Books News Archives

We've been warned away from the Golden Compass film because of it's anti-Christian overtones by someone apparently unaware that there are atheists, pagans, and other non-Christians in her audience. via Thudfactor

With the glory of "The Lord of the Rings" cycle now fading, New Line looks to "The Golden Compass," the first of a projected series of films derived from Philip Pullman's widely read trilogy, "His Dark ... via Reuters

“The Animagi have got to go back and see it at least five more times each”

Drew Gibbs, the Chaser for Gryfindor, lugs away a box full of Bludgers. The rising junior cited the sport as his favorite aspect of the class. via Dahlonega Nugget

“Casting is complete on the film, and she is not a part of it.”

LOURDES WON'T STAR IN HARRY POTTER MOVIE Caption: J.K. Rowling at the US Book Tour launch of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' at the Kodak Theater. via ContactMusic.com

“Since the book itself is such a classic”

And her little dog Toto, too. "Tin Man" doesn't miss a familiar trick from "The Wizard of Oz" as Americans have come to know and love it - which means the 1939 movie musical starring Judy Garland as the prairie ... via Newsday.com

“Who ever knew truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter?”

The trouble with calling zealots on their foolishness is that it could unintentionally give them the attention they crave.

But in the spirit that the clash of many opinions is likelier to lead to truth, let's shine a light on the latest movie boycott movement.

The Catholic League, among others, wants you to shield malleable minds from The Golden Compass, a New Line Cinema movie that opens in a week.

Set in an undated alternate world featuring Oxford, the arctic north, Tartars, witches, a ballooning Texan and a ginormous talking warrior bear, The Golden Compass revolves around a feisty, unruly preteen heroine named Lyra who's been raised at a college believing she's an orphan. When children in the community start disappearing, including Lyra's best friend the kitchen boy, she sets out to rescue them from a fate crueler than death: separation from their daemons, their soulmate companions that can morph into anything from a mouse to a moth. Read more

Harry Potter Star Ian McKellen: 'No' To Richard Harris Dumbledore by Staff Actor Sir Ian McKellen refused to take over Richard Harris' role of Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film franchise - because ... via The Post Chronicle

“JK Rowling is our Entertainer of the Year because she did something very, very hard, and she did it very, very well, thus pleasing hundreds of millions of children and adults very, very much”

Harry Potter author JK Rowling was named entertainer of the year Monday by influential US magazine Entertainment Weekly, which cited her ability to be both timeless and relevant at the same time. via Earth Times

“Hey, I've been flying under the radar, saying things that are far more subversive than anything poor Harry has said. My books are about killing God.”

On Wednesday's CBS "Early Show,"co-host Hannah Storm, who tvnewser.com reports will soon be leaving the show, teased an upcoming segment about the controversy over the atheist-inspired movie, "The Golden ... via NewsBusters.org

On July 17 Royal Mail issued a series of seven stamps depicting the colourful covers of each of the books in JK Rowling's series VISAKHAPATNAM: Apart from the Harry Potter books written by J.K. Rowling a number ... via The Hindu

“It's this thing in the Harry Potter community called wizard rock, and they play several different types of yule balls and Harry Potter celebrations all throughout the country”

Area residents will have an opportunity to enjoy a Harry Potter Christmas. Officials from the Northern Illinois University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will host a Muggle Yule Ball from 7 p.m. to 10:30 ... via De Kalb Midweek

“In an era of videogame consoles, online multiplayer "environments”

All about books - in Atlanta and everywhere else What's on this page? The entry titled "J.K. Rowling as Entertainer of the Year," and any of the comments about it. via Atlanta Journal-Constitution

London, Nov 26: Happy Feet, a comedy adventure set in Antarctica and featuring a band of singing, dancing emperor penguins, has bagged this year's Bafta Children's Award for best feature film. via Daily India

J.K. Rowling 's magical Midas touch has landed her on the cover of Entertainment Weekly as its entertainer of the year. via WFAA

“Lord of the Rings", "Harry Potter”

For one Hollywood studio there is a lot riding on "The Golden Compass", the $180 million adaptation of Philip Pullman's novel "Northern Lights". The film, based on the first part of Pullman's acclaimed "His ... via Reuters UK

J.K. Rowling Gives Permission For Fans To Write Sequels To 'Harry Potter' Books by Staff J.K. Rowling has given fans permission to write sequels to the 'Harry Potter' books. via The Post Chronicle

“We get so wrapped up in these stories and these people and we make them our own.”

Call it Harry Potter in the groves of academe. Seneca College has plans to pilot an online course where the world of The Boy Who Lived will be discussed and dissected. via The Toronto Star

Awards probably fill the basement of J.K. Rowling's abode; this is another to add to the pile. via The Movie Blog

“We are angels with one wing, and we can only fly if we learn to embrace each other.”

