LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF JACK ENGLE is a rollicking story full of colorful New York characters, originally serialized in the Sunday Dispatch anonymously in 1852. Mr. Hamm’s performance of the many salty characters, from Irish street sweeper Barney Fox, to faux-French aristocrat Madame Seligny, conniving Quaker lawyer Covert, and the bootstrapping orphan Jack Engle himself, brings out the wry humor woven throughout the tale. Mr. Hamm, who previously narrated Frank O’Hara’s New York Stories, said of the recording, “I had been a fan of Whitman’s work, so it was an easy choice for me. And this is a lost work. It’s exciting to read something new by someone who’s been dead over 100 years.” Scholar Zachary Turpin of the University of Houston narrates an afterword describing how he followed clues in Whitman’s papers leading him to the Library of Congress, whose newspaper archives contained the only known surviving copy of JACK ENGLE. Mr. Turpin consulted on the audio recording, advising on correct historical pronunciations of the characters’ names and accents. Mr. Hamm’s nuanced portrayal of the high-powered, advertising executive Don Draper on AMC’s award-winning drama series, Mad Men, firmly established him as one of Hollywood’s most talented and versatile actors. He has earned numerous accolades, including an Emmy Award in 2015 for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, and Golden Globe Awards in 2016 and 2008.

Coordinated and sponsored by Penguin Random House, this special collection recognized 60 students who joined together and wrote hundreds of poems during National Poetry Month.  For most students, it was their first published work.  More than 25 parents and teachers beamed with pride while listening to their sons and daughters recite their own poetry as well as share their illustrations and artwork that accompanied the poems.   With the active participation of P.S. 3 teachers Lindsay Tomao (pictured), Lindsey Halligan, and Tara Cox, along with Principal Lisa Siegman and Assistant Principal Regina Chiou, this poetry writing program took place over five classroom sessions and provided additional support to Penguin Random House’s existing P.S. 3 partnership with Read-Ahead and employee volunteer reading mentors.  The writing exercises were based on odes, places, sketches, haikus, rhymes and artwork, among other topics.  For example, after a discussion about color, each student chose a favorite color and wrote an ode dedicated to and in celebration of their chosen hue. Ms. Tomao said, “By filtering poetry to its essence rather than its structure, Penguin Random House made poetry accessible to even the most reluctant student of English Language Arts by giving them the freedom to focus on the sounds of words beyond the phonics of spelling. I've never seen some of my students as engaged and invested in their learning as they were during the Penguin Random House Poetry workshops.” As part of our mission to nurture the next generation of writers and readers, Penguin Random House supports this program through the Read-Ahead partnership – providing employees an opportunity to give back to the community in which they work.  Penguin Random House has over 100 employee volunteer mentors and our partnership has evolved to include: author and illustrator visits, poetry workshops, book donations and various student-related events throughout the school year. To view this year’s impressive P.S 3 poetry collection, click here.

Resolute and Greenpeace are in litigation, and we cannot interfere or comment on this dispute. We can reaffirm our ardent belief in responsible, truthful speech. We recognize and respect the right of all parties to draw attention to important causes, and to advocate their positions and perspectives.   Media Contacts: Claire von Schilling 212.782.9876 Stuart Applebaum 212. 782. 9623

of 2016 and all of them were on the road to employment by their farewell dinner last year.  With positive feedback from everyone involved, and the job placement successes, Bertelsmann colleagues decided to continue the project this year. “We are pleased that we are not only able to continue the project, but also that we recruited more participants for 2017,” says Anna Terletzki, a social worker and head of the project at Bertelsmann. “Thanks to the varied program, we hope to prepare them as well as possible for entering working life.” Eleven men and four women between the ages of 19 and 26 are on board for BE Welcome 2017. Thirteen of the participants come from Syria, two from Iraq. They have lived in Germany for a year or two, and come from a variety of backgrounds. “As a socially responsible company, Bertelsmann takes responsibility for refugees, providing them with sustained, effective support in entering the German job market with ‘BE Welcome’,” says Immanuel Hermreck, Bertelsmann CHRO. “Having career prospects is a key contributor to successful integration.” BE Welcome is designed to help refugees acquire key prerequisites needed to navigate through Germany’s dual-training system. The top priority is to learn German.  The participants receive intensive language training over a 12-month period – daily for the first four months, then weekly. Another equally important element is the intensive socio-educational support they receive from the project team, which is again reinforced by the social pedagogue Andreas Majewski for this purpose. For the refugees in the first “BE Welcome” group, participation definitely paid off.  Each of them has gained new prospects.  One has begun his entry qualification in the print department at Mohn Media; a second plans to start this in the summer. Two others are poised to become an auto mechanic and an electronics technician, respectively. Two participants have begun state-subsidized apprenticeships, one in retail, the other in warehouse logistics. One young man is going to school to become an assistant IT specialist, and a young woman is being trained as an early-childhood educator. One participant has been studying German as a foreign language since October, and another has begun his orientation studies in order to study International Business in the coming winter semester. “The first edition of the project exceeded our expectations,” says the “BE Welcome” team. “We were especially impressed by the group’s high level of solidarity and motivation. We are delighted that we were able to help the participants gain new prospects – and of course we will try to do so as best as possible again this year, with the second year.”

   Watch the new trailer from Lionsgate for #WonderTheMovie, starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay, coming to theaters nationwide on November 17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngiK1gQKgK8&feature=youtu.be

 

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AMAZING MOMS by Rachel Buchholz: For all the remarkable mothers in your life, this book shares the wisdom of the animal kingdom’s most caring mothers and showcases the power of a mother’s love through beautiful images and quotes.   THE ATLAS OF BEAUTY by Mihaela Noroc: Based on the author’s online photography project, this stunning collection features portraits of 500 women from more than 50 countries, accompanied by revelatory captions that capture their personal stories.     IT’S WHAT I DO by Lynsey Addario: War photographer Lynsey Addario’s memoir is the story of how the relentless pursuit of truth, in virtually every major theater of war in the twenty-first century, has shaped her life. What she does, with clarity, beauty, and candor, is to document, often in their most extreme moments, the complex lives of others. It’s her work, but it’s much more than that: it’s her singular calling.   @NATGEO by National Geographic: Featuring the most liked, commented on, and favorite photos from National Geographic’s iconic Instagram account, @NatGeo is a winning combination of expertly curated and favorite National Geographic photographs from the account.   See the entire collection for National Photography month.

the powerful speech he delivered during last summer’s Democratic National Convention. THIS IS OUR CONSTITUTION, a middle-grade nonfiction hardcover, will release simultaneously with Khan’s adult memoir, AN AMERICAN FAMILY (Random House), on November 14, 2017. Michelle Frey, Executive Editor for Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, will edit. “I was so deeply moved by my first meeting with Khizr Khan—by his incredibly admirable personal journey, and also by the stories he shared about connecting with our nation’s youth at various events across the country,” says Ms. Marcus. “THIS IS OUR CONSTITUTION is an important book for young readers, families, and educators, and I am honored that Random House Children’s Books will be its home.” Mr. Khan says, “This book is my humble effort to pay tribute to our future leaders, the true custodians of our Constitution, and to all of the human dignities enshrined in our Bill of Rights, as the making of our republic continues.” THIS IS OUR CONSTITUTION will extend Mr. Khan’s message to young readers, introducing them to the history and contents of the Constitution and Bill of Rights—what these documents say, and why they still matter. Mr. Khan will share his highly personal perspective on the relevance and importance of the Constitution, including a history of how it was drafted, passed, and amended, and highlighting some of the key turning points in its interpretation that he considers essential to understanding our country. Khizr Khan grew up in Pakistan with few of the fundamental rights that are enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and his personal experiences and education inspired THIS IS OUR CONSTITUTION. Khan is deeply passionate about raising awareness of the rights and protections that the Constitution provides for every American, and calling attention to the symbol of hope it represents throughout the world. Khizr and his wife, Ghazala, immigrated to America in 1980, and subsequently became citizens. Their middle son, Captain Humayun Khan, was killed in 2004 in a suicide attack near Baqubah, Iraq, and was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. In 2016, Khizr and Ghazala attended the Democratic National Convention, where he delivered a speech honoring his son’s sacrifice and stressing the importance of an inclusive America with liberty for all citizens. After the extraordinary response his speech received, he has taken this message on the road, delivering talks throughout the country.

FEATURED TITLES REDEPLOYMENT by Phil Klay Winner of the 2014 National Book Award for Fiction, Marine Corps veteran Phil Klay’s Redeployment takes readers to the frontlines of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, asking us to understand what happened there, and what happened to the soldiers who returned.     THE GHOSTS OF HERO STREET: HOW ONE SMALL MEXICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY GAVE SO MUCH IN WORLD WAR II AND KOREA by Carlos Harrison The Mexican-American families who lived on one street in Silvis, Illinois sent fifty-seven of their children to fight in World War II and Korea—more than any other place that size in the country. Eight of those children died. It’s a distinction recognized by the Department of Defense, one that earned that strip a distinguished name: Hero Street. Based on interviews with relatives, friends, and soldiers who served alongside the men, as well as personal letters and photographs, The Ghosts of Hero Street is the compelling and inspiring account of a street of soldiers—and men—who would not be denied their dignity or their honor.   PACO’S STORY: A NOVEL by Larry Heinemann Paco Sullivan is the only man in Alpha Company to survive a cataclysmic Viet Cong attack on Fire Base Harriette in Vietnam. Everyone else is annihilated. Brilliantly and vividly written, Paco’s Story–winner of a National Book Award–plunges you into the violence and casual cruelty of the Vietnam War, and the ghostly aftermath that often dealt the harshest blows.   THE THIN RED LINE: A NOVEL by James Jones, Foreword by Francine Prose They are the men of C-for-Charlie company—“Mad” 1st Sgt. Eddie Welsh, Pvt. 1st Class Don Doll, Pvt. John Bell, Capt. James Stein, Cpl. Fife, and dozens more just like them—infantrymen who are about to land, grim and white-faced, on an atoll in the Pacific called Guadalcanal. This is their story, a shatteringly realistic walk into hell and back.   GENERATION KILL: DEVIL DOGS, ICEMAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA, AND THE NEW FACE OF AMERICAN WAR by Evan Wright Based on Evan Wright’s National Magazine Award-winning story in Rolling Stone, this is the raw, firsthand account of the 2003 Iraq invasion that inspired the HBO® original mini-series.     AMERICA’S WAR FOR THE GREATER MIDDLE EAST by Andrew J. Bacevich A searing reassessment of America’s foreign policy in the Middle East over the past four decades—by a retired Army Colonel and New York Times-bestselling author. From the end of World War II to 1980, virtually no American soldiers were killed in action while serving in the Greater Middle East. Since 1990, virtually no American soldiers have been killed in action anywhere else outside the “open-ended war” in the Greater Middle East.   WORLD WAR I AND AMERICA: TOLD BY THE AMERICANS WHO LIVED IT edited by A. Scott Berg For the centenary of America’s entry into World War I, A. Scott Berg presents a landmark anthology of American writing from the cataclysmic conflict that set the course of the 20th century.     VOICES OF WAR: STORIES OF SERVICE FROM THE HOME FRONT AND THE FRONT LINES edited by The Library of Congress The experience of war has affected every generation in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and every soldier has a story to tell. Since the year 2000, the Veteran’s History Project, a permanent department of the Library of Congress, has been collecting and preserving the memories of veterans. In the first book to showcase the richness and depth of this collection, Voices of War tells a compelling, emotional, history of the experience of war, weaving together veterans’ stories from in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf.   FOR YOUNGER READERS THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE by Stephen Crane, Wendell Minor; Ages 9-11 Henry Fleming dreams of the thrill of battle and performing heroic deeds in the American Civil War. But his illusions are shattered when he comes face to face with the bloodshed and horrors of war. Now he’s a raw recruit, Henry experiences both fear and self-doubt. Will war make Henry a coward or a hero? A vivid fictionalized account of the experiences of an ordinary innocent young soldier on the battlefields of the American Civil War, introduced by American writer, illustrator and historian, Wendell Minor.   VIETNAM WAR (DK EYEWITNESS BOOKS); Ages 8 to 12 A visual and informative guide to one of the longest and most controversial wars in American history, now revised and updated. Explore the people, places, battles, and weapons of America’s Indochina struggle. Now available for the first time in paperback, DK Eyewitness Books: Vietnam War tells the dramatic story of patriotism, tragedy, bloody conflict, and heroism.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection: Memorial Day 2017

This month, we shine the spotlight on Ben Cheslawski, Adult Mass Merch. Sales Manager, who celebrated his fortieth year with the company on February 21, 2017!  Get the scoop on Ben by checking out his interview below: What is your role at Penguin Random House? I handle all PRH adult books that are sold to Hudson News Co in their wholesale division. This includes buying offices in NJ, PA and NH that distribute to the 6 New England states, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. What do you find most challenging about your role at PRH? The vast amount of new titles. When I began 40 years ago I sold Bantam Books. All we had were 36 new to mass market books a month. I was there for the first hardcover and the first trade paperback from Bantam Books. What is your favorite book of all time? What is your favorite book right now? My favorite all time is THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY. My favorite right now is anything by Lee Child. What is the most interesting job you’ve ever had? Helping one of my best friends in his apple orchard. I’ve spent most of the last 20 years every weekend in September and October out in the orchard. No heavy lifting….. just helping families You Pick their own fruit. I’ve been there long enough that the children I helped in the beginning are bringing their children to me. They introduce me as the apple professor and I try and explain a little about the farm and apples. Who is or has been one of the biggest influences in your life (professionally or personally)? My father. He was one of the smartest well-read  people I ever knew. He died very young but he instilled in his children a strong work ethic that has served me well. My twin brother and I had our first jobs (taking out the trash for an elderly neighbor) when were in the first grade. We could only take money from the neighbor if we put it in the bank. My parents created workers and savers at the same time. I’ve had a job ever since.   Every employee celebrating a milestone anniversary is given the opportunity to be featured in Employee Milestone Spotlight. Think there is a milestone we’ve missed? Let us know! Email Faith Engstrom in HR to set up an interview.

Director, Associate Publisher, Random House, said, “It has been a dream come true to work with Alan Drew on SHADOW MAN.  Alan knows how to tell a spellbinding story about characters who seem real, in a novel that also shows how the evil secrets in a suburban town can be hiding in plain sight, until one man has the guts to say, ‘Enough.’  SHADOW MAN is riveting to read, even as it reminds us of important truths about being human.” Alan Drew reveals, “SHADOW MAN was in part inspired by the summer of 1985 when Richard Ramirez, The Night Stalker, terrorized the suburbs of Southern California. He preyed on neighborhoods where people felt safe, where they left windows open and doors unlocked at night. It was the first time I remember being truly terrified of another person. I was 15 at the time, and I’d always wanted to write about that moment when your sense of safety is shattered, as mine was that summer in my master-planned community of Irvine, CA.” Mr. Drew adds, “It feels a bit miraculous that this book is finally out in the world. It’s a privilege to publish a book, to have readers out there in the world, and I’m so thankful that these characters have a life beyond my little attic office.” Fellow Penguin Random House authors have been effusive with their praise:  

• “SHADOW MAN revises the old detective story and turns it in several fascinating directions. Alan Drew writes with precision, subtlety, and a streak of suspense that does not often color the literary novel.”  —Colum McCann

 

• “A home run—wonderfully imagined and wonderfully written, patient but propulsive, serious but suspenseful, grown up but gripping, SHADOW MAN is everything a great thriller should be.” —Lee Child

 

• “Always thrilling and often terrifying, SHADOW MAN is a descendent of Chandler’s The Big Sleep. Underlying the grisly dangers of Drew’s novel is the forceful honesty of all good California noir, the necessary and clear-eyed exploration of the innate human truths that should and do scare us.” —Claire Vaye Watkins

 

and the turnout has been so strong it will continue through June 8 as an off-fair event in conjunction with the annual Salone del Libro of Turin, Italy’s oldest and most established book fair. The 100 covers on display were created over the past 10 years by gifted Penguin Random House colleagues on both sides of the Atlantic. For the first time, a mix of our talented US and UK designers are collectively celebrated in one place. The featured current and former Penguin Random House colleagues, representing several publishing groups and imprints, are:  from the US: Jason Booher, Christopher Brand, Paul Buckley, Pablo Delcán, John Gall, Elena Giavaldi, Janet Hansen, Chip Kidd, Emily Mahon, Peter Mendelsund, Oliver Munday, Robbin Schiff, Helen Yentus, Manuja Waldia, Rachel Willey; from the UK: Coralie Bickford-Smith, Suzanne Dean, David Pearson, and Jim Stoddart.     Penguin Random House’s Fabrizio La Rocca, Creative Director, Corporate Design, and one of the Be My Cover organizers, said,  ”We are proud of our long heritage of exceptional talent in cover design, which we share across regions.  Over the years, among the best creators of inspiring and innovative covers have worked among us and have reshaped the way we see and choose the books we read.  Every day arresting covers are designed at Penguin Random House.  Working on this exhibit only reinforced my feeling of how much we need to cherish this creativity as a foundational attribute of our company”     The exhibit was curated by Roberto Maria Clemente, principal of Bellisimo and the Beast, a design firm, and professor of Graphic Design History at IED (Torino) and NaBA (Milano), and was organized by Mr. Clemente and Fabrizio La Rocca.  Archicura/WNA, an architectural firm, set up the exhibit, which is being hosted by FFLAG, an independent multi-disciplinary 100 square meter space in the center of Turin.    

units/loose books each day across 3 shifts. We have three systems FORTE (conveyor system), Dematic (voice picking system) and FKI Intelligrated (loose pick unit system) that are communicating with our MARC system during the loose pick and pack process. “Every title stored in the warehouse has a loose pick location. Our loose pick operations consist of three different sized locations based on a 90-day rate of movement for each title. Books are picked using a voice picking system, Dematic. Each user has a template that is set up in Dematic to recognize their voice responses.” Sharon Lookingbill, Manager, Warehouse, Reorder-Loose Picking, notes, “One thing that is unique to this (voice) system is that the unit will recognize a user’s response based on the way the user trains it and each unit is unique to the user.  When picking, the voice unit gives the voice picker that location to pick from. A user must scan the book to verify picking accuracy before the system will give them the quantity of books to pick from that location.” Tina adds, “All rush, foreign, dated, consumer, Xmemo or large freight orders are picked into a carton at the flow rack and shelving locations directly into a carton.  All other order types are picked into totes and are sent to our unit sorter.  At the unit sorter the books in each tote are inducted onto a conveyor. The unit sorter will send the books down a sorter chute where the books are packed into a carton designated for each order. For optimum efficiency we either pack into a carton or pick into a tote that would go to the unit sorter based on order types and volumes.” 15-inch shelf locations, which can hold up to one carton each, are for the slowest moving titles. 24-inch shelf locations are for titles whose rate of movement falls between being a slow and fast moving title. These locations can hold up to two cartons of books. Flow rack locations, which can hold up to 9 cartons of books, are for storing our fastest moving titles. The Reorder Loose Picking area contains 16,132 flow rack positons, and 79,298 shelving locations. Tina explains, “All cartons, once picked into a carton at the loose pick mods, shelves or unit sorter, travel on our conveyor system known as FORTE across a scale for a weight check verification.  Any cartons not passing the weight check will be sent to our quality assurance area to be inspected and 100% checked. “Cartons that pass the weight check, or once they are finished in the quality assurance area, travel via conveyor to our Case Seal area. Case seal will have any necessary packing invoices inserted into the carton and will also insert bubble wrap into any void areas. The cartons will then be sealed and sent to our shipping department via the conveyor to be prepared for shipping to the customer.”

about – poverty and the inability of many poor people to have the security of home that most Americans enjoy. Matthew Desmond brings to painful life the challenges which many poor families face, and reveals those who profit from their struggles.” The Book Awards were presented, along with the 49th Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards, by Mrs. Robert Kennedy and Kerry Kennedy with Chair Margaret Engel on Tuesday, May 23, at the Newseum in Washington, DC. The Robert F. Kennedy Book Awards honor authors whose writing focuses on social justice issues of concern to Robert Kennedy. Over 70 works were nominated for honors in 2017. Led by human rights activist and lawyer Kerry Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights has advocated for a more just and peaceful world since 1968.

RADICAL HOPE is a collection of letters—to ancestors, to children five generations from now, to strangers in grocery lines, to any and all who feel weary and discouraged—written by award-winning novelists, poets, political thinkers, and activists.  Provocative and inspiring, RADICAL HOPE offers readers a kaleidoscopic view of the love and courage needed to navigate this time of upheaval, uncertainty, and fear.  The book’s letter-writers include such Penguin Random House authors as Junot Díaz, Karen Joy Fowler, Hari Kunzru, Celeste Ng, and Jane Smiley. ALA President Julie Todaro said, “(RADICAL HOPE) offers unique messages from extraordinary authors. It provides us with much needed, uplifting thoughts for these difficult times. I thank Vintage Books and the author for their gift to American Libraries.” Ms. De Robertis: “I’m incredibly moved and honored to know that this book will be reaching so many library shelves. This is a gift given to institutions – namely, libraries – that themselves give boundlessly to our communities and to our culture. My wildest hope would be that library patrons find some form of solace, spark, or sustenance in these pages and in the kaleidoscopic voices found therein.” Penguin Random House Library Marketing also partnered with the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services to distribute an additional 1,000 copies to American Library Association members from the five ethnic affiliates of ALA, including the American Indian Library Association, Asian Pacific American Librarians Association, Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Chinese American Library Association, and REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking.

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DAYS OF RAGE by Bryan Burrough From the bestselling author of Public Enemies and The Big Rich, an explosive account of the decade-long battle between the FBI and the homegrown revolutionary movements of the 1970s.     KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON by David Grann In Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann revisits a shocking series of crimes in which dozens of people were murdered in cold blood. Based on years of research and startling new evidence, the book is a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, as each step in the investigation reveals a series of sinister secrets and reversals. But more than that, it is a searing indictment of the callousness and prejudice toward American Indians that allowed the murderers to operate with impunity for so long. Killers of the Flower Moon is utterly compelling, but also emotionally devastating.   UNDERCOVER GIRL by Lisa E. Davis Undercover Girl is both a new chapter in Cold War history and an intimate look at the relationship between the FBI and one of its paid informants. Ambitious and sometimes ruthless, Calomiris defied convention in her quest for celebrity.     THE SECRETS OF THE FBI by Ronald Kessler New York Times bestselling author reveals the FBI’s most closely guarded secrets, with an insider look at the bureau’s inner workings and intelligence investigations.     THE SPY WHO COULDN’T SPELL by Yudhijit Bhattacharjee The thrilling, true-life account of the FBI’s hunt for the ingenious traitor Brian Regan—known as the Spy Who Couldn’t Spell. Before Edward Snowden’s infamous data breach, the largest theft of government secrets was committed by an ingenious traitor whose intricate espionage scheme and complex system of coded messages were made even more baffling by his dyslexia. His name is Brian Regan, but he came to be known as The Spy Who Couldn’t Spell.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection FBI Books

Emslee, Sandy Hartman, and Bill Gill from customer service, and Erin DiNello from DMS, spelled their way to a third place win! The “Alpha Betties” were represented by Rosie Korzie and Holly Little from Credit and Terry DeFelice and Mary Coe from General Ledger Accounting. “Err in Spelling,” our third team, consisted of Sylvia Shoemaker, Michelle Sadler, Debbie Lockwood, all from Customer service, along with Debbie’s daughter Meghan Lockwood. Although these teams did not place in the top 3, their participation helped with the fundraising efforts to benefit literacy needs in Carroll County. We are proud of and thank all the teams and spectators who took their time and efforts to help with the needs of others. Report by Terri Balzanna

Award, established by the Jewish Book Council in 1950, recognizes outstanding works of Jewish literature. You can learn more about the Jewish Book Council here.   WINNERS: Contemporary Jewish Life and Practice: Myra H. Kraft Memorial Award CHANGING THE WORLD FROM THE INSIDE OUT: A JEWISH APPROACH TO PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE by Rabbi David Jaffe (Shambhala) An inspiring and accessible guide, drawn from Jewish wisdom, for building the inner qualities necessary to work effectively for social justice.     Debut Fiction: Goldberg Prize ANNA AND THE SWALLOW MAN by Gavriel Savit (Knopf Books for Young Readers; Ages 12 and up) Set in Poland during the Second World War, Anna and the Swallow Man is a stunning, literary, and wholly original novel perfect for readers of The Book Thief and All the Light We Cannot See.   Poetry: Berru Award in Memory of Ruth and Bernie Weinflash ALMOST COMPLETE POEMS by Stanley Moss (Seven Stories Press) Moss is oceanic: his poems rise, crest, crash, and rise again like waves. His voice echoes the boom of the Old Testament, the fluty trill of Greek mythology, and the gongs of Chinese rituals as he writes about love, nature, war, oppression, and the miracle of language.     FINALISTS: Book Club Award: The Debby and Ken Miller Award TWO SHE-BEARS (Schocken Books) One of Israel’s most celebrated novelists—the acclaimed author of A Pigeon and a Boy—gives us a story of village love and vengeance in the early days of British Palestine that is still being played out two generations later.     Fiction: JJ Greenberg Memorial Award CARRY ME by Peter Behrens (Pantheon Books) Billy and Karin first bond over the popular Wild West stories of Karl May, and later over their passion for jazz and Berlin nightclubs. But they also come to share a fantasy of escape from the 1930s Germany that is rapidly darkening around them—escape to the high plains of Texas and New Mexico they’d read about as children. Against the backdrop of Hitler’s rise to power, their friendship deepens into a love affair with extraordinarily high stakes.   History: Gerrard and Ella Berman Memorial Award and Holocaust EAST WEST STREET: ON THE ORIGINS OF “GENOCIDE” AND “CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY” by Philippe Sands (Knopf) While exploring the basis and creation of humanitarian law—the direct result of the unprecedented atrocities of Hitler’s Third Reich—East West Street is also a moving personal detective story which looks at the personal and intellectual evolution of the two men who simultaneously originated the ideas of “genocide” and “crimes against humanity.”   Children’s Literature DREIDELS ON THE BRAIN by Joel ben Izzy (Dial Books; Middle Grade – 10 and up) At last a great American Hanukkah story! This very funny, very touching novel of growing up Jewish has the makings of a holiday classic.     THE INQUISITOR’S TALE: OR, THE THREE MAGICAL CHILDREN AND THEIR HOLY DOG by Adam Gidwitz (Dutton Books for Young Readers; Middle Grade –  ages 10 and up) Also a 2017 Newbery Honor Book and Winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award An exciting and hilarious medieval adventure from the bestselling author of A Tale Dark and Grimm. Beautifully illustrated throughout!   Young Adult: The Posner Award ANOTHER ME by Eva Wiseman (Tundra Books; Ages 12 and up) Set against the backdrop of plague-ravaged Europe, this spellbinding new novel from one of Canada’s foremost writers of historical fiction for young people will have readers racing to the electrifying climax.     ANNA AND THE SWALLOW MAN by Gavriel Savit (Knopf Books for Young Readers; Ages 12 and up ) “The third-person narrative—lyrical, fluid, with a pervasive shadow of menace—lends a folkloric feel to a graceful story steeped in history, magic, myth, and archetype.” —The Horn Book, Starred Review   Note: The Jewish American Heritage Month Coalition (JAHM) keeps a calendar to help you find events in your area. To learn more about these and other National Book Award titles visit National Jewish Book Awards

“We work to promote the power of the written word, but we must utilize every medium our readers are consuming to help them discover our books,” said Theresa Zoro, Executive Vice President, Director of Publicity, Random House. “Our strategy moving forward is to meet them where they are, and create a YouTube Channel that is searchable and informative.” Random House Social Media Publicist Danielle Siess is spearheading this project, in collaboration with the corporate video team led by John Clinton. Their collective goal is to continue to explore innovative and creative ways to reach readers. Interesting facts: YouTube remains the second largest search engine on the Web, right behind Google. And Google has adjusted its search settings so videos are shown first, ahead of text and photo online content.

recognizable, Sendak is the wild card, with his art and such books as Where the Wild Things Are more renowned than his name. Here are compelling commentaries about each of these new biographies: STING LIKE A BEE: Muhammad Ali vs the United States of America, 1966-1971 by Leigh Montville (Doubleday, 5/16) Author Leigh Montville: “I’m only 18 months younger than Ali, so I dealt with the draft and Vietnam when he did, got married when he did, lived through the same headlines he did. I also covered five of his fights later in his career, so I had a small history with a bunch of the characters involved in his story. There was an easy familiarity with the subject matter from the start.  This is a slice of time book, not a biography. It is a commentary on how we lived during the sixties as much as what happened in Ali’s life. The issues around him then resonate in our country today, probably louder than ever when you look at Black Lives Matter and the Muslim bans and the military adventurism and the right-leaning government in Washington. Would the Muhammad Ali of 1966 have trouble in 2017? Ali was Colin Kapernick expanded by a multiple of ten. Did Colin Kapernick have trouble?” ERNEST HEMINGWAY by Mary V. Dearborn (Knopf, 5/16) Victoria Wilson, VP & Editor, Alfred A. Knopf: “Mary Dearborn’s life of Hemingway goes beyond the standard-brands portrait of the macho, hyper-charismatic figure whose celebrated exploits and adventures became associated with his lean true prose. She draws on newly available materials, among them, the so-called ‘Cuban accession’—the vast collection of papers Hemingway left behind when he fled Cuba in 1961; his complete FBI file; the newly opened files of the KGB; the letters and papers of his sister, and his mistress, as well as the previously ignored and voluminous wealth of papers of his mother, Grace Hemingway, opera singer and painter whose revealing and startling life of shattered rules and convention, and whose insistence on her own artistic expression—against all odds—give us a nuanced and illuminating, rich portrait of Hemingway, the man, and the writer. “In many aspects, Hemingway’s is the quintessential twentieth-century American story . . . a cautionary tale of how things look from the outside, as compared to the life being lived from within; a story of the accumulation of vast amounts of money and fame, adulation and legend and the withering away of discipline and talent and art . . . the story of Hemingway’s life has the feel about it of a Citizen Kane . . . a large story, a giant of a personality, the hidden demons, the hardcore values left behind; and the ‘rosebud’ of it all—the carefree Hemingway childhood that carried him along until ‘everything went to hell,’ as Hemingway said, and it all blew up . . .” OTIS REDDING: An Unfinished Life by Jonathan Gould (Crown Archetype, 5/16) Crown Senior Editor Matthew Inman: “While Otis Redding made music that has long served as the gold standard of 1960s soul, an aura of myth and mystery has always surrounded his life, which was tragically cut short at the height of his career by a plane crash in December 1967. Nearly a decade in the making, Jonathan Gould’s OTIS REDDING: An Unfinished Life draws on exhaustive research, the cooperation of the Redding family, and previously unavailable sources to finally present the first complete portrait of the King of Soul.  Published to coincide with 50th anniversary of Otis Redding’s legendary performance at the Monterey Pop Festival, this definitive biography is both a revealing look at a brilliant artist lost too soon and a provocative exploration of the tangled history of race and music in America.” THERE’S A MYSTERY THERE: The Primal Vision of Maurice Sendak by Jonathan Cott (Doubleday, 5/16) Gerry Howard, VP & Executive Editor, Doubleday: “Polymath and master interviewer Jonathan Cott first interviewed Maurice Sendak in 1976 for Rolling Stone, just at the time when Outside Over There, the concluding and by far the strangest volume of a trilogy that began with Where The Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen, was gestating. Over the course of their wide-ranging and revelatory conversation about his life, work, and the fantasies and obsessions that drove his creative process, they focused on many of the themes and images that would appear in the new book five years later. Drawing on that interview, THERE’S A MYSTERY THERE is a profound examination of the inner workings of a complicated genius’s torments and inspirations that ranges over the entirety of his work and his formative life experiences, and uses Outside Over There, brilliantly and originally, as the key to understanding just what made this extravagantly talented man tick.

story. It outlines who we are, what we do, and why we do it. Employees from all three of our New York office locations participated in this fun project that further reminds everyone why our workplace is so special. The team also created a second video featuring our colleagues’ children sharing their favorite books and their personal thoughts on why they love reading. Many thanks to all of our colleagues and their children for their contribution to this project!

