Heloise Wood, deputy news editor at The Bookseller, highlights 'The Skull' by Jon Klassen as a recommended spooky book for Halloween. The story follows a girl named Otilla who befriends a talking skull in a forest, featuring classic children's book elements like a ballroom scene, a tea-drinking scene, and a headless skeleton haunting.

Waterstones is set to open two new bookshops in south London, specifically in Streatham and Lewisham, by Christmas. The Streatham store is expected to open by mid-November, while the Lewisham store will be ready by early December. This expansion follows the recent reopening of Waterstones at John Lewis on Oxford Street after an eight-year hiatus. The managers of the new stores express enthusiasm about becoming part of their respective communities and fostering a love for reading.

Maria Bedford has been appointed as the new editorial director at Scribe UK, transitioning from her previous role at Penguin Press. Bedford is set to focus on acquiring non-fiction works. Scribe's founder, Henry Rosenbloom, expressed enthusiasm about Bedford's appointment, viewing it as a pivotal step in the company's growth. Additionally, Scribe announced internal promotions for Laura Ali and Nicola Garrison, reflecting ongoing organizational development.

Jonathan Cape, an imprint of Penguin Random House, has acquired the rights to publish 'Cry When the Baby Cries' by Becky Barnicoat, an illustrated book offering a humorous take on parenting. The book, inspired by a viral piece in The New Yorker, is set to be published in March 2025. Barnicoat, known for her work in various publications, aims to provide a relatable and honest portrayal of early parenthood without offering traditional advice. The acquisition highlights the book's potential appeal to parents seeking solidarity and humor in their parenting journey.

HarperCollins has secured world all-language rights for 'More Than Just a Dog' by Simon Wooler, a renowned dog trainer known for working with Sophie from Romania. The book, set to release in February 2025, aims to provide insights into dog behavior and training. HarperNonFiction's Ajda Vucicevic expressed excitement about the publication, highlighting its value for dog owners. Wooler, with over a decade of experience, emphasizes making dog behavior principles accessible. His work with Sophie, a Romanian rescue dog, has garnered significant attention, showcasing his expertise in training fearful dogs.

Penguin Random House (PRH) has updated its copyright wording to prevent its books from being used to train AI models, a move welcomed by industry bodies like the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society and the Society of Authors. This change comes amid growing concerns over AI's use of copyrighted material without consent. PRH is the first major publisher to make such amendments, reflecting the industry's need to protect intellectual property in the face of AI advancements. Legal experts emphasize the importance of controlling AI training actions to safeguard authors' rights and revenue.

London-focused housebuilder Galliard reported a pre-tax loss of £12.8m for the year to March 2023, down from a £4.6m profit in the previous year, with turnover decreasing by 18% to £167m. The loss was attributed to nearly £24m of exceptional items, including a provision for building safety work expected over the next eight years. Executive Chairman Stephen Conway emphasized Galliard's commitment to ensuring leaseholders are not held responsible for remediation costs. The accounts also disclosed a £39.6m provision for building safety, onerous leases, and a HMRC matter, as well as a £6.6m payment to an outgoing director, believed to be former CEO Don O’Sullivan. Conway cited lower construction activity, fewer completions, inflation, and the war in Ukraine as factors affecting turnover. Galliard, along with City Developments Limited, recently acquired the Morden Wharf development from LandsecU+I and Morden College charity.

Eight UK housebuilders, including Barratt, Taylor Wimpey, and Persimmon, are under investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority for alleged anti-competitive behavior. If found guilty, they could face fines totaling £2.5bn. The CMA is probing whether these firms shared sensitive information to influence new home prices and build-out rates. While the CMA can fine up to 10% of annual global turnover, it is noted that they rarely impose the maximum. The companies have varying potential fines based on their turnover, with Barratt facing the highest at £532m. Responses from Bloor Homes and Taylor Wimpey indicate cooperation with the investigation, while others declined to comment or have not yet responded.

A joint venture between Vinci and Sir Robert McAlpine, Integrated Health Projects, has been appointed by The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust as the design and construction partner for renovations at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. The project includes a new emergency department in Shrewsbury and is valued at £312m, with work beginning at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital later this month and expected to span several years.

Savills has appointed Maxine Loftus and Julian Paine as directors in its affordable housing consultancy. Loftus joins from the Regulator of Social Housing, where she was director of regulatory operations, while Paine transitions from an associate consultant role at Savills. Both will work in the governance, risk, and regulation team led by Kelsey Walker, focusing on helping clients navigate significant developments in their organizations.