Diary of a small town sensation: how the Wimpy Kid author built his dream bookshop

Growing up, Jeff Kinney discovered Tolkien, comics and computers at his local bookshop. When it closed he was bereft – would opening his own as an adult help to right that wrong?Author Jacqueline Woodson recently spoke about books being either mirrors or windows. Mirrors for seeing ourselves, and windows for seeing into other worlds. Growing up, I enjoyed both types of books, from the realistic contemporary fiction of Judy Blume to the epic fantasy of JRR Tolkien. I had access to books by these and every author in between courtesy of a bookstore a short drive from my house. I didn’t understand my privilege then, but I’ve come to understand it better over time.In the short time that it was open, I developed interests that would shape my career. I grew up at the advent of personal computing, and the books I read helped me along a path to becoming a programmer. I also developed a deep appreciation for comics, thanks to an expansive humour section at the bookstore. Those comic collections helped to prepare me for my dream career as a cartoonist. Had we not had a bookstore nearby during my formative years, I would have grown up to be a completely different person.We’ve had several romances develop from first dates in the cafe, and one couple is getting married this autumn Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2019-10-05 09:00:40 UTC ]
News tagged with: #local bookshop #judy blume #epic fantasy #formative years #bookstore

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Undisputed “World’s Greatest Author” finally lands Big 5 publishing deal.

Yes, it’s Tingle Time. One of my all-time favorite literary personalities, the greatest self-published author to ever live, Chuck Tingle, has signed a two-novel deal with Tor’s Nightfire imprint. Per the Publishers Marketplace announcement, the first book, Camp Damascus, is about “a group of... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-07-29 15:04:14 UTC ]
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“Swim Team: Small Waves, Big Changes” by Johnnie Christmas

Two picture books and a graphic novel treat swimming as an expansive state of being, slippery with promise. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-07-29 14:07:25 UTC ]
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Register Today for AAPI Communities in Conversation #8 Featuring James Yang, Author of 'A Boy Named Isamu'

Yang is set to appear in conversation with Karen Wang of the New York Public Library. The live stream is set for Tuesday, August 2 at 1 PM ET. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
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How do you organize your books? 9 authors share their favorite shelves.

Shelfies by Elin Hilderbrand, Diana Gabaldon, Garrett Graff, Vanessa Riley, Emma Straub, Hernan Diaz, Jennifer Weiner, Chris Bohjalian and Christopher Buckley Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-07-28 11:00:58 UTC ]
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Bestselling Author Stuart Woods Dead At 84

Woods was the author of more than 90 novels, many featuring the character of lawyer-investigator Stone Barrington. Continue reading at The Huffington Post

[ The Huffington Post | 2022-07-28 06:47:19 UTC ]
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Kids’ Comics Come Roaring Back at Comic-Con

While there were no big announcements, creators and publishers of middle-grade and YA graphic novels had a strong presence at the show and the recent surge in organized efforts at censorship was a major topic of panels and discussions. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-27 04:00:00 UTC ]
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U.S. Authors Dominate Booker Prize Nominees

Six of the 13 writers in contention for the prestigious British literary award are from the United States, with novelists from Britain, Ireland and Zimbabwe also on the list. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-07-26 14:51:57 UTC ]
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Diana Kennedy, cookbook author who promoted Mexican cuisine, dies at 99

In defense of authenticity, she influenced generations of chefs and deplored Americans’ fast-food experience of wan tacos and overseasoned enchiladas. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-07-24 17:44:03 UTC ]
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New and Forthcoming Books by Latinx Authors

This fall, publishers will deliver a bounty of new books on the diverse communities that make up the Latinx diaspora. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The best educational toys for kids

It’s tempting to get your kid every shiny new toy they ask for. But some toys are better than others when it comes to actually stimulating your child’s brain while also keeping them entertained. The parents on the Engadget staff know this well, and we’ve tried out a bunch of educational toys... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-07-20 13:30:09 UTC ]
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All the Cool Kids Are Watching Anime at the Cinema

Art house cinemas and a variety of arts institutions are increasingly treating anime as art, and screening series are proliferating—including one at the Japan Society in New York, which will show Hayao Miyazaki's 'Princess Mononoke' in 35mm film on July 22. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House put up billboards displaying the work of LGBTQ authors in Texas and Florida.

In the midst of a deluge of book bans across the country, Penguin Random House has erected billboards featuring quotes from books by LGBTQ authors in six cities—New York City, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, Miami and Austin. Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law and Texas’ anti-trans youth healthcare bills... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-07-19 14:46:40 UTC ]
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Giving Black women in pop music their due: Q&A with author of ‘Shine Bright’

Journalist and super fan Danyel Smith champions the role of Black women in pop music in “Shine Bright,” which combines memoir with music history. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2022-07-18 19:10:00 UTC ]
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ABA Holds Annual Meeting and Town Hall

For the third year running, the American Booksellers Association held its annual meeting and town hall virtually. More than 260 booksellers participated, and discussions ranged from free speech issues to consolidation within the industry. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-15 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Susie Steiner, author of stylish British crime thrillers, dies at 51

As a Guardian journalist, she helped popularize the “Keep Calm Carry On” poster. She later wrote bestselling novels about police detective Manon Bradshaw. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-07-15 00:29:15 UTC ]
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Publishing Gets the Reality Show Treatment with 'America’s Next Great Author'

The reality show format offers amateurs and unknowns a chance to display their latent talent and work with mentors to nurture it in a competition charged with tension. Could the format work for writers, too? Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Kwame Alexander to present new reality show America’s Next Great Author

Contestants will enter a writers’ retreat and be given 30 days to write a novel while completing ‘live-wire’ challenges Reality TV producers have exhausted singers, dancers, drag artists, potters, tailors, and beautiful young people hoping to find love. Now, it seems, the spotlight has fallen on... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-07-12 11:04:45 UTC ]
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Where the Crawdads Sing Author Wanted for Questioning in Murder

A televised 1990s killing in Zambia has striking similarities to Delia Owens’s best-selling book turned movie. Continue reading at The Atlantic

[ The Atlantic | 2022-07-11 18:53:00 UTC ]
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Authors for Abortion Access Launch Auction

The auction, running July 12–26, will benefit two grassroots abortion funds and includes donated items from Neil Gaiman, Chloe Gong, and V.E. Schwab. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-11 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Erika L. Sánchez Wishes More Authors Would Write About Money

“I grew up working class and money was a factor in everything we did,” says the poet and novelist, whose new book is the memoir “Crying in the Bathroom.” “That’s why I always write about the financial realities of my characters.” Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-07-07 09:00:11 UTC ]
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