How would you describe the inspiration behind the new Watson-Guptill colophon and the creative process involved, from development to final design? Collaborating with House industries on their new book, HOUSE INDUSTRIES: The Process Is the Inspiration, was a real catalyst for us to work on a new colophon, especially as this is the imprint’s 80th anniversary. To begin the creative process, Executive Editor Jenny Wapner and I shared visuals and brand identities that inspired emotion and spoke to the history of the Watson-Guptill imprint. We winnowed our ideas down and decided to keep a thread to the original logo through the continued use of a horse but in a more modern and graphic format. House ran with the direction, and after digging into the history of the logo, they evolved the look, coming back with a great colophon that has personality and simplicity. What have been the most compelling aspects of your creative work with House Industries and the books that you have worked on together – including the new one – as well as their other projects? House clearly have the highest design skills, but their deep appreciation for textural elements and interesting, layered printing processes really pushed our skill and knowledge of bookmaking. Who do you see as the primary readers and consumers who are most interested in House Industries books Watson-Guptill has published? I see consumers from all creative fields coming to these books, as House pulls on their passions outside of just design and typography; their followers are diverse, avid typographers, vintage cars fanatics, cyclists, interior designers, parents with a passion for thoughtfully designed toys, and more. Read this corresponding article: Watson-Guptill Unveils New Colophon Created by House Industries

Founded in 1937, and part of Ten Speed Press since 2013, Watson-Guptill is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2017. The imprint publishes respected experts who instruct and inspire artists in a wide range of traditional and fine arts, including drawing, painting, craft, and printmaking. The first books to feature the new Watson-Guptill logo are the elevated craft book, THE FINE ART OF PAPER FLOWERS by San Francisco-based artist Tiffanie Turner (August 22), and two new titles in the legendary “Draw 50” series, DRAW 50 OUTER SPACE and DRAW 50 SEA CREATURES (both July 25). When asked about the decision to work with House Industries on the new logo, Ten Speed’s Creative Director Emma Campion explained: “Our in-house team wanted to realign the visual branding of the imprint, and when we became publishing collaborators with House Industries for their new Collection book series with us, they spoke with such reverence for the heritage of Watson-Guptill that they were the obvious choice for the redesign. We asked them to create a logo that felt bold and modern, but that retained the integrity of the brand’s history. We want the mark to communicate that we can stand astride the two worlds of traditional and more cutting- edge art instruction and design.” Known throughout the world for its eclectic font collections and far-reaching creative exploits, House Industries has been a standard-bearer for American graphic design for twenty-five years. House has worked with a diverse list of collaborators, including Jimmy Kimmel, the New Yorker, and the Estate of Charles and Ray Eames. House’s work is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, and will be the subject of a major exhibition at The Henry Ford Museum this summer. Their new book, HOUSE INDUSTRIES: The Process Is the Inspiration, an illustrative and entertaining journey through the studio’s creative process, will be published by Watson-Guptill on May 30.  The book marks the launch of the House Industries Collection, a new collaboration with the Crown Publishing Group. House Industries is represented by Katherine Cowles of the Cowles Agency. When asked about the challenge of creating the design, Andy Cruz, who art-directed the project, and Ken Barber, who handled the design, illustration, and typography, said: “The biggest challenge in developing the new identity for Watson-Guptill was creating a mark that would stand as a convincing extension of the publisher’s legacy, while maintaining a decidedly modern feel. The original logo, drawn by Norman Kent, was based on a pencil drawing by the imprint’s co-founder, Ernest Watson. Considering the brand’s heritage, as well as the publishing house’s long-standing commitment to both tradition and innovation in art instruction, we want the mark to represent a sense of history, while speaking to Watson-Guptill’s future.” Read this corresponding article: TSP Creative Director Emma Campion on Collaborating with House Industries

and will “showcase an assortment of live-action, animated shorts, improvisations, sketches, musical performances and guest appearances.” The Who Was? Show is being developed by Penguin Workshop and producers FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment (FMK), with Matador Content (Lip Sync Battle) co-producing, and Bento Box Entertainment (Bob’s Burgers) signed on as the animation studio. Comedy producer Rich Korson (Those Who Can’t, Great Minds with Dan Harmon) has been tapped as the showrunner and executive producer. Bob Higgins, Jay Peterson, and Penguin Workshop President & Publisher Francesco Sedita will also executive produce. The series has an all-star lineup of comedy writers attached, including Conan O’Brien veteran Brian McCann, head writer Elliott Kalan (The Daily Show), Eric Gilliland (Roseanne), Delaney Yeager (The Daily Show) and Tami Sagher (Inside Amy Schumer). Launched in 2002, the New York Times bestselling Who Was? series tells the amazing stories of trailblazers, legends, innovators, and creators from throughout history and today. One of the leading biography series in the marketplace, the success of Who Was? led to two spin-off series, What Was? and Where Is?; all three series are now published under the Who HQ brand. With over 185 titles published to date, and over 20 million copies sold, Who HQ is the ultimate destination for all things Who? What? and Where?

Ms. Park wrote JUNIE B. JONES AND THE STUPID SMELLY BUS (Random House Children’s Books), the first book in her bestselling series, after she found a young Cherokee student walking home after he missed the school bus. The entire school took part in the dedication and celebration on Friday, May 5. There were many special guests on hand, including Ms. Park’s family and friends, the Arizona Secretary of State, the Superintendent of the Scottsdale Unified School District, as well as local Girl and Boy Scout troops. Many of the children were dressed as Junie B. Jones, and the entire school was decorated with artwork that students created from the series.  Part of the inscription on the commemorative plaque reads: “Cherokee Elementary will always consider itself to be Barbara Park’s home school.” The Literary Landmark program is administered by United for Libraries. More than 150 Literary Landmarks across the United States have been dedicated since the program began in 1986.  Any library or group may apply for a Literary Landmark through United for Libraries. For more information, click here.

official Asian Pacific American Heritage Month website has more information, including audio, video, and information for teachers. We’ve put together a collection of amazing titles featuring authors and characters from Asian and/or Pacific Islander heritage and cultures.   FEATURED TITLES MAMBO IN CHINATOWN by Jean Kwok From the bestselling author of Girl in Translation, an inspiring novel about a young woman torn between her family duties in Chinatown and her escape into a more Western world.     SHORT GIRLS by Bich Minh Nguyen NATIVE SPEAKER by Chang-Rae Lee L is for Lee. Korean American Henry Park is “surreptitious, B+ student of life, illegal alien, emotional alien, Yellow peril: neo-American, stranger, follower, traitor, spy…” or so says his wife, in the list she writes upon leaving him. Henry is forever uncertain of his place, a perpetual outsider looking at American culture from a distance. And now, a man of two worlds, he is beginning to fear that he has betrayed both and belongs to neither. Chang-Rae Lee’s first novel Native Speaker is a raw and lyrical evocation of the immigrant experience and of the question of identity itself.   THE SELECTOR OF SOULS by Shauna Singh Baldwin In Shauna Singh Baldwin’s enthralling novel, two fascinating, strong-willed women must deal with the relentless logic forced upon them by survival: Damini, a Hindu midwife, and Anu, who flees an abusive marriage for the sanctuary of the Catholic church. When Sister Anu comes to Damini’s home village to open a clinic, their paths cross, and each are certain they are doing what’s best for women. What do health, justice, education and equality mean for women when India is marching toward prosperity, growth and becoming a nuclear power? If the baby girls and women around them are to survive, Damini and Anu must find creative ways to break with tradition and help this community change from within.   FORGOTTEN COUNTRY by Catherine Chung The night before Janie’s sister, Hannah, is born, her grandmother tells her a story: Since the Japanese occupation of Korea, their family has lost a daughter in every generation, and Janie is told to keep Hannah safe. Years later, when Hannah inexplicably cuts all ties and disappears, Janie goes to find her. Thus begins a journey that will force her to confront her family’s painful silence, the truth behind her parents’ sudden move to America twenty years earlier, and her own conflicted feelings toward Hannah.   THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant, caught in the tragic sweep of history, The Kite Runner transports readers to Afghanistan at a tense and crucial moment of change and destruction. A powerful story of friendship, it is also about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption; and an exploration of the power of fathers over sons—their love, their sacrifices, their lies.   COMING ATTRACTIONS NEW SUPERMAN VOL. 1: MADE IN CHINA by Gene Luen Yang On Sale Date: June 27, 2017 An impulsive act of heroism thrusts an arrogant young man into the limelight of Shanghai as China begins to form its own Justice League of powerful heroes. As the government creates their own Superman, will they live to regret the person they’ve chosen? Rising from the ashes of SUPERMAN: THE FINAL DAYS OF SUPERMAN and the death of the Man of Steel, will this New Super-Man step up to the challenge, or be crushed under the weight of his hubris and inexperience?   SOUR HEART by Jenny Zhang On Sale Date:  August 1, 2017 A sly debut collection that conjures the experience of adolescence through the eyes of Chinese American girls growing up in New York City—for readers of Zadie Smith, Helen Oyeyemi, and Junot Díaz. Narrated by the daughters of Chinese immigrants who fled imperiled lives as artists back home only to struggle to stay afloat—dumpster diving for food and scamming Atlantic City casino buses to make a buck—these seven stories showcase Zhang’s compassion, moral courage, and a perverse sense of humor reminiscent of Portnoy’s Complaint. A darkly funny and intimate rendering of girlhood, Sour Heart examines what it means to belong to a family, to find your home, leave it, reject it, and return again.   LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by Celeste Ng On Sale Date:  September 12, 2017 Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood – and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

year, casting their votes via online balloting. These booksellers also chose three new inductees into the Picture Book Hall of Fame, including one of our beloved children’s book author/illustrators. Book of the Year – Adult Fiction THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday) Book of the Year – Adult Debut HOMEGOING: A Novel by Yaa Gyasi (Alfred A. Knopf) Book of the Year – Young Adult SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys (Philomel Books) Picture Book Hall of Fame MILLIONS OF CATS by Wanda Gag (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers) Please join us in congratulating our award winners and new hall of famer, their publishers, and our sales teams upon receiving this gratifying recognition from our valued bookseller partners, All prizes and honors will be presented at the Celebration of Bookselling and Author Awards Lunch at BookExpo in Manhattan on Wednesday, May 31, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.  The award-winning authors will sign copies of their books in the ABA lounge immediately afterward. A complete list of Indies Choice award winners can be viewed here.

following biographies and memoirs from mothers, grandmothers, sons and daughters about this profound role:   I AM SUPPOSED TO PROTECT YOU FROM ALL THIS: A MEMOIR by Nadja Spiegelman Well past the age when most children stop believing in magic, Nadja Spiegelman believed her mother was a fairy. More than her famous father, Maus creator Art Spiegelman, and even more than most mothers, hers – Paris-born New Yorker art director Francoise Mouly—seemed to possess superhuman powers, both dazzling and daunting.   ELSEWHERE: A MEMOIR by Richard Russo Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Richard Russo turns to memoir in this hilarious and bittersweet account of his lifelong bond with his high-strung, spirited mother—and the small town she spent her life trying to escape.     BECOMING GRANDMA: THE JOYS AND SCIENCE OF THE NEW GRANDPARENTING by Lesley Stahl When veteran “60 Minutes: reporter Lesley Stahl became a grandmother she was hit with a jolt of joy so intense and unexpected, she wanted to “investigate” it. Along with personal stories about how becoming a grandmother has changed her, Stahl speaks with scientists and doctors, anthropologists and psychiatrists on the subject. In an era when baby boomers are becoming grandparents in droves and when young parents need all the help they can get raising their children, Stahl’s book is a timely and affecting read that redefines a cherished relationship.   BETTYVILLE: A MEMOIR by George Hodgman When George Hodgman leaves Manhattan for his hometown of Paris, Missouri, he finds himself—an unlikely caretaker and near-lethal cook—in a head-on collision with his aging mother, Betty, a woman of wit and will. Will George lure her into assisted living? When hell freezes over.   MOTHER DAUGHTER ME: A MEMOIR by Katie Hafner The complex, deeply binding relationship between mothers and daughters is brought vividly to life in Katie Hafner’s remarkable memoir, an exploration of the year she and her mother, Helen, spent working through, and triumphing over, a lifetime of unresolved emotions.   LOVE FROM BOY: ROALD DAHL’S LETTERS TO HIS MOTHER by Donald Sturrock A whimsical, witty, and revealing collection of the legendary children’s author and writer Roald Dahl’s letters written to his mother, from early childhood through Dahl’s travels to Africa, his career in the Royal Air Force, his work in post-war Washington DC and Hollywood, and the books that made him a literary star.   THE MOTHER-IN-LAW CURE: LEARNING TO LIVE AND EAT IN AN ITALIAN FAMILY by Katherine Wilson An enchanting memoir about how an American woman’s year abroad turns into a permanent life in Naples, and the magic touch of an Italian mother-in-law who teaches her to laugh, live, and love.     THE COLOR OF WATER: A BLACK MAN’S TRIBUTE TO HIS WHITE MOTHER by James McBride Interspersed throughout his mother’s compelling narrative, McBride shares candid recollections of his own experiences as a mixed-race child of poverty, his flirtations with drugs and violence, and his eventual self- realization and professional success. Now considered a classic, The Color of Water touches readers of all colors as a vivid portrait of growing up, a haunting meditation on race and identity, and a lyrical valentine to a mother from her son.   MOM & ME & MOM by Maya Angelou Here, Angelou reveals the triumphs and struggles of being the daughter of Vivian Baxter, an indomitable spirit whose petite size belied her larger-than-life presence—a presence absent during much of Angelou’s early life. Delving into one of her life’s most rich, rewarding, and fraught relationships, Mom & Me & Mom explores the healing and love that evolved between the two women over the course of their lives, the love that fostered Maya Angelou’s rise from immeasurable depths to reach impossible heights.   THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB by Will Schwalbe During her treatment for cancer, Mary Anne Schwalbe and her son Will spent many hours sitting in waiting rooms together. To pass the time, they would talk about the books they were reading. Once, by chance, they read the same book at the same time—and an informal book club of two was born.   BAD MOTHER: A CHRONICLE OF MATERNAL CRIMES, MINOR CALAMITIES, AND OCCASIONAL MOMENTS OF GRACE by Ayelet Waldman From the author of A Really Good Day, Bad Mom addresses with hilarious candor how in our mothers’ day there were good mothers, indifferent mothers, and occasionally, great mothers: yet today we have only Bad Mothers: If you work, you’re neglectful; if you stay home, you’re smothering. If you discipline, you’re buying them a spot on the shrink’s couch; if you let them run wild, they will be into drugs by seventh grade. Is it any wonder so many women refer to themselves at one time or another as a “bad mother”?   TRAVELING WITH POMEGRANATES: A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER JOURNEY TO THE SACRED PLACES OF GREECE, TURKEY, AND FRANCE by Sue Monk Kidd, Ann Kidd Taylor The New York Times bestselling memoir of pilgrimage and metamorphosis by the author of The Secret Life of Bees and her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor. Look out for Ann’s new novel, The Shark Club, which will be published in June, 2017.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection Mother’s Day 2017

In our Three Questions for an Editor feature interview, Crown Senior Editor Kevin Doughten offers illuminating insights into the genesis, development and impact of this fascinating book. When and how was SHATTERED born as a proposal, then a fully-envisioned book? I had worked with Jon and Amie on their previous book, HRC, a biography of Hillary during her time as Secretary of State. After that book was a bestseller, the authors proposed a book in which they would follow the 2016 campaign. It was early in the campaign cycle at that point, probably late 2014, but given that they had such fantastic access to Hillaryland, we liked that idea immediately. Trump wasn’t even a blip on the horizon yet, but you had the sense from the first book that any campaign Hillary was involved in was likely to come with some drama. In the beginning we had a loose schedule of when the authors would deliver various chapters, but during the campaign I wanted to make sure they had room to report. Obviously the book wasn’t finished until after the election, and of course the result led to some re-envisioning, but since so much of the material had been reported and shaped as it was actually happening the real challenge in the end was finding the framework that made sense of it all. The election result actually helped with that since so much of what the authors were hearing from inside the campaign, even early on, suggested disarray. The inside-the-campaign reporting by the authors is so detailed and incisive, they must have had mountains of material to work with.  As their editor, how did you go about helping them make content decisions and shape the narrative? It was important that the book not only document what happened during the campaign but also tell a fantastic story. Often we were evaluating whether a particular incident felt important enough to include—whether it was actually a strong building block in the story or just repetitive of a point that had already been made. Since I’d worked with the authors before, we already shared a mantra—get us in the room. Readers needed to see the campaign through the eyes of the people who lived it, in all its detail, and that meant working with sources to get the clearest understanding of what they heard, saw, and thought at the time. The goal was to create a book that said something important about why the election turned out as it did and also took the reader along for an exciting, thrilling, depressing/exhilarating ride. Who do you see as the primary audience for SHATTERED and what do you feel are the most important takeaways for readers of the book? I don’t know that the book has a primary audience, but rather a few. I think there were a lot of people who voted for Hillary who felt in the wake of the election that they still didn’t have a firm grasp on what happened, why she didn’t win. For those people I think the book offers an alternative narrative, or at least a complementary one, to the story that it was all James Comey, or all Russia. For Bernie fans, there’s justification here that their man had a better grasp of the electorate and ultimately didn’t quite get a fair shake from the party. And of course there are a lot of readers who just plain don’t like Hillary and will find validation here that she herself was a major contributor to her own loss. Beyond that, I think the most important takeaways are probably for the Democratic party. The authors contend that this was a winnable election, and without taking real stock of the unforced errors up and down the process it will be hard for Democrats to avoid déjà vu in 2018 and beyond.

conceived the iconic sixpenny paperback in 1934.  For the first time, the sixpenny paperback made quality literature accessible to a wide audience, sparking the paperback revolution and the beginning of Penguin Books. The unveiling of the plaque is being marked by a special ceremony at the station to celebrate Sir Allen’s life and his extensive contribution to literature in the UK.  Members of Sir Allen’s family including daughters Clare Morpurgo and Christine Teale, Managing Director of Penguin Press, Stefan McGrath, representatives from Great Western Railway, and local charities and community groups are attending. Today Penguin Random House publishers are giving away a specially curated selection of paperback books to celebrate Sir Allen Lane’s legacy. Commenting on the unveiling of the plaque, Ms. Morpurgo said: “It is wonderful to be able to celebrate my father’s contribution to literature in the UK. I know he would be delighted to see how many people have fallen in love with reading since Penguin Books first put quality books into the hands of readers everywhere.  Given Exeter’s integral role in my father’s story, I could not think of a better place for this plaque to stand.” Tom Weldon, CEO, Penguin Random House UK, added: “Allen Lane was central to the success of Penguin Books and his legacy lives on today. We all still share his passion for publishing iconic books and his ambition of connecting them with readers everywhere. We’re thrilled to celebrate his life and contribution at the very place he first had his inspiration.” GWR Station Manager for Exeter St Davids Debbie Ferris commented: “Reading is often associated with railway stations, and relaxing journeys to the UK’s most renowned destinations. For over 80 years Penguin has inspired its readers to escape, while the railway has turned that fiction into reality. “We are delighted to be able to welcome Sir Allen’s family here today as we celebrate his life and a publishing revolution, which like the railways a hundred years before had a massive, and continuing, impact on public life in Britain.”

engage with readers and followers on ideas that matter to them while keeping them entertained and engaged … Of course, next year we’ll be aiming for the Gold!” Here are examples of Penguin Random House India’s social media innovation:

• An inventive documentary-style book trailer was created to promote author Amitav Ghosh’s book on climate change, The Great Derangement, his first nonfiction title in ten years. View the trailer here. The social media team also hosted three Twitter panel discussions, with experts joining from all across the world and reaching an unprecedented global audience (14 million for the final panel) and creating an impactful conversation around the topic of climate change.

 

• A short movie called The Dinner on ‘love outside relationships’ was produced for bestselling romance writer Ravinder Singh’s new book, This Love that Feels Right, which revolved around the idea of adultery. Watch The Dinner via Facebook here.

 

• Short time-lapse line-illustration videos were produced to promote a new book by bestselling Mythology author Devdutt Pattanaik, presenting Indian mythology in the most accessible way with striking Indian-style line-drawings. Watch the selected drawings being redrawn here

  The Indian online platform Social Samosa observes, discusses and investigates current trends and developments in social media marketing. With its inaugural awards, announced via Facebook Live, Social Samosa recognized social media excellence in 16 categories.

simultaneously released the book’s iconic jacket image. Julian Pavia, Executive Editor, Crown, acquired world, electronic, and first serial rights from David Fugate of the LaunchBooks Literary Agency. Pavia also served as editor for THE MARTIAN. Said Andy Weir, “I’m really excited about ARTEMIS. I got to do the science-dork stuff I love, but this time with a much more complex and character-driven plot. It’s a big stretch for me, but I think it came out well. Hopefully the readers will agree.” An adrenaline-charged crime caper that features smart, detailed world-building based on real science and the charm that makes Weir’s writing so irresistible, ARTEMIS introduces a protagonist every bit as memorable as THE MARTIAN’s Mark Watney: Jasmine Bashara, aka Jazz. Jazz is just another too-smart, directionless twentysomething, chafing at the constraints of her small town and dreaming of a better life. Except the small town happens to be named Artemis—and it’s the first and only city on the moon. Life on Artemis is tough if you’re not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire, and Jazz is decidedly not a member of either category. She’s got debts to pay, her job as a porter barely covers the rent, and her budding career as a smuggler isn’t exactly setting her up as a kingpin, much to her disappointment. So when the chance at a life-changing score drops in her lap, Jazz can’t say no, even though she’s sure there’s more to the setup than meets the eye. And indeed, pulling off the perfect crime is just the first of Jazz’s problems as she finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself. As first reported by Tracking-Board.com, movie rights to THE MARTIAN have been acquired in a preempt by 20th Century Fox and New Regency, with Simon Kinberg and Aditya Sood, two of the producers of The Martian, attached to produce for Genre Films. Starring Matt Damon and directed by Ridley Scott, The Martian was nominated for seven Oscars and won both the Best Picture and Best Actor awards at the Golden Globes. The movie has grossed more than $630 million worldwide. Hailed as a new science-fiction classic, THE MARTIAN book has sold more than three million copies in North America, spending over a year and a half on the New York Times bestseller list since its February 2014 publication by Crown. To date, the book has been published in forty languages worldwide.

Group, and Michael Pietsch, CEO of Hachette Book Group. Mehta and Pietsch acquired world rights to the book including Canada – but excluding the UK and Commonwealth where it will be published by Century. THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING will offer readers a unique amalgam of intrigue, suspense and behind-the-scenes global drama from the highest corridors of power. It will be informed by insider details that only a President can know. “Working on a book about a sitting President – drawing on what I know about the job, life in the White House, and the way Washington works – has been a lot of fun,” said Clinton. “And working with Jim has been terrific. I’ve been a fan of his for a very long time.” The publication will be the President’s first novel and the novelist’s first collaboration with a president. “Working with President Clinton has been the highlight of my career, and having access to his first-hand experience has uniquely informed the writing of this novel,” said Patterson. “I’m a story-teller, and President Clinton’s insight has allowed us to tell a really interesting one.  It’s a rare combination – readers will be drawn to the suspense, of course, but they’ll also be given an inside look into what it’s like to be President.” THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING will be published simultaneously in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook, with the logos of both Little, Brown and Knopf displayed on all editions. At the time of publication, Clinton and Patterson and will embark on a national book tour. “This is a blockbuster collaboration between two bestselling authors,” said Mehta and Pietsch in a joint statement, “and the pages we’ve read to date are riveting, full of intricate plotting and detail. This is a book that promises to entertain and delight millions of readers around the world, and we are thrilled to be working on it together and with our esteemed houses supporting us.”

testament to the lengths we go to pursue our dreams, the sacrifices we make for love, and the all-too-realistic facets of life that can suddenly and completely change our course. In addition to being an author (including three successful children’s and young adult series as well her new novel), Jill is the Editorial Director of Philomel Books, a Penguin Young Readers imprint. She is also an adjunct professor in The New School’s MFA program, and travels the world to speak about writing and storytelling.  Here Jill offers insights into how she makes it all happen as a multi-talented member of the Penguin Random House family. As an editor, author and teacher, how do you make and balance the time for all of your creative endeavors? The best time balancing tip I have is one I learned from a Penguin author, Jacqueline Woodson, who gave a talk about how she balances her writing with the rest of her life. She told the room that she literally schedules writing time into her calendar as if it were a party or a meeting, and then doesn’t ever cancel it. So I’ve taken that tip and used it, scheduling writing time, editing time, teaching time–and then scheduling running time and family time and friend time, too. It means I’ve often got a lot of on my calendar, but it has also helped me to figure out exactly how much time I need for any given task. And when things get especially busy, I employ what my father used to call The Suspension of the Unnecessary–where I put aside getting things done that don’t have to happen so that I can focus on whatever project needs to be completed by a certain deadline. What was the genesis of the idea behind THE LIGHT WE LOST and how did you find the voice of Lucy, the primary character in your book? THE LIGHT WE LOST was actually born out of a horrible break-up—the kind the turns your world upside down and makes you re-imagine your entire future—and I was trying to figure out a way to handle that experience. I ended up doing it by writing vignettes about another woman who was going through a different break-up, but whose thoughts and feelings were similar to mine. Lucy’s story is not my story, but the emotions she experiences are the same, and that’s how her voice emerged. I wanted to write someone who was wounded, but strong enough to overcome heartbreak–probably in the hope that I would be, too What are the most rewarding aspects of being part of the Penguin Random House family? I think just that–that it really does feel like a family, or a phamily as we call it a Philomel. I’ve been amazed by the support and love all of my Penguin Young Readers colleagues have shown for this book, and how wonderful it feels to be a PRH author. When my agent sent The Light We Lost out into the world on submission, I really hoped that it would end up here, and was absolutely thrilled that Putnam wanted my book on their list. (Thank you!) As THE LIGHT WE LOST goes on sale, media and fellow authors post words of praise: “[Jill] Santopolo explores passion, fate, love, and what it means to truly be a good person. She raises questions readers will find themselves pondering long after they’ve turned the last page: are our lives shaped by our own choices or by forces outside our control? Are first loves forever? And is it worth risking stability and comfort for a love that is unpredictable and explosive? A beautiful and devastating story that will captivate readers.” —Kirkus, Starred Review ”Jill Santopolo’s extraordinary debut novel is a love story–an emotional roller coaster–that follows the lives of Lucy and Gabe who meet in New York City on September 11, 2001. The event transforms and shadows their lives. How do they reconcile passion and security, dreams and reality? As The Light We Lost enchanted and compelled me, I found myself reconsidering my own choices, and wondering at the choices of my friends and the people around me–how did their dreams match their realities? And what if that dream can’t include the person you love the most?”  —Delia Ephron, New York Times bestselling author of Siracusa “What can be more devastating than love? In her adult debut, Santopolo explores thirteen tumultuous years in the lives of two unique lovers, the difference between what’s forever and what’s finite, and how what seems fated might not be fact. Gorgeously written and absolutely unforgettable, Santopolo’s novel has a beating heart all its own.”  —Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You, Is This Tomorrow, and Cruel Beautiful World

expressing Nautilus values that help create a better world,” is among our 14 award-winning titles published in 2016 by Penguin Random House imprints, in the following categories: Aging Consciously Gold Award: IT’S NEVER TOO LATE to Begin Again by Julia Cameron, with Emma Lively (TarcherPerigee) Body, Mind & Spirit Practices Silver Award: EMOTIONAL RESCUE by Ponlop Dzogchen (TarcherPerigee) Business & Leadership Gold Award: NEGOTIATING THE NONNEGOTIABLE by Daniel Shapiro (Viking) Creative Process Gold Award: ORIGINALS: How Nonconformists Move the World by Adam Grant (Viking) Gift & Specialty Silver Award: I AM HERE NOW: A Creative Mindfulness Guide and Journal  by The Mindfulness Project (TarcherPerigee) Parenting & Family Silver Award: IT’S OK TO GO UP THE SLIDE: Renegade Rules for Raising Confident & Creative Kids by Heather Shumaker (TarcherPerigee) Personal Growth Silver Award: THIS IS WHERE YOU BELONG: The Art & Science of Loving the Place You Live by Melody Warnick (Viking) Silver Award: PATHWAYS TO POSSIBILITY: Our Relationships with Ourselves, Each Other, and The World by Rosamund Stone Zander (Viking) Psychology Silver Award: DOG MEDICINE: How My Dog Saved Me From Myself  by Julie Barton (Penguin) IT DIDN’T START WITH YOU: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn (Viking) Religion/Spirituality of Eastern Thought Silver Award: FINDING THE BLUE SKY: A Mindful Approach to Choosing Happiness Here and Now by Joseph Emet (TarcherPerigee) Social Sciences & Education Gold Award: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING LITTLE: What Preschoolers Really Need from Grownups by Erika Christakis (Viking) Silver Award: THE BRIDGE TO BRILLIANCE: How One Principal in a Tough Community is Inspiring the World by Nadia Lopez, with Rebecca Paley (Viking) Young Adult Fiction Silver Award: ATLANTIS LOST by T.A. Barron (Philomel/Penguin Young Readers) Congratulations to all of our award-winning authors, their editors and publishers. View the complete list of 2016 Nautilus Book Award winners here.

and most prestigious prizes in Christian publishing, honoring the year’s finest in Christian publishing since 1978. The 2017 awards were presented on May 2 at the ECPA Leadership Summit in Colorado Springs. The Christian Book of the Year is the top book award in the Christian Book Award program, and recognizes both excellence and significance of impact in Christian publishing.  Of the 240 entries in this year’s program, one title was chosen from among the 59 finalists to represent Christian publishing’s finest in 2017. Congratulations to Mr. Tebow, his editor, Bruce Nygren, and everyone at WaterBrook on the occasion of this honor. In SHAKEN,  the Heisman Trophy-winning Tebow shares glimpses of his journey, the highs and the lows, telling how he stayed grounded in the face of disappointment, criticism, and intense media scrutiny. Following an exceptional college football career with the Florida Gators and a promising NFL playoff run with the Denver Broncos, Tebow was traded to the New York Jets, then released after one season.  In the fall of 2016, he signed a professional baseball contract with the New York Mets and is currently playing for the Mets’ Single A affiliate the Columbia Fireflies. Through it all, Tim continues the work of the Tim Tebow Foundation, which he began in 2010. View all of the 2017 Christian Book Award winners here. WaterBrook will be publishing two forthcoming books from Tim Tebow this year: one for homeschoolers, KNOW WHO YOU ARE. LIVE LIKE IT MATTERS. (May 16), and SHAKEN: The Young Readers Edition (September 19).

collection of educator memoirs for adults and information and picture books for kids. Celebrate the teacher in your life! FEATURED TITLES SUBSTITUTE by Nicholson Baker In 2014, after a brief orientation course and a few fingerprinting sessions, Nicholson Baker became an on-call substitute teacher. What emerges from Baker’s experience is a complex, often touching deconstruction of public schooling in America: children swamped with overdue assignments, overwhelmed by the marvels and distractions of social media and educational technology, and staff who weary themselves trying to teach in step with an often outmoded or overly ambitious standard curriculum.   TALES FROM THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE by Robert Wilder From the critically acclaimed author of Daddy Needs a Drink comes a series of irreverent, wickedly observant essays about what it really means to be a teacher today. With his trademark wit and wisdom, Robert Wilder dissects the world’s noblest profession—whether he’s taming a classroom full of hormonal teenagers or going one-on-one with the school bully.   DRAMA HIGH by Michael Sokolove Friday Night Lights meets Glee—the incredible and true story of an extraordinary drama teacher who has changed the lives of thousands of students and inspired a town.     THE NEW COOL by Neal Bascomb In The New Cool, Neal Bascomb manages to make even those who know little about – or are vaguely suspicious of – technology care passionately about a team of kids questing after a different kind of glory.  In these kids’ heartaches and headaches – and yes, high-five triumphs — we glimpse the path not just to a new way of educating our youth but of honoring the crucial skills a society needs to prosper.  A new cool.   FOR YOUNGER READERS HERE COMES THE TEACHER CAT by Deborah Underwood It’s back to school for the New York Times bestselling Cat when he steps in as a substitute teacher.     A LETTER TO MY TEACHER by Deborah Hopkinson This funny, touching picture book –the perfect gift for a child to give to his/her own teacher– celebrates the difference a good teacher can make. Written as a thank-you note to a special teacher from the student who never forgot her, this moving story makes a great read-aloud and a perfect gift for Teacher Appreciation Day or the end of the school year.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection EDUCATOR MEMOIRS  

that increase the risk of developing or exacerbating mental illnesses, or could be signs of mental health problems themselves. These include risk factors such as risky sex, prescription drug misuse, internet addiction, excessive spending, marijuana use, and troublesome exercise patterns…We hope to raise awareness of the risks that these types of behaviors present—especially to young people—and help people who may be struggling to detect early warning signs and seek help.” This May we urge you to pick up a book and learn about the people who deal with mental illness daily, as sufferers or caretakers and to consider the signs. FEATURED TITLES ON EDGE: A JOURNEY THROUGH ANXIETY by Andrea Petersen On Sale Date: May 16, 2017 A wry, sympathetic, bracingly honest account of living with anxiety, coupled with deep reportage on the science of anxiety disorders. Andrea Petersen was first diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at the age of twenty, but she later realized that she had been experiencing panic attacks since childhood. Although having a name for her terrifying physical symptoms (a racing heart, difficulty breathing, and more) and fears was an enormous relief, identifying it was only the beginning of a journey to understand it.   SETTING THE RIVER ON FIRE: A STUDY OF GENIUS, MANIA, AND CHARACTER by Kay Redfield Jamison In this magisterial study of the relationship between illness and art, the best-selling author of An Unquiet Mind, Kay Redfield Jamison, brings an entirely fresh understanding to the work and life of poet Robert Lowell (1917-1977), whose intense, complex, and personal verse left a lasting mark on the English language and changed the public discourse about private matters.   A REALLY GOOD DAY: HOW MICRODOSING MADE A MEGA DIFFERENCE IN MY MOOD, MY MARRIAGE, AND MY LIFE by Ayelet Waldman The true story of how a renowned writer’s struggle with mood storms led her to try a remedy as drastic as it is forbidden: microdoses of LSD. Her revealing, fascinating journey provides a window into one family and the complex world of a once-infamous drug seen through new eyes.   A COMMON STRUGGLE: A PERSONAL JOURNEY THROUGH THE PAST AND FUTURE OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND ADDICTION by Patrick J. Kennedy A Common Struggle weaves together Kennedy’s private and professional narratives. Focusing on the years from his ‘coming out’ about suffering from bipolar disorder and addiction to the present day, the book examines Kennedy’s journey toward recovery and reflects on Americans’ propensity to treat mental illnesses as “family secrets.”   THE MAN WHO WASN’T THERE: TALES FROM THE EDGE OF THE SELF by Anil Ananthaswamy In the tradition of Oliver Sacks, science journalist Anil Ananthaswamy skillfully inspects the bewildering connections among brain, body, mind, self, and society by examining a range of neuropsychological ailments from schizophrenia to autism and Alzheimer’s to out-of-body experiences and body integrity identity disorder.   REASONS TO STAY ALIVE by Matt Haig Like nearly one in five people, Matt Haig suffers from depression. Reasons to Stay Alive is Matt’s inspiring account of how, minute by minute and day by day, he overcame the disease with the help of reading, writing, and the love of his parents and his girlfriend (and now-wife), Andrea. And eventually, he learned to appreciate life all the more for it.   LIAR: A MEMOIR by Rob Roberge An intense memoir of addiction and mental illness, relapse and recovery, memory and storytelling, from an acclaimed novelist. When Rob Roberge learns that he’s likely to have developed a progressive memory-eroding disease from years of hard living and frequent concussions, he is terrified by the prospect of becoming a walking shadow. As Roberge struggles to stay afloat on a sea of broken promises and betrayed relationships, pulled ever under by the twin anchors of addiction and mental illness, he is forced to acknowledge the increasingly blurred line between the lies we tell others and the lies we tell ourselves.   FOR YOUNG ADULT READERS THE WEIGHT OF ZERO by Karen Fortunati For fans of 13 Reasons Why, this is a novel that shows the path to hope and life for a girl with mental illness. Seventeen-year-old Catherine Pulaski knows Zero is coming for her. Zero, the devastating depression born of Catherine’s bipolar disorder, almost triumphed once; that was her first suicide attempt…   THE SMALLER EVIL by Stephanie Kuehn; Ages 14 And Up Seventeen-year-old Arman Dukoff is crippled by anxiety and chronic illness when he arrives at an expensive self-help retreat in the remote hills of Big Sur. He’s taken a huge risk for a chance to “evolve.”  Beau, the retreat leader, is complicated. A father figure? A cult leader? A con man? Arman’s not sure. As the mysteries and paradoxes multiply and the hints become accusations, Arman must rely on the person he’s always trusted the least: himself.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection Mental Health Awareness

Scheduled for a November 7 publication, the book will be released simultaneously in the United States and Canada in print and digital formats. Molly Stern, Senior Vice President and Publisher, Crown Archetype, acquired North American, electronic book, and first-serial rights from Eric Simonoff at William Morris Endeavor. Crown Archetype Vice President and Editorial Director Tricia Boczkowski will edit the book. Leary’s first book, Why We Suck, published in 2008,  was a bestseller and has over 400,000 copies in print. Now, in his new book, Leary turns his power of observation and sardonic wit to the current state of America. WHY WE DON’T SUCK refutes the current highly partisan Right Wing Nut Job versus Left Wing Snowflake approach to American politics that leaves no gray areas in between. Leading a new protest movement called Gray Lives Matter, WHY WE DON’T SUCK takes equal-opportunity aim at the screaming heads we see arguing every night on CNN (the Clinton News Network) and Fox’s Fair and Balanced Republican Report. With a devoted mission to Make America Laugh Again, Leary tackles the topics we all hold close to our American hearts: Twitter, Instagram, and the seemingly endless search for fame and diet vodka. Said Mr. Leary, “If this election proves anything, it’s that even I could be president one day. Look at Trump’s track record: angry tweets, canceled TV show, thin skin, and an attractive wife. According to that formula, I’m one bad comb-over away from living in the White House.” Said Ms. Stern, “Denis Leary is, as ever, unafraid to take on hypocrites and call it like he sees it. In a hilarious and brilliant book that pierces the bloviators on every page, WHY WE DON’T SUCK is also an eye-opening reminder that no matter where you place yourself on the political axis, we all share responsibility for the current state of our deadlocked, broken system. Denis Leary makes me want to suck less.”

