Book Trib recently ran a photo taken from US Weekly and People Magazine of Lindsay Lohan carrying a book called Toxic Friends by Susan Shapiro Barash. I am always fascinated to see what the celebrities are reading. I have posted about celebrities and their book choices many times before on this site and it is something I am endlessly interested in.

Star Jones could be getting her revenge on Barbara Walters by penning a fictional book about female hosts of a daytime talk show. Page Six has learned that Simon & Schuster imprint Gallery Books will publish Jones’ novel about a TV show, “The Lunch Club,” whose hosts “learn that a former colleague — who departed under mysterious circumstances, and is privy to all their backstage secrets — is coming back with a splash.” Jones was pushed off “The View” by Walters in 2006 and famously said her co-hosts “were hateful.” She now says of her TV career, “I’ve met some of the most fascinating people, heard the most surprising situations, and been privy to so many great stories and secrets. But while this novel will be dishy, it will be a work of fiction.” But an insider said, “There will be tales in the book which will leave readers wondering if they are based on real events and characters. It’s being carefully vetted by lawyers.”

As I was doing my typical search through Oprah’s new website, I stumbled upon a post entitled, “Ask Elizabeth.” The photograph appeared to be of Elizabeth Berkley, also known around the world as Jessie Spano from the immensely popular 80’s sitcom Saved by the Bell, surrounded by teenage girls. I immediately wondered if anyone else knew that Elizabeth Berkley became the “teen whisperer?” Well, wouldn’t you know it, one day later it is announced that Elizabeth Berkley is writing a self-help book for teens!

According to the Huffington Post, G.P. Putnam’s Sons for Young Readers announced today that they will be releasing Ms. Berkley’s book next spring.

Ashley Judd is releasing her memoir in spring 2011 from Ballantine.

Her memoir will recall both painful childhood memories and Judd’s humanitarian work as a global ambassador for PSI (Population Services International)/Youth AIDS. The book’s foreword will be written by the New York Times columnists: Nicholas Kristof, co-author of Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.

In a press release, Judd commented: “I hope that this book will be a call to action as well as a memoir. . . By sharing my own story along with those of the beautiful and resilient people I’ve met in the most desperate places, I want to show how the change we seek in the world must start within us.”

As we reported earlier, Judd is also in talks to star in the film version of Adriana Trigiani’s wildly popular Big Stone Gap series. Judd is also working toward a Mid-Career MPA at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. This is certainly one busy (and talented!) woman.

You know we love it when we see celebrities reading! (or at least carrying around a book!)

Any guesses as to what title Eva Longoria is reading? It appears to have a best friend locket on the back and I think it is by Harper. Let’s help uncover this mystery!

UPDATE: Thanks to the FABULOUS BookingMama for being such an intrepid detective! It is FRIEND OR FRENEMY by Andrea Lavinthal and Jessica Rozler.

Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon

It has been reported that Jennifer Aniston has not only snapped up the film rights to Jane Fallon’s GETTING RID OF MATTHEW but she’s taking on the lead role, as well.

Publisher’s Weekly Review:

British TV producer Jane Fallon takes careful what you wish for to hilarious heights in her debut novel, a comedy of errors triggered by a mistress who discovers thrice-weekly hookups with her married lover are better than a 24/7 relationship with him. Helen, office staffer at a public relations firm catering to desperate D-list celebrities, is fast approaching her 40th birthday with little chance of swimming out of the secretary pool or snagging a full-time commitment from Matthew, her middle-aged lover and relay relationshipper. When Matthew abruptly leaves wife Sophie and preteen daughters Suzanne and Claudia to move in with Helen, she’s not sure it’s the happy ending she prefers. Thus begins a head-spinning ruse to convince Matthew to go back home and to persuade Sophie and her scene-stealing pair of potty-mouthed children to take him back: Helen invents a new persona, hard-charging PR whiz Eleanor, who befriends Sophie and gives her advice to repair her shattered marriage. The scheme gets more elaborate when Helen/Eleanor falls for Matthew’s estranged eldest son. This delightfully fizzy chick lit caper goes disappointingly flat before the finish, but the surprising and rewarding treat is a bright, grown-up story of two women who discover friendship and trust in one another.

Read more about the book, the film news and the author here.

Tori Spelling

Tori Spelling is in the process of writing her second book. This one will be about motherhood and is tentatively titled, MOMMYWOOD. Read about it on Tori’s site and here.

Here are a few of the highlights:

Jackie Collins has a new book coming out MARRIED LOVERS.

James Patterson was walking the floor and signing copies of DANIEL X.

Mario Lopez signed copies of KNOCKOUT FITNESS

Alec Baldwin signed sample copies of his book on divorce and raising children. Very funny, nice and charming, not at all intimidating.

Brooke Shields signed her children’s book.
Julie Buxbaum was a delight! Signed copies of The Opposite of Love.