Catapult has acquired Hawthorne Books & Literary Arts, Portland, Ore., which will join Catapult, Counterpoint Press, and Soft Skull Press as the fourth imprint of the book group. Under the deal, Catapult has purchased Hawthorne's catalog of titles, as well as the Hawthorne trademark. With the purchase, Penguin Random House Publisher Services, Catapult's distributor, will distribute Hawthorne Books. Publishers Group West has been its distributor.

Hawthorne Books was founded in 2001 by publisher and executive editor Rhonda Hughes, who will stay on with Catapult, serving as contributing editor for Hawthorne Books, acquiring on behalf of the imprint.

With the acquisition, Catapult gains a backlist that includes Lidia Yuknavitch's The Chronology of Water (now a major motion picture directed by Kristen Stewart), Poe Ballantine's Love and Terror on the Howling Plains of Nowhere, Frank Meeink and Jody M. Roy's Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead, and most recently Sidney Morrison's novel Frederick Douglass, among others.

Catapult is a publishing collective created by the founders of Electric Literature and Black Balloon Publishing, comprising the imprints Catapult, Counterpoint Press, Soft Skull Press, and Hawthorne Books. Operating within Unlikely Collaborators, the nonprofit founded by Elizabeth R. Koch, Catapult's authors have received major recognition, including an International Booker Prize, an Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, a National Book Critics Circle Award, and several National Book Award finalists.

The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance reached a significant milestone this month "as a steady influx of new bookstores joining the organization has brought our active membership total to 300 bookstores." 

SIBA has had 77 new bookstore members join the organization this year, 25% of its current membership, and an increase of 31% over 2024. Of the 245 bookstores who were members in 2024, 223 have renewed for 2025, a 91% renewal rate.

"What does all this tell us?" SIBA asked. "Broadly, the rise in new bookstores and the relatively small number of store closures suggest that despite a volatile economy and a strained political climate, booksellers in the South are galvanized and committed to their communities. It really is 'a bright future' for Southern bookselling."

The pop-up that Zibby's Bookshop, Santa Monica, Calif., opened last month inside the Minnie Rose flagship store on New York City's Upper East Side is becoming permanent. The pop-up had been scheduled to close January 15.

The pop-up, featuring some contemporary 175 titles, occupies a corner of the Minnie Rose store, which is a high-end cashmere and knitwear shop. The pop-up has hosted host a variety of events, including many live podcast recordings, book club meetings, and author signings.

As part of the collaboration, Minnie Rose created a limited-edition "Totally Booked" sweater, which has been sold only at the pop-up.

Arthur Sze

Arthur Sze, who was named the U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2025-2026 in September, will open his tenure in December with a workshop and reading focused on poetry translation at Queens College of the City University of New York, in the borough where he grew up. His inaugural reading at the Library of Congress will take place on December 11 (rescheduled from October), followed by two poetry translation workshops in early January in his hometown of Santa Fe, N.Mex.

During his laureateship, Sze plans to engage with students and the public in a series of readings and workshops focused on translating poetry originally written in other languages, the Library noted. 

"Translation practice is a vehicle to develop our own poetry; and to write poetry, with its sonnets and sestinas, its haikus and ghazals all carried over into English from other languages, is to awaken to the possibilities--and expand the resources--of our shared language," Sze said. "Translation builds bridges and makes connections. The more we give, the more everyone has. Great poetry ignites and reignites our shared humanity, and the transient worlds of poetry in translation play a vital role in bringing us together."

Richard Lamparski, who "turned his obsession with forgotten stars into the Whatever Became Of ...? series, 11 volumes of pop-culture nostalgia, movie trivia and, let's be honest, schadenfreude," died November 8, the New York Times reported. He was 93.

Published from 1967 to 1989, each edition of the series included about 100 "profiles of once-upon-a-time celebrities, mainly from film but also from sports, politics and other arts, accompanied by then-and-now photographs that revealed the sometimes cruel toll of time," the Times wrote, adding that as 1960s America "hurtled into the future at warp speed and in Technicolor," the black-and-white books "offered a backward glance." 

