Every once and again I come across a book that is so spot-on, so illuminating, so captures the Zeitgeist … that I’m almost jealous that I didn’t write it myself. This feeling quickly subsided as I began to revel in the fact that someone so talented gave form, shape and substance to feelings I’ve long harbored. Such is the case with Pulitzer Prize winner Chris Hedges’ most recent work, “Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle,” a work that undoubtedly will resonate with a wide audience of readers. The book has the smell of “bestseller” all over it.

Hedges’ argument is elegant in its simplicity: “A culture that cannot distinguish between reality and illusion dies.” I know, I know, there is almost an “end times” industry that has sprung up, with authors, commentators, and religious kooks of every ilk and stripe warning us, like a bunch of Chicken Littles, that it’s all going to come crashing down on our heads … and probably in our lifetime. Hedges, most assuredly, is not joining the ranks of those charlatans and demagogues with this slim yet powerfully written volume. Indeed, his message is counter to their nihilistic theme.

Note: This post contains spoilers. If you haven't read the fourth "Twilight" book, but are planning to and don't want the story ruined - don't read any further.

Stephanie Meyer, the author of the hugely successful "Twilight" series, now stands accused of ripping off the storyline for her fourth book by a lesser-known author. Jordan Scott sent a cease and desist letter to the publisher of "Breaking Dawn", the series fourth book, claiming that Meyer's story contains a "striking and substantial similarity" to Scott's book, "The Nocturne".

In the letter, Scott says that her book was published in 2006, which was two years before "Breaking Dawn" hit bookshelves. She also claims that it is no coincidence that many of the scenes are pretty identical. She cites such examples as:

In her extremely detailed letter, Scott claims her book was published in 2006 -- two years before "Breaking Dawn" -- and it's no coincidence that many of the scenes are almost identical. Such as...

• Both books contain a post-wedding sex scene
• Both books contain a scene about a woman who's sick because she's carrying a child with "evil powers"
• Both books contain a scene with the death of the main character's wife

Fahrenheit 451 is one of the most influential books in the last 100 years and now will be more accessible to a generation that has grown up with graphic novels. Acclaimed author Ray Bradbury has given his okay to a new adaption of the book in a comic book form telling USA Today:

"It's beautiful," the 89 year says adding. "(he sees) someone giving it to a 10-year-old kid who then wants to read the original novel. That's what good graphic novels can do. They can make you read more."

Fahrenheit 451 hit book stores 56 years ago and and follows the life of Guy Montag, is employed as a "fireman" whos job it is to dispose of books. The book was released as a film in 1966 and Mel Gibson has long stated plans to adapt a new version that has still not seen the light of day. The new graphic novel hit stores late last month.

John Edwards admitted to having an affair with former campaign staffer Rielle Hunter earlier this year on television, but one thing he did not admit to was being the father of her infant child. Hunter has to date kept the identity of the father concealed, but early on another former Edwards' staffer - Andrew Young - claimed that he was the father, and not Edwards. Few people believed Young's claims, and it was later rumored the he was paid to house Hunter for about eight months. Now, Young is said to be shopping around a tell-all book that promises to expose all of the nitty, gritty details of the sex scandal that was originally reported on by the National Enquirer.

Young is said to be telling editors that he feels betrayed by the once-friendly Edwards family. Represented by David McCormick at McCormick Williams, Young began shopping a book to New York publishers last week. According to his proposal, the book would chronicle his long friendship with the Edwards family, his attempts at helping Edwards by taking pregnant Hunter into his home to live with him (along with his wife Cherie and three kids), and the fallout when the press and Elizabeth Edwards find out about the plan.

In an interview given Tuesday with the Anchorage Daily News, Alaskan Governor and 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin announced that she has signed a book deal with Harper Collins to write her memoirs. Neither Palin or Harper Collins would indicate how much the deal was worth.

The book is scheduled to be published in the spring of 2010. Palin said that she wants to do a lot of the writing herself, and that it will be her story and her words. However, she will have a collaborator, who will be chosen soon.

In the interview, Palin said:

"There have been so many things written and said through mainstream media that have not been accurate, and it will be nice through an unfiltered forum to get to speak truthfully about who we are and what we stand for and what Alaska is all about.

It will be nice to put my journalism degree to work on this and get to tell my story, Alaska's story. There have been so many unauthorized books and publications that have spoken to somebody else's opinion of who I am what my family represents and what Alaska is all about."

Al Gore is bringing the global warming issue back in the book stores later this year when the former vice president releases "Our Choice" in November. This is a follow up to Gore's ''An Inconvenient Truth," which was released which was released in 2006.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Gore's book will be printed on 100% recycled paper. All proceeds from the book will be donated to Alliance for Climate Protection

Fans of Sitcom television legend Mary Tyler Moore have something to look forward to next week. The private actress is releasing a new book entitled "Growing Up Again: Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes". The book details her battle with diabiaties and reads on the back cover:

Each person who has diabetes struggles to come to terms with it and experiences the basic challenges of the disease in a uniquely personal way. For me, it has been a trip through rebellion and denial to finally arriving at acknowledgment and commitment to solutions. It took years. And I still rankle at the restrictions, the have-tos, the may-nots, and the never-endingness of it. But the illness is what it is, and I thank God for the genius of medical researchers who have done so much to make diabetes a less cruel imposition while propelling us toward a cure.

Announcing the release of Off The Record – Inside The Playing Of Today’s Top Drummers by Ed Breckenfeld.

For drummers who are serious about becoming better players, the first steps are to study the masters and learn to "play for the music." Off The Record, by Ed Breckenfeld (Modern Drummer Publications), is an exciting new book and CD multi-media package designed to help drummers do both. Highlighting outstanding drum performances in modern rock, metal, punk, classic rock, funk, and progressive music from the past 40 years, this collection of lessons from one of Modern Drummer Magazine’s most popular columns showcases more than 500 drum tracks by the world's most important, influential, and inspiring drum artists — defining just what great drumming is all about.

The innovative educational bundle is recommended as a supplement to lessons and self-study for drummers of all levels. It includes a 120-page book with note-perfect transcriptions of isolated drum patterns with in-depth analysis of how they were created to fit the style, context, and structure of the song. It also includes a bonus CD that contains nearly 180 MP3 tracks recorded using advanced software and techniques to emulate the sound, feel, dynamics, groove, and intensity of the original drum parts.

The second version of Amazon's popular e-book reader Kindle will be available at the end of the month, the company stated in a press conference today. The updated model comes in at $359 and is slimmer than the original that sold so well that the saw the Kindle sell out during the holiday season late last year.

Citi Investment Research analyst Mark Mahaney recently stated that the company has shifted a half million of the Kindle since its launch.

“Kindle 2 is everything customers tell us they love about the original Kindle, only thinner, faster, crisper, with longer battery life, and capable of holding hundreds more books. If you want, Kindle 2 will even read to you — something new we added that a book could never do,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO said in a written statement announcing the Kindle 2. “While we’re excited about Kindle 2, we know that great hardware is useless without vast selection. That’s why the Kindle Store offers customers over 230,000 books.”

Here are some specifics on the product from the press release today:

Acclaimed tattoo artist Kat Von D has taken her show on the road to promote her new book "High Voltage Tattoo". The star of TLC reality show LA Ink hosted a book release party at the glitzy Las Vegas hotel Venetian. Motley Crew bassist Nikki Sixx, who wrote the foreword of the book, took in the event and posed with famous tattoo artist.

Von D's book tour hits a number of cities throughout the country but Cleveland fans will have to travel as the nearest she gets to us is Cleveland. Here are the dates and times for the book tour along with some photos from the event last night in Vegas.