Ann Loftin

New Books Stack Up Fine Against iPod's Creepy Cousin, the "Cooler"

By Nicole Pasulka

In New York's Jacob J. Javits Center during this year's Book Expo America (May 28-31), a senior editor waved her hand across nearby publishers' booths. "All this is a stage," she explained. "It may look like someone's over there cooking dinner, but it's a set, it's not real. Most

I am just back from the annual ABAA book fair at the Park Avenue Armory, where sales were, if not brisk, certainly made. Most of the booksellers I talked to had at least made back their expenses, and some, Priscilla Juvelis among them, did very well. Though the place wasn't buzzing, there must have been at least a few movie stars, judging from the hoodies and sunglasses. (Can't they come up with

I saw an amazing production this past weekend, at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, of a vocal/theatrical piece by the world-renowned Hilliard Ensemble, a quartet of Brits trained in the music of the Middle Ages. In recent years they've become interested in working with contemporary theater directors in Europe, and their new partnership with German director Heiner Goebbels, "I Went

We just posted our Top Twenty, our annual report on the top prices paid for books and manuscripts at auction last year, proving once again that people will pay top dollar for religion (Islamic manuscripts) and rock & roll (Lennon's lyrics to "Give Peace a Chance"). Richard Goodman interviewed Abigail Rorer, whose wonderful book Mimpish Squinnies was honored at the Codex fair last month

After three days at CODEX, I attended my first ABAA book fair. I had dragged my suitcase, to which now were added several bags stuffed with CODEX treasure, onto the tour bus that took us into San Francisco. I figured it would be easy enough to get from our last stop, the San Francisco Center for the Book, to the hotels reserved for visitors to the 42nd California International Antiquarian

The last day of Codex began with a memorable talk by the legendary British book artist Ron King. Ron showed slides of his work dating back to the 1950s. He got a long standing ovation; his wife, Willow, a sculptor, later said she was afraid he might start crying. He didn't, but it was a very moving experience to be in that

I have been overwhelmed by the impact of my first CODEX experience, the fine press event in California this week. Walking around this fair is like having Beethoven and Picasso and Proust sitting behind tables of their work, all willing to show you how they do it. There are some California artists who work for Booklyn who