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 ]
As the fictional anniversary of a 'Harry Potter' battle was celebrated, Rowling took to social media to apologize to fans for killing off a beloved character. More may be coming. 'I thought I might apologise for one death per anniversary,' the author wrote. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-05-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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British scientists say their research confirms that emotion-charged passages in 'Harry Potter' books have significant impact on the brains of readers. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-04-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'You will fail,' says 'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling, talking about her new book 'Very Good Lives.' 'That's inevitable. It's what you do with it.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Surge in popularity of genre attributed to ‘anti-stress’ benefits and nostalgiaThe bestselling title on Amazon in the US right now is not Harper Lee’s hugely anticipated second novel, Go Set a Watchman, or George RR Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series, or even Zoella’s much-mocked but... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-04-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Yes' was released almost six months ago but it's still holding steady on multiple bestseller lists. Poehler starred on the NBC sitcom 'Parks and Recreation' as well as 'Saturday Night Live' and films such as 'Anchorman 2' and 'The Secret World of Arrietty.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-04-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New titles dominated the top spots on bestseller lists across international markets last month. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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When a fan questioned Rowling's statement that she envisioned 'Harry Potter' character Dumbledore as gay, the author replied that 'gay people just look like ... people.' 'Amazing answer,' the fan replied. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A busy publication schedule drove change across all the major Bookseller charts last week, with titles from James Patterson, David Walliams, Jeffrey Archer and Helen MacDonald all chalking up number ones in their first week of sale. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Bibliography,' which will be released in the US in April, includes details about alternate titles considered and also tells readers which 'Harry Potter' book Rowling got 'sick' of reading after many edits. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-03-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Tidying Up,' which gives readers a one-time solution to de-cluttering their home, has been a mainstay on bestseller lists since its publication. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Tidying Up,' which gives readers a one-time solution to de-cluttering their home, has been a mainstay on bestseller lists since its publication. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Books by Sophie McKenzie, David Walliams and Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers were today (21st February) announced as winners at the Red House Children’s Book Award 2015. Walliams’ Demon Dentist (HarperCollins Children’s Books) won the Books for Young Feaders category, while Split Second by... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'ABLES' is appearing on Barnes & Noble and Amazon bestseller lists already but isn't being published until May. It follows teenager Phillip, who attends a school for those with special powers. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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After becoming one of the press' s biggest sellers to date, Andrew Maraniss’s 'Strong Inside' has become the first title from the press to hit two 'New York Times' bestseller lists. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-02-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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To celebrate Harry Potter Book Night we have a mesmerising insight into how Jonny Duddle created new Harry Potter covers for JK Rowling’s beloved series. So feast your eyes and enjoy these process animationsPlus win a complete set of the newly illustrated Harry Potter books in hardback – find... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The novelist Robert Harris was right to call the BBC’s lack of a books show a ‘disgrace’. There’s plenty the corporation could do to make a popular literary programme on TVWith injury, there is always a little insult. When a BBC spokesperson, responding to Robert Harris’s complaints at the Costa... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Light' came out months ago but is holding its own on bestseller lists among newer releases such as 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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If you're the sort of Harry Potter fan who can't help but read the series again and again, Oyster has a treat in store. The all-you-can-read subscription service has teamed up with Pottermore to carry all of the Harry Potter books, including the Hogw... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2015-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bloomsbury has launched a competition for schools to win a workshop with Harry Potter jacket illustrator Jonny Duddle as part of Harry Potter Book Night, which will take place on the 5th February. To win the workshop, pupils must design a new "chocolate frog" card. The cards, which feature... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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David Walliams will mark World Book Day (5th March) by touring the UK’s primary schools in a helicopter. Primary schools can compete to take part in the #WalliamsWhirlwind tour by registering on the author’s website, explaining in fifty words why they should receive a visit. The competition is... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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