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Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poems translated into German

Mon, 28 May 2012 02:16:55 +0530

A bilingual Urdu-German book of Faiz's poems has been launched by the Goethe Institut in Karachi, Dawn News reported.

Story by Pultizer winner serialised on Twitter

Mon, 28 May 2012 11:06:29 +0530

A story by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan for the New Yorker is being serialised in 10 installments on Twitter, according to the magazine.

Literary fests new tool of diplomacy in S Asia

Mon, 28 May 2012 10:45:56 +0530

Many Lit fests are mushrooming in South Asia that are discussing and building new bridges across cultures.

Marvel Comics plan first same-sex marriage in the superhero world

Wed, 23 May 2012 04:30:52 +0530

Marvel comic book crime fighters 'The X-Men' are getting ready for the first same-sex marriage in the superhero world.

Marvel Comics plans wedding for gay hero Northstar

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:00:13 +0530

Wedding bells will ring this summer for Marvel Comics' first openly gay hero, super speedster Northstar, and his longtime boyfriend.

No humour please, we are Indians!

Fri, 18 May 2012 01:12:13 +0530

In 1923, iconic Bengali humorist Sukumar Ray described a curious race of beings "who were scared to laugh". With the government forced to apologise for a 1949 cartoon on Jawaharlal Nehru and B.R. Ambedkar after parliamentarians of all hues raised a massive ruckus, are Indians becoming that humourless race?

A 'Kahaani' of Indian bureaucracy, corruption

Wed, 16 May 2012 04:57:28 +0530

His surname inspired a key character in the hit Bollywood film "Kahaani". Now writer Amitabha Bagchi has knit a plot about Indian bureaucracy, corruption and redemption in his new work, "The Householder".

Michelle contemplated divorcing Obama in 2000: Book

Wed, 16 May 2012 04:31:35 +0530

Michelle Obama contemplated divorcing Barack Obama in 2000 after he ignored her advice not to run for a House seat in Chicago, making him so "depressed" that friends feared he might commit suicide, says a new book.

New Indian novels mirror contemporary relationships

Wed, 16 May 2012 01:54:54 +0530

Contemporary Indian popular fiction that narrates "desi" cosmopolitan stories has been mirroring the changing man-woman relationship in a more open and accepting urban India, a leading literary agent says.

India encouraged LTTE in the 1980s: Book

Tue, 15 May 2012 04:54:17 +0530

The Indian policy on Sri Lanka in the 1980s, the formative years of the LTTE, provided encouragement to the separatist group, a new book has claimed. The book, 'Gota's War', talks about India's "covert" role in LTTE's growth as the outfit carried out frequent terrorist strikes in the island.

Goa CM Parrikar to pen a 'hilarious' memoir

Mon, 14 May 2012 03:26:08 +0530

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is planning to pen down a memoir on his political life and the 56-year-old claims he has enough fodder to make it to the bestseller list.

Indian books on spirituality a big draw: NBT chief

Mon, 14 May 2012 01:31:02 +0530

Books on Indian spiritualism are in great demand in foreign countries, and even the Chinese are impressed, said the National Book Trust (NBT) director MA Sikander.

JK Rowling's 'Pottermore' now open for all

Mon, 14 May 2012 12:54:04 +0530

Pottermore, an online hub developed by author JK Rowling for fans of the boy wizard Harry Potter is now open for all. The free site promises to be an exciting world full of new activities and information on Harry Potter and others from the hit book series.

Free Potter e-books to be offered through Kindle

Sun, 13 May 2012 11:30:39 +0530

Harry Potter has joined the Kindle lending library. Amazon.com announced on Thursday that on June 19, the e-book editions of JK Rowling's seven Potter novels will become part of the Kindle service available to Amazon Prime subscribers. Members can download a book for free once a month. Amazon's library has more than 145,000 books.

Nupur Talwar writing book on Aarushi's death

Fri, 11 May 2012 03:39:22 +0530

Nupur Talwar, accused in the 2008 twin murder of her teenaged daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj, is writing a book on the mystery behind her daughter's death in Dasna jail where she is lodged, prison officials said.

'Escape from Camp 14' unbelievable yet compelling

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:44:57 +0530

Veteran journalist Blaine Harden's latest book 'Escape from Camp 14' has been hailed by the media worldwide.

Nupur Talwar writing a book on Aarushi's murder

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:29:16 +0530

Murdered teenager Aarushi Talwar's mother Nupur Talwar is writing a book titled 'Mystery behind Aarushi's death - story by an unfortunate mother' inside the Dasna Jail. The jailor of Dasna Jail said that she wanted to bring out the real story.

Team Anna on '13 Days That Awakened India'

Sat, 05 May 2012 02:21:41 +0530

Members of Team Anna discuss IBN7 Managing Editor Ashutosh's book 'Anna -13 Days That Awakened India' at the book launch.

'Osama went out not with a bang but with a whimper'

Thu, 03 May 2012 02:45:03 +0530

Slain al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who all his life boasted that he would go down fighting and would ask his bodyguards to shoot him if ever he came near Americans, offered no resistance when US commandos cornered him in his Abbottabad hideout a year ago, claims a new book.

Joseph Anton: Rushdie's memoir of hiding days

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:15:00 +0530

Salman Rushdie has written a memoir based on the time he spent hiding while under a fatwa that sentenced him to death in 1989.

Archie comics gender swap: Archie becomes Archina

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:54:21 +0530

The main three characters will become Archina, Billy and Ronnie thanks to a magical spell cast by two special visitors to Riverdale - Sabrina the Teenage Witch and her cat Salem.

Sharad Pawar releases book on Yashwantrao Chavan

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:11:34 +0530

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday remembered Maharashtra's first chief minister and veteran Congress leader Yashwantrao Chavan as a visionary economist who had the ability to explain the finer points of economics to the common man in simple language.

A 200-page pocketbook on Akhilesh - in 10 languages

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:54:52 +0530

The book has 14 chapters on topics such as Akhilesh Yadav's childhood, college days, political grooming, connection with the next generation, relationship with his father, the Kranti Rath Yatra and his ascent to the chief minister's post.

Noted poet, Booker judge on DSC literature prize panel

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:00:39 +0530

The DSC Prize for South Asian Literature Friday announced the induction of five new members to its advisory committee for the 2013 and 2014 editions of the $50,000 prize.

'Che' comic inspired by his most famous portrait

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 01:27:57 +0530

The most famous photo ever taken of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara was shot by Alberto Korda in 1960, an image so endlessly reproduced it became not only a political icon but a marketing and advertising asset. That photo is the point of departure for the new graphic novel about the "Comandante" now being published in Spanish.

Bill Gates to become comic book hero

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 01:27:23 +0530

Bill Gates is set to become the next comic book hero. The Microsoft founder's life will now be made into a graphic novel releasing by the end of the month. It will also be available on Nook and Kindle.

Manning Marable wins history Pulitzer posthumously

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 02:15:22 +0530

The late Manning Marable won the Pulitzer Prize for history on Monday, honoured for a Malcolm X book he worked on for decades but did not live to see published. For the first time in 35 years, no fiction prize was given.

1992-93 Mumbai riots chronicled in a book

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:25:02 +0530

Khatun Bi is one of the many real-life protagonists of the recently launched book 'Riots and After in Mumbai: Chronicles of Truth and Reconciliation'. The 65-year-old victim of 1992-93 Bombay riots might have a foggy memory about everything else but she clearly remembers the day when she had to hide neck-deep in a gutter as rioters violently raided the streets of Mumbai. Dipped in muck and her own fear, that day will always remain a living nightmare for Khatun Bi.

Kashmir to have first ever international literary fest

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:10:31 +0530

The first ever international Kashmir literary festival, on the lines of the Jaipur Literary Festival, is to be organized in the Valley this year, an official said in Srinagar on Monday.

Boyd to pen new Bond novel set in late 1960s

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:48:03 +0530

Suave and brutal British super-spy James Bond will find himself in the thick of danger at the end of the swinging '60s in a new, official novel by author William Boyd due out next year.

Aleph will be India's premium publishing brand: Davidar

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:18:54 +0530

As they announce their maiden line-up and launch their first titles, the publishers of Aleph Book Company disclose their strategy and future publishing plans.

Full list: Aleph Book's titles to be released this year

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:12:09 +0530

Aleph Book Company has announced its first list of titles to be released beginning 9 April 2012. The twenty-five books of fiction and non-fiction on the company's launch list will be published across five seasons, and will comprise original works by established authors as well as outstanding new voices.

'Flame': Shahnaz Husain's daughter pens biography

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:58:54 +0530

Popular beauty expert Shahnaz Husain's daughter, Nelofar Currimbhoy, has penned 'Flame', a biography of her mother.

Taking poetry to India's young readers

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 03:04:14 +0530

Prose has for long edged poetry to the margins of contemporary Indian literature. It is only natural that the new reader is not familiar with the late Kamala Das or her bold feminist oeuvre of poetry and short story that gave her cult status in India like Sylvia Plath in the West.

Indo-US relationship drifting apart, says a book

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:37:37 +0530

India should have sent its troops back to Sri Lanka to kill or capture Prabhakaran and the LTTE leadership after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, says a new book by a former US diplomat.

Top 20 Bollywood superstars captured in a book

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 01:38:53 +0530

A new book by Bhaichand Patel 'Bollywood's Top 20: Superstars of Indian Cinema' was launched by Kajol recently.

Young Indian writers scripting a new trend

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 01:00:13 +0530

While mainstream films have seen mass consumption in the country, a new breed of Indian fiction is seen doing the same. These books speak in a language which is hooking on a lot of first time readers. Indian writing in English has moved far beyond the Amitav Ghoshes, Vikram Seths and Salman Rushdies, even past Chetan Bhagat, who barged into the Indian publishing milieu and revolutionised the market.

Kishwar Desai talks of surrogacy, IVF in new book

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 06:08:40 +0530

Celebrities like Aamir Khan and Nicole Kidman going in for surrogacy has helped spread the word about the option and make people aware of it, says author Kishwar Desai, whose new book deals with the issue of assisted reproduction.

Erotic novel acquired by film producers

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 02:09:56 +0530

Universal Pictures and Focus Features have acquired the rights to EL James' bestselling erotic novel, 'Fifty Shades of Gray.'

Hachette acquires worldwide rights in Enid Blyton

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:54:00 +0530

Enid Blyton has an extensive publishing portfolio with 800 titles translated into 40 languages. Till date over 500 million copies of Enid Blyton books have been sold, outselling any other children's author.

Book advising ways to beat wife sparks outrage

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:35:16 +0530

An Islamic marriage guide advising men on 'the best ways' to beat their wives has sparked outrage in Britain, especially among moderate Muslims who say that it encourages domestic violence. The book - A Gift For Muslim Couple - tells husbands that they should beat their wives with "hand or stick or pull her by the ears", the Daily Mail reported.

Tamil writer chosen for Saraswati Samman

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:38:58 +0530

Tamil writer A A Manavalan has been chosen for the 'Saraswati Samman' 2011 for his book on Ramayana, the K K Birla Foundation announced on Thursday.

Penguin India to publish Amit Chaudhuri's works

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 07:02:42 +0530

In what is a landmark acquisition, Penguin Books India has acquired the Indian subcontinent rights to publish the acclaimed author Amit Chaudhuri's works.

Music, calligraphy, poetry in Vikram Seth's new work

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:37:59 +0530

Music, calligraphy, conversations and poetry merge in Vikram Seth's new anthology of poetry, 'The Rivered Earth', an eclectic journey into the heart of rhythmic lyricism that the writer of 'The Golden Gate' - a novel in verse - is known for.

IT Conclave: Salman Rushdie's session postponed

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 03:19:29 +0530

Author Salman Rushdie's literary session at the India Today Conclave has been postponed by a day to Saturday following a sudden change in schedule, the organisers said.

Italian group wants 'racist 'Divine Comedy' banned

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:36:36 +0530

A research group has said 'Divine Comedy' is racist, against Islam and should be banned from schools in Italy.

Imran Khan cancels India trip over Salman Rushdie

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 06:49:34 +0530

Rushdie's 1988 novel 'The Satanic Verses' is still banned in India and Pakistan for allegedly blaspheming against Islam

Gautam Bhattacharya's best seller ebook launched

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:40:55 +0530

Sports journalist Gautam Bhattacharya's best-seller on achievers in different fields, chronicling their struggle in life since childhood, became the first Bengali book to be available on ebook platforms worldwide.

Pulitzer-winner Boo unmasks Mumbai poverty in new book

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:09:07 +0530

Pulitzer Prize winner Katherine Boo's idea to spend her days in a Mumbai slum originated one night while she was lying on the floor of her Washington, DC area home with a punctured lung and three broken ribs after tripping over a dictionary.

Penguin's annual 'Spring Lit Fest' in Delhi March 16

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 03:36:42 +0530

A series of sneak peeps into new books by top Indian writers will be the cornerstone of a festival of literature, "Spring Fever", to be held March 16-24 at the India Habitat Centre.

Ashutosh: Anna stir foretold Rahul's UP debacle

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:01:39 +0530

Anna had made a solid dent in Rahul's image. New York Times wrote on 28 August 2011, 'For Mr Gandhi, the crisis interrupted what was widely assumed to be his own coming out as the new leader of the Congress . . . Instead, Mr Hazare upended the political landscape and Mr Gandhi disappeared for days before his speech in Parliament.' There can't be a bigger setback for Rahul Gandhi than losing UP. He has staked a lot on his success there. I think this may well decide his chances of succeeding Manmohan Singh as PM. This also explains why every change or shift in the political landscape is carefully analysed. Every minor, even perceived, threat to his career is therefore seen with suspicion. I believe that this is what ultimately dictates his attitude and actions to the Anna stir.