"I'm a voyeur, an onlooker," Lamparski told the blog BoyCulture in a 2012 interview. He had an encyclopedic memory for Hollywood trivia, and in the pre-Internet era, he was a resourceful investigator of obscure people, relying on word of mouth, street sightings, and paging through the phone book. "I got to meet people I would not have dreamed I could ever meet," he said in a 2010 interview with the blog the Showbiz Wizard. 

Although Lamparski conceived of Whatever Became Of ...?" during the 1950s, his idea was not initially welcomed, with one publisher asking why anyone would care what had become of these people. His first outlet was WBAI-FM in New York, which began broadcasting Whatever Happened To ...? as a radio series in 1965. Subsequently, Crown Publishers offered him a contract, but there was not a lot of enthusiasm until he was interviewed on the Today show by Barbara Walters and Hugh Downs. "It just took off from there," he later recalled.

The 11th and final edition of Whatever Became Of ...? was published in 1989 but, Lamparski said, "Interest evaporated overnight." 

"By then, readers had either moved on or were sating their appetites for then-and-now celebrity news in the pages of magazines like People and Us Weekly," the Times noted, adding that Lamparski ultimately withdrew from most professional and social engagements. 

Steve Israel (left) kicked off his 12-stop tour for his new historical thriller, The Einstein Conspiracy (Compass Rose Publishing), at the Krasnoff Theater at Long Island University. For the sold-out event (200 people in attendance and 175 books sold), sponsored by the Gold Coast Forum, Israel was in conversation with author Alex DeMille. Israel is an author, former U.S. congressman, and owner of Theodore's Books in Oyster Bay, N.Y.

Volume Bookshop & Studio, Buckhannon, W.Va., shared a photo of its Christmas Book Tree on social media, noting: "Good morning to you! Come on in this morning, the kettle's on for tea and we tidied up the mess the Saturday crew made of the books. What a messy bunch!!... Doesn't matter if you're shopping or not, you can stop in the shop and drink some genuine British tea, relax a bit, maybe color one of the festive colouring sheets. It'll be great to see you."

Emma Straub, author and co-owner of Books Are Magic bookstore in Brooklyn, N.Y., shared some epic culinary news on Instagram: "Huge news for salad lovers and Books Are Magic fans... THE EMMA STRAUB SALAD. 

"A delicious salad packed with Brown Rice, Kale, Feta, Pepitas, Cherry Tomatoes, Pickled Red Onions, and for the first time in Lassen's history... TOFU. It’s all topped off with a Lemon Tahini Dressing. Don't walk but RUN to get your hands on one of these! Thank you Danny from Lassen and Hennigs for making this happen and also for the amazing book recs."

Mary Beth Thomas is joining Hachette Book Group as director, field sales, overseeing the independent bookstore channel, effective December 1. Thomas has more than a decade of leadership experience in independent retail sales, most recently as director of independent retail sales at HarperCollins, where she headed the national field sales and telesales team. At Hachette, Thomas will lead the field and telephone sales teams, and all sales reps will report directly to her.

Nicky Devaney, v-p, retail sales at Hachette, said that Thomas's "deep understanding of the independent bookstore landscape, combined with her track record of developing high-performing teams and driving results, makes her an outstanding fit for this role. We're excited for the leadership, insight, and energy she will bring to HBG."

Today:
Good Morning America: Marisa Kashino, author of Best Offer Wins: A Novel (Celadon, $27.99, 9781250400543). 

Kelly Clarkson Show: Morgan Stevenson Cooper, author of I Can Make a Movie! (Kokila, $18.99, 9780593858301).

The View: Sherri Shepherd, author of The Sunshine Queens (Tommy Nelson, $19.99, 9781400252732).

Jennifer Hudson Show: Courtney McBroom, co-author of Party People: A Cookbook for Creative Celebrations (DK, $35, 9780593970027). 

Late Show with Stephen Colbert repeat: Jonathan Karl, author of Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America (Dutton, $32, 9798217047000).

Tomorrow:
Today: Dav Pilkey, author of Dog Man: Big Jim Believes (Graphix, $15.99, 9781546176183).

Tamron Hall: Nate Berkus, author of Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal (S&S/Simon Element, $45, 9781668026137).

Jennifer Hudson Show: Eli Rallo, author of Does Anyone Else Feel This Way?: Essays on Conquering the Quarter-Life Crisis (Harvest, $28.99, 9780063417533).

