Durham University in England has launched a Harry Potter class. Seriously. Idris Elba, a versatile actor and veteran of grit ("The Wire") AND comedy ("The Office") will be the new Alex Cross from James Patterson's popular series. He picks up for Morgan Freeman.

In this month’s round-up we’ve got the aftermath for authors who upset Oprah and some unlikely book clubs in unusual places. Pedestrian.tv: James Frey to pen porn series for HBO If you’re the author that pissed off Oprah and got people using air quotes and raising an eyebrow whenever they said “memoir”, where would you go next?  If you James Frey, it’s to a porn series on HBO.

Little has changed on the IndieBound bestseller landscape as Stieg Larsson and Kathryn Stockett continue to occupy the top two positions with THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST and THE HELP. Bestseller stalwart Carl Hiaasen is at No. 3 across the board with STAR ISLAND. Oddly, former heavyweight W.E.B. Griffin's latest spy novel, THE VIGILANTES, debuted on only one regional list, the Southern California one, at No. 13 at that

In today's guest post, regular contributor Denise Neary shares a book site you may not have heard of.  Enjoy! Free books.  

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to interview New York Times bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey as he tours for his new book, TEMPTED BY TROUBLE. 

Check out Bookreporter.com's Coming Soon list to stay up to date on all the latest titles as well as those coming in the weeks and months ahead!   On Sale This Week:

In today's post, regular contributor Heather Johnson discusses the option of short story collections for book club and talks about how even a title can spark some good discussion.  

Karl Marlantes, whose MATTERHORN is a breakout hit of 2010, shares his Top 10 War Stories... Legendary children's book icon Babar will get a digital touch-up...