"A heartful thank you to everyone who works in bookstores."
--German chancellor Angela Merkel, in a podcast with Katrin Mirtschink, owner of Pankebuch bookstore in Berlin, about the Frankfurt Book Fair, which Merkel will officially open today along with French president Emmanuel Macron.
Bookstores in California Fires' Path; Binc Offers Help
In what seems like the continuation of a season of natural disasters, fires swept across northern California yesterday, and local independent bookstores checked in on Facebook with status updates:
The Book Industry Charitable Foundation has already received its first call for disaster assistance from the wildfires--one employee from Copperfield's has completely lost their home and many others have been evacuated.
Executive director Pam French said any bookseller impacted by the situation should contact Binc, which "is able to help with immediate needs by issuing gift cards to be used for food, water, shelter, etc. The best way to determine how Binc can help is to give us a call (866-733-9064) or send an e-mail (help@bincfoundation.org) or text."
Politics and Prose is opening its first freestanding branch store this Thursday, October 12, at the Wharf. The store plans an extensive events schedule, beginning with an appearance on Monday by Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess, authors of Solo, who will be joined by Randy Preston on guitar.
The Wharf is a mile-long mixed-use development built by Hoffman-Madison Waterfront in Southwest Washington, along the Washington Channel of the Potomac River. The new P&P store has 2,300 square feet of space.
Politics and Prose is also opening a branch this fall in the Union Market district in Northeast Washington, joining other retailers in a row of warehouses being renovated that is next to the indoor market that was revived several years ago.
Richard H. Thaler, who won the Nobel Prize in Economic Science yesterday for his contributions to behavorial science, has written several bestselling books and had a role in The Big Short explaining the financial crisis.
According to the New York Times, the Nobel committee said that Thaler's research had "taken the field of behavioral economics from the fringe to the mainstream of academic research and had shown that it had important implications for economic policy." The Times added, "Professor Thaler played a central role in arguing that seemingly irrational behavior could not be ignored and that people are not rational even when they try to be."
Thaler, a professor at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, said the basic premise of his theories was that "in order to do good economics you have to keep in mind that people are human."
Asked how he would spend the prize money of about $1.1 million, he replied: "This is quite a funny question. I will try to spend it as irrationally as possible."
Thaler's most recent title was Misbehaving: The Making of Behavorial Economics, published in paperback last year by Norton and shortlisted for the Financial Times & McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award in 2015.
Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness, written with frequent collaborator Cass R. Sunstein, has sold more than 750,000 copies. In 2009, it was published in paperback in a revised and expanded edition by Penguin Books.
B&N's Columbus Day parade float celebrated Italian-American authors.
New York City's Columbus Day Parade took a literary turn yesterday when Barnes & Noble chairman and founder Leonard Riggio, serving as Grand Marshall, invited more than 100 published authors of Italian descent (including this writer) to march together up Fifth Avenue, where the company distributed 50,000 copies of a free, specially bound publication of The Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence.
"I have long held the belief that Italian-American writers have received little recognition for their contribution to America's literary heritage," Riggio said in a statement released before the parade. He continued along this theme at a private luncheon held for the participating authors afterward at the Columbus Citizens Foundation, with off-the-cuff remarks that revealed the deeply personal intention he brought to the occasion. "This is my way of saying that our writers--our Italian-American authors--belong in the pantheon of cultural America," said Riggio. "You made me proud--and I hope I brought you some honor as well."
Grand Marshall Len Riggio
Despite the rain and bit of disorganization--Riggio quipped that that just made it "Italian style"--from start to finish the event felt like an extended-family affair--that is if your family includes Gay Talese, David Baldacci, Nelson DeMille, Adriana Trigiani, Wally Lamb, and other bestselling authors. Lisa Scottoline marched with her daughter Francesca Serritella, with whom she's collaborated. Authors who enjoy celebrity beyond the printed page Susan Lucci, Tony Danza and Danny Aiello shared a float, along with those who preferred to ride. But many of the authors preferred to walk, and the day unfolded without hierarchy, in a united salute to Italian writers.
