What turns a chimp book into a chump?

An ill-timed news story about a rampaging pet, just before that aforementioned book hits the shelves.

When chimp Travis took after that poor woman in Stamford, Conn., inciting a storm of news items discussing the danger of chimps in captivity, it would seem that he also mangled the chances for Me, Cheeta: My Life in Hollywood to attract much of an audience.

The book, which is not about Travis but another Hollywood- actor chimp, is being billed by its publisher Ecco as a "fictional memoir." Due out next month, it tells the story of real-life Cheeta, otherwise known as Jiggs, who starred in the MGM Tarzan films of the '30s and '40s, as well as movies such as Bedtime for Bonzo (with Ronald Reagan), and Doctor Dolittle (with Rex Harrison).

Now 76, according to press material, Cheeta is "retired and living in Palm Springs" where he paints and apparently dabbles in music. The publisher notes that his art is available online, and that he's planning to record a song soon to be available on iTunes. Cheeta's popularity, the press release adds, "is experiencing quite a revival."

Uh, perhaps that should be a was? Given all the talk about the danger of chimps, how long can that popularity last? I'm guessing about as long as it takes to slip on a banana peel.

The book features a large photo of Cheeta baring his yellowing teeth on the cover. He's probably smiling, but that isn't likely to stop potential readers from grimacing at the sight - and running for another cover.

Are you ready for Columbine books?

Recently, I reported that two new books about the Columbine shootings are due in April, the 10th anniversary of the event: Columbine, by Dave Cullen, and Columbine: A True Crime Story, by Rocky reporter Jeff Kass.

I wondered if Colorado readers were ready to revisit such an emotional story in nonfiction and asked for your e-mails on the subject. Today, I thought I'd offer a few reactions (edited for space), which seemed evenly split down the middle:

* "Not ready for these books . . . I worked with a man who lost his grandson in that gunfire; he had a heart attack shortly after. I don't think reopening these wounds is a good idea!" - Pat

* "My book club friends can't wait 'til the new Wally Lamb book The Hour I First Believed (a novel that includes a school shooting) comes out in paperback . . . I don't think I can even read that, let alone a nonfiction account. It is still seared into my brain. I now have my youngest in high school . . . and I just can't imagine the horror of wondering if your child made it out safely or not."- Pamela Eades

* "NO, no, no. I spent that day in a temporary building at Alameda High School . . . The security guard had come in and told me that there had been a "shooting incident" at Columbine. Helicopters were flying overhead and we heard nothing more . . . I will never forget the fear, the tears and the kids who were asking if they were safe . . .

"I hate to revisit that day of terror . . . Every time I hear about 'Columbine,' I shudder. It is still too fresh.

"It is still too fresh." - K . Thomasson

* "I just completed the book Nineteen Minutes (a novel about a school shooting) by Jodi Picoult . . . - difficult book but I couldn't put it down. This book obviously reminded me of the Columbine tragedy. I still get chills thinking about that day - one of my co-workers' son was one of the victims, and many of my co-workers and employees had children that attended Columbine . . .

"We ask ourselves why, why, why? And maybe the book will answer some of those questions."- Alma Rogers

* "I'd say probably yes, people are ready to read more about Columbine with the perspective of time. I will look at these books, mainly because one of them purportedly dismisses the idea that bullying contributed to the tragedy. There is a lot of evidence to the contrary." - Louise Benson