A gift from James Patterson, and more

A gift from James Patterson

Best-selling thriller writer James Patterson has pledged to give $1 million to struggling independent bookstores. The novelist, whose Alex Cross detective series and other books have sold 280 million copies worldwide, says he will hand out money to “viable” bookstores, with the proviso that they contain a children’s section. The rise of e-books has led to closures of independent bookstores where many children learn the joy of reading, he said, adding, “This is not a good thing.” Patterson said he would pay some of the money directly to worthy booksellers “who haven’t had a bonus in seven years.”

Best buddies, Bubbles and Bella

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Dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend, but a black Labrador has become the inseparable pal of an elephant living in a Myrtle Beach, S.C., safari park. The 32-year-old pachyderm Bubbles has formed a bond with Bella, a 6-year-old dog abandoned at the preserve by a contractor hired to build a pool there. Bubbles has learned to throw a ball for her canine chum, who races to retrieve it. The two also swim together, with Bella diving from the elephant’s head. “Bella is just a happy-go-lucky dog,” said a park employee.

Fat couple sheds the pounds

A husband and wife from Jefferson City, Tenn., have lost a combined 524 pounds in less than two years through dieting and exercise. Justin and Lauren Shelton weighed over 450 pounds and 300 pounds, respectively, at their 2008 wedding. But when Justin, 27, was hospitalized in January 2012, he was too big for treatment, prompting the couple to finally tackle their chronic overeating and sedentary lifestyle. The challenge brought the couple closer, said Lauren, 26. “It really strengthens you when you’ve got something hard ahead of you and you do it together.”