Book Buzz

• Sadly, China is dominating the news because of its devastating earthquake. In addition to its earthquake coverage, my favorite radio news program, PRI’s The World, has been featuring books on China including My Life as Emperor and The Song of Everlasting Sorrow.

• Tuesday, controversial author James Frey released his first book after A Million Little Pieces. USA Today reviews Bright Shiny Morning (an openly fictional novel) today. Its judgment? Not so good.

• Renaissance Learning released a report on “What Kids are Reading.” The report breaks down its results by grade, and the outcome isn't too shocking. The top books include Green Eggs and Ham, The Outsiders, and To Kill a Mockingbird. The Washington Post was most surprised that Harry Potter didn’t top the list.

• Speaking of Harry Potter, The New York Times Sunday Book Review devoted an entire section to the fall of Harry from its bestsellers lists. The books first appeared on the list in December 1998 and dramatically altered the Times’ bestsellers categories. Good-bye, Harry.