Bilton reveals, ”I’ve been covering technology for over 15 years, writing about the infighting at Twitter, the deceit at Theranos, billionaires lying and stabbing their co-founders in the back, government hackers, and the vast societal effects of everything from driverless cars to drones. “Yet when I set out to report AMERICAN KINGPIN, I had no idea how scandalous the story would become. To me, I thought it was just setting out to the tale of an overly-ambitious kid from Texas who had lost his way.  It quickly became clear that this book was about so much more, encompassing stories of cops turning into bad guys, of murders commissioned on the Internet, guns, drugs, poisons and the potential sale of body parts on the Silk Road website, and of hundreds of millions of dollars in digital currencies. In the end, the story is without question the most terrifying and inconceivable I have ever worked on.” Portfolio Editorial Director Niki Papadopoulos, who edited the book, says, “I knew that Nick Bilton was a phenomenal writer from working with him on Hatching Twitter, his first book with Portfolio. So my expectations were already high. But I still wasn’t prepared for the manuscript he delivered for AMERICAN KINGPIN. I read it overnight and was late to the office the next day–I couldn’t put it down, even though from conversations with my author I already knew how it was going to end! What makes this book exceptional is what isn’t in it. Nick conducted thousands of hours of research and analyzed two million words that Ross left behind him. Obviously not all of that material could make it into the final manuscript, and so the choices Nick made of what to include and how were paramount. I think he made the right ones, and all the enthusiastic early reads we’ve had confirm that hunch.” AMERICAN KINGPIN has been generating a lot of buzz in the media and the author community. Here is sampling of the praise:  

• “Engrossing… Bilton writes in a breezy, colloquial style … A fast-paced, readable true-crime tale that frames the likely future of the underground economy.”  –Kirkus Reviews

 

• “Cinematic… a page turner with a clever (and subversive) framing.”  — Bloomberg Businessweek

 

• “AMERICAN KINGPIN is both a staggering feat of investigative journalism and a triumph of edge-of-your-seat storytelling. This is what true-crime writing should be.” —Bryan Burrough, author of Days of Rage

 

• “In AMERICAN KINGPIN, Nick Bilton again proves why he’s one of tech’s best storytellers with a stunningly researched and very scary portrait of the creator of a marketplace gone mad, and the oddly uncoordinated officers who took him down.” —Steven Levy, author of Hackers and In the Plex

 

depth and propulsive plotting that shocked the world, plus more twists, turns, and troubled characters, INTO THE WATER is a “creepy” (Booklist, starred review), “unputdownable, smart, thoughtful thriller” (PopSugar) with “a satisfying punch” (Publishers Weekly). An INTO THE WATER excerpt and author profile is in the current edition of Vogue, which places Hawkins “at the forefront of a group of female authors – think Gillian Flynn and Megan Abbott – who have reinvigorated the literary suspense novel by tapping a rich vein of psychological menace and social unease.”  Still ahead, interviews on Good Morning America and NPR Weekend Edition, along with dozens of reviews in other print and online outlets. Hawkins will kick off a six-city tour in the US in Barnes & Noble Union Square in conversation with fellow Penguin Random House author Lee Child on May 9.

You may know W. Kamau Bell from his standup specials or tours. Or perhaps from one of his podcasts, Politically Re-Active or Denzel Washington is the Greatest Actor of All Time Period. More than likely, if you aren’t a podcast or standup fan, you know him from a particular episode of his Emmy-nominated hit show on CNN, United Shades of America, in which Kamau—a 6’4’ Black man—attended a Ku Klux Klan cross burning and met with their imperial wizard… in the middle of the woods…at night… all in order to start a dialogue. This is just one of the reasons Vanity Fair named Kamau one of their “Daring 25” and The New York Times called him, “the most promising new talent in political comedy in many years.” It’s also one of the reasons Dutton is thrilled to publish his first book, in a climate where his message and singular brand of sociopolitical humor is more necessary than ever before. THE AWKWARD THOUGHTS OF W. KAMAU BELL: Tales of a 6′ 4″, African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama’s Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian is a humorous, well-informed take on the world today, tackling a wide range of issues.  Kamau firmly believes in the power of awkward conversations to initiate change. “Awkward is a feeling that we are taught to run from,” he says. “But as a Black person, I really feel like every change we have had for the better in America began with awkward conversations. The biggest thing that white people can do now is really get comfortable having conversations about race and racism in this country. And the way you get comfortable is that first, you get awkward by putting yourself in the middle of it.”

and among the prize winners for books published last year were five titles from Penguin Random House imprints in the following categories: Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction THE NIX by Nathan Hill (Alfred A. Knopf) Biography HITLER: Ascent, 1889-1939 by Volker Ullrich (Alfred A. Knopf) Current Interest SECONDHAND TIME: The Last of the Soviets by Svetlana Alexievich, translated by Bela Shayevich (Random House) Mystery/Thriller DODGERS by Bill Beverly (Crown) Science & Technology PATIENT H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness, and Family Secrets by Luke Dittrich (Random House) Congratulations to our award-winning authors, their editors and publishers. To view the complete list of 2016 L.A. Times Book Prize winners, click here. The Los Angeles Times Book Prizes were first awarded in 1980, with the idea of honoring literary excellence and celebrating the community of readers in Los Angeles. The inspiration of former L.A. Times book editor Art Seidenbaum, those first prizes included awards in four book categories – fiction, history, general nonfiction and poetry – as well as the inaugural Robert Kirsch Award, which was presented to Wallace Stegner for his extraordinary career and dedication to the literature of the West.

author of the phenomenal bestseller, LEAN IN. In 2015, Sandberg suffered the unexpected death of her husband, Survey Monkey CEO Dave Goldberg, leaving her, their children and wide circle of family and friends bereft. Option B is a personal, yet prescriptive book about grief and recovery. Its topic brings to mind other profound books that have helped readers through difficult times. We recommend the following titles to help build one’s resiliency muscle:   OPTION B: FACING ADVERSITY, BUILDING RESILIENCE, AND FINDING JOY by Sheryl Sandberg, Adam Grant From Facebook’s COO and Wharton’s top-rated professor, the #1 New York Times best-selling authors of Lean In and Originals: a powerful, inspiring, and practical book about building resilience and moving forward after life’s inevitable setbacks.   THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING by Joan Didion From one of America’s iconic writers, a stunning book of electric honesty and passion. Joan Didion explores an intensely personal yet universal experience: a portrait of a marriage–and a life, in good times and bad–that will speak to anyone who has ever loved a husband or wife or child.   LEVELS OF LIFE by Julian Barnes In this elegant triptych of history, fiction, and memoir, Julian Barnes has written about ballooning and photography, love and grief; about putting two things, and two people, together, and tearing them apart; and enduring after the incomprehensible loss of a loved one.     HALLELUJAH ANYWAY: REDISCOVERING MERCY by Anne Lamott From the bestselling author of Help, Thanks, Wow and Bird by Bird comes a passionate exploration of mercy, its limitless (if sometimes hidden) presence, and how to embrace it. “Mercy is radical kindness,” Anne Lamott writes. “It’s the permission you give others—and yourself—to forgive a debt, to absolve the un-absolvable, to let go of the judgment and pain that make life so difficult.”   BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR by Elizabeth Gilbert The beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, Gilbert offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear.   WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR by Paul Kalanithi A deeply humane, inspiring memoir by a young neurosurgeon faced with a terminal diagnosis that attempts to answer the questions: given that all organisms die, what makes a meaningful life? And, as a doctor, what does it mean to hold mortal—and moral—responsibility for another person’s identity?   WILD: FROM LOST TO FOUND ON THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL by Cheryl Strayed A powerful, blazingly honest, and inspiring memoir (and basis for the feature film starring Reese Witherspoon) of a young woman, reeling from catastrophe, who hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest trail to break herself down—and build herself back up again.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection Option B Friday Reads

presented to Neil Nyren, Executive Vice President, Associate Publisher and Editor in Chief, G.P. Putnam’s Sons. Our Edgar Award winners: Best First Novel by an American Author UNDER THE HARROW by Flynn Berry (Penguin Books) Best Fact Crime THE WICKED BOY: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer by Kate Summerscale (Penguin Press) Our Ellery Queen Award winner: After being introduced by one of his New York Times bestselling authors, C.J. Box, who bestowed the Ellery Queen Award, Mr. Nyren reflected, “The reason I’m getting this award tonight goes back to when I was 8 years old. I was home in bed with a bad cold, sneezing and achy, and bored out of my mind – when my father came in and gave me a book. It was The Hardy Boys’ The Secret of Skull Mountain.  From that moment on, I was gone. I was a fan. “I have spent most of my life with crime and suspense fiction, first as a fan and then as an editor and a publisher. It has given me countless hours of joy. It has let me meet many of my heroes, and even work with some of them. It has let me discover new voices and new stories, and go running around the office and into the street, sticking them in peoples’ hands and saying you’ve got to read this guy. I’ve been pretty lucky. “When I go to writers’ conferences, I’m often asked what I look for in a novel, and I give them all the things you’d expect, but then I usually say, ‘And then I look for something extra, something that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.’ I am happy to say that you guys have been making the hair on the back of my neck – what’s left of it – stand up for close to 50 years in publishing.” Among the many authors whose books Mr. Nyren has edited: Clive Cussler, Ken Follett, John Sandford, C.J. Box, Robert Crais, Jack Higgins, Tom Clancy, W.E.B. Griffin, Frederick Forsyth, Randy Wayne White, Alex Berenson, Ace Atkins, Dave Barry, A. Scott Berg and Joe McGinniss. Congratulations to Mr. Nyren, Ms. Berry and Ms. Summerscale as well as the publishing teams at Penguin Books and Penguin Press. View the complete list of Edgar Award winners here.

Accepting the award on Mrs. Jones’ behalf was Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, who said, in part: “Judith’s contributions to our industry have been extraordinary. Her work as a cookbook editor has shaped the American culinary landscape. She has been instrumental in identifying culinary greats and shaping their ideas and recipes into award-winning cookbooks. My own journey with Judith has been extraordinary. She is a patient listener, a passionate and witty confidant, a one-of-a-kind editor… and dear friend.” Knopf Chairman Sonny Mehta said, “Culinary publishing today owes a great debt to Judith. Our lives have been enriched by her contributions. I remain grateful for the lessons she taught me.” Mrs. Jones’ remarkable career and life was celebrated at the James Beard Awards ceremony in an inspiring video tribute produced by Nick Davis Productions. Watch it here: Judith worked at Knopf for more than fifty years. As a young editor she is credited with discovering the then-unknown Julia Child and for publishing what became her bestselling classic, MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING.  Some of the other noted cookbook authors she has worked with include Lidia Bastianich, James Beard, Marion Cunningham, Rosie Daley, Marcella Hazan, Madhur Jaffrey, Edna Lewis, Joan Nathan, Jacques Pépin, Claudia Roden, Penelope Casas and Nina Simonds. In addition, she also edited a number of literary writers, including John Hersey, William Maxwell, John Updike, and Anne Tyler. Judith is the author of THE TENTH MUSE: My Life in Food and THE PLEASURES OF COOKING FOR ONE.  She is the coauthor with Evan Jones (her late husband) of THE BOOK OF BREAD; KNEAD IT, PUNCH IT, BAKE IT! (for children); and THE BOOK OF NEW NEW ENGLAND COOKERY. She also collaborated with Angus Cameron on THE L. L. BEAN GAME AND FISH COOKBOOK.

Book of the Year VICTUALS by Ronni Lundy (Clarkson Potter) American Cooking VICTUALS by Ronni Lundy (Clarkson Potter) Beverage SMUGGLER’S COVE by Martin Cate with Rebecca Cate (Ten Speed Press) Photography TASTE & TECHNIQUE by Naomi Pomeroy, photography by Chris Court (Ten Speed Press) Columns Francis Lam, “Eat”; “A Haitian Grandmother’s Home-Cooked Porridge”; “Kimchi Fried Rice, Korean Comfort Food”; and “Casa Calamari,” The New York Times Magazine (Senior Editor, Clarkson Potter) Food and Culture Shane Mitchell, “A Last Dinner in the Jungle,” Roads & Kingdoms (Far Afield, Ten Speed Press) Humor Francis Lam, “Recipes with Roots: The True Meaning of Turkey,” Cooking Light (Senior Editor, Clarkson Potter) Congratulations to all of our award winners and the publishing teams at Clarkson Potter and Ten Speed Press. View the complete list of James Beard Foundation Media Award winners here. The Chef and Restaurants James Beard Foundation awards will be announced in Chicago on Monday, May 1.

Granta’s 2017 list of 21 writers, selected by Patrick deWitt, and our authors A.M. Homes, Kelly Link, Ben Marcus and Sigrid Rausing, Granta’s editor and publisher, includes 12 authors published by Penguin Random House: Jesse Ball, author of such novels as HOW TO SET A FIRE AND WHY, A CURE FOR SUICIDE and THE CURFEW (Vintage) Emma Cline, author of THE GIRLS (Random House) Joshua Cohen, author of BOOK OF NUMBERS and MOVING KINGS (Random House) Lauren Groff, author of FATES AND FURIES (Riverhead) Yaa Gyasi, author of HOMEGOING (Knopf) Garth Risk Hallberg, author of CITY ON FIRE (Knopf) Sana Karasikov, author of THE PATRIOTS (Spiegel & Grau) Karan Mahajan, author of THE ASSOCIATION OF SMALL BOMBS (Viking/Penguin) Anthony Marra, author of THE TSAR OF LOVE AND TECHNO and A CONSTELLATION OF VITAL PHENOMENA (Hogarth). Mr. Marra’s forthcoming book, THE PEACOCK PALACE, will be published by Hogarth in 2018. Dinaw Mengestu, author of ALL OUR NAMES (Vintage) as well  as THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS THAT HEAVEN BEARS and HOW TO READ THE AIR (Riverhead) Ottessa Moshfegh, author of EILEEN and HOMESICK FOR ANOTHER WORLD (Penguin Press) Claire Vaye Watkins, author of BATTLEBORN and GOLD FAME CITRUS (Riverhead) Congratulations to our authors, their editors and publishers. View Granta’s complete “Best of Young American Novelists List 3” list here. A special edition of Granta, featuring writings by the writers on the new list, by will be published May 4.

Conferred by George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and Washington College, the award will be presented to Mr. Philbrick on May 25 at a black-tie gala at Mount Vernon. “To have Valiant Ambition recognized in this way means a tremendous amount to me, especially given the extraordinary quality of the books produced by the other six finalists,” said Mr. Philbrick. “My heartfelt thanks to the jurors involved in the selection process and to the George Washington Prize’s sponsoring institutions.” VALIANT AMBITION is a surprising account of the middle years of the American Revolution and the tragic relationship between George Washington and Benedict Arnold. Philbrick creates a complex, controversial, and dramatic portrait of a people in crisis and of the war that gave birth to a nation. “Our objective in creating the Washington Prize was to stimulate scholarly works that are accessible to the general public,” said Mount Vernon president Curt Viebranz. “This year’s finalists confirm that we are succeeding; Nat Philbrick’s VALIANT AMBITION is at once a detailed and accurate account of the relationship between George Washington and Benedict Arnold as well as an engaging read.” Established in 2005, the George Washington Prize has honored a dozen leading writers on the Revolutionary era including, Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the hit musical Hamilton. For this year’s prize, a distinguished jury comprised of notable historians David Preston, Kathleen DuVal, and Nick Bunker, selected the finalists from a field of nearly 60 books.

As a grassroots part of National Poetry Month, people celebrate by selecting a poem, carrying it with them, and sharing it with others throughout the day at schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, and on Twitter using the hashtag #pocketpoem. Find out more ways to celebrate at Poets.org Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets editions are ideal for filling your head, heart and pocket with poems to savor and share. Here are 10 gorgeous volumes, of the nearly 100 in the series, edited by some of our most distinguished poets. Viva Poetry! FEATURED TITLES POEMS OF NEW YORK edited by Elizabeth Schmidt All the icons of this greatest of cities swirl and flash through these pages: taxis and subways, bridges and skyscrapers, ghettos and roof gardens and fire escapes, from the South Bronx to Coney Island to Broadway to Central Park, and from Langston Hughes’s Harlem to James Merrill’s Upper East Side. Wallace Stevens, e. e. cummings, W. H. Auden, Dorothy Parker, Elizabeth Bishop, Allen Ginsberg, and Audre Lorde are just a few of the poets gathered here, alongside a host of new young voices.   GARDEN POEMS edited by John Hollander The splendid poems in this collection both represent and glorify the cultivating instinct, and each of them succeeds in “annihilating all that’s made,” as Andrew Marvell puts it in one of the most famous of all English poems, “to a green thought in a green shade.” Contents include poems on Paradises, Gardens of Love, Gardens in the Mind, Gardens and Seasons, Flowers, Gardeners, The Work of the Garden, Gardens of the Wild, City Gardens, Public Gardens, Ruined Gardens, and A Garden of Gardens. Contributors include John Milton, Ovid, E.E. Cummings, Thom Gunn, John Donne, James Merrill, Wallace Stevens, Robert Browning, Shakespeare, and many others.   RUSSIAN POETS edited by Peter Washington This volume gathers together some of the best-loved, most powerful and immediate poems from the greatest Russian poets of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Here is the work of Alexander Pushkin, Mikhail Lermontov, Andrei Bely, Vladimir Mayakovsky, Ivan Bunin, Osip Mandelstam, Anna Akhmatova, Marina Tsvetaeva, Boris Pasternak, and Joseph Brodsky, among many others.   POEMS OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH edited by David Biespiel Poems of the American South includes poems both by Southerners and by famous observers of the South who hailed from elsewhere. These range from Walt Whitman, Edgar Allan Poe through Langston Hughes, Wallace Stevens, Elizabeth Bishop, James Dickey and include a host of living poets as well: Wendell Berry, Rita Dove, Sandra Cisneros, Yusef Komunyakaa, Naomi Shihab Nye, C. D. Wright, Natasha Trethewey, and many more.   VILLANELLES edited by Annie Finch and Marie-Elizabeth MalAnnie Finch, Marie-Elizabeth Mali The first of its kind–a comprehensive collection of the best of the villanelle, a delightful poetic form whose popularity ranks only behind that of the sonnet and the haiku. With its intricate rhyme scheme and dance-like pattern of repeating lines, its marriage of recurrence and surprise, the villanelle is a form that has fascinated poets since its introduction almost two centuries ago and is enjoying a revival with contemporary poets.   MILLAY: POEMS by Edna St. Vincent Millay; edited by Diana Secker Tesdell One of America’s most beloved poets, Edna St. Vincent Millay burst onto the literary scene at a very young age and won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923. Her passionate lyrics and superbly crafted sonnets have thrilled generations of readers long after the notoriously bohemian lifestyle she led in Greenwich Village in the 1920s ceased to shock them. Millay’s refreshing frankness and cynicism and her ardent appetite for life still burn brightly on the page more than half a century after her death.   HAIKU edited by Peter Washington Simple yet capable of great complexity, the haiku is a tightly structured verse form that has a remarkable power to distill the essence of a moment keenly perceived. For centuries confined to a small literary elite in Japan, the writing of haiku is now practiced all over the world by those who are fascinated by its combination of technical challenge, expressive means, and extreme concentration. This anthology brings together hundreds of haiku by the Japanese masters–Basho, Issa, Buson, Shiki–with superb examples from nineteenth- and twentieth-century writers.   POEMS OF THE AMERICAN WEST edited by Robert Mezey Here is the West in all its rich variety–the harsh life of farms and ranches; man’s destructive invasion into forest and desert solitudes; the bars and bistros of San Francisco and Hollywood; Pacific surf and endless highways; the ghost towns, the poverty, and the legendary world of cowpunchers and gunslingers. From Robert Frost’s “Once by the Pacific” to Charles Bukowski’s “Vegas,” from Fred Koller’s “Lone Star State of Mind” to Thom Gunn’s “San Francisco Streets”–the West is evoked in all its incarnations, both actual and mythic.   LULLABIES AND POEMS FOR CHILDREN edited by Diana Secker Larson Diana Secker Larson In this enchanting and comprehensive collection are beautiful lyrics to sing or read to little ones, from Shakespeare’s lullaby for the fairy queen, Titania, to Brahms’s “Lullaby”; and from Gershwin’s “Summertime” to Langston Hughes’s lovely lullaby for a “night black baby.” Here, too, are poems for children that range from tender to nonsensical, from quiet to raucous–from T. S. Eliot to Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear.   ANIMAL POEMS edited by John Hollander From East to West, from ancient times to modern, from Mei Yu Ch’en on swarming mosquitoes to William Cullen Bryant’s solitary waterfowl and Rainer Maria Rilke’s enchanted gazelle, from Auden on cats and dogs to E.E. Cummings’s verse in the shape of a grasshopper to James Merrill’s vision of the octopus, here—selected by John Hollander—are 136 poems that provide exhilarating access to literature’s glorious lyric zoo.   For more on these and other titles in Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets Series visit Pocket Poets

National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction; the 2017 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction; the 2017 PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction; and the 2016 Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award in Nonfiction. From the Hillman Foundation judges’ commentary: “Through vivid storytelling, Desmond shows the tough circumstances his subjects faced: selling food stamps for half their value to get cash, how a broken car led to eviction, and choosing between movers putting personal possessions in bonded storage or out on the curb. He also identifies unseen costs – the psychological effects of eviction, how it disrupts relationships, children’s education and communities, and how it leads to future instability … Not only does Desmond’s book transform our understanding of extreme poverty and economic exploitation, it provides fresh and pragmatic ideas for solving this uniquely American problem.” We congratulate Mr. Desmond, his editor, Amanda Cook, and everyone at the Crown Publishing Group. Bruce Raynor, President of the Sidney Hillman Foundation, said, “This year’s Hillman Prize winners investigated powerful people and institutions and exposed hypocrisy, discrimination, and exploitation. At this moment in our history, the role of courageous journalists like our 2017 winners are more important than ever to our democracy.” The Hillman Foundation will present its distinguished annual journalism prizes, awarded every year since 1950, at a ceremony and reception at The Times Center in New York City on Tuesday, May 9.

Childcare/Parenting: UNTANGLED by Lisa Damour, PhD (Ballantine Books) Psychology: EMOTIONAL AGILITY by Sue David (Avery) Spiritual: THE BOOK OF JOY by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Doug Abrams (Avery) Congratulations to our authors, their editors and publishers. To view a complete list of this year’s Books for a Better Life Award winners, click here.

creation of an illustrated student poetry collection, which can be viewed here. For National Poetry Month, Penguin Random House asked Ms. Schneider to share her thoughts about winning the Maya Angelou Teacher Award for Poetry and what it meant to her and her students.  With enthusiasm and excitement, Gillian created a blog post titled “Following Maya Angelou’s Footsteps” for the PRH High School blog.   With a reach of more than 100,000 educators, the blog post will also be included in the next Penguin Random House Academic High School Catalog – serving as a model program for other schools to adopt and share in best practices.  Here are excerpts: “I never imagined how a call from Penguin Random House informing me that I had received the inaugural Maya Angelou Poetry Award would change my entire year.  I was monitoring the halls during PSAT testing when I started listening to a voice message I noticed on my cell phone.  My department chair saw me–jumping up and down excitedly–and came down the hall to investigate. She, too, started jumping excitedly, and that afternoon, she announced at our English Department meeting that I had been given this prestigious the award. We shared the news with our administration, who in turn shared the news with our entire school–and then the district office, the School Board, and the community.  Our creative writing program has expanded over the last five years, and the Maya Angelou Award will allow our school the opportunity to expand even more. “Maya Angelou saw the good in others and used poetry to communicate a message of hope, especially in times of struggle.  We look to her words, her poetry, to support our collection.  Her words have guided us and inspired us.  Thanks to her family and to Penguin Random House for supporting us with the inaugural Maya Angelou Poetry Award!  Thanks to the students who wrote poetry and shared with us for this publication!” To read the full text of Ms. Schneider’s “Following Maya Angelou’s Footsteps” blog post, click here.

  THE SONGS OF TREES: STORIES FROM NATURE’S GREAT CONNECTORS by David George Haskell David Haskell’s award-winning The Forest Unseen won acclaim for eloquent writing and deep engagement with the natural world. Now, Haskell brings his powers of observation to the biological networks that surround all species, including humans.   THE SEA INSIDE by Philip Hoare In colorful prose and lively line drawings, Hoare sets out to rediscover the sea and its islands, birds, and beasts. Starting at his home on the shores of Britain’s Southampton Water and moving in ever-widening circles—like the migration patterns of whales—Hoare explores London, the Isle of Wight, the Azores, Sri Lanka, Tasmania, and New Zealand on his year-long adventure.   THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES: A STORY OF LOST GROVES, THE SCIENCE OF TREES, AND A PLAN TO SAVE THE PLANET by Jim Robbins New York Times Science reporter Jim Robbins has written a provocative, fascinating book with an inspiring narrative at its center about a visionary man who is revolutionizing the way people think about trees. For each of the 872 known species of trees in the United States, there is one that is taller, wider, and hardier than all the others—the champion of its kind.   OCEAN COUNTRY: ONE WOMAN’S VOYAGE FROM PERIL TO HOPE IN HER QUEST TO SAVE THE SEAS by Liz Cunningham Ocean Country is an adventure story, a call to action, and a poetic meditation on the state of the seas. But most importantly it is the story of finding true hope in the midst of one of the greatest crises to face humankind, the rapidly degrading state of our environment. After a near-drowning accident in which she was temporarily paralyzed, Liz Cunningham crisscrosses the globe in an effort to understand the threats to our dazzling but endangered oceans. This intimate account charts her thrilling journey.   THE GLOBAL FOREST: FORTY WAYS TREES CAN SAVE US by Diana Beresford-Kroeger The inspiration for renowned scientist Diana Beresford-Kroeger’s documentary, “Call of the Forest”, The Global Forest is a lushly written, compelling tribute to trees-grounded in a wide range of scientific knowledge.  Particularly fascinating, is the author’s exploration of the largely untapped ecological and pharmaceutical properties of trees.   UNDER THE SEA WIND by Rachel L. Carson Rachel Carson—pioneering environmentalist and author of Silent Spring—opens our eyes to the wonders of the natural world in her groundbreaking paean to the sea. Celebrating the mystery and beauty of birds and sea creatures in their natural habitat, Under the Sea-Wind—Rachel Carson’s first book and her personal favorite—is the early masterwork of one of America’s greatest nature writers.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection Trees and Seas

World Book Day April 23, 1564, is the day English poet, playwright, and actor William Shakespeare was born. Fifty-three short years later, also on April 23, 1616, the playwright died. For this reason, among others, it was a natural choice for UNESCO to create World Book Day to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this day. Learn more about World Book Day here. #ProjectReadathon In the U.S, Canada and Mexico, we’re celebrating World Book Day with #ProjectReadathon, the one-week reading and giving initiative. As of April 17, readers have been visiting the specially created online reading platform and reading timed excerpts from our books and authors to trigger book donations to Save the Children. We are excited to announce that with over 800,000 minutes of reading so far, we are well on our way to our one million minutes goal. St. Jordi Day In Spain’s Catalonia region, World Book Day is marked by roses, books, and lovers. On St Jordi Day, the people of Catalonia celebrate the day of their patron saint, Sant Jordi, with a unique tradition. On 23 April, couples exchange gifts: a book for the men and a rose for the women. Book and flower stalls are set up along the streets of Barcelona for a vibrant celebration. Learn more about St. Jordi Day here. World Book Night In the U.K., World Book Night takes place on April 23. The national celebration of reading and books is run by The Reading Agency, a national charity that inspires people to become confident and enthusiastic readers. Learn more about World Book Night here. We hope you will join us in a global celebration of books and reading on April 23. 

