Now I can't help thinking B.F.G. was code for something naughty...

I just got this link in my inbox, and had to repost for y'all. Apparently, Roald Dahl (ya know, the guy that brought us Matilda, The B.F.G., James & The Giant Beach, and the Willy Wonka books) was apparently a SPY! And not just your run of the mill boring James Bond spy -- A SEX SPY.

Some choice tidbits:

[Dahl] begged his superiors to take him off the assignment, only to be told to get back into the bedroom.

"I think he slept with everybody on the east and west coasts that [was worth] more than $50,000 a year."

Despite Dahl's reputation as "one of the biggest cocksmen in America"...

All I have to say, is that I wrote a book report in elementary school on Matilda and I wish I had done my author bio research more thoroughly!

--Ladytron

Oh, Lynne

Jesus, Lynne. It's not enough that you drove both of your children into the horrific world of show biz, apparently couldn't teach little Jamie Lynne about birth control, and totally abandoned your eldest daughter when she went crazy? I mean, at least there's no "Living Spears" show out there, but I'm sure if you'd thought of it before Dina Lohan, you would have been all over that shit.

And now, your "parenting memoir" (which I believe is how it was originally shopped around) is basically a tell-all about your mentally unstable daughter who is only better because her former-boozy dad stepped into to save her? Have you no shame woman?

And now, because I apparently have no shame either, some tid bits from the leaked pages:

1. Brit lost her virginity at 14 to her high school football boyfriend. He was 18 (ahem. statutory rape. cough). So I guess Justin didn't get to take her v-card after all.


2. Brit started drinking back in the Mouseketeer days - at 13. Christ, even I didn't get drunk for the first time until I was 15...


3. ...which is apparently the age when Britney discovered drugs, after going to L.A. to record Baby One More Time (which I own and still listen to. "You drive me craaaaazy.")


4. At 16, Brit stepped it up a notch and was caught with coke and pot on a private jet.

Oh, also, Lynne feels REAL BAD about the whole thing and kinda blames herself. Yeah, so does everyone else, Lynne. So does everyone else. At least you didn't put a picture of Brit being wheeled off to crazytown on the cover. That's about the nicest thing I can say at this point.

--Paige Sexie

Report from DBF

So, I didn't make it to the Decatur Book Festival this year because...well, I went to the beach instead. Sue me. But, I did ask people I knew there to send me tidbits, so here are the bits of news that have filtered back. I can vouch for none of these things, but, hey, can I ever?

1. WordSmith sucks. AGAIN. I posted something vaguely snarky about them last year and was rebutted for being misinformed (which I was, so yes, my bad), but this time, I swear it might be true. I heard from several sources that Wordsmith under ordered books for the event, making certain people question why they sacrificed their holiday weekend to sell 30 books instead of say, 200. Or more. I would like to stress that absolutely no one blamed the Festival for this. I only heard good things about it, but people questioned Wordsmith's ordering practices. I'm betting it has to do with Zack's lack of credit with the publishers, not to mention this. Please stop giving them jobs and focus on the other wonderful independent booksellers in ATL.

2. Parties are fun! The party at the Old Courthouse on Saturday was just as entertaining as the previous year's. Organizer Tom Bell should be proud. I heard there was some delish cheese but the describer seemed unsure of what was in it. But yeah, I guess if you go next year, look out for cheese?

3. Props to the Decatur Presbyterian Church for hosting events in their sanctuary and chapel that might not seem like such a natural fit...ie, The Pornography of Power or Rick Bragg.

4. Robert Olen Butler's event filled up completely, and apparently he gave a great presentation. I heard that in person though, he seems to grant more attention to the cute single ladies than anyone else. Perhaps ROB is still feeling his way out in the single life? We know subtlety has not been is strong point in the past. Or perhaps my source was just an unfortunate victim of too much free booze?

5. Eric Jerome Dickey was also hanging out and was totes sweet. I've never actually read one of his books, but I have heard they are quite racy. I'm happy to hear that he was quite a gentleman and was not acting in the least bit inappropriately (unlike some people, ahem). In fact, I was told that he was very approachable and more than pleased to chat.

6. It was hot there. Although, what did you expect by visiting Atlanta in August?

That's all I've got for now, but let me know if any of you guys made it down south and have anything to add!

--Ladytron

nooo....

Stephanie Meyer is putting Midnight Sun on hold after an early draft leaked on-line. Why must you do this to me?? And, also, where can I find this draft? Must google...

For the non-Twilight obsessed, Midnight Sun is the retelling of Twilight from vampire Edward Cullen's perspective. And yes, some of you may think, why the hell would you want to read the same book just told from a different view point again? Well, all I can say to that is...I don't know. I'm clearly a pathetic human being but damn if I don't love that silly vampire.

--Paige Sexie