APJ Kalam inspires youth at World Book Fair

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 03:41:56 +0530

It may be age of the iPad or the game console, but India's most popular President, APJ Kalam, showed the way - that with great books comes great imagination.

Lost Charlotte Bronte story finally published

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 07:15:29 +0530

A long-lost short story written by Charlotte Bronte for a married man with whom she had fallen in love was published online for the first time and comes out in print.

Gul Panag unveils Sachin Garg novel, says it's for all

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:02:27 +0530

Gul Panag unveiled young novelist Sachin Garg's latest book "Never Let Me Go" at the ongoing World Book Fair.

A karmic love story that begins and ends with India

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:26:20 +0530

A bit of India, ancient scriptures, Irish and Scottish myths, reincarnation, metaphysics and the common wisdom of pagan faiths that programmed the lives of pre-Christian people - all these constitute the spice of emerging British spiritual author AK Luthienne's new novel, 'The Sacred Quest', a love story.

'Digital format not threatening Urdu books'

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 01:37:33 +0530

Noted Urdu poet Waseem Barelvi has warned that information without knowledge was useless and that while the digitisation of Urdu literature was a positive step, it must not be seen as a replacement for the printed word.

Website for audio books launched at World Book Fair

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:21:49 +0530

Reado, a website of one of India's biggest audio books company, Think Ink Media Inc, was launched at the World Book Fair 2012 with 100-plus leading book titles which have been converted into downloadable audio books.

Kannada model-actress writes book on Rahul

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:04:10 +0530

The dusky model, movie actress and doctoral fellow from Bangalore is an unlikely political commentator. Meet Lakshmi Priya, an emerging writer who released her political comment, "Rahul Gandhi: The Great Warrior of Indian Politics" at the 20th World Book Fair.

'Cinema, literature on a par, building new synergy'

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:39:14 +0530

Cinema adaptations of novels is a challenge and helps forge new synergy between the screen and literature, speakers at a forum at the World Book Fair said.

World book fair celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 01:44:22 +0530

The World Delhi book fair commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, along with books celebrating the 100 years of Indian cinema.

JK Rowling has deal for new novel for adults

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:23:44 +0530

Adult fans of JK Rowling can rejoice: She has a new novel coming, for grownups. The kids will have to wait and see.

Grassroots Comics: New voice for rural issues

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:14:26 +0530

Comics have long been considered a medium of entertainment, but soon the caricatures may become a powerful medium for campaigning and spreading awareness about various social issues that abound in rural India.

Kapil Sibal, the poet, back with his second book

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:30:53 +0530

From a politician and a lawyer Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal is also a poet. Sibal's second anthology of poems will be released in Delhi this week. Four years after releasing his first anthology of poems, he's back with his second, 'My World Within', published by Roli Books.

Delhi celebrates its love for comics at Comic Con

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:21:45 +0530

Delhi's annual comic convention's second edition in the capital saw a sea of comic-lovers thronging the venue.

It's a myth that comics are fading: Comic Con organiser

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 03:02:24 +0530

Organiser Jatin Verma while speaking to IBNLive said that the comic scene in India is still alive but the market needs more investors.

2nd Annual Comic Convention kicks off in Delhi

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:36:37 +0530

The seemingly fading world of comics is set to come alive again as Indian comic book aficionados relive their favourite comic moments at the second edition of the Annual Indian Comic Convention. The Comic Con starts on February 17 at Dilli Haat, New Delhi.

Sahitya Akademi turns spotlight on poetry, nature

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:28:41 +0530

The prestigious Samvatsar lecture turned the spotlight on poetry this year to keep the Sahitya Akademi's commitment to promotion of poetry alive.

Israeli library uploads Newton's theological texts

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:32:14 +0530

Isaac Newton was also an influential theologian who applied a scientific approach to the study of scripture, Hebrew and Jewish mysticism.

Boy genius' book reveals life in college at age 8

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:28:27 +0530

Moshe Kai Cavalin was enroll in college at the age of 8 and earn his first of two Associate of Arts degrees from East Los Angeles Community College at age 9, graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Guha among 22 awarded Sahitya Akademi Awards

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:11:13 +0530

Eight books of poetry, seven novels, three essays and one each short story, narrative history, biography and play were selected for this year's awards.

'Dynasty rooted in Indian political tradition'

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:20:56 +0530

Zareer Masani, who courted controversy with a biography of Indira Gandhi, feels dynasty is deeply rooted in the Indian political tradition.

New sensibilities emerging in literary translation

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:18:39 +0530

Translations of popular fictions, non-fictions and classics are much in demand in India and adorn bookshelves in many urban homes like status tags.

Lahore's Hira Mandi: a love affair

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:37:50 +0530

Claudine Le Tourneur d'lson has authored 12 books and is planning to pen a chronicle of her journeys in Pakistan.

India celebrates 200 years of Charles Dickens

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:20:44 +0530

As the world celebrates 200 years of Charles Dickens, so does India despite the intense debate on the relevance of Dickensian pedagogy in the 21st century.

Taslima row unfortunate, shameful: Mahasweta Devi

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:33:31 +0530

Magsaysay Award winning author Mahasweta Devi strongly criticised the cancellation of the release of controversial writer Taslima Nasreen's book following objections from fundamentalists.

BJP, Cong in war of words over Taslima's book

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:46:19 +0530

A war of words ensued between the BJP and the Congress today over the cancellation of the official release of controversial author Taslima Nasreen's book in Kolkata with the former accusing Congress of driving the country towards a dangerous mindset and the latter saying fanaticism was intrinsic to the Opposition party's DNA.

Taslima's book launched despite protests

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:43:10 +0530

Defying protests by 'religious fanatics' on Wednesday, the publisher of Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen's autobiography, Dey's Publishing, launched her book in front of a stall at the Kolkata Book Fair. This came as a protest against the guild's decision to cancel the book launch.

Rajiv leader of hearts, Pranab like brother: Mamata

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:58:31 +0530

Although she felt 'betrayed' by the Congress leadership many a time, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee describes the late Rajiv Gandhi as "the leader of our hearts" and Pranab Mukherjee as her brother.

Rushdie's writings painful for Muslims: Imran

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:21:08 +0530

Describing the writings of Salman Rushdie as "painful" for the Muslim community, Pakistani politician and former cricket captain Imran Khan on Monday said no one had a right to humiliate someone's belief.

'Sensationalism in 'Satanic Verses' has hurt Muslims'

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:26:18 +0530

Attacking Salman Rushdie, Press Council of India (PCI) Chairman Markandey Katju today said the "sensationalism" depicted by his book 'Satanic Verses' has deeply hurt Muslim sensitivities and that an individual's freedom of speech has to harmonised with the public interest.

Sentiments vs freedom: Rushdie issue festers

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:26:39 +0530

Days after Salman Rushdie was not allowed to speak at the Jaipur Literature Festival, the issue continues to touch a raw nerve among Muslim clerics and intellectuals even as liberals excoriate the brazen violation of a writer's freedom of creative expression.

We cannot let them break the pen: Vikram Seth

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:23:09 +0530

God and the prophets do not need bullies to defend themselves, says the famous author.

Banning books is a sin: Chetan Bhagat

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:05:58 +0530

Opining that banning books is a sin, popular novelist Chetan Bhagat on Saturday said that the people should appreciate the diversity of opinion in our society. "Different people have different views. We must appreciate that. Nothing is absolute in this world," Bhagat said at the Kolkata Literary Meet.

Police stood by us on Rushdie: JLF Organiser

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:46:27 +0530

Jaipur literature Festival organiser Sanjoy Roy has claimed that JLF organisers chose to call off controversial author Salman Rushdie's video link even after the Rajasthan police promised protection. While speaking exclusively to Karan Thapar on Devil's Advocate, he admitted that it was the festival organisers who decided to call off the video conference with the author at the last minute despite the assurances of security given by the police.

Once Mamata mistook lip balm for lipstick!

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:08:54 +0530

In life as in politics, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is known to have unconventional ways, like when she used saucepans for taking bath during her trip to New York in 1998 or bought lip balms mistaking them for lipsticks.

New book to feature Satyajit Ray's lost articles

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:51:55 +0530

It not only reveals Ray's engagement with cinema, but also provides an invaluable insight into the mind of a genius.

Rushdie row: Religion misused, says Vikram Seth

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:12:12 +0530

Criticising the government for the controversy surrounding Salman Rushdie's visit to the Jaipur Literature Festival, novelist Vikram Seth on Thursday said the affair was whipped up because of "power", "politics" and "misuse of religion".

Mamata was 'back stabbed' in childhood

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:11:11 +0530

She had summoned all her political astuteness and understanding to single-handedly unseat the Left Front from power in West Bengal, but when she was a child, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was so innocent that she was often back stabbed by her friends.

Rushdie is 'poor', 'sub-standard' writer: Katju

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:25:21 +0530

Salman Rushdie is a "poor" and "sub-standard writer" who would have remained largely unknown but for his controversial book 'Satanic Verses', according to Markandey Katju, till recently a judge of the Supreme Court.

JLF: Did the Rajasthan govt fail to protect artistic freedom?

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:05:15 +0530

CNN-IBN's Sagarika Ghose and writer Anurag Anand discuss the row over Salman Rushdie's video link cancellation.

Know the real Mamata Banerjee in her new book

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:25:52 +0530

She's made history by toppling the 34-year-old Left regime in the West Bengal but there's more to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Not many people know that she's written 33 books also. The latest is 'My Unforgettable Memories'.

Rushdie blames politics for his gagging at JLF

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:27:20 +0530

Gagged not once but twice from participating in the Jaipur Literature Festival, controversial author Salman Rushdie says he won't back down and will keep coming back to India. He also blamed the government for bowing to, who he called, religious gangsters.

Rushdie video cancellation: How the day unfolded

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:37:03 +0530

The planned video address by celebrated author Salman Rushdie at the Jaipur Literature Festival was scrapped at the last minute on Tuesday because of security fears. Expressing regret over a situation that he described as 'fairly idiotic', The festival producer Sanjoy Roy said "We are having to step down in a fight for the freedom of expression", before breaking down on stage.

Editor's take: The Rushdie video cancellation row

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:50:38 +0530

Booker winning author Salman Rushdie's video conference was cancelled amidst high drama and following protests by Muslim groups at the Jaipur Literature Festival on Tuesday. The cancellation raises questions on not just the state government, but also the organisers and the freedom of expression.

JLF: Has the state of Rajasthan bowed down to protestors?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:04:17 +0530

Lawyer Akhil Sibal, AIMPLB member-lawyer Zafaryab Jilani and social activist Shabnam Hashmi discuss the Salman Rushdie video conference row.

I'll keep coming to India, deal with it: Rushdie

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:34:06 +0530

Booker winning author Salman Rushdie on Tuesday made it clear that he will keep coming to India despite the events that unfolded in the recent past. In an interview with the television news channel NDTV, Rushdie said, "It's a personal disappointment, but I will keep coming back to India, deal with it."

Rushdie video cancellation not a big issue: Singhvi

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:21:56 +0530

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said on Tuesday that the media was losing a sense of proportion and balance in the Salman Rushdie video conference issue. "We are losing a sense of proportion and balance in this issue. It is not such a great issue for us to exercise over minds over. The government of India never banned his (Rushdie's) visit. Video-link was stopped by the organisers of the festival."

JLF: Activist Kavita Srivastava slams Milli Council

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:09:33 +0530

Human rights activist Kavita Srivastava on Tuesday condemned the organisations which disrupted Salman Rushdie's video link that was supposed to take place at 3.45 PM. Slamming the Jaipur-based Milli Council, she said the threat to the author and the Lit Fest was very disturbing.

Freedom of speech needs a re-look: Rahul Bose

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:52:32 +0530

In the ongoing Rushdie row at the Jaipur Literature Festival, actor Rahul Bose drew attention to the limitations in the Constitution concerning freedom of speech in the country. "We need to take a look at 'Freedom of Speech' under the constitution of India. We need to campaign for change," he said.

Rushdie is welcome to visit Delhi: Sheila Dikshit

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:51:09 +0530

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said she did not want to get into a controversy and that Delhi welcomes everyone.

Scrapping video at Jaipur Lit Fest awful: Rushdie

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:49:57 +0530

Disappointed over the cancellation of his video conference at the Jaipur Literature Festival, Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie called the decision 'awful'. "#JLF Videolink cancellation: awful...," Rushdie tweeted on Tuesday.

Rushdie should have been allowed to come: Jaitley

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:05:25 +0530

Slamming the government for "bowing to fundamentalists", Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said controversial author Salman Rushdie should have been allowed to come to India.

I don't believe in the idea of banning books: Konkona Sen

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:59:32 +0530

Actress Konkona Sen said that she was disappointed, but not surprised by the cancellation of Rushdie's video link.

Do we need to redefine democracy, people at JLF question

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:31:20 +0530

People at the festival, who had come for Salman Rushdie's video conference were angry over the cancellation of the link.