Late Show with Stephen Colbert repeat: Ken Burns, co-author of The American Revolution: An Intimate History (Knopf, $80, 9780525658672).

Amasia Entertainment has acquired franchise rights to The Complete Idiot's Guide book series from Penguin Random House and DK's Alpha Books, Deadline reported, adding that after 32 years of teaching readers to DIY, the brand "is primed for a multimedia franchise." 

The deal includes scripted and unscripted film, television, streaming, podcast, and ancillary rights for The Complete Idiot's Guide. The books have sold more than 95 million copies worldwide and been translated into 75 languages.

"We're excited to be developing this incredible brand across traditional, streaming and social media platforms, and look forward to working with our friends at Alpha Books/Penguin Random House," said Amasia co-founder Michael Helfant. 

Co-founder Bradley Gallo added: "For us, the options for developing the Complete Idiot's Guide brand are endless. There's an opportunity here for writers, directors, creators and artists to put their spin on a household name, and we're thrilled to foster that collaboration."

The Pornographic Delicatessen: Midcentury Montréal's Erotic Art, Media, and Spaces by Matthew Purvis won the Bookseller Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year "in the closest race in the world's most august literary gong since the prize moved to a public vote 25 years ago." There is no award for the winning author or publisher. Traditionally, a passable bottle of claret is bestowed on the nominator of the winning title.

The winner's margin was just two votes, topping the early bookies' favorite Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder by two votes and Why the Hindenburg Had a Smoking Lounge: Essays in Unintended Consequences by four votes. The Pornographic Delicatessen is just the second Canadian-published title to win a Diagram, joining 2020 winner A Dog Pissing at the Edge of a Path: Animal Metaphors in an Eastern Indonesian Society.

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

Top Pick
The Gallagher Place: A Novel by Julie Doar (Zibby Publishing, $17.99, 9798992377002). "Marlowe is used to the drama that comes with spending holidays with her family, but nothing's come as close to blowing her world apart like this visit. When she and her brothers stumble upon a dead body, it leads to an investigation that may be tied to the decades old disappearance of her childhood best friend. Soon, no one's secrets will be safe." --Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, N.Y.

Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books by Hwang Bo-reum, translated by Shanna Tan (‎Bloomsbury, $27.99, 9781639737796). "This is a thought-provoking book all about the various aspects of books and reading. It's impossible to read this short book of essays without reflecting on the joys and comfort that reading brings. So many books are recommended in the essays that readers will want their TBR tracker handy!" --Kelly Davis, Waukesha Public Library, Wis.

Everyone in the Group Chat Dies: A Novel by L.M. Chilton (Gallery/Scout Press, $19, 9781668094174). "Kirby gets a message from a friend she's sure is dead. As she tries to connect with her other friends to figure out what's going on, disasters befall her and the group until she's in a race for her life. Witty, clever and creepy, this true-crime thriller is a fun, easy read for readers looking for something murderous that doesn't take itself too seriously." --Carri Genovese, Indianapolis Public Library, Ind.

An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole (‎Poisoned Pen Press, $18.99, 9781464216909). "Ellory gets a full ride to an Ivy League university and isn't sure why. Within weeks she's dog-tired and feels like she's losing her mind. Strange things are afoot, and she has a nagging sense of déjà vu. Exploring themes of racism and elitism, this dark academia delight stands out for great character development, a fast-moving plot, and unexpected twists." --Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, Tex.

A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating Death by Maxie Dara (‎Berkley, $19, 9780593815816). "Nora is terrified of death but works for S.C.Y.T.H.E., a company that employs grim reapers. To complicate things further, her twin brother's file has shown up on her desk. To save him, the siblings go on the run with a parrot named Jessica. They find the perfect place to hide until she realizes it isn't just Capital-D Death after her brother, but someone else trying to kill him. An enjoyable romp." --Vanneshia Crane, Love County Library, Ohio

Dark Sisters: A Novel by Kristi DeMeester (St. Martin's Press, $29, 9781250286819). "This fast-paced, terrifying work of historical horror is unapologetically feminist and told in alternating chapters across three timelines: Camilla in 2207, Mary in 1953, and Anna in 1750. Readers will be compelled to learn the women's secrets and the origin of the powerful church called The Patch. Recommended for fans of books about witches and women's power." --Lila Denning, St. Petersburg Library System, Fla.

