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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FT/McKinsey Business Book of the Year longlist revealed

The 15-strong longlist for the £30,000 Financial Times & McKinsey Business Book of the Year has been announced, featuring a line-up where workplace culture, climate change and the pandemic loom large. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-08-15 18:06:07 UTC ]
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Print Book Sales Could Grow by 2% This Year—Or by 8%

In a presentation on July 21, NPD BookScan said that, based on current trends, unit sales of print books are likely to finish 2021 with a gain over 2020. How high that gain will be depends on several factors, including the future course of the pandemic. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-07-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Kelly Ripa's First Book, 'Live Wire,' Is Coming Next Year

The essay collection will show what “really makes her tick” as she writes about marriage, motherhood and her career in show business. Continue reading at The Huffington Post

[ The Huffington Post | 2021-07-20 13:34:18 UTC ]
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World Refugee Day Observances: Book Aid Highlights Its Outreach

The United Kingdom's Book Aid International has made donations of more than 160,000 books in nine countries to refugee youngsters. The post World Refugee Day Observances: Book Aid Highlights Its Outreach appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-06-29 20:02:19 UTC ]
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Books in the Media: Galgut's latest promises to be 'one of the best novels of the year'

Damon Galgut's The Promise (Chatto & Windus) came out on top in this week's reviews, with the twice Booker-shortlisted author picking up nods from the Guardian, Times and New York Times.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-20 22:03:08 UTC ]
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Bologna Book Fair Names Its Children’s Publishers of the Year

The winners of this year's publishing-house awards are based in Tanzania, Switzerland, Iran, the United States, Colombia, and New Zealand. The post Bologna Book Fair Names Its Children’s Publishers of the Year appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-06-15 03:51:41 UTC ]
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'Be the Bridge' is ECPA Christian Book of the Year

ECPA has named its 2021 Christian Book Awards-winning books and audio, a slate that highlights reconciliation, inspiration, and consolation in turbulent times. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-05-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Horror Anthology Books For Some Mid-Year Frights

Here’s a list of 9 great horror anthology books full of monsters and mayhem to satisfy your mid-year frights, including The Valancourt Book of World Horror Stories, Volume One edited by James D. Jenkins and Ryan Cagle. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-04-30 10:34:00 UTC ]
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Tbilisi Opens Its UNESCO World Book Capital Year: ‘An Historic Day’

Constrained by the pandemic, a small but spirited weekend opens the 2021 UNESCO World Book Capital program in Tbilisi. The post Tbilisi Opens Its UNESCO World Book Capital Year: ‘An Historic Day’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-04-26 16:29:25 UTC ]
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New York Times's Book Review Podcast Celebrates 15 Years

‘The Book Review’ podcast began as a brief show with a rebellious touch. It became a forum for some of the biggest names in literature. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2021-04-15 13:38:51 UTC ]
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Boldwood Books reports £1.6m revenues in first full year

Boldwood Books has reported revenues of £1.6m in 2020, its first full financial year, and added five new authors to its now 50-strong list. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-03-01 16:36:03 UTC ]
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New in TikTok trends: A ten-year-old self-help book?

The latest TikTok trend is surprisingly old-school: it’s a book. Last week, Sherry Argov’s 2002 relationship guide Why Men Love Bitches: From Doormat to Dreamgirl—A Woman’s Guide to Holding Her Own in a Relationship made the Sunday Times bestseller list for the first time since its release... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2021-02-08 17:27:52 UTC ]
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The best books to beat this year’s special brand of Valentine’s Day blues

Reading choices for your night in — whether you like sweet, steamy or need a good cry. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-02-05 13:00:00 UTC ]
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Shortlist revealed for Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year

The shortlist has been announced for this year's Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year prize. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-02-05 08:37:57 UTC ]
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Leipzig Book Fair cancelled for a second year

Leipzig Book Fair, the main spring event for the German book industry, has been cancelled for the second year running owing to the pandemic. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-01-31 21:39:11 UTC ]
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London Review of Books editor Mary-Kay Wilmers steps down after 30 years

Influential editor and co-founder of the literary magazine to be succeeded by senior staffMary-Kay Wilmers is stepping down from her role as editor of the London Review of Books, a position she has held for almost 30 years.Wilmers was one of the founders of the literary magazine in 1979, along... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-01-29 15:28:52 UTC ]
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A Year for the (Record) Books

Unit sales hit an all-time high at BookScan in 2020, which the service said could be attributed to a combination of strong sales of both print books and e-books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-01-29 05:00:00 UTC ]
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50 years later, ‘The Monster at the End of This Book’ is still selling — and inspiring authors

The children’s book has influence out of proportion with its 24 pages and its cardboard cover devoid of medallions. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-01-27 13:00:00 UTC ]
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Roffey's Peepal Tree tale wins Costa Book of the Year

Monique Roffey has won the £30,000 Costa Book of the Year award for her “utterly original” sixth novel, The Mermaid of Black Conch: A Love Story, published by independent Peepal Tree Press. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-01-26 22:02:30 UTC ]
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Monique Roffey Wins the UK’s Costa 2020 Book of the Year Award

Roffey's book, based on a Taino legend, is set in 1976 on the Caribbean island of Black Conch. Tessa Sheridan has won the Short Story Award. The post Monique Roffey Wins the UK’s Costa 2020 Book of the Year Award appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-01-26 21:18:00 UTC ]
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