So you were expecting maybe books at a booksellers convention? Not a bad guess, but at BookExpo ’97, held last weekend at McCormick Place, it seemed books were about the last things on anybody’s mind. It was easier to track down a Bible word search, a set of bongo drums, or a Judy Garland charm necklace than to find an honest-to-goodness work of literature.If you waded through the Penn State helmet checkers games, “Jesus loves you very much” rubber stamps, the incense sticks, the freeze -dried astronaut food, the Edvard Munch pillows, Jenny McCarthy puzzles, the Captain Bible and the Dome Of Darkness CD-ROM,and Barney and Richard Simmons in the flesh, you could still locate a book or two, which you’ll no doubt be glad to find at your local emporium in the coming year.
A brief sampling of some of the highlights of this year’s exposition:
Least Inviting Book Title:
The Definitive Fart Book (CCC Publications).
Most Eye-Catching New Book Title:(three-way tie)
In Search of Goodpussy: Living Without Love by Don Spears,
Satisfying the Black Man Sexually, by Dr.
Rosie Milligan (both from Partners Publishing Group), and
A Hand In The Bush: The Fine Art Of Vaginal Fisting (Greenery Press).
Crassest Greeting Card Concept:
State of Man’s congratulatory card featuring
a naked man with a hand on his shlong and the caption
“I’ve Got to Hand It to You.”
Least Appealing Book Advertising Slogan:
“Will You Drop Dead Before You Finish Reading This?”
advertising Silent Clots (Catacombs Press).
Least Illuminating Educational Toy:
The Teacher’s Discovery Dealer Sales’
presidential facts poster features the following entry for Gerald Ford-
“Pardoned Nixon, then moved country forward.”
Worst Board Game Concept (two-way tie):
“Bible Baffle” and “Charge It: TheCrazy Credit Card Game” (both from Talicor.)
Most Unappetizing Diet BookTitle:
Exceed The Feed Limit by Vicki Park (Peppertree Press)
Most Provocative Book Title:
Scratching the Woodchuck: Natureon An Amish Farm
by David Kline (University of Georgia Press).