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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11 Books by Filipino American Authors You Should Be Reading

The first time I read a book about a person who even minorly resembled me, I was 19 and teaching at a creative writing summer camp. My coworker Sophie Lee’s YA novel What Things Mean tells the story of a young Filipina girl named Olive who uses reading to cope with feelings of loneliness and... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2022-05-06 11:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House, Authors Guild on Book Bannings

As book-bannings sweep the United States, two campaigns from the industry demonstrate different styles and tones of response. The post Penguin Random House, Authors Guild on Book Bannings appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-05-06 00:17:19 UTC ]
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Authors Condemn Forthcoming OUP Title

A book by Australian academic Dr. Holly Lawford-Smith, 'Gender-Critical Feminism,' has led a group of authors to mount a campaign criticizing Oxford University Press's decision to publish a title they say encourages anti-trans rhetoric. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-05-05 04:00:00 UTC ]
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An author investigates the disappearance of an early movie luminary

Louis Le Prince, arguably the creator of the first motion picture, disappeared in 1890. What happened? Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-27 11:00:43 UTC ]
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Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, ‘dean of Chicano authors,’ dies at 93

His wry, understated novels turned the Lower Rio Grande Valley into an almost mythic setting for explorations of family, history and cultural identity. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-23 13:17:20 UTC ]
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In ‘Deaf Utopia,’ Nyle DiMarco Dreams of Integrating the Deaf and Hearing Worlds

“Being Deaf assigned me a battle,” said the model, producer and now writer. His memoir braids his life, his family’s legacy and the history of Deaf rights. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-04-19 17:05:48 UTC ]
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Small Press Distributors Survive Through Transformation

Julie Schaper, a veteran of the small press distribution world, has seen it all—and lived to tell the tale. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-19 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Fulfill Your Bookish Dream Job: How to Become an Audiobook Narrator

Think you have what it takes to be an audiobook narrator? Follow these steps to get started on your narrator journey. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-04-18 10:39:00 UTC ]
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Dreaming of France? Two new mystery novels will feed your fantasies.

Martin Walker’s ‘Bruno’s Challenge’ and Cara Black’s ‘Murder at the Porte de Versailles’ should come with wine and cheese. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-16 12:00:00 UTC ]
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AAPI Communities in Conversation #4: Sheldon Simeon, author of 'Cook Real Hawai’i'

If you missed the livestream, check out the recording of Sheldon Simeon, author of 'Cook Real Hawai’i' in conversation with Michelle Young of the Waimea Public Library. And register today for the next discussion, featuring Jai Chakrabarti, author of 'A Play for the End of the World.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-15 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Place History: How an L.A. bookshop became the house bar of a literary golden age

L.A. transplant Stanley Rose's short-lived 1930s bookstore and boozy backroom became a literary haven for Chandler, Fante, Faulkner, West and many more. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-04-14 13:00:44 UTC ]
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Amazon is bringing mobile games to its Amazon Kids+ service

Amazon is bringing two mobile games to its subscription-based entertainment platform for children. Known as Amazon Kids+, the $2.99 per month service has served as sort of a one-stop shop for kid-friendly books, TV shows, movies, games and more. The first game, Super Spy Ryan is a multiplayer... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2022-04-14 13:00:13 UTC ]
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Authors and Booksellers Mobilize for Midterm Voters

Writers for Democratic Action, an organization of some 2,600 authors, is mobilizing its membership in a campaign called Book the Vote. WDA will facilitate nonpartisan voter registration for the 2022 midterm election, working with authors, bookstores, and libraries to educate voters about their... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Patricia MacLachlan, ‘Sarah, Plain and Tall’ Author, Dies at 84

A best-selling children’s book writer, she focused on family life and its difficulties, earning acclaim for her gentle, spare prose. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-04-12 18:33:17 UTC ]
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Jack Higgins, best-selling author of ‘The Eagle Has Landed,’ dies at 92

The British thriller writer's 85 books have sold more than a quarter of a billion copies. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-11 17:59:46 UTC ]
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Shelf Talkers: The Bookshop in East Nashville, Tennessee

Shelf Talkers is a new series at Lit Hub where booksellers from independent bookstores around the country share their favorite reads of the moment. Here are recommendations from the staff at The Bookshop, a store in East Nashville, Tennessee, founded in 2016. * Kyle Lucia Wu, Win Me Something... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-04-11 08:51:17 UTC ]
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Henry Patterson, author of The Eagle Has Landed, dies aged 92

The bestselling novelist wrote 85 books, mostly thrillers and spy stories, using the pseudonym Jack HigginsHenry Patterson, the bestselling novelist who wrote the The Eagle Has Landed, has died aged 92.The writer died at his home in Jersey surrounded by his family, his publisher HarperCollins... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-04-09 20:18:44 UTC ]
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At London Book Fair: A Look at Translator-Author Relations

In London Book Fair's Literary Translation Center, one session was about how author-translator relationships aren't always easy. The post At London Book Fair: A Look at Translator-Author Relations appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-04-07 20:28:50 UTC ]
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Beloved Children’s Author Patricia MacLachlan Has Died at 84

Patricia MacLachlan, author of beloved children's literature including Sarah, Plain and Tall, died on March 31. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-04-06 10:54:45 UTC ]
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Colin Kaepernick talks about his new venture: Children’s book author

The activist-quarterback discusses the defining moment that sparked his new children’s book, ‘I Color Myself Different.' Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-06 09:00:00 UTC ]
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