Searching for a photo book to recommend this year, I heard of a collection of portraits of Israelis and Palestinians. via Christian Science Monitor

“There is no doubt the books have been taken. "I just hope that by taking the time to read them, it will help keep the perpetrators out of trouble for a while.”

Exclusive By Marjorie McIntyre THE biography of one of the region's most notorious lawbreakers is flying off the shelves. via The Northern Echo

The dancing penguins of Happy Feet have beaten Harry Potter to win the best film award at this year's children's Baftas, the junior version of the annual film and television awards. via Tvnz.co.nz

“Digital plays an important role in our marketing mix. We've been investing in digital for many years and are constantly pushing the bar to break new boundaries and create campaigns that truly engage with the consumer.”

Warner Home Video has launched a digital campaign across the MSN network that gives Harry Potter fans the chance to appear in the next movie of the series, - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'. The ... via Brand Republic

Topic: UPDATE: LDS Church makes change in Book of Mormon introduction Tell me Grizz...are you one of those gentle Christians souls who would scream at children that they were going to hell for reading a Harry ... via Daily Herald

“My life has been pretty much normal for a long time now.”

Salman Rushdie is no longer in hiding and no longer facing a state-sponsored death threat. via Pleasant Hill Record

“That's the one last hurrah, that film. That's going to be great. I really am very, very excited about the whole thing. It's going to be epic, I hope.”

The Harry Potter series will lighten up on the darkness and turn into a romantic comedy for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. via Slam Sports

“Historically, the school had a really bad reputation”

Two hours from platform 93 4 at London's King's Cross station, a cluster of students in starry robes, pointed hats and rep ties are learning how plants grow, but it's not botany; they call it "herbology." In an ... via Time

“I was shocked when I heard all the books had been sold out. We are now in the process of printing 40 000 more which will be available by the middle of next week”

The first print-run of 60 000 copies of In Black and White - the Jake White Story has sold out across the country but more are on the way in time for Christmas gifts. via The Mercury

“I guarantee that if we could expand the coverage in the media, you'd immediately see people responding”

Despite rising education levels, a decade of 'Harry Potter' and the near-ubiquity of big chain bookstores, Americans of every age are reading less and less for pleasure these days, according to an analysis ... via Asbury Park Press Online

Amazon.com today announced its editors' top picks for the holiday season. In what is expected to be its biggest holiday season ever, Amazon.com offers customers thousands of popular products eligible for Amazon ... via Customer Interaction Solutions

“We put on special programs, kid programs, and people come in for events. So the money goes to a real good cause.”

By Jessica Clark First Coast News ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- At St. Augustine's newest book store, Sue Fischer can't get over the deals. via FirstCoastNews

“I'll go down any weird avenue.”

J.K. Rowling's magical, Midas touch has landed her on the cover of Entertainment Weekly as the magazine's entertainer of the year.

The magazine said the 'Harry Potter' author, who has sold nearly 400 million copies of her boy-wizard series that's been adapted into a megasuccessful movie franchise, deserved props for getting 'people to tote around her big, old-fashioned printed-on-paper books as if they were the hottest new entertainment devices on the planet.'

Rowling was in a class by herself on the magazine's list of the year's top entertainers, which was separated by editors into five other categories that evoke school cliques: prodigies, class clowns, most popular, most buzzed-about and valedictorians. Read more

“Juno"). As for my favorite Oldman movies, I will admit that while I have not seen them all, I have endured his haircut in "The Fifth Element.”

As I was flying back to Atlanta from Los Angeles, I was watching the recent "Harry Potter" movie. via Dayton Daily News

“This is a big campaign and we can provide that extra level of engagement in the digital space.”

Potter film role up for grabs Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: fans will be quizzed on their knowledge of the film Harry Potter fans will get the chance to appear in the franchise's next film, thanks ... via Guardian Unlimited

“It's usually a Monday or a Tuesday at least a week before Christmas, though with the holiday on a Tuesday it might push it back an additional week.”

According to retail lore, Black Friday -- the biggest or second-biggest brick-and-mortar shopping day of the year -- is followed three days later by "Cyber Monday." That's the day the nation's cubicle dwellers ... via Detroit News

“We have a policy and procedure whereby individual parents, staff, students or community members can apply to have material reviewed. That's what happened in this case”

A Roman Catholic school board in Ontario ordered the popular fantasy book 'The Golden Compass' taken off library shelves at dozens of schools Thursday after receiving a complaint about the author referring to himself as an atheist.

Similar concerns prompted a Catholic organization in the U.S. to urge parents to boycott a movie version of the book starring Nicole Kidman.

The board for Catholic schools in Ontario's Halton region said a complaint was lodged after British author Philip Pullman stated in an interview that he is an atheist. Read more

“We're so excited about being able to offer this amazing prize to one Harry Potter fan. "This really will make someone's Christmas dreams come true. Needless to say, we expect this to be a highly-contested competition.”