Steven Sorrentino, Lisa Scottoline, Wally Lamb and Francesca Serritella getting ready to march
"[Chef] Rocco DiSpirito just handed me a plastic cape," said first-time author Rosella Rago (Cooking with Nona) in the staging area before the trek to 72nd Street. Steven Sorrentino, whom many in the business know from his days at both HarperCollins and B&N, hinted that he's close to being done with his new novel. Anthony DeCurtis, whose Lou Reed: A Life is out this week, discovered he'd be attending the same Bruce Springsteen show on Broadway this Friday as psychologist Lorraine Mangione, who is thinking about tackling a book related to the Boss that will be a departure from her Daughters, Dads, and the Path Through Grief. DeCurtis even offered to write a foreword if Mangone's book works out.
Such was the mood of the day.
"Reading is my life," said Riggio, after sharing a familiar story of how, as an engineering student, he had never read a book before working at the NYU bookstore, which led to his life's work in bringing books to "aspirants" all over America. "I've always believed that there is the touch of the poet in every human being," he said.
Finally, Riggio told the authors that B&N wanted to support their future work. "Please keep us posted," said the Grand Marshall, who wanted to make sure celebrating Italian-American writers was not just a one-day affair. --Bridget Kinsella
B&T Global Publishers Services Adds Six Publishers
Baker & Taylor's Global Publishers Services group, which was founded a year ago, has added six publisher clients.
Beginning January 1, the Global Publishers Services group will distribute Gibbs Smith, Publisher, in all international markets except the U.K., Australia and Canada. The Utah publisher specializes in illustrated books on such topics as interior design, architecture, cooking, green/sustainable, children's titles, gift merchandise, and more.
Effective January 1, Global Publishers Services will provide full service distribution for Abrams in Asia (excluding India), Latin America and the Caribbean.
Effective September 1, B&T Global Publishers Services began distributing ABDO Publishing, a publisher of children's PreK‐12 educational titles, in all international markets around the world.
GPS has begun distributing Familius in all open markets and will add the U.K. and Australia in February.
The company is distributing Hal Leonard trade titles in all international markets except for the U.K. and Australia. Hal Leonard focuses on publishing music and the performing arts.
GPS is distributing Sounds True, a multimedia company that focuses on the world's major spiritual traditions as well as the arts and humanities, in all international markets except for the U.K.
Last week, B&T formed Baker & Taylor Publisher Services, headed by Mark Suchomel, senior v-p of sales & client services, and Ken Fultz, senior v-p of operations; the unit will work closely with Baker & Taylor's Global Publishers Services.
Brad Meltzer gets ready to sign stock after an event at Books & Books in Coral Gables, Fla., celebrating the most recent installments in his children's series Ordinary People Change the World: I Am Gandhi and I Am Sacagawea.
Village Books Part of 'My Ideal Day in Bellingham'
For "My Ideal Day" in Bellingham, Wash., Village Books was one of 10 "must do's," according Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, which noted that "if you love great tasting food, beautiful views and more. You can complete this list in any order and go home feeling like you've truly experienced" the city.
"Bellingham is home to several independent book stores. The most well-known is Village Books in Historic Fairhaven. This dog-friendly three-story staple is a great place to find popular and hard-to-find books, relax and peruse magazines or children's books, attend an author event, or grab soup, coffee or a sandwich. You must give yourself at least an hour to pour over their staff favorites, huge display of coffee table books, inviting kids' section, travel and cooking books, and old/used selections."
Shida Carr has been promoted to associate director of publicity. She was formerly assistant director of publicity. Jessica Roth has been promoted to assistant director of publicity. She was formerly publicity manager.
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Kate Hutchison has joined BookShout as director of business development and publisher relations after spending the last year working in business development for startups Litsy and Bookstr. She was earlier director of Hachette Speakers Bureau; publicity, promotions and events manager at Rizzoli Bookstore; and associate editor of Kindle Singles at Amazon.
Today: Today Show: Valerie Bertinelli, author of Valerie's Home Cooking: More than 100 Delicious Recipes to Share with Friends and Family (Oxmoor House, $30, 9780848752286). She will also appear tomorrow on Fox & Friends.
Good Morning America: Ivana Trump, author of Raising Trump (Gallery, $26.99, 9781501177286). She will also appear on Fox & Friends and on Nightline.
Fox & Friends: Christopher Bedford, author of The Art of the Donald: Lessons from America's Philosopher-in-Chief (Threshold Editions, $19.99, 9781501180347). He will also appear tomorrow on Fox Business's Cavuto Coast to Coast.
