Book briefs

Untold story of Michael Jackson

The late King of Pop Michael Jackson was a legend to most, especially to his fans. However, to a small group of people who used to be his working partners and friends, Jackson was first and foremost a human being. To Frank Cascio, Michael Jackson was his second father, his big brother, boss, mentor and teacher, but mostly his friend. Since the age of 5, Cascio had witnessed the icon reach the summit as the world's greatest entertainer, as well as his traumatization following scandals, lies and false accusations. In 2011 - two years after Jackson's tragic death - Cascio published the book My Friend Michael, to reveal "an ordinary friendship with an extraordinary man". Cascio offers a deeply personal and behind-the-scenes look at the Michael Jackson he knew, with never-before-told stories and 32 pages of never-before-exposed private photos. The book has been translated into Chinese before the 4th anniversary of the icon's death and his 54th birthday. Published by Lijiang Publishing House, the book is translated by Zhang Rui and Yu Xinyao, two of Jackson's hard-core fans as well as key leaders of the singer's Chinese official website.

Jamie Oliver cooks up a storm in Chinese

Penguin China, in partnership with CITIC Press, has published a book by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in Chinese for the first time. With cookbooks being one of the rare genres of writing that are surviving in today's competitive book market, Jamie's 30 Minute Meals is the fastest selling non-fiction title ever in the United Kingdom, with more than 1 million copies sold within nine weeks. It also cooked up a storm around the world by topping the best-seller lists in countries including Australia and the Netherlands. In addition to his cooking talent, Jamie's personal story, from being a child with a reading disorder to a respected celebrity chef, is expected to appeal to many young Chinese fans.

Sino-UK publishing forum held at fair

The third Sino-UK Publishing Forum was held during the Beijing International Book Fair. Speakers included Li Pengyi, general manager of China Education Publishing and Media Group, Angus Phillips, director of the Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies, and George Lossius, CEO of UK-based Publishing Technology. They exchanged opinions on topics such as the future of digital publishing and development of talents. The annual forum is expected to provide new areas of research for publishing industries in China and the UK.

Sino-German writers share ideas in Beijing

The two-day Chinese and German Writers' Forum in Beijing came to a close on Sept 2, with a standout attendance of writers from both countries. Mo Yan, Jia Pingwa, Liu Zhenyun, Bi Feiyu and a number of other Chinese writers discussed the responsibility of writers in an ever-changing world, with Germany's Marcel Beyer, Ursula Krechel, Burkhard Spinnen and others. Mo Yan, the Nobel laureate, said writers have responsibilities to society just like any other citizens, but they have to be more judicious so intense personal feelings do not invade their writings. He also called on writers to write for the underprivileged and try to expose social ills.