has everything from the latest by Stephen King to an Amazon Gift Card (an actual card or via email) to a new e-reader device. Yet the battle for which is more popular is truly running neck and neck. No matter who you ask, the answer is always different, and usually very passionate. Christine Donovan, from Deerfield Beach, FL, says, “I love my Kindle! I can have anything I want at my fingertips! The store is always open, no matter what my...