CBS This Morning: Jonathan Alpeyrie and Stash Luczkiw, authors of The Shattered Lens: A War Photographer's True Story of Captivity and Survival in Syria (Atria, $27, 9781501146503).
Also on CBS This Morning: Ron Chernow, author of Grant (Penguin Press, $40, 9781594204876).
CNN's New Day: Ed Asner, co-author of The Grouchy Historian: An Old-Time Lefty Defends Our Constitution Against Right-Wing Hypocrites and Nutjobs (Simon & Schuster, $26, 9781501166020).
Fresh Air: Anne Applebaum, author of Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine (Doubleday, $35, 9780385538855).
Watch What Happens Live: Yolanda Hadid, author of Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease (St. Martin's Press, $26.99, 9781250121653).
Wendy Williams: Gabriele Corcos and Debi Mazar, author of Super Tuscan: Heritage Recipes and Simple Pleasures from Our Kitchen to Your Table (Touchstone, $35, 9781501143595).
Late Night with Seth Meyers: Ladee Hubbard, author of The Talented Ribkins (Melville House, $25.99, 9781612196367).
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Whitney Cummings, author of I'm Fine... And Other Lies (Putnam, $27, 9780735212602).
Tomorrow: Today Show: Julie Steines and Virginia Freyermuth, authors of Norbert's Little Lessons for a Big Life (North Star Way, $12.99, 9781501187315).
Watch What Happens Live: Teresa Giudice, author of Standing Strong (Gallery, $26, 9781501179198).
The View: Van Jones, author of Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together (Ballantine, $27, 9780399180026).
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Marc Maron, author of Waiting for the Punch: Words to Live by from the WTF Podcast (Flatiron, $27.99, 9781250088888).
Also on Jimmy Kimmel Live: Whitney Cummings, author of I'm Fine…and Other Lies (Putnam, $27, 9780735212602).
British actress Ella Purnell (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Never Let Me Go) will play the lead role of Tess in Starz's half-hour drama Sweetbitter, based on Stephanie Danler's 2016 book, Deadline reported. Emmy winning writer/director Richard Shepard (Girls) has joined the project as executive producer and will direct the series premiere episode. Danler, who wrote the pilot script, and Stu Zicherman (The Americans, The Affair) executive produce along with Plan B Entertainment and Shepard.
"Ella's portfolio of work and the array of her characters and performances in her young career are truly remarkable. We are excited for fans of the book and audiences to meet Tess," said Carmi Zlotnik, Starz president of programming. "We are also excited by Richard's vision to bring the book's richly written sensory experiences from the page to the screen."
A shortlist has been released for the £30,000 (about $39,390) Baillie Gifford Prize, which "aims to reward the best of nonfiction and is open to authors of any nationality." The winner will be announced November 16. This year's shortlisted titles are:
The Islamic Enlightenment: The Modern Struggle Between Faith and Reason by Christopher de Bellaigue How to Survive a Plague by David France Border: A Journey to the Edge of Europe by Kapka Kassabova An Odyssey: A Father, A Son and an Epic by Daniel Mendelsohn To Be a Machine: Adventures Among Cyborgs, Utopians, Hackers, and the Futurists Solving the Modest Problem of Death by Mark O’Connell Belonging: the Story of the Jews, 1492-1900 by Simon Schama
Righteous by Joe Ide
(Mulholland Books, $26 hardcover, 336p., 9780316267779, October 17, 2017)
Isaiah "IQ" Quintabe, the Sherlock-inspired protagonist from Joe Ide's debut, IQ, is still solving crimes in East Long Beach when he happens upon the car responsible for the hit-and-run death of his brother 10 years earlier. The junkyard discovery re-ignites IQ's resolve to find Marcus's killer. Even though Isaiah moved on with his life and found a role in his community, the loss of his only family haunts him. He knew "eliminating whoever caused your pain didn't eliminate the pain itself, but that was an intellectual perspective and one that had no effect on his intentions."
