The Plot Twist, a bookstore and boutique in Midland, Tex., had its grand opening on Friday, July 25, the Midland Reporter-Telegram reported.

Located at 4400 N. Big Spring St. Suite C-28, the Plot Twist sells general-interest titles for all ages along with vinyl records and a variety of gift items. Owners and mother-daughter team Kelly Keating and Alexandria Murphree plan to host book clubs and signings with local authors as well as events about decorating books with rhinestones. Eventually they would also like to have pastries, coffee, and tea available for customers.

"It's the Plot Twist because you come in thinking it's just a bookstore," Murphree told the Reporter-Telegram. "But we have a little twist. We have records; we have gifts. It's a bit of a twist on your normal, everyday bookstore."

"It’s funny how everything comes full circle," Keating added. "Nobody read regular books for a long time because you could read on your phone, your iPad or e-reader. Now everybody wants a physical book just like the records. Teenagers are playing records now instead of streaming."

The opening of the Plot Twist fulfills longstanding dreams for both Keating and Murphree. Keating always thought of opening a boutique, while Murphree wanted to open a bookstore. 

Murphree noted that it also filled a niche in the community, as Midland had two romance-focused bookstores but not a generalist indie. "There was not really anything in Midland besides Barnes & Noble that accommodated a larger variety of genres for reading," she said. "We wanted something where my husband could go in and get something he would want."

The Book Industry Charitable Foundation announced the winners of two scholarships: the Macmillan Booksellers Professional Development Scholarship and the George Keating Memorial Scholarship.

The Macmillan scholarship, which was created in 2017, provides booksellers from underrepresented groups with the opportunity to attend their region's independent booksellers association trade show. Each scholarship covers the cost of travel, lodging, and meals up to $750. 

This year's winners are: Kealie Mardell-Carrera of Underdog Bookstore, Monrovia, Calif. (CALIBA); Keeley Malone of Ink Drinkers Anonymous, Muncie, Ind. (GLIBA); Verlean Singletary of Da Book Joint, Chicago, Ill. (MIBA); Kat Paton of Country Bookshelf, Bozeman, Mont. (MPIBA); Eleanor Cugal of Penguin Bookshop, Sewickley, Pa. (NAIBA); Ernio Hernandez of River Bend Bookshop, Glastonbury, Conn. (NEIBA); Larissa Berry of Montana Book Company Redux, Helena, Mont. (PNBA); and Karen Goforth-Harbin of Archimedes & Loft Books, Monroe, N.C. (SIBA).

The Keating Memorial Scholarship awards $500 to one bookseller each in the NAIBA, NEIBA, and SIBA regions, for the purpose of professional development. The winners, who are chosen by each regional booksellers association, are Yulia Watters of Finist and the Owl, Wilmington, Del. (NAIBA); Rachel Bolton of Wicked Good Books, Salem, Mass. (NEIBA); and Crystel Calderon of Portkey Books, Safety Harbor, Fla. (SIBA).

"Binc is honored to help book people expand their knowledge and grow in their roles," said Binc CEO Pam French. "Congratulations to all the recipients. Partnering with Macmillan Publishers, the friends of publishing sales rep George Keating, and the regional associations allows us to support booksellers across the country."

Cristina Cushing has joined Sourcebooks as director of sales strategy, a new position. She will lead overall sales strategy while overseeing the mass and special market channels. Most recently she was associate director of sales at Macmillan and earlier held executive adult trade positions at Barnes & Noble, Barnes & Noble College, and Books-A-Million.

Cristina Cushing

Over her 20-year career developing market-savvy sales strategies, Cushing is known, the company said, for thinking ahead of the curve and building agile approaches across retail channels. She's helped publishing teams scale books across channels, anticipate shifts in the market, and build momentum for authors over the long term.

Dominique Raccah, publisher and CEO of Sourcebooks, said, "Cristina brings the kind of entrepreneurial energy and innovative thinking that powers everything we do. She's a bold, mission-driven leader, and we're thrilled to have her join us as we expand what's possible for our authors, retail partners, and readers."

Paula Amendolara, senior v-p of sales, said, "Cristina is deeply engaged in understanding where readers and retailers are headed next. She's perfectly positioned to create innovative strategies that will deepen our retail partnerships and unlock exciting new opportunities for our authors."

Cushing said, "What inspires me most about Sourcebooks is how this team celebrates authors and readers. They're not afraid to challenge convention. There's real energy here. I'm excited to help shape what's next."

Geoffrey Chesler, a book editor who worked in the publishing industry for more than 50 years, died July 14, the Bookseller reported. He was 81. Chesler was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and moved to Israel in 1962 at the age of 17. While attending Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he decided to move to London to attend the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. Two years later, he returned to Jerusalem to finish his degree.  

