BOOK NEWS
Harry Potter and the record-breaking run
Here’s a surprise. Come July, Scholastic will print a record-breaking first printing of 12 million copies of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the final installment of the Harry Potter series. And for the one or two people who aren’t aware of Harry Potter, the publisher also plans a multimillion-dollar marketing campaign. The previous book in the series, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” was released in 2005 with a first printing of 10.8 million copies. | The Associated Press
Get a poetic poster
This is National Poetry Month. To celebrate, the Academy of American Poets is offering a free poster by mail or downloadable featuring the encoded image of poet Walt Whitman. The poster was designed by graphic designer Christoph Niemann and is composed of repeating white type reading “National Poetry Month April 2007” and is accompanied by a line from Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass.” Go to poets.org/poster.
FIRST LINE
Falling by Christopher Pike
The first sensation Matt Connor felt when he awoke that morning of all mornings was pain. For a long time he had come out of unconsciousness to a feeling of loss in his chest, and he had come to accept it as inevitable. It was ironic that pain was quickly followed by a wave of love. Thoughts of her smile and hair caught forever in a yellow ray of sunshine. He still loved Amy Techer, always would, and he hated her more than words could say.”
TOP PICKS
Book group picks as selected by the American Booksellers Association
1. The Glass Castle | Jeannette Walls
2. My Sister’s Keeper | Jodi Picoult
3. Gilead | Marilynne Robinson
4. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan | Lisa See
5. Cottage for Sale, Must be Moved: A Woman Moves a House to Make a Home | Kate Whouley
