Serendipity Books, Chelsea, Mich., will be moving early this year from its Middle Street location to a larger space at 119 South Main St., which is currently undergoing a complete build-out. The move-in date is not yet finalized but owner Michelle Tuplin said she expects to be settling into the new location--and throwing a celebration party--by early spring.

Serendipity's current location.

"We are ready to step into the role of a Main Street foundational retailer, attracting visitors from a wide area and strengthening the economic vitality of our downtown," Tuplin said. "At the same time, we're excited to become an anchoring cultural location that will unite our theater and restaurants."

The new location is two-and-a-half-times larger than the bookstore's current space, which "will allow us to welcome all our guests into an inviting bookstore without physical barriers," Tuplin noted. "This dream move is only possible with the support and encouragement we receive from so many. For that, we are immensely grateful."

In a note to customers announcing the move, Tuplin wrote, in part: "In many ways, Serendipity Books will be just as it is now. There'll be the same thoughtful collection of books, curated with the care and attention we are known for. An inviting, warm ambiance will signal to visitors they are welcome and might want to make the bookstore their happy place. We'll still ask after your pet and know so many of you by name. We'll continue to offer fun events that build our community connections and make us all more. Newcomers to Chelsea will continue to visit us first and meet new friends....

"The new location is steeped in Chelsea's history. Details that reflect and showcase that history will be incorporated into the bookstore design. Look out for the original marble counter and grill from the law offices, not to mention the vintage pre-Depression Kempf Bank pendant lights. And books of course. You'll see lots and lots of books!"

Quarter Moon Books, Gifts and Wine Bar in Topsail Beach, N.C., closed permanently last month after three decades in business, WWAY3 reported.

Owner Lori Fisher, who has owned the bookstore since 1995, held a farewell party for Quarter Moon on Saturday, December 28 that drew dozens of attendees. While Fisher tried to sell the bookstore back in 2021, she has instead sold the building to a local entrepreneur looking to start a new business.

She told WWAY3 that she was grateful for all the support over the years. "It's been a wonderful, wonderful experience, and it's going to be hard to leave but it's just time. I don't have the energy that I used to have to keep up with everything."

HarperCollins Holland is buying the lifestyle imprints Altamira, Becht, Dominicus, and Hollandia, along with associated personnel, from publisher Gottmer Uitgevers Groep (Gottmer), effective March 1. The deal includes Vaarbewijs Academy, a boating license training platform. The move expands the presence of HarperCollins Holland in the Netherlands and Belgium, particularly in the categories of cooking, healthy eating, spirituality, travel, and watersports.

The four imprints have more than 125 years of publishing imprints and hold leading positions in their markets, HarperCollins Holland said. Gottmer now plans to focus entirely on children's books.

Jan-Joris Keijzer, managing director, HarperCollins Holland, said, "The lifestyle imprints Altamira, Becht, Dominicus, and Hollandia have an impressive publishing history, exceptional authors, and great books and have become strong brands in their own right, trusted by generations of readers. We are proud to welcome these brands and their fantastic supporting team members under the umbrella of the HarperCollins publishing group and look forward to shaping the future of the publishing house together."

Chantal Restivo-Alessi, CEO, international foreign language, and chief digital officer, HarperCollins Publishers, added: "Holland is a key market in our international portfolio and one where we see great growth opportunities. This acquisition will allow us to increase our market share and position us for continued growth in the market."

The Book Industry Charitable Foundation has added three new board members: Kimberly Brock, James Killen, and PK Sindwani.

Brock has been a book buyer at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati, Ohio, for 11 years, and currently serves on the American Bookseller Association's Education Task Force as well as Binc's BincTank committee. She is also working on a masters degree in publishing from George Washington University.

Killen is director of retail operations for the Manga Spot stores for Kadokawa World Entertainment. Previously, he was a science fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, and manga buyer for Barnes & Noble for 21 years. And before that, Killen was a bookseller at B&N for close to a decade.

