AbeBooks’ Top 10 Most Expensive Sales in March 2011

For a collector of modern first editions, there are few books put on a higher pedestal than The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Last month a collector purchased a first edition of this novel, via AbeBooks, for more than $20,000. The Hobbit is considered the archetypal epic fantasy novel and is thoroughly entrenched in popular culture, but this was not always the case. Published in 1937, the book was a slow burning success, receiving encouraging reviews and earning subsequent printings and a North American release after several months.

The book really took off in the 1960s when publishers reissued a massive number of affordable copies in the United States. Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Smaug the dragon and Gollum have become some of the most famous fictional characters in literature. Gollum's hissed catchphrase 'My Precious' is known around the world.

Two other modern firsts to appear on March’s list of pricey sales were a signed copy of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick and Cormac McCarthy’s semi-autobiographical novel Suttree. => more

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Book of the Year for Younger Children in the 2010 Australian Book Industry Awards

Baby Wombat's Week

by Jackie French

He sleeps. He eats. He gets bored.

He creates havoc wherever he goes!

He's Mothball's baby - and he's even cuter, naughtier and more determined than his mum.

Created by writer Jackie French and illustrator Bruce Whatley, Baby Wombat?s Week is an irresistible new picture book by the award-winning duo of the international bestseller Diary of a Wombat.

The very long awaited follow up to Diary of a Wombat - the illustrations are as beautiful as ever and the simple story will be adored by young children. Best of all, Mothball herself features in the story. Adults with an appreciation of Australian wildlife and children's literature will cherish these books as well. Weaver has the obstinate behaviour of wombats down pat but her affection for the animals is very obvious.

Teachers Notes => bit.ly/er2ur5

Buy the book => http://bit.ly/gLXAkj target="_blank"

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Film Trailer released for “The Help”


Set during the 1960s in America's racially divided Deep South, 'The Help' is a beautifully handled story of a white society girl, two black maids and a dangerous secret they share. Here’s a first look at the film trailer for ‘The Help' coming soon.

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Don’t Just Present: Inspire!

Everyone uses PowerPoint, but how effective is your presentation at meeting the goals you’ve outlined? A great presentation is more than just a slideshow–it’s about using PowerPoint to its maximum potential to get your message across to your audience. That’s the PowerPoint Predicament. Tom Bunzel reveals how to conceive, plan, develop, and deliver truly effective business, academic, and inspirational communications, not just PowerPoint slideshows.

Solving the PowerPoint Predicament: Using Digital Media for Effective Communication
by Tom Bunzel

=> http://bit.ly/hbkjFO

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Books – the new Prozac?

A friend gave me Sylvia Plath's “The Bell Jar” at a sleepover for my fourteenth birthday. After the other girls fell asleep, I stayed up and read the entire novel. A likely choice for a moody teen-ager already contemplating the inexorable passing of her youth.

So when I heard that a study published this month had found that reading books improves the moods of adolescents, I became curious. Did the study’s authors take the types of books into consideration?

=> http://nyr.kr/f1IymX

Read more http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2011/04/books-the-new-prozac.html#ixzz1Jop1fisB

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Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother – Provocative?

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

by Amy Chua

 
Witty, entertaining and provocative, this is a unique and important memoir that will transform your perspective of parenting forever. => http://bit.ly/hrjmsg

Death of a detective

Unlike Arthur Conan Doyle, most authors don't want to kill off their successful creations. However, time moves on, even for famous Swedish detective Wallander.

NO MORE Wallander? Nearly a quarter of a century after his first appearance, readers will have to say goodbye to their favourite ailing, unhappy cop => http://bit.ly/hiTROa

Jude Law in talks for “Anna Karenina”

Aaron Johnson and Jude Law are in talks to join Keira Knightley in Working Title's "Anna Karenina," which Joe Wright will direct.
Tom Stoppard penned the adaptation; Working Title's Tim Bevan is producing. http://bit.ly/eNdKLu

Jude Law in talks for "Anna Karenina"

Aaron Johnson and Jude Law are in talks to join Keira Knightley in Working Title's "Anna Karenina," which Joe Wright will direct.
Tom Stoppard penned the adaptation; Working Title's Tim Bevan is producing. http://bit.ly/eNdKLu

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Coming soon – “compellingly original”- When we had wings

When We Had Wings

by Claire Corbett

In a world divided into fliers and non-fliers, how far would you go to be able to fly? How much would you sacrifice - perhaps your own child? A beautifully written and compellingly original novel of sacrifice, betrayaland love. => http://bit.ly/fgzrK9