The Observer's books of the year

From new voices like NoViolet Bulawayo to rediscovered old voices like James Salter, from Dave Eggers's satire to David Thomson's history of film, writers, Observer critics and others pick their favourite reads of 2013. And they tell us what they hope to find under the tree …Curtis SittenfeldNovelistMy favourite books of 2013 are Drama High (Riverhead) by Michael Sokolove, Sea Creatures (Turnaround) by Susanna Daniel, and & Sons (Harper Collins) by David Gilbert. Drama High is incredibly smart, moving non-fiction about an American drama teacher who for four decades coaxed sophisticated and nuanced theatrical performances out of teenage students who weren't privileged or otherwise remarkable and in so doing, changed their conceptions of what they could do with their lives. Sea Creatures is a gripping, beautifully written novel about the mother of a selectively mute three-year-old boy; when she takes a job ferrying supplies to a hermit off the coast of Florida, her world is upended. & Sons is a fabulously clever, warm-hearted novel about fathers, sons, literature, art, lust, envy, fraudulence, and Manhattan.As for a book I'd love to be given, Mohsin Hamid has recently been writing wonderful columns for the New York Times that make me curious about his novels. If Santa's reading this, I believe I'll start with How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia (Hamish Hamilton).Hilary MantelNovelistTime to recall the more energising parts of the year's reading: Kate Atkinson's... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2013-11-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Elliott Bay Book Co. Celebrates 50 Years in Seattle

Known for its soaring rafters and walls of staff picks on every flavor, Seattle’s Elliott Bay turned 50 years old this June—just a year after an ownership change. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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March StatShot: US Book Industry Up 3.2 Percent Year-to-Date

The AAP StatShot figures for March 2023 arrive with trade revenues up 0.2 percent for the month of March, 1.1 percent year-to-date. The post March StatShot: US Book Industry Up 3.2 Percent Year-to-Date appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-06-09 16:06:34 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble’s ‘Best Books of the Year So Far’ List Is Here, and It’s Got Something For Everyone

Barnes & Noble just released their "Best Books of the Year (So Far)", and the list is full of surprises. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-06-05 11:00:00 UTC ]
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U.S. Book Show 2023: Midtown Scholar, Emily Bates Named PW Bookstore, Rep of the Year

In a virtual awards show, 'PW' editorial director Jim Milliot named Midtown Scholar in Harrisburg, Pa., the Bookstore of the Year and PRH's Emily Bates the Sales Rep of the Year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
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2022 Print Book Sales in 10 Major Markets Were Flat Compared to Previous Year

A Nielsen report finds that sales of print books in 10 countries totaled 614 million copies last year, level with 2021 sales. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-05 04:00:00 UTC ]
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We Go Way Back: 25 of the Best Historical Fiction Books of the Past 10 Years

Take a trip back in time without leaving your seat with 25 of the best historical fiction books of the past 10 years! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-02-21 11:34:00 UTC ]
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Book Publishers Face a Challenging Year Ahead

Following a down year for print book sales, NPD Group's publishing industry analyst, Kristen McLean, predicts that 2023 will be a year of transition for the publishing industry. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-01-27 05:00:00 UTC ]
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New Year, New You: Major Book Biz Job Changes This Week

A series of notable position changes in the industry this week at Anime NYC, Chicago Distribution Center, Henry Holt, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-01-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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100 years of Stan Lee: how the comic book king challenged prejudice

Stan Lee deserves his place in the pantheon of great pop culture architects, but his Marvel characters did more than just entertain – they actively fought against prejudice. Continue reading at The Conversation

[ The Conversation | 2022-12-27 09:02:59 UTC ]
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The Pantone Color of the Year 2023, Book Cover Edition

Pantone's Color of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta, and we've got a roundup of books fit for celebrating the new color. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-12-16 11:38:00 UTC ]
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'The Lost Year': A Book Re-Shaped by Current Events

Contemporary global crises affected the writing and production of Katherine Marsh's newest middle-grade novel, inspired by her Ukrainian family history, in unexpected ways. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-06 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Chris Miller’s ‘Chip War’ Wins the 2022 FT Book of the Year Award

A timely selection, Chris Williams' 'Chip War' from Simon & Schuster wins the £30,000 FT Book of the Year Award in London. The post Chris Miller’s ‘Chip War’ Wins the 2022 FT Book of the Year Award appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-12-06 04:55:26 UTC ]
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Livres Canada Books: 50 Years Supporting Canadian Publishing

From book fair stands to support for diversity and accessibility, Livres Canada Books is celebrating 50 years of key support for the Canadian book industry. (Sponsored) The post Livres Canada Books: 50 Years Supporting Canadian Publishing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-11-15 15:02:21 UTC ]
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This is the Best Book of the Year, According to Barnes and Noble Booksellers

In addition to their top book of the year, Barnes and Noble booksellers also selected a winner for a new award for speculative fiction. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-11-11 15:00:02 UTC ]
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She’s 80 Years Old, She’s Furious, and She Just Published Her First Book

Jane Campbell on why more angry, sexy old ladies is exactly what the publishing industry needs. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2022-10-15 09:50:00 UTC ]
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Book Excerpt: ‘The Passenger,’ Cormac McCarthy’s First Novel in 16 Years

A passage from Cormac McCarthy’s first novel since his Pulitzer Prize-winning 2006 book “The Road.” Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-10-14 12:10:42 UTC ]
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Padma Lakshmi will host this year’s National Book Awards.

Big news for the (in my experience, huge) Venn diagram center of book lovers and Top Chef fans: Padma Lakshmi will host this year’s National Book Awards. Lakshmi is the bestselling author of multiple cookbooks as well as a children’s book and a memoir, and host of Top Chef (AKA the show that... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-10-11 15:50:31 UTC ]
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Financial Times Announces a Shortlist in the £30,000 Business Book of the Year Award

The United Kingdom-based business book competition is in its 18th year. Its shortlist deals with economics, business, and politics. The post Financial Times Announces a Shortlist in the £30,000 Business Book of the Year Award appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-09-26 10:02:34 UTC ]
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It’s official: Book-banning attempts aimed at libraries are way up this year.

The American Library Association has released its preliminary data on attempts to censor books or limit library resources, and the numbers are bad. From Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, there were 681 “attempts to ban or restrict library resources,” targeting 1,651 titles in total. This number already exceeds... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-09-16 16:06:45 UTC ]
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Area man named Bob Jablonski returns library book called Hitler 77 years overdue.

A New Jersey man named Bob Jablonski has finally returned Hitler to the local library. No, this is not The Onion. Bob Jablonski checked out the 1936 biography of Adolph Hitler in 1947, for a school book report, and presumably kept it all these years just to make sure the Allies had truly won... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-09-02 14:55:57 UTC ]
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