Barnes and Noble decides to start its own list of bestsellers. It’s not just a simple switch of lists, says one publisher: “A lot of us will have to rethink what a [New York] Times bestseller’ means.” – Publisher’s Weekly
Blog
With more than 100 books about Diana on the market –
– what makes Sally Bedell Smith’s new biography different? Source notes, she says. The Diana industry rolls on. – Toronto Globe and Mail
Booker finalists: no Rushdie or Doyle…
This year’s edition of the prestigious book award sets off with the usual cargo of controversies. – Toronto Globe and Mail
PLUS: A first time novelist is among the finalists. BBC 9/22/99
IT’S OFFICIAL: San Francisco Airport –
– is accredited by the American Association of Museums for its art scattered throughout the terminals, making it the only airport museum so honored. San Francisco Chronicle
SOME OF THE ART IN THE BIG NEW AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL SHOW –
– at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor SF Examiner
PREVIOUSLY: FILLING IN THE DOTS: Are entrepreneurs making money off the art of Australian indigenous people without their consent? Sydney Morning Herald 9/21/99
Orchestras have gotten too bloody loud
Pipe down a bit, will ya? – National Post (Canada)
NY CITY OPERA USES CONTROVERSIAL “SOUND ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM”
And the world fails to end. But what about tradition? – The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
In all directions
Record sales are up but the industry is down – just what is rock music anymore? The question dogs the annual CMJ conference of some 9000 music industry folk. – Chicago Tribune
WHAT, ME WORRY?
Concerns about e-commerce and national chains have waned, and the bargain-book business is flourishing. – Publisher’s Weekly
Dumbing Down
Or is it up? A scholar tries to pin down whether our tastes are waning or the democratization of high culture is at hand. Washington Post