Around the Web: MJ Tees + NAACPs

Sex, gossip, and scandal are ingredients in another book, but this time, it’s fiction, and a New York Times bestseller. By Lauren Conrad. [via LimeLife]

For all those potty mouths out there—a new study reveals that cursing may actually be beneficial. F*** yes! [via Jezebel]

Designer Kobe Saki does his part to pay tribute to the King of Pop with these sweet tee shirts, less than $30 a pop. [via Fashion Bomb Daily]

Considering that “Brüno” is the highest grossing movie of the weekend, it’s got something going for it beyond Sacha Baron Cohen’s utter shamelessness. According to this reviewer, it’s an underappreciated piece of Swiftian satire. [via The Daily Beast]

It wasn’t all squeaky clean in the house with no toilets: a new autobiography by The Brady Bunch’s Maureen McCormick (“Marsha”), Here’s the Story, will soon be hitting the shelves. Whet your appetite with this list of scandalous Brady fact and fiction. [via The Frisky]

The NAACP turns 100! To honor one hundred years of breakthroughs in civil rights, Essence compiles a photo gallery with images that range from founder W.E.B. Du Bois to the city bus where Rosa Parks made her famous stand to the organization’s most recent president, Benjamin T. Jealous. [via Essence]

-- Allison Geller

Photo: Limelife

Lifestyle Gumbo: MJ's Expansive Book Collection + MJ Books Sells Quickly

Say what you will about Michael Jackson—the man was well read. Apparently he was not only an avid reader, but had amassed a collection of 10,000 volumes in his library at Neverland Ranch. [Via Seattle PI]

Perhaps it’s only appropriate, then, that a book commemorating the King of Pop’s more recent life and career is published more quickly than any other. Simon & Schuster Publishers has released today a 500,000-copy run of Ian Halperin’s Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson. The unauthorized biography was due to be released in honor of the 50th-anniversary comeback tour, but its publication date was rushed forward. [Via Canada.com]

Montreal publisher Pierre Turgeon says that in his many years in the book business he's never seen anything like the turnaround time of this biography. The publishers attribute the quick turnaround to their strong production team, efficient use of technology, and cooperation from suppliers. [Via Publisher's Weekly]

--Rachel Frier

Photo: Fan Pop

'We had him, beautiful, delighting our eyes': Maya Angelou Eulogizes Michael Jackson

Through his passion and creativity, Michael Jackson left an indelible imprint on many lives, as proved by the outpouring of appreciation during his memorial.

Poet Maya Angelou shared the sentiment of love and loss for a fellow artist and creator.

The following is the eulogy she wrote for the King of Pop, which was read by Queen Latifah.

Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing, now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind.

Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace. Sing our songs among the stars and walk our dances across the face of the moon.

In the instant that Michael is gone, we know nothing. No clocks can tell time. No oceans can rush our tides with the abrupt absence of our treasure.

Though we are many, each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone.

Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him.

He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance.

Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in mother love, family love, and survived and did more than that.

He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.

We had him, beautiful, delighting our eyes.

His hat, aslant over his brow, and took a pose on his toes for all of us.

And we laughed and stomped our feet for him.

We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing. He gave us all he had been given.

Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana's Black Star Square.

In Johannesburg and Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama, and Birmingham, England.

We are missing Michael.

But we do know we had him, and we are the world.

--Allison Geller

Photos: Fox News, Johngushue.blogspot.com

Around the Web: MJ's Influence + Horrible Summer Movies

Michael Jackson's life in pictures. Jackson’s impact on fashion and culture is yet another reason to appreciate the artist. [via Essence]

Maybe you can’t nail it to a tree, but Jell-O certainly serves a higher purpose with these creations, part of Brooklyn’s Jell-O mold competition. [via Lemondrop]

A peek at up and coming designers to watch, who come form all over the globe and mix ethnic and tribal elements with chic to create fresh looks. [via Clutch Magazine]

Another artist tragically dies: After being diagnosed with cancer just five days before, modern choreographer Pina Bausch passed away. Her disturbing and innovative works will not lost their impact and influence anytime soon. [via The Frisky]

As Transformers 2 floods the box office for no good reason, a list of the top ten worst summer blockbusters, complete with critics’ scathing one-liners. [via The Daily Beast]

The ban on funding for abortion, domestic partnering, and other social issues in D.C. may be lifted, due to a new appropriations bill introduced in the House of Representatives. [via Feministing]

--Allison Geller

Photo: Essence

Literary Links: Mijac in Paperback; Cursing in Kiddie Lit

In memory of a lost loved pop star: The R.I.P. Menagerie of Michael Jackson Book Covers. [via Inkwell Bookstore]

Looking for a book recommendation? Consider the source (and then check out BookSeer.com). [via Book Ninja]

Do the publishing industry’s low starting salaries limit the literature produced? Willing Davidson thinks so, and notes class division in the industry as well. [via Galleycat]

Jay Walker explains why billions of people are trying to learn English—“the world’s second language.” [via TED]

Allegations of plagiarism are old news… and new news, apparently. This time, Chris Anderson’s in the dog house. [via Smart Bitches]

Bella Pagan reviews the inaugural David Gemmell Legend Award for Fantasy. [via Orbit]

In an interesting twist on literary sales, the BBC poetry series leads to a sudden and unexpected spike in copies of poetry volumes--like Sylvia Plath. [via Galleycat]

Children's author Lenore Look discusses the difficulties of using appropriate cursing in children’s books. [via Bookslut]

E-reading is not without its drama and difficulty. Choosing a device, finding a power source, keeping the publishing industry on its feet—so much to fret about! [via Dear Author]

--Rachel Frier

Photos: Inkwell Bookstore, Cita en Hawaii