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September, 2004 Archives | Homepage
Dean's A-List Novel Goes to Big Screen
Universal Studios has acquired the rights to the Zoey Dean novel The A-List (Little, Brown). The film, which will be scripted by screenwriters Pam Falk and Mike Ellis (The Wedding Planner) follows the cultural adjustment of a 17-year-old girl who leaves Manhattan her senior year and enters the lives of the rich and famous at Beverly Hills High. Alloy Entertainment will produce the film. The second two books in
The A-List, Girls on Film and Blonde Ambition both hit The New York Times Bestseller lists within weeks of their publication. The fourth title, Tall Cool One, is scheduled to arrive in stores this spring.
Posted on September 30, 2004
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Seymour Hersh and the Chain of Command
Last night on The Daily Show, legendary investigative journalist Seymour Hersh discussed his new book, Chain of Command: The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib. Hersh, who has won the Pulitzer Prize for his 1969 expose of the My Lai massacre during the Viet Nam war, as well as a 2004 National Magazine Award for public interest for his pieces on intelligence and the Iraq war, broke the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal with his piece in The New Yorker. Hersh told Stewart that the Abu Ghraib scandal is nothing compared to what has happened at Guantanamo Bay and that there are films of abuse that are absolutely shocking. Hersh blasted the Neocons, calling them zealots and idealogues for taking America to war in Iraq. Stewart recommended that everyone read Chain of Command, deadpanning that "it is an excellent book -- although it is kind of depressing."
Posted on September 30, 2004
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Blume to Receive National Book Foundation 2004 Medal
Judy Blume will receive this year's 2004 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation. She is the first young adult literature author to receive the award. Judy Blume has written a large number of popular young adult novels that focus on issues young adults often face growing up including moving, divorce and sexual awakening. Past winners of the medal include Jason Epstein, Daniel Boorstin, Saul Bellow, Eudora Welty, James Laughlin, Clifton Fadiman, Gwendolyn Brooks, David McCullough, Toni Morrison, Studs Terkel, John Updike, Ray Bradbury, Arthur Miller, Philip Roth, and Stephen King.
Source: The Write News
Related Links: National Book Awards Winners
Posted on September 29, 2004
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Say It Isn't So, Paris!
London's News of the World are reporting the existence of another Paris Hilton sex tape, which is in the possession of the London tabloid. This time, the now-bestselling author of Confessions of an Heiress is shown cavorting in the back seat of a car with ex-beau Nick Carter and (in a different clip) answering the door au naturel -- yet wearing a pore-removal strip on her nose -- to Tommy Hillfiger model Jason Shaw. In another scene she reportedly puffs on a joint, saying, "Paris Hilton, part two: How to roll a joint!"
Ms. Hilton's spokesman Elliot Mintz told the New York Post that a number of tapes were stolen from the heiress last month, when Hilton's Hollywood Hills home was robbed. He warned that the Hiltons will sue anyone who tries to sell the tape. All of which begs the question: who in the world prances around her home, wearing only a pore-remover strip? I mean, really, one should at least check for forgotten grooming products before turning on the video camera.
Posted on September 28, 2004
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The Daily Show: Not Just For Stoned Slackers
When Jon Stewart of The Daily Show recently appeared on The O'Reilly Factor, Bill O'Reilly teased Stewart by referring to the audience of The Daily Show as a bunch of "stoned slackers." It was funny the first time or two, but by the fifth mention the joke was wearing a bit thin. Even Stewart seemed a bit puzzled by O'Reilly's insistent characterization of the show's audience as lazy potheads, but went along with the joke good-naturedly. But the powers that be at Comedy Central weren't quite so amused by this denigration of its audience (ok, actually they were worried that corporate sponsors might think stoned viewers wouldn't be motivated enough to buy their products) so they did a little research. Guess what? According to Nielson Media Research, viewers of Jon Stewart's show are more likely to have completed four years of college than people who watch The O'Reilly Factor. Furthermore, a recent study by the University of Pennsylvania's National Annenberg Election Survey, said young viewers of The Daily Show were more likely to answer questions about politics correctly than those who don't. O'Reilly will appear on The Daily Show on October 7th. Jon Stewart's new book, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction (Warner Books), is currently climbing the bestseller lists.
Posted on September 27, 2004
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Bill O'Reilly's Secrets
Journalist and avowed Independent Bill O'Reilly has legions of fans who visit the No Spin Zone on his Fox News show, The O'Reilly Factor, who listen to his radio programs and who read his bestselling books. But some O'Reilly fans may be in for a shock. On tonight's 60 Minutes, O'Reilly got scrappy with CBS' Mike Wallace when Wallace asked him about his famous feud with Al Franken. No surprise there. But what was a surprise were his comments about politics, global warming, gay civil unions and adoptions by gays. (I hope you're sitting down for this one.) O'Reilly says he has known John Kerry for 25 years, that he is a patriot and that those Swift Boad Veterans' attacks on Kerry made him sick. He also said he may vote for Kerry for president and is listening to what Kerry has to say. Still conscious? Ok, he says global warming is a grave threat and the government must lead the effort to slow it. He supports gun control. He favors civil unions for all persons, including gay Americans. And, as a last resort, a loving gay couple should be allowed to adopt orphans -- as an alternative to leaving them in the system. O'Reilly told Wallace that he truly is undecided about the election. O'Reilly's new book is The O'Reilly Factor for Kids: A Survival Guide for America's Families. (HarperEntertainment), a no-nonsense guide for teens that's full of straight talk and some excellent advice.
