TheFW » Books

6 Modern Horror Movies as '80s Young Adult Novels

Emily V. Gordon — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:26:36 +0000

In the late '80s/early '90s, how many of you were glued to books by people like Christopher Pike, R.L. Stine and A. Bates? Long before 'Twilight,' these young adult authors were churning out sordid tales of psycho teenage killers, body-switching beautiful girls and revenge fantasies that also somehow involved final exams.

Other 'Lean' Books We Want to See

Kristy Puchko — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:51:28 +0000

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg her new book 'Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead,' has been a major topic of water cooler conversation over the past couple of weeks. Her forthright approach and controversial ideas about women in the workplace have been debated on television, on blogs and in heated conversations across the country. All this hub bub has not only helped make her book a bestseller, but also made its clean and direct cover already iconic.

8 Unintentionally Inappropriate Children's Books

Stephanie McMaster — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:37:37 +0000

Reading to a child is essential to their growth, and most children’s books address similar topics of sharing, accepting who you are and eating your vegetables. We found some gems from the children’s literature department, though, that made us pause and say WHAT?!?! Check out eight unintentionally inappropriate children’s books: 'Thomas the Tank Engine' [...]

10 Obvious Celebrity Lookalikes From Young Adult Novel Covers

Amanda Ferris — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 20:05:40 +0000

Sometimes, it's all too easy for an illustrator or a cover artist who has hit a huge creative block to use a picture of a celebrity as their guide for young adult novels. Plus, the celebrity lookalikes will help sales too, especially if it's a popular actress such as

8 Pop Culture Romance Novels We Wish Were Real

Christine Gritmon — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:33:51 +0000

This Valentine’s Day, millions will cuddle up with their cats and a box of Dove bars and sink into a juicy romance novel. Wouldn’t it be far more interesting if romance novels contained the complexity, suspense and intrigue of our favorite TV shows and movies? Below, our noblest attempts at visual fan fiction. If these pop culture novels were real, they'd go straight to our Kindles so no one could see us reading them in public.

The Top 5 Most Anticipated Book-to-Movie Adaptions for 2013

Amanda Ferris — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:22:43 +0000

2013 is gearing up to have some great movie releases, some of which include the usual book-to-movie adaptions. Yet with allgreat new book to movie adaptions coming out, it can be difficult to figure out which one to spend $10 at the theater on, especially if you are not sure if it will wind up being a hit like 'Lord of the Rings' or a dude like 'Eragon.' Of course we're looking forw

Used Bookstore Introduces Book Vending Machine

Amanda Ferris — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:36:03 +0000

What bibliophile hasn't dreamed of just putting money into a vending machine and out comes a book that you can read to your heart's content? Sounds great, but not very likely, right? Well, that's where you're wrong. The Monkey's Paw, a used bookstore in Toronto, Canada has created such a machine.

The Cheesiest Romance Novel Covers of All Time

Shulamit Aberbach — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:25:10 +0000

Today’s reading experience is nothing like the literal “page-turners” of yesteryear. But even with the e-Book, the Kindle and the iPad at our fingertips, we can still spot a wacky romance novel cover from a mile off.We all know that the romance genre calls for cliches and cheesiness but some of these book covers take [...]

10 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Novels That Would Make Great Movies

Amanda Ferris — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 16:40:51 +0000

With book-to-movie adaptations of 'The Lord of the Rings,' 'Harry Potter,' 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' and 'The Hunger Games' making so much money, Hollywood should check out these novels if they want to keep earning the big bucks. Most, like 'Wicked Lovely' and 'Good Omens,' already have a built-in fan base, while newer releases like 'Iron Codex' would appeal to both 'Twilight' and 'LOTR' fans. Read on to discover some truly great novels we think should make it to the big screen.

'Encyclopedia Brown' Author Donald J. Sobol Dies at 87

Jeremy Taylor — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 19:29:23 +0000

Donald J. Sobol, the author of the extremely popular boy-detective book series ‘Encyclopedia Brown,’ died last week of natural causes. He was 87. If you were born after 1960, you’ve likely read at least one of the almost 30-book strong franchise, which follows the mystery-solving adventures of the 10-year-old Brown and his tomboy sidekick Sally Kimball. While ‘Encyclopedia [...]

Rope Sales Rise Thanks to 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

Donald Deane — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:59:41 +0000

There’s no denying that E. L. James’ erotic novel ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ — which features a storyline involving bondage and sadomasochism — is a bonafide phenomenon. And now, even hardware stores are getting in the craze as sales of rope are on the rise. According to Bob Wipplinger, owner of Pendell Hardware in Pennsylvania, [...]

Horror Writer Rolling Out His New Novel on Toilet Paper

Danny Gallagher — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:35:41 +0000

Author Koji Suzuki, the horror novelist behind the ‘Ring’ movies, has a new scary novel set to be published in America in an unusual way: it’s entirely printed on rolls of toilet paper. Traditional methods of reading are under threat now that technology has given rise to eBooks. The iPad and Amazon Kindle can store [...]

Listen to a Hilarious 'Clean' Version of 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

Patrick Bateman — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:05:39 +0000

E. L. James' trilogy "Fifty Shades of Grey" continues to create buzz almost a full year after its release. A couple weeks ago, it was banned by a library in Florida, causing soccer moms to kick up their crazy level. Then, innocent cutesy Disney Star Selena Gomez spoofed it with, 'Fifty Shades of Blue.'

Now, the erotic S&M-laden novel series gets a thorough scrubbing by radio show 'Kid Kraddick in the Morning'. Since the original text was too raunchy for air, KiddNation replaced all the suggestive language with acceptable alternatives.