Convert Your Charity Miles to #ProjectReadathon Minutes If you spend Earth Day outdoors being active – running, hiking, cycling – then you can track your miles with Charity Miles, named one of the top running and walking apps in the App Store. Penguin Random House is partnering with this fitness tracking app for the duration of the #ProjectReadathon Million Minutes campaign. During #ProjectReadathon, users of the app will have the option to convert their miles into reading minutes and contribute to the Million Minutes goal, triggering book donations from us to Save the Children. #ProjectReadathon Double Minutes Day On Thursday, April 20, whether you track your miles with Charity Miles or read an excerpt on readwell.penguinrandomhouse.com, the #ProjectReadathon Double Minutes day will allow you to double your impact. Visit ReadWell.PenguinRandomHouse.com now to join #ProjectReadathon and #ReadWell. 

shown how “small actions can make a big difference” in helping to protect the environment. In addition to her duties at Philomel, where she has also edited books by other bestselling, award-winning authors such as Andrea Cremer, Amy Ephron, Lisa Graff, and Mayim Bialik, Jill is also an author. Her upcoming novel, THE LIGHT WE LOST, will be published by Putnam on May 9. Here, Jill offers insights into her editorial work on and inspiration behind IT’S YOUR WORLD as well as steps readers of the book can take to make a difference. What was the genesis of Chelsea Clinton’s book IT’S YOUR WORLD and the resulting process of mapping out the structure and creating the content – particularly the “Weather Report” section? IT’S YOUR WORLD actually came to be because of television. Chelsea had appeared on The Daily Show  with Jon Stewart to talk about global health, and I happened to be sitting on my couch watching TV that night. I was so impressed with the way in which Chelsea was able to explain complicated subjects in ways that were easy to understand that I reached out and asked her if she might be interested in writing a book for young readers that talked to them about the biggest issues facing our world today. It turned out that Chelsea had already been thinking about doing just that. And, of course, when you’re talking about big issues facing our world, climate change is one of them. We decided that the book would be divided into four sections focusing on the economy, rights, health, and the environment. Within those sections, there are smaller chapters in which Chelsea included explanations, features on kids (and some adults) who are working to make a difference in those areas, and then Get Going! lists of actions readers can take to make a difference themselves. That same structure is in the Weather Report section. How would you describe the experience of working with Ms. Clinton as her editor on this project and what was involved in establishing a narrative voice that would grab and hold the interest of young readers? It’s was truly a pleasure to work with Chelsea on IT’S YOUR WORLD. She’s such a thoughtful, intelligent person, and I think those qualities are reflected in her writing. As far as tweaking her narrative voice for young readers, we talked about the idea of writing as if she were having a conversation with one of her nieces or nephews, which is why I think her voice in the book sounds so natural and so much like her. Climate Change is of urgent relevance to us all today.  How did you and Ms. Clinton address this environmental crisis in IT’S YOUR WORLD, sharing insights and details, in a way that would not only inform but inspire action? I think Chelsea did a remarkable job of explaining exactly what climate change is and the reasons it’s happening—both the large ones and the small ones. Because of the ways she’s able to break down this issue into bite-sized pieces, I think it’s easy for young readers to see how they, personally can make a difference by doing small things like recycling, bringing reusable bags on shopping trips, taking short showers instead of baths, turning off the water while brushing teeth, riding a bike instead of taking a car, and so much more. One of the themes of IT’S YOUR WORLD is that every bit count, and that a ton of small actions can make a big difference. That’s one of the messages I think is the most empowering about the book. What do you feel will be the primary environmental-related takeaways from IT’S YOUR WORLD that young readers will be able to integrate into their everyday lives? What I hope young readers will take away from IT’S YOUR WORLD is that you’re never too young (or too old, for that matter!) to make a difference. Whether it’s one of the smaller actions I mentioned above or starting something larger, like the incredible kids Chelsea features in her books have done, it takes all of us, working together, to create a better future for our planet and ourselves. As part of Penguin Random House’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility and business practices that minimize our impact on the environment, our Climate Change series is meant to further the discussion. 

For more information visit: http://www.earthday.org/ FEATURED TITLES DRAWDOWN: THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE PLAN EVER PROPOSED TO REVERSE GLOBAL WARMING Edited by Paul Hawken In the face of widespread fear and apathy, an international coalition of researchers, professionals, and scientists have come together to offer a set of realistic and bold solutions to climate change. One hundred techniques and practices are described here—some are well known; some you may have never heard of. They range from clean energy to educating girls in lower-income countries to land use practices that pull carbon out of the air. The solutions exist, are economically viable, and communities throughout the world are currently enacting them with skill and determination. Read more about this book on Igloo: How Can We Help Save the Earth? Paul Hawken Has a Plan in DRAWDOWN   WILD THINGS, WILD PLACES: ADVENTUROUS TALES OF WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION ON PLANET EARTH by Jane Alexander Author Jane Alexander, award-winning actress and impassioned conservationist, delivers an inspiring, personal look at the vastly changing world of wildlife on planet earth as a result of human incursion, and the crucial work of animal and bird preservation across the globe being done by scientists, field biologists, zoologists, environmentalists, and conservationists.   THE WOOD FOR THE TREES: ONE MAN’S LONG VIEW OF NATURE By Richard Fortey A few years ago, award-winning scientist Richard Fortey purchased four acres of woodland in the Chiltern Hills of Oxfordshire, England. The Wood for the Trees is the joyful, lyrical portrait of what he found there.   THE SIBLEY BIRDS COLORING FIELD JOURNAL by David Allen Sibley A portable, deluxe adult coloring book from the renowned birder, illustrator, and author of the New York Times best seller The Sibley Guide to Birds. The perfect gift for birders everywhere, to use at your windowsill or in the field. Including 75 original and previously unpublished images. With millions of copies sold, David Sibley is the best-known name in North American birding today.   THE INVENTION OF NATURE by Andrea Wulf Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize The acclaimed author of Founding Gardeners reveals the forgotten life of Alexander von Humboldt, the visionary German naturalist whose ideas changed the way we see the natural world—and in the process created modern environmentalism.   PROTECTING THE PLANET: ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPIONS FROM CONSERVATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE  by Budd Titlow, Mariah Tinger Climate change is often associated with predictions of dire calamities. But in the past, heroic individuals have stepped forward to meet even the most ominous ecological challenges. This book tells an inspirational story–a story both of pioneering environmentalists who raised our collective consciousness regarding nature’s value and heroes of today who are working to secure a sustainable future.   MY FIRST SUMMER IN THE SIERRA by John Muir Based on Muir’s journals from his 1869 stay in the Sierras, the renowned naturalist, who founded the Sierra Club and helped establish Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks, brings the flora and fauna of the region beautifully to life.     FOR YOUNGER READERS UTTERLY AMAZING EARTH by DK From volcanoes and earthquakes to the water cycle and seasons, this interactive book brings amazing natural phenomena to life with pop-ups, pull-tabs, flaps, and wheels. It even features activities and experiments that kids can do at home—including building an erupting volcano. Together, the pop-ups, experiments, and bite-size facts ensure kids have different ways to absorb the information, no matter how they like to learn.   WHO WAS RACHEL CARSON? by Sarah Fabiny, Dede Putra, and Nancy Harrison (ages 8-12) Though she grew up in rural Pennsylvania, Rachel Carson dreamed of the sea. In 1936 she began work with the Bureau of Fisheries and soon after published Under the Sea Wind, her first of many nature books. A pioneering environmentalist, Rachel Carson helped awaken the global consciousness for conservation and preservation.   AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH: THE CRISIS OF GLOBAL WARMING by Al Gore (ages 10 and up) Dramatic full-color photos, illustrations, and graphs combine with Gore’s effective and clear writing to explain global warming in very real terms: what it is, what causes it, and what will happen if we continue to ignore it. An Inconvenient Truth will change the way young people understand global warming and hopefully inspire them to help change the course of history.   JOHN MUIR WRESTLES A WATERFALL by Julie Danneberg and Jamie Hogan (ages 4-8) The now iconic figure John Muir, while living at the base of Yosemite Falls in California, ventures up the trail from his cabin one night and has a harrowing waterfall adventure. Back matter roots the story in Muir’s life’s work as a conservationist and naturalist.   For more on these and related titles, visit: Earth Day 2017

Resistance, the book is entitled, TRUMP IS F*CKING CRAZY: (This Is Not a Joke) and is to be published in October 2017 by Blue Rider Press. North American rights were acquired by Blue Rider Press president and publisher David Rosenthal from Andrew Blauner, of Blauner Books Literary Agency. In TRUMP IS F*CKING CRAZY, Olbermann takes apart Donald Trump and confronts his Administration with both journalistic acuity and his classic in-your-face humor. Olbermann’s current commentary vehicle, The Resistance, averages more than 3.8M viewers per video and is widely shared on social media. The 100^th episode of the combined GQ The Closer/The Resistance series airs today.

throughout nature and society, from drought, sea level rise, and unrelenting increases in temperatures to immigration, conflict, and dislocation. This is not the whole story. “We have endeavored in DRAWDOWN to show that many people are staunchly and unwaveringly on the case. Although carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion and land use have a two-century head start on these solutions, we will take those odds. The build-up of greenhouse gases we experience today occurred in the absence of human understanding; our ancestors were innocent of the damage they were doing. That can tempt us to believe that global warming is something that is happening to us—that we are victims of a fate that was determined by actions that preceded us. If we change the preposition, however, and consider that global warming is happening for us—an atmospheric transformation that inspires us to change and reimagine everything we make and do—we can begin to live in a different world. We take 100 percent responsibility and stop blaming others. We see global warming not as an inevitability but as an invitation to build, innovate, and effect change, a pathway that awakens creativity, compassion, and genius. This is not a liberal agenda, nor is it a conservative one. This is the human agenda.” Viking Executive Editor Rick Kot: “When Paul pitched the idea for DRAWDOWN to me several years ago over dinner, I was skeptical. By that point I’d worked with him on three books on environmentalism and activism that had become classics in their field, and there are few writers I enjoy working with as much as I do Paul. For an editor it’s equivalent to being on a vacation to be able to engage in ideas rather than the body and fender jobs that many manuscripts require, and Paul’s ideas always leave me challenged and inspired by the possible future a genuine visionary can imagine. “But a book about ways to reverse global warming? Wouldn’t that be chasing a moving target, given the rapidly changing pace of technology? When I raised that point, he countered by asking me to guess what the biggest factor would be in the carbon reduction effort, and after I ran through the usual suspects (cars, coal, etc.) he told it me was women’s education. That was, granted, a great ‘gotcha!’ but I still was dubious, and for the next year or so we circled around the project, with Paul patiently sending me more and more compelling research that the DRAWDOWN team was compiling. When I presented it to Penguin and the Academic Promotions Department, both saw the potential, and a contract was soon signed. “In the time since we made that deal, climate change has become an issue of even greater concern, not only because of the ever more alarming findings of the effects of global warming, but on the recent actions undertaken by the government to reverse the policies that address it. As several early reviews of DRAWDOWN have noted, the book could not have been published at a better time, as it offers solutions that are practical, imaginative, scalable, and economical. When I first read the manuscript, I was expecting an encyclopedic overview of the latest research in the area. While all that science is definitely a fundamental aspect of the book, it’s so much more than that, as it takes in cultural history, ethnography, botany, design, and many other fields. It’s an engagingly readable book—few writers in this area have Paul’s lyrical touch—and one that surprises on every page. For those of us old enough to remember it, DRAWDOWN will be reminiscent of the epochal Whole Earth Catalog: a window into another world, and a door to lead you there.” Media praise for the book has been nothing short of amazing. Outside Magazine calls it a “bold plan to beat back climate change” while Fast Company, who profiled Mr. Hawken for their “World Changing Ideas” column, describes the book as a “blueprint for what comes next if the U.S. government (and the global community) begins to aggressively focus on altering the climate future.” On tour, Paul will give 13 presentations on DRAWDOWN in 10 cities, including Santa Barbara, California where he will be awarded the Environmental Hero Award, presented by actor Jeff Bridges along with the President of Santa Barbara City College.

Launching with Blue Rider Press on May 30th, IRON AMBITION is an intimate look at the life and leadership lessons of Cus D’Amato, the legendary boxing trainer and Tyson’s surrogate father. Tyson is the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, and the first boxer to ever hold the three biggest belts in prizefighting–the WBC, WBA, and IBF world heavyweight titles–simultaneously. Tyson’s enduring appeal has launched him into a career in entertainment: he was a standout in the blockbuster films The Hangover and The Hangover 2, and recently he has earned tremendous acclaim for his one-man show Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth. Tyson has launched a clothing company (Roots of Fight) and Tyrrhanic Productions, which currently has several film projects in development. In 2011 Tyson was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

Starting today, readers can visit a new specially created online reading platform at ReadWell.PenguinRandomHouse.com and read free, timed excerpts from over 200 Penguin Random House titles. We believe that the simple act of reading can have far-reaching social impact: which is why the more minutes a user reads, the more book donations are triggered from us to Save the Children – putting up to 300,000 books into the hands of children in need in the US, Canada and Mexico. How #ProjectReadathon Works:

• Each excerpt on the platform notes how many minutes will be added and how many books will be donated throughout the campaign.
• For example, reading a 20-minute excerpt unlocks a 5-book donation from Penguin Random House to Save the Children; reading an hour unlocks a 20-books donation.
• The books will go to Save the Children literacy programs, which help young students transition from learning to read to reading to learn.

Contributing Partners: Also joining the #ProjectReadathon Million Minutes campaign are Charity Miles and Tab for a Cause, two organizations that enable consumers to give back through everyday activities. Users will be invited to add minutes to the Project through reading at ReadWell.PenguinRandomHouse.com, as well as through the Charity Miles and Tab for a Cause platforms for special in-app and on-platform opportunities. A Worldwide Celebration of Books and Giving Back: #ProjectReadathon takes place in the US, Canada and Mexico, and culminates on April 23 in honor of UNESCO’s World Book and Copyright Day, World Book Night (UK) and St. Jordi Day (Spain). Penguin Random House employees across the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, and Spain are taking part in local celebrations in honor of these events, as they join together in celebration of books and reading to give back to their local communities. Visit ReadWell.PenguinRandomHouse.com now to join #ProjectReadathon and #ReadWell. 

everywhere – the subway, the sea, the past, the present… Here are some books to help you cross that bridge and fling open those doors of perception: Metaphors be with you! FEATURED TITLES YOU, TOO, COULD WRITE A POEM by David Orr A collection of reviews and essays by David Orr, the New York Times poetry columnist and one of the most respected critics in America today, his best work of the past fifteen years in one place. Orr’s prose is devoted to common sense and clarity, and, in every case, he brings to bear an impeccable ear, a genial openhandedness of spirit, and a deep wealth of technical knowledge—to say nothing of his shrewd sense of humor. Orr’s journalism represents a high watermark in the public discussion of literature, and is as pleasurable as it is informative. You, Too, Could Write a Poem is at heart a love note to poetry itself.   THE ODE LESS TRAVELLED: UNLOCKING THE POET WITHIN by Stephen Fry Comedian and actor Stephen Fry’s witty and practical guide gives the aspiring poet or student the tools and confidence to write and understand poetry. He believes that if one can speak and read English, one can write poetry. In The Ode Less Travelled, he invites readers to discover the delights of writing poetry for pleasure and provides the tools and confidence to get started.   LETTERS TO A YOUNG POET by Rainer Maria Rilke At the start of the twentieth century, Rainer Maria Rilke wrote a series of letters to a young officer cadet, advising him on writing, love, sex, suffering, and the nature of advice itself. These profound and lyrical letters have since become hugely influential for generations of writers and artists of all kinds, including Lady Gaga and Patti Smith.   WRITING DOWN THE BONES: FREEING THE WRITER WITHIN by Natalie Goldberg, Julia Cameron With insight, humor, and practicality, Natalie Goldberg inspires writers and would-be writers to take the leap into writing skillfully and creatively. She sees writing as a practice that helps writers comprehend the value of their lives. The advice in her book, provided in short, easy-to-read chapters with titles that reflect the author’s witty approach (“Writing Is Not a McDonald’s Hamburger,” “Man Eats Car,” “Be an Animal”), will inspire anyone who writes—or who longs to.   FOR YOUNGER WRITERS A KICK IN THE HEAD: AN EVERYDAY GUIDE TO POETIC FORMS by Paul B. Janeczko, Chris Raschka In this splendid and playful volume — second of a trilogy — an acclaimed creative team presents examples of twenty-nine poetic forms, demonstrating not only the (sometimes bendable) rules of poetry, but also the spirit that brings these forms to life.   SLEEPING ON THE WING: AN ANTHOLOGY OF MODERN POETRY WITH ESSAYS ON READING AND WRITING by Kenneth Koch, Kate Farrell This book is specifically for high school students, though it is useful to college students and anyone interested in the art and craft of poetry. Koch and Farrell, experienced teachers as well as poets, write about poetry in such a way that students will find it accessible and interesting.   Visit Signature to download The Writer’s Guide to Poetry Sign-up for Knopf’s Poem-a-Day

“We are laser-focused on identifying publishers with significant growth potential,” said Todd Berman, VP, Business Development and Publishing Strategy for PRHPS. “And this annual list is a great example of the power of the partnership that we have with our clients, resulting in long-term growth across the portfolio.” This is the third year in a row that PRHPS client publishers have been well represented on PW’s Fastest-Growing Independent Publishers list: Sasquatch and Berrett-Koehler Publishers in 2016, and No Starch Press and Verso Books in 2015 Here are excerpts from the Publishers Weekly article about each of our client publishers on the 2017 list: At Europa Editions, the popularity of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet has increased steadily over the past few years, propelling a sales gain of 156% in 2015 over 2014 and another 47% revenue rise in 2016. Editor-in-chief Michael Reynolds acknowledges the importance of Ferrante to the 12-year-old company’s success, but he notes that the balance of its list, focused on publishing authors from all over the world in the British and North American markets, has also contributed to its growth. Reynolds thinks the success of Ferrante’s series has helped Europa’s entire list gain more visibility in the market, but he also believes the company is doing a more effective job marketing its books. Shambhala President Nikko Odiseos says the company’s growth is due to “a multiplicity of causes”: new imprints, acquisitions, readership building, and export editions. Shambhala started its lifestyle imprint, Roost Books, in 2012, and the unit has become a bigger part of its business. Roost sales were boosted by the fact that its books won James Beard awards in each of the past two years. Snow Lion Publications was acquired in 2012, which cemented Shambhala’s position as the largest publisher of Buddhist books in English in the U.S. And in May 2015, Shambhala acquired Rodmell Press, which not only buttressed its Buddhist list but doubled its line of yoga books. Seattle-based Sasquatch Books followed up a 20% increase in sales in 2015 over 2014 with another solid year in 2016, when revenue was up 55% compared to 2014. Little Bigfoot, the company’s children’s imprint started in 2014, had another year of gains helped by its growing backlist. The biggest sales driver last year, however, was Sasquatch’s 52 Lists journal series by Moorea Seal, who refers to herself as a creative entrepreneur. The series, which features The 52 Lists Project and 52 Lists for Happiness has more than 375,000 copies in print, according to senior publicity and marketing manager Corinna Scott. To read the full PW article, click here.

With that goal in mind, we offer an illuminating and supportive selection of titles – from groundbreaking research to history to memoir. FEATURED TITLES IN A DIFFERENT KEY: THE STORY OF AUTISM by John Donvan, Caren Zucker Finalist, 2017 Pulitzer Prize General Non-Fiction An extraordinary narrative history of autism: the riveting story of parents fighting for their children ’s civil rights; of doctors struggling to define autism; of ingenuity, self-advocacy, and profound social change Nearly seventy-five years ago, Donald Triplett of Forest, Mississippi, became the first child diagnosed with autism. Beginning with his family’s odyssey, In a Different Key tells the extraordinary story of this often misunderstood condition.   THE OUT-OF-SYNC CHILD: RECOGNIZING AND COPING WITH SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER by Carol Kranowitz, Lucy Jane Miller The groundbreaking book that explains Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)–and presents a drug-free approach that offers hope for parents.   AUTISM: THE SCIENTIFIC TRUTH ABOUT PREVENTING, DIAGNOSING, AND TREATING AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS–AND WHAT PARENTS CAN DO NOW by Robert Melillo From the bestselling author of Disconnected Kids, a clear and compassionate explanation of the causes of the autism epidemic—and a scientifically based approach for prevention and treatment.   THINKING IN PICTURES: MY LIFE WITH AUTISM by Temple Grandin Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is a gifted animal scientist who has designed one-third of all the livestock-handling facilities in the United States. She also lectures widely on autism–because Temple Grandin is autistic, a woman who thinks, feels, and experiences the world in ways that are incomprehensible to the rest of us.   AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING AUTISM by Chantal Sicile-Kira Comprehensive and authoritative, Autism Spectrum Disorders explains all aspects of the condition, and is written for parents, educators, caregivers, and others looking for accurate information and expert insight.   OVERCOMING AUTISM: FINDING THE ANSWERS, STRATEGIES, AND HOPE THAT CAN TRANSFORM A CHILD’S LIFE by Lynn Kern Koegel, Ph.D., Claire LaZebnik Since Overcoming Autism was first published more than a decade ago, many theories about autism have fallen by the wayside. But the interventions described in this book have been shown to be the best approach to improving the development and quality of life of children with autism.   THE REASON I JUMP: THE INNER VOICE OF A THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD BOY WITH AUTISM by Naoki Higashida, KA Yoshida, David Mitchell The phenomenal bestseller that changed our perspective on autism translated and with an introduction by David Mitchell, author of Cloud Atlas. A remarkable journey into the mind of a 13-year-old boy with severe autism: Naoki Higashida was only a middle-schooler when he began to write The Reason I Jump.   NEUROTRIBES: THE LEGACY OF AUTISM AND THE FUTURE OF NEURODIVERSITY by Steve Silberman, Oliver Sacks Wired reporter Steve Silberman unearths the secret history of autism, long suppressed by the same clinicians who became famous for discovering it, and finds surprising answers to the crucial question of why the number of diagnoses has soared in recent years.  Going back to the earliest days of autism research, Silberman offers a gripping narrative of Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger, the research pioneers who defined the scope of autism in profoundly different ways; he then goes on to explore the game-changing concept of neurodiversity. Check out Steve Silberman’s post on Brightly.com Uniquely Ourselves: Inspiring Books on Autism for Kids, Tweens and Teens For more books on autism spectrum disorder visit the collection: Autism Awareness Titles

These videos are all made in-house by the PRH Video Team. It starts with storyboarding, then crafting, then shooting hundreds of still frames of the scenes in the Random House Video Studio before editing it all together and layering on text, music and sound effects – ultimately producing a video that is meant to be very eye-catching and shareable. The primary goals with this series (and generally any series on the video channels the team manages) are:  1) To engage the respective reader community with content that will speak to them; 2) To make something that will be shared to those outside the community to acquire more subscribers; 3) To create a new way to promote the books we feature in the series; and 4) To contribute to books and reading in general continuing to be part of the digital video conversation.

Lagercrantz, the new novel will be published in concert with the series’ other publishers from around the world, and will feature the return of its two iconic protagonists, Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist. The announcement was made today by Sonny Mehta, Editor-in-Chief of Alfred A. Knopf, who has edited all of the books in the series in the U.S. "Revenge is not a fantasy for Lisbeth,” said Mr. Mehta, “and in this new book, she exacts it with a vengeance.” THE GIRL WHO TAKES AN EYE FOR AN EYE will be published in hardcover, as an e-book, and as an audiobook. The announced first printing is 500,000 copies. It will be translated from the Swedish by George Goulding. The Millennium series of novels have sold 85 million copies in 50 territories around the world, including 24 million copies in the U.S., where all of them were #1 bestsellers. In addition to THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, the other novels in the series include THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, published in 2009, and THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST, published in 2010, both written by Stieg Larsson, and THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER’S WEB, published in 2015, which was written by Lagercrantz. Stieg Larsson died in November 2004, before the publication of the first book. In 2013, Mr. Lagercrantz, a Swedish journalist and best-selling author, was selected to continue the series.

illustrated by artist Nathan Gelgud; Riverhead author Anne Lamott on “the devils of perfectionism;” and important tips on “telling it slant.” For details about how to receive your free copy of THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO POETRY, click here. Along with Signature, a co-sponsor of THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO POETRY is Knopf, which we highlighted recently with this story: Knopf Celebrates National Poetry Month with Poem-A-Day Program. When you download The Guide, you will also receive Knopf’s Poem-A-Day e-mails in April, plus occasional news about award-winning poets.

her career as the assistant to Berkley’s Editor-in-Chief in 1994 and has been fortunate to work with some outstanding authors through the years, including Christine Feehan, Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick, Sylvia Day, Maya Banks, Nalini Singh and Karen White – who offers her personal comments about working with Cindy at the conclusion of this article. As the editor of bestselling books by many authors, what do you find are characteristics that Karen White brings to the page that distinguishes her in the marketplace? Karen has a very distinctive voice, and it’s a voice that stays with readers.  I didn’t buy Karen’s debut novel when it was first submitted to me, but I certainly remembered it and her voice.  And when years later I was sent Karen’s new novel by her agent for consideration, I immediately recognized Karen’s writing and remembered that first novel.  I believe many readers have become loyal readers of Karen because of her voice.  If I were blindfolded and only able to listen to my authors’ writings, I think I would have the easiest time identifying Karen’s by her words.  There’s a certain lilt and flow to her sentences which really suit the southern setting of her novels. How does Karen’s newest book, THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, fit into the evolution of her writing career and what was your primary role throughout the editorial process? I remember the first time Karen pitched me her idea for THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, and I was excited because Karen wanted to set it close to her actual home in the Atlanta suburbs. But it was still very early in the process, and sometimes ideas don’t pan out.  At that early stage, I always keep an open mind so Karen can use me as a sounding board to help develop her ideas.  What we’ve discovered from working together is that Karen needs to let an idea percolate for a long time—and that she often struggles with writing synopses during the proposal stage.  So now, when she’s ready to show me her idea when it’s developed enough, we skip the synopsis and go straight to the opening chapters.  And this is what we did for THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. I knew from those first chapters that Karen had written something very special and already created some fabulous characters, so I was confident that Karen was on the right track.  THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT has some of the key features that Karen likes to include in all her novels, mainly an exploration of women’s relationships, both familial and not, but the very contemporary setting and characters definitely marked a change from some of Karen’s previous novels which always had a strong historical element to the plots.  There’s also one in THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT as well but it’s clearly the contemporary story that is the focus, not the historical one. Who do you see as Karen’s most loyal readers and what about her books keeps them coming back for more stories, year after year? We recently had an event in Charleston that brought readers around the country together to celebrate the publication of Karen’s latest novel, THE GUESTS ON SOUTH BATTERY, and what we discovered was that Karen’s readers are generational.  There were so many mothers & daughters who came together to meet Karen as well as groups of friends and just plain families.  And many traveled across the country for this event.  Many of them had read Karen for years and loved not only the southern setting of her novels but her focus on women and their relationships, as well as the carefully crafted mysteries that often provide the framework within which she can explore those relationships. Karen White on Cindy Hwang and Berkley: How would you describe your author/editor working relationship with Cindy and what have been the most important aspects of having Berkley as your book publishing home? The one word that defines my working relationship with Cindy is trust.  She trusts my instincts when choosing elements of my books (characters, setting, POV), and I trust her to give an honest evaluation on a finished manuscript.  It’s the perfect author/editor relationship:  Cindy never intrudes on the creative process, but is terrific at brainstorming ideas and has the brilliant ability to pinpoint what’s not working even when I can’t–and she’s always right! I’ve been working with Cindy and Berkley for 23 books in 11 years.  Every book I’ve ever written is now in print under the same logo.  I love the continuity of having my backlist with the same publisher as my current titles, and the longevity means that my entire Berkley team (editorial, marketing, sales, art and publicity) all recognize what a “Karen White” book is even before my latest manuscript lands on Cindy’s desk.  This understanding has meant a concentrated effort to brand me and my books so that the rest of the world knows, too.

Ms. Shetterly says, “I couldn’t be more excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work with Wendy and the Viking team.  She is an editor with deep experience shaping the kinds of stories I want to tell.” Ms. Shetterly’s two new books will be examining the idea of the American Dream and its legacy by excavating stories of other “hidden figures,” extraordinary ordinary African-Americans whose contributions to American history have, for one reason or another, been untold, unseen, or overlooked. Brian Tart, President and Publisher of Viking, says, “Margot Lee Shetterly is a gifted historian and storyteller with a remarkable ability to find important, untold stories in America’s history. We are thrilled to be publishing her next two books at Viking.” The first book takes place in midcentury Baltimore, a bustling city of strivers and immigrants, and chronicles two African-American households alike in power and vision. The Murphy family, owners of the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper, were the reigning monarchs of Baltimore’s black society and the epitome of respectability. Willie Adams, whose original fortune came from the numbers racket, and his wife Victorine Adams, a schoolteacher turned politician, went on to become philanthropists, investors, and among the most ardent patrons of entrepreneurship and economic development in the city’s African American community.  Ms. Shetterly will bring the history of Baltimore to life through the success stories of the Adamses and the Murphys, also showing the contrasting challenges faced by those left behind by redlining, lack of economic opportunity, and urban decay. In doing so, she will bring new understanding to the history of a city that represents both the upside and the shortcomings of the American dream. Writer, researcher, and entrepreneur Margot Lee Shetterly is the author of Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race. The acclaimed film adaptation of her book was released in 2016 and stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst, and Kevin Costner. Ms. Shetterly is also the founder of the Human Computer Project, a digital archive of all of the women who worked as math and science professionals at NASA from the 1930s through the 1980s.  She is an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation fellow and Virginia Foundation for the Humanities grantee.

Schuyler is 17, around 1777, until their marriage in 1780,” says Ms. de la Cruz. “I thought of my book as very much a Jane Austen retelling of Alex and Eliza’s story.” Ms. de la Cruz was inspired to write her book after seeing Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway show, Hamilton: An American Musical, which was based on Ron Chernow’s New York Times-bestselling book, ALEXANDER HAMILTON (Penguin Press/Penguin Books).   As she told Entertainment Weekly: “I am a sucker for the popular girl-poor boy love story trope, from Reality Bites to Moulin Rouge. And I had always had a soft spot for Elizabeth Schuyler, whom I used in my Blue Bloods vampire books as well: my heroine Schuyler Van Alen is named after her. After we saw Hamilton, my 10-year-old daughter was obsessed with Eliza, and it was her keen interest in Alex and Eliza’s story that led me to thinking that there was something more I wanted to discover more about the subject. I was originally just doing the research to answer my daughter’s questions, but I got caught up in it as well. “After we saw Hamilton, I sobbed for a good 10 minutes. I had never realized how much of an outsider I had felt to American history until we (brown people) were suddenly thrust in the center of it. It was such a profound moment for me, and I am tearing up just thinking of it. Hamilton made this bold statement that you – yes you, Puerto Rican, African American, Asian — are part of the founding father’s story too. The story of America is also our story. I had never felt entitled to that before. I had never felt so embraced by American history. It was shocking how deeply I craved it, how I didn’t even know how much I needed to feel that way. I’m in awe of what Lin-Manuel Miranda has done, not just as a work of art, but as a work of citizenship for all of us immigrants and people of color to be part of the greatest story of the founding of our country.” The publication of ALEX & ELIZA has generated widespread advance buzz across many national media outlets, including Entertainment Weekly, Teen Vogue, GoodReads.com, EpicReads.com, Brit + Co, Bustle, Broadway World and PopSugar, among a host of others. The author’s upcoming appearances include the LA Times Festival of Books  (April 23), YALLWest (April 29) and BookCon (June 3-4).

BEST HARDCOVER NOVEL Reed Farrel Coleman, WHERE IT HURTS (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) Laura McHugh,  ARROWOOD (Spiegel & Grau) BEST FIRST NOVEL Nicholas Petrie, THE DRIFTER (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL Pierce Brown — MORNING STAR (Del Rey) Billy Taylor — THIEVING WEASELS (Dial Books for Young Readers) Kara Thomas — THE DARKEST CORNERS (Delacorte Press) Congratulations to our nominated authors, their editors and publishers. Click here to view the complete list of 2017 ITW Thriller Awards finalists. The 2017 ITW Thriller Award winners will be announced at ThrillerFest XII on July 15 at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan. ITW’s mission is “To bestow recognition and promote the thriller genre at an innovative and superior level for and through our Active members; to provide opportunities for mentoring, education and collegiality among thriller authors and industry professionals; and to grant awards for excellence in the thriller genre.”

Family Foundation Award annually recognizes “a young writer of considerable literary talent,” and includes a $10,000 cash prize. Ms. Blume received the E.B. White Award for “achievement in children’s literature” and a $10,000 cash prize. Congratulations to Mr. Mahajan and Ms. Blume as well as their editors and publishers. To view a full list of this year’s Literature Award winners, please click here The American Academy of Arts and Letters will present their prizes in New York City at the Academy’s annual Ceremonial in May, and work by the winners will be featured in the 2017 Exhibition of Work by Newly Elected Members and Recipients of Honors and Awards, which will be on view in the Academy’s galleries on Audubon Terrace from May 18 to June 11. THE ASSOCIATION OF SMALL BOMBS was also a finalist for the 2016 National Book Award for Fiction, a finalist for the 2017 New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award, and the winner of the 2017 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award.

booksellers from ABA member stores get to select their favorite titles published last year, and vote for them through April 30 via online balloting.  Winners will be announced May 3, and will be celebrated along with the honor book recipients, at ABA’s Celebration of Bookselling and Author Awards Lunch Wednesday, May 31, at BookExpo 2017 at the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. Our Finalists: BOOK OF THE YEAR – ADULT FICTION A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by Amor Towles (Viking) THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday) BOOK OF THE YEAR – ADULT NONFICTION BORN A CRIME: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah (Spiegel & Grau) HERO OF THE EMPIRE: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill by Candice Millard (Doubleday) THE GLASS UNIVERSE: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars by Dava Sobel (Viking) BOOK OF THE YEAR – ADULT DEBUT HOMEGOING by Yaa Gyasi (Knopf) LAB GIRL by Hope Jahren (Knopf) THE GIRLS by Emma Cline (Random House) WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR by Paul Kalanithi (Random House) BOOK OF THE YEAR – YOUNG ADULT THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by Nicola Yoon (Delacorte Press) SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys (Philomel Books) THE SERPENT KING by Jeff Zentner (Crown Books for Young Readers) KIDS OF APPETITE by David Arnold (Viking Books for Young Readers) THE READER by Traci Chee (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers) E.B. WHITE READ-ALOUD AWARD – MIDDLE READER THE INQUISITOR’S TALE: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz, Hatem Aly (Illus.) (Dutton Books for Young Readers) THE BEST MAN by Richard Peck (Dial Books for Young Readers) E.B. WHITE READ-ALOUD AWARD – PICTURE BOOK PREACHING TO THE CHICKENS: The Story of Young John Lewis, by Jabari Asim, E.B. Lewis (Illus.) (Nancy Paulsen Books) DU IZ TAK? by Carson Ellis (Candlewick, a PRHPS client publisher) PICTURE BOOK HALL OF FAME I HAVE A DREAM by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Kadir Nelson (Illus.) (Schwartz & Wade) MILLIONS OF CATS by Wanda Gag (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers) SWIMMY by Leo Lionni (Knopf Books for Young Readers) TAR BEACH by Faith Ringgold (Knopf Books for Young Readers) WHY MOSQUITOES BUZZ IN PEOPLE’S EARS: A West African Tale by Verna Aardema, Leo and Diane Dillon (Illus.) (Dial Books for Young Readers) Please join in congratulating our finalists, their publishers, and our sales teams upon receiving this gratifying recognition from our valued retail partners. Click here to view a complete list of finalists.

