Current Books and Literature News Today

Do E-Books Threaten Democracy?
Do digital books threaten our democracy? Depends on who you ask. eBooks are on trial once again. This time, they represent nothing short of an existential threat to democracy itself. In the prosecutor's corner we have novelist Jonathan Franzen, playing the role of 'bookservative' and decrying the rise of these anti-democratic digital

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:29:49 -0800

Books: Newbery and Caldecott prizes for U.S. children’s literature awarded
This year’s winners of the top U.S. prizes in children’s literature were honoured this week for stories of resilience over the most everyday troubles: a boy grounded by his parents, a dog that loses its favourite toy.

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:48 -0800

Rocco Staino: Oscar-Nominated Short Celebrates Books & It's an App, Too! (Video)
In addition to books, the Louisiana-based children's author and filmmaker William Joyce was inspired by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton and The Wizard of Oz when writing this film that was nominated for an Academy Award as an animated short.

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:51:05 -0800

Marcus Books owner talks about impact of family business on black community
With stores in Oakland and San Francisco, Marcus Books is the oldest Black book shop in the country.  Blanche Richardson operates the Oakland store.  She took time between a steady stream of customers to talk about working in this famous family business. read more

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:51:46 -0800

The Difference Between Online Knowledge and Truly Open Knowledge
Liberation from the bounds of books and libraries doesn't mean freedom from the constraints of corporate power and culture. A response to David Weinberger's Too Big to Know.In Too Big To Know: Rethinking ...

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:14:50 -0800