Florida Library Bans 'Fifty Shades of Grey,' Soccer Moms Freak Out

Shauna Wright — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:11:02 +0000

E.L. James' 'Fifty Shades of Grey' has taken the publishing world by storm, with many deeming the steamy erotic novel "soccer-mom porn."

And while it certainly isn't suitable for children, a lot of adults are upset that the libraries in Brevard County, Fla. have banned the book from its shelves.

10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Maurice Sendak

Danny Gallagher — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:07:07 +0000

Maurice Sendak’s passing marked more than just the end for a great children’s author and illustrator. Parents and children alike have read and loved Sendak’s works and stories for years because as Sendak often said, he didn’t consider his books to be for children. They may have been marketed that way, but the ideas and images Sendak created spoke to more than just the young and young at heart.

'The Artist' Wonder Dog Uggie Is Writing His Own Memoir?

Nick Romano — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:00:09 +0000

Uggie may have retired from his thriving on-screen career as the back-flipping Jack Russell terrier from 'The Artist' and those awesome Nintendo DS commercials, but it looks as though he just might become the next best-selling author. Yup, you read that right. Uggie -- a dog -- will be releasing his memoirs this October.

Artist Recreates The Old Man and the Sea With an Epic Stop-Motion Video

Nick Romano — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 22:47:08 +0000

Tons of high school students have read Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, and chances are you've searched for the Spark Notes version at one point or another. Well, if you're one of those kids still trying to avoid reading the book, artist Marcel Schindler has created an even better way to experience the classic story.

10 Wonderfully Awesome 'Berenstain Bears' Books

Nick Nadel — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:02:43 +0000

Fans of quality children's books were saddened by the passing of Jan Berenstain, cocreator (with her husband Stan) of the long-running 'Berenstain Bears' books series. (Stan passed away in 2005 from cancer.)

Cartoonists and parenting book authors, Stan and Jan sought out to create a series that could deal with the ups-and-downs of parenting. The Berenstain Bears launched in 1962 with 'The Big Honey Hunt,' and includes over 300 titles published in 23 languages.

'Berenstain Bears' Co-Creator Jan Berenstain Dies at 88

Shauna Wright — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:20:23 +0000

Fans of the Berenstain Bears children’s books are in mourning today after it was announced that co-creator Jan Berenstain died of a stroke on Friday at the age of 88. Jan and her husband Stan (who died in 2005) created the Berenstain Bears back in 1962, and since then, the family — consisting of a [...]

Stephen King Reads Creepy Excerpt From 'Shining' Sequel 'Dr. Sleep'

Dylan Schenker — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:04:27 +0000

Horror master Stephen King wowed a crowd at George Mason University recently when he read excerpts from ‘Dr. Sleep,’ his upcoming sequel to ‘The Shining.’ The story finds a grown-up Danny Torrance, the young boy from ‘The Shining,’ using his special psychic abilities against a band of vampires. It will be interesting to see if King brings [...]

Scratch-and-Sniff Book Lets You Take a Whiff of New York City

Shauna Wright — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:19:53 +0000

Ah, New York City. The sights and smells are like nowhere on earth. Where else can you see the Statue of Liberty and take in the aroma of hot dogs? Or fish? Or, um, sewers?

Showcasing the Big Apple in all its olfactory glory is the goal of a new scratch-and-sniff book called 'New York, Phew York,' illustrated by artist Tim Probert and inspired by author Amber Jones' experiences in the city.

Borders Employees Diss Customers in Hilarious Farewell Note

Jeremy Taylor — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:13:16 +0000

Borders bookstores will shut their doors forever at the end of this month, and in a final kiss-off to those who patronized the once-popular chain, employees at one of Borders' franchises hung in their display window a bitter note which listed all the things customers had done to piss them off over the years.

Jessica Simpson Stalker Selling Self-Published Book About the Starlet

Chris Illuminati — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:40:26 +0000

An obsessed Jessica Simpson fan has taken his love for the star to novel heights. Marce William Burchell who, after allegedly stalking Simpson for years, decided to pen and self-publish a book about the object of his affection.

The best part? The book's insane title: 'The True Story of Jessica Ann Simpson's 22 month long attempt to seduce a married man- her very Active Super Secret Sex life: True Story Jessica Simpson Seduction of A Married Man (Volume 1).'

'That's Not Your Mommy Anymore' Picture Book Teaches Kids About Zombie Apocalypse

Jeremy Taylor — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:15:49 +0000

Since 2007, the Zombie Research Society has been raising awareness about the undead and the upcoming zombie pandemic. Their latest effort, an illustrated book called ‘That’s Not Your Mommy Anymore,’ aims to educate the younger members of our society on what to do when a parent becomes a brain-eating monster. The 32-page “cautionary tale for mature children” [...]

Jimmy Fallon's 'Do Not Read List' for This School Year [VIDEO]

Shauna Wright — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:53:42 +0000

School reading lists are typically laden with staid classics that no one really wants to read. But nevermind all that. ‘Late Night’ host Jimmy Fallon presented his “Do Not Read List” for the 2011-2012 school year that sounds a lot more enticing. All the books are real, but judging by the titles and descriptions, we [...]

David Bowie's 'Space Oddity' Is Now a Free Digital Children's Book

Jeremy Taylor — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 20:45:27 +0000

Artist Andrew Kolb has re-imagined the song ‘Space Oddity,’ David Bowie‘s epic tale of disaster in the great beyond, as an illustrated children’s book, borrowing Bowie’s lyrics for the narrative. However, since Kolb didn’t secure the rights to the song, he realized that Bowie’s legal team would be all over him if he tried to sell it. So instead [...]