Book lovers shouldn't have much trouble remembering the name of a new magazine devoted to books.

It's called Book, and the premier issue (October/November, $4.95) is now on newsstands.

Book isn't highbrow; rather it's accessible, brightly produced and geared toward people who are "passionate about books." It's produced by a New Jersey firm, West Egg Communications, headed by publisher Mark Gleason.

The first issue is heavy on author profiles. There's a piece on Tom Wolfe (who appears on the cover) that discusses expectations for his first novel in 11 years, November's "A Man in Full."

Other features include a harrowing excerpt from Nancy Venable Raine's "After Silence: Rape and My Journey Back"; a discussion by screenwriters who turn books into movies; an excursion to writer-friendly New Orleans; and a visit to Seattle's independent Elliott Bay Book Co. There are reviews of new books, including Philip Roth's and John Updike's forthcoming titles.

Book is bimonthly. The magazine's Web site is www.bookmagazine.com.

Pub Date: 10/12/98