gistfile1.txt

When I try to run this:

sudo heroku db:push mysql://root:pass@localhost/booksale

I get this:

Taps 0.3 Load Error: no such file to load -- taps/operation
You may need to install or update the taps gem to use db commands.
On most systems this will be:

sudo gem install taps

taps has definitely been installed properly, when I run gem list I get this at the end of the list:

taps (0.3.11)

There are absolutely no Google results for that error.

don't do sudo heroku db:push, simply

heroku db:push mysql://root:pass@localhost/booksale

should work

Nope, same problem.

I was trying sudo because of this post: http://tetrisrockstar.com/new-app-kana-recognition-practice

Are you using rvm or some other method to manage your gems? that could be interfering with it

Nope, just the gem command.

try filing a support ticket @ support.heroku.com

...any news?

Yes! I was using an old version of the Heroku gem.
Hope that helps people.