We need literature that wrestles with the evils of slavery while confronting its complexity – especially when it’s written for childrenA book called George Washington’s Birthday Cake has caused controversy for depicting a smiling black cook, in this case chef Hercules and his daughter, preparing cake in the kitchen for the president, who held in bondage hundreds of enslaved workers. It is unclear what kind of moment we are witnessing on the cover. Is it familial love, servile obedience, or, perhaps, a smile to hide the pain of being enslaved? Improving our understanding of the lives of slaves is key to answering those uncomfortable questions. The rationale which the illustrator, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, gave for the “happy slaves” imagery was that these enslaved folk, identified as “servants”, were proud and felt privileged to serve a man of such a great “stature”. In her plea for a middle ground, the author, Ramin Ganeshram, argued that not every enslaved person was in the middle of hell every single second, and therefore, smiling isn’t an unreasonable thing to suggest. I know Ganeshram, as do many in the black culinary scene. I have not dialogued with her about the book, nor have I had the opportunity to read it. Both the author and illustrator, are of color. On the surface, they are right on both counts. But why are we still uncomfortable, opposed and furious – even after the book has been pulled? Related: Scholastic pulls George Washington book over slave cake... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2016-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Meerkat is reducing its dependency on Twitter by integrating address books and letting users post live video streams to Facebook.Installing the updated app now brings up an option to enter your phone number and give Meerkat access to your address book, so it can find other people who are using... Continue reading at PC World
[ PC World | 2015-05-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In the UAE, the new Sharjah Book Authority will offer printing services to regional publishers, as well as offer distribution, research and events. The post Sharjah Book Authority to Offer Regional Printing, Distribution appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fourth Estate has acquired on proposal a book about American blues music by Natasha Peskin. Described as "part travel, part memoir and part oral history", A Soft Place to Lay: Stories of the Blues is inspired by Peskin's solo drive across the USA exploring the history of the music. Louise... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The book trade has abandoned the Liberal Democrats in favour of Labour and the Green Party in the five years since the last election, according to a poll of voting intentions conducted by The Bookseller. Support for libraries and making Amazon pay a fair share of tax are the issues the trade is... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Want to know what to look out for during today's Free Comic Book Day? We've got you covered. The post What You Should Pick Up on Free Comic Book Day appeared first on WIRED. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2015-05-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Super Furry Animals front man Gruff Rhys is nominated for the Wales Book of the Year award. Continue reading at BBC News
[ BBC News | 2015-05-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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This week: David McCullough on the Wright Brothers, Kate Atkinson's follow-up to "Life After Life," and the definitive biography of Saul Bellow. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In Romania, online sales now account for 20% of the $110 million book market, with interest in ebooks and English-language titles also on the rise. The post Romania’s Online, English Book Sales on the Rise appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-05-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Roy Keane and Roddy Doyle's memoir The Second Half leads the nominations for the Cross British Sports Book Awards shortlists, as it competes for three separate prizes. The book, published by Orion, is in the running for autobiography of the year, football book of the year and the outstanding... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nielsen has promoted Jonathan Stolper to senior vice president and m.d. of Nielsen Book. Stolper will take on the global leadership of Nielsen Book, as current president Jonathan Nowell is stepping down. Stolper, who is currently senior v.p of Nielsen’s US book business, said: “I am thrilled to... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Lipman gets to ‘Working’ for William Morrow and more in this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In preparation for Russia's Victory Day celebration, to be held May 9 to commemorate the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany, the country is cracking down on anything displaying the Nazi swastika – including the cover of Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel 'Maus.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House’s crime community Dead Good Books has created six awards to be presented at this year’s Theakstons Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival by authors including Lee Child and Val McDermid. Each award has been created in collaboration with the Dead Good Facebook community and... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Enter to win the Frankfurt Book Fair's 2015 Wildcard Award, a competition for creative companies to win a free, 8-square-meter stand at the world's largest book fair The post Wildcard Award: Win a Stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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We're not even halfway through the year, so there's plenty of time for another book to become a success, but 'Train' continues to dominate bestseller lists months after its publication. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Marion Coutts has won the Wellcome Book Prize 2015 with The Iceberg (Atlantic Books). Bill Bryson, chair of the prize judges, said the book was “painful to read, but beautifully expressed”. Coutts’ husband, art critic Tom Lubbock, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008, and died in 2011.... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fourth Estate has acquired on proposal a book about American blues music that is “part travel, part memoir and part oral history” by Natasha Peskin. Louise Haines at Fourth Estate signed world English language rights to A Soft Place to Lay: Stories of the Blues from Kirsty McLachlan at DGA Ltd. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Phil Carroll, former head of book buying for Sainsbury's, is joining Pedigree Books Ltd as its interim head of sales. Pedigree Books, sister company to Pedigree Dolls & Toys, publishes annuals, yearbooks, learning and seasonal activity formats for children. Carroll will join the company on... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A memoir written by the wife of an art critic who died of a brain tumour wins a £30,000 prize for new books about medicine, health or illness. Continue reading at BBC News
[ BBC News | 2015-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Table and seat bookings for The Bookseller Industry Awards will close in one week’s time (Tuesday 5th May 2015 at 5pm). There are a very few tables and seats left for the event, which takes place at the Hilton Park Lane on May 11th. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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