It's the end of the year, and year-end lists are abounding everywhere. Bookfinder.com just published their Top Ten most sought-after out-of-print books for 2007, and we smile as we recognize some of these book searches over the past year.  We also have at least two of these in stock -- 20% ain't bad for a hot-demand hard-to-find list like this.

1. Once a Runner (1978) by John L. Parker, Jr.
     The cult classic distance running novel; the long-awaited sequel, Again to Carthage, was released in November
2. Football Scouting Methods (1962) by Steve Belichick
     Legendary college football scout’s playbook, used by coaches and players to develop winning game plans
3. Sex (1992) by Madonna
    The pop icon’s controversial book of erotic photos
4. Promise Me Tomorrow (1984) by Nora Roberts
     An early novel that the bestselling romance novelist refuses to reprint, describing it as “mediocre”
5. The Lion’s Paw (1946) by Robb White
     A children’s adventure story about two orphans who travel around Florida in a boat
6. The Principles of Knitting (1988) by June Hemmons Hiatt
    An indispensable resource on hand knitting
7. Raven: The Untold Story of the Reverend Jim Jones and His People (1982) by Tim Reiterman
    Chronicles the inner workings which allowed the Peoples Temple to flourish
8. Aran Knitting (1997) by Alice Starmore
     History and how-to about the Irish knitting technique
9. One Way Up (1964) by John F. Straubel
     The story of of helicopters and vertically rising aircraft
10. Dear and Glorious Physician (1959) by Taylor Caldwell
      A novel based on the life of Saint Luke

THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD
Friday, December 14, 2007
Harriett

J.K. Rowling has done it again, this time in a posh Sotheby's auction as a fundraiser for her charity, the Children's Voice.  Seven handwritten and hand-illustrated copies of The Tales of Beedle the Bard exist, and this is the only one written with the intent of sale.  The production is lavish (hand-bound morocco leather studded with silver designs), the hype immense, and the price tag...  outlandish? amazing?  Well, it was estimated by Sotheby's at £50,000.  It sold for £1,950,000 (that's approximately £2 million or €3 million or $4 million US). 

And the winner?  Um...  Amazon.com.  They already have it featured on their website, but under the conditions of sale, they cannot reprint or sell the stories featured therein.  Don't worry, they promise pictures, detailed reviews, and tours...

SIGNATURES
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Becky

If a signature is "something that serves to set apart or identify" (Merriam-Webster Online), then what is its purpose when it cannot be read, and therefore not associated with the person that is trying to be set apart? We are currently attempting to decipher a signature on the inside cover of a book that certainly looks impressive, but may turn out not to be that interesting at all. 

On this day in 1789, James F. Cooper was born. Happy 218th Birthday!