Cosy crime, cookbooks and a surprise hit: what we’ve really read in the pandemic

It was a chance to finally get around to Tolstoy or Proust, but the charts tell a different story. Which books did we actually turn to in the lockdowns? • Let us know in the comments what you were reading Back in spring 2020, when it became clear that coronavirus wasn’t going away, book lovers spied an opportunity for a rare, government-mandated reading holiday. Here, at last, was a chance to have a go at Tolstoy’s War and Peace and Proust’s In Search of Lost Time. Robert Macfarlane reported that he was working his way through the great Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh. Ali Smith urged readers towards Boccaccio’s Decameron. Diana Evans’s thoughts turned “heavenwards” by way of Homer’s Odyssey. I downloaded 27 hours of The Brothers Karamazov audiobook in anticipation.All lovely ideas. With 20 months of hindsight, however, which books did we actually end up turning to? The bestseller lists from the three different lockdowns may not tell you the contents of Britain’s soul, but then again, the numbers do not lie. We read: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Sophie Hinchliffe’s Mrs Hinch: The Little Book of Lists. Lots of David Walliams, who topped the Lockdown 1 and Lockdown 2 charts with Slime and Code Name Bananas respectively. JK Rowling: the first three Harry Potter books steadily rose up the charts through the pandemic. Joe Wicks. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. A Pinch of Nom, plus spin-offs. Sally Rooney’s Normal People. Reni Eddo-Lodge’s Why I’m No Longer... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2021-12-11 09:00:06 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "Cosy crime, cookbooks and a surprise hit: what we’ve really read in the pandemic"


The Morning After: Marvel is getting the 'Pokémon Go' treatment

I wasn’t sure Marvel could shoehorn its characters and stories anywhere else, beyond all the movies, TV shows, games and toys, but now it wants you thinking about those heroes wherever you go. It’s teamed up with Pokémon Go developer Niantic to create an augmented reality mobile game launching... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-09-12 11:15:39 UTC ]
More news stories like this


We Wrote a Book About Why Audible Won’t Sell Our Book...and Snuck It Onto Audible

In his new book with Rebecca Giblin, 'Chokepoint Capitalism,' Cory Doctorow explores how large companies have positioned themselves between consumers and creatives and with a new Kickstarter campaign once again takes aim at the world's dominant audiobook platform. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-09-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Book Riot’s Deals of the Day for September 1, 2022

Today's edition of Daily Deals is sponsored by the audiobook edition of Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney.`the audiobook edition of Daisy Darker by Alice... Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-09-01 14:38:14 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Book Riot’s Deals of the Day for August 28, 2022

Today’s edition of Daily Deals is sponsored by The It Girl by Ruth Ware, audiobook read by Imogen Church.`THE IT GIRL by Ruth Ware, audiobook read by Imogen Church`https://bit.ly/3JZja4D`https://bookriot.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/the-it-girl-audiobook-300x300.jpeg.optimal.jpeg` Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-08-28 10:30:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Poison pens: leading writers call for overhaul of UK’s Society of Authors

Literary world riven by conflict as trade union is accused of inappropriately taking sides in culture warIt is a literary row that threatens to consume the very organisation set up to protect authors’ rights. And, in spite of the involvement of three prominent names in children’s books, it has... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-08-21 09:00:05 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Morning After: The new gaming-subscription normal

PlayStation’s game-streaming scheme, at its top tier, is now competing directly with Xbox Game Pass, the service that proved the concept by earning 25 million-plus subscribers over the past five years. It’s now been over a month since PlayStation Plus Premium went live, offering similar cloud... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-08-15 11:15:56 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Quidditch is being renamed. But the sport will never lose its magic, say players

Three of the sport’s governing bodies recently announced that they’re officially changing the name to “quadball,” both out of trademark concerns and a desire to distance themselves from Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling in light of her... Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2022-08-13 08:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


'Hogwarts Legacy' is delayed until February 10th, 2023

Try as it might, Hogwarts Legacy developer Avalanche Software can't magically make its creation arrive any sooner. In fact, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has once again delayed the game, which at least now has a firm release date. It will hit PC, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-08-12 18:52:47 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Germany’s Bookwire Reorganizes Its Audiobook Approach

'Pooling our energies even more to focus on audio,' Bookwire announces a restructured unit for audiobooks and podcasting. The post Germany’s Bookwire Reorganizes Its Audiobook Approach appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-08-08 14:22:34 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Listen To Me: Start Your Audiobooks All Over Again

Ever tried this audiobook tip? Why it might be worthwhile to let yourself experience the vibes then revisit with more attention. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-07-29 10:36:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


From the Archive: July 30, 2007

Fifteen years ago, we reported on the publication of the final installment in J.K. Rowling’s megaselling Harry Potter series, which sold 8.3 million copies in the first day after its release. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Podium Audio Buys Bookstat

The digital publisher Podium Audio has acquired Bookstat, the data subscription service that tracks online book purchases in physical, e-book, and audiobook formats. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


That Voice You’re Hearing? It Might Be Julia Whelan.

Julia Whelan is one of the most in-demand audiobook narrators working today. With her novel, “Thank You for Listening,” she’s telling a story of her own. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-07-22 20:12:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this


10 New Full-Cast Audiobooks to Listen to for an Incredible Reading Experience

A full cast of narrators brings an audiobook to life in totally new and unexpected ways. Here are some of the latest you can't miss. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-07-21 10:36:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Quidditch is now quadball, distancing game from J.K. Rowling, league says

Quidditch, a sport invented by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, is rebranding as “quadball” amid controversy over the author’s comments. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-07-20 13:42:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Start with Mysteries, Thrillers, & True Crime If You’re New to Audiobooks

If you're new to audiobooks or unsure if they're for you, try a mystery, thriller, or true crime audiobook to get you started. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-07-20 10:32:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Book Riot’s YA Book Deals of the Day: July 16, 2022

The best YA book deals of the day, sponsored by the audiobook of Wake the Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne. `the audiobook of Wake the Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne`https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250855992/wakethebones?utm_source=BookRiot+Hey+YA!+Deals`` Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-07-16 10:30:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Best Places to Find Audiobook Narrator Jobs for Beginners

Finding audiobook narrator jobs for beginners can really be hard especially if you don’t know where to start. Here’s where to find them. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-07-13 10:37:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Macmillan Audio Releases Audiobook Version of Three Key Supreme Court Abortion Rulings

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s June 24 ruling on abortion, Macmillan Audio is publishing an audiobook edition of three key cases. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Audiobook Publisher RBmedia Makes Two Purchases

Audiobook publisher RBmedia has acquired the audiobook business of Upfront Books and the French company Éditions Thélème. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-07 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this