At Townie Books, Crested Butte, Colo.

Spare, the memoir by Prince Harry, sold more than 3.2 million copies in print, e-book and audio formats worldwide during its first week on sale, beginning January 10, Penguin Random House announced.

Spare had the highest first-day sales total for any nonfiction book ever published by PRH. The audiobook version of Spare set a record at Libro.fm for biggest one-day sales and first week of sales at the company. A Promised Land by Barack Obama held the record previously.

In the book's first week on sale, Random House sold 1.6 million copies in the U.S., while in the U.K. Transworld sold 800,000 copies. Some 215,000 copies sold in Canada, and 64,000 in Australia. In Germany, 100,000 copies of Spare were sold in German while another 15,000 were sold in English (mostly the U.K. edition in stores and U.S. edition online), according to Buchreport.

Published in 16 languages--with publication forthcoming in an additional 10 languages--Spare is a #1 bestseller in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Holland, Brazil, Denmark, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, PRH said.

Total net book sales in November in the U.S. dropped 14.4%, to $1.03 billion, compared to November 2021, representing sales of 1,371 publishers and distributed clients as reported to the Association of American Publishers. (Figures do not include pre-K-12, because of delays in data collection.) For the year to date, total net book sales were down 6%, to $11.7 billion.

During November, trade sales dropped 13.7%, to $863.4 million. Hardcover sales dropped 22.4%, to $355.2 million. Paperbacks dropped 5.4%, to $274.2 million. Mass markets were down 14.9%, to $19.5 million. Total e-books sales were down 10.4%, to $83.1 million. Downloaded audio rose 5.6%, to $73.9 million, while physical audio dropped 33.7%, to $1.7 million.

Sales by category in November 2022 compared to November 2021:

Serenity Book Shop, a hybrid bookstore, cafe and music venue, will open this spring at 1806 W. 5th Ave., Grandview Heights, Ohio, 614Now reported. Owner Shanna Tiggs noted that she had originally planned to launch the business last June, but a fire altered that and now an April opening is in the works. 

In addition to books, the shop "will offer coffee and light food from an in-house cafe concept, a venue for jazz and other live music, space for book signings and more. Metaphysical supplies like crystals will also be available," 614Now noted.

Tiggs, who is also an author, added that opening a bookstore has always been her dream. and she hopes to make Serenity stand out from similar businesses. "We are not your average bookstore," she said. 

Books-A-Million has closed its location in the Clearview Mall in Butler, Pa., near Pittsburgh, ButlerRadio.com reported.

The store had opened in 2011 in a former Borders location. At the same time, BAM opened a store in nearby Monaca, Pa., also in a former Borders. That store has since closed, too.

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In Baton Rouge, La., 2nd & Charles is opening a store in the Acadian Village Shopping Center, according to the Advocate. The soft opening has occurred, and the grand opening is planned for February 4. The site was formerly occupied by a Pier 1 Imports store.

Dan Schwartz

Dan Schwartz is joining HarperCollins as senior v-p, chief financial officer for HarperCollins Worldwide and will be a member of the global executive committee, effective today.

Schwartz worked the last 13 years at Macmillan Publishers, most recently as CFO. Earlier he spent more than a decade in management consulting with a focus on media and entertainment and investment banking.

He has an MBA in finance and strategy from Columbia Business School and a BS in economics with concentrations in finance and entrepreneurial management from the Wharton School.

HarperCollins president and CEO Brian Murray said that Schwartz's "deep publishing industry experience in finance coupled with his time working in consulting focused on media and entertainment make him uniquely qualified to help position us for the future."

Dona Munker

Dona Munker, author, editor and lecturer, died on January 6. She was 77.

She was co-author, with Sattareh Farman Farmaian, of Daughter of Persia: A Woman's Journey from Her Father's Harem Through the Islamic Revolution, a memoir and a history of modern Iran. Her book-in-progress was Sara and Erskine, An American Romance, examining the life and letters of Sara Bard Field, exploring her suffrage work and psychological evolution.

Munker also had been an editor at Little, Brown and Arbor House. She wrote for scholarly and literary publications and the Biographer's Craft, the newsletter of Biographers International Organization (BIO). She served on the steering committee of Women Writing Women's Lives, a discussion group of women biographers under the aegis of the City University of New York Graduate Center's Center for the Humanities and the Center for the Study of Women and Society.

Her longtime agent, Joy Harris, said, "The standards Dona set for herself were high and led to fascinating conversations about the biographer's responsibilities to her subject. I miss our conversations and will miss Dona."

Women Writing Women's Lives said the group is "deeply saddened by the loss of [our] beloved friend. We will miss her enthusiasm and her penetrating thoughts about the craft of biography. She chaired our steering committee for several years and later reported on our work to a wider audience of biographers in Biographers International Organization. Dona was always a concerned friend and supportive sister writer, eager to help others and, when asked, happy to share her useful analyses of their writing problems. Each of us will miss her presence in our lives."

"Weather Report: January 22, 2023": Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers, Columbus, Ohio, shared a video yesterday about "a thing called snow."

"Welcome, readers. You are among friends," Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, Tex., posted on Facebook. 

Kristen Luby has joined Abrams as associate director, school & library marketing. She was previously senior marketing manager, school & library at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.

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Selihah White has been promoted to senior publicist for Catapult, Counterpoint, and Soft Skull Press.

The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel (Atria/Emily Bestler Books).

Today:
CBS Mornings: Lisa Guerrero, author of Warrior: My Path to Being Brave (Hachette Books, $28, 9780306829499).

The View: Sen. Raphael Warnock, author of Put Your Shoes On & Get Ready! (Philomel, $19.99, 9780593528877).

Rachael Ray: Kristin Chenoweth, author of I'm No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts: Mini-Meditations for Saints, Sinners, and the Rest of Us (Harper Celebrate, $22.99, 9781400228492).

NPR's Here & Now: Estela Juarez, co-author of Until Someone Listens: A Story About Borders, Family, and One Girl's Mission (Roaring Brook Press, $18.99, 9781250832122).

Fresh Air: Saket Soni, author of The Great Escape: A True Story of Forced Labor and Immigrant Dreams in America (Algonquin, $28, 9781643750088).

Jimmy Kimmel Live: David Duchovny, co-author of Kepler (Dark Horse, $19.99, 9781506733456).

Tomorrow:
CBS Mornings: Mike Pompeo, author of Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love (Broadside, $32.99, 9780063247444).

Hulu is developing The Midcoast, a series based on Adam White's 2022 novel, from Escape at Dannemora co-creator Brett Johnson, Warren Littlefield's the Littlefield Company and 20th Television, Deadline reported.

An hourlong drama set on the coast of Maine, the project is written by Johnson, who executive produces along with Littlefield, Ann Johnson, Graham Littlefield and Lisa Harrison for the Littlefield Company. White also serves as executive producer. 

Longlists have been released for the 2023 PEN America Literary Awards, which honor writers and translators with awards totalling more than $350,000. Including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, biography, essay, science writing, translation and more, "these longlisted books are dynamic, diverse, and thought-provoking examples of literary excellence," PEN America noted. Finalists for all book awards will be revealed in February, and the 2023 Literary Awards ceremony will be held March 2. The longlisted titles may be viewed here.

LibraryReads, the nationwide library staff-picks list, offers the top 10 February titles public library staff across the country love:

Top Pick
The Writing Retreat: A Novel by Julia Bartz (Atria/Emily Bestler, $27, 9781982199456). "Alex and her ex-best friend, Wren, along with three other women are picked for a writing retreat with infamous author Roza Vallo. They must finish writing their books in a month's time, and the best one will be published. Roza is a mercurial taskmaster, becoming stranger while the awe the women have for her turns to fear. This is an unusual horror story with many twists and turns." --Judy Gaynes Sebastian, Eastham Public Library, Eastham, Mass.

The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill (Tor, $19.99, 9781250850973). "An artist and her children live on a small farm. The teen daughter manages not only her mom's business but also the household and care of her little brother. It is a life she can handle until mom brings home a crane and declares him her husband. A unique fairy tale with a feminist message: don't trust a crane to make you complete. For readers who enjoyed Juniper & Thorn." --Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, Tex.

A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon (‎Bloomsbury, $35, 9781635577921). "Fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree will be thrilled to revisit the intricately detailed world Shannon has created. In this standalone prequel, the stories of four women are spun out as the Dreadmount erupts and civilizations crumble. The large cast of characters is deftly handled, and readers will enjoy the fascinating mythology." --Beth Mills, New Rochelle Public Library, New Rochelle, N.Y.

For Her Consideration by Amy Spalding (Kensington, $16.95, ‎ 9781496739513). "Aspiring screenwriter Nina writes e-mails for other people, including Hollywood darling Ari Fox. Nina is enamored of Ari but a bad breakup made her vow never to date again. This rom-com with a queer actress and plus size woman offers great representation of realistic body positivity. Readers will root for the characters in this funny, smart, and heartwarming book!" --Andrea Tucci, Glencoe Public Library, Glencoe, Ill.

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson (Simon & Schuster, $27.99, 9781982197360). "Johnson's latest historical features dialogue that snaps and settings that perfectly evoke 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Readers will be captivated by this story of two young women who struggle to overcome racism and misogyny to have a family and a meaningful future." --Jodi Prather, Bartholomew City Public Library, Columbus, Ind.

I Have Some Questions for You: A Novel by Rebecca Makkai (Viking, $28, 9780593490143). "Engaging story of a boarding school murder being solved 20 years later by true-crime podcast enthusiasts. Or is it a story of memories and how you interact with them, depending on your stage in life and your biases, or one about how as a teen you simultaneously know everything and nothing? Or is it all three? For fans of Jean Hanff Korelitz." --Lorri Steinbacher, Ridgewood Public Library, Ridgewood, N.J.

It's One of Us by J.T. Ellison (Mira, $27.99, 9780778311768). "J.T. Ellison has written a beautiful story from start to finish. Olivia and Park struggle with infertility. A woman is found dead, and DNA shows the murderer is related to Park. Not only is this a well-done mystery of whodunit, it is also a drama of what happens as a couple deals with loss. Another great book from an incredible author. For fans of All the Dangerous Things." --Andrea Galvin, Mount Pulaski Public Library, Mount Pulaski, Ill.

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi (Morrow, $30, 9780063206502). "A husband cannot resist prying into his wife's past when he visits her childhood home. This gorgeously written gothic fairy tale about forbidden knowledge and dangerous love is perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia or V.E. Schwab." --Mara Bandy Fass, Champaign Public Library, Champaign Ill.

The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest (Berkley, $16.99, 9780593546437). "Lily Greene needs a date for her sister's wedding but doesn't want her family's 'help' to find one. She ends up asking her hot neighbor Nick for help instead, but complications ensue when she realizes he's N.R. Strickland--the fantasy author who ghosted her. The lead characters who see the best in each  other and help each other grow make for a satisfying second-chance romance. For fans of The Love Wager." --Midge Loery, Mark Twain Library, Redding, Conn.

Take the Lead: A Dance Off Novel by Alexis Daria (St. Martin's Griffin, $17.99, 9781250817969). "Gina Morales, a professional on a dance competition show, is determined to win this season. However, instead of the Olympian she wanted as a partner, she is paired with survivalist Stone Nielson. Worse, her producer is pushing for a showmance! This is a fun and flirty romance with a wonderful cast of characters. Perfect for fans of Dancing with the Stars!" -- Tristan Draper, Dekalb Public Library, Dekalb, Ill.

Cuban American author Lissette Decos, a producer of such reality TV programs as Say Yes to the Dress and 90 Day Fiancé, puts her insider knowledge of the industry to use in Ana Takes Manhattan. This fast-paced, fun and flirty first novel is about a single, down-on-her-luck--yet determined--reality TV producer who is stuck in a romance rut.

The organization of list-making is the glue that holds together the life of 30-something New Yorker Ana Karina. Her attention to detail allows her to excel at her job, coordinating over-the-top proposals for the reality TV show Marry Me, You Fool! When things don't play out exactly as they should, Ana and her crew know exactly how to smooth over and seamlessly splice things together into happily-ever-after--that is, until one proposal goes unexpectedly awry and upends Ana's career. Even her steady and reliable go-to assistant is suddenly reassigned to a new post.

The incident disorients Ana as she struggles to regain her confidence and professional footing. She is forced to question herself, her choices and the direction her life is taking, especially as she navigates alterations to her demanding job; dealing with her large Latin American family; and her outspoken, domineering, soon-to-be-married, Brazilian-born best friend, Gia, who thinks she knows what Ana needs more than Ana herself does. Along the way, always-organized Ana takes stock: What does she really want out of life? When Ana discovers one of her old lists that outlines exactly what she wants and doesn't want in a perfect mate for herself, she finally cuts loose and sets off on a quest to find "Mr. Right." Dating in earnest, she meets four different men. The problem is that no one man fills the bill. Rather, each man ticks off only item on the list. What's a gal to do?

Rom-com readers will delight in Decos sharing juicy behind-the-scenes insights into the inner workings of reality TV. As Ana sheds her inhibitions, she faces a slew of laugh-out-loud comedic predicaments, in which a strong supporting cast rounds off her sharp edges, changing her in well-conceived, unexpected ways. Decos's snarky, yet lovably flawed, heroine possesses a searing wit that complements many daring escapades that reroute her career and lead her down a twisty road to love. --Kathleen Gerard, blogger at Reading Between the Lines

Shelf Talker: A Cuban American reality TV producer sets off on a hilarious journey to find true love, only to discover herself and what she truly wants out of life.