BOOKS

J.K. Rowling's next book: 'The Casual Vacancy'

It may lack wizards and witches, but J.K. Rowling and her publisher are hoping her first novel for adults, "The Casual Vacancy," will have the magic touch. The book's title was announced Thursday by Little, Brown & Co. along with a brief plot synopsis and publication date.

By Jill Lawless , April 12, 2012

U.S. sues Apple, publishers over e-book prices

The Justice Department and 15 states sued Apple Inc. and major book publishers Wednesday, alleging a conspiracy to raise the price of electronic books they said cost consumers more than $100 million in the past two years by adding $2 to $5 to the price of each e-book.

By Larry Neumeister and Pete Yost , April 11, 2012

'Hunger Games' again on list of challenged books

The more popular "The Hunger Games" trilogy becomes, the more reasons some parents and educators have found to question whether it belongs on library shelves. For the second year in a row, Suzanne Collins' work was among the most "challenged" books, as reported Sunday by the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom.

By Hillel Italie , April 09, 2012

‘Damn Yankees’: They play a game, we make it personal

The need for victory — what Nathaniel Rich, in his essay “The Queens Speech,” calls “Win At All Costs (WAAC)” — is one of the central subtexts in “Damn Yankees: Twenty-Four Major-League Writers on the World’s Most Loved (and Hated) Team,” edited by former Sports Illustrated executive editor Rob Fleder. What gives the book its resonance, however, is how the best work here tends to turn that on its ear, exposing it as the most obvious and least interesting filter for coming to terms with the team.

By David L Ulin , April 08, 2012

Jim Abbott: a pitcher’s finest moments

Like so many young men, Jim Abbott grew up wanting to fit in with everybody else while simultaneously wishing to be celebrated for being uncommonly adept at something/anything. In Abbott’s case, he was adept at baseball, a game difficult enough with two hands. Abbott was born with just one. This is his story, of dreaming of being twice as good with half the tools.

By Chris Erskine , April 08, 2012

BOOK NOTES: 'Little Minnesota' ... 'Uncle Boris in the Yukon' ... 'The Barefoot Bandit'

“No More Sleepless Nights Workbook: Tracking Your Progress Toward a Great Night’s Sleep,” Peter Hauri. Gives you tools to be your own sleep therapist with interactive quizzes, sleep logs, and self-evaluation exercises to find the underlying cause of your sleep problem.

By Herald Staff Report , April 08, 2012

East Grand Forks Library now offers books for download

East Grand Forks Campbell Library has expanded its services with eBooks, available to download from the library’s website using OverDrive, a digital distributor.

By Herald Staff Report , April 06, 2012

Britannica's halt of print edition triggers sales

Since Britannica announced last month that it was discontinuing its print editions, the Chicago-based company said sales have skyrocketed. It has sold all but 800 of the 4,000 sets of the 32-volume 2010 edition it had left at a Kentucky warehouse, the company said.

By Don Babwin , April 05, 2012

On the trail

Former state commissioner writes guidebook on hiking North Dakota — and don’t forget the dog
For Susan Wefald, one of the best parts of retirement is having the time to walk. In the 16 years Wefald served on the North Dakota Public Service Commission, she drove through most of the state on her way to meetings, site inspections and interviews. An avid recreational walker, she glanced wistfully at every state park and municipal hiking trail she sped by. She has been making up for those missed opportunities since she left the PSC in 2008, and last year she celebrated by compiling a guide, “Spectacular North Dakota Hikes,” published by the North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies.

By Chuck Haga , March 31, 2012

How horses feel and dogs conspire

Pulitzer Prize-winning author discusses work
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley believes horses have feelings and a point of view. Smiley was the guest, at the UND Chester Fritz Auditorium, during “A Great Conversation” that was one of the final events at this year’s UND Writers Conference. Smiley, who won the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for her novel “A Thousand Acres,” read from a couple of her books and answered questions about her books and the writing process from the audience and from Sally Pyle, UND associate professor of biology and director of the honors program at UND.

By Paulette Tobin , March 30, 2012

‘I Am Hutterite’ author to speak Tuesday at GF church

Mary-Ann Kirkby grew up in the Fairholm Hutterite colony in southern Manitoba. When she was 10, her parents gathered their seven children and meager possessions and left the colony to start a new life.

By Herald Staff Report , March 30, 2012

Marilyn mania not going away: More TV appearances, potential book deal in the works

The fuss over Marilyn Hagerty may have taken a few days off, but it has returned at full throttle. “The Internet craze was one thing, but people have really taken notice of what Marilyn is all about,” Herald Editor Mary Jo Hotzler said. “She’s all about something good and something real.

By Ryan Bakken , March 27, 2012

Iconic boxing writer, historian Bert Sugar, 75, dies of cardiac arrest

Bert Sugar was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005. According to the hall's website, Sugar wrote more than 80 books, including "The 100 Greatest Boxers Of All Time."

By Associated Press , March 25, 2012

‘Stay Close’: From quiet domesticity to sheer terror

A hallmark of Harlan Coben’s best-sellers has been his precise look at ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations, forced to deal with violence and the seamy side of life. Coben’s 22nd novel spins a new approach to his family thrillers. In the excellent “Stay Close,” Coben shows us three people who know too well the sleazy side of life and how they have either risen above their past, or fallen in its mire. “Stay Close” works well as a novel about past mistakes, fresh starts and regrets, showing the fragility of orderly lives.

By Oline H. Cogdill , March 25, 2012

‘Fifty Shades of Grey’: Kinky romance is a hit

Sexy or sick? That’s the big debate over the indie book “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James that’s taken over the Internet and suburban reading circles. The book, the first in a trilogy, has been described as, err, well, “mommy porn.” It follows the story of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. She’s a graduating college senior, an innocent virgin. He’s a young billionaire humanitarian who enjoys domination and bondage.

By Jenee Osterheldt , March 24, 2012