Revery alone indeed will do in reading Emily Dickinson! Currently, The Morgan Library in Manhattan is exhibiting “I’m Nobody! Who are you? The Life and Poetry of Emily Dickinson” and the NEA’s “Big Read” in Los Angeles is The Poetry of Emily Dickinson. So please do dwell in the possibility of picking up one of these books for weekend reading… from her letters to poems as well as biography and fiction for both adults and children inspired by Emily’s life and art. FEATURED TITLES LETTERS: EMILY DICKINSON by Emily Dickinson, Emily Fragos The same inimitable voice and dazzling insights that make Emily Dickinson’s poems immortal can be found in the whimsical, humorous, and often deeply moving letters she wrote to her family and friends throughout her life. The selection of letters presented here provides a fuller picture of the eccentric recluse of legend, showing how immersed in life she was: we see her tending her garden; baking bread; marking the marriages, births, and deaths of those she loved.   THE SELECTED POEMS OF EMILY DICKINSON by Emily Dickinson; Introduction by Billy Collins Emily Dickinson lived as a recluse in Amherst, Massachusetts, dedicating herself to writing a “letter to the world”–the 1,775 poems left unpublished at her death in 1886. Today, Dickinson stands in the front rank of American poets. This enthralling collection includes more than four hundred poems that were published between Dickinson’s death and 1900. They express her concepts of life and death, of love and nature, and of what Henry James called “the landscape of the soul.”   LIVES LIKE LOADED GUNS: EMILY DICKINSON AND HER FAMILY’S FEUDS by Lyndall Gordon In 1882, Emily Dickinson’s brother, Austin, began an adulterous love affair with the accomplished and ravishing Mabel Todd, setting in motion a series of events that would forever change the lives of the Dickinson family. Lives Like Loaded Guns is a highly acclaimed story of creative genius, illicit passion, and betrayal that will forever change the way we view one of America’s most important literary figures.   MISS EMILY: A NOVEL  by Nuala O’Connor A poet in seclusion. The friendship that will break open her world. Fans of Jo Baker and Lynn Cullen will love this novel that brings to life Emily Dickinson, her eccentric family, and the perils faced by her young Irish maid.   FOR YOUNGER READERS MISS EMILY by Burleigh Muten, Matt Phelan; Ages 7-10 Discover the mischievous and affectionate side of a revered poet in this adventure about Emily Dickinson, four young friends, and a traveling circus.     ANOTHER DAY AS EMILY by Eileen Spinelli, Joanne Lew-Vriethoff; Ages 8 to 12 “Taut, fast-paced, economical, devoid of sham, Spinelli’s book echoes Dickinson’s own deceptive simplicity.”—The New York Times Book Review Eleven-year-old Suzy just can’t win. Her brother is a local hero for calling 911 after seeing their elderly neighbor collapse, and only her best friend was able to win a role in the play they both auditioned for. Feeling cast aside from all angles, Suzy sees a kindred spirit in Emily Dickinson, the subject of her summer project.     For further dwelling into Emily Dickinson’s life and art visit Emily Dickinson

are steeped in rhyme and lyric, the joy gets lost along the way somehow as poems become more difficult to decipher. Wordsworth’s wise phrase “we murder to dissect” speaks to poetic pleasures lost. And yet, at times of celebration, protest or sorrow people turn to poetry, recognizing its particular power.  Penguin Random House is the proud publisher of two of the most broad-reaching poets of our time, Mary Oliver and Billy Collins. Like their work, the following anthologies are also wonderful gateways to a newfound appreciation of poetry for all ages and appetites. Happy National Poetry Month! FEATURED TITLES GOOD POEMS selected by Garrison Keillor Every day people tune in to The Writer’s Almanac on public radio and hear Garrison Keillor read them a poem. Good Poems is the first anthology of poems from the show, chosen by Keillor for their wit, their frankness, their passion, their “utter clarity in the face of everything else a person has to deal with at 7 a.m.” View Keillor’s other anthologies here.   THE PENGUIN ANTHOLOGY OF TWENTIETH-CENTURY AMERICAN POETRY edited by Rita Dove As seen on Charlie Rose! Rita Dove, Pulitzer Prize winner and former Poet Laureate of the United States, introduces readers to the most significant and compelling poems of the past hundred years in The Penguin Anthology of Twentieth-Century American Poetry.   THE VOICE THAT IS GREAT WITHIN US: AMERICAN POETRY OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY edited by Hayden Carruth This famous anthology includes the works of more than 130 major American poets of the modern period–Robert Frost, Paul Goodman, Carl Sandburg and Gwendolyn Brooks among them–along with short biographies of each.   FRIENDSHIP POEMS edited by Peter Washington A celebration of friendship in all its aspects–from the delight of making a new friend to the serene joys of longtime devotion. Poems about best friends, false friends, dear friends, lost friends, even animal friends. These poems have been selected from the work of great poets in all times and places, including Emily Dickinson, W.H. Auden, Henry Thoreau, Shakespeare, Sappho, Robert Frost, Rudyard Kipling, Walt Whitman, and many others.   THE VINTAGE BOOK OF AFRICAN AMERICAN POETRY: 200 YEARS OF VISION, STRUGGLE, POWER, BEAUTY, AND TRIUMPH FROM 50 OUTSTANDING POETS edited by Michael S. Harper, Anthony Walton In The Vintage Book of African American Poetry, editors Michael S. Harper and Anthony Walton present the definitive collection of black verse in the United States–200 years of vision, struggle, power, beauty, and triumph from 52 outstanding poets: From the neoclassical stylings of slave-born Phillis Wheatley to the wistful lyricism of Paul Lawrence Dunbar . . . the rigorous wisdom of Gwendolyn Brooks to the chiseled modernism of Robert Hayden.   EAT THIS POEM: A LITERARY FEAST OF RECIPES INSPIRED BY POETRY by Nicole Gulotta A literary cookbook that celebrates food and poetry, two of life’s essential ingredients. In the same way that salt seasons ingredients to bring out their flavors, poetry seasons our lives; when celebrated together, our everyday moments and meals are richer and more meaningful. The twenty-five inspiring poems in this book—from such poets as Marge Piercy, Louise Glück, Mark Strand, Mary Oliver, Billy Collins, Jane Hirshfield—are accompanied by seventy-five recipes that bring the richness of words to life in our kitchen, on our plate, and through our palate.   THE POCKET HAIKU edited by Sam Hamill In this collection of haiku, translator Sam Hamill has compiled the best from the tradition, spanning the sixteenth through nineteenth centuries, with a particular focus on the three great masters: Bashō, Buson, and Issa. Based on images from nature, the poems address the themes of joy, temporality, beauty, wonder, loneliness, and loss.   FOR YOUNGER READERS PLEASE EXCUSE THIS POEM: 100 NEW POETS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION edited by Brett F Lauer, Lynn Melnick, Carolyn Forche; Ages 14 and up One hundred poems. One hundred voices. One hundred different points of view. Here is a cross-section of American poetry as it is right now—full of grit and love, sparkling with humor, searing the heart, smashing through boundaries on every page. Please Excuse This Poem features one hundred acclaimed younger poets from truly diverse backgrounds and points of view, whose work has appeared everywhere from The New Yorker to Twitter, tackling a startling range of subjects in a startling range of poetic forms.   NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOOK OF ANIMAL POETRY: 200 POEMS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS THAT SQUEAK, SOAR, AND ROAR by J. Patrick Lewis; Ages 4 to 8 “Add a little natural wonder to your poetry shelves. Because if we’re talking about the best possible compliment to your eyes and ears alike, few have as many perks and grand moments as this.” —School Library Journal starred review   THE DEATH OF THE HAT: A BRIEF HISTORY OF POETRY IN 50 OBJECTS by Paul B. Janeczko, Chris Raschka; Ages 8 to 12 A celebrated duo reunites for a look at poems through history inspired by objects—earthly and celestial—reflecting the time in which each poet lived. A book-eating moth in the early Middle Ages. A peach blossom during the Renaissance. A haunted palace in the Victorian era. A lament for the hat in contemporary times. Poetry has been a living form of artistic expression for thousands of years, and throughout that time poets have found inspiration in everything from swords to stamp albums, candles to cobwebs, manhole covers to the moon.   THE 20TH CENTURY CHILDREN’S POETRY TREASURY edited by Jack Prelutsky, watercolors by Meilo So; Ages 0 and up Here in one gloriously illustrated volume are 211 wonderful poems that represent the best this century has to offer. From sibling rivalry, school, monsters, food, and just plain silliness, to such ageless themes as the seasons, Who am I? and the many moods of childhood, this is a collection that begs to be read aloud and shared with the whole family.   For more on these and more great anthologies visit Poetry Anthologies from Penguin Random House

BEHOLD THE DREAMERS relates the struggle of immigrants longing to become American citizens, the stark divide between rich and poor, and the global financial crisis following the collapse of Lehman Brothers. The New York Times offered this praise: “As a dissection of the American Dream, Imbolo Mbue’s first novel is savage and compassionate in all the right places.” The PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction is a national prize which honors the best published works of fiction by American citizens in a calendar year. Three writers are chosen annually by the directors of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation to serve as judges for the prize, with Penguin Random House authors Chris Abani and Sigrid Nunez, along with author Chantel Acevedo, selected for the honor. They considered 500 novels and story collections by American authors published during 2016, picking the winner from among five finalists, listed here. The 37th Annual PEN/Faulkner Award Ceremony will take place at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 6. The event will feature the judges’ citations for each finalist’s book, the presentation of the 2017 PEN/Faulkner Award, and a reading by each author. Our congratulations to Ms. Mbue, her editor Noah Eaker and publisher Susan Kamil, and everyone at the Random House Group.

Some of the poems are treasures from the rich Knopf backlist, some are recently published works, and some are from collections that are soon to be released. This year, Knopf is announcing a new volume entitled RESISTANCE, REBELLION, LIFE: 50 Poems Now.  Edited and introduced by Knopf poet Amit Majmudar, Poet Laureate of Ohio, the book will include poems written from a myriad of perspectives, and yet represents only a fraction of the robust flowering of political poetry in the United States at the moment. Throughout April, we will feature poems from those who shared their work with us in the spirit of poetic resistance. Some of the poets contributing to this collection include Solmaz Sharif, Eileen Myles, Kevin Young, Juan Felipe Herrera, Ada Limón, Jane Hirshfield, Paul Muldoon, Sharon Olds, Jericho Brown, Maggie Smith, Michael Dickman, and Fady Joudah. The title of the book, Resistance, Rebellion, Life, is a salute to a collection of essays that was written by Albert Camus, “Resistance, Rebellion, and Death.” Clifton Fadiman, the noted editor and critic, once said that “any American publisher who accepts and prints fine verse is making a voluntary contribution to Western culture.” Knopf is honored to continue that tradition, and devoted to helping bring poetry to a wider audience. Join the celebration and sign up to receive your Poem-A-Day during the month of April. Happy Poetry Month from Knopf

published passion project created in 1970, grew into a worldwide phenomenon that helped build Ten Speed Press into the publisher it is today. As a number of us at Ten Speed can attest, so many people have come up to us over the years saying they never would have found their life’s work without his influence. What a truly incredible legacy. Dick, as he was affectionately known by his friends, always said “You were put here on Earth for a reason. You need to find it.” Together, we are honored to continue his legacy as WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE? helps new generations of readers find their passion and purpose in life. –Ten Speed Press, The Crown Publishing Group

that were given away to attending families for their children after Dodgers players such as Rich Hill, Andre Eithier and Yasmani Grandal read to 80 3rd and 4th grade students from local schools and non-profits. Guests also had the opportunity to have their photos taken with the players as well as Dodger alumni Billy Ashley, Dennis Powell and Al Ferrara and the Dodger character. “We are proud to partner with the Dodgers and LADF in support of their LA Reads program. We believe that books and baseball are a perfect fit. In the same way that team sports help children learn to work and play together, books bring together young readers everywhere, expanding their worlds and opening their hearts and minds,” said Claire von Schilling, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications, Penguin Random House. “We look forward to bringing together Penguin Random House books and Dodger baseball, as we work with the Dodgers’ Foundation, the team and their fans throughout this 2017 season.” “Getting children excited about reading during the summer baseball season and throughout the year is at the heart of our literacy work,” said Nichol Whiteman, Executive Director of LADF and Naomi Rodriguez, Dodger Vice President, Community Relations and External Affairs. “With LA Reads, we hope to give children the tools and incentives to develop a lifelong love of reading.” Dodger players, coaches, wives, executives and alumni will continue to read to children at local libraries, schools and non-profit program sites. The Dodgers “Reading Champions” challenge will take place from April to August, further motivating 1st- 8th graders to read. Students who read more than 30 minutes per day will be rewarded with incentives, including monthly opportunities to be on the field at Dodger Stadium.  Students and families can learn more about the program at Dodgers.com/LAReads.

educators to add more engaging, narrative non-fiction and fiction to their science classrooms, NSTA provided a great venue for Penguin Random House to market its relevant trade books to this unique and important audience. Andy Weir flew in Wednesday night for an exclusive dinner with the NSTA President, Executive Board members, and 15 VIP teachers as well as local librarians and bloggers, in a private dining room at Wolfgang Pucks.  He then delivered the Keynote address Thursday morning to a packed house of 5,000 NSTA attendees, discussing his journey to writing his mega bestseller THE MARTIAN (which was also adapted for a blockbuster movie), and the reasons why he worked with Crown to publish a special Classroom Edition of the book, which The New York Times covered in a major article (printed copies of which were distributed to attendees), Andy also made time for a marathon series of activities and interviews, including a segment on WebsEdge TV; a visit to THE MARTIAN Activity Center created by NSTA volunteers, where you drop markers on targets set on a Martian landscape; an appearance on the Buzz Aldrin Space Federation Destination: Mars map (where he received a free T-shirt!); a conversation for PBS NewsHour;  a two-hour, 300-copy book signing session; an interview with a reporter from the New York Observer; ate a Turkey sandwich lunch; and, finally, was interviewed by the Space Games Federation crew, with #SpaceCat in tow (yes, #SpaceCat is a thing, check it out!). On the NSTA convention floor, our Education Marketing contingent, including Michael Gentile, Allan Spencer, Tim Cheng, Ryan Mita and Laura Berlinsky-Schine worked tirelessly  (as did Kaiulani Kaneta and Crown’s Sarah Breivogel on their invaluable event planning efforts), with over 300 Penguin Random House titles displayed in three booths. Book categories ranged from Astronomy to Zoology, and everything in between.  On Friday morning, authors Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson signed advanced reader copies of their forthcoming book, WE HAVE NO IDEA: A Guide to the Unknown Universe (Riverhead). Other title priorities included: PATIENT H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness and Family Secrets (Random House) by Luke Dittrich; LAB GIRL: A Story of Trees, Science and Love (Vintage) by Hope Jahren (“The highlight is word-of-mouth excitement for LAB GIRL,” said Ms. Kaneta); SPACEMAN: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe (Crown Archetype) by Mike Massimino; and HEADSTRONG: 52 Women Who Changed Science and the World (Broadway) and TRAILBLAZERS: 33 Women in Science Who Changed the World (Delacorte Books for Young Readers), both by Rachel Swaby Penguin Random House will be exhibiting once again at next year’s NSTA, to be held March 15 – 18, 2018 in Atlanta, GA

Fools unite! Tomorrow is April Fool’s Day and whether the occasion is one you embrace, ignore or flee from, it is a fine time to proclaim what’s true for most of us… we are fools for fiction! But that doesn’t mean the fiction we’ve selected is foolish: It’s just in the title. Put aside pranks for now and revel in one of these wise, wonderful and thrilling books: FEATURED TITLES NOBODY’S FOOL by Richard Russo The classic American novel – funny and moving –  about a blue-collar town in upstate New York and the life of one of its unluckiest citizens, Sully, who has been doing the wrong thing triumphantly for fifty years.     EVERYBODY’S FOOL by Richard Russo The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Empire Falls now returns to the story of Sully, the hapless hero of his beloved breakout novel, Nobody’s Fool. Now Sully, who in the intervening years has come by some unexpected good fortune, is staring down a VA cardiologist’s estimate that he only has a year or two left. He’s busy as hell keeping the news from the most important people in his life.   BEFORE YOU SUFFOCATE YOUR OWN FOOL SELF: STORIES by Danielle Evans The electric debut story collection about mixed-race and African-American teenagers, women, and men struggling to find a place in their families and communities.   FOOLS CROW by James Welch, Thomas McGuane In the Two Medicine Territory of Montana, the Lone Eaters, a small band of Blackfeet Indians, are living their immemorial life. The men hunt and mount the occasional horse-taking raid or war party against the enemy Crow. The women tan the hides, sew the beadwork, and raise the children. But the year is 1870, and the whites are moving into their land. Fools Crow, a young warrior and medicine man, has seen the future and knows that the newcomers will punish resistance with swift retribution. First published to broad acclaim in 1986, Fools Crow is James Welch’s stunningly evocative portrait of his people’s bygone way of life.   FOOL ME ONCE by Harlan Coben Former special ops pilot Maya, home from the war, sees an unthinkable image captured by her nanny cam while she is at work: her two-year-old daughter playing with Maya’s husband, Joe—who had been brutally murdered two weeks earlier. The provocative question at the heart of the mystery: Can you believe everything you see with your own eyes, even when you desperately want to? To find the answer, Maya must finally come to terms with deep secrets and deceit in her own past before she can face the unbelievable truth about her husband—and herself. FOR YOUNGER READERS QUEEN’S OWN FOOL: A NOVEL OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS by Jane Yolen, Robert Harris; Ages 10 and up Once she was a traveling player…Now called La Jardinière, a resourceful and clever jester to the queen’s court, Nicola was a most unlikely person to end up “fool” and friend to Mary, Queen of Scots. But Nicola isn’t an ordinary comedian tumbling and clowning before the court; her quick wit and sharp tongue are rare amongst the fawning nobles.   For more fool titles, visit the collection: Friday Reads Fools

legendary Casey Stengel to the memoir by All-Star Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones to St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny’s “Manifesto.” Batter up! THE CUBS WAY: The Zen of Building the Best Team in Baseball and Breaking the Curse by Tom Verducci (Crown Archetype, 3/28) It took 108 years, but it really happened. The Chicago Cubs are once again World Series champions.  How did a team composed of unknown, young players and supposedly washed-up veterans come together to break the Curse of the Billy Goat?  With inside access and reporting, Sports Illustrated senior baseball writer and FOX Sports analyst Tom Verducci reveals how Theo Epstein and Joe Maddon built, led, and inspired the Chicago Cubs team that broke the longest championship drought in sports, chronicling their epic journey to become World Series champions. THE CUBS WAY takes readers behind the scenes, chronicling how key players like Rizzo, Russell, Lester, and Arrieta were deftly brought into the organization by Epstein and coached by Maddon to outperform expectations. Together, Epstein and Maddon proved that clubhouse culture is as important as on-base-percentage, and that intangible components like personality, vibe, and positive energy are necessary for a team to perform to their fullest potential. Twice named National Sportswriter of the Year and co-writer of The Yankee Years with Joe Torre, Verducci, chronicles the Cubs’ playoff run that culminated in an instant classic Game Seven. He also takes a broader look at the history of baseball in Chicago and the almost supernatural element to the team’s repeated losses that kept fans suffering, but also served to strengthen their loyalty. CASEY STENGEL: Baseball’s Greatest Character by Marty Appel (Doubleday, 3/28) For more than five glorious decades, Charles Dillon “Casey” Stengel was the undisputed, quirky, hilarious, and beloved face of baseball – and along the way he revolutionized the role of manager while winning a spectacular ten pennants and seven World Series Championships.   As a player, Stengel’s contemporaries included Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, and Christy Mathewson . . . and he was the only person in history to wear the uniforms of all four New York teams: the Dodgers, Giants, Yankees, and Mets.  As a legendary manager, he formed indelible, complicated relationships with Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Billy Martin. But for a man who spent so much of his life in the limelight – an astounding fifty-five years in professional baseball — Stengel remains an enigma.  Acclaimed New York Yankees’ historian and bestselling author Marty Appel digs into Casey Stengel’s quirks and foibles, unearthing a tremendous trove of baseball stories, perspective, and history. Weaving in never-before-published family documents, Appel creates an intimate portrait of a private man who was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966 and named “Baseball’s Greatest Character” by MLB Network’s Prime 9. THE MATHENY MANIFESTO: A Young Manager’s Old School Views on Success in Sports and Life by Mike Matheny (Three Rivers Press, 3/28) Now in paperback, and featuring a new foreword by the author, St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny’s New York Times-bestselling manifesto addresses about what parents, coaches, and athletes get wrong about sports; what we can do better; and how sports can teach eight keys to success in sports and life. Matheny was just forty-one, without professional managerial experience and looking for a next step after a successful career as a Major League catcher, when he succeeded the legendary Tony La Russa as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. While Matheny has enjoyed immediate success, leading the Cards to the postseason four times in his first four years  — a Major League record –  people have noticed something else about his life, something not measured in day-to-day results. Instead, it’s based on a frankly worded letter he wrote to the parents of a Little League team he coached, a cry for change that became an Internet sensation and eventually a “manifesto.” In THE MATHENY MANIFESTO, he builds on his original letter by first diagnosing the problem at the heart of youth sports – it starts with parents and coaches – and then by offering a hopeful path forward. Along the way, he uses stories from his small-town childhood as well as his career as a player, coach, and manager, to explore eight keys to success: leadership, confidence, teamwork, faith, class, character, toughness, and humility. BALLPLAYER by Chipper Jones (Dutton, 4/4) Before Chipper Jones became an eight-time All-Star who amassed Hall of Fame-worthy statistics during a nineteen-year career with the Atlanta Braves as the team’s third baseman and one of the greatest switch-hitters in baseball history, he was just a country kid from small town Pierson, Florida.  A kid who grew up playing baseball in the backyard with his dad dreaming that one day he’d be a major league ballplayer. With candor and astonishing recall, Jones tells the story of his rise to the MLB ranks and what it took to stay with one organization his entire career in an era of booming free agency. His journey begins with learning the art of switch-hitting and takes off after the Braves made him the number one overall pick in the 1990 draft, setting him on course to become the linchpin of their lineup at the height of their fourteen-straight division-title run. BALLPLAYER takes readers into the clubhouse of the Braves’ extraordinary dynasty, from the climax of the World Series championship in 1995 to the last-gasp division win by the 2005 “Baby Braves,” all the while sharing pitch-by-pitch dissections of clashes at the plate with some of the all-time great starters, such as Clemens and Johnson, as well as closers such as Wagner and Papelbon. He delves into his relationships with Bobby Cox and his famous Braves brothers—Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, among them—and opponents from Cal Ripken Jr. to Barry Bonds. The National League MVP also opens up about his overnight rise to superstardom and the personal pitfalls that came with fame; his spirited rivalry with the New York Mets; his reflections on baseball in the modern era—outrageous money, steroids, and all—and his special last season in 2012. MY CUBS: A Love Story by Scott Simon (Blue Rider Press, 4/11) This is Scott Simon’s personal, heartfelt reflections on his beloved Chicago Cubs, replete with club lore, memorable anecdotes, frenetic fandom, and wise, adoring intimacy that have made the world champion Cubbies baseball’s most tortured—and now triumphant—franchise. No metaphor is necessary; the Chicago Cubs have been the living example of disappointment and failure for more than a century—until now. The Cubs’ 2016 World Series win marked the end of a 108-year drought in the team’s history, and Game 7 will forever be remembered as one of the most thrilling, monumental moments in sports history. For Simon, host of NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday and a lifelong Cubs fan, it was a moment he never thought he’d live to see. MY CUBS chronicles Simon’s adolescence in Chicago as a die-hard fan to tell the story of the relationship between the team and the neighborhood and city, and how the condition of “Cubness” has both charmed and haunted the lives of so many fans. From theories and curses to jinxes and myths, Simon chronicles how a team of “loveable losers” inspired such fervor and dedication from their fans, and how their 2016 win transcended sports to become an underdog narrative for the whole nation.

For Cantú, the border is in the blood. His mother, a second-generation Mexican American whose father was a border crosser, raised him in Arizona’s desert scrublands and the national parks where she worked as a ranger, driven to protect the places she loved. Haunted by the landscape of his youth, Cantú joins the Border Patrol. Stationed at the remote crossroads of a drug route and a smuggling corridor, he learns how to track other humans under the punishing glare of the sun and through dark, frigid nights. He detains the exhausted, the parched, the huddled children yearning for their families. He hauls in the dead bodies from where they have fallen. THE LINE BECOMES A RIVER interlaces Cantú’s haunting personal stories with ruminations on the nature of borderlines, grappling at once with some of the largest political and social questions facing America today and the intimate stories of the hopeful and desperate who set out on a perilous crossing that many will not survive. Cantú challenges us to hear, absorb, and question the politics, policies, and ingrained ideas of borders that not only derail countless migrants’ lives and tear apart their families but do violence to the humanity of us all. Cantú is an author and translator with an MFA in nonfiction from the University of Arizona. His essays and translations have been featured in Guernica, Best American Essays 2016, Ploughshares, Orion, and Public Books, where he serves as a contributing editor. A Fulbright fellow and 2017 Whiting Award winner, Cantú served as an agent for the United States Border Patrol from 2008 to 2012, working in the deserts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

audio, and first serial rights from Amanda Urban of ICM, who retains world rights. Mr. Duggan will edit THE LAST GIRL, which is scheduled for publication on October 31, 2017. The memoir will be simultaneously released in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands with rights sold in twenty additional foreign territories. A survivor of the Islamic State-led torture and genocide of the Yazidi people, Nadia Murad has captured the world’s attention with her devastatingly powerful story and unparalleled bravery. A nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, recipient of the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize and the Sakharov Prize, and the UN’s first Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking, Nadia’s advocacy as a human rights activist has given a face and a voice to the thousands who have suffered unspeakable crimes carried out by the Islamic State (IS). Ms. Murad said: “Being a survivor of genocide comes with great responsibility—for I am the lucky one. Having lost my brothers, mother, and many more family members and friends, it is a responsibility I embrace fully and take very seriously. My role as an activist is not just about my suffering—it is about a collective suffering. Telling my story and reliving the horrors I encountered is no easy task, but the world must know. The world must feel a moral responsibility to act and if my story can influence world leaders to act then it must be told.” THE LAST GIRL is a continuation of Nadia’s mission to share her heartbreaking personal tragedy with the world with the hope of stopping IS and holding them accountable for their crimes. In 2014, Ms. Murad was twenty-one-years-old and aspired to be a history teacher and a salon owner. She lived with her mother, brothers, and sisters in Kocho, a small but tight-knit village in northern Iraq. She was a member of the Yazidi people, a religious minority in the region that recently had known relative peace living alongside their Christian and Muslim neighbors. That peace would be shattered, however, in August 2014 when fighters operating under the banner of IS descended upon the village. To IS, the Yazidis were kafir, or infidels, and an easy target: They occupied a strategic portion of Iraq and were protected by no one. The people of the village were ordered by the fighters to a school where the men were separated from the women. Nadia watched as the men were loaded onto trucks and driven away from the school. Gunfire was heard soon after as the men who refused to convert to Islam—including six of Nadia’s brothers—were executed. The fighters then turned their attention to the women. They were separated by age with Nadia and the younger women, including girls as young as eleven, designated to be sold as sex slaves. The older women, Nadia’s mother among them, were killed. Nadia was chosen by an IS fighter who, along with his fellow militants, repeatedly raped and beat her. This torture would continue for several days until, in a stroke of luck, Nadia was able to escape. She will share the details of this perilous journey to freedom for the first time in THE LAST GIRL. Nadia was ultimately able to make her way to Germany and begin a new life. Despite the trauma she has experienced, she has made it her goal to speak out against IS. With the help of Yazda, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Yazidi survivors, and renowned barrister Amal Clooney, Nadia has spoken around the world to organizations and governmental institutions including the United Nations, urging leaders to help stop the Islamic State’s ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity. Her work continues.

Speaking about THE RETURN, Mr. Matar said, “Every book arises from conversations with our culture and our history, but also with other books–at least for me in this case, with other paintings and buildings and cities and many individuals living and dead. By its very nature, its will for doubt and remembrance and complexity and expansion, literature can hinder the cruel oversimplifications required by every tyrannical gesture.” For winning the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award, Mr. Matar received a $75,000 cash prize as well as an original sculpture by artist Kiki Smith. Congratulations to Mr. Matar, his editor, Noah Eaker, and our Random House publishing colleagues. PEN also presented additional awards, including ones that were previously announced on February 22, which we covered with this story: Our 4 2017 PEN Literary Awards Winners. To view the complete list of 2017 PEN Literary Awards winners, click here.

promoted and honored books that have made important contributions to our understanding of racism and human diversity. Congratulations to Mr. Mahajan and everyone involved with the success of this exceptional book. THE ASSOCIATION OF SMALL BOMBS is an expansive and deeply humane novel that is at once groundbreaking in its empathy, dazzling in its acuity, and ambitious in scope. Mr. Mahajan writes brilliantly about the effects of terrorism on victims and perpetrators. The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards will be presented to this year’s winners at the State Theatre in Cleveland, hosted by the Cleveland Foundation and emceed by Jury Chair Gates on September 7 as part of Cleveland Book Week. For a complete list of award winners, click here. Mr. Mahajan is also a finalist for the 2017 New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award. For more details, read this Igloo article: Our Two 2017 NYPL Young Lions Fiction Award Finalists.

Congratulations to Ms. Bennett and Mr. Mahajan as well as their editors and publishers. View the complete list of this year’s finalists here. The winning author will be named on June 1 during a ceremony in the Celeste Bartos Forum of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at the New York Public Library. Founded in 2001, the Young Lions Fiction Award is given annually to an American writer age 35 or younger for either a novel or collection of short stories.  Each year, five young fiction writers are selected as finalists by a reading committee of writers, editors and librarians.