Rushdie link cancellation not a govt decision: Raj Home Secy

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:09:18 +0530

Rajasthan Home Secretary GS Sandhu said that the government had given clearance and had no role in the cancellation of Rushdie's video link.

Rushdie video cancelled despite assurance: Police

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:07:39 +0530

Jaipur Police Commissioner BL Soni on Tuesday said that Salman Rushdie's live video conference at the Jaipur Literature Festival has been cancelled despite Rajasthan Police's assurance to the organisers to provide security.

'Freedom of speech not an absolute right'

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:02:38 +0530

Pavan Kumar Varma, writer and diplomat from New Delhi, said on Tuesday that the Freedom of Speech was not an absolute right. "If one criticizes Salman Rushdie, it does not mean that you are criticizing the freedom of expression," he said.

Govt not coming clean on Rushdie: Mark Tully

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:54:58 +0530

Writer Mark Tully on Tuesday slammed the government for not coming clean on the Salman Rushdie issue, saying if someone has offended religion sentiments then there is law to deal with it.

Author Sukumar Azhikode: a man of the masses

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:37:03 +0530

Veteran Malayalam writer and orator Sukumar Azhikode has on Tuesday breathed his last but his razor-sharp tongue and hard-hitting speeches interlaced with characteristic humour will remain in the memories of many who have heard him at least once.

Rushdie has hurt religious sentiments: AIMPLB

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:32:39 +0530

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) supported the cancellation of Booker prize winner Salman Rushdie's video link at the Jaipur Literature Festival on Tuesday, saying Rushdie had hurt religious sentiments in his book 'The Satanic Verses'.

Rushdie gagged, mob forces Fest to cancel video

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:50:03 +0530

Celebrated author Salman Rushdie's live video conference at Jaipur Literature Festival has been cancelled following protests by Jaipur-based Milli Council.

Rushdie welcome in Delhi, says Sheila Dikshit

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:31:38 +0530

Amid protests by Muslim groups against hosting Salman Rushdie in Jaipur, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday said one may have differences with what he writes but the "very, very eminent" writer is welcome in the capital.

Rushdie's video link: Rajasthan offers support

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:21:31 +0530

Rajasthan government have come to the rescue of the Jaipur Literature Festival. The Festiva; organisers and Rajasthan police are holding consultations with Milli Council activists over Salman Rushdie's video conferencing at the Festival.

Threat to Rushdie makes us look like cowards: Shekhar Kapur

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:17:24 +0530

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur says that if at all there is a threat, we should think about everyone at the venue, not just an individual.

Call off Rushdie's video link: Milli Council

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:47:04 +0530

Milli Council activists on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Jaipur Literature Festival venue and demanded that Salman Rushdie's video conference be called off.

Malayalam writer Sukumar Azhikode dead

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:01:08 +0530

Malayalam writer Sukumar Azhikode died at a private hospital here on Tuesday morning, family sources said. He was 85.

Rushdie will not break law with his address: JLF

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:53:49 +0530

Noted author and Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie will not break any law with his video address at the Jaipur Literature Festival, organisers said on Tuesday.

Best of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2012

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:16:07 +0530

In this special CNN-IBN show, we bring to you the best moments and personalities of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2012.

Video allowed: Rushdie won't bring up Verses

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:07:28 +0530

In a new twist to the controversy surrounding Salman Rushdie's video confernce at the Jaipur Literature Festival, sources on Tuesday said the state authorities will allow him to speak but with certain conditions.

Question mark over Rushdie's video link at JLF

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:14:17 +0530

First it was the suspense over whether he will attend the Jaipur Literature Festival, now it\'s whether Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie will be addressing the festival via videoconferencing.

'Had received inputs of SIMI threat to Rushdie'

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:42:43 +0530

Dismissing Salman Rushdie's charge that the state police had invented a 'plot' to keep him away from the Literature Festival, the Rajasthan government on Monday night said it had received intelligence inputs that the banned SIMI was planning to target him during the festival.

I don't regret reading from Rushdie's book: Joshi

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:40:27 +0530

Author Ruchir Joshi on Monday said that he does not regret reading out extracts from Salman Rushdie's banned book 'The Satanic Verses' at the Jaipur Literature Festival. Talking to IBN18 Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai on Talking Point, Joshi said that he was even ready to do it again if required.

JLF: Suspense prevails over Rushdie video address

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:29:49 +0530

The Rushdie controversy continues to cloud Jaipur's Literature Festival. The author is unlikely to be given permission to mark his presence through video conferencing at the festival tomorrow. According to sources, the police may reject the organiser's request for Rushdie's video conference session citing law and order concerns. A police complaint was, meanwhile, filed against organisers and the 4 authors who read from the banned book Satanic Verses.

JLF: Suspense over Rushdie's video address

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:31:58 +0530

Amidst reports that the Rajasthan police planned to deny permission to author Salman Rushdie for his video conference on Tuesday at 3:45 PM at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival, festival producer Sanjoy Roy said that he had no information about the whole issue.

Not illegal if I read from Rushdie's book: Jeet Thayil

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:45:26 +0530

The four writers who read excerpts from 'The Satanic Verses' left the Jaipur Fest amidst speculation that they may be arrested.

Rushdie issue has been politicised: Anupam Kher

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:27:43 +0530

As the Salman Rushdie episode looms large on the Jaipur Literature Festival, actor Anupam Kher said the issue has been 'politicised'.

Anupam Kher's lessons from life at Lit Fest

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:50:50 +0530

Bollywood actor Anupam Kher donned a new hat of a self-help guru with the launch of his inspirational book 'The Best Thing About You is...You' at the DSC Jaipur Literature Festival Sunday evening.

Salman Rushdie to attend Jaipur Lit Fest via video

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:21:07 +0530

Booker Prize winning author Salman Rushdie will address the Jaipur Literature Festival via video conference on Tuesday. Rushdie will address the Jaipur Festival at 3.45 pm on Tuesday.

Arrest threat forces authors to leave Jaipur Fest

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:14:14 +0530

Famous writer and one of the organisers of Jaipur Literature Festival, William Dalrymple on Monday said that the four authors who read excerpts from Salman Rushdie's banned 'The Satanic Verses' were asked to leave as there was a threat that they would be arrested. Dalrymple said that the organisers didn't know that reading from the 'The Satanic Verses' is an arrestable offence.

Rushdie row: 4 authors asked to leave Jaipur Fest

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:50:44 +0530

The Salman Rushdie row refuses to die down as the four authors who read excerpts from Rusdhie's 'The Satanic Verses' have already left the Jaipur Literature Festival amidst speculation that they may be arrested if they had stayed on.

Campaign to lift ban on 'Satanic Verses' launched

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:39:48 +0530

In what could further stoke the Salman Rushdie controversy, a section of authors at the Jaipur Literature Festival on Sunday launched a campaign demanding immediate lifting of the 23-year-old ban on the controversial writer's book 'The Satanic Verses'.

WB: Mamata Banerjee writes a book on her career

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:23:08 +0530

Chronicling her meteoric rise from a grassroots worker to the highest echelons of power in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written a book which has a photographic description of all the important landmarks of her remarkable political career.

'Cong backs Rahul but BJP distrustful of Varun'

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:11:18 +0530

A new book on Rahul Gandhi makes a comparison between him and his cousin who, it feels, is "practically isolated" in his party BJP.

Rushdie slams police, says life threat invented

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:02:41 +0530

Two days after he decided to skip the Jaipur Literature Festival citing threats from a Mumbai don, celebrated author Salman Rushdie on Sunday slammed the Rajasthan police for allegedly inventing a plot to keep him away.

Chetan Bhagat says banned writers not 'heroes'

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:31:17 +0530

Best-selling Indian writer Chetan Bhagat on Saturday criticised the support leant to authors whose books are banned for offending religious communities, a day after Salman Rushdie cancelled his trip to Jaipur citing death threat warning.

Author of 'Chinaman' wins the DSC Lit Prize

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:32:01 +0530

Shehan Karunatilaka, Sri Lankan author of 'Chinaman' wins the DSC Literature Prize for South Asia worth 50 thousand dollars.

William Dalrymple on Salman Rushdie's works

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:07:34 +0530

William Dalrymple, co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival talks about Rushdie's work and expresses his desire to see Rushdie attend the festival in the coming years.

MP demands arrest of writers for reading 'Satanic Verses'

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:37:11 +0530

Member of Parliament and president of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) Asaduddin Owaisi has demanded the immediate arrest of the writers who Friday read Salman Rushdie's banned book 'Satanic Verses' at the Jaipur Literature Festival.

No info of threat to Rushdie: Police sources

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:23:48 +0530

Adding a new twist to the controversy over Salman Rushdie's participation in the Jaipur Literature Festival, sources in Mumbai Police denied getting any inputs about paid assassins.

Rushdie row: authors protest, organisers defend

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:55:23 +0530

The controversy over celebrated author Salman Rushdie's participation in the Jaipur Literature Festival has refused to die down. The organisers have now distanced themselves from authors who read Rushdie's banned book 'Satanic Verses' as a mark of protest on Friday.

No Rushdie at JLF: Authors blame politics

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:27:50 +0530

The suspense over Salman Rushdie's participation in the Jaipur Literature Festival ended on Friday, but the row over his absence didn't. Authors Hari Kunzru and Amitava Kumar read out a passage from his banned book the 'Satanic Verses' to lodge their protest over Rushdie's absence before they were stopped by the organisers of the festival.

Oprah to attend Jaipur Literature Fest today

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:08:54 +0530

Salman Rushdie may have decided to give Jaipur Literature Festival a miss but those already at Jaipur are getting ready to catch a glimpse of talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey.

Oprah to don green Sabyasachi sari in Jaipur

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:26:33 +0530

An apple green sari with an embroidered black choli is what celebrity talk show host Oprah Winfrey will wear to a dinner at the City Palace as part of the DSC Jaipur Literature Festival.

Salman Rushdie skips Jaipur Literature Festival

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:11:00 +0530

Celebrated author Salman Rushdie will not attend the Jaipur Literature Festival, which began in Rajasthan's capital on Friday. Rushdie issued a statement through the organisers of the festival saying that he will not be coming to the event.

Jaipur Literature Fest begins without Rushdie

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:43:42 +0530

The Jaipur Literature Festival began on Friday with an impressive line-up of Indian and international authors. However, uncertainty prevailed over the visit of controversial author Salman Rushdie.

Ground report: Jaipur Literature Festival

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:44:09 +0530

There is a heavy security cover although there is uncertainity whether Salman Rushdie will visit the fest or not.

Jaipur Literature Festival kicks off today

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:54:17 +0530

While mystery still surrounds the visit of Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie, the Jaipur Literature Festival will kick off on Friday with an array of international and Indian writers and global celebrities including TV mogul Oprah Winfrey.

Book Watch 2012: Rajinikanth, Obama biographies

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:28:34 +0530

Several interesting titles including biographies of Barack Obama, Rajnikanth and Aung San Suu Kyi and fictional works by the likes of Jeffrey Archer and Shobhaa De have been lined up for 2012.

Hitler stole Beetle idea from Jew engineer: book

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:18:40 +0530

Adolf Hitler stole the idea for the iconic Volkswagen Beetle car from a Jewish engineer and had his name written out of history, a historian has said in a new book.

Penguin India to mark 2012 as silver jubilee year

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:01:08 +0530

Penguin India, known for publishing the best writing from the Indian subcontinent, will mark its silver jubilee celebrations in 2012 with a series of initiatives, including the launch of a list comprising some of the best loved titles in its 25 years.

Lit fests popularise books: Naseeruddin Shah

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:03:57 +0530

Actor Naseeruddin Shah feels that literary festivals play an important role in spreading awareness about books among the new generation.

Feldman to write a book on Hollywood paedophiles

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:55:03 +0530

Former child star Corey Feldman claims to have been sexually abused by paedophiles when he was a teenager and says he will reveal their names in a book.

Mrs Obama: Some give her 'angry black woman' image

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:40:27 +0530

First lady Michelle Obama is challenging assertions she has forcefully imposed her will on White House aides and says people have inaccurately tried to portray her as "some kind of angry black woman."

Three Indian writers shortlisted for literary honour

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:50:12 +0530

Works of three Indian writers - Amitav Ghosh, Rahul Bhattacharya and Jahnavi Barua - have been shortlisted for the 2011 Man Asian Literary Prize.

'For women, love comes from vulnerability'

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:39:26 +0530

Writer and novelist Namita Gokhale runs her readers through a roller-coaster of emotions in her first ever collection of short stories, 'The Habit of Love'.

Elton John turns author, to pen stories about AIDS

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:53:38 +0530

Legendary singer Elton John is all set to share his experiences of the global AIDS epidemic in his first book.

Tom Stoppard in India Jan 23 to talk about adaptations

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:57:10 +0530

Tom Stoppard will team up with leading playwrights Girish Karnad, David Hare and Annie Proulx at the Jaipur Literature Festival Jan 23 to address a session, Adaptation.

First ever gay wedding on Archie Comics cover

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:48:34 +0530

After introducing its first gay character, Archie Comics has now featured the same-sex wedding between Kevin Keller and partner Clay Walker on its front cover for the first time.

Book fair to celebrate 100 years of Indian films

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:09:00 +0530

The NBT Friday unveiled a calendar, 'Literature and Indian Cinema', as a thematic prelude to the book fair.

James Franco set to release his debut novel

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:04:08 +0530

His debut novel is not his first book, he previously released a collection of short stories entitled 'Palo Alto'.

