At times, the devil wears something other than Prada.

A chief exorcist with the Vatican warns readers about J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels: “Behind Harry Potter hides the signature of the king of the darkness—the devil,” said Rev. Gabriele Amorth.

Bodice rippers that promise to be racy

Harlequin, the romance publishers, has teamed with NASCAR in releasing 20 stock-car-themed romance novels. The hope is to hook fans of the romance novel on auto racing, as NASCAR estimates that 40 percent of its fans are women.

A $2.35 million reading refund

Anyone who bought the memoir A Million Little Pieces before January 26—when author James Frey admitted to making up much of his story—is entitled to a refund from Random House. This arrangement is the outcome of a lawsuit brought by 12 readers who said they were defrauded.

School reading lists and today’s gender gap

According to David Brooks, in the New York Times, not addressing gender differences in schools “turns many [boys] into high school and college dropouts who hate reading.” Brooks reports that today’s school reading lists are heavy on “new-wave young adult problem novels,” most of which tell the stories of “introspectively morose young women,” so it should be no surprise that over the past 14 years, reading rates have fallen three times as fast among boys as among girls, or that dropout rates among boys are soaring. More evidence that male and female brains differ—and that reading matters—comes from British researchers, who recently asked 900 accomplished individuals of both sexes to name their favorite novels. Men chose The Stranger, The Catcher in the Rye and Slaughterhouse-Five—works on the theme of alienation and written by men. The women chose the novels Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Beloved—all books by women and dealing with feelings and relationships.

Everyone’s a writer

Carmen Electra has slaved away writing How to Look Sexy, due to hit bookstores this December.

Gyweneth Paltrow’s nanny has written a book on childcare, but mum’s the word regarding spills about the celebrity’s family: The Baby Book: How to Enjoy Year One, by Rachel Waddilove.

Former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey shares the details of his affair with his security advisor Golan Cipel in his new book The Confession. Those who saw McGreevey’s appearance September 19 on The Oprah Winfrey Show already know too much about his cheatin’ life.

Pope Benedict should finish early in 2007 a book about the life of Jesus Christ and what he means to humanity. The book will be published by the Vatican Publishing House.

In time for Christmas

For those of you hungry for a new Hannibal Lecter novel, Hannibal Rising, by Thomas Harris, will be published with the holiday-season list by Delacorte Press. This third novel on the famous cannibal chronicles the early life of Dr. Lecter.

Guadalajara Book Fair

The 20th International Guadalajara Book Fair takes place November 25 through December 3. Over 1,500 publishing houses from over 39 countries will gather for this annual event, the premier feria in the Spanish-language world. This year, the guest of honor is the community of Andalusia: a showcase of Andalusia’s literature and art highlights the nine-day event.

The book fair is open to the public November 25, 26, 30 and December 1, 2, and 3 from 9am to 9pm and November 27 to 29 from 5pm to 9pm. For more information, see www.fil.com.mx 


Are there any new or favorite nonfiction works you think the Biblioteca Pública should add to its collection? We are especially looking to buy biographies and poetry in the near future. Send an email noting the author and title to vicki.gundrum@excite.com