Geoffrey Chesler

After moving back to London in 1972, he began his career in book publishing, which included stints as editorial director at Labyrinth Publishers, an executive editor at Batsford, and editorial director at Carroll & Brown. Chesler was later a senior editor at Kuperard Publishers, and the founding editor of the Culture Smart! guidebook series. 

Publisher Joshua Kuperard said that beyond his professional achievements, Chesler would be remembered for "his boundless curiosity, his unshakeable belief in the power of the written word, and the quiet generosity that he extended to colleagues and writers alike.... He leaves behind a legacy of books that continue to inform, entertain and inspire."

Author Anna Shevchenko added that "it is rare to find an editor who deepens the author's perspective so tactfully, with passion and humor," and that "Geoffrey was that exceptional editor. His advice and warmth made working with him a joy."

Book designer Bobby Birchall said Chesler "was a brilliant editor but, more importantly, he was a warm and lovely person to work with and spend time around. Over a period of more than 30 years, we crafted many books together. He truly cared about always producing the best book he could, never cutting corners. Every word, sentence and image mattered to him. He was endlessly curious; his extensive knowledge and anecdotes--delivered with a witty sense of humor--always kept me entertained and informed. He was one of a kind." 

In our Extra! coverage yesterday of the regional booksellers association fall shows, we mistakenly wrote that the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Fall Tradeshow--to be held Saturday, September 27, to Tuesday, September 30, in Spokane, Wash.--will open with a Keynote Kickoff Education Plenary featuring KJ Williams and AJ Williams of Rise With Us, who will present Bookselling: Conflict, Care, and Community in Bookstore Workplaces, "a healing, practical, and future-forward conversation for anyone who wants to create a more just and resilient bookstore space." Actually, that Keynote Kickoff Education Plenary will take place the following day, on Sunday morning, after the association's membership meeting.

PNBA's Fall Tradeshow begins on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., with the Lilac City Welcoming Committee event.

Our apologies!

Bright Side Bookshop, Flagstaff, Ariz., hosted an evening of all-levels yoga led by Adonna of Alchemy Flagstaff. The sold-out event offered a grounding way to unwind from the week and see the store--books, skylights, and all--from a new perspective. Proceeds benefited Flagstaff Shelter Services. The store noted, "We’re deeply grateful to everyone who showed up, stretched out, and gave generously."

"There's nothing quite like the quiet magic of the morning--fresh tea brewing, new books waiting to be shelved, and that cozy bookstore hum just beginning to stir," Plenty Downtown Bookshop, Cookeville, Tenn., posted on Instagram. "Whether you've always dreamed of running your own indie bookshop or just love a peaceful start to your day, come along as we unlock the doors, turn on the lights, and get Plenty ready for readers."

Baker & Taylor Publisher Services has added two new publishers:

Con Todo Press, a Latina-owned publishing company dedicated to celebrating Latino culture through high-quality bilingual children's books that tell authentic stories highlighting the customs, leaders, and everyday joys of underrepresented communities. There are currently 17 titles in print and six new titles appear per year. Founder Naibe Reynoso is a multi-Emmy Award-winning journalist and radio/TV personality. (Effective immediately, in the U.S. and Canada.)

Rocndog Books, the new publishing arm of Rockin' Dog Studio, which focuses on bold, dynamic works by authors of fiction and nonfiction in a variety of genres. Rocndog Books has about 20 projects slated for release over the next three years, including Bones Rock! Everything You Need to Know to Become a Paleontologist and The Spy Who Seduced America: Lies and Betrayal in the Heat of the Cold War, the Judith Coplon Story. (Effective January 1, 2026, in the U.S. and Canada.)

Daring: The Life and Art of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun by Jordana Pomeroy (Getty Publications).

Tomorrow:
The View repeat: Elie Mystal, author of Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America (The New Press, $26.99, 9781620978580).

Tamron Hall repeat: Jennifer Levin, author of Generation Care: The New Culture of Caregiving (Balance, $30, 9780306832031).

In what Deadline called "one of the biggest star power packages to hit the TV marketplace in awhile," Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us, American Fiction, Paradise), Oscar winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers, Only Murders In the Building), and Winston Duke (Black Panther) "are in talks to lead a limited series based on Percival Everett's acclaimed 2022 novel The Trees. Marcus Gardley (The Chi) is writing the adaptation, which has sparked a bidding war."

Gardley is executive producing alongside Brown and Abby Victor for Indian Meadows, Selwyn Seyfu Hinds and Katie Zucker via Mad Massive Entertainment and Everett. UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.

Everett's The Trees "opens with a series of brutal murders in the rural town of Money, Mississippi. When a pair of detectives from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation arrive, they meet expected resistance from the local sheriff, his deputy, the coroner, and a string of racist White townsfolk," Deadline wrote.

