How the ‘brainy’ book became a publishing phenomenon

These uncertain times have seen a renewed interest in serious nonfiction, as people try to make sense of an unstable world• The best ‘brainy’ books of the last 10 yearsThis is a story about a book that just kept selling, catching publishers, booksellers and even its author off guard. In seeking to understand the reasons for the book’s unusually protracted shelf life, we uncover important messages about our moment in history, about the still-vital place of reading in our culture, and about the changing face of publishing.The book is Sapiens, by the Israeli academic Yuval Noah Harari, published in the UK in September 2014. It’s a recondite work of evolutionary history charting the development of humankind through a scholarly examination of our ability to cooperate as a species. Sapiens sold well on publication, particularly when it came out in paperback in the summer of 2015. What’s remarkable about it, though, is that it’s still selling in vast numbers. In its first two and a half years of life, Sapiens sold just over 200,000 copies in the UK. Since 2017, when Harari published Homo Deus, his follow-up, Sapiens has sold a further half million copies, establishing itself firmly at the top of the bestseller lists (and convincingly outselling its sequel). Sapiens has become a publishing phenomenon and its wild success is symptomatic of a broader trend in our book-buying habits: a surge in the popularity of intelligent, challenging nonfiction, often books that are several years... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-07-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #changing face #bestseller lists #broader trend #book-buying habits

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‘Publishing these books is a risk’: Taiwan’s booksellers stand up for democracy

Detention of publisher Li Yanhe in China for ‘endangering national security’ has sent chills through island’s literary communityIn a bookstore near one of Taipei’s leading universities, Zeng Da-fu and his wife work quietly into the evening. Zeng has run this store for decades, tucked in a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-29 02:00:23 UTC ]
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Amazon Publishing’s World Book Day #ReadTheWorld Giveaway

The World Book Day promotion from Amazon Publishing this year offers international reads from several imprints and nine countries. The post Amazon Publishing’s World Book Day #ReadTheWorld Giveaway appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-25 16:30:04 UTC ]
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Fears grow for Taiwan book publisher believed held in China

Reported detention of Li Yanhe has echoes of 2015 disappearances of five Hong Kong booksellersConcerns are mounting for a Taiwan-based book publisher believed to have been detained in China, in a case that has echoed the disappearances in 2015 of five Hong Kong booksellers.Li Yanhe, also known... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-24 10:09:18 UTC ]
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London Book Fair: A ‘Journey of African Publishing’

Amid a digital transition in Africa, key publishing players at London Book Fair say they see more content coming from the continent. The post London Book Fair: A ‘Journey of African Publishing’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-19 05:57:21 UTC ]
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Emirates Publishers Association at London Book Fair: Seven Presses Ready for Rights Meetings

The Emirates Publishers Association's member presses have had 'hundreds of works translated into 27 languages,' says Rashid Al Kous. (Sponsored) The post Emirates Publishers Association at London Book Fair: Seven Presses Ready for Rights Meetings appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-14 12:55:15 UTC ]
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ComiXology Veterans David Steinberger and Chip Mosher Launch Comic Book Publishing Company

DSTLRY will focus on premium comics and collectibles with a resellable digital marketplace that "redefines" the creator-owned business structure. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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New Comic Book Publisher Sees Creators as Partners, and Stockholders

DSTLRY hopes to improve the treatment of creators in the industry by offering an opportunity to reap the benefits of their characters and content. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-04-13 16:26:24 UTC ]
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Arcadia Publishing Acquires Applewood Books

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-04 04:00:00 UTC ]
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In England: Children’s Book Publisher Peter Usborne Remembered

The founder of England's Usborne Publishing, Peter Usborne, is said to have died 'unexpectedly but peacefully,' surrounded by family. The post In England: Children’s Book Publisher Peter Usborne Remembered appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-03 17:12:06 UTC ]
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London Book Fair: International Publishers Association Events

The Geneva-based International Publishers Association is represented by speakers in a number of London Book Fair events. The post London Book Fair: International Publishers Association Events appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-03-31 19:43:11 UTC ]
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Book Publishing's Bilingual Boom

Bilingual families, dual-language classes, and libraries serving communities with a large number of Spanish speakers are driving demand for dual-language titles for young readers in the U.S. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-03-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Children’s books publisher Peter Usborne dies at 85

Publisher pays tribute to ‘genius’ who was an ‘inspirational leader’Peter Usborne, the founder of the children’s books publisher Usborne and the co-founder of Private Eye magazine, has died aged 85, the publisher has announced.He died “unexpectedly but peacefully” surrounded by his family this... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-03-30 18:46:40 UTC ]
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7 Newsletters That Will Help Get Your Book Published

For writers at every stage, the publishing industry can feel inaccessible. There are so many steps between drafting a book and seeing it out in the world. Especially for debut hopefuls, it’s more than a little intimidating: how do we know what we don’t know? Meanwhile, those who’ve already... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2023-03-24 11:00:00 UTC ]
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Trump to publish book of letters from Kim Jong-un, Oprah Winfrey and others

Letters to Trump will contain 150 private letters written over more than 40 years, including correspondence with North Korean leaderDonald Trump has not yet announced a deal to write a White House memoir but he will publish a second post-presidential book next month – reportedly including... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-03-09 12:58:59 UTC ]
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Women Now Publishing More Books Than Men — And It’s Helping Sales

According to data, women are now publishing more books than men are, and it's affecting the publishing world in a big way. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-03-07 17:36:00 UTC ]
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Regnery Publishing Buys ISI Books

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin to publish 'classic' Roald Dahl books after backlash

Publisher Penguin Random House says it will publish “classic” unexpurgated versions of Roald Dahl’s children’s novels, after criticism of cuts and rewrites intended to make the books suitable for modern readers Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2023-02-24 14:04:19 UTC ]
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Penguin to publish 'classic' Roald Dahl books after backlash

Publisher Penguin Random House says it will publish “classic” unexpurgated versions of Roald Dahl’s children’s novels, after criticism of cuts and rewrites intended to make the books suitable for modern readers Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2023-02-24 14:03:22 UTC ]
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Roald Dahl publisher announces unaltered 16-book ‘classics collection’

Series will be released alongside controversially amended versions to leave readers ‘free to choose which version they prefer’A collection of Roald Dahl’s books with unaltered text is to be published after a row over changes made to novels including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-02-24 13:26:39 UTC ]
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Bookshop.org to Sell E-books, Publish First Print Title

Andy Hunter, Bookshop.org CEO, told 'PW' that the online retailer is developing an e-book platform for indie bookstores from scratch, and will launch it in beta late this year. In addition, the company is publishing its first book, a collection by Lydia Davis, who did not want her book available... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
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