Posted on September 26, 2004
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Last Dark Tower Finally Arrives
Stephen King has finally completed his epic Dark Tower series. According to USA Today, King first started writing the first book in the series The Gunslinger about 34 years ago. The latest book in the series The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower was just recently released in hardcover. But just when you think King is done working on the series he has another trick up his sleeve. USA Today is reporting that King plans to go back and rewrite some of the Dark Tower books.
Source: USA Today
Posted on September 25, 2004
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Spielberg and Cruise in War of the Worlds Remake
Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks has announced a November 2004 start for the The War of the Worlds, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise. An Amblin'Entertainment and C/W Productions film, The War
of the Worlds, will be a 2005 release. Kathleen Kennedy and Paula Wagner serve as the film's producers and the screenplay is by David Koepp (Spiderman, Panic Room, Jurassic Park). Distribution
arrangements have yet to be finalized.
Based on H.G. Wells' legendary science fiction classic, The War of the Worlds (published in 1898), the Spielberg-directed film is a modern day version of what many critics agree is the definitive model for alien invasion stories.
Posted on September 24, 2004
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Oprah Supports the Troops' Growing Families
Oprah Winfrey made hundreds of cash-strapped women happy last week when she gave away Pontiacs to 276 audience members. Now, Oprah has given the World's Biggest Baby Shower. The lucky recipients are the 640 pregnant wives of soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division -– all with due dates between now and the end of the year. With appearances by superstar moms like Sharon Stone and Cindy Crawford, Oprah brought helpful and generous gifts for the overjoyed moms-to-be. Said Oprah, "It's a way of honoring the sacrifice without doing a lot of big speeches and oh la la la la. ... It's a way of saying, 'We see you. We hear you. We know what you do to make our lives safer and we thank you for it.'" The event was taped for Oprah's show and is scheduled to air September 28th. Oprah's current Book Club pick is Anna Karenina.
Posted on September 22, 2004
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Today's Kids are Born to Buy
A new book called Born to Buy by Juliet B. Schor discusses the commercialization of school and children's lives. Born to Buy looks at the attempts to tie
kids to brands at a very young age. A BusinessWeek article about the
book discusses how schools and school cafeterias are starting to look
more like your local mall. BusinessWeek said "most lunchrooms could double
as fast-food courts. And classroom TV monitors flash a regular stream of
racy video-game, movie, and fast-food ads along with the TV news shows
that get piped to 40% of U.S. teens." In today's world marketers, especially predatory marketers, can easily
deliver their message directly to children without having to worry about
deflection or interference from their parents. Schor is also the author of
Overworked American: The Unexpected Decline of Leisure and The Overspent American.
Source: BusinessWeek
Posted on September 20, 2004
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Man Booker Prize Shortlist Announced
Officials have announced the shortlist for Britain’s most prestigious literary award, the Man Booker Prize, MSNBC reports. The six finalists still in the running for the $89,500 prize are: Bitter Fruit by Achmat Dangor,
The Electric Michelangelo by Sarah Hall, The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst, The Master by Colm Toibin, I’ll Go to Bed at Noon by Gerard Woodward and Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. One panelist was somewhat less than tactful when discussing the quality of the books in this year's competition. Labour Party lawmaker and chairman of the panel Chris Smith opined: "Of the books submitted, I have to say quite a number were not very good." But he did say that the shortlisted books were all of good quality. Other judges include novelist Tibor Fischer, writer and academic Robert Macfarlane, Erotic Review editor Rowan Pelling.
Posted on September 20, 2004
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The Daily Show: The Book
The Daily Show, a hilarious half hour comedy show and fake news program led by comedian Jon Stewart, is now offering a book called
America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction. The book is supposed to help United States citizens understand democracy. USA Today says the book is a "a graphic-heavy parody of a textbook." USA Today also reported that Jon Stewart said the book, "gives you a certificate in nation-building. ... If you just smash together the basic ideas, you're bound to wind up with something better than North Korea.."
Source: USA Today
Posted on September 17, 2004
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Grisham Plans Political Thriller
Bestselling author John Grisham plans to get political in the future, but unfortunately for fans the
political novel could still be five years away. He has done some research
but has not started writing the book yet. The Associated Press reported that Grisham said, "I have a lot of notes; there will be a lot of layers to it. It'll be a big, thick book and I'm not in the mood to write a big thick book right now."
Source: Associated Press
Posted on September 14, 2004
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Was the 9/11 Commission Report a Cover Up?
Absolutely, says Emmy award-winning investigative
journalist Peter Lance, in his bombshell new book,
Cover Up: What the Government Is Still Hiding About the War on Terror
(ReganBooks), which hit #15 on the Amazon bestseller list.
