As publishers vie to persuade us to pack their titles for the holidays, we chart the evolution of the ’beach read’Summer reads, beach reads, holiday reads … at this time of year, the publishing world works itself into a sweat trying to force its novels into our carry-on luggage, or over the ether on to our Kindles. There are more books sold in the summer than during any other season: the well-established publishing calendar tends to see hardbacks released in the autumn to be given as gifts at Christmas, then repackaged as paperbacks in late spring. As Donna Harrington-Lueker sets out in her history of the beach read, Books for Idle Hours, the summer publishing rush is at least a century old, and has typically aimed “airy and froth-like” books on “young ladies” (the quote is from an 1888 work on summer books by Arlo Bates). The summer fiction market is changing, though, with more and more “serious”, “literary” novels showing up where once there were only thrillers and crime novels, bonkbusters and romances. So it is that Normal People by Sally Rooney is currently piled high on the tables of WH Smith’s Travel alongside Lee Child, Jodi Picoult and Bernard Cornwell.I’m aware of how contentious and porous discussions of genre can be. Generic labels, though, are the terms that booksellers and publishers think in and for literary novels, the chances of summer success are still relatively slim. Tom Tivnan, managing editor of the Bookseller, points to Nielsen BookScan data that... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2019-07-14 07:00:23 UTC ]
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As part of its summer programming, the New York Public Library is giving away 500,000 free books to kids and teens this summer! Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-06-10 15:19:28 UTC ]
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Did you know that J.P. Morgan releases a summer reading list every year? (I didn’t, and I’m the person who does these.) Last week, the bank (??) announced its 23rd annual (??) summer reading list, which “invit[es] readers worldwide to explore the adventures, discoveries and new ideas that... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2022-06-02 14:46:06 UTC ]
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Ann Leary‘s thrilling novel was inspired by the early 20th-century incarceration of “feebleminded” women. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2022-06-02 13:54:15 UTC ]
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For some reason, whenever I sit down to make this list of paperbacks coming out this month, Justin Timberlake’s 2006 hit always gets stuck in my head: We’re bringing paperback (yeah). * Zakiya Dalila Harris, The Other Black Girl (Atria, June 7) “The Other Black Girl is about many... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2022-06-01 13:30:03 UTC ]
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These June children’s book releases are some of the best yet, with Japanese dragons, asthmatic protagonists, Black girl magic, and more, like The Lost Ryū by Emi Watanabe Cohen. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-06-01 10:38:00 UTC ]
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Bethanne Patrick's June highlights include Tom Perrotta's 'Election' sequel, essential new war histories and a fresh look at females of all species. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-05-31 14:00:49 UTC ]
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These novels remind us that people have made horrible mistakes since the beginning of time. (They also contain love, joy and triumph!) Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2022-05-27 20:30:21 UTC ]
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Rethinking old myths and accepted narratives comes with risks, but the results can be thrilling. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2022-05-27 20:30:15 UTC ]
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No disrespect meant to the downers of the literary world, but sometimes you just want a book that makes you smile. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2022-05-26 13:30:15 UTC ]
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A book for “White Lotus” fans, a coming-of-age story in the Canary Islands, Werner Herzog’s debut novel (yes, it’s grim) and more. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2022-05-21 09:00:17 UTC ]
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Twist and shout: Get ready to treat yourself and mix it up with these 20 must-read genre-blending historical fiction books, including Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin! Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-05-12 10:40:00 UTC ]
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Jason Mayden’s new book breaks down design so simply that a child can get it, so your C-suite stands a chance, too. Jason Mayden has lived many lives. Starting as Nike’s first Black industrial design intern, he went on to become lead designer of the Jordan brand, launch his own children’s shoe... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2022-05-09 08:00:37 UTC ]
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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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Amazon might be feeling the competition in the e-reader market for the first time since…well, ever. Kindle e-readers use their own proprietary Amazon format to display e-books, AZW3, which keeps most users from loading up a bunch of copyright-free books in the most common ePub format. But... Continue reading at PC World
[ PC World | 2022-05-03 17:38:37 UTC ]
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May is Mental Health Awareness Day. Recognize it by picking up some of these nonfiction and fiction titles about living with mental illness, including Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-05-03 10:36:00 UTC ]
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From cats in space to pride parades and summer fun, there are so many good May children's book releases. Check them out! Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-05-03 10:32:00 UTC ]
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Bethanne Patrick's May highlights include new fiction by John Waters, Chris Bohjalian and Emma Straub, fresh David Sedaris, breakout poetry and more. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-05-02 13:00:40 UTC ]
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When learning about the Holocaust, it's important to center Jewish voices and books that don't shy away from the brutal realities of it. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-04-28 10:35:00 UTC ]
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The publishing jamboree was finally back after a two year break with clues of what we can expect in bookshops once all the deals are signedAfter two years off because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the London book fair, one of the biggest international literary events, returned in full force last... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2022-04-13 12:56:37 UTC ]
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April children's book releases feature new books by award winning authors like Kyle Lukoff and Dan Santat as well as fantastic debuts. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2022-04-08 10:32:00 UTC ]
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