I fear books are going the way of vinyl records – a rarefied pursuit for hobbyists | Gaby Hinsliff

We’re increasingly getting our narrative fix from short videos. But, like snacking on junk food, it won’t nourish usSummertime, and the reading is easy. Or at least, it’s supposed to be. Holidays were made for sinking blissfully into a pile of books: for long, hot afternoons swinging in hammocks or basting on the sand, gleefully inhaling trashy beach reads or the Booker prize longlist. Finally, we have time to read, plus the urgent need to justify what is essentially two weeks of lying down by looking at least vaguely busy.Yet, by the pool this year, I saw a striking number of people scrolling on their phones instead, some with an unopened paperback lying forlornly by the sun lounger. Not for nothing, an author friend pointed out to me recently, did Instagram Stories get its name. Reels contain just enough of a miniature plot to satisfy the human need for narrative twists, even if they are only a few seconds long, while the most successful influencers have essentially turned themselves into fictionalised characters in their own long-running minor drama. But grazing on these bite-size stories is the literary equivalent of snacking on junk: just filling enough to put you off a proper novel-length meal, but somehow never quite satisfying, and leaving the addicted reader irritably craving more.Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnist Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2024-08-06 07:00:35 UTC ]
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Print Book Sales Plummet 27% Compared to Easter Week 2022

With Easter falling one week later than in 2022, unit sales or print books tumbled 27% last week. Sales in all categories were down. Year-to-date sales through April 15, 2023, were 1.9% behind the comparable period last year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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PEN Report Shows State Legislation ‘Supercharging’ Book Bans

“The heavy-handed tactics of state legislators are mandating book bans, plain and simple,” said Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America, in a release announcing the new report. “The numbers don’t lie, and they reveal a relentless crusade to constrict children’s freedom to read.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Selling Books, Planting Trees

With preorders and book-tour pledges, Sourcebooks authors are reaching readers while fundraising for the environment. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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At London Book Fair: Translation Markets’ Expansion, Challenges

'A major shift in English and American culture' toward translation is examined in a session at London Book Fair. The post At London Book Fair: Translation Markets’ Expansion, Challenges appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-20 02:16:29 UTC ]
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A Quick Disclaimer Before My Book Review Today…

A BookToker offers a quick disclaimer before a negative review to head off some anticipated complaints in the comments... Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-04-19 10:31:00 UTC ]
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Lydia Davis refuses to sell her next book on Amazon

The garlanded short story author will release her next collection solely in bookshops and select independent online outlets to coincide with Bookshop DayPrize-winning author Lydia Davis’ new collection of short stories will not be sold on Amazon, with the author saying she does not “believe... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-19 10:05:07 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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At London Book Fair: The International Booker Prize 2023 Shortlist

The International Booker Prize shortlist again this year is announced at London Book Fair. The post At London Book Fair: The International Booker Prize 2023 Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-19 03:27:08 UTC ]
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London Book Fair: New Data on UK Readers of Translated Fiction

The Booker Prize Foundation reveals a Nielsen study's data on consumers of translated fiction in the United Kingdom. The post London Book Fair: New Data on UK Readers of Translated Fiction appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-19 03:19:31 UTC ]
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For teens who like to write: Miami Book Fair is offering a virtual summer camp.

First of all, if you’re a teen who likes to write, keep at it, and don’t let anyone tell you different. (And if you’re the parent of a teen who likes to write, please encourage them.) With the above in mind, the Miami Book Fair is offering a virtual summer camp for teens who like […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-04-18 14:26:44 UTC ]
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As London Book Fair Opens: Authors Seed a ‘Tree to Me’ Campaign

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-18 05:42:45 UTC ]
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At London Book Fair Tuesday: Copyright Under Attack

Threats to copyright protections, publishing leaders at London Book Fair will say today, are as broadly international as the Internet. The post At London Book Fair Tuesday: Copyright Under Attack appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-18 04:30:37 UTC ]
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Sales Fell in First Quarter at Hachette Book Group

HBG CEO Michael Pietsch attributed the 11% decline to a strong first quarter in 2022, plus “a generally softer market, especially for hardcovers.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair 2023: Brian Murray, the Ukrainian First Lady, and a Shocking Arrest Start the Show

On Day One in London, HarperCollins CEO Brian Murray said the publisher may still try to buy Simon & Schuster, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zolenska addressed the fair over video, and the floor was aflutter over the arrest of the foreign rights manager at French publisher Éditions La Fabrique... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Matthew Gray Gubler to Wrap Up Children’s Program at U.S. Book Show

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-04-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair: Google Becomes a Client of MVB’s Metabooks

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-17 18:10:18 UTC ]
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This book club connects incarcerated fathers to the outside world.

When Ashley C. Ford showed up to the book club in March, she found an audience who had all read her 2021 bestseller, Somebody’s Daughter, and were primed for a lively discussion. “I gotta tell you, I’ve been to a lot of bookstores where they didn’t do that,” Ford laughs. The event took place... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-04-17 16:03:16 UTC ]
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Book Riot’s SFF Deals for April 17, 2023

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[ Book Riot | 2023-04-17 14:06:49 UTC ]
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UK publishing industry reports record-breaking year in 2022

There were 669m physical books sold in the UK last year, according to new figures from the Publishers AssociationThe UK publishing industry had a “record-breaking year” in 2022, with a total income of £6.9bn.A Year in Publishing, a look at the state of the book market by trade body the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-04-17 11:26:08 UTC ]
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London Book Fair and Literacy Trust Open Schools Program

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-04-17 09:05:27 UTC ]
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