One Harry Potter fan will be getting a wizard present this Christmas - a walk-on role in the next film. via Peterborough Today

Sales of used books were also up. Total revenue for the retailer increased 2.7%, to $122.3 million, and the company had net income of $73,000 compared to a loss of $2.2 million in the third quarter in 2006. via Publishers' Weekly

“We've got a public culture which is almost entirely commercial and novelty-driven”

WASHINGTON - Despite rising education levels, a decade of 'Harry Potter' and the near-ubiquity of big chain bookstores, Americans of every age are reading less and less for pleasure these days, according to an ... via Poughkeepsie Journal

“With the opening of the new natural history museum in Martinsville, it is an idea (whose) time has come”

The auditorium stage at Magna Vista High School was filled with splendid flowers of various colors, types and textures Friday for the horticulture department's Wedding Show. via Martinsville Bulletin - Martinsville,...

British film stars Jim Broadbent and Helen McCrory have joined the cast of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." Warner Bros. via Daily India

MADONNA's daughter LOURDES has been offered a part in the next HARRY POTTER movie. via PR-inside.com

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', during an open book tour stop at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, October 15. - REUTERS Bangshowbiz: Author J.K. Rowling was terrified when a religious fanatic confronted her over her 'Harry Potter”

Author J.K. Rowling signs copies of her seventh and final Harry Potter book, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', during an open book tour stop at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, October 15. via Jamaica Gleaner

“We think we've raised around 450, and we've never managed to collect anything like that amount for Children in Need before.”

Children at Malvern Wells Primary dress as their favourite book characters for Children in Need. via Malvern Gazette

McDonagh's 'Bruges' Opening Sundance Movie News McDonagh's 'Bruges' Opening Sundance Playwright Martin McDonagh's feature directorial debut, In Bruges , has been set to kick-off next year's Sundance Film ... via Entertainment Weekly

Harry Potter, James Patterson and Oprah Winfrey's book club aside, Americans - ' particularly young Americans - ' appear to be reading less for fun, and as that happens, their reading test scores are declining, ... via Mondo trudeau

“This Substitute Educators Day, we will be honoring the contributions of those individuals who regularly step in when teachers and other school employees have to miss class.”

The people have cast their votes. The celebrity America would most like to have as a substitute educator for a day is J.K. Rowling, creator of the "Harry Potter" fantasy series. via Earth Times

Louis Fire Department comes to an end with Monday's announcement of a permanent fire chief. via MyFox St. Louis

“I am really excited that David Yates and all our cast are back for the sixth film and welcome some wonderful new additions to our ensemble”

Warner Brothers have announced that casting has been finalised for new film Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince. via Clitheroe Today

“The 6ft 1in star is gorgeous, yet modest - describing himself as 'the least sexy man on the planet' - and refreshingly down to earth for one so famous”

Doctor Who star David Tennant has emerged as Scotlands most eligible man in the Scotland on Sunday newspapers list of the countrys hottest 100. via AndhraNews

“People are looking for things to do that aren't dumb. I don't think that Americans are dumber than before, but I do believe our public culture is.”

WASHINGTON -- Despite rising education levels, a decade of 'Harry Potter' and the near-ubiquity of big chain bookstores, Americans of every age are reading less and less for pleasure these days, according to an ... via BurlingtonFreePress.com

“Being gay doesn't define who I am”

New York Magazine spoofs Dumbledore's coming out When British author J.K. Rowling outed Harry Potter's wise headmaster of Hogwarts, the wizard Dumbledore, at Carnegie Hall last month, I rolled my eyeballs and ... via Hour.ca

Source: starpulse.com Posted On: Sunday, November 18, 2007 03:51 MST Ralph Fiennes' nephew Hero Fiennes Tiffin has landed a coveted role in the next Harry Potter film playing a younger version of his uncle's ... via The Elements

THE END: Fans are sad that they will no longer be a part of Harry Potter and his magical world. via The Hindu

Celebrity justice: Lindsay Lohan spends just 84 minutes in jail for drink-driving and drug charges Actress Lindsay Lohan checked in and out of jail yesterday , spending just 84 minutes behind bars for a drunken ... via This is London

This saturday the Dutch translation of the last Harry Potter book is released. The Volkskrant has an exclusive interview with Harry Potter creator, J.K. Rowling. via Hypernarrative

“O Tannenbaum, O Christmas Tree.”