Author of the bestselling nonfiction title
1000 Years for Revenge, which
lays out the events leading up to 9/11 and the heroic efforts of FBI field
agents which were thwarted by political infighting, Lance asserts that
the 9/11 Commission itself was rife with conflicts of interest and
glossed over many of the crucial facts which he believes should be made
public knowledge. Lance himself testified before the Commission and
has fascinating insights into the process. In light of the seriousness of the terror threat to the United States and
current proposals in Congress to totally reform our intelligence system,
Cover Up provides a chilling expose of how America is still not
safe and what Americans need to know about our failed intelligence system.
Posted on September 14, 2004
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New Cast Members Join Potter
New cast members have been added to the upcoming film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Ralph Fiennes will play Harry Potter's nemesis, the evil Lord Voldemort, and Miranda Richardson Richardson takes on the role of muckraking journalist Rita Skeeter. The new film will be released worldwide beginning November 2005 by Warner Bros. Pictures. The films are based on the extremely popular Harry Potter children's fantasy books.
Source: The Write News
Posted on September 12, 2004
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Paris Hilton Shares Her Secrets
Have you ever wondered about Paris Hilton's skincare regimen? She goes to sleep at 3:00 am in her makeup and never gets up before 10:00 am. Her diet? "Eat Only Fast Food or the Most Fabulous Food. Greasy chips or perfect crab cakes. Cotton candy or caviar. Fast food or fois gras. French fries or black-pepper shrimp from the Ivy in L.A. Cheesy junk or expensive cheese. Being an heiress is all about extremes." Her philosophy of life? An heiress has no excuse ever to be bored. If she's feeling bored, she should go shopping immediately. Or jet to Paris for the weekend. Lose things -- a lot. It makes you adorable. "And if all else fails, act bored. Not boring. There's a huge difference." You can read more of Paris' incredibly helpful life tips here.
Posted on September 9, 2004
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Random House Lawyers Stand Behind Kitty Kelley Book
According to The Washington Post, Random House's attorneys went over Kitty Kelley's incendiary new book, The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty, with a fine-toothed comb before allowing it to go to print. The book's bombshell allegations about President and Mrs. Bush's alleged youthful indiscretions with drugs made the publisher act even more cautiously from a legal perspective. Peter Gethers, Vice President of Random House and Kitty Kelley's editor said: "It was as extensive a legal read as a publisher could give." "Some things didn't make it, and we're 100 percent confident of the things that made it in. We erred on the side of caution because we knew how hard she was going to be hit."
Some portions of the book were apparently nixed by the legal team. In an email statement to Bush supporters issued this afternoon, Ed Gillespie, Republican National Committee Chairman, stated: "A recent story says Kelly's [sic] book alleges President Bush used cocaine at Camp David while his father was President, which is as credible as her story that then Governor and Nancy Reagan smoked marijuana with Jack Benny and George and Gracie Burns." Gillespie also said that the Kelley book throws "unsubstantiated gossip at President Bush in the same way she [Kelley] falsely maligned the late President Reagan as a date rapist who paid for a girlfriend's abortion and wrongly castigated Nancy Reagan as an adulterer who had an affair with Frank Sinatra."
Posted on September 8, 2004
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Wolf Brother Gets Huge Advance
Author Michelle Paver has earned a $5 million advance for her children's novel Wolf Brother, which is set in the Stone Age. The book was originally going to be for adults but because the star of the novel is a 12-year-old boy named Torak, she decided to rework it as a children's novel. Wolf Brother will be the first of a six-part series called The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness.
Source: BBC, The Guardian
Posted on September 6, 2004
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Kitty Kelley Takes on the Bush Dynasty
Kitty Kelley, the bestselling novelist who has written no-holds-barred exposes of everyone from Frank Sinatra to the British Royal Family, has written a new book about President Bush, entitled The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty (Doubleday). According to The Mirror(UK) Ms. Kelley quotes President Bush's former sister-in-law, Sharon Bush, who claims: "Bush did coke at Camp David when his father was President, and not just once either." Kelley also quotes Bush acquaintances as saying that Bush "liked to sneak out back for a joint or into the bathroom for a line of cocaine," when he was a 26-year-old National Guardsman. The book also reportedly questions whether President Bush practices what he preaches on the abortion issue. There has been no formal response issued yet by the Bush team. The book goes on sale September 14th.
Posted on September 6, 2004
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President Clinton to Undergo Quadruple Bypass Surgery
President Bill Clinton, whose autobiograpy My Life remains a fixture on bestseller lists, faces quadruple bypass surgery next week to alleviate major artery blockages. Clinton called into CNN's Larry King Live, and joked: "Let me just say this, Republicans aren't the only people who want four more years here."
He also said that
"I feel really blessed, you know, because a lot of people who have a heart attack never get any advance warning." Vice president Cheney, who has had four heart attacks and underwent quadruple bypass surgery 16 years ago, called the former president to wish him well, as did President Bush and Senator John Kerry.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has asked that those who want to send good wishes for the president's recovery to please log onto
Clintonfoundation.org and leave a message there.
Posted on September 3, 2004
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