Rushdie to attend Jaipur Lit Fest Jan 20-22

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:55:39 +0530

Breaking a minor jinx in India which began with last September'a failed Harud Festival in Kashmir, celebrated writer Salman Rushdie will attend the DSC Jaipur Literature Festival Jan 20-24, the organisers said on Tuesday.

The mystery behind Shimla's 'Scandal Point'

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:08:37 +0530

Manju Jaidka in her historical fiction has tried to get to the bottom of the mystery of Shimla's Scandal Point.

Jaiput Litfest 2012: The programme

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:41:03 +0530

On view: Tom Stoppard, Richard Dawkin,s Annie Proulx, Hisham Matar, Jamaia Kincaid, Teju Cole, Michael Ondaatje...

Scrapbook tells how Rudolph went down in history

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 08:26:13 +0530

Curious to know more about how Rudolph really went down in history? It's all in the pages of a long-overlooked scrapbook compiled by the story's author, Robert L May.

Lonely Tagore was haunted by depression: Biography

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 02:01:45 +0530

Famed for his literary, artistic and intellectual capabilities the world over, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore led a very lonely life and even suffered from frequent bouts of depression, says his new biography.

Spider-Man creator to make a superhero for India

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:25:06 +0530

Stan Lee, co-creator of some of the world's leading superhero characters like Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Daredevil, Hulk and Thor will be launching an original superhero for the Indian market.

2012 will be game changer for Indian publishing

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:13:06 +0530

Shobit Arya, the founder and publisher of Wisdom Tree writes about what we can expect from the Indian publishing next year.

Film comic book 'Don: The Origin' comes to India

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:46:29 +0530

The novel, conceived and scripted by director Farhan Akhtar of 'Don' (2006) and its sequel 'Don 2' which is set to release on Friday, has been published by Om Books.

Tagore's notebook sold for US $ 170,500

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:57:25 +0530

The notebook, estimated to fetch US $ 150,000-250,000, was finally sold for US $ 170,500.

Red Fort to Raisina: a book on Delhi

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:37:23 +0530

The book traces the development of Delhi from the period of Shah Jahan to the British Delhi.

Tagore's notebook to be auctioned in US today

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:20:47 +0530

Rabindranath Tagore's 83-year-old notebook will be auctioned in New York on Tuesday.

Shah Rukh's 800-page biography to weigh 37 kgs!

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:43:45 +0530

'King Khan - The Official Opus of Shah Rukh Khan' is likely to be released next year.

Mediascope launches luxury magazine BlackBook

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:57:13 +0530

Mediascope Publicitas has launched BlackBook, a monthly magazine that will chronicle the ups and downs, the triumphs and struggles of the country's nascent luxury industry.

Graphic novel app brings Dickensian London to life

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:02:53 +0530

Stroll the grimy backstreets of Dickensian London and experience for yourself the sights and sounds which inspired one of the greatest writers in English literature.

Amazon to buy over 450 children's book titles

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:33:16 +0530

Amazon.com Inc will acquire more than 450 children's book titles in the US from publisher Marshall Cavendish.

Jobs biography Amazon's best-selling book of 2011

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:54:52 +0530

'Steve Jobs', the only authorised biography of the late Apple co-founder, has climbed to the top of Amazon.com's best-selling books for 2011.

'A Suitable Girl' might become 'An Unsuitable Boy'

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:23:12 +0530

Novelist Vikram Seth, who is writing a sequel to 'A Suitable Boy', may not name his new book 'A Suitable Girl' as everyone was led to believe. It could even be named 'An Unsuitable Boy'.

Dalai Lama to speak of happiness at Penguin Lecture

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:50:41 +0530

The Dalai Lama will outline his idea of human well-being on Dec 3 at the fifth edition of the annual Penguin Lecture.

Ferrari unveils diamond-encrusted biography

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 11:32:36 +0530

Ferrari unveiled its official biography 'The Ferrari Official Opus' -- the diamond-encrusted volume is priced at $250,000.

Siddhartha Mukherjee scoops Guardian first book award

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:51:14 +0530

A history of cancer, 'The Emperor of All Maladies', won the 2011 Guardian First Book Award on Thursday, beating four works of fiction also on the shortlist.

Pulitzer journalism entries to be submitted online

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:01:43 +0530

The Pulitzer Prize board is changing how news organizations can enter its competition and says all submissions must now be done online.

Beatles legend Harrison's sister plans tell-all book

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:40:57 +0530

Louise Harrison is the older sister of the late guitarist - who died of lung cancer ten years ago on November 29 - at the age of 58.

I still have a long way to go: Ruskin Bond

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:06:10 +0530

Ruskin Bond, one of the best known English writers in India, once said that 'pen, in honest and gifted hands, is mightier than the grave'. The author, now 77, lives by this philosophy and says he has many more stories to tell.

Rainbow bookshelf: The queer story, now in print

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:08:52 +0530

Gay literature has arrived in India, the boy actually meets a boy, they fall in love and unlike in the movies - it's not supposed to be funny.

Action Comics 1 sells for $2.16 million in auction

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:50:21 +0530

A rare and pristine copy of the first issue of Action Comics, famed for the first appearance of Superman, has set a record on Wednesday for the most money paid for a single comic book: $2.16 million.

Action Comics Superman debut copy sells for $ 2.16 mn

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:27:57 +0530

A copy of the first issue of Action Comics, featuring Superman's debut, has become the world's most expensive comic, fetching $2.16 million.

Kids' book project marries tech with storytelling

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:58:37 +0530

A project 'Write & Read: By Us For Us' - a compilation of short stories - has turned the portable computer printer into a creative device by using computer printing technology to put together an anthology of short stories.

'Essential Tagore' nominated best book of year

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:48:10 +0530

'The Essential Tagore', a new anthology of Rabindranath Tagore's translated literature and art works, has been nominated the 'book of the year-2011' by eminent American philosopher, writer and critic Martha Nussbaum.

'Wandering Falcon' wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:29:40 +0530

Jamil Ahmad's The Wandering Falcon has won the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2011.

'Sita's Ramayana' brings out Sita's angst

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:49:24 +0530

The docile and soft Sita of Ramayana may not be a role model for most women today, however, author Samhita Arni in a new graphic novel has brought out the bolder colours of the epic character.

'Never thought Mao's biography would be an expose'

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:40:54 +0530

Jung Chang's book was described as a "bombshell of a devastating work" by the British media.

US: Tagore's 83-year-old notebook to be auctioned

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:44:32 +0530

A notebook belonging to legendary Indian poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, containing poems and drafts of his work, will go under the hammer in New York at a Sotheby's auction next month.

Kerala: Second edition of Hay festival kicked off

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:32:21 +0530

The eagerly awaited second edition of the annual Hay Festival kicked off in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. The festival for all those who love stories, big ideas and good company started on Thursday and will go on till Saturday.

Tharoor to write book on India's role in new world

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:30:47 +0530

After a hiatus of two years, politician-writer Shashi Tharoor is back to writing a book. And this time, it's about India's place in the new balanced world.

Kerala set for second edition of the Hay Festival

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:21:47 +0530

A three-day cultural fete featuring poets, authors, journalists and filmmakers, begins on 17th November.

Booker winner, poet laureate vie for UK Costa prize

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:30:12 +0530

Julian Barnes, who won this year's Man Booker Prize for Fiction, and Carol Ann Duffy, Britain's poet laureate, were among the nominees for the 2011 Costa Book Awards announced on Tuesday.

'Through the Lens...' with love, from Bhutan King

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:56:28 +0530

A compilation of photographs on Bhutan, 'Through the Lens of the King' is published by Roli Books.

I do not write for the critics: Amish Tripathi

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:39:12 +0530

After the success of 'Immortals of Meluha' and 'Secret of Nagas', Amish Tripathi is set to write his third book.

Ronnie Biggs apologises for Great Train Robbery

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:54:09 +0530

Biggs, now 82, who has never before shown remorse for the robbery, has, however, said sorry to Mills' family in an updated version of his autobiography.

New Indira Gandhi bio narrates her personal story

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:03:38 +0530

Uma Vasudev has authored three political biographies of Indira Gandhi, exploring a wide range from history to fiction.

Zawahiri set up Osama bin Laden: Book

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:35:43 +0530

Eager to become the leader of al Qaeda, the then number two Aymen Zawahiri set up Osama bin Laden by repeatedly sending a courier to his hiding place in Abbottabad who had been interrogated by the CIA, a new book by a former SEAL has claimed.

Siddhartha, Mahashweta Devi awarded at Lit Live

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:23:33 +0530

Mahashweta Devi won the lifetime achievement award at Mumbai's Literature Live and Siddhartha Mukherjee's 'The Emperor of All Maladies' won best first book.

Sex manual banned in Malaysia

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:30:41 +0530

The ban slaps the equivalent of a $1,600 fine and up to three years in jail for anybody who publishes the book.

Steve Jobs' pirated biography sold in Shanghai

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:15:54 +0530

The pirated version of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' biography is being sold in Shanghai as bookstores have run out of the authorised copies, a media report said.

Boosted by relaunch, DC overtakes Marvel

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 01:44:17 +0530

DC Comics overtook long-time rival Marvel for the first time since 2002 after figures for October sales of comic books showed the publisher of relaunched versions of Superman, Batman, the Flash and others, gathering 51 per cent of the market share for the month compared with nearly 30.3 per cent for Marvel.

Obama is truly USA's hybrid president: biographer

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:28:36 +0530

Barack Obama is America's "truly hybrid" president who represents many continents, races, cultures and histories, his first Indian-American biographer has said.

Clinton offers job creation policies in new book

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:11:30 +0530

In his book, 'Back to Work,' Bill Clinton analyses the factors that contributed to US' economic woes.

Amitav Ghosh's 'The Shadow Lines' to be filmed

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:31:50 +0530

is convinced he could make a gripping script out of the story about the narrator's family in Kolkata and Dhaka and their connection with an English family in London.

DU's south campus to host 'book bazaar'

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:00:17 +0530

For the book worms of Delhi, this weekend will offer a new avenue to immerse in the culture of readings, with Delhi University's south campus hosting a three-day 'book bazaar'.

Common ground is not impossible: Rohini Nilekani

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:42:15 +0530

Well known philanthropist and writer Rohini Nilekani's book 'Uncommon Ground' is out. It is a compilation of interviews she did for a TV channel. Rohini Nilekani spoke to CNN-IBN's D P Satish about her book and more.

Belgian court's adviser says Tintin book not racist

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:56:28 +0530

The court case comes at a time when Tintin's popularity is on a comeback with a new Hollywood film from director Stephen Spielberg about the intrepid Belgian boy journalist on an adventure alongside Snowy, Captain Haddock and Inspector Thompson.

Crime authors competing for UK morgue honour

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:37:30 +0530

Ten leading crime writers are competing for the honour of having a morgue named after them.

'Literature Live!' Mumbai Lit Fest is back

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 03:59:31 +0530

The 2011 TATA Literature Live! Mumbai Literature Fest will be held from November 3 to 6 in Mumbai.

Get that book out - self-publish!

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:28:36 +0530

A popular concept in the US, the self-publishing industry in India is on a rapid rise.

WSJ best-seller lists to include e-books

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:55:04 +0530

The Wall Street Journal has an agreement with Nielsen BookScan to publish best-seller lists that include both physical books and e-sales.

Dracula author's first vampire sketch found

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:16:06 +0530

The private journal of author Bram Stoker, in which he sketched his first thoughts about his legendary creation 'Dracula', has been unearthed after more than 100 years.

Debut novelist wins 'The Hindu Literary Prize'

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:50:45 +0530

Rahul Bhattacharya bagged the 'The Hindu Literary Prize for Best Fiction 2011' for his 'The Sly Company of People Who Care'.

Man Asian Literary Awards: 5 Indians in long-list

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 07:01:41 +0530

The forthcoming books of five Indian authors - 'Rebirth' by Jahnavi Barua, 'River of Smoke' by Amitav Ghosh, 'The Sly Company of People Who Care' by Rahul Bhattacharya, 'The Folded Earth' by Anuradha Roy and 'The Valley of Masks' by Tarun J Tejpal - have made their place in the illustrious list of literary honour.

Hay lit fest returns to Kerala for second time

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 02:46:35 +0530

One of the biggest literary events in the world, the Hay Festival makes its way again into India this November.

DSC Prize for South Asian Lit shortlist announced

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:31:53 +0530

HM Naqvi won the inaugural DSC Prize last year for his novel 'Home Boy'.

Breast cancer survivor's book a moving tale

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:30:37 +0530

Minakshi Chaudhry, a breast cancer survivor has penned a book narrating her innate struggle and eventual triumph.

'King's Speech' to be now published as a book

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:59:26 +0530

Rights to the published scripts and tie-in books for many films have been acquired by HarperCollins.

Gulzar to open Goa literary festival

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:34:40 +0530

Legendary lyricist and poet Gulzar will be inaugurating the second edition of Goa Art Literary festival.

Jobs questioned authority all his life: Book

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:25:29 +0530

A new biography portrays Steve Jobs as a sceptic all his life - giving up religion because he was troubled by starving children, calling executives who took over Apple "corrupt" and delaying cancer surgery in favour of cleansings and herbal medicine.

Julian Barnes wins prestigious Booker Prize

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:23:28 +0530

It was fourth time lucky for British writer Julian Barnes, who won literature's Booker Prize on Tuesday after a contest that had as many insults, rivalries and bitter accusations as a paperback potboiler.

Author Barnes backed for Booker amid literary spat

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:47:58 +0530

English author and four-time nominee Julian Barnes, who once dismissed the Man Booker Prize for fiction as "posh bingo," is favored to win it on Tuesday with his novel "The Sense of an Ending."

Stan Lee's got a new universe, and it's for kids

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:46:39 +0530

Stan Lee's had a hand in creating many memorable heroes and villains that have jumped from the pages of comic books to popular culture.

James writes sequel to Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:08:46 +0530

The 91-year-old detective novelist said on Wednesday she was glad to finally complete a long-desired project - a sequel to Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice.'

Coming soon: Biography on Sonia Gandhi

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 06:15:17 +0530

A new biography of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, written by a non-resident Indian and with a foreword by Mikhail Gorbachev, casts new and intimate light on her life through exclusive interviews with members of the Congress party, political opponents and family friends.

Italian wins free-speech prize for mafia expose

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:02:14 +0530

Italian writer Roberto Saviano, who has lived under police protection since penning 2006 bestseller 'Gomorrah' about Naples' mafia, has won the PEN/Pinter International Writer of Courage Award.

Indian language literature goes to Frankfurt Book Fair

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 05:58:06 +0530

The literary panorama, initiated by the union culture ministry under the 'ILA: Indian Literature Abroad' project, will be held on Oct 12-16.

Jataka tales add to Buddhist books in Poland

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:31:09 +0530

Polish interest in Buddhist literature has been growing due to the popularity of the Dalai Lama.

Jobs authorised biography so his kids can know him

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:48:10 +0530

Steve Jobs, in pain and too weak to climb stairs a few weeks before his death, wanted his children to understand why he wasn't always there for them, according to the author of his highly anticipated biography.

Nobel laureate Transtromer's work out of stock

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 02:43:48 +0530

The work of the 80-year-old Transtromer has been released by several US publishers and reissues are planned.

Steve Jobs biography pushed up for release

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:24:05 +0530

The release date for a Steve Jobs biography has been pushed up to October 24, according to a spokesman for Simon & Schuster, the publishing house behind the long-awaited book.

Literature Nobel for Swedish poet Transtromer

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:42:37 +0530

The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2011 is awarded to the Swedish poet Tomas Transtromer.

Rajasthan's 'Shakespeare' elated over Nobel chance

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:46:38 +0530

Author of folk tales Vijaydan Detha, also called Rajasthan's Shakespeare, is elated that his name is doing the rounds for the Nobel prize for literature this year.

Quercus snaps up Oxford student in two-book deal

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:02:26 +0530

Quercus, a young, vibrant, internationally successful and award-winning publisher of fiction, non-fiction and children's books has acquired two books by debut author Prajwal Parajuly.

Kerala poet happy to figure in Nobel speculation

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:25:18 +0530

K Satchidanandan is a leading poet and critic with works in both Malayalam and English.

Test cricket here to stay: Lankan cricket novelist

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:52:02 +0530

Shehan Karunatilaka, the author of 'Chinaman' says Test cricket is here to stay despite the swing in its fortunes.

Nobel Literature winner to be announced Oct 6

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 05:04:29 +0530

This year's Nobel Prize for Literature will be announced on Thursday, the Swedish Academy, which hands out the 10 million Swedish crown ($ 1.46 million) award, said on Monday.

Bhopal and books - a forever affair

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:56:58 +0530

After the royal era, not only professional writers but even administrators, professors, doctors, officers of state services and journalists have penned their memoirs or done creative writing in the city.

Courtney Love memoir to 'set the record straight'

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:52:17 +0530

The hard-living rock star and actress known for her band Hole and for her brief marriage to Kurt Cobain has a book deal with William Morrow.

Reliance MediaWorks to provide digital video library

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 02:52:40 +0530

Reliance MediaWorks has tied up with video management and licensing service provider Thought Equity Motion, Inc to offer integrated "smart content" to players in advertising, film, television, publishing and interactive media.

Not many takers for Assange's autobiography

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 12:04:32 +0530

The Unauthorised Autobiography of WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange could not drum up interest of readers, as the first three days of its arrival in the market have seen sales of just over 600 copies.

Harry Potter e-book sales postponed until 2012

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 09:50:26 +0530

Harry Potter fans will have to wait a bit longer to buy the magic tales in electronic form. The creators of the online Potter portal said on Friday that the launch of an e-book store has been pushed back to next year.

On bookshelf this week: Water, food, love and secrets

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 02:35:21 +0530

A study of the murky water politics in Asia, a compilation of gastronomic delights, Pakistani author Mohammed Hanif's story of a Catholic choohra and a short-story collection by Ruskin Bond -- the book-cart this week is excitingly distinct.

Bloomsbury venture to bring books 'back from dead'

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 02:28:46 +0530

The publisher is focusing on books which are out of print and where all English-language rights have reverted back to the author or the author's estate.

Photo book of quake-hit city to be published

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:23:37 +0530

'The Town that Vanished in 4 Minutes' is a collection of photos showing glimpses of a city in north-eastern Japan flattened by the March tsunami.

'Men' producer writing tell-all book on Sheen

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:51:19 +0530

Charlie Sheen's former boss Chuck Lorre is writing a tell-all book on the open hostility between the two.

Palin threatens to sue author of 'Rogue' book

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:44:48 +0530

'The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin' is written by veteran political writer Joe McGinniss.

Assange moans about unofficial autobiography

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:23:11 +0530

An 'unauthorized' version of Assange's autobiography has prompted him to make public some of his own secrets.

Pak author cleared for India visit after visa glitch

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:52:33 +0530

Best-selling Pakistani writer Mohammed Hanif, whose visa file was reportedly misplaced by the home ministry, has been given the go-ahead to attend a literature festival in India, the event organisers said on Wednesday.

Al Qaeda isn't near defeat, it's winning: Author

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:16:33 +0530

Even after the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the terror outfit is not going away, in fact it is winning, says Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, the author of 'Bin Laden's Legacy'.

Mamata Banerjee promises to start writing again

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:02:19 +0530

Mamata Banerjee will write a regular column in the party's weekly mouthpiece, Jaago Bangla.

Pak author latest victim of Indo-Pak visa issues?

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:46:49 +0530

Pakistani author Mohammed Hanif waited for visa for four weeks, but is now told his file is lost.

When Mahatma threatened to throw out wife

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 03:44:36 +0530

The heroes of modern India have come alive in their human avatars in a new anthology of biographical sketches by noted writer and former governor of West Bengal Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.

A tale of two writers: A waiter and chaiwala

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:20:35 +0530

Nandkishore Kushwaha, a waiter and Kuwar Dheer Bahadur Singh, a cook are writers, with several of their novels already in the market.

Politics, cinema at Delhi literature fest

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 03:40:07 +0530

Politics, Anna Hazare, new wave cinema and changing trends in contemporary writing will be on offer at the daylong 'The Hindu Lit for Life' festival on Sunday.

Colin Powell advises 'get mad' in new book

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 03:19:28 +0530

Former US Secretary of State, General Colin Powell has penned a book on leadership skills with the advice "get mad, then get over it".

Amitav Ghosh shortlisted for Hindu prize

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:49:07 +0530

Seven writers, including Amitav Ghosh, Sunil Gangopadhyay and UR Ananthamurthy, are in the fray for the Hindu Best Fiction Award 2011.

Schwarzenegger to write 'unbelievably true' memoir

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:16:41 +0530

Arnold Schwarzenegger is writing a memoir about his rise to fame and unlikely transition from Austrian-born champion bodybuilder to Hollywood action star to California governor, his publisher said on Thursday.

Massachusetts library lifts ban on Mark Twain book

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:13:10 +0530

A Mark Twain book with nude illustrations, added to a Massachusetts public library after a century-old ban was lifted, was plucked from the shelf within hours on Thursday.

Sachin, Dravid were not match winners: Shoaib

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 02:50:13 +0530

Shoaib Akhtar made some startling revelations about his autobiography 'Controversially Yours'.

Gulzar translating Tagore's poems for children

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:09:21 +0530

The veteran lyricist also says that the collection will be released within a year.

PM's daughter to capture parents' life in a book

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:47:04 +0530

Writer Daman Singh, daughter of Manmohan Singh, says she is recreating her parents' life story for her new book through the memories of those who saw the prime minister and his wife maturing as a power couple over the decades.

German playwright to open Kovalam Literary Fest

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:04:16 +0530

The first edition of Kovalam Literary Festival kicking off in Delhi on September 29.

Emma Thompson writing new 'Peter Rabbit' book

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 01:10:51 +0530

The book is to be published by Penguin in September 2012.

Small is big in publishing now

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:36:00 +0530

The likes of Chetan Bhagat and Amish Tripathi might be making waves in the literary scene of the country, but in Kerala too, young writes and first-timers are not far behind.

Why didn't the bomb explode? Afzal Guru wonders

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 05:22:10 +0530

Why didn't the bomb, planted in the car used during the 2001 Parliament attack, not explode? This question still puzzles convicted terrorist Afzal Guru, claims a 180-page manuscript by a Tihar jail superintendent.

Book chronicling Bengali identity released

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:38:07 +0530

'Land of two rivers: a history of Bengal from the Mahabharata to Mujib', authored by former member secretary of Planning Commission Nitish Sengupta, gives a vivid account of the development of Bengal on either side.

Judge extends time for Google digital books talks

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:37:02 +0530

Google Inc and authors and publishers groups have about nine more months to untangle their six-year-old legal dispute over plans to create the world's largest digital library, a federal judge said on Thursday.

Comic Convention in Mumbai

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:41:07 +0530

Mumbai is all set to host its first Comic Convention in October. And going by the fact that 15,000 fans attended the first of these annual meets in Delhi last year, expectations are high.

S&S plans a unique marketing strategy for India

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:10:59 +0530

Simon & Schuster Director of Sales and Marketing speaks about the company, its future course of plan in India.

DSC Prize for South Asian Lit longlist announced

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:37:33 +0530

The longlist for the prestigious $ 50,000 prize, which selects the finest writing from or focusing on South Asia. This includes both established and debut writers, as well as three translated works.

Manipal University's new course of action

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:19:33 +0530

Ranjan Pai first met Mohandas Pai in the late 1990s at the Infosys campus in Electronic City, Bangalore. Ranjan's father Ramdas Pai was impressed by the bright chief financial officer (CFO) of a promising IT company and wanted his son to meet him. At first Ranjan didn't quite take to him. But on his father's insistence, kept in touch with Mohandas.

Captain Jihad: Ex-terrorist is now comic book hero

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 07:10:59 +0530

The real life adventures of former al-Qaeda-linked terrorist Nasir Abas have become a new comic book in Indonesia, chronicling his transformation from militant to invaluable ally in the fight against terrorism.

Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize shortlist announced

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:40:53 +0530

A 78-year-old goes up against five other writers for a prize for the first book by an author.

9/11 triggers cascade of books

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:36:16 +0530

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 has unleashed a cascade of books, tributes and new editions of old books.

Barnes shortlisted for Man Booker Prize for Fiction

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 06:08:17 +0530

The English author is said to be bookmakers' favourite to win the award.

New entrants to list of lit fests as season kicks off

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 01:01:53 +0530

The Hindu is bringing its three-day festival, starting Sep 25.

Classic Le Carre spy novel gets movie makeover

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 06:23:34 +0530

Author John Le Carre's 1974 espionage classic 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' finally gets the big screen treatment, with Gary Oldman as George Smiley charged with rooting out a mole in British intelligence.

Anna mania grips Delhi Book Fair

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 12:26:04 +0530

The epicentre of attraction has shifted from Ramlila Maidan to Pragati Maidan where the Delhi Book Fair is on and books on Anna Hazare are quite a hit. The hot-selling 150-page biography of the new age Gandhian is called 'Krantidoot'. Over 50,000 copies of the book have already been sold since the book fair started in the capital last week.

Vodafone Crossword book awards announced

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 12:08:14 +0530

The Annual Vodafone Crossword Books Awards were announced on Friday. The brainchild of R Sriram, the founder of the Crossword chain, the awards were given out for Fiction, Non-Fiction, Translated Books (Fiction and Non-Fiction), Children's Books and Popular Books. The first four was decided by separate juries - whose identity is always kept secret till the presentation - while the fifth was through online voting alone.

Crossword Book Awards to be announced Friday

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 06:35:29 +0530

Awards will be given out in five categories, four of them chosen by separate juries and one by popular vote.

China honours Indian with highest literary award

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:12:58 +0530

China has conferred its highest literary award on Prof BR Deepak for his book, which is a translation of 88 classical Chinese poems into Hindi.

China launches first book on marine life

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:25:40 +0530

China on Tuesday published its first "systematic" textbook on marine life.

Westland, Niyogi bag best publishing awards

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:30:53 +0530

A biography, "JS & The Times of My Life" by Jug Suraiya, published by Westland Limited and "Middle Time", published by Niyogi Books were awarded for "excellence in book production 2011" by the Federation of Indian Publishers at the ongoing Delhi Book Fair 2011.

Srinagar autumn lit fest 'Harud' cancelled

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 02:57:56 +0530

The festival was scheduled to be held on the Kashmir University premises.

Virtual book club brings author into homes

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:32:32 +0530

The traditional book club has gone virtual, thanks to technology that spans geographic boundaries and can bring authors into readers' living rooms.

'Notting Hill' bookstore may be forced to shut down

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:11:03 +0530

A Group of writers has launched a last-ditch appeal to save the bookshop, volunteering their time to work in the store and find a buyer.

Controversy brews over Srinagar lit fest

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 04:04:41 +0530

Harud - The Autumn Literature Festival, is scheduled to be held in Srinagar Sep 24-26.

'Truly Madly Deeply' a coming-of-age romcom

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:23:02 +0530

Faraaz Kazi's debut novel is about a boy who from a careless, fun-loving boy turns into an obsessed maniac.

Shah Rukh Khan launches Deanne Pandey's book

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:53:07 +0530

Shah Rukh Khan on Friday launched celebrity fitness instructor Deanne Pandey's book 'I'm Not Stressed' in Mumbai.

To pull tourists, Himachal books its legends

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:11:17 +0530

To grab more tourists for rural areas, the state has decided to publish a book about its popular local tales.

Penguin launches free browsing mobile app

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:55:44 +0530

A mobile phone application will now enable readers and book lovers to log on to the Penguin database to browse through its bookshelf for latest titles and news related to publishing.

'Best of Khushwant Singh' returns in new avatar

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:45:06 +0530

First published 20 years ago with 30 of Singh's selected works, has been revised to include 18 more of his essays, short stories and opinions.

Anna inspires sale of Vivekananda's books

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:40:34 +0530

Books on Swami Vivekanada are flying off the shelves in Himachal Pradesh after Anna Hazare repeatedly referred to the philosopher-saint as the guiding light of his life.

Chetan Bhagat's next novel 'Revolution 2020'

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:40:31 +0530

Chetan Bhagat's next book hits stores this October. The book talks about love, corruption and ambition.

DSC Lit Prize Longlist to be announced in Sep

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 06:07:53 +0530

The longlist for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2012 will be announced on September 14, 2011 in New Delhi. The event is expected to be attended by eminent literary personalities and patrons of the DSC Prize.

It needs more than love to write about India

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:28:46 +0530

Dirk Collier, who made at least 50 trips to India over 10 years and took seven years to write a book.

Teenage novelist inspired by Chetan Bhagat

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:22:51 +0530

Midway through a Chetan Bhagat book, 19-year-old engineering student Anshul Sharma had a sudden thought - that he could do a better job at writing.

Biography claims Coco Chanel was a Nazi spy

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:43:39 +0530

The book claims the French designer collaborated with the Nazis during World War II as a spy code-named "Westminster."

Rishi Kapoor gets nostalgic at book launch

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 04:25:10 +0530

Rishi Kapoor launched the book, 'An Evening in Lucknow', written by the late KA Abbas, comprising seventeen of his best known stories.

E-Book about Jullian Assange on sale

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:34:20 +0530

'Assange Agonistes' can be downloaded for $ 1.99 through Amazon.com's Kindle Single program.

Heathrow Airport gets writer-in-residence

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:04:14 +0530

British novelist Tony Parsons is gearing up to tell tales from the terminal, as he assumes the role of writer-in-residence at London's Heathrow Airport.

New Spider-Man is half-Latino

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 02:04:05 +0530

Marvel Comics revealed on Tuesday that the heir to the Spider-Man costume following the death of Peter Parker will be Miles Morales, a teenager of half-Hispanic and half-black origin who will protect New York from the bad guys starting Wednesday, when "Ultimate Comics Fallout #4" hits the magazine racks.

'Tigers Realm': tiger tails by Priyanka Gandhi

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 07:40:00 +0530

You have heard of Priyanka Gandhi the politician but have you ever heard of Priyanka Gandhi as a writer and photographer? Well she has authored a book expressing her love for wildlife and the tiger.

Marvel artist Kirby's heirs lose copyright claim

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 02:10:41 +0530

A federal judge ruled on Thursday that influential comic book artist Jack Kirby's creations such as the Fantastic Four and the Hulk belong to Marvel Entertainment, and not his heirs.

Lady GaGa collaborates on photo book

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:48:09 +0530

A photo book showing pop star Lady GaGa's life on the road and in the recording studio will be released this year, the book's publisher said on Thursday.

Prince Harry set to become comic book hero

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:10:04 +0530

Britain's Prince Harry can add comic book character to his list of accolades as a new comic based on his life is set to be released in August, publisher Bluewater Productions said on Thursday.

Moving beyond mere travellers' tales

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 03:09:27 +0530

The core of travel writing may not have changed much over the centuries, but an emerging breed of travel writers, both Indians and others, are bringing in a vital change - focussing more on people and less on places.

Crossword Book Award shortlist announced

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 01:40:51 +0530

The shortlists for the Vodafone Crossword Books Award was announced across five categories in New Delhi on Wednesday. The categories are: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Translations, Children's Books and Popular Choice. The last of these has been revamped, with the top 5 fiction and top 5 non-fiction bestsellers at Crossword stores across the country being shortlisted.

No Indian writers on Man Booker Prize longlist

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:17:11 +0530

The longlist for the 2011 Man Booker Prize for Fiction - the 'Man Booker Dozen' - is announced. The 13 books on the list include: one former Man Booker Prize winner; two previously shortlisted writers and one longlisted author; four first time novelists and three Canadian writers. The list also includes three new publishers to the prize - Oneworld, Sandstone Press and Seren Books.

High school girl accurately predicts exam papers: Book

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 04:59:06 +0530

'But Era Said', is a humour-laced account of the twists and turns Mumbai-based little girl Shreya Mathur's life witnesses when people discover her special ability.

God's an invention to suit society's needs: Arun Shourie

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 04:19:13 +0530

In an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN, Arun Shourie talks about his book 'Does He Know a Mother's Heart'.

Ex-Pentagon chief Robert Gates to author two books

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 05:14:19 +0530

ForThe memoir will look at the key events during Gates' tenure, including US strategy in Afghanistan.

Arun Shourie: Threshold of pain

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 06:25:48 +0530

Journalist-politician-writer Arun Shourie, recalls the trauma of bringing up his disabled son and taking care of his ailing wife in his new book.

Magic, vampires stir India's young adult literature

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 04:31:37 +0530

Till the late 1990s, the young adult readership was traditionally served by books imported from the West.

Comic book business gets serious in India

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 05:19:06 +0530

The comic book industry is expected to grow into a Rs.300-400 crore industry in the next decade.

Shekhar Kapur launches Rajal's 'Starstruck'

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:17:31 +0530

Sam Pitroda's daughter Rajal's book 'Starstruck' was released in the capital by filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.

'Breaking Dawn' and 'Dexter' kick off Comic-Con

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 08:01:14 +0530

Comic-Con 2011 will get off to a rousing start later this month, with vampires, werewolves and sword-swinging warriors dominating the agenda on the first full day of the convention.

'Last man in Tower' outlines contemporary Mumbai

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 02:15:25 +0530

Booker Prize winner Aravind Adiga's latest book 'Last man in Tower' tells the story of contemporary Mumbai.

'Mills and Boon causes unwanted pregnancies'

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:33:59 +0530

Romantic novels like Mills and Boon are a danger to relationships and sexual health, a British medical journal has said.

Bollywood comes alive in fine print

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:34:51 +0530

Writings on Bollywood films and film stars is a new literary genre in making.

Writers unite for crime thriller 'No Rest For the Dead'

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:32:54 +0530

In In 26 authors with combined sales of millions of books have joined forces to write a thriller.

Spiderman creator eyes Chinese comic fans

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 06:05:26 +0530

Stan Lee wants to see the likes of Spiderman and the X-Men weaving between skyscrapers in Shanghai and battling enemies on the Great Wall.

Indian publishers get new top editors

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 04:00:42 +0530

Most of the major Indian publishing firms are seeing editorial changes at the top.

JK Rowling dumps her literary agent of 16 years

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 12:57:01 +0530

Harry Potter's creator JK Rowling has dumped her literary agent of 16 years, who's said to have single-handedly turned her famous novels into a multi-million -pound industry, a media report said.

Pakistani writer HM Naqvi to tour India

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 05:55:11 +0530

HM Naqvi, the Pakistan-based novelist whose book 'Home Boy' won the first DSC South Asian prize for literature, will tour Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai July 5-7 to promote awareness about contemporary South Asian literature.

British writer risks death in the afternoon

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 05:03:15 +0530

Fiske-Harrison's book 'Into the Arena' sets out to explain the world of the Spanish bullfight and to examine its moral dilemma.

'The 6 pm slot' highlights absurdity of Indian TV

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:57:47 +0530

Naomi Datta's debut novel takes an irreverent look at India's ratings-hungry television industry and gives insight into its inner workings

Graphic novel outlines raid to capture bin Laden

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 06:33:36 +0530

The daring secret mission to get Osama bin Laden by elite US forces will be told in the pages of a new graphic novel that aims to shed more light - with a bit of creative license - on the event.

Madonna's life story now a comic book

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:10:15 +0530

The star will have her life story told in 32 pages by Bluewater Productions Inc.

Pottermore.com: Harry's adventures now digitised

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 05:07:35 +0530

Author JK Rowling announced on Thursday that her seven Potter novels will be sold as ebooks October onwards.

JK Rowling to reveal secret of 'Pottermore'

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:22:35 +0530

Harry Potter fans are holding their collective breath as author JK Rowling gets set to reveal her latest project involving the boy wizard.

Pining for Loveswept novels? They're coming back

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:10:39 +0530

A romance imprint that helped started the careers of such writers as Janet Evanovich and Tami Hoag is being revived.

Marvel Comics to kill off 'Ultimate' Spiderman

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:32:57 +0530

The lights are going out for Peter Parker, the high school student bitten by a radioactive spider whose wall-crawling and web-slinging antics have made him a touchstone of Marvel Comics' universe of heroes and villains.

'First wife Najwa was Osama's only love match'

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:04:17 +0530

Najwa Bin Laden, slain Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden's first wife, was his favourite because she was his only love match, says biographer Jean Sasson.

50 Cent writes anti-bullying book for teens

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:17:12 +0530

Rapper 50 Cent, who rose to fame with songs that told of drug use and violence, is aiming to steer teenagers away from schoolyard bullying with a book called 'Playground' that will reach stores in January, his publisher said on Monday.

Tennis great Jimmy Connors to write memoir

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:50:48 +0530

A memoir by brash US tennis player Jimmy Connors that promises to address his broken engagement to fellow tennis star Chris Evert as well as his rivalry with John McEnroe will be published in 2012, Harper Collins said on Monday.

Google to digitise 250000 British Library items

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:35:35 +0530

A Google deal with the British Library will enable free online access to over 250000 old documents.

Comic book to tell Martha Stewart's life story

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 11:51:38 +0530

Martha Stewart's media aspirations just got bigger: Meet Martha Stewart, comic-book heroine.

JK Rowling has mysterious new Potter website

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:46:08 +0530

Harry Potter creator JK Rowling has launched a new website called "Pottermore", but fans of the boy wizard will have to wait to see what it entails as the entry page says simply "Coming Soon...".

X-Men poised to return to Marvel

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:28:32 +0530

The Uncanny X-Men, soon to end in just a few more issues, won't be gone for long. Two new titles will replace Marvel Comics' longest-running current series in November as it draws a 48-year run to a close with issue No. 544.

Government announces grants for book fairs

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 03:51:59 +0530

Concerned at the growing reduction in the numbers of book lovers, the government has taken up the challenge to revive the dying habit of book reading.

Mao, Bismarck, Caravaggio books contest UK prize

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:37:26 +0530

Books on the lives and times of Chinese leader Mao Zedong, German-Prussian statesman Otto von Bismarck and Italian artist and renegade Caravaggio are in the running for the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction.

Readers 'jump into' classics in publishing venture

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:20:27 +0530

Readers will be able to "jump" from a new adventure series into children's classics "Treasure Island" and "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" in a new digital book initiative launched on Amazon's Kindle on Tuesday.

James Bond gets Carte Blanche in new novel

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 04:03:11 +0530

The franchise is alive and well in the hands of a new writer. Updated for the iPhone age, but the blood and the sex are just like before.

Weaving a novel from a thread of history

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 01:49:17 +0530

Caleb Cheeshahteaumauk, a member of the Wampanoag tribe on Martha's Vineyard believed to be the first Native American to graduate from Harvard in 1665.

Archie goes desi, dances to Bollywood songs

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:08:50 +0530

The iconic red-haired Archie, a comic book heartthrob with a perpetually hassled look and two girlfriends, will soon be dancing to Bollywood numbers in the book's Indian avatar published in Hindi and Malayalam.

First Conan Doyle novel to be published

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:57:05 +0530

Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle's debut novel is to be published for the first time in September.

Shah Rukh Khan's autobiography set to release

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:36:38 +0530

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is all set to fulfill one of his fondest dreams -- releasing his autobiography -- titled 'Twenty Years In A Decade', soon.

'Bombay Duck...' is close to my heart: SRK

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 11:10:14 +0530

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who launched Indian writer Kanika Dhillon's novel 'Bombay Duck is a Fish', says the book reminded him of his journey in the tinsel town from television series 'Fauji' to his latest venture 'Ra.one'.

Shah Rukh Khan: from actor to author

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:13:26 +0530

Shah Rukh Khan made a very interesting announcement at a book launch on Monday in Mumbai - that he is writing a book himself.

