All the news that’s fit to capsulize!
BECAUSE $1 BILLION DOESN’T GO AS FAR AS IT USED TO
HARRY POTTER author J.K. Rowling delves back into the world of her cash-cow franchise with THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD, a book of five fairy tales with commentary by Professor Dumbledore. While every retail outlet imaginable will have the title come Dec. 4, Amazon is offering a whiz-bang exclusive collector’s edition in hardcover, with an outer “wizarding textbook” case, 10 new illustrations by Rowling, a velvet bag embroidered with her signature, a metal skull, replica gemstones, an emerald ribbon and more, all for $100. Save your allowance now, kids!
IT’S GOTTA BE BETTER THAN THAT ‘RIDING THE BULLET’ FLICK
By now, you may already know that Nov. 11 marks the release of JUST AFTER SUNSET, Stephen King’s latest collection of short stories. But wait — as they say — there’s more! Scribner also will issue a collector’s set edition, containing a DVD of N., an “original video series in 25 parts,” based on the story that’s among the book’s contents, about a psychiatrist who shares an obsession with his patient. If you can’t wait to watch, Amazon has started making the episodes available for download via Unbox.
AND SPEAKING OF AMAZON …
• The Amazon Kindle now has more than 145,000 e-titles available.
• August is a great time to send students back-to-school gift cards, no? At least that way, you know they can’t spend it on beer.
THUS SPOKE ORC
In advance of next month’s release of Stan Nicholls’ ORCS omnibus, Orbit Books allows you to send friends (and enemies) “Orc Mail.” Just type in your message and an ugly old Orc translates it into his own ugly old language. Check out his (her?) hideous laugh.
YOU DON’T SAY, YOU SAY?
Douglas Adams’ THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY: PRIMARY PHASE has been voted Great Britain’s favorite audiobook in a June poll held by THE GUARDIAN. Also in the top five were William Shakespeare’s ROMEO AND JULIET and, far more recently, Mark Haddon’s THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. Dirk Maggs, producer of HITCHHIKER’S for BBC Radio 4, said, “This is wonderful news and proves how great audio entertainment creates enduring images in the mind’s eye. Somewhere in the Continuum, Douglas is mixing a double Pan Galactic Gargleblaster to celebrate!” (That last sentence, incidentally, represents why I dislike all things HITCHHIKER’S.) —Rod Lott