2009, The Month Radio Hour now airs on more than 400 stations nationwide. For this installment of Friday Reads we invite you to revel in the poignant, often hilarious storytelling from some of the collection’s contributors: FEATURED TITLES THE MOTH PRESENTS ALL THESE WONDERS: True Stories About Facing the Unknown edited by Catherine Burns, foreword by Neil Gaiman Celebrating the 20th anniversary of storytelling phenomenon The Moth, 45 unforgettable true stories about risk, courage, and facing the unknown, drawn from the best ever told on their stages. Carefully selected by the creative minds at The Moth, and adapted to the page to preserve the raw energy of live storytelling, All These Wonders features voices both familiar and new.   THE CLANCYS OF QUEENS: A MEMOIR by Tara Clancy An authentic, voice-driven memoir from a tough New York City native whose unusual upbringing included the guidance of her Irish cop father, her raucous Italian grandparents, and her vibrant mother’s millionaire boyfriend. Fifth-generation New Yorker, third-generation bartender, and first-time author Tara Clancy was raised in three wildly divergent homes: a converted boat shed in working-class Queens, a geriatric commune of feisty, Brooklyn-born Italians, and a sprawling Hamptons estate she visited every other weekend.   WITHOUT YOU THERE IS NO US: UNDERCOVER AMONG THE SONS OF NORTH KOREA’S ELITE by Suki Kim A haunting account of teaching English to the sons of North Korea’s ruling class during the last six months of Kim Jong-il’s reign.     THE HARM IN ASKING: MY CLUMSY ENCOUNTERS WITH THE HUMAN RACE by Sara Barron Welcome to the perverse and hilarious mind of Sara Barron. In The Harm in Asking, she boldly addresses the bizarre indignities of everyday life: from invisible pets to mobster roommates, from a hatred of mayonnaise to an unrequited love of k.d. lang, from the ruinous side effect of broccoli to the sheer delight of a male catalogue model. In a voice that is incisive and entirely her own, Barron proves herself the master of the awkward, and she achieves something wonderful and rare: a book that makes you laugh out loud.   ACCIDENTAL SAINTS: FINDING GOD IN ALL THE WRONG PEOPLE by Nadia Bolz-Weber Tattooed, angry and profane, this former standup comic turned pastor stubbornly, sometimes hilariously, resists the God she feels called to serve. But God keeps showing up in the least likely of people—a church-loving agnostic, a drag queen, a felonious Bishop and a gun-toting member of the NRA.   DOGWALKER: STORIES by Arthur Bradford Tender and satiric, hilarious and humane, Dogwalker plunks readers down in a land of misfits and the circumstantially strange–where one young man buys drugs from a dealer who locks his customers in a closet, while another lands a cat-faced circus freak for a roommate, and yet another must choose between his pregnant wife and the ten-pound slug he’s convinced will bring him a fortune. And throughout these stories moves a divinely inspired collection of dogs: three-legged, no-legged, dogs that sing, that talk, and that give birth to humans.   For more on these and other The Moth storytellers’ books and audiobooks, visit Moth Storytellers

Witherspoon at Inkwell Management in association with Araminta Whitley and Philippa Milnes-Smith at Lucas Alexander Whitley Ltd. The first book in the series, FAIRY MOM AND ME, will be published on January 2, 2018, and will be edited by Delacorte Press Associate Editor Kelsey Horton. FAIRY MOM AND ME will be simultaneously published in both the U.K. and Canada. “We are so excited to bring Sophie Kinsella’s signature humor and heartwarming stories to a younger audience for the first time,” Ms. Horowitz said. “FAIRY MOM AND ME has all the ingredients for a magical reading experience for young book lovers and their families, and we are happy to have the opportunity to introduce Sophie to them.” “As a mother of five, I’ve always told stories to children,” Ms. Kinsella said. “I invented Fairy Mom, Ella, and the Computawand for my youngest two children, and now I’m thrilled that they will find a wider audience. Marta Kissi’s illustrations bring the stories to life perfectly with tremendous wit and charm. I think the publication will be a lot of fun. I can’t wait!” FAIRY MOM AND ME tells the story of Ella and her family’s special secret: Ella’s mom is a fairy! With the help of her new-tech wand (dubbed Computawand), she can cast amazing spells to make delicious cupcakes, create the perfect birthday, party, and cause chaos at the supermarket. But sometimes the spells go wrong, and that’s when Ella, the fairy-in-waiting, must assist to return everything to normal. Family, friendship, and magic abound in this sweet and funny debut chapter book, complete with illustrations by Marta Kissi.

Hannah Tinti’s previous work includes the short story collection ANIMAL CRACKERS, which was a runner-up for the PEN/Hemingway Award, as well as THE GOOD THIEF, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Apart from working as a bestselling author, she is also the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the award-winning literary magazine One Story. Tinti will be joined in discussion by One Story editor Patrick Ryan. He is the author of the novel, SEND ME, and the highly regarded story collection, THE DREAM LIFE OF ASTRONAUTS, which was named one of the best books of 2016 by St. Louis Post Dispatch, Refinery 29, and Electric Literature.

  Best First Book SUMMER OF SUPERNOVAS by Darcy Woods (Crown Books for Young Readers) Contemporary Romance: Mid-Length CAROLINA DREAMING by Virginia Kantra (Berkley) OFF THE HOOK by Laura Drewry (Loveswept) WANDERLUST by Roni Loren (InterMix) Erotic Romance THE MASTER by Tara Sue Me (Berkley) OFF THE CLOCK by Roni Loren (Berkley) Paranormal Romance THE BEAST by J R Ward (Berkley) Romantic Suspense ATONE by Beth Yarnall (Loveswept) MR. AND MR. SMITH by HelenKay Dimon (Loveswept) Young Adult Romance SUMMER OF SUPERNOVAS by Darcy Woods (Crown Books for Young Readers) Warm congratulations to our nominated authors, their editors and publishers. The RITA — considered the highest award of distinction in romance fiction — recognizes excellence in published romance novels and novellas.  The award itself is a golden statuette named after RWA’s first president, Rita Clay Estrada, and has become the symbol for excellence in published romance fiction. Up to 2,000 romance novels are entered in the RITA competition. A novel may be entered either by the author or by the book’s publisher in one of the contest categories.  After the first round of judging by published romance authors, entries that meet the qualifications to become a finalist then advance to the final round. View the complete list of finalists here. This year’s RITA  Awards winners will be announced July 27 at the 2017 RWA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida.

FEATURED TITLES THE BEE-FRIENDLY GARDEN: DESIGN AN ABUNDANT, FLOWER-FILLED YARD THAT NURTURES BEES AND SUPPORTS BIODIVERSITY by Kate Frey, Gretchen LeBuhn There are numerous benefits to having a bee garden, both personal and global. Not only are bee gardens gorgeous, they are organic, pesticide-free, and ecologically sustainable. With this lavishly illustrated guide, gardeners can create a stunningly colorful, vibrant, healthy, productive garden that helps not only the threatened honeybee, but the many lesser-known, amazing native bees as well.   GARDEN MADE: A YEAR OF SEASONAL PROJECTS TO BEAUTIFY YOUR GARDEN AND YOUR LIFE by Stephanie Rose Following the natural cycle of the garden in all its seasons, Garden Made blends the joys of gardening and crafting to showcase over forty projects to adorn your garden, beautify your home, or give as gifts.   THE COMPLETE GARDENER’S GUIDE by DK Containing all the practical techniques, inspirational ideas, and problem-solving advice you need to make and maintain a garden of any size, The Complete Gardener’s Guide is a one-stop manual for both beginner and more experienced gardeners. More than 1,000 photographs illustrate every aspect of practical gardening — from basic techniques and simple tools to get started, to planning and design advise to help you create the garden you want.   ONWARD AND UPWARD IN THE GARDEN by Katherine S. White, E.B. White In 1925 Harold Ross hired Katharine Sergeant Angell as a manuscript reader for The New Yorker. Within months she became the magazine’s first fiction editor, discovering and championing the work of Vladimir Nabokov, John Updike, James Thurber, Marianne Moore, and her husband-to-be, E. B. White, among others. After years of cultivating fiction, White set her sights on a new genre: garden writing. On March 1, 1958, The New Yorker began a series with her column entitled “Onward and Upward in the Garden,” a critical review of garden catalogs, in which White extolled the writings of “seedmen and nurserymen,” those unsung authors who produced her “favorite reading matter.”   GREEN THOUGHTS: A WRITER IN THE GARDEN by Eleanor Perenyi, Allen Lacy, Michael Pollan A classic in the literature of the garden, Green Thoughts is a beautifully written and highly original collection of seventy-two essays, alphabetically arranged, on topics ranging from “Annuals” and “Artichokes” to “Weeds” and “Wildflowers.” An amateur gardener for over thirty years, Eleanor Perényi draws upon her wide-ranging knowledge of gardening lore to create a delightful, witty blend of how-to advice, informed opinion, historical insight, and philosophical musing.   GARDEN POEMS edited by John Hollander The splendid poems in this collection both represent and glorify the cultivating instinct. Contents include poems on Paradises, Gardens of Love, Gardens in the Mind, Gardens and Seasons, Flowers, Gardeners, The Work of the Garden, Gardens of the Wild, City Gardens, Public Gardens, Ruined Gardens, and A Garden of Gardens. Contributors include E.E. Cummings, James Merrill, Wallace Stevens, Robert Browning, Shakespeare, and many others.   FOUNDING GARDENERS: THE REVOLUTIONARY GENERATION, NATURE, AND THE SHAPING OF THE AMERICAN NATION by Andrea Wulf A fascinating look at the Founding Fathers and how their love of botany, plants, and gardening informed their views of politics and the country they were creating. For the Founding Fathers, gardening and botany were elemental passions: a conjoined interest as deeply ingrained in their characters as the battle for liberty and a belief in the greatness of their new nation.   FOR YOUNGER READERS TWO LITTLE GARDENERS by Margaret Wise Brown, Edith Thacher Hurd Children will enjoy this story of a young brother and sister who plant seeds that will result, after much hard work and patience, in a bountiful garden! It teaches that good things come to those who wait, and features a little song at the end of the book: “What We Plant in the Spring We Eat in the Fall.”   THE SECRET GARDEN by Frances Hodgson Burnett A beautiful hardcover edition of a timeless classic, with illustrations by Lauren Child. Young, orphaned Mary Lennox is sent to live with her reclusive uncle, Archibald Craven. All but ignored by Craven, and kept away from her sickly cousin Colin, Mary happens upon a secret, walled garden. As she starts to work in it, the garden begins to flourish, and so do Mary and her new family.   THE REASON FOR A FLOWER: A BOOK ABOUT FLOWERS, POLLEN, AND SEEDS by Ruth Heller The reason for a flower is to manufacture seeds, but Ruth Heller shares a lot more about parts of plants and their functions in her trademark rhythmic style.  “[An] extravagantly beautiful creation. It is unusual in its ingenious way of teaching botany and interesting words to the littlest of readers.” —Publishers Weekly   For more on these and related titles visit Spring Gardens

From New York Times columnist, PBS host and bestselling author of Walking the Bible and Abraham, THE FIRST LOVE STORY is a revelatory journey across four continents and 4,000 years exploring how Adam and Eve introduced the idea of love into the world, and how they continue to shape our deepest feelings about relationships, family, and togetherness.  In this fresh retelling of their story, Feiler travels from the Garden of Eden in Iraq to the Sistine Chapel in Rome, from John Milton’s London to Mae West’s Hollywood, discovering how Adam and Eve should be hailed as exemplars of a long-term, healthy, resilient relationship. At a time of discord and fear over the strength of our social fabric, Feiler shows how history’s first couple can again be role models for unity, forgiveness, and love.

lots of parallels to today’s world, which are becoming harder and harder to ignore.  When he first wrote his ‘Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century’ on Facebook right after the election, it clearly touched a nerve, and readers began asking, then pleading, then practically begging him to turn it into a book.  We’re always trying to figure out whether there’s an audience for a new book, but in my experience, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the audience literally come to us first and say ‘Please publish this – we’re dying to read it,’ which is what happened here.” Timothy Snyder says, “The book is for every American.  It starts with our Founding Fathers, and asks us to follow their example in learning from history.  What I can add is the historical warnings that came later, those of the dark twentieth century. “For me this is a sort of homecoming.  I’ve spent my adult life learning languages, reading sources, writing about eastern and central Europe.  Now I see tendencies I recognize appearing in my own country.  And so I have to do something and this book is what I can do. The idea of lessons from history is to give us some place to stand, some leverage, a realization that nothing is entirely new, a program for action.  I wrote the book so that Americans could get some distance on themselves, get away from shock and from normalization, and decide for themselves how to preserve democracy. “The darkness of the twentieth century were the new forms of tyranny: fascism and communism.  But we have the wisdom of people who experienced them and resisted.  Some of these people were my teachers.  The book is meant to put us in touch with people who are wiser than ourselves and who have experienced more.” Here is a small sampling of what fellow Penguin Random House authors and the media are saying about ON TYRANNY: “We are rapidly ripening for fascism. This American writer leaves us with no illusions about ourselves.” —Svetlana Alexievich, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature “Timothy Snyder reasons with unparalleled clarity, throwing the past and future into sharp relief. He has written the rare kind of book that can be read in one sitting but will keep you coming back to help regain your bearings. Put a copy in your pocket and one on your bedside table, and it will help you keep going for the next four years or however long it takes.” —Masha Gessen, author of THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin and THE BROTHERS: The Road to an American Tragedy “Easily the most compelling volume among the early resistance literature … A slim book that fits alongside your pocket Constitution and feels only slightly less vital … Clarifying and unnerving … A memorable work that is grounded in history yet imbued with the fierce urgency of what now.” —Carlos Lozada, The Washington Post

FICTION VICIOUS CIRCLE by C.J. Box (Putnam) The plane circled in the dark. Joe Pickett could just make out down below a figure in the snow and timber, and then three other figures closing in. There was nothing he could do about it. And Joe knew that he might be their next target. The Cates family had always been a bad lot. Game warden Joe Pickett had been able to strike a fierce blow against them when the life of his daughter April had been endangered, but he’d always wondered if there’d be a day of reckoning. He’s not wondering any longer. Joe knows they’re coming after him and his family now. He has his friend Nate by his side, but will that be enough this time? All he can do is prepare…and wait for them to make the first move. LOLA by Melissa Scrivner Love (Crown) The Crenshaw Six are a small but up-and-coming gang in South Central LA who have recently been drawn into an escalating war between rival drug cartels. To outsiders, the Crenshaw Six appear to be led by a man named Garcia . . . but what no one has figured out is that the gang’s real leader (and secret weapon) is Garcia’s girlfriend, a brilliant young woman named Lola. Lola has mastered playing the role of submissive girlfriend, and in the man’s world she inhabits she is consistently underestimated. But in truth she is much, much smarter–and in many ways tougher and more ruthless–than any of the men around her, and as the gang is increasingly sucked into a world of high-stakes betrayal and brutal violence, her skills and leadership become their only hope of survival. THE GARGOYLE HUNTERS by John Freeman Gill (Knopf) With both his family and his city fracturing, thirteen-year-old Griffin Watts is recruited into his estranged father’s illicit and dangerous architectural salvage business. Small and nimble, Griffin is charged with stealing exuberantly expressive nineteenth-century architectural sculptures—gargoyles—right off the faces of unsung tenements and iconic skyscrapers all over town. As his father explains it, these gargoyles, carved and cast by immigrant artisans during the city’s architectural glory days, are an endangered species in this era of sweeping urban renewal. Desperate both to connect with his father and to raise cash to pay the mortgage on the brownstone where he lives with his mother and sister, Griffin is slow to recognize that his father’s deepening obsession with preserving the architectural treasures of Beaux Arts New York is also a destructive force, imperiling Griffin’s friendships, his relationship with his very first girlfriend, and even his life. MANGROVE LIGHTNING by Randy Wayne White (Putnam) Doc Ford has been involved in many strange cases. This may be one of the strangest. A legendary charter captain and guide named Tootsie Barlow has come to him, muttering about a curse. The members of his extended family have suffered a bizarre series of attacks, and Barlow is convinced it has something to do with a multiple murder in 1925, in which his family had a shameful part. Ford doesn’t believe in curses, but as he and his friend Tomlinson begin to investigate, following the trail of the attacks from Key Largo to Tallahassee, they, too, suffer a series of near-fatal mishaps. Is it really a curse? Or just a crime spree? The answer lies in solving a near-hundred-year-old murder…and probing the mind of a madman. A PARTICLE OF DREAD by Sam Shepard (Vintage) In A PARTICLE OF DREAD, Sam Shepard takes one of the most famous plays in history—Oedipus Rex—and transforms it into a modern American classic. In this telling, Oedipus, King of Thebes, prophesized to kill his father and marry his mother, alternates between his classical identity and that of contemporary “Otto.” His wife (and true mother), Jocasta, is also called Jocelyn, and his antagonist (and true father) is split into three characters, Laius, Larry, and Langos. Two present-day policemen from the Southwest stand in for the Greek chorus as they investigate the murder case. Dazzlingly inventive, ringing with the timelessness of myth, A Particle of Dread is an unforgettable work that grapples with questions of storytelling and destiny—the narratives that we pass down, and how they shape our lives. It is a play that lingers in the mind long after we finish the last scene. NONFICTION VIBRANT INDIA by Chitra Agrawal (Ten Speed Press) Lifelong vegetarian and chef Chitra Agrawal takes you on an epicurean journey to her mother’s hometown of Bangalore and back to Brooklyn, where she adapts her family’s South Indian recipes for home cooks. This particular style of Indian home cooking, often called the “yoga diet,” is light and fresh, yet satisfying and rich in bold and complex flavors. Grains, legumes, fresh produce, coconut, and yogurt—along with herbs, citrus, chiles, and spices—form the cornerstone of this delectable cuisine, rooted in vegetarian customs and honed over centuries for optimum taste and nutrition. From the classic savory crepe dosa, filled with lemony turmeric potatoes and cilantro coconut chutney, to new creations like coconut polenta topped with spring vegetables ‘upma” and homemade yogurt, the recipes in VIBRANT INDIA are simple to prepare and a true celebration of color and flavor on a plate. JACK’S WIFE FREDA COOKBOOK by Maya and Dean Jankelowitz (Blue Rider Press) Jack’s Wife Freda, a pair of downtown restaurants whose signs bear the illustrated face of their namesake grandma, have become part of the epicenter of Jewish comfort-food dining in New York’s Greenwich Village. With their communal, casual vibe and detailed coziness, the restaurants feel like home, and everyone–from the many local regulars to thousands of tourists just passing through–is greeted like family by owners Maya and Dean Jankelowitz, and their staff. And the food is another reason you never want to leave. Good food enjoyed with friends and family is the foundation of Jack’s Wife Freda, and Maya and Dean bring the same vibrant energy and love of great cooking and healthful eating to their first cookbook. Whether you live around the corner and pop in regularly for a favorite meal or look forward to an out-of-town visit, this beautifully illustrated and user-friendly book makes it easy to eat from Jack’s Wife Freda all day, every day. THE MOTH PRESENTS ALL THESE WONDERS by Catherine Burns (Crown Archetype) Celebrating the 20th anniversary of storytelling phenomenon The Moth, 45 unforgettable true stories about risk, courage, and facing the unknown, drawn from the best ever told on their stages. Carefully selected by the creative minds at The Moth, and adapted to the page to preserve the raw energy of live storytelling, ALL THESE WONDERS features voices both familiar and new. Alongside Louis C.K., Tig Notaro, John Turturro, and Meg Wolitzer, readers will encounter: an astronomer gazing at the surface of Pluto for the first time, an Afghan refugee learning how much her father sacrificed to save their family, a hip-hop star coming to terms with being a “one-hit wonder,” a young female spy risking everything as part of Churchill’s “secret army” during World War II, and more. THE FIRST LOVE STORY: Adam, Eve, and Us by Bruce Feiler (Penguin Press) Since antiquity, one story has stood at the center of every conversation about men and women. One couple has been the battleground for human relationships and sexual identity. That couple is Adam and Eve. Yet instead of celebrating them, history has blamed them for bringing sin, deceit, and death into the world. In this fresh retelling of their story, New York Times columnist and PBS host Bruce Feiler travels from the Garden of Eden in Iraq to the Sistine Chapel in Rome, from John Milton’s London to Mae West’s Hollywood, discovering how Adam and Eve should be hailed as exemplars of a long-term, healthy, resilient relationship. At a time of discord and fear over the strength of our social fabric, Feiler shows how history’s first couple can again be role models for unity, forgiveness, and love. CAPTAIN FANTASTIC by Tom Doyle (Ballantine) In August 1970, Elton John achieved overnight fame with a rousing performance at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Over the next five years, the artist formerly known as Reginald Dwight went from unheard of to unstoppable, scoring seven consecutive #1 albums and sixteen Top Ten singles in America. Elton John’s live shows became raucous theatrical extravaganzas, attended by all the glitterati of the era. But beneath the spangled bodysuits and oversized eyeglasses, Elton was a desperately shy man, conflicted about his success, his sexuality, and his narcotic indulgences. In 1975, at the height of his fame, he attempted suicide. After coming out as bisexual in a controversial Rolling Stone interview that nearly wrecked his career, and announcing his retirement from live performance in 1977 at the age of thirty, he gradually found his way back to the thing he cared about most: the music. CAPTAIN FANTASTIC gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the rise, fall, and return to glory of one of the world’s most mercurial performers. THE NEW ALLERGY SOLUTION: Supercharge Resistance, Slash Medication, Stop Suffering by Clifford Bassett, MD (Avery) Millions of Americans currently suffer from allergies, and the rate is growing. Climate change, globalization, air pollution, and over-sanitization of the environment in the early years of life are just a few of the causes that, taken together, have introduced new allergens into our environment that are wreaking havoc and causing needless suffering. This “new allergen marketplace” requires a new allergy solution. According to Dr. Clifford W. Bassett, traditional remedies focus on treating symptoms but leave allergy sufferers vulnerable to continued bouts of misery. Dr. Bassett argues that when we consider a person’s genetics, environment, and overall health, we can more effectively identify—and take appropriate action to forestall—symptoms before they even begin. For the first time, Dr. Bassett presents the unique, integrative approach he’s used in his Manhattan offices for two decades to vanquish allergy symptoms for countless individuals. YOUNG READERS NEMESIS by Brendan Reichs (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers) It’s been happening since Min was eight. Every two years, on her birthday, a strange man finds her and murders her in cold blood. But hours later, she wakes up in a clearing just outside her tiny Idaho hometown—alone, unhurt, and with all evidence of the horrifying crime erased. Across the valley, Noah just wants to be like everyone else. But he’s not. Nightmares of murder and death plague him, though he does his best to hide the signs. But when the world around him begins to spiral toward panic and destruction, Noah discovers that people have been lying to him his whole life. Everything changes in an eye blink. For the planet has a bigger problem. The Anvil, an enormous asteroid threatening all life on Earth, leaves little room for two troubled teens. SHADOW RUN by Michael Miller and Adrianne Strickland (Delacorte Press) Nev has just joined the crew of the starship Kaitan Heritage as the cargo loader. His captain, Qole, is the youngest-ever person to command her own ship, but she brooks no argument from her crew of orphans, fugitives, and con men. Nev can’t resist her, even if her ship is an antique. As for Nev, he’s a prince, in hiding on the ship. He believes Qole holds the key to changing galactic civilization, and when her cooperation proves difficult to obtain, Nev resolves to get her to his home planet by any means necessary. But before they know it, a rival royal family is after Qole too, and they’re more interested in stealing her abilities than in keeping her alive. Nev’s mission to manipulate Qole becomes one to save her, and to survive, she’ll have to trust her would-be kidnapper. TEN MILES ONE WAY by Patrick Downes (Philomel Books) The powerful story of a mind at the edge of unraveling, held together by love and acceptance. Nest and Q walk through the city. Nest speaks and Q listens. Mile by mile, Nest tells Q about her life, her family, her past . . . and her Chimaera, the beast that preys on her mind and causes her to lose herself. Q knows only that his love for Nest runs deeper than the demon that plagues her thoughts, that he loves her in spite of—or perhaps because of—the personal battle she fights every day. A beautifully-written, haunting story. THE CATAWAMPUS CAT by Jason Carter Eaton, Illustrated by Gus Gordon (Crown Books for Young Readers) Catawampus (cat-a-wam-pus) n. 1. Diagonal or at an angle. 2. Askew, awry. The catawampus cat walks with a slant. And his skewed point of view has everyone in town looking at everything with fresh eyes. Even Bushy Brows Billiam who never notices anything, including what time class is over, spots the catawampus cat, and now he’s a star student! And when the town librarian sees the catawampus cat, she pulls the “wrong” book from the shelf, sending her into a life of adventure. The catawampus cat is in town and everything is about to change.

The General Nonfiction prize went to Mr. Desmond for EVICTED, a brilliantly reported account of tenants and landlords in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Earlier this year, he won the 2017 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction; the 2017 PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction; and the 2016 Discover Great New Writers Nonfiction Award for his book. The Autobiography prize went to Ms. Jahren for LAB GIRL, a witty memoir of her life as a geobiologist as well as an eloquent meditation on botany. Two Penguin Random House authors received special NBCC awards. As previously reported on Igloo in our NBCC finalists feature in January, Yaa Gyasi’s debut novel, HOMEGOING (Alfred A. Knopf) was the recipient of the fourth annual John Leonard Prize, established to recognize outstanding first books in any genre and named in honor of founding NBCC member John Leonard. Talese/Doubleday and McClelland & Stewart author Margaret Atwood was presented with the Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, for her lifetime contribution to letters and book culture, including groundbreaking fiction, environmental and feminist activism, and service to community as a cofounder of the Writers’ Trust of Canada. Founded in 1974, the National Book Critics Circle Awards are given annually to honor outstanding writing and to foster a national conversation about reading, criticism, and literature. The awards are open to any book published in the United States in English (including translations). The National Book Critics Circle comprises more than 700 critics and editors from leading newspapers, magazines and online publications who vote on the finalists and winners. Congratulations to Mr. Desmond, Ms. Jahren, Ms. Gyasi and Ms. Atwood, and to our NBCC Finalists, as well as their editors, publishers and everyone involved with their extraordinary works. View a complete list of the 2016 NBCC award winners here.

Is it something in the soft air, the loamy earth, or the surrounding salt sea? Wherever it comes from, the Irish gift for lilting language and deep verse is legendary. Treat yourself to a gift from the Gaels this St. Patrick’s Day.   PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN by James Joyce For the centennial of its original publication, a beautiful Deluxe Edition of one of Joyce’s greatest works—featuring an introduction by Karl Ove Knausgaard, author the New York Times bestselling six-volume autobiographical novel My Struggle, which has been likened to a 21st-century Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.   THE FARMETTE COOKBOOK: RECIPES AND ADVENTURES FROM MY LIFE ON AN IRISH FARM by Imen McDonnell The Farmette Cookbook documents Imen McDonnell’s extraordinary Irish cooking journey, which began the moment she fell in love with an Irish farmer and moved across the Atlantic to County Limerick. This book’s collection of 150 recipes and colorful stories chronicles nearly a decade-long adventure of learning to feed a family.   IN THE WOODS by Tana French The bestselling debut and first Dublin Murder Squad novel and “required reading for anyone who appreciates tough, unflinching intelligence and ingenious plotting” (The New York Times),     WHEN YOU ARE OLD: EARLY POEMS, PLAYS, AND FAIRY TALES by William Butler Yeats From the publication of his first poems at the age of twenty, to his Nobel Prize in 1923, W. B. Yeats grew from an aspiring poet spellbound by the mystical life, to an Irish senator crafting modernist poetry around a complex system of symbolism. When You Are Old: Early Poems and Fairy Tales returns to the younger Yeats, encountering him through quintessentially Irish myths and much-beloved poems like “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”   THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by Oscar Wilde Wilde’s only novel introduces the youthful Dorian Gray who, entranced by the perfection of his recently painted portrait, expresses a wish that the figure on the canvas could age and change in his place. When his wish comes true, the portrait becomes his hideous secret as he follows a downward trajectory of decadence and cruelty that leaves its traces only in the portrait’s degraded image.   BY THE LAKE by John McGahern With this magnificently assured novel, John McGahern reminds us why he has been called the Irish Chekhov, as he guides readers into a village in rural Ireland and deftly, compassionately traces its natural rhythms and the inner lives of its people.   For more Irish titles visit the collection St. Patrick’s Day 2017

Inspired by Elizabeth Warren’s refusal to be silenced in the Senate, SHE PERSISTED introduces tiny feminists, mini-activists, and kids ready to take on the world to thirteen American women who never took no for an answer, including: Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Margaret Chase Smith, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, and Sonia Sotomayor–and a special cameo by one more. Chelsea Clinton said, “I wrote this book for everyone who’s ever wanted to speak up but has been told to quiet down—for everyone who’s ever been made to feel less than. The thirteen women in She Persisted all overcame adversity to help shape our country—sometimes through speaking out, sometimes by staying seated, sometimes by captivating an audience. With this book, I want to send a message to young readers around the country—and the world—that persistence is power.” Ms. Clinton is the author of the New York Times bestselling IT’S YOUR WORLD: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going! and, with Devi Sridhar, Governing Global Health: Who Runs the World and Why? She is also the Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation, where she works on many initiatives including those that help to empower the next generation of leaders. You can follow her on Twitter at @ChelseaClinton or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chelseaclinton. Alexandra Boiger grew up in Munich, Germany, and studied graphic design before working as an animator in England and then at Dreamworks SKG in the United States. She is the author and illustrator of Max and Marla, and the illustrator of more than twenty picture books including the Tallulah series, and When Jackie Saved Grand Central. She has received the Parents’ Choice Award and has been featured on numerous state reading lists.

(@MadeinNY) and Commissioner Julie Menin (@JulieMenin), who announced the results today.  Our congratulations to Ms. Adiche and everyone at Knopf and Anchor. Robin Desser, Vice President, Editorial Director, Alfred A. Knopf, said, “We are delighted that New York City has chosen Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s AMERICANAH as the inaugural winner of the One Book, One New York program. This dazzling novel about a young woman from Nigeria who comes to America allows us to see our country with fresh eyes. Told with biting wisdom and humor, it’s a story about love, race and identity that feels more timely now than ever.  AMERICANAH is destined to resonate among New Yorkers who share a common belief: that wherever we may come from, all our stories matter.” Two other Penguin Random House titles, THE BRIEF WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO by Junot Díaz (Riverhead) and BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Spiegel & Grau/Random House), were also among  the five One Book, One New York finalists – with New Yorkers casting their votes online throughout the month of February. AMERICANAH received the 2013 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction, among other honors.

  WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie A passionate, clever, and spirited argument for gender equality, from the bestselling author of Americanah. What does “feminism” mean today? That is the question at the heart of We Should All Be Feminists, a personal, eloquently-argued essay—adapted from her much-viewed TEDx talk of the same name.   CRAFTING WITH FEMINISM: 25 GIRL-POWERED PROJECTS TO SMASH THE PATRIARCHY by Bonnie Burton Grab a handful of glitter and get your girl power on with 25 subversive and easy-to-make projects. This is what a feminist crafter looks like! Crafting with Feminism features 25 irreverent and easy-to-make projects that celebrate everything that rocks about girls, gals, and badass women.   DEAD FEMINISTS: HISTORIC HEROINES IN LIVING COLOR by Chandler O’Leary, Jessica Spring, Jill Lepore A national bestseller, this gorgeously illustrated letterpress-inspired book combines feminist history with a vision for a better future. Dead Feminists is a lushly illustrated and inclusive celebration of inspiring women who transformed the world and created social change.   TRAINWRECK: THE WOMEN WE LOVE TO HATE, MOCK, AND FEAR . . . AND WHY by Sady Doyle She’s everywhere once you start looking for her: the trainwreck… She’s Britney Spears shaving her head, Whitney Houston saying, “crack is whack,” and Amy Winehouse, dying in front of millions. But the trainwreck is also as old (and as meaningful) as feminism itself: From Mary Wollstonecraft to Charlotte Brontë, Billie Holiday, Sylvia Plath, and even Hillary Clinton.   YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIKE ME: ESSAYS ON GROWING UP, SPEAKING OUT, AND FINDING FEMINISM by Alida Nugent From the author of Don’t Worry It Gets Worse comes a new collection of wickedly funny essays about being a woman in the Internet age, from the terror of buying Plan B in the drugstore, to the scarlet F that falls on you if you declare yourself a feminist at a party.   THE WOMEN’S ROOM: A NOVEL by Marilyn French, Dorothy Allison, Linsey Abrams Originally published in 1977, The Women’s Room was a novel that-for the first time-expressed the inner lives of women who left education and professional advancement behind to marry in the 1950s, only to find themselves adrift and unable to support themselves after divorce in the 1970s. Some became destitute, a few went insane. But many went back to school in the heyday of the Women’s Liberation movement, and were swept up in the promise of equality.   SISTER OUTSIDER: ESSAYS AND SPEECHES by Audre Lorde Presenting the essential writings of black lesbian poet and feminist writer Audre Lorde, SISTER OUTSIDER celebrates an influential voice in twentieth-century literature. In this charged collection of fifteen essays and speeches, Lorde propounds social difference as a vehicle for action and change. Her prose is incisive, unflinching, and lyrical, reflecting struggle but ultimately offering messages of hope.   THE SECOND SEX by Simone de Beauvoir Simone de Beauvoir’s groundbreaking masterpiece is the first new translation since Knopf’s original 1953 publication—and the first ever to be unabridged.     GENDER OUTLAW: ON MEN, WOMEN, AND THE REST OF US by Kate Bornstein Trans performance artist, playwright, and activist Kate Bornstein guides readers on a  wonderfully scenic journey across the frontiers of gender and identity with her signature humor, honesty, and outrageous flair. Bornstein’s coming-of-age and transformation from heterosexual male to lesbian woman makes for a funny and insightful memoir-cum-manifesto.   WHY I AM NOT A FEMINIST: A FEMINIST MANIFESTO by Jessa Crispin Are you a feminist? Do you believe women are human beings and that they deserve to be treated as such? That women deserve all the same rights and liberties bestowed upon men? If so, then you are a feminist…or so the feminists keep insisting. But somewhere along the way, the movement for female liberation sacrificed meaning for acceptance, and left us with a banal, polite, ineffectual pose that barely challenges the status quo.   THE SECRET HISTORY OF WONDER WOMAN by Jill Lepore Wonder Woman, created in 1941, on the brink of World War II, is the most popular female superhero of all time. Aside from Superman and Batman, she has lasted the longest and commanded the most, vast and wildly passionate following. In Jill Lepore’s riveting work of historical detection, Wonder Woman’s story provides the missing link in the history of the struggle for women’s rights.   For more information on these and related titles visit: Feminism Then and Now

In addition to the United States and Canada, where the books will be published by Crown, among the territories where Penguin Random House will publish English-language editions are: the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa, under the UK company’s Viking imprint. Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial will publish the books in Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan across two continents in the following countries: Spain, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Portugal. There also will be a U.S. Spanish-language edition published by Penguin Random House. Companhia das Letras will publish the books in Portuguese in Brazil. Penguin Random House’s sister company in Germany, Verlagsgruppe Random House, which is wholly owned by Bertelsmann and overseen by Markus Dohle, will publish both books in German, in full coordination with Penguin Random House. Markus Dohle, CEO, Penguin Random House, said, “The Penguin Random House teams around the world are comprised of the industry’s most respected and accomplished publishers, and together we look forward to leveraging our editorial depth and unparalleled experience and reach to provide President and Mrs. Obama with a global platform and audience for their books.” Tom Weldon, CEO, Penguin Random House UK, said, “We could not be more thrilled that the Obamas have chosen Penguin Random House as their global and UK publishing home. Our publishers all believe in the real ability of books to change and shape lives for the better. We know the Obamas’ books will be both magnificent pieces of writing and inspiring calls to action.” On behalf of Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, CEO Núria Cabutí said, “It is a source of immense pride for us to publish the Obamas in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. We look forward to helping spread the Obamas’ messages to people across the Spanish-speaking world.” “Companhia das Letras is guided by two core values: to promote a wide range of world perspectives and to give voice to the diversity of the human experience. Publishing the books of President Obama and Mrs. Obama will be an honor and a mission in a world and in a country that are in need of enlightening messages. We will ensure, with a true sense of duty, that they reach the largest Brazilian audience possible,” said Luiz Schwarcz, Publisher, Companhia das Letras. “Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, individually and as a couple, uniquely embody what it means to take responsibility for the world in which we live. Their grace and style, humor, and intellectual rigor have made them universal role models, and an inspiration to people across the globe. We are thrilled to become a part of the Penguin Random House global publishing effort, by bringing their books to German readers,” said Frank Sambeth, CEO, Verlagsgruppe Random House. In support of the mission of The Obama Foundation and Penguin Random House’s own commitment to social responsibility, the company will donate one million books in the Obama family’s name to First Book, a longstanding Penguin Random House non-profit partner and the Washington, DC-based partner for the 2016 White House digital education initiative, Open eBooks. First Book is dedicated to promoting equal access to education by providing new books, learning materials, and other essentials to children in need in the United States and Canada. Consistent with their past practice, the Obamas also plan to donate a significant portion of their author proceeds to charity, including the Obama Foundation.