Sindwani, meanwhile, is an accountant with an MBA in finance and has spent close to 35 years in the book industry. He was a bookseller and store owner for 29 years before joining the ABA for six.

The additions have come as three board members complete their service to Binc: Annie Philbrick, Calvin Crosby, and Rockelle Henderson. Philbrick, former owner of Bank Square Books in Mystic, Conn., spent 10 years on the board and was vice-president and president. Crosby, co-owner of the King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, was secretary. Henderson, owner of creative management company Rock Inked, had various roles on the board over the course of 10 years.

"I am grateful for the depth and breadth of experience these industry leaders bring to the Binc board, sharing their expertise to ensure the Foundation is prepared and ready to help those in need," said Pamela French, Binc's executive director. "They give generously of their time, and their insights and experience are invaluable. Annie, Calvin and Rockelle’s leadership have helped ensure the foundation will be here to help book people well into the future. I can’t thank them enough for their commitment and dedication."

Canadian author Andrew Pyper, "whose debut novel Lost Girls launched a career of bestselling, award-winning literary thrillers," died January 3, the Toronto Star reported. He was 56. 

Mason Coile, aka Andrew Pyper

Lost Girls won the Arthur Ellis Award for best first novel. Pyper's other books include The Demonologist, winner of the International Thriller Writers Award; The Damned; The Only Child; and The Homecoming. His books have been translated in multiple languages and acquired for TV and film development. His most recent work, William, was published this past fall under the pen name Mason Coile.

Pyper "took great delight in sharing the news that [William] had been chosen by the American Booksellers Association as well as People magazine as one of the best reads of September," the Star noted.

Daphne Durham, the Putnam Books executive editor who acquired and edited William as well as Exiles, which will published this fall under the Coile pseudonym, said he "was an inventive, surprising, and profoundly collaborative writer, who clearly loved telling stories. Everyone loved working with Andrew because he was such a pro, but he was also a delightful, warm, funny person."

His agent, Kirby Kim, added that Pyper "laughed easily and made you laugh," and as a writer he "had the rare ability to be able to both scare the lights out of you and move you emotionally."

After studying English literature at McGill University, he pursued a law degree at the University of Toronto, but ultimately decided he "wasn't cut out for it.... I couldn't imagine spending my life doing that, so I quit before I began." In 1996, his short story collection, Kiss Me, was published.

He went on to write novels "from a proudly Canadian perspective, pushing genre fiction in this country into areas the naysayers didn't think it ever could," said Edmonton author Steve Stred. "He was the living embodiment of what writing smart horror looked like."

In a tribute, Putnam noted that Pyper "was beloved throughout the industry in the U.S. and in Canada, and heartfelt remembrances celebrate his selflessness, loyalty, and support for fellow authors and publishing colleagues."

Oprah Winfrey has chosen A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle (Penguin Life) as the 110th Oprah's Book Club Pick. A New Earth, a follow up to Tolle's bestselling The Power of Now, was first published in 2005 and selected for Oprah's Book Club in 2008. This is the first time Oprah has picked the same book twice.

Oprah described A New Earth as "a wake-up call for the planet" and a book that "helps readers stop creating their own suffering and focus on the present moment." She has also called it "the most impactful book she's read by a living author."

Eckhart Tolle, whose books have sold more than 15 million copies worldwide, appeared on the podcast Oprah's Book Club: Presented by Starbucks to "share his journey overcoming cancer and reveal practical lessons on quieting the ego and living more consciously."

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan (Atria) is the January pick for Reese's Book Club, which described the book as: "a journey across America as the elusive Cate Kay, one of the most successful authors of her generation, finds her way back home after a life on the run. Unexpected turns lead to impossible choices that will keep you captivated to the very end."

Reese wrote: "This story swept me away with its big dreams, love, and unexpected twists."

Posted on Facebook by Whistlestop Bookshop, Carlisle, Pa.: "Snowy Monday! Opened at 10:30 after shoveling in the Highlands and visiting M&T Spring Garden, where they opened just for me! (Well, they were ready for everyone else as well, brave souls.) I was the first sidewalk cleared in the block as far as I could see. Roads not clear--plowed but slushy and patches of hard snow/ice, safe speed on 34 was 30-40 mph, be cautious! Mulan in her cozy nook told me to get back to her closer to Spring. Cats have a gift for sarcasm. But now she's down here reading what I post and inquiring about breakfast. I think I'm here 'til 6, but I'm keeping an eye on the developing weather. Be warm! Read books! Warm beverages! Pets for layering!"

Baker & Taylor Publisher Services will provide full-service book trade sales and distribution in the U.S. and Canada for Guideposts, effective March 1.

Guideposts offers, it says, "practical hope and encouragement through its award-winning magazines, bestselling devotionals like Walking in Grace and Mornings with Jesus, and a variety of faith-based fiction and nonfiction series. With Bible studies, prayer programs, the engaging app Abide, and other uplifting resources, Guideposts creates content that enriches lives and fosters connection during challenging times." Guideposts plans to release 41 new titles between April and October this year.

Dave Teitler, senior v-p and CFO of Guideposts, said, "We're excited to partner with Baker & Taylor Publisher Services to bring our books, designed to uplift, inspire, and empower, to a wider audience and connect with Christian and secular book audiences everywhere."

Randy McKenzie, sales manager of BTPS's Christian Division, added, "We are honored and privileged to partner with Guideposts, whose incredible brand appeals to so many Christians and other readers looking for purpose and meaning in their lives."

Tara Gilbride will rejoin the Crown Publishing Group as director, marketing and publicity, Crown Currency, effective January 13.

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Alyssa Weinberg has joined Scribner as an associate marketing manager. She was formerly an assistant marketing manager at Henry Holt.

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Diamond Bridges has been promoted to marketing associate at Dutton, Plume, and Tiny Reparations Books.

Tomorrow:
Good Morning America: Chad Hoeppner, author of Don't Say Um: How to Communicate Effectively to Live a Better Life (Balance, $30, 9780306834509).

Today Show: Ina Garten, author of Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir (Crown, $34, 9780593799895).

The View: James Longman, author of The Inherited Mind: A Story of Family, Hope, and the Genetics of Mental Illness (Hyperion Avenue, $27.99, 9781368099479). He will also appear on Live with Kelly and Mark.

Wonder Project is developing The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion, an adaptation of Fannie Flagg's 2013 bestselling novel, to be produced by and star Reba McEntire, Deadline reported.

Callie Khouri (Thelma & Louise) will direct from a script by playwright and screenwriter Bekah Brunstetter (Maid). McEntire is joined as producer by Jeremy Latcham for Wonder Project, as well as Khouri. Ben Howard will exec produce for Third Coast Content, with v-p of film Michael Musgrave overseeing for Wonder Project.

"I've always been a fan of Fannie Flagg and her writing, and it's been an honor to call her my friend for the past decade," said McEntire. "I cannot wait to work with this incredible team to bring another one of her special stories to life on the big screen."

The longlist has been selected for the 2025 International Prize for Arabic Fiction, which carries a prize of $50,000 and is sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, at the Department of Culture and Tourism--Abu Dhabi. The shortlist will be announced on February 19 and the winner on April 24. To see the 16 titles on the longlist, click here.

photo: By Rebecca Studios

Keenan Jones is a middle-school English teacher and picture book author from Minnesota's Twin Cities. His debut, Saturday Morning at the 'Shop (Beach Lane Books), illustrated by Ken Daley, is an upbeat picture book that celebrates the space and places that bring communities together.

Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less:

Spend Saturday morning at the 'shop, where the barbershop transforms into a sound booth, art gallery, classroom, comedy show, and a gathering place filled with love.

