- Two upcoming auction catalogues are now online: Bloomsbury New York's 10 December sale of Important Books, Manuscripts, Literature and Americana (in Flash, very snazzy), plus Sotheby's Fine Books and Manuscripts sale for 11 December. These are both going to be really interesting sales to watch: I'll post some highlights from each soon. The Bloomsbury sale, remember, is where we'll see that unpublished Poe manuscript.
- An update in the Rolland Comstock case: the murdered book collector's ex-wife wants the wrongful death suit filed against her by Comstock's daughter delayed until criminal charges are filed. Greene County Chief Deputy Jim Arnott said prosecutors "have at least one suspect in the case, but are still fine-tuning a final report." A motion hearing related to the civil suit is scheduled for 8 January 2009.
- In the NYTimes, Laura Miller has a nice essay on the culling of one's personal library.
- Everyone's already commented on the heavy and expensive new book on Michelangelo's life and work, which weighs 62 pounds and costs $100,000.
- Twenty Penguin authors have shared the lists of the books they plan to give as holiday gifts and the ones they hope to receive. Interesting selections. Authors include Nathaniel Philbrick, Geraldine Brooks, Jasper Fforde, and Khaled Hosseini. [h/t Jacket Copy]
- From the Times Archives Blog, the hilarious "20 Things to do with a Haggis."
- An update in the Rolland Comstock case: the murdered book collector's ex-wife wants the wrongful death suit filed against her by Comstock's daughter delayed until criminal charges are filed. Greene County Chief Deputy Jim Arnott said prosecutors "have at least one suspect in the case, but are still fine-tuning a final report." A motion hearing related to the civil suit is scheduled for 8 January 2009.
- In the NYTimes, Laura Miller has a nice essay on the culling of one's personal library.
- Everyone's already commented on the heavy and expensive new book on Michelangelo's life and work, which weighs 62 pounds and costs $100,000.
- Twenty Penguin authors have shared the lists of the books they plan to give as holiday gifts and the ones they hope to receive. Interesting selections. Authors include Nathaniel Philbrick, Geraldine Brooks, Jasper Fforde, and Khaled Hosseini. [h/t Jacket Copy]
- From the Times Archives Blog, the hilarious "20 Things to do with a Haggis."
- Rob Lopresti, who we all remember for his role in breaking open the Brubaker case, has copies of a list of the 800 books Brubaker stole from libraries across the west. Librarians can request copies of the list by sending a request on library letterhead to Lopresti's attention at Wilson Library, Western Washington University; Bellingham, WA 98225-9103. Please include a self-addressed envelope and postage for 59 cents.
- Peter features the pirated Plath edition he found at the Boston Book Fair.
- Over at Historianness, Rebecca has uploaded the reading list for her course "Readings in North American History, 1500-1800." It's a whopper, but the selections are excellent.
- Chris has a very useful essay, "Researching Your Books: The Importance of Good Bibliographic Skill." Highly recommended.
- Paul Collins looks at some timely (and not-so-timely) book releases.
- The Toronto Centre for the Book is posting podcasts of lectures held there: so far these include Robert Gross on reading in the early republic, and Richard Landon on bibliography and humanities scholarship.
- Tim's seeking the ultimate LCSH insult.
- Rare Book Review notes that the Morgan Library will be displaying the manuscript copy of Milton's Paradise Lost through 4 January 2009.
- Laura's got some photos up of her adventures across the pond.
- The end-of-year list season is upon us. The Telegraph highlights biography and history; the NYTimes has Notable Children's Books plus the 100 Notable Books of 2008 (of which I have read exactly two). The Times has its Books of the Year 2008 list up.
Reviews
- David Liss' The Whiskey Rebels is reviewed by Kevin Baker in the Washington Post.
- Virginia Heffernen reviews Sarah Vowell's The Wordy Shipmates in the NYTimes.
- Also in the Times, David Gates reviews Toni Morrison's new novel, A Mercy.
- Richard Cox comments on Lawrence Lessig's new book Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy.
- Rick Ring reviews Sheila Markham's A Book of Booksellers: Conversations with the Antiquarian Book Trade.
- Peter features the pirated Plath edition he found at the Boston Book Fair.
- Over at Historianness, Rebecca has uploaded the reading list for her course "Readings in North American History, 1500-1800." It's a whopper, but the selections are excellent.
- Chris has a very useful essay, "Researching Your Books: The Importance of Good Bibliographic Skill." Highly recommended.
- Paul Collins looks at some timely (and not-so-timely) book releases.
- The Toronto Centre for the Book is posting podcasts of lectures held there: so far these include Robert Gross on reading in the early republic, and Richard Landon on bibliography and humanities scholarship.
- Tim's seeking the ultimate LCSH insult.
- Rare Book Review notes that the Morgan Library will be displaying the manuscript copy of Milton's Paradise Lost through 4 January 2009.
- Laura's got some photos up of her adventures across the pond.
- The end-of-year list season is upon us. The Telegraph highlights biography and history; the NYTimes has Notable Children's Books plus the 100 Notable Books of 2008 (of which I have read exactly two). The Times has its Books of the Year 2008 list up.
Reviews
- David Liss' The Whiskey Rebels is reviewed by Kevin Baker in the Washington Post.
- Virginia Heffernen reviews Sarah Vowell's The Wordy Shipmates in the NYTimes.
- Also in the Times, David Gates reviews Toni Morrison's new novel, A Mercy.
- Richard Cox comments on Lawrence Lessig's new book Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy.
- Rick Ring reviews Sheila Markham's A Book of Booksellers: Conversations with the Antiquarian Book Trade.