Advani releases book on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 11:08:01 +0530

A book based on the lifestyle and working of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya was on Saturday released by senior BJP leader L K Advani here on the last day of the two-day national executive meeting of the party.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to pen memoirs

Fri, 27 May 2011 10:59:50 +0530

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will pen her autobiography which in her words is an attempt "to look at myself in a different light".

Penguin India appoints Chiki Sarkar as publisher

Fri, 27 May 2011 03:05:57 +0530

Chiki Sarkar, the former editor in chief of Random House India, has been appointed publisher of Penguin India.

Journalist gatecrashes with novel set in Kerala

Wed, 25 May 2011 05:11:44 +0530

Journalist Binoo K John calls himself a bit of "gatecrasher" as he debuts as a novelist with 'The Last Song of Savio De Souza', saying there is a huge crop of young writers from Kerala.

HC stays release of book on Radia tapes

Wed, 25 May 2011 03:40:43 +0530

In a relief to Nira Radia, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday stayed the release and circulation of a book authored by advocate RK Anand on her controversial, tapped telephonic conversation with various high profile individuals.

Major Jane Austen manuscript up for sale

Tue, 24 May 2011 12:59:51 +0530

The only major Jane Austen manuscript still in private hands comes up for auction on July 14.

'Bandit Queen' author Mala Sen dies

Mon, 23 May 2011 12:27:38 +0530

Mala Sen, writer of the critically acclaimed film 'Bandit Queen', died of cancer at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. She was 64.

Arundhati Roy's book launch disrupted

Sat, 21 May 2011 04:43:57 +0530

The protesters barged into the venue of her book launch and shouted slogans like "Arundhati Murdabad" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and threw pamphlets at the audience, denouncing the book.

British royals dined on human flesh: Book

Sat, 21 May 2011 03:23:14 +0530

British royals who have long been famed for their love of lavish banquets and rich recipes also had a taste for human flesh, according to a book.

Arundhati Roy's latest book released

Sat, 21 May 2011 03:04:57 +0530

There's no doubt that Arundhati Roy's one of the leading voices in India and an outspoken one at that.

'Go the F*** to Sleep' a hit with parents

Thu, 19 May 2011 08:39:04 +0530

A bedtime book for parents which is suppose to put children to sleep, 'Go the F*** to Sleep' has topped the Amazon's bestseller chart a month before its publication.

New book from Ruskin Bond on his birthday

Thu, 19 May 2011 03:10:23 +0530

Novelist Ruskin Bond, who celebrated his 77th birthday on Thursday, gifted his fans a brand new collection of stories.

Philip Roth wins Man Booker International Prize

Wed, 18 May 2011 02:02:49 +0530

Philip Roth, the much-lauded author of 'Portnoy's Complaint', won the biennial Man Booker International Prize.

Davidar returns to India with new publishing firm

Sat, 14 May 2011 07:21:12 +0530

Named the Aleph Book Company, the firm is being set up by Davidar in partnership with Rupa Publications India.

Legendary Bengali playwright Badal Sircar dies

Sat, 14 May 2011 12:16:57 +0530

Legendary Bengali playwright Badal Sircar gave Indian theatre a new dimension with plays like 'Pagla Ghoda' and 'Ebang Indrajit.'

Summer solstice: new novels from Ghosh, Adiga

Wed, 11 May 2011 08:12:44 +0530

June will be a big bang month for English fiction from Indian writers with global reputations.

'City of Djinns' now indistinctly different: Dalrymple

Wed, 11 May 2011 11:38:19 +0530

'City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi', will complete 20 years in 2012.

'Godfather' prequel being written

Mon, 09 May 2011 11:27:25 +0530

'The Family Corleone,' an authorized prequel to the late Mario Puzo's classic 'The Godfather,' is scheduled for 2012.

Book launch: 'Mafia Queens of Mumbai'

Fri, 06 May 2011 08:38:54 +0530

Actor Rani Mukherjee launches S Hussain Zaidi's book 'Mafia Queens of Mumbai'.

Crossword Book Award Longlist announced

Thu, 05 May 2011 07:06:33 +0530

Vodafone Crossword Book Award 2011 Longlist is announced. Here are all the details for all the categories: fiction, non-fiction, children and translation.

Jury announced for DSC S Asian Literature prize

Thu, 05 May 2011 11:57:23 +0530

The DSC Prize for South Asian Literature announced the jury for its 2012 edition on Thursday.

Booked! Best writings on Osama and al-Qaeda

Wed, 04 May 2011 04:39:49 +0530

Presenting a list of 15 best writings so far (in no specific order) on Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaeda.

Teenage love: writing a high school romance

Sun, 01 May 2011 05:28:22 +0530

Teenage love is nothing if not drama. And here's one teen dying to tell you more. At the age of 15, Ritwik Mallik wrote his first high school romance novel, he's now written the sequel 'Because you loved me'.

Superman: I'm renouncing my US citizenship

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 03:29:35 +0530

Superman has started a stir with a declaration in the new issue of "Action Comics" that he intends to renounce his US citizenship because he's tired of his actions being construed as instruments of US policy.

British PM gifts book to William-Kate

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 02:53:12 +0530

David Cameron has gifted a book on an island as a wedding present to Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Levi Johnston to pen tell-all book on Palin family

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 04:17:58 +0530

Levi Johnston is promising to set the record straight about the Palin family.

Reading fulfills psychological need to belong

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 03:55:47 +0530

Researchers say reading is not just a hobby, it satisfies a deeply human, evolutionarily requirement - the need to belong.

Booker honours UK novelist Beryl Bainbridge

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 01:15:38 +0530

Organizers of the Booker Prize have recognized often-nominated Beryl Bainbridge with a posthumous "best of" award.

Salman Rushdie picks books for a NY hotel

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:24:30 +0530

Salman Rushdie has come to the aid of guests in a Manhattan hotel, by choosing 13 celebrated American books for them.

Siddhartha Mukherjee's book wins Pulitzer

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:34:20 +0530

Indian-American physician Siddhartha Mukherjee's acclaimed book on cancer, 'The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer,' has won the prestigious 2011 Pulitzer prize in the general non-fiction category.

Nairobi-born author pens tale of women in Goa

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:59:30 +0530

'The Cry Of The Kingfisher' is a warm and inspiring tale of hope and courage.

Kitty Kelley updates Elizabeth Taylor bio

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:57:23 +0530

Simon & Schuster says Kelley's unauthorized 'Elizabeth Taylor: The Last Star' was reissued Friday as an ebook.

Dr Firuza's book launch a starry affair

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 10:22:51 +0530

Dr Firuza Parikh, expert in vitro fertilization launch her first book on the guide to becoming pregnant.

Hitler's signed autobiography to go on sale

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:16:17 +0530

A rare copy of Adolf Hitler's autobiography 'Mein Kampf', signed by the dictator himself, will go on sale soon -- and is expected to sell for 30,000 pounds.

New tell-all book on RD Burman, a lyrical tale

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:14:07 +0530

Despite the moderately successful launch of his career, 'Pancham', as he was lovingly called, was unable to leverage the clout that his surname carried in the rather conservative film fraternity in Mumbai.

Steve Jobs authorized biography coming in 2012

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:49:23 +0530

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has finally agreed to participate in a book about his life.

'Balika Vadhu' co-writer pens first novel

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:13:37 +0530

TV script-writer Gajra Kottary, who has written screenplays of popular serials like 'Astitva', 'Balika Vadhu' and 'Jyoti', has now come out with her maiden English novel titled 'Broken Melodies'.

First book of John Lennon letters to be published

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 03:44:58 +0530

Yoko Ono has granted permission for the first collection of letters by John Lennon to be published, publisher Little, Brown and Company said on Friday.

Lelyveld on Gandhi's efforts for Hindu-Muslim unity

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:01:47 +0530

Joseph Lelyveld whose new book on Mahatma Gandhi had created a controversy in India recently has spoken of efforts made by the freedom fighter to keep peace between Hindus and Muslims during the riots leading up to the partition.

Eva Longoria flaunts her cooking skills

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:22:17 +0530

Eva Longoria's character on "Desperate Housewives" isn't exactly domestic, but in real life the actress says she "tries to cook everyday."

D'Amboise leaps over bullies, grabs stars

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:28:05 +0530

Joseph Ahearn began ballet lessons in the 1940s not to better his basketball game or impress girls but to overcome the bullies who tormented him.

Gandhi book may be released in India this month

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 04:21:50 +0530

Joseph Lelyveld's controversial book on Mahatma Gandhi will be available in India later this month and the author is hopeful that the storm over his work will subside.

Historians question White House presidential bios

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 04:40:44 +0530

Doris Kearns Goodwin has read a lot of upbeat material about American presidents, but some of the entries on the White House website were so sunny that they reminded her of the happy talk at Boston Red Sox games.

Reading less can lead teenagers to depression

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 03:12:18 +0530

Teenagers who devote more time to reading books are far less likely to suffer from depression than their peers who listen to music.

Rowling looking into Harry Potter ebooks

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:01:36 +0530

JK Rowling stirred a publishing phenomenon with her "Harry Potter" books.

Quran protests spread to turbulent Afghan east

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 03:40:11 +0530

Demonstrators battled police in southern Afghanistan's main city on Sunday and took to the streets in the turbulent east for the first time as Western pleas failed to halt a third day of rage over a Florida pastor's burning of the Quran.

Vivekananda was fond of ice-cream: biography

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 03:07:21 +0530

The book, which probes the simple childlike man behind Narendranath Dutta alias Swami Vivekananda, has been published by Penguin-India.

Moily rules out ban on Lelyveld's Gandhi book

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:28:41 +0530

Union Law minister Veerappa Moily has ruled out Centre imposing a ban on the controversial book on Mahatma Gandhi by Joseph Lelyveld stating that the American author himself has denied writing anything adverse about the leader.

Robin Hood's identity revealed in new book

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 02:47:27 +0530

A new book has claimed that the medieval outlaw could very likely have been a yeoman farmer - named Roger Godberd.

Archie Comics plans series for 1st gay character

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 12:22:04 +0530

After his debut in "Veronica" No. 202 caused Archie Comics to do a second printing for the first time in its history, the publisher is giving its first openly gay character his own mini-series this summer.

Schwarzenegger turns comic book superhero

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 04:31:49 +0530

Action star Arnold Schwarzenegger, who recently stepped down as the governor of California, has turned into a superhero with an animated series penned by comic legend Stan Lee.

UN Yearbook released for first time as ebook

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 01:28:28 +0530

The UN's annual yearbook was released Thursday for the first time in a fully-searchable digital format as an ebook.

Ban on books: a question mark on democracy?

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:13:42 +0530

The latest biography on Mahatma Gandhi, 'Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and his struggle with India' is not even available here yet, but Gujarat and Maharashtra are banning it. The central government is deciding not to, after some consideration.

Watergate gets makeover at the Nixon library

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:36:22 +0530

History is being restored at the Richard Nixon Library, where the Watergate exhibit once told visitors nearly four decades after the scandal led to his resignation that it was really a "coup" by his rivals.

70 books, 2,000 years old, found in Jordan

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 01:56:11 +0530

A total of 70 books, made of lead and dating back to over 2,000 years, have been found in a cave in Jordan.

Book on Gandhi stirs up a controversy

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:45:47 +0530

The book, 'Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India', by Joseph Lelyveld has found itself in a pool of controversy with state governments of Gujarat and Maharashtra banning it while the author himself is defending his book, saying that he never called the Mahatma a racist and a bi-sexual.

Author of Mahatma book defends himself

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:07:05 +0530

The word bisexual never appears in the book, said Joseph Lelyveld in an interview.

Angelina Jolie immortalised in a comic book

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:29:25 +0530

Actress Angelina Jolie has been immortalised in a comic book that talks about her rise to fame and life with actor and partner Brad Pitt.

Rohinton Mistry shortlisted for Booker prize

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 03:40:16 +0530

Indian-origin novelist Rohinton Mistry is among 13 authors shortlisted for the prestigious US $ 96,070 Man Booker International Prize.

After Maharashtra, Gujarat bans book on Gandhi

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 03:39:20 +0530

A controversial book on Mahatma Gandhi was banned in his home state of Gujarat on Wednesday.

Westerners misunderstand Mahatma: Tushar Gandhi

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 08:20:43 +0530

A new biography of Gandhi, called Great Soul - Mahatma Gandhi and his struggle with India, by a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, and former Executive Editor of the New York Times Joseph Lelyveld, that also discusses Gandhi's alleged racial attitude while in South Africa, has run into a wave of controversy.

Maharashtra to ban controversial book on Gandhi

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 04:53:10 +0530

Maharashtra government will initiate steps to ban sale of a controversial book on Mahatma Gandhi by Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Joseph Lelyveld.

Denials after book says Bapu bisexual, racist

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:01:04 +0530

A controversial new biography on Mahatma Gandhi has claimed that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the man who led India into independence, was bisexual and racist.

Bapu a bisexual, racist: Controversial book

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:27:19 +0530

Book also claims that Gandhi had an affair with German-Jewish architect & bodybuilder Hermann Kallenbach.

"I didn't allege Gandhi was racist or bisexual"

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 04:27:15 +0530

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the man who led India into independence, was a bisexual who left his wife in 1908 for a German-Jewish bodybuilder, according to a new book.

