Texas Pages

Kristin Gore, Mary Cheney, Jenna Bush ... and now, Meghan McCain.

Yes, John McCain's daughter is becoming an author -- of a children's book. About a subject she should know well ...

Hey, Sex and the City fans.

If you're a fan of Sex and the City, aimlessly surfing over to a books blog because the editor filled a post with gratuitous Sex and the City references (and links to our recent review, feature story and box office report), you might also be looking for that book Love Letters of Great Men, which Carrie Bradshaw reads while in bed.

That's great. We at the Texas Pages blog encourage you to read. But there's a problem with that particular title, the Associated Press reports ....

Some random findings from a recent Random House/Zogby International poll:

13 percent of people under 30 are open to reading books digitally.

6 percent of people over 65 are open to reading books digitally.

49 percent of people say their book purchases are swayed by reviews.

52 percent of people say their book purchases are swayed by cover art.

60 percent of people say their book purchases are swayed by recommendations from friends or family.

Local management consultant Joel Zeff is the author of Make the Right Choice: Creating a Positive, Innovative, and Productive Work Life. (Disclosure: He's also a friend from college.)

Two items in his recent newsletter caught my eye:

Joel has an interesting approach for generating attention for his book: He's willing donating $20 to charity for each review posted at Amazon.

Is that ethical?

Joel tells me why he did it:

"Getting people to post Amazon reviews is much like asking people to help you move furniture. It just doesn't happen. Everyone says they enjoyed the book. They love the book. 'Would you mind posting a review on Amazon?' I ask. Everyone says they are going to do it. And then it doesn't happen. I understand we are all very busy. And, posting a review is not on the top of most people's lists.

"So, I thought I would put a little incentive out there. I am not trying to buy my reviews. And I don't want to seem like I am. I just thought a small incentive to a worthy cause might prompt some people to move the "post a review for Joel" to the top of the To Do list."

Frankly, I expect that kind of thing from Amazon reviews. And I think an author can do whatever he wants to promote a book, as long as he's open about it.

The problem I have is with those who would suggest that such material, as some have suggested, can replace the professional book review.

Your thoughts?

Rick Barrick was on the scene Tuesday as Jeffrey Engel signed copies of the book he edited, The China Diary of George H.W. Bush: The Making of a Global President.

Rick writes:

The future American president headed the U.S. Liaison Office in China at a time the two countries didn't have official relations. Mr. Bush relates his thoughts on the U.S.-China relationship, pressures on him from Chinese and U.S. officials, hopes of official recognition, the corps of foreign ambassadors, missing home and family and life in Beijing.

Mr. Engel, who teaches history and public policy at the Texas A&M University, took three years to prepare the diary. His extensive notes on almost every page describe, offer context and explanations of Mr. Bush's 1974-75 diary, which wasn't written to be published.

Mr. Engel signed the book at the Rosewood Crescent Court for members of the World Affairs Council and their guests