FICTION THE IDIOT by Elif Batuman (Penguin Press) The year is 1995, and email is new. Selin, the daughter of Turkish immigrants, arrives for her freshman year at Harvard. She signs up for classes in subjects she has never heard of, befriends her charismatic and worldly Serbian classmate, Svetlana, and, almost by accident, begins corresponding with Ivan, an older mathematics student from Hungary. Selin may have barely spoken to Ivan, but with each email they exchange, the act of writing seems to take on new and increasingly mysterious meanings. With superlative emotional and intellectual sensitivity, mordant wit, and pitch-perfect style, Batuman dramatizes the uncertainty of life on the cusp of adulthood. Her prose is a rare and inimitable combination of tenderness and wisdom; its logic as natural and inscrutable as that of memory itself. THE WOMAN ON THE STAIRS by Bernhard Schlink, Translated by Joyce Hackett and Bradley Schmidt (Pantheon) As a young lawyer, the nameless protagonist of THE WOMAN ON THE STAIRS became entangled in the affairs of three people mired in a complex and destructive relationship. An artist, the woman whose portrait he had painted, and her husband became a triangle that drew the lawyer deeper and deeper into their tangled web. Now, encountering the painting that triggered it all, the lawyer must reconcile his past and present selves; when he eventually locates the woman, he is forced to confront the truth of his love and the reality that his life has been irrevocably changed. With  THE WOMAN ON THE STAIRS, the internationally acclaimed author of The Reader delivers a powerful new novel about obsession, creativity, and love. WHITE TEARS by Hari Kunzru (Knopf) Two twenty-something New Yorkers. Seth is awkward and shy. Carter is the glamorous heir to one of America’s great fortunes. They have one thing in common: an obsession with music. Seth is desperate to reach for the future. Carter is slipping back into the past. When Seth accidentally records an unknown singer in a park, Carter sends it out over the Internet, claiming it’s a long lost 1920s blues recording by a musician called Charlie Shaw. When an old collector contacts them to say that their fake record and their fake bluesman are actually real, the two young white men, accompanied by Carter’s troubled sister Leonie, spiral down into the heart of the nation’s darkness, encountering a suppressed history of greed, envy, revenge, and exploitation. THE WANDERERS by Meg Howrey (Putnam) In four years, aerospace giant Prime Space will put the first humans on Mars. Helen Kane, Yoshihiro Tanaka, and Sergei Kuznetsov must prove they’re the crew for the historic voyage by spending seventeen months in the most realistic simulation ever created. Constantly observed by Prime Space’s team of “Obbers,” Helen, Yoshi, and Sergei must appear ever in control. But as their surreal pantomime progresses, each soon realizes that the complications of inner space are no less fraught than those of outer space. The borders between what is real and unreal begin to blur, and each astronaut is forced to confront demons past and present, even as they struggle to navigate their increasingly claustrophobic quarters—and each other. NONFICTION THE RULES DO NOT APPLY by Ariel Levy (Random House) When thirty-eight-year-old New Yorker writer Ariel Levy left for a reporting trip to Mongolia in 2012, she was pregnant, married, financially secure, and successful on her own terms. A month later, none of that was true. Levy picks you up and hurls you through the story of how she built an unconventional life and then watched it fall apart with astonishing speed. Like much of her generation, she was raised to resist traditional rules—about work, about love, and about womanhood. “I wanted what we all want: everything. We want a mate who feels like family and a lover who is exotic, surprising. We want to be youthful adventurers and middle-aged mothers. We want intimacy and autonomy, safety and stimulation, reassurance and novelty, coziness and thrills. But we can’t have it all.” THE NEW OLD ME by Meredith Maran (Blue Rider Press) For readers of Anne Lamott, Abigail Thomas, and Ayelet Waldman, a “lusty, kickass*” post-divorce memoir, one woman’s story of starting over at 60—in youth-obsessed, beauty-obsessed Hollywood. After the death of her best friend, the loss of her life’s savings, and the collapse of her once-happy marriage, Meredith Maran—whom Anne Lamott calls “insightful, funny, and human”—leaves her San Francisco freelance writer’s life for a 9-to-5 job in Los Angeles. Determined to rebuild not only her savings but herself while relishing the joys of life in La-La land, Maran writes “a poignant story, a funny story, a moving story, and above all an American story of what it means to be a woman of a certain age in our time” (Christina Baker Kline, number-one New York Times–bestselling author of Orphan Train). WORD BY WORD by Kory Stamper (Pantheon) Many of us take dictionaries for granted, and few may realize that the process of writing dictionaries is, in fact, as lively and dynamic as language itself. With sharp wit and irreverence, Kory Stamper cracks open the complex, obsessive world of lexicography, from the agonizing decisions about what to define and how to do it, to the knotty questions of usage in an ever-changing language. She explains why small words are the most difficult to define, how it can take nine months to define a single word, and how our biases about language and pronunciation can have tremendous social influence. And along the way, she reveals little-known surprises—for example, the fact that “OMG” was first used in a letter to Winston Churchill in 1917. WHOLE NEW YOU by Tia Mowry (Ballantine Books) When actress Tia Mowry landed her breakthrough role on the sitcom Sister, Sister, she swapped home-cooked meals for catering spreads. But her teen-dream diet of candies and carbs turned into a nightmare when she developed endometriosis, a painful disease that affects one in ten women worldwide. Two years and two surgeries later, some surprising advice from her doctor inspired Tia to radically change one of the most basic elements of her life: her diet. After ditching the dairy and the refined sugars and processed foods, Tia’s pain receded drastically. What’s more, her migraines stopped, her skin cleared up, and she was finally able to get pregnant. Drawing on the latest research on whole plant foods, inflammation, and gut flora, WHOLE NEW YOU chronicles Tia’s journey to wellness and provides all the resources you need to feel better YOUNG READERS THE WHITE ROAD OF THE MOON by Rachel Neumeier (Knopf Books for Young Readers) Imagine you live with your aunt, who hates you so much she’s going to sell you into a dreadful apprenticeship. Imagine you run away before that can happen. Imagine that you can see ghosts—and talk with the dead. People like you are feared, even shunned. Now imagine . . . the first people you encounter after your escape are a mysterious stranger and a ghost boy, who seem to need you desperately—though you don’t understand who they are or exactly what they want you to do. So you set off on a treacherous journey, with only a ghost dog for company. And you find that what lies before you is a task so monumental that it could change the world. A PSALM FOR LOST GIRLS by Katie Bayerl (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers) Tess da Costa is a saint—a hand-to-god, miracle-producing saint. At least that’s what the people in her hometown of New Avon, Massachusetts, seem to believe. And when Tess suddenly and tragically passes away, her small city begins feverishly petitioning the Pope to make Tess’s sainthood official. Tess’s mother is ecstatic over the fervor, while her sister Callie, the one who knew Tess best, is disgusted—overcome with the feeling that her sister is being stolen from her all over again. The fervor for Tess’s sainthood only grows when Ana Langone, a local girl who’s been missing for six months, is found alive at the foot of one of Tess’s shrines. It’s the final straw for Callie. With the help of Tess’s secret boyfriend Danny, Callie’s determined to prove that Tess was something far more important than a saint; she was her sister, her best friend and a girl in love with a boy. THE HEARTBEATS OF WING JONES by Katherine Webber (Delacorte Press) Wing Jones, like everyone else in her town, has worshiped her older brother, Marcus, for as long as she can remember. Good-looking, popular, and the star of the football team, Marcus is everything his sister is not. Until the night everything changes when Marcus, drunk at the wheel after a party, kills two people and barely survives himself. With Marcus now in a coma, Wing is crushed, confused, and angry. Every night, unable to sleep, Wing finds herself sneaking out to go to the school’s empty track. When Aaron, Marcus’s best friend, sees her running one night, he recognizes that her speed, skill, and agility could get her spot on the track team. And better still, an opportunity at a coveted sponsorship from a major athletic gear company. Wing can’t pass up the opportunity to train with her longtime crush and to help her struggling family, but can she handle being thrust out of Marcus’s shadow and into the spotlight? A DRAGON’S GUIDE TO MAKING PERFECT WISHES by Laurence Yep and Joanne Ryder (Crown Books for Young Readers Plucky pair Winnie and Miss Drake are traveling back in time to the 1915 San Francisco World’s Fair. Waiting in the past are Winnie’s great-grandfather Caleb, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and a centuries-old mystery: who stole the Heart of Kubera necklace? Despite the excitement, Winnie’s only wish is to lose Rowan, an unusual boy who has the annoying habit of showing up at inconvenient times. But the wise Miss Drake knows her pet Winnie should be careful what she wishes for—especially when her wish-granting souvenirs follow them home.

Drawing on America’s heritage of resistance, the DA Book Club’s mission is to educate and inspire members with stories taken from America’s traditions of political activism.  DA founder Laura Moser said, “We want to inspire people to remember how even small groups of activists have helped bend the arc of history toward justice.” Colleagues interested in joining the DA Book Club and participating in the online discussion, click here for more information. The first DA Book Club meeting will be on March 13, and will be hosted by Benjamin Moser, in cooperation with LitHub. David France will be answering questions about how the legacy of the LGBT movement can be applied to today. Join the discussion via Facebook Live at 7:00 pm (EST). “All Americans owe so much to the LGBT movement,” Laura Moser said. “France reminds us of the challenges gay people faced in the age of AIDS, and how they overcame hatred and indifference to save lives. We urgently need to know their stories. Sixteen million people are alive today thanks to their efforts.” McNally Jackson bookstore in New York will donate a portion of sales of monthly titles to fund Daily Action’s initiatives. The books will be available online here and will be featured in in-store displays.

Sight and The Cranes Dance, and the coauthor of two bestselling novels for Penguin, City of Dark Magic and City of Lost Dreams, published under the pen name Magnus Flyte. Ms. Howrey’s new book, THE WANDERERS, which goes on sale from G. P. Putnam’s Sons on March 14, has been described as “Station Eleven meets The Martian.” This brilliantly inventive novel is about three astronauts training for the first-ever mission to Mars, an experience that will push the boundary between real and unreal, test their relationships, and leave each of them—and their families—changed forever. Wonderfully imaginative, tenderly comedic, and unerringly wise, THE WANDERERS explores the differences between those who go and those who stay, telling a story about the desire behind all exploration: the longing for discovery and the great search to understand the human heart. In this “Meet Our Author” interview, Meg takes us inside the heart of her creative life: How would you describe your writing regimen and routines? I alternate writing sitting at a desk with standing up at a sort of jury-rigged podium. In both places there is much gesticulation and theatrical facial expressions and mumblings. Making a book is a form of performance art. I’m a slow starter and will spend months on the first one or two chapters. Whether I’m writing two hours a day or ten, each book feels like its own particular beast and requires different regiments of feeding, care, and grooming. Books can bite or run away so you have to stay calm and be patient. What was the genesis of and the inspirations behind your new novel, THE WANDERERS? I read a newspaper account of a study conducted by the Russian and European space agencies to investigate the psychological effects of a long duration space mission. I thought, “Well, that’s interesting but wouldn’t what you’d feel on an actual mission to Mars be substantially different from what you’d feel in a simulator?” And then, “Possibly not, if the simulation was very good,” and also, “That would make a cool setting for a novel,” followed by, “It’s too bad I can’t write that novel since I don’t know anything about space.” So, the beast of this novel entailed a lot of research. Some of the themes I’ve tried to work on in other books are here: consciousness, ambition, the constructs of family, the problem of deciding what is real, and what “real” means. How have you been able to find the time and the creative energy to achieve success as an author, dancer and actress? A thing about dance is you start so young you can have had a ten-year career by the time you’re in your mid-twenties, especially if you don’t go to college, which I didn’t. The acting really came out of the dancing—every once in a while somebody needed a ballet dancer who actually wanted to speak, and there weren’t that many of us. (Basically, there was the really beautiful one, the one who could also sing, and me.) Whatever else I was doing I was always, always reading, and trying to write came out of that. With all these things—dancing, acting, writing—I never feel that I’ve arrived. I’m always squinting at goalposts. You are among a handful of Penguin Random House authors whose books have been published by multiple imprints, in your case Pantheon/Vintage, Penguin and Putnam.  How has this experience helped shape your writing career? An accurate reckoning in my “Acknowledgements” section would run to twenty pages.  THE WANDERERS exists because of the generosity of Shelley Wanger and everyone at Pantheon/Vintage, and Carolyn Carlson and many delightful Penguins, and now Tara Singh Carlson and a fantastic team at Putnam. Through five books I’ve been reinventing myself, and these people have given me the space to do it. There aren’t enough thank you cards.

week have recurring themes of exile and return. We invite you to read, or revisit, these important, creative works to learn about, and be inspired by, their authors’ beloved, beleaguered homeland. FEATURED TITLES Hot off the press!… TADUNO’S SONG: A NOVEL by Odafe Atogun HERE IS THE STUNNING DEBUT from a fresh Nigerian literary voice: a mesmerizing, deceptively simple, Kafkaesque narrative, resonant of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice and lightly informed by the life of Nigerian musical superstar Fela Kuti—powerful story of love, sacrifice and courage.   THINGS FALL APART: A NOVEL by Chinua Achebe One of the great novels of the 20th century from one of the fathers of modern African literature, Achebe’s masterpiece follows an Ibo man before, during, and after the entrance of colonial powers and missionaries into Nigeria.   THERE WAS A COUNTRY: A MEMOIR by Chinua Achebe For more than forty years, Chinua Achebe maintained a considered silence on the events of the Nigerian civil war, also known as the Biafran War, of 1967–1970, addressing them only obliquely through his poetry. Decades in the making, There Was a Country is a towering account of one of modern Africa’s most disastrous events.   AKE: THE YEARS OF CHILDHOOD by Wole Soyinka The first African to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature (in 1986), as well as a political activist of prodigious energies, Wole Soyinka tells the story of his boyhood before and during World War II in a Yoruba village in western Nigeria called Aké.  His vivid evocation of the colorful sights, sounds, and aromas of the world that shaped him is both lyrically beautiful and laced with humor and the sheer delight of a child's-eye view.   YOU MUST SET FORTH AT DAWN: A MEMOIR by Wole Soyinka Following his modern classic Ake: The Years of Childhood, Soyinka has written an equally important chronicle of his turbulent life as an adult.  In the tough, humane and lyrical language that has typified his plays and novels, Soyinka captures the indomitable spirit of Nigeria itself.   AMERICANAH by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie As teenagers at a Lagos secondary school, Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love at a time when Nigeria is under a military dictatorship, and people are fleeing the country. At once darkly funny and tender, theirs is a story of love and race which spans three continents and numerous lives and paints a gripping portrait of today’s hyper-globalized world.   For more on these and other titles from and about Nigeria visit the collection Nigeria

Jojo Moyes is a bestselling novelist and a journalist. Her previous novels have all been met with critical acclaim and bestselling sales, including Me Before You, After You, The Girl You Left Behind and One Plus One. Jojo Moyes’ profile is at an all-time high with worldwide sales of Me Before You and After You at nearly seventeen million copies. Last year’s film adaptation of Me Before You, starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin, introduced legions of new fans to Jojo’s writing and the beloved character of Louisa Clark. Her works are available in a staggering 43 foreign languages and have sold twenty-nine million copies in total worldwide. Jojo Moyes said, “I always knew that once I committed to write the sequel to Me Before You, I would also write a third book; I saw it quite clearly as a trilogy. Revisiting Lou has been a joy, as I push her into a completely new country, a brand new world, and a house full of secrets. With her usual blend of humour and emotion she has to ask herself some pretty fundamental questions – not least, which side of the Atlantic does she really belong? I hope readers enjoy this new adventure as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it.” Pamela Dorman, Publisher of Pamela Dorman Books, said, “Any new Jojo Moyes novel is a cause for rejoicing.  But for readers in America, the chance to have the iconic Lou Clark come to New York to find a new life is a particular pleasure.  There’s no doubt that Jojo’s unique blend of great storytelling and unforgettable characters, combined with a sense of humor all her own will make this new Lou Clark novel one readers will be clamoring for come next year.” Jojo Moyes is a UK based author who worked at the Independent for ten years before leaving to write full-time. She lives in Essex with her husband and their three children. Jojo is managed by Curtis Brown and her agent Sheila Crowley.

shine in the STEM fields – areas of interest that women had little or no access to for too long. Pick up a book about one of these pioneers and their heirs to the flame. FEATURED TITLES THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot Soon to be an HBO® Film starring Oprah Winfrey and Rose Byrne Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells—taken without her knowledge—became one of the most important tools in medicine. Rebecca Skloot takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the “colored” ward of Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 1950s to stark white laboratories with freezers full of HeLa cells—to East Baltimore today, where Henrietta’s children and grandchildren live and struggle with the legacy of her cells.   LAB GIRL by Hope Jahren An illuminating debut memoir of a woman in science; a moving portrait of a longtime friendship; and a stunningly fresh look at plants that will forever change how you see the natural world.   ADA’S ALGORITHM: HOW LORD BYRON’S DAUGHTER ADA LOVELACE LAUNCHED THE DIGITAL AGE by James Essinger “[Ada Lovelace], like Steve Jobs, stands at the intersection of arts and technology.”—Walter Isaacson, author of The Innovators   HEADSTRONG: 52 WOMEN WHO CHANGED SCIENCE-AND THE WORLD by Rachel Swaby Fifty-two insightful and inspiring profiles of history’s brightest female scientists and mathematicians.   UNDER THE SEA-WIND by Rachel Carson Celebrating the mystery and beauty of birds and sea creatures in their natural habitat, Under the Sea-Wind—Rachel Carson’s first book and her personal favorite—is the early masterwork of one of America’s greatest nature writers.   A WOMAN OF SCIENCE: An Extraordinary Journey of Love, Discovery, and the Sex Life of Mushrooms by Cardy Raper A Woman of Science catalogues a decades-long journey of inspirational hardship and success that serves as a model for what women can do in a field largely dominated by men.   FOR YOUNG READERS WOMEN IN SCIENCE: 50 FEARLESS PIONEERS WHO CHANGED THE WORLD by Rachel Ignotofsky A charmingly illustrated and educational book, New York Times best seller Women in Science highlights the contributions of fifty notable women to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from the ancient to the modern world. TRAILBLAZERS: 33 WOMEN IN SCIENCE WHO CHANGED THE WORLD by Rachel Swaby Aspiring scientists, young history enthusiasts, and children who enjoy learning about the world will be fascinated by these riveting snapshots—and parents who enjoyed the film Hidden Figures will find this to be the perfect extension.   WHO WAS MARIE CURIE? by Megan Stine Born in Warsaw, Poland, on November 7, 1867, Marie Curie was forbidden to attend the male-only University of Warsaw, so she enrolled at the Sorbonne in Paris to study physics and mathematics. There she met a professor named Pierre Curie, and the two soon married, forming one of the most famous scientific partnerships in history. Together they discovered two elements and won a Nobel Prize in 1903. CURIOUS ABOUT FOSSILS by Kate Waters (Smithsonian) This latest Curious About book starts with the fascinating story of Mary Anning, who as a child in 19th-century England collected rocks and shells to sell to tourists and then grew up to be a famous fossil collector and paleontologist. TO THE STARS! THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO WALK IN SPACE by Carmella Van Vleet, Dr. Kathy Sullivan Kathy Sullivan wanted to go everywhere. Kathy liked fishing and swimming; flying planes and studying science. She followed her heart and eventually became a NASA astronaut and the first woman to walk in space. WHO WAS SALLY RIDE? by Megan Stine In 1978, Sally Ride, a PhD candidate at Stanford University, responded to a newspaper ad to join the US astronaut program. She was accepted and became the first American woman astronaut to fly in space! Sally Ride was an astrophysicist who helped develop a robotic arm for space shuttles, and later, through Sally Ride Science, worked to make science cool and accessible for girls. For more on these and related titles. visit the collection: Women in Science

This year, the Fair featured Penguin Random House author Stacey Ballis and illustrator Chris Eliopoulos. Stacey is known for her foodie novels which include Room for Improvement, Good Enough to Eat, and Wedding Girl. Her next book, HOW TO CHANGE A LIFE, will be published by Berkley in August. Stacey is a home improvement junkie and has also written some eBook cookbooks. Christopher began his illustrator career as a lecturer for Marvel, and has worked on thousands of comics, including Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius, Pet Avengers, and Cow Boy, all of which he wrote and illustrated. He is the illustrator of the New York Times Bestselling Ordinary People Change the World series picture book biographies. In 2016, the Foundation awarded over $235,000 in student scholarships, provided over $17,000 for equipment for the new Cyber Security Lab, and granted a $2 tuition offset per credit hour (for a total of $166,000) easing the impact of planned tuition increases for students. Penguin Random House employees volunteer many hours, including soliciting and gathering items for the Silent Auction, helping unload books and set up the sales floor, guiding the Costumed characters around the buildings, escorting authors, and working in many other various areas on the day of the event. We expect 3,500-4,000 people to come through the college doors in March, as we welcome book lovers of all ages. – Barbara Harden, Manager, Executive Office & Community Affairs, Distribution Management, Westminster       

Tentatively titled The Splendid and the Vile, Larson, who calls it “a kind of Downton on Downing,” will apply his acclaimed storytelling skills to bring to life one of the most important political figures of the 20th century—Winston Churchill—during his first year as prime minister, when Britain faced the gravest threat of its history. The Splendid and the Vile will be published by Crown, Larson’s longtime publisher, in print, digital, and audio formats in fall 2019. Amanda Cook, Vice President, Executive Editor, Crown, acquired North American, electronic, and first serial rights from David Black of The David Black Literary Agency. The David Black Literary Agency retains world rights. The book will draw upon a wealth of new sources, including recently declassified files as well as personal diaries that only now have become accessible to researchers.  Set in locales ranging from the Prisoner Room at the prime ministerial country house, Chequers; to London’s Dorchester Hotel, where Lady “Emerald” Cunard threw charismatic parties as shrapnel peppered the windows; and of course to 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet War Rooms, Larson’s book will provide a vivid portrait of London in the darkest time imaginable.   He will portray through the day-to-day experience of Churchill and his family—his wife, Clementine; their daughters, Sarah, Diana, Mary; and their son, Randolph—and the cadre of close advisers who comprised Churchill’s “Secret Circle.” In that first cataclysmic year, Churchill defied ever-escalating aggression from Hitler to win England’s first major victory of the war, one that rallied Britons everywhere and played an important role in persuading President Franklin Roosevelt to support him to the fullest extent possible. The narrative will begin with Churchill’s appointment as prime minister on May 10, 1940, the day Hitler invaded Holland and Belgium; it will end one year later, on May 10, 1941, with the last and most ferocious night of the Blitz, a night filled with Vonnegutian violence and devastation, capped by the bizarre arrival on British soil, by parachute, of Hitler’s closest deputy, Rudolf Hess. The Splendid and the Vile promises to take readers out of today’s political whirlwinds and back to a time of true leadership, when Churchill’s eloquence, strategic brilliance, and perseverance bound a country together in the face of unrelenting horror. ERIK LARSON is the author of five national bestsellers: Dead Wake, In the Garden of Beasts, Thunderstruck, The Devil in the White City, and Isaac’s Storm, which have collectively sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. His books have been published in nearly 20 countries.

and disciple of George Smiley of the British Secret Service, otherwise known as the Circus, is living out his old age on the family farmstead on the south coast of Brittany when a letter from his old Service summons him to London.  The reason? His Cold War past has come back to claim him.  Intelligence operations that were once the toast of secret London, and involved such characters as Alec Leamas, Jim Prideaux, George Smiley and Peter Guillam himself, are to be scrutinised under disturbing criteria by a generation with no memory of the Cold War and no patience with its justifications. Interweaving past with present so that each may tell its own intense story, John le Carré has spun a single plot as ingenious and thrilling as the two predecessors on which it looks back: THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD and TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY.  In a story resonating with tension, humor and moral ambivalence, le Carré and his narrator Peter Guillam present the reader with a legacy of unforgettable characters old and new. For more than fifty years John le Carré has written novels that have come to define our age, from his extraordinary Cold War novels to his powerful depiction of the War on Terror in his most recent novel, A DELICATE TRUTH.

Cage Match 2017 will feature 32 iconic characters from sci-fi and fantasy literature in five rounds of fictional battles to the death, which will result in one triumphant champion. Participating authors include Chuck Wendig, Seanan McGuire, C.A. Higgins, and others who have been invited to create original fiction that pits the characters against each other. At the end of each match, fans vote for one character that will advance to the next round. The results of those polls drive the next round of matches. Cage Match has become a highly anticipated event in the science fiction and fantasy community, garnering millions of visits since its inception in 2010.  To celebrate the debut of Cage Match on Unbound Worlds, the site is giving away the full library of books featuring all 32 Cage Match characters.  Cage Match 2017 also presents fans with a rare treat from five authors who are writing Round One matches for their own characters. This includes:

• Chuck Wendig’s match between Miriam Black from Blackbirds vs. Molly Millions from William Gibson’s Sprawl Trilogy

 

• C.A. Higgins’ battle between Ananke from Lightless vs. Owen Kennedy from Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid Chronicles

 

• Gini Koch’s fight between Kitty Katt from the Alien series vs. Harry Crewe from Robin McKinley’s The Blue Sword

 

• G.T. Amasi’s clash between Alix Nico from Shadowstorm vs. Suri from Michael J. Sullivan’s Legends of the First Empire

 

• Seanan McGuire’s showdown between Georgia Mason from the Newsflesh series vs. Mata Zyndu from Ken Liu’s Dandelion Dynasty series

  Cage Match on Unbound Worlds boasts a new design that for the first time includes an interactive bracket, author bios, in-match links to purchase featured books from numerous retailers, and the ability to see a character’s previous victories. Readers can now also sign up for Cage Match email updates to stay up-to-date on which characters are in the lead. Emily Hughes, Unbound Worlds editor and Cage Match puppetmistress says, “Cage Match is back and better than ever on Unbound Worlds with a great new design and interactive features. Whether your taste runs to the fantastic, the magical, or the out-of-this-world, our mix of classic and new characters and our stellar lineup of participating authors provides something for everyone. We look forward to fans coming together as they vote for their favorite characters and share their knowledge in the comments section.”

Crown is a part, acquired world publication rights to both books last week from the authors’ representatives, Robert Barnett and Deneen Howell of Williams & Connolly. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Details about the books, including their respective titles and publication dates, will be announced in the future. Crown previously published President Obama’s multimillion-copy bestsellers Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope, as well as Mrs. Obama’s 2012 illustrated book about the White House kitchen garden, American Grown, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller. Rachel Klayman, Vice President, Executive Editor, will edit President Obama’s book for Crown. In 2004, Ms. Klayman spearheaded the paperback reissue of President Obama’s first book, Dreams from My Father, and served as his editor for The Audacity of Hope (2006). The two books have sold nearly 7 million copies to date in the U.S., and were also worldwide bestsellers. Molly Stern, Senior Vice President and Publisher of the Crown, Hogarth, Crown Archetype, Broadway Books, and Three Rivers Press imprints, will edit Mrs. Obama’s book. The publication strategy for both books will be led by Crown senior executives David Drake and Tina Constable, who have previously partnered on numerous other noteworthy publications for the Group and who have worked on the previous books by the authors. Said Ms. Mavjee, “Crown is honored to continue its publishing relationship with President Obama and Mrs. Obama, both of whom are transformative figures in today’s world. They will write deeply inspiring and illuminating books that draw upon their rich personal experience and dedicated public service. Each publication will be a historic event.” In support of the mission of The Obama Foundation and Penguin Random House’s own commitment to social responsibility, the company will donate one million books in the Obama family’s name to First Book, a longstanding Penguin Random House nonprofit partner and the Washington, DC–based partner for the 2016 White House digital education initiative, Open eBooks. First Book is dedicated to promoting equal access to education by providing new books, learning materials, and other essentials to children in need in the United States and Canada. Consistent with their past practice, the Obamas also plan to donate a significant portion of their author proceeds to charity, including the Obama Foundation.

Here are our winners in the following categories: COOKBOOKS American VICTUALS: An Appalachian Journey, with Recipes by Ronni Lundy (Clarkson Potter), editor: Francis Lam International TASTING ROME: Fresh Flavors and Forgotten Recipes from an Ancient City by Katie Parla and Kristina Gill (Clarkson Potter), editor: Amanda Englander Food Photography & Styling TASTE & TECHNIQUE: Recipes to Elevate Your Home Cooking by Naomi Pomeroy; photographed by Chris Court; styled by Naomi Pomeroy and Ellen Laing (Ten Speed Press), editor: Julie Bennet Cookbook Design NANBAN: Japanese Soul Food by Tim Anderson (Clarkson Potter), editor: Ashley Meyer FOOD WRITING AWARDS Food-Focused Column Congratulations also to Clarkson Potter Editor-at-Large Francis Lam on his win for Food-Focused Column: “From Grandmother’s House to Hers; Shamelessly French; Korean Comfort Food; Casa Calamari,” in The New York Times Magazine and to his author Ronni Lundy, who in addition to her book win, was announced as an IACP Trailblazer Honoree, chosen for their passion and impact on the food community. Congratulations to all of our winners! To view the complete list of winners click here.

This week’s Igloo Book Buzz selection goes on sale from Alfred A. Knopf on Tuesday, March 7 and in this feature Mr. Finkel shares insights into how he connected with, got to know and explored the life of the solitary subject of his book: “I first learned about Christopher Knight from a small article in the on-line edition of The Kennebec Journal, a central Maine newspaper. I was intrigued that a man, who’d been arrested for stealing food from the kitchen of a summer camp, claimed that he had lived by himself, alone in the woods, for 27 years. I was fascinated by his statement that he never once lit a fire, for fear that smoke would give his campsite away. I was stunned to read that he never had a single conversation the entire time he was in the woods, or was ever sick, or drove in a car, or spent money, or slept indoors. I was curious to know how he’d managed to remain hidden for so long, and of course I was itching to know why. “But I think what shifted my profound interest into something bordering on obsession was a single tidbit in that first article: that Knight stole hundreds, perhaps thousands, of books.  Two of my favorite activities in life are camping out in the woods and reading books — most wondrously, both at once. And here, it seemed, was the world champion of both. Of course, I needed to contact Mr. Knight. “Knight is an American original, to say the very least. A very strong case can be made that Knight is the most solitary known person in all of human history. Not surprisingly, it was somewhat difficult to interview such a man. “For several weeks, Knight and I exchanged hand-written letters. He refused to use a telephone, so we never once spoke over the phone.  I visited Knight while he was being held in jail nine times, each visit lasting an hour. Knight did not like to make eye contact, so we spent most of the visits staring over each other’s shoulders. Knight sometimes allowed long, uncomfortable (for me) silences to pass between making statements. “But at the same time, Knight had such a lively and witty and quirky mind, and such an elegant way of speaking, that listening to him tell his tale not only riveted me because of the sheer unrivaled audacity and daring and difficulty and, at times, joy of his solitary existence, but also thrilled the writer in me because of the lyricism of his language and the depths of his insight. I don’t think I will ever in my life come across a story as strange and compelling as this one.” Mr. Finkel’s agent, Stuart Krichevsky, commented, “If I had to assign a single attribute to Mike Finkel, I’d choose intensity: it perfectly describes the author, his reporting, and his approach to his work.  Mike’s first draft of THE STRANGER IN THE WOODS, which he shared with no one, ran to thousands of pages.  He then worked obsessively to boil that mountain of information down to its very essence, resulting in 195 pages of seamless and utterly gripping prose.”