The project reunites Brown and Hinds following their recent collaboration on Washington Black, adapted from Esi Edugyan's novel. Hinds was creator, showrunner and executive producer on that project, with Brown starring and exec producing.

Books from 11 regions and 13 languages were among the 14 winners of English PEN's translation awards, which are selected "on the basis of outstanding literary quality, the strength of the publishing project, and their contribution to U.K. bibliodiversity." 

The PEN Translates x SALT round, in partnership with the  SALT project at the University of Chicago and open to works of South Asian literature in English translation published anywhere outside the region, features two titles from Hindi and Urdu. Check out the complete list of PEN Translates winners here. 

So Mayer, co-chair of English PEN translation advisory group and chair of the PEN Translates selection panel, said: "There's so much ambition and scope to celebrate.... We're proud that through them we can support dozens of experienced and emerging translators."

Preti Taneja, Co-chair of the English PEN Translation Advisory Group and chair of the PEN Translates x SALT selection panel, commented: "The high quality of the applications presented the panel with the best translations by new and established voices, and showed a commitment to publishing work that will rightly elevate a writer's--and their translator's--reputation among Anglophone readers."

Nadia Saeed, translation and international manager at English PEN, added: "It's incredibly encouraging, in these times of growing uncertainty and censorship, to see publishers submitting projects with such range and nuance. The ability to support narratives filled with courage and originality--and which are thought-provoking and build empathy across linguistic borders--is integral to everything we do as part of the translation programme at English PEN. And so we're thrilled to add these 14 brilliant and affecting titles to the PEN Translates portfolio."

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The longlist has been selected for the $75,000 Cundill History Prize, administered by McGill University, and can be seen here.

Organizers said that the titles on the longlist "shed light on compelling stories that span continents and generations, taking us from the Haitian Revolution of the 1790s to the German Peasants' War of 1524; from Soviet dissidents in the 1960s to American and Australian abolitionists of the 1800s."

At an age when many prominent authors are past the point of producing serious fiction that compares favorably with their best work, Ian McEwan (Atonement; Nutshell) stands as a noteworthy exception. The evidence to support that claim can be found in his novel What We Can Know, a psychologically acute story wrapped in a tantalizing literary mystery.

The novel begins in 2119, in an England that's been transformed into an archipelago following a 2042 event known as the Inundation. Earth's population has fallen below four billion, clashing warlords vie for North American territory, and a dominant Nigerian empire controls the Internet. At a British university, Thomas Metcalfe, a humanities professor who specializes in English literature from 1990 to 2030, is obsessed with a poem entitled "A Corona for Vivien." The poem was a gift from eminent English poet Francis Blundy to his wife on her 54th birthday, which he read to a small group of friends attending a dinner party at their home. Written in Blundy's hand on vellum, it was never published, and the only known copy has vanished amid conflicting claims of its whereabouts.

Metcalfe's description of his search and of his frustration as the "biographer of the reputation of an unread poem" merges seamlessly with a subtly moving meditation on the struggle to preserve a collective memory of the best of civilization's culture on a climate-ravaged, economically diminished planet. But as the novel reaches its midpoint, he makes a discovery that propels the story in a radically different direction, confirming McEwan's confidence and skill.

As the author of the explosive memoir that comprises the second half of What We Can Know remarks, "there are occasions when prose must eclipse poetry." That observation couldn't be more apt to describe a story that encompasses the full range of human emotions and behavior--from profound love and compassion to the most fundamental of betrayals. At its heart is the recounting of a monstrous crime and the reverberation of that event through the lives of its perpetrators. McEwan spins out this account with an ease that will have readers finding themselves torn between the urge to race ahead to find out what happens next and the desire to linger to enjoy his eloquent prose and his astute, almost clinical dissection of his characters' behavior.

At every turn, What We Can Know satisfies expectations even as it generates fresh anticipation. Its keen insights about some of the darkest and most mystifying aspects of the human psyche are presented in the way one would expect from a novelist of Ian McEwan's experience and talent as he leads readers through the complex emotional labyrinth of this memorable story. --Harvey Freedenberg, freelance reviewer

Shelf Talker: In a post-apocalyptic England, a humanities professor seeking to solve a literary mystery discovers a tangled story of love and betrayal.

The bestselling self-published books last week as compiled by IndieReader.com:

1. The Happiness Experiment by Carl B. Barney
2. Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
3. Wealthy and Well-Known by Rory Vaden and AJ Vaden
4. Watch Your Back by Tate James
5. The Right Player by Kandi Steiner
6. Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
7. Time of Your Life by Jessa Hastings
8. Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
9. Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
10. Zodiac Academy: The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

[Many thanks to IndieReader.com!]