Mexican’s Harry Potter collection is world’s biggest

Also, debut fiction writer wins Bingham Prize and Weeds actress Mary-Louise Parker writing memoir.

Menahem Asher Silva Vargas has made the Guinness World Record for having the largest collection of Harry Potter memorabilia. Rebecca Blackwell / AP Photo

A Mexico City man is in Hogwarts heaven after his collection of 3,097 pieces of Harry Potter paraphernalia was named the world's largest this week by Guinness World Records. Menahem Asher Silva Vargas has spent nearly 15 years hoarding memorabilia related to the British author J K Rowling's young-adult wizard-fantasy series, which spawned eight blockbuster films. Silva Vargas's collection, which surpasses the old record mark of 807, fills two rooms and includes everything from magic wands to replica Quidditch brooms. He says that, over time, his obsession has proved to be a blessing and a curse: "My salary, my bonuses ... it all ended up here."

Debut fiction writer wins Bingham Prize

The author of the story collection Godforsaken Idaho has won a US$25,000 (Dh92,000) prize. Shawn Vestal is the winner of the PEN/Robert W Bingham Prize for debut fiction. In their citation, PEN judges praised Vestal for his blend of genres, from fantasy to historical fiction, and his ability to bring new energy to "the well-trodden arena of the hapless male". Vestal is an Idaho native and a columnist for The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington state. He also has written a short memoir titled AKA Charles Abbott.

Weeds actress Mary-Louise Parker writing memoir

Mary-Louise Parker, the award-winning star of Weeds, is writing a book about the "significant men in her life". The book is called Dear Mr. You, and the American publisher Scribner announced this week that it is scheduled for release next autumn. The 50-year-old Parker will tell her story through a series of letters. Her boyfriends have included the actors Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Billy Crudup and the singer Charlie Mars.

Nathan Lane writing picture book about his dog

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers announced this week that Nathan Lane, the Broadway actor known for his starring role in The Producers, has a deal for a picture book titled Naughty Mabel. Scheduled for next autumn, the book will be illustrated by Dan Krall. The star, who is writing the book with his partner, Devlin Elliott, said they had been inspired by their overindulged, well-groomed French bulldog, known to her owners as "the queen of the Hamptons". The book is the first of a planned series.