Meanwhile, Sarita, Marcus's ex-girlfriend, contacts IQ about a job. Isaiah hasn't spoken to her in nearly a decade, but he's secretly been in love with Sarita since she dated his brother; he will do anything to prove his worth to her. Sarita's half-sister, Janine, owes overwhelming debts in Las Vegas and is in serious trouble. The risks are high on this case, and a wrong move could result in prosecution for both Sarita and Isaiah. But Isaiah is determined to come through for the woman he loves, so he calls on his former partner, Dodson, and they head to Sin City.
Ide alternates chapters between Isaiah's Long Beach investigation into his brother's murder and the duo's efforts in Las Vegas to untangle Janine from the deadly web she's caught in. The initial transition may catch readers off guard, but the flow quickly becomes evident and the plot's engaging action will keep readers riveted.
As the incredibly smart but socially challenged IQ works on the cases, Ide more deeply crafts his dynamic character and the internal conflicts that plague him. Interacting with his dog, Ruffin, and his old friend TK, the young introvert takes on strong definition, allowing readers to fortify their connection to him. The arrival of a mysterious, dog-loving artist named Grace adds more dimension to the already rich plot while presenting IQ with a new quandary.
Like Ide's first novel, Righteous is dark, smart and layered. It also displays brilliant humor, especially through Dodson, who is never short on a colorful exchange packed with wit and sarcasm. Dodson struggles to think at IQ's level, but his own practical intelligence is far from lacking, as is evident in a heated exchange over the merits of a pepperball gun in a shootout:
" 'A habanero pepper is rated at five hundred thousand Scoville units. These are rated at fifteen million.' "
" 'Uh-huh,' " Dobson said. " 'So how many units is a bullet?' "
In the midst of a palpitation-inducing fight scene, Ide pulls the pin and lobs a joke grenade. The explosion works perfectly while maintaining the scene's intensity and pacing. With only two books under his belt, Ide has proven he's first-rate when it comes to writing great crime novels. --Jen Forbus, freelancer
Shelf Talker: IQ, the smart and socially awkward PI solving cases in the East Long Beach hood, still searching for his brother's murderer, heads to Las Vegas on a case for his brother's ex-girlfriend.
The bestselling self-published books last week as compiled by IndieReader.com:
1. Francis of the Filth by George Miller 2. Racer by Katy Evans 3. Hail No (Hail Raisers Book 1) by Lani Lynn Vale 4. How to Date a Douchebag: The Learning Hours by Sara Ney 5. Hot & Sinful Nights by Various 6. Smoke and Sin (The Perfect Gentlemen Book 4) by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake 7. Dear Bridget, I Want You by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland 8. Slow Ride: Sleeper SEALs Book 2 by Becky McGraw 9. Blacktop Cowboys Bundle by Lorelei James 10. The Jack Reacher Cases (A Hard Man to Forget) by Dan Ames
"A heartful thank you to everyone who works in bookstores."
In what seems like the continuation of a season of natural disasters, fires swept across northern California yesterday, and local independent bookstores checked in on Facebook with status updates:
Politics and Prose is opening its first freestanding branch store this Thursday, October 12, at the Wharf. The store plans an extensive events schedule, beginning with an appearance on Monday by Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess, authors of Solo, who will be joined by Randy Preston on guitar.
Richard H. Thaler, who won the Nobel Prize in Economic Science yesterday for his contributions to behavorial science, has written several bestselling books and had a role in The Big Short explaining the financial crisis.
Brad Meltzer gets ready to sign stock after an event at Books & Books in Coral Gables, Fla., celebrating the most recent installments in his children's series Ordinary People Change the World: I Am Gandhi and I Am Sacagawea.
For "My Ideal Day" in Bellingham, Wash., Village Books was one of 10 "must do's," according Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, which noted that "if you love great tasting food, beautiful views and more. You can complete this list in any order and go home feeling like you've truly experienced" the city.
The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen (Candlewick Press).
Isaiah "IQ" Quintabe, the Sherlock-inspired protagonist from Joe Ide's debut, IQ, is still solving crimes in East Long Beach when he happens upon the car responsible for the hit-and-run death of his brother 10 years earlier. The junkyard discovery re-ignites IQ's resolve to find Marcus's killer. Even though Isaiah moved on with his life and found a role in his community, the loss of his only family haunts him. He knew "eliminating whoever caused your pain didn't eliminate the pain itself, but that was an intellectual perspective and one that had no effect on his intentions."