On your nightstand now:

I'm currently locked in on The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. It's been hard to put down. The lyrical language in this novel-in-verse is amazing and I appreciate how Acevedo blends themes of family, religion, and self-discovery. I'm resonating with it on so many levels, especially how it is rooted in finding one's voice in a complex world.

Favorite book when you were a child:

It's hard to pick just one so I'm going to rattle off a few! Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss was a childhood obsession. I loved the rhythm and the concept of the book, and I read it so many times I memorized every line. Another favorite was The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner. I remember being in the first grade when I started diving into chapter books, and this series really pushed my imagination. When I see the cover with the kids in the boxcar, it brings back memories of my early years. Last but not least, Sounder by William H. Armstrong, which I read in class during sixth grade. This book taught me about life for Black families in the times of sharecropping at the turn of the century. The book was more than just about a dog, it showed the young boy's quest for reading. The movie was just as powerful!

Your top five authors:

W.E.B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, Walter Dean Myers, Jeff Kinney, and Beverly Cleary. Each of these incredible authors shaped my reading and writing in different ways. The cultural insights of Du Bois and Hughes; the powerful storytelling of Walter Dean Myers (whose books helped me see myself in literature); Kinney and Cleary bring humor to their stories and have been instrumental in creating lifelong readers in kids everywhere.

Book you've faked reading:

I shouldn't admit this as a middle school teacher, but I gotta keep it real! I was a strong reader and writer, but my U.S. history textbook... yeah... I never really read it. I was a master at understanding study guides to ace the tests without cracking open the book. Funny enough, I love U.S. history now, so I'm sure my high school teachers would appreciate hearing that! 

Book you're an evangelist for:

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. I had the privilege of meeting him in 2015 at the International Literacy Association Conference in Boston, Mass., and his advice to me was simple: "What are you waiting on? Write that book!" This novel-in-verse merges basketball and hip hop--two of my greatest loves--and it's no surprise to me he has won so many awards. The book also has a ton of humor and pop culture. It inspired me to explore other writing styles and approaches to storytelling.

Book you've bought for the cover:

Kobe Bryant's The Mamba Mentality: How I Play. The cover is iconic. If you study Kobe and his approach to not only basketball but to life, you see how much of a genius he was. I admire Kobe even more as a former hooper turned author--he really embraced his second act, the path of a creator. As a lifelong fan of basketball and Kobe's mindset, I had to grab this one.

Book you hid from your parents:

Honestly, I never hid a book from my parents. They instilled a fear of "trying to be sneaky" and told me it would come back to haunt me. Besides, my mother was a master investigator, and she would've found it if I did try to hide it!

Book that changed your life:

Hoops by Walter Dean Myers. Late in elementary school I was going through a tough time personally, but I had a teacher who saw potential in me. She handed me Hoops and for the first time, I saw a reflection of myself in a book. The book gave me perspective on peer pressure and how to navigate it. Myers's work has been a part of my life ever since.

Favorite line from a book:

From Kwame Alexander's The Crossover:

Filthy McNasty

" 'Cause when FILTHY gets hot
He has a SLAMMERIFIC SHOT
It's
Dunkalicious CLASSY
Supersonic SASSY
and
  D
  O
  W
   N right  
in your face
mcNASTY "

Five books you'll never part with:

Hair Love by Matthew Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison: As a father of young Black girls, this book and the explosion of books about hair and identity resonated with me. Not to mention that my daughters love the book! I recall my own struggles with trying to do a ponytail or put on a scrunchie, ha! The short film is cool as well.

Night Job by Karen Hesse: The book is so lyrical and poetic, showing the power of a father-son relationship as the young boy accompanies his father at his night job. It brings back memories of my father bringing me to his job at Ford in suburban Chicago.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander: Another incredible book full of lyrical language that is upbeat and has tons of hip-hop connections. I had never read a novel-in-verse until The Crossover and since that book, I have read many others.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson: I love the illustrations in this book, how it can put you right in the big city as you follow the protagonist with his grandmother. I grew up in a big city and was always curious about the things that I saw while riding the train or simply just driving.

A Promised Land by Barack Obama: President Obama is a hero of mine and any book from him is a cherished possession. He gave young Black men like me hope and inspiration by doing something that our country said couldn't happen. I got this for a Christmas gift, and it is in great condition (my kids know to never touch the book!).

Book you most want to read again for the first time:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. This book defined a generation with its basic illustrations, humor, and engaging style. It's one of those books I could reread forever and never get tired of, especially as graphic novels continue to grow in popularity. Kinney's ability to tap into the mindset of middle schoolers is timeless. Diary of a Wimpy Kid makes me laugh!

What Makes a Bird? is a wonderfully thought-provoking picture book debut that ruminates on the surprisingly difficult question of how one defines a bird: Is there a single, preferred way, or is a bird, perhaps, more than simply the sum of its parts?

Through a series of well-considered questions, a brown-skinned child wearing a blue cap and kerchief and carrying binoculars tries to understand what, exactly, makes a bird. Is a bird "a bird" because of its feathers? But each feather the child finds on the beach is "not on a bird anymore," so does that make the bird "one part less bird?" Does it make the child holding the feather "one part more bird?" Maybe a bird is a bird because of its beak: there are many kinds of beaks, and whether they're "small and pointy" or "flat and rounded," every bird seems to have one. But if octopi have beaks, does that mean they are birds, too? Wings seem important, but bees also have wings. Perhaps a bird is defined by hatching from an egg. But a snake also hatches from an egg, as does a platypus, a fish, a lizard, and a turtle. If flying is the answer, "what about ostriches and emus and kiwis?"

Readers then begin to reach the crux of the matter, because now the child wonders if being a bird is "all of these things" or "none of them." And, really, who should get to decide? This book and its wise protagonist ultimately conclude that perhaps what exactly makes a bird doesn't matter; "they can be similar, different, ordinary, unique.../ and they can all still be birds."

Megan Pomper's child-friendly, contemplative text encourages scientific, empathetic, and poetic thinking that ponders deeply about the essence of bird-ness. Indeed, her story may even prompt some savvy readers to reflect on what constitutes a human being and who gets to decide. Maia Hoekstra's dynamic illustrations use natural tones combined with swirls of bright color as well as close-ups and active angles to create an impressionistic sense of a wide variety of birds and their habitats. Back matter identifies the many species pictured in the book and invites readers to create names for the three made-up birds "from the artist's imagination." What Makes a Bird? is an excellent and accessible meditation on identity. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author

Shelf Talker: What Makes a Bird? is an accessible and contemplative picture book which considers how one might define a bird.

The bestselling Libro.fm audiobooks at independent bookstores during December:

Fiction
1. The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter (HarperAudio)
2. Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson (Macmillan Audio)
3. James by Percival Everett (Penguin Random House Audio)
4. Wicked by Gregory Maguire (Recorded Books, Inc.)
5. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (Penguin Random House Audio)
6. All Fours by Miranda July (Penguin Random House Audio)
7. The Wedding People by Alison Espach (Macmillan Audio)
8. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (Simon & Schuster Audio)
9. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Highbridge)
10. The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore (HarperCollins)

Nonfiction
1. Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (Penguin Random House Audio)
2. The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Simon & Schuster Audio)
3. The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Penguin Random House Audio)
4. All About Love by bell hooks (HarperAudio)
5. The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop (Simon & Schuster Audio)
6. World Travel by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever (HarperAudio)
7. The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben (HarperCollins)
8. Challenger by Adam Higginbotham (Simon & Schuster Audio)
9. Cher by Cher (HarperAudio)
10. A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn (HarperAudio)