Canticle: A Novel by Janet Rich Edwards (Spiegel & Grau, $30, 9781966302056). "An intriguing historical fiction about a woman who, from a young age, is called to God. Set in 13th century Bruges, this is a particularly timely look at gender politics, especially as they relate to religion--how far will men go to hold on to their power and standing, and to what lengths will a woman go to serve her god? A great pick for book clubs." --Jayna McDaniel-Browning, Delaware County District Library, Ohio

The List of Suspicious Things: A Novel by Jennie Godfrey (Sourcebooks Landmark, $17.99, 9781464249051). "In the late 1970s, the Yorkshire Ripper casts a shadow of fear over the locals. A young girl, Miv, makes a list of suspicious things in hopes of capturing the Ripper. As Miv and her best friends focus on the secrets, hopes, and tragedies of her neighbors' lives, she discovers the links that connect them all. Will be good for book clubs." --Joan Hipp, LibraryReads Ambassador, N.J.

The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea (Berkley, $19, 9780593641781). "In this slow-burn dual POV romance, Andi is the assistant to the Canadian Prime Minister's wife by day and writes steamy romances under a pen name by night. When her novel, The Prime Minister and Me, comes out, people assume it is based in truth. In order to manage the PR disaster, Andi starts fake-dating the PM's bodyguard with whom she happens to have an awkward past. Very cute and cinematic." --Cate Daily, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Ohio

We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark (Avon, $32, 9780063436718). "One of Arvelle's brothers needs life-saving medicine, and the only way to get it is to make an unbreakable pact with a vampire. Now she must survive gladiator-style games and get close enough to the King to fulfill her vow, or her brothers die. But why has the Primus taken a dislike to her, and why is he always masked? A great plot twist will hook readers." --Laura Sanders, Lafourche Parish Public Library, La.

Polly Atkin (Some of Us Just Fall) brings a poet's sensibility to a contemplative study of nature and self with her memoir The Company of Owls. From her home in the village of Grasmere in England's Lake District, Atkin can hear tawny owls calling to one another; on short walks, she feels privileged to watch them hunting, nesting, raising their young. During and after the Covid-19 lockdown, she marveled at their lives, so little known to us, and mused on isolation, companionship, humans' relationship to the rest of the natural world, and more. Not an ornithologist by training, Atkin feels drawn to her poorly understood subject, associated with both wisdom and death, night-dwelling but sun-loving: "This book is about owls, but it is also about me."

Atkin, who lives with several chronic illnesses that limit her mobility and ability to work in traditional ways, found herself under lockdown questioning the nature of solitude and our many reactions to it. She made art of Middle English words for aloneness: uplokkid, reclused, onlihede, and solnes, which become chapter titles. "But the more times I wrote the words out, the more shades of meaning leached from my brushstrokes. The more ambiguous I felt my state of seclusion to be, the more ambiguous I felt about isolation." She related to what she perceives as the owls' need for both separation and togetherness. In her own insomnia, she connected to their apparent affinity for both darkness and light. "Without other humans to see you and claim you as theirs, you feel less and less like one of them, more and more likely something else. Something nocturnal. Something unbound." She watched a trio of owlets navigate siblinghood, and worked to resist what felt like anthropomorphism.

This is a classic memoir in its meditative pacing, thoughtfulness, and self-examination. And of course its author, with several volumes of poetry to her name, takes special care with both language and detail. The Company of Owls balances a careful focus on the hyperlocal owls immediately surrounding Atkin's home, and a survey approach to the history of owls in the region, the humans who study them, and the owls Atkin encounters online via friends and algorithms. Despite the easy assumption (as she notes) that "technology disconnects us from the world around us," Atkin benefits from a larger world of owls. That wider lens improves her view of what lies just beyond her own home: the Lake District's tawny owls, in their small movements, births, and deaths. Atkin's lovely, reflective memoir reminds all readers to slow down, listen, and find joy. --Julia Kastner, blogger at pagesofjulia

Shelf Talker: A poet and nature writer shares the grace, beauty, and lessons in her quiet observations of "my neighbours, the owls" in this loving memoir.