What We're Reading - October 2020

Love in Colour by Bolu BabalolaEvery story in this collection of love stories by Bolu Babalola has been adapted from ancient folklore from all around the world. Babalola chooses to centre women in these stories, giving the women unique and passionate perspectives on love. While the original folktales may have been misogynistic and may have mirrored patriarchy, Babalola’s evocative collection does the opposite. In these stories we see women championed, given agency and finally be the protagonist in their own love stories.  The Princess Trap by Talia HibbertRomance is a genre I haven’t really ventured into (not since I was in Uni). The lack of diverse and unrealistic storylines always kept me at bay. Talia Hibbert’s writing, on the other hand, not only brings to life contemporary storylines but also shows brown and black women falling in love! Romantic screen comedies need to take a page out of Talia Hibbert’s books. The Princess Trap takes a familiar romance storyline, body positivity and adds an interracial romance to make a fun and easy read.No Place to Call Home by JJ BolaReading JJ Bola’s debut novel, it is clear he is a poet. Bola records a tale of human experience that is often ignored within the UK. With vivid descriptions and heartfelt storytelling, you are transported into every location that the characters move through. The novel touches upon ideas of otherness and provides a welcome sense of belonging for those of that grew up in different places. Afshan... Continue reading at 'British Council global'

[ British Council global | 2020-10-01 09:59:00 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "What We're Reading - October 2020"


Bookshop Heroes to be crowned in new Bookseller feature backed by BA and HarperCollins

The Bookseller is to create a Rising Stars-style listing of individual booksellers to coincide with the Booksellers Association Conference in September 2020. The Bookshop Heroes special, supported by the BA and sponsored by HarperCollins, will be published to coincide with the annual conference.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-11 22:52:50 UTC ]
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Saltire judge stands down, claiming panel did not finish shortlisted books

A judge of the Saltire Society Scottish Fiction Book of the Year prize has stood down over the choice of its winner, claiming other jury members had not read all the shortlisted books. However, the Saltire Society has affirmed that "all judges carefully examined all texts submitted for the award". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-09 22:31:50 UTC ]
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Criado Perez wins FT and McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award

Caroline Criado Perez has triumphed to win the Financial Times and McKinsey & Company Business Book of the Year Award 2019 with her gender data gap book, Invisible Women (Chatto & Windus). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-04 02:51:49 UTC ]
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Shafak scoops Blackwell's Book of the Year

Elif Shafak's 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World (Viking) has triumphed in a vote by Blackwell’s booksellers across the country to be named Blackwell’s Book of the Year. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-01 15:21:12 UTC ]
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New Blue Bear Bookshop opens as 'thank you' to Farnham

A new bookshop has been opened in Farnham, Surrey, as a “gift” to say thank you to the town. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-24 14:46:01 UTC ]
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Interview With Beth O’Leary, Author of WHSmith 2019 Fiction Book of the Year

Congratulations to Beth O'Leary! Her debut novel The Flatshare was recently announced as 2019 Fiction Book of the Year by the British retailer WHSmith—an honor previously bestowed on books such as Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman and The Girl on the Train by Paula... Continue reading at Writer's Digest

[ Writer's Digest | 2019-11-19 11:00:22 UTC ]
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Authors call out John Lewis for 'similarities' between Christmas ad and children's books

John Lewis' Christmas advert has come under fire as author and former bookseller Jen Campbell highlighted the similarities between the advert and her children’s book Franklin’s Flying Bookshop (Thames & Hudson). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-18 10:24:18 UTC ]
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Lin-Manuel Miranda is not throwing away his shot (to reopen the Drama Book Shop).

A bookshop that runs independently Meanwhile, Amazon keeps shittin’ on us endlessly Essentially, the rent keeps rising relentlessly Let the tourists come around, go on a spending spree Stop by, exchange ideas, sip some coffee There will be a cultural revolution in this city Enter me, the Drama... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-11-12 21:44:15 UTC ]
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B&N Launches Book of the Year Award

As one of the first initiatives under the leadership of new CEO James Daunt, Barnes & Noble has announced the shortlist for a new Book of the Year award. The nominees and winner are chosen by B&N booksellers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-12 05:00:00 UTC ]
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A Toronto Bookstore Amplifies Marginalized Voices

Another Story Bookshop is focused on social justice and diversity, continuing the mission its founder established over 30 years ago. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-11-09 10:00:11 UTC ]
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Here’s why you should preorder all your books from independent bookstores.

Who doesn’t love an independent bookshop? Think of the Shop Around the Corner in You’ve Got Mail! Think of the Travel Book Co. in Notting Hill! Embryo Concepts in Funny Face! Black Books from the British sitcom of the same name! Think of the real brick-and-mortar bookshop in your own community.... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-11-08 19:34:19 UTC ]
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Blackwell's Book of the Year shortlist revealed

Blackwell's has revealed its contenders for its 2019 Book of the Year, with the all-female shortlist including titles by Booker shortlistee Elif Shafak and Candice Carty-Williams.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-07 21:37:10 UTC ]
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Margaret Atwood and Greta Thunberg battle it out for Waterstones Book of the Year

Margaret Atwood’s Booker-winning The Testaments (Vintage) is vying with offerings from Max Porter, Greta Thunberg and Candice Carty-Williams in a bumper shortlist for Waterstones Book of the Year. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-30 15:29:31 UTC ]
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What We're Reading – October 2019

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine EvaristoSince studying Lara as a student, I have been a fan of Bernardine Evaristo’s work, and am delighted to see her win the Booker Prize this year. Girl, Woman, Other follows the lives of twelve black characters with different backgrounds and experiences, most... Continue reading at British Council global

[ British Council global | 2019-10-30 09:49:28 UTC ]
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Hackney bookshop Telling Tales moves into canal boat

Independent bookshop Telling Tales has moved aboard a purpose-built canal boat to roam through London's canals and beyond.   Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-30 00:02:15 UTC ]
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Can Bookshop Become the Indie Amazon?

The soon-to-launch platform aims to give booksellers an edge against the e-tail giant. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Bernardine Evaristo doubles lifetime sales in five days after joint Booker win

Almost 6,000 copies of Girl, Woman, Other sold in the week after Evaristo’s win alongside Margaret AtwoodBernadine Evaristo’s Girl, Woman, Other more than doubled its lifetime sales in the week following its Booker prize win, with joint winner The Testaments by Margaret Atwood also flying off... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-10-22 16:25:45 UTC ]
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Burson opens new bookshop in Hay-on-Wye

The only store in Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire, to exclusively sell new books will open on 26th October.   Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-21 06:24:17 UTC ]
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Castrén hopes new formats will boost Finnish market five years after guest spot

The head of Otava Publishing, one of Finland’s largest books beasts as well as an owner of its biggest bookshop chain, says the domestic market has been ‘bipolar’—but reckons new formats present a massive opportunity for brave publishers. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-18 03:01:17 UTC ]
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Kroscoczka’s ‘Hey, Kiddo’ Wins Book of the Year at Harvey Awards

'Hey Kiddo', Jarrett J. Kroscoczka’s bestselling gaphic memoir about familial dysfunction, won Book of the Year, while Fun Home author Alison Bechdel and Hellboy creator Mike Mignola were inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Harvey Awards ceremony, held Friday evening during New York Comic Con... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
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