Looking for books? Try online

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:31:45 +0530

If you can't find a particular book at your favourite bookshop, join the growing league of net savvy Indians who buy their reading stuff on the internet and get discount and free delivery right at their doorstep.

So much for a Charlie Sheen book deal!

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 04:30:00 +0530

Sheen's spokesman Larry Solters says the former "Two and a Half Men" sitcom star never hired literary agent Peter McGuigan, who has been contacting publishers in recent weeks about a possible Sheen memoir.

Kolkata kids are bookworms: study

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 03:31:25 +0530

Being voracious readers, kids in Kolkata spend more time with books, magazines and comics, when compared with children from other parts of the country, according to a report.

Historian Ferguson pens 600 years of history

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:47:48 +0530

Historian and professor Niall Ferguson's latest book 'Civilization - the West and the Rest' looks to pack in 600 years of history into 300-odd pages. Examining the predominance of the west and why that may be coming to an end.

NY court shelves Google's library plans

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:03:57 +0530

A judge rejected a deal between Google and the book industry that would have put millions of volumes online.

Blaft to co-publish with Westland/Tranquebar

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 03:02:55 +0530

Blaft Publications will now co-publish titles with the Tata Group's Westland/Tranquebar.

'Wuthering Heights' radio version to have f-word

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 04:07:51 +0530

'Wuthering Heights' is the only novel by Emily Bronte. It was first published in 1847.

Former CIA operative to pen suspense books

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 08:09:51 +0530

Valerie Plame Wilson is turning to fiction writing more than three years after publishing a memoir about her career.

China's 'Three Sisters' takes Man Asian prize

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 01:44:14 +0530

Chinese writer Bi Feiyu's family drama 'Three Sisters' has been named the winner of the 2010 Man Asian Literary Prize.

Jermaine Jackson to write a book on MJ

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 11:51:41 +0530

Touchstone announced on Wednesday that Jermaine Jackson's 'You are Not Alone: Michael: Through a Brother's Eye' will be released this fall.

Mrs Obama how does your garden grow?

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:46:52 +0530

Michelle Obama has signed with the Crown Publishing Group for a book about the garden she started on the South Lawn of the White House and the benefits of healthy eating.

Saudi author first woman to win Arabic book prize

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 05:11:11 +0530

Moroccan author Mohammed Achaari and Saudi Arabian writer Raja Alem share this year's International Prize for Arabic Fiction.

Sydney to host Man Booker Prize 2011

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 03:49:44 +0530

The Australian city of Sydney will play an important role in the fourth Man Booker International Prize.

Sheen poetry, lean and mean, hot on eBay

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 07:21:22 +0530

Charlie Sheen doesn't have a deal yet for a planned memoir, but a book of poems he self-published 20 years ago is a hot item on eBay.

A book on 'melting pot' called Goa

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:25:32 +0530

oa Writers, a group of disparate individuals, has launched a book which draws together a wide range of experiences and ideas, and gives a hint of the melting pot called Goa.

Pope's book on Jesus condemns religious violence

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:58:00 +0530

Pope Benedict has condemned violence committed in God's name and personally exonerated Jews of responsibility for Jesus' death in his latest book.

Comic book on communalism launched in Delhi

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:59:25 +0530

Think action and fantasy is all that is there to a comic book? Think again. A comic book dealing with the sensitive issue of communalism in India was launched in New Delhi.

Tharoor celebrates 21 years of Mahabharata

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 07:24:43 +0530

'The Great Indian Novel', a transcreation of Ved Vyasa's Mahabharata by writer-politician Shashi Tharoor, has completed 21 years since it was published.

US-based writer documents India's reinvention

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:55:05 +0530

India, a country grounded in tradition, has begun to reinvent itself in a relatively small period, says US-based Indian origin writer-columnist Anand Giridharadas.

Book on sex: It has 200 blank pages

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:08:10 +0530

What does every man think apart from sex? A British author says "nothing" and has written a book on it. Except that the book has just a cover and has 200 blank pages.

10-day literary carnival in Delhi from March 4

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 07:15:04 +0530

Annual literary festival will be held in Delhi, March 4-13 at the India Habitat Centre.

'The Floating Admiral' republished after 80 years

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 03:07:31 +0530

Agatha Christie's novel 'The Floating Admiral' written in 1931 is being republished.

Mark Zuckerberg, now a comic book hero

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 02:18:03 +0530

First there was a book, then a movie and now Mark Zuckerberg is the subject of a new comic book.

September release set for McGinniss book on Palin

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:29:48 +0530

A best-selling author accused of helping leak an unpublished tell-all on Sarah Palin is releasing his book in September.

'Lost' Enid Blyton novel discovered

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:55:05 +0530

A previously unknown novel by British writer Enid Blyton has been discovered, according to a charity.

Bring on the food, says Kareena's nutritionist

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 05:08:18 +0530

Celebrity nutritionist, Rujuta Diwekar shares four strategies for women's fitness in her recent book 'The Weight Loss Tamasha'.

New Kama Sutra book delights readers

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 01:32:16 +0530

A new translation of the Kama Sutra is being hailed by the British press.

Tell-all book on Assange coming out in March

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 01:16:33 +0530

"Julian Assange - WikiLeaks: Warrior for Truth," is a biography by Sophie Radermecker and Valerie Guichaoua.

Ex-aide attacks Sarah Palin in new book

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 01:03:23 +0530

Frank Bailey, formerly the right hand man of Sarah Palin, has attacked his one-time boss in a controversial book.

New-age fare at India's first comic convention

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:54:25 +0530

The seemingly fading world of comics came alive in the capital at India's first comic convention.

Annual comic convention for comic lovers

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 01:39:23 +0530

A book fair featuring the biggest comics and graphic publishers from India and abroad.

Man Asian prize shortlists works from China, India

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:36:27 +0530

Manu Joseph's satirical debut novel 'Serious Men' has been shortlisted for Man Asian prize this year.

Book traces story of India's postal system

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 05:14:36 +0530

The coffee table book 'Pigeons to Post' traces the origin and the evolution of India's postal history.

Royal romance of William, Kate turned into comics

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:51:32 +0530

A comic book telling the story of Prince William and Kate Middleton's romance is due to be published in April.

Chanakya factor in today's politics, diplomacy

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 01:45:34 +0530

Author Ashwin Sanghi has chosen a modern-day version of Chanakya as the protagonist of his latest novel.

Agassi, Harry Potter top cricketers' reading list

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:10:36 +0530

Find out what's on your favourite cricketer's reading rack.

Author Mirza Waheed sets memories of Kashmir

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 05:44:15 +0530

Mirza Waheed reminisces his young days spent in the valley and his first novel 'The Collaborator'.

Faces that've made India

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 05:16:20 +0530

Raghu Rai, India's living photographic legend's latest book has the best of India captured.

Memoir by Jordan's king coming out on schedule

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 05:28:28 +0530

Memoir by Jordan's king is releasing as scheduled, despite the anti-government uprisings.

Publication moved up to April for ElBaradei book

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 04:19:33 +0530

ElBaradei's 'The Age of Deception...' will come out April 26, not in June, as originally scheduled.

Books on Gandhi, a hit with youngsters

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:41:48 +0530

Over 12,000 books were sold at an exhibition organised to commemorate Gandhi's 63rd death anniversary.

William Joyce to tell tales of young Santa

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:09:26 +0530

Award-winning filmmaker William Joyce is working on a series of books called 'The Guardians of Childhood'.

'The IPL Story...' effervescent and sizzling

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:08:34 +0530

In 'The IPL Story - Cricket, Glamour and Big Money' Abhishek Dubey has covered all angles of the IPL.

Woman pleads guilty on 'book destroying' charges

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 11:20:41 +0530

A woman who had destroyed books of a library by dropping condiments pleads guilty.

Kama Sutra is about sexual & social relationship

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 10:50:40 +0530

The Kamasutra - A lifestyle guide for the modern man and woman.

India charms 'Sex and the City' author

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 03:52:16 +0530

Celebrated writer-columnist Candace Bushnell, is including a slice of India in her new book.

Malaysia to amend book after Indians object

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 12:30:37 +0530

The ethnic Indians' had raised an objection because it has references to the Indian caste system.

'Go Delhi' joyful times ahead for Delhi's foodies

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 04:49:44 +0530

Go Delhi, the extensive restaurant guide by Shivani Sibal and Ruchi Sibal rings in 2011 with its second edition.

Jo Shapcott wins Costa Book of the Year Award

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 03:58:37 +0530

Poet Jo Shapcott has won Britain's lucrative Costa Book Award for 'On Mutability'.

Writers write because they have an itch: Naqvi

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:40:49 +0530

Winner of DSC Literary Award for South Asian Literature, HM Naqvi and other authors from across the border speak to CNN-IBN.

Minister Kapil Sibal dons the poet's cap

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:37:08 +0530

Kapil Sibal reads out poetry from his book 'Kis-Kis Ki Jai Ho' a book of mobile poems written as text messages.

'Rebirth' a tale of Assam's troubled politics

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:26:57 +0530

Jahnavi Barua's latest book provides glimpses of Assam's troubled political history while examining contemporary urban life.

Literary carnival over, wait for next year begins

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:23:09 +0530

Five days of fan frenzy and intellectual sessions came to an end with the closing of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

After half century, it's 1 Fantastic's farewell

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:59:55 +0530

It's a Fantastic Four farewell with the revelation of who among them has been selected to be written out.

In high spirits: Notes from Jaipur Lit fest

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:58:37 +0530

Some 500 bottles of wine, over 800 pints of beer, booze flowed from every corner at the five-day Jaipur Literature Festival.

Pakistan pulp reading censored at Jaipur Lit Fest

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:34:38 +0530

Sexually explosive content was suitably altered for teenagers at the 'pulp' session of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Jaipur lit fest: Day 3 Coetzee charms Pink city

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:58:11 +0530

Nobel and Booker Prize winner was the star attraction on Day 3 of the event.

Authors' day out at Jaipur lit fest

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:07:30 +0530

Indian fans go out of their way to exhibit their excitement at meeting someone of significant faces at Jaipur Literary Festival.

Sibal dons a poet's hat in Jaipur Lit Fest

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 09:52:15 +0530

Sibal recited a total of 14 poems in the one-hour session on the 3rd day of the fest.

Lost Vatican manuscripts go on display in Dallas

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 12:32:21 +0530

Rare illustrated manuscripts from the Sistine Chapel go on display in Dallas .

The book is dead? Long live the book

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 12:20:36 +0530

India's booming publishing market is proof of the physical book's staying power.

Regional writers find a place at Jaipur lit fest

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 10:13:15 +0530

Bold regional writers are drawing lot of takers at the festival across age, region and language.

Concern over classical literature in Jaipur fest

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 08:36:25 +0530

Many authors highlighted the importance of vernacular, classical literature at Jaipur fest.

Jaipur lit fest: a writer's paradise

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 11:15:24 +0530

The fest promise a heady mix of music and literature, from different parts of the world.

Jaipur lit carnival rubbishes "pretentious" tag

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 08:48:56 +0530

Best-selling authors skipped lunch in order to answer a never-ending list of fans' questions.

Pamuk says being rhetorical is not his type

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 06:52:30 +0530

Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk believes one does not have to be rhetorical in wanting to preserve the historical culture.

Jaipur lit fest: Participating Roli authors

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 01:32:02 +0530

List of all the authors from Roli Books taking part in the Jaipur literature festival.

Jaipur lit fest begins on a spirited note

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 10:40:19 +0530

The five-day festival will be attended by many literary stars including Javed Akhtar.

Cheap books or end of Indian writing?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:32:23 +0530

A change proposed in the Copyright Act has Indian publishers worried.

'Copyright amendment could derail publishing'

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:22:27 +0530

Authors and top publishers across India launched a campaign against the proposed Copyright Amendment Bill 2010.

Larsson left behind unfinished 'Millennium' novel

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 01:45:14 +0530

Eva Gabrielsson, wishes to finish the fourth novel of the 'Millennium' trilogy if Stieg Larsson's family agreed.

Frontier writers mirror the angst from Kashmir

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 02:39:12 +0530

Socio-political ferment in the Af-Pak and Kashmir regions has sown the seed of literature.

Conan Doyle estate approves new Holmes story

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 01:32:22 +0530

Sherlock Holmes is to be brought back to life in the first new novel about the great Baker Street detective.

Jaipur literary fest shows India's global role

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 03:03:39 +0530

Asia's largest literary festival kicks off this weekend in a historic Indian city, a testament to the growing global influence of Indian literature and its appeal to both publishers and authors.

New Bond book 'Carte Blanche' takes spy to Dubai

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 02:46:34 +0530

This is the first time Dubai has featured in a James Bond novel.

Jaipur literature festival just got bigger

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 01:27:13 +0530

From Booker Prize winners to powerful regional voices, the sixth edition Jaipur Literature Festival promises to be a blockbuster.

'Tinderbox..' MJ Akbar's views on Pakistan

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 06:20:23 +0530

Veteran journalist MJ Akbar releases his new book 'Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan'.

Audiobooks gaining popularity in India

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:39:19 +0530

They are gaining popularity for their ability to reach out to people who cannot read.

Book tells inspiring tale behind King's Speech film

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 06:31:15 +0530

Book on Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue fills many gaps left by the film 'The King's Speech'.

India to host its first ever Comic Con

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 04:45:56 +0530

First Annual Indian Comic Convention will be held on February 19-20th in Dilli Haat, New Delhi.