Friendship Learning Center PTO will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, in the Friendship library, 1115 Thurke Ave. via WisInfo

Love in the Time of Cholera is a gorgeous disaster of a film. The movie is filled with some rich visuals and scenery, but that is about the only good quality that can be said of it. via Film School Rejects

“With the roles of Lavender and the teenage Voldemort, the casting director had someone in mind but felt they should have one more look”

London, November 17: The nine-year-old nephew of Ralph Fiennes, who portrayed Lord Voldemort in the 2005 fantasy film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, is all set to play a younger version of his uncle's ... via Daily India

“I've just been doing a bit of work with Jim Broadbent who plays Maurice Slughorn, who's just fantastic”

Scenes for the latest Harry Potter film are being shot at Surbiton train station this weekend. via This is Local London

“I think a child will see a friendship”

Yes No Wednesday November 14, 2007 Harry Potter's secret by Michael Gerson WASHINGTON - There is something inherently odd about considering the sex lives of fictional characters in children's books. via Winchester Sun

“We have created a record in Dr. R. V. Arts and Science College, Karamadai. I have written a book with the longest title containing 1,022 words. This is the longest ever title written for a book like this”

Karamdai , Nov. 16: A college principal in a Coimbatore college has authored a book having a title written in 1,022 words containing 4,805 characters without a space! The book written on Daniel Radcliffe , the ... via Daily India

Thousands of budding actresses who auditioned for a part in the new Harry Potter movie have been left disappointed after producers gave the part to an established star. via China Daily

“In the interests of accuracy I must point out that, far from losing weight, I've gained a good bit ... So J K Rowling's top tip for today is: eat more.”

London, Nov 16: Harry Potter author JK Rowling has publicly announced that she is putting on weight in a bid to thrash rumours that she exercises or uses botox to maintain her appearance. via Daily India

Harry Potter, The Most Successful Franchise of All Time, Now Available in a Magical Harry Potter Limited Edition Gift Set Available in SD, HD DVD and Blu-Ray Dec 11 Set Includes Two-Disc Editions of All Five ... via DigitallyOBSESSED.com

New England's Red Sox Nation has nothing on college football fans in the South, particularly those in the rabid Southeastern Conference. via Christian Science Monitor

Auditions for the part of Lavender Brown in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince went to Jessie Cave, 20, who is currently filming new movie Inkheart with Helen Mirren . via Hollywood.com

“Daniel campaigned for Eva Green to do Casino Royale and is having a similar input in the casting of the next film”

Booing fans walk out of Amy's disastrous stage show Amy Winehouse was booed and jeered by hundreds of fans after ranting on stage about her husband in jail. via This is London

Two new behind-the-scenes video featurettes are now online from the set of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ! Take a look... The war against Voldemort is not going well; even Muggle governments are ... via DVD Dungeon

“Journalists don't know math. Heck, most people don't know math, either, so journalists don't need to bother.”

Journalists, especially online journalists, need to unlearn many of the misconceptions that they have formed about writing and reporting news, according to Robert Niles of Online Journalism Review . via Editors Weblog

Chinese-language publishers have printed more than 1.8 million copies of the final book about boy wizard Harry Potter and are considering issuing more, executives said Wednesday.

In mainland China, where unauthorized translations of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' surfaced on Web sites ahead of its official release last month, publishers also said they were taking strict measures to curb piracy.

Mainland China's The People's Literature Publishing House said it issued 1.1 million copies of the book, the seventh in the Harry Potter series, but declined to provide sales figures. Read more

“But, for locals, it's not a bad deal to buy a one-day ticket, and come back for the whole year. And Disney really turned the business upside down with the 'cheaper per day, the longer you stay' packaging for vacationers.”

Profit doubles. Universal Orlando doubled its quarterly profit, boosted by a combination of higher attendance, increased food and merchandise sales and higher ticket prices. via FloridaToday.com

HARRY Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was the biggest UK film of the year, grossing 49.2 million. via Scotsman.com

“But the question is not whether Rowling is on solid legal ground in suing her fans”

Salon 's Farhad Manjoo offers a concise summary of J.K. Rowling 's attempt to crush an unauthorized Potter guide , pegging the key issues involved in her lawsuit against RDR Books , the publishing company that ... via GalleyCat

Posted on 11/13/2007 11:31:43 AM PST by CholeraJoe Newsround can exclusively reveal that actress Jessie Cave has been cast as Lavender Brown in the next Potter film. via Freerepublic.com

Harry Potter can fly on a broomstick, paralyse his enemies, make himself invisible and talk to snakes. via Times Online

“It's the place you get news and hear what is going on and where you go to be connected”

Fact & Fiction bookstore in downtown Missoula has long been a place where Missoulians of all ages come to find their favorite reading material. via Missoulian

Industry fights back against internet, helped by Harry Potter - and bad weather Graphic: Box office takings for UK films Rebecca Smithers, consumer affairs correspondent Tuesday November 13, 2007 The Guardian ... via Guardian Unlimited

LONDON, Nov. 12 The stars of the "Harry Potter" films seem amused and supportive of British author J.K. Rowling's decision to reveal her Dumbledore character is gay. via Earth Times