FICTION EXIT WEST by Mohsin Hamid (Riverhead Books) In a country teetering on the brink of civil war, two young people meet—sensual, fiercely independent Nadia and gentle, restrained Saeed. They embark on a furtive love affair, and are soon cloistered in a premature intimacy by the unrest roiling their city. When it explodes, turning familiar streets into a patchwork of checkpoints and bomb blasts, they begin to hear whispers about doors—doors that can whisk people far away, if perilously and for a price. As the violence escalates, Nadia and Saeed decide that they no longer have a choice. Leaving their homeland and their old lives behind, they find a door and step through. THE LUCKY ONES by Julianna Pachico (Spiegel & Grau) While her parents are away, a teenager finds herself home alone, with the household staff mysteriously gone, no phone connection, and news of an insurgency on the radio—and then she hears a knock at the door. Her teacher, who has been kidnapped by guerrillas, recites Shakespeare in the jungle to a class of sticks, leaves, and stones while his captors watch his every move. Another classmate, who has fled Colombia for the clubs of New York, is unable to forget the life she left behind without the help of the little bags of powder she carries with her. Taking place over two decades, The Lucky Ones presents us with a world in which perpetrators are indistinguishable from saviors, the truth is elusive, and loved ones can disappear without a trace. SAY NOTHING by Brad Parks (Dutton) Judge Scott Sampson doesn’t brag about having a perfect life, but the evidence is clear: A prestigious job. A beloved family. On an ordinary Wednesday afternoon, he is about to pick up his six-year-old twins to go swimming when his wife, Alison, texts him that she’ll get the kids from school instead. It’s not until she gets home later that Scott realizes she doesn’t have the children. And she never sent the text. Then the phone rings, and every parent’s most chilling nightmare begins. For Scott and Alison, the kidnapper’s call is only the beginning of a twisting, gut-churning ordeal of blackmail, deceit, and terror; a high-profile trial like none the judge or his wife has ever experienced. ILL WILL by Dan Chaon (Ballantine) A psychologist in suburban Cleveland, Dustin is drifting through his forties when he hears the news: His adopted brother, Rusty, is being released from prison. Thirty years ago, Rusty received a life sentence for the massacre of Dustin’s parents, aunt, and uncle. The trial came to epitomize the 1980s hysteria over Satanic cults; despite the lack of physical evidence, the jury believed the outlandish accusations Dustin and his cousin made against Rusty. Now, after DNA analysis has overturned the conviction, Dustin braces for a reckoning. Meanwhile, one of Dustin’s patients has been plying him with stories of the drowning deaths of a string of drunk college boys. At first Dustin dismisses his patient’s suggestions that a serial killer is at work as paranoid thinking, but as the two embark on an amateur investigation, Dustin starts to believe that there’s more to the deaths than coincidence. Soon he becomes obsessed, crossing all professional boundaries—and putting his own family in harm’s way. BIT ROT by Douglas Coupland (Blue Rider Press) BIT ROT is a fascinating meditation on the ways in which humanity tries to make sense of our shifting consciousness. Coupland, just like the Internet, mixes forms to achieve his ends. Short fiction is interspersed with essays on all aspects of modern life. The result is addictively satisfying for Coupland’s established fanbase hungry for his observations about our world, and a revelation to new readers of his work. For almost three decades, his unique pattern recognition has powered his fiction, his phrase-making, and his visual art. Every page of Bit Rot is full of wit, surprise, and delight. Reading Bit Rot feels a lot like bingeing on Netflix…you can’t stop with just one. NONFICTION CLEAN MY SPACE by Melissa Maker (Avery) Melissa Maker is beloved by fans all over the world for her completely re-engineered approach to cleaning. As the dynamic new authority on home and living, Melissa knows that to invest any of our precious time in cleaning, we need to see big, long-lasting results. So, she developed her method to help us get the most out of our effort and keep our homes fresh and welcoming every day. In her long-awaited debut book, she shares her revolutionary 3-step solution. With Melissa’s simple groundbreaking method you can truly live in a cleaner, more cheerful, and calming home all the time.SEE LESS THE STRANGER IN THE WOODS: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel (Knopf) In 1986, a shy and intelligent twenty-year-old named Christopher Knight left his home in Massachusetts, drove to Maine, and disappeared into the forest. He would not have a conversation with another human being until nearly three decades later, when he was arrested for stealing food. Based on extensive interviews with Knight himself, this is a vividly detailed account of his secluded life—why did he leave? what did he learn?—as well as the challenges he has faced since returning to the world. It is a gripping story of survival that asks fundamental questions about solitude, community, and what makes a good life, and a deeply moving portrait of a man who was determined to live his own way, and succeeded. IRRESISTIBLE: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked by Adam Alter (Penguin Press) Welcome to the age of behavioral addiction—an age in which half of the American population is addicted to at least one behavior. In this revolutionary book, Adam Alter, a professor of psychology and marketing at NYU, tracks the rise of behavioral addiction, and explains why so many of today’s products are irresistible. Though these miraculous products melt the miles that separate people across the globe, their extraordinary and sometimes damaging magnetism is no accident. The companies that design these products tweak them over time until they become almost impossible to resist. THIS LONG PURSUIT by Richard Holmes (Pantheon) In a book that ranges widely over art, science, and poetry, Richard Holmes confesses to a lifetime’s obsession with his Romantic subjects. It has become for him a pursuit, or pilgrimage of the heart, that has taken him across three centuries, through much of Europe, and into the lively company of many earlier biographers. Central to this quest is a powerful and tender evocation of the lives of women both scientific and literary, some well-known and some almost lost to history. Holmes also investigates the myths that have overshadowed the lives of some favorite Romantic figures: the love-stunned John Keats, the waterlogged Percy Bysshe Shelley, the chocolate-box painter Thomas Lawrence, the opium-soaked genius Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and the mad visionary bard William Blake. SOUTH AND WEST by Joan Didion (Knopf) Joan Didion has always kept notebooks: of overheard dialogue, observations, interviews, drafts of essays and articles–and here is one such draft that traces a road trip she took with her husband, John Gregory Dunne, in June 1970, through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. She writes about the stifling heat, the almost viscous pace of life, the sulfurous light, and the preoccupation with race, class, and heritage she finds in the small towns they pass through. And from a different notebook: the “California Notes” that began as an assignment from Rolling Stone on the Patty Hearst trial of 1976. Though Didion never wrote the piece, watching the trial and being in San Francisco triggered thoughts about the city, its social hierarchy, the Hearsts, and her own upbringing in Sacramento. Here, too, is the beginning of her thinking about the West, its landscape, the western women who were heroic for her, and her own lineage, all of which would appear later in her acclaimed 2003 book, Where I Was From. POETRY MERRILL by James Merrill (Everyman’s Library) James Merrill once called his body of work “chronicles of love and loss,” and in twenty books written over four decades he used the details of his own life–comic and haunting, exotic and domestic–to shape a portrait that in turn mirrored the image of our world and our moment. Like Wallace Stevens and W. H. Auden before him, Merrill sought to quicken the pulse of a poem in surprising and compelling ways–ways, indeed, that changed how we came to see our own lives. Years ago, the critic Helen Vendler wrote of Merrill, “He has become one of our indispensable poets.” This volume brings together an entirely new pocket-sized selection of the best of Merrill’s work. His poetry dazzles at every turn, and this balanced and compact selection will be an ideal introduction to the work for both students and general readers, and an instant favorite among his familiars. ORBIT by Cynthia Zarin (Knopf) In this, her fifth collection, Zarin turns her lyric lens on the worlds within worlds we inhabit and how we navigate our shared predicament—the tables of our lives on which the news of the day is strewn: the president speaking to parishioners in Charleston, the ricochet of violence, near and far. Whether writing about hairpin turns in the stair of childhood, about the cat’s claw of anxiety, on the impending loss of a young friend, or how “love endures, give or take,” here is the poet who, in the title poem, “bartered forty summers for black pearls” and whose work is full of such wagers, embodied in playing cards, treble notes, snow globes, and balancing acts. Zarin reminds us that the atmosphere created by our experiences shapes and defines the orbit we move through. YOUNG READERS GOODBYE DAYS by Jeff Zentner (Crown Books for Young Readers) Carver Briggs never thought a simple text would cause a fatal crash, killing his three best friends, Mars, Eli, and Blake. But now Carver can’t stop blaming himself for the accident and even worse, a powerful judge is pressuring the district attorney to open up a criminal investigation. Luckily, Carver has some unexpected allies: Eli’s girlfriend, the only person to stand by him at school; Dr. Mendez, his new therapist; and Blake’s grandmother, who asks Carver to spend a “goodbye day” together to share their memories and say a proper farewell. Soon the other families are asking for their own goodbye day with Carver—but he’s unsure of their motives. Will they all be able to make peace with their losses, or will these goodbye days bring Carver one step closer to a complete breakdown or—even worse—prison? TRAITOR TO THE THRONE by Alwyn Hamilton (Viking Books for Young Readers) Mere months ago, gunslinger Amani al’Hiza fled her dead-end hometown on the back of a mythical horse with the mysterious foreigner Jin, seeking only her own freedom. Now she’s fighting to liberate the entire desert nation of Miraji from a bloodthirsty sultan who slew his own father to capture the throne. When Amani finds herself thrust into the epicenter of the regime—the Sultan’s palace—she’s determined to bring the tyrant down. Desperate to uncover the Sultan’s secrets by spying on his court, she tries to forget that Jin disappeared just as she was getting closest to him, and that she’s a prisoner of the enemy. But the longer she remains, the more she questions whether the Sultan is really the villain she’s been told he is, and who’s the real traitor to her sun-bleached, magic-filled homeland. SCIENCE YEAR BY YEAR by DK (DK) Easy-to-follow illustrated timelines of pivotal scientific developments explore the ideas, experiments, and technologies that have shaped our daily lives over the past 3 million years. With more than 1,200 images, in-depth explanations of key inventors and innovations, quotes from groundbreaking scientists like Marie Curie, and stunning “moment in time” images of key events such as the first human landing on the moon, kids are sure to be amazed on every page. Young readers can learn about the early understanding of gravity, the discovery of dinosaur fossils, the first open heart surgery in human history, and much more. GOODNIGHT, NUMBERS by Danica McKellar, illustrated by Alicia Padron (Crown Books for Young Readers) This deceptively simple bedtime book gives your child the building blocks for math success. As children say goodnight to the objects all around them—three wheels on a tricycle, four legs on a cat—they will connect with the real numbers in their world while creating cuddly memories, night after night. Actress, math whiz, and New York Times bestselling author Danica McKellar uses her proven math success to show children that loving numbers is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

BIG LITTLE LIES by Liane Moriarty Now an HBO® Limited Series starring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Alexander Skarsgård, Laura Dern, Adam Scott, and Zoë Kravitz from the director of Wild and Dallas Buyers Club, Jean-Marc Vallée, and Writer David E. Kelley. Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the little lies that spiral slowly, dangerously out of control. LIES OF THE HEART by Michelle Boyajian “Boyajian’s psychologically astute debut combines courtroom drama with a heartbreaking portrait of a wife’s grief.” -People Katie Burelli is living a nightmare. Her husband Nick, a speech therapist, is dead-shot by Jerry, one of his mentally handicapped patients. As Jerry stands trial, Katie plays and replays the events that led up to Nick’s murder, and searches her own recollections for answers. SACRAMENT OF LIES by Elizabeth Dewberry When Grayson Guillory’s mother died, she helped her father get rid of the empty vodka and pill bottles next to the body. It wouldn’t do for the governor of Louisiana to have a wife who committed suicide after years of mental illness—especially just as he’s contemplating the presidency. Grayson’s husband—her father’s speechwriter—helps him keep the story quiet, and the family doctor makes sure the cause of death will be listed as a heart attack. But Grayson has a problem. When she thought she was helping her father cover up a suicide, she might actually … SUMMER LIES: STORIES by Bernhard Schlink, Carol Janeway From Bernhard Schlink, the internationally best-selling author of The Reader, come seven provocative and masterfully calibrated stories. A keen dissection of the ways in which we play with truth and less-than-truth in our lives.   BEAUTIFUL LIES: A NOVEL by Lisa Unger Ridley Jones has been living a lie. A mysterious package showed up on her doorstep one morning and the beautiful lie she used to call her life was over. Suddenly, everyone she knows feels like a stranger.   WARTIME LIES: A NOVEL by Louis Begley As the world slips into the throes of war in 1939, young Maciek’s once closeted existence outside Warsaw is no more. When Warsaw falls, Maciek escapes with his aunt Tania. Together they endure the war, running, hiding, changing their names, forging documents to secure their temporary lives—as the insistent drum of the Nazi march moves ever closer to them and to their secret wartime lies.   FOR YOUNG ADULT READERS THE SACRED LIES OF MINNOW BLY by Stephanie Oakes Brought to the Community at age five, the cult has taken so much from Minnow: her childhood, her family, her ability to trust. And when she rebelled, they took her hands, too. Now their Prophet has been murdered and their camp set aflame, and it’s clear that Minnow knows something—but she’s not talking.   LITTLE WHITE LIES by Brianna Baker, F. Bowman Hastie; Ages 14 and up Seventeen-year-old honors student Coretta White’s Tumblr, Little White Lies—her witty thoughts on pretty much…everything—has gone viral. She’s got hundreds of thousands of followers; she’s even been offered a TV deal. But Coretta has a secret. She hasn’t been writing all her own posts… “Little White Lies is a hilarious, righteous, and page-turning coming-of-age story. Imagine Judy Blume meets Candace Bushnell meets Harper Lee all in one novel.”  —Dorian Warren, host of MSNBC’s Nerding Out KISSES AND LIES by Lian Tanner; Ages 14 and up After discovering that someone saw what looked like Dan’s emergency EpiPen in A-lister Plum’s designer handbag, Scarlett and her tough American sidekick, Taylor, sneak into a posh London nightclub, where Plum has a private table. Scarlett is stunned to discover a piece of evidence that might implicate another girl in Plum’s exclusive circle. Which means Scarlett must cast a wider net in order to catch the right suspect.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection: Lies

children’s author who was born Theodor Seuss Geisel on this day in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1904. Special reading parties are taking place in libraries, schools and bookstores across the country. Penguin Random House and Read Across America offer parents, children, librarians and teachers resources and activities they need to keep reading on the calendar 365 days a year – check them out here. We recommend the following titles to learn about the man and enjoy his timeless, ageless classics:   HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU Bigger than New Year’s, the Fourth of July, and Halloween all rolled into one, birthdays are for celebrating with Dr. Seuss in his first all-color picture book, Happy Birthday to You! Fly with the Great Birthday Bird in this fantastical commemoration of YOU! And make the most of your special day, which only comes once a year! “Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!” The ultimate birthday gift for ages one to 101—from the one and only Dr. Seuss!   THE CAT IN THE HAT Cat fanciers rejoice! Available for the first time is a picture book-size, jacketed edition of The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss—the classic, deliciously anarchic story of a giant cat in a hat whose unexpected arrival turns a dull, rainy day into a madcap adventure. Although written for beginning readers, The Cat in the Hat makes an ideal read-aloud for children of all ages. Highly collectible, it’s a purr-fect gift for Seuss fans of all ages!   OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations, while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within.   THE LORAX Long before “going green” was mainstream, Dr. Seuss’s Lorax spoke for the trees and warned of the dangers of disrespecting the environment. In this cautionary rhyming tale (printed on recycled paper) we learn of the Once-ler, who came across a valley of Truffula Trees and Brown Bar-ba-loots, and how his harvesting of the tufted trees changed the landscape forever.   YOU’RE ONLY OLD ONCE!: A BOOK FOR OBSOLETE CHILDREN: 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION With his unmistakable rhymes and signature illustration style, Dr. Seuss creates a classic picture-book ode to aging in You’re Only Old Once! On a visit to “the Golden Years Clinic on Century Square for Spleen Readjustment and Muffler Repair,” readers will laugh with familiar horror at the poking and prodding and testing and ogling that go hand in hand with the dreaded appellation of “senior citizen.” Though Dr. Seuss is known for his peerless work in books for children, this comical look at what it’s like to get older is ideal for Seuss fans of advanced years.   THE SEUSS, THE WHOLE SEUSS AND NOTHING BUT THE SEUSS: A VISUAL BIOGRAPHY OF THEODOR SEUSS GEISEL by Charles Cohen; Ages 8 to 12 Theodor Seuss Geisel, creator of Horton the Elephant, the Grinch, the Cat in the Hat, and a madcap menagerie of the best-loved children’s characters of all time, stands alone as the preeminent figure of children’s literature. But Geisel was a private man who was happier at the drawing table than he was across from any reporter or would-be biographer. Under the thoughtful scrutiny of Charles D. Cohen, Geisel’s lesser known works yield valuable insights into the imaginative and creative processes of one of the 20th century’s most original thinkers.   WHO WAS DR. SEUSS? By Janet Pascal, Nancy Harrison; Ages 8 to 12 Ted Geisel loved to doodle from the time he was a kid. He had an offbeat, fun-loving personality. He often threw dinner parties where guests wore outrageous hats! And he donned quirky hats when thinking up ideas for books- like his classic The Cat in the Hat. This biography, with black-and-white illustrations throughout, brings an amazingly gifted author/illustrator to life.   YOUR FAVORITE SEUSS From his very first book to his very last book, here in one big volume are 13 classic Dr. Seuss stories, everyone’s favorites. All of the words and virtually all of the illustrations are included. Each story is prefaced by a short essay by someone whose life was changed by Dr. Seuss or who is simply an unabashed admirer. Also included are photographs of Dr. Seuss, memorabilia, and original sketches from his books. The stories included are: And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, Horton Hears a Who!, McElligot’s Pool, If I Ran the Zoo, Happy Birthday to You!, Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book, Yertle the Turtle, The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Green Eggs and Ham, The Lorax, The Sneetches, and Oh, the Places You’ll Go!   SEUSS-ISMS! A GUIDE TO LIFE FOR THOSE JUST STARTING OUT…AND THOSE ALREADY ON THEIR WAY The one and only Dr. Seuss dispenses invaluable advice about life in this collection of his most memorable quotes. With over sixty pages of cherished Seuss art and quotes from such classics as The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hatches the Egg, Green Eggs and Ham, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, and many more, this humorous and inspiring collection is, indeed, perfect for those just starting out…or those who are already on their way!   GERALD MCBOING BOING by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Mel Crawford They say it all started when Gerald was two— That’s the age kids start talking—least, most of them do. Well, when he started talking, you know what he said? He didn’t talk words— he went boing boing instead! So goes the hilarious tale of a boy who was a little bit different—a tale that only Dr. Seuss could create. Based on the Academy Award-winning motion picture!   For more on these and other Seuss titles visit the collection: Dr. Seuss Read Across America 2017

This year’s second-place winners were Yaa Gyasi for HOMEGOING (Alfred A. Knopf) in fiction, and Hope Jahren for LAB GIRL (Alfred A. Knopf) in nonfiction. Each runner-up writer was awarded a $15,000 cash prize. Congratulations to our authors, their editors and publishers. The Discover Great New Writers Awards are presented annually in recognition of literary excellence. The six finalists were chosen by two panels of noted authors from the 42 titles handpicked by Barnes & Noble booksellers for the Discover Great New Writers program in 2016. Previous winners of the annual Discover Awards include a number of Penguin Random House authors, among them: Mia Alvar for IN THE COUNTRY: Stories (Vintage) and Jill Leovy for GHETTOSIDE: A True Story of Murder in America (Spiegel & Grau/Random House), both in 2015; Evie Wyld for ALL THE BIRDS, SINGING (Vintage) for 2014; Anthony Marra for A CONSTELLATION OF VITAL PHENOMENA (Hogarth) and Justin St. Germain for SON OF A GUN (Random House), both in 2013. Additional information about the 2016 Discover Award program, winners and judges can be found at www.bn.com/discover.

In the spirit of Ms. Adichie’s call that “we should all be feminists,” Penguin Random House is launching a social media campaign on March 8, asking colleagues to take photos of themselves and friends holding posters featuring quotes from DEAR IJEAWELE. Here is a selection from the book:

• “Because you are a girl” is never a reason for anything. Ever.

 

• Femininity and feminism are not mutually exclusive.

 

• When there is true equality, resentment doesn’t exist.

 

• I matter. I matter equally. Not “if only.” Not “as long as.” I matter equally. Full stop.

 

• Teach her to love books

  When making posters, please include this attribution: –Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, DEAR IJEAWELE Then, on International Women’s Day, March 8, post your photo on social media (and feel free to repost others’ photos) using the hashtag #WeShouldAllBeFeminists. Ms. Adichie is also the bestselling author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists.  A few years ago, she received a letter from a dear friend from childhood, asking her how to raise her baby girl as a feminist. DEAR IJEAWELE is Ms. Adichie’s letter of response.

The “Class of 2017” will be honored in mid-May when the Academy holds its annual induction and award ceremony, during which Calvin Trillin, secretary, will induct 14 members into the 250-person organization and president Yehudi Wyner will induct three Foreign Honorary Members. An exhibition of art, architecture, books, and manuscripts by new members and recipients of awards will be on view from May 18 to June 11. See the full list of 2017 Academy members here. The American Academy of Arts and Letters was founded in 1898 as an honor society of the country’s leading architects, artists, composers, and writers. Founding members include William Merritt Chase, Kenyon Cox, Daniel Chester French, Childe Hassam, Henry James, Theodore Roosevelt, Elihu Vedder, and Woodrow Wilson. In addition to electing new members as vacancies occur, the Academy seeks to “foster and sustain an interest in Literature, Music, and the Fine Arts” by administering over 70 awards and prizes, exhibiting art and manuscripts, funding performances of new works of musical theater, and purchasing artwork for donation to museums across the country.

President and Mrs. Obama respectively. Terms of the agreement, in which the authors were represented by Robert Barnett and Deneen Howell of Williams & Connolly, were not disclosed. In support of the mission of The Obama Foundation and Penguin Random House's own commitment to social responsibility, the company will donate one million books in the Obama family's name to First Book, a longstanding Penguin Random House non-profit partner and the Washington, DC-based partner for the 2016 White House digital education initiative, Open eBooks. First Book is dedicated to promoting equal access to education by providing new books, learning materials, and other essentials to children in need in the United States and Canada. Consistent with their past practice, the Obamas also plan to donate a significant portion of their author proceeds to charity, including the Obama Foundation. Markus Dohle said: "We are absolutely thrilled to continue our publishing partnership with President and Mrs. Obama. With their words and their leadership, they changed the world, and every day, with the books we publish at Penguin Random House, we strive to do the same. Now, we are very much looking forward to working together with President and Mrs. Obama to make each of their books global publishing events of unprecedented scope and significance."  

his extraordinary writing life, some twenty years now. He has the rare and precious gift, never more evident than in this new book, of being able not only to see into the future but to imagine, in the shape of real human lives, plausible and humane alternatives to the dark places where our worst impulses could lead us.” From the internationally bestselling author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist, EXIT WEST goes on sale from Riverhead Books on March 7 and is an astonishingly timely love story that brilliantly imagines the forces that transform ordinary people into refugees — and the impossible choices that follow — as they’re driven from their homes to the uncertain embrace of new lands.  Profoundly intimate and powerfully inventive, this book tells an unforgettable story of love, loyalty, and courage that is both completely of our time and for all time. EXIT WEST is the #1 Indie Next Pick for March and has been lauded with tremendous advance praise. Here is a sampling: “Mohsin Hamid’s dynamic yet lapidary books have all explored the convulsive changes overtaking the world…His compelling new novel, EXIT WEST, is no exception…Writing in spare, crystalline prose, Hamid conveys the experience of living in a city under siege with sharp, stabbing immediacy….Hamid does a harrowing job of conveying what it is like to leave behind family members, and what it means to leave home, which, however dangerous or oppressive it’s become, still represents everything that is familiar and known.” –Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times “[A] thought experiment that pivots on the crucial figure of this century: the migrant… [A] wry, intelligent novel… brilliantly managed… Hamid’s cautious, even fastidious prose makes the sudden flashes of social breakdown all the more affecting,” the author continues. “Evading the lure of both the utopian and the dystopian, Exit West makes some rough early sketches of the world that must come if we (or is it ‘you’?) are to avoid walling out the rest of the human race in the 21st century.” –The Financial Times “Writers should be wise, and Hamid is wiser than many… No novel is really about the cliche called ‘the human condition,’ but good novels expose and interpret the particular condition of the humans in their charge, and this is what Hamid has achieved here.” –The Washington Post “Hamid’s prose powerfully evokes the violence and anxiety of lives lived ‘under the drone-crossed sky.’ But his whimsical framing of the situation offers a hopeful metaphor for the future as the ‘natives’ come to accept their new neighbors.” –TIME Magazine

FICTION EVERYTHING BELONGS TO US by Yoojin Grace Wuertz (Random House) Two young women of vastly different means each struggle to find her own way during the darkest hours of South Korea’s “economic miracle” in a striking debut novel for readers of Anthony Marra and Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie. In this sweeping yet intimate debut, Yoojin Grace Wuertz details four intertwining lives that are rife with turmoil and desire, private anxieties and public betrayals, dashed hopes and broken dreams—while a nation moves toward prosperity at any cost. THE LOST BOOK OF THE GRAIL by Charlie Lovett (Viking) Arthur Prescott is happiest when surrounded by the ancient books and manuscripts of the Barchester Cathedral library. His one respite is his time spent nestled in the library, nurturing his secret obsession with the Holy Grail and researching his perennially unfinished guidebook to the medieval cathedral. But when a beautiful young American named Bethany Davis arrives in Barchester charged with the task of digitizing the library’s manuscripts, Arthur’s tranquility is broken. Appalled by the threat modern technology poses to the library he loves, he sets out to thwart Bethany, only to find in her a kindred spirit with a similar love for knowledge and books—and a fellow Grail fanatic. LILAC GIRLS by Martha Hall Kelly (Ballantine) Now out in paperback, this remarkable debut novel reveals the power of unsung women to change history in their quest for love, freedom, and second chances. The lives of three women Kasia, Caroline and Herta, are set on a collision course when the unthinkable happens and Kasia is sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious Nazi concentration camp for women. Their stories cross continents—from New York to Paris, Germany, and Poland—as Caroline and Kasia strive to bring justice to those whom history has forgotten. WINDY CITY BLUES by Renée Rosen (Berkley) In the middle of the twentieth century, the music of the Mississippi Delta arrived in Chicago, drawing the attention of entrepreneurs like the Chess brothers. Their label, Chess Records, helped shape that music into the Chicago Blues, the soundtrack for a transformative era in American History. But, for Leeba Groski, Chess Records was just where she worked. Leeba doesn’t exactly fit in, but her passion for music is not lost on her neighbor, Leonard Chess, who offers her a job at his new record company. With their relationship unwelcome in segregated Chicago and the two of them shunned by Leeba’s Orthodox Jewish family, Leeba and Red soon find themselves in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement and they discover that, in times of struggle, music can bring people together. NONFICTION ROBERT LOWELL, SETTING THE RIVER ON FIRE by Kay Redfield Jamison (Knopf) In his Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry, Robert Lowell put his manic-depressive illness (now known as bipolar disorder) into the public domain, creating a language for madness that was new and arresting. As Dr. Jamison brings her expertise in mood disorders to bear on Lowell’s story, she illuminates not only the relationships among mania, depression, and creativity but also the details of Lowell’s treatment and how illness and treatment influenced the great work that he produced. Jamison had unprecedented access to Lowell’s medical records, as well as to previously unpublished drafts and fragments of poems, and she is the first biographer to have spoken with his daughter, Harriet Lowell. With this new material and a psychologist’s deep insight, Jamison delivers a bold, sympathetic account of a poet who was—both despite and because of mental illness—a passionate, original observer of the human condition. TO BE A MACHINE by Mark O’Connell (Doubleday) Transhumanism is a movement pushing the limits of our biology—our senses, intelligence, and lifespans—in the hopes that, with technology, we can become something better, something other, than ourselves. Where is our obsession with technology leading us? What does the rise of AI mean not only for our offices and homes, but for our humanity? Could the technologies we create to help us eventually bring us to harm?  Addressing these questions and more, O’Connell presents a thoughtful, provocative, often hilarious look at a growing movement. In investigating what it means to be a machine, he offers a surprising meditation on what it means to be human. THE BRAIN DEFENSE by Kevin Davis (Penguin Press) In 1991, the police were called to East 72nd St. in Manhattan, where a woman’s body had fallen from a twelfth-story window. The woman’s husband, Herbert Weinstein, soon confessed to having hit and strangled his wife after an argument, then dropping her body out of their apartment window to make it look like a suicide. The 65-year-old Weinstein, a quiet, unassuming retired advertising executive, had no criminal record, no history of violent behavior—not even a short temper. How, then, to explain this horrific act? Journalist Kevin Davis uses the perplexing story of the Weinstein murder to present a riveting, deeply researched exploration of the intersection of neuroscience and criminal justice. BACK POCKET PASTA by Colu Henry (Clarkson Potter) As much a mindset as it is a cookbook, BACK POCKET PASTAshows how a well-stocked kitchen and a few seasonal ingredients can be the driving force behind delicious, simply prepared meals. Pantry staples—a handful of items to help you up your dinner game—give you a head start come 6pm, so you can start cooking in your head on the way home from work. For instance, if you know that you have a tin of anchovies, a hunk of parmesan, and panko bread crumbs, you can pick up fresh kale to make Tuscan Kale “Caesar” Pasta. Or if you have capers, red pepper flakes, and a lemon, you can make Linguine with Quick Chili Oil. YOUNG READERS 10 THINGS I CAN SEE FROM HERE by Carrie Mac (Knopf Books for Young Readers) Think positive. Don’t worry; be happy. Keep calm and carry on Maeve has heard it all before. She’s been struggling with severe anxiety for a long time, and as much as she wishes it was something she could just talk herself out of, it’s not. She constantly imagines the worst, composes obituaries in her head, and is always ready for things to fall apart. To add to her troubles, her mom—the only one who really gets what Maeve goes through—is leaving for six months, so Maeve will be sent to live with her dad in Vancouver. Vancouver brings a slew of new worries, but Maeve finds brief moments of calm (as well as even more worries) with Salix, a local girl who doesn’t seem to worry about anything. A GOOD IDEA by Cristina Moracho (Viking Books for Young Readers) Finley and Betty’s close friendship survived Fin’s ninth-grade move from their coastal Maine town to Manhattan. Calls, letters, and summer visits continued to bind them together, and in the fall of their senior year, they both applied to NYU, planning to reunite for good as roommates. Then Betty disappears. Her ex-boyfriend Calder admits to drowning her, but his confession is thrown out, and soon the entire town believes he was coerced and Betty has simply run away. Fin knows the truth, and she returns to Williston for one final summer, determined to get justice for her friend, even if it means putting her loved ones—and herself—at risk. LITTLE FOX IN THE FOREST by Stephanie Graegin (Schwartz & Wade) When a young girl brings her beloved stuffed fox to the playground, much to her astonishment, a real fox takes off with it! The girl chases the fox into the woods with her friend, the boy, following close behind, but soon the two children lose track of the fox. Wandering deeper and deeper into the forest, they come across a tall hedge with an archway. What do they find on the other side? A marvelous village of miniature stone cottages, tiny treehouses, and, most extraordinary of all, woodland creatures of every shape and size. But where is the little fox? And how will they find him? WELL, THAT WAS AWKWARD by Rachel Vail (Viking Books for Young Readers) Gracie has never felt like this before.  One day, she suddenly can’t breathe, can’t walk, can’t anything—and the reason is standing right there in front of her, all tall and weirdly good-looking: A.J. But it turns out A.J. likes not Gracie but Gracie’s beautiful best friend, Sienna. Obviously Gracie is happy for Sienna. Super happy! She helps Sienna compose the best texts, responding to A.J.’s surprisingly funny and appealing texts, just as if she were Sienna. Because Gracie is fine. Always! She’s had lots of practice being the sidekick, second-best. It’s all good. Well, almost all. She’s trying.

    DEAD LETTERS by Caite Dolan-Leach In this sharp and clever debut novel of suspense, a young woman—presumed dead—leaves a series of clues for her twin sister, which leads her on a scavenger-hunt-like quest to solve the mystery of her disappearance.   HEY HARRY, HEY MATILDA by Rachel Hulin Hey Harry, Hey Matilda is the story—told entirely in hilarious emails—of fraternal twins Harry and Matilda Goodman as they fumble into adulthood, telling lies and keeping secrets, and finally confronting their complicated twinship.   ARROWOOD by Laura McHugh Arrowood is the most ornate and beautiful of the grand historical houses that line the Mississippi river in southern Iowa where the days are long and humid and communities are small and closed. It has its own secrets and ghostly presence: it’s where two small twin girls were abducted twenty years previously – never to be seen again…   ELEANOR by Jason Gurