Man Booker prize judge Colin Thubron has complained this week that star endorsements bully readers into admiring books, but it’s long been standard practiceSetting cats among pigeons has long been an unofficial part of the contract for judges of the Booker prize. Remember Chris Mullin’s insistence on “zip–along” novels, or, way back in 1992, AN Wilson’s condemnation of the prize itself as “essentially trivial”? This year’s flurry of fur and feathers was provoked by a tirade from Colin Thubron on celebrity endorsements. Some blurbs, said the veteran travel writer, “almost blackmail” readers into feeling that “you’re either intellectually or morally incompetent if you don’t love this book or you’ve failed if you haven’t understood it”. Some people, he felt, “seem to earn their living … saying: ‘This is the most profound book of our generation.’”Starting our Iris Murdoch bookclub with this '69 @PenguinUKBooks edition - you don't find blurbs like this any more! pic.twitter.com/P2XUvgtKAM Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2017-09-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Transworld Publishers has signed a deal for two more books by Unmumsy Mum author and blogger Sarah Turner. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Tyndale House is delaying the publication of a new title by former NewSpring pastor Perry Noble, who is undergoing treatment for alcohol abuse. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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S&S was incorrectly named in the original suit, but lawyers told PW that they are planning on filing suit against the book's current publisher, Wiley. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A book in honour of the sacrifice of Anzac soldiers has been named Margaret Mahy Book of the Year. Continue reading at Stuff
[ Stuff | 2016-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The country’s oldest African-American bookstore, 56-year-old Marcus Books, will have a location in San Francisco once more. The bookstore was evicted from its historic landmark building on Fillmore Street two years ago. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Theatre publisher Nick Hern Books is to publish a new book by actress Harriet Walter, which shares insights and advice gleaned from her experience of performing some of Shakespeare's most famous roles - both male and female. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Actress Isla Fisher talks to six-year-old Ottilie about writing her first children's book, dressing chickens and her favourite roles. Continue reading at BBC News
[ BBC News | 2016-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Neil Gaiman, Philip Pullman, Chris Riddell and Malorie Blackman are amongst more than 500 people who have signed an open letter calling for more children’s book coverage in newspapers. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The 2016 British Book Design and Production Awards finalists have been revealed, with publisher Penguin leading the nominations with six titles on the shortlist, followed closely by Pan Macmillan (five), with strong showings from The Folio Society (four titles), Frances Lincoln and Little Tiger... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As a growing number of readers in South Korea reportedly are rediscovering their authors' literature, industry players are upbeat about this year's book sales potential. The post Are South Korean Readers Rediscovering Their Literature? appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Helen Fielding is set to publish a new book in the Bridget Jones franchise in time for Christmas entitled Bridget Jones’s Baby: The Diaries. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Vintage imprint Chatto & Windus is publishing Judy Murray's memoir in summer 2017, offering a "fascinating insight into how champions are made". Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ebury Press is publishing a new book from YouTube "superstars" Dan Howell and Phil Lester, authors of bestselling debut The Amazing Book is Not on Fire. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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This week: Jacqueline Woodson's first adult novel in 20 years, plus a look at the microbes within us. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Abrams signs a new YA novel about an a cappella group at an elite boarding school; Bloomsbury picks up two poetry collections from English poet and rapper Kate Tempest; Berkley signs a seven-figure four-book deal with Catherine Anderson; and more in this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publisher Saqi Books has said it is saddened after a British Muslim NHS worker was detained after reading one of their titles on Syrian culture onboard a flight. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Masonic Charitable Foundation, a charity funded by the Freemasons, has awarded £40,000 to help organise tactile and audio-based "Touch to See" book clubs for older blind and partially-sighted people across the UK. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Simon & Schuster will publish Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine’s official campaign book, 'Stronger Together,' on September 6. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hodder & Stoughton is publishing two Great British Bake Off tie-in titles this autumn: Great British Bake Off: Perfect Cakes & Bakes to Make at Home, the official companion cookbook; and The Great British Bake Off Colouring Book. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Royal Society has revealed its six-strong shortlist for the Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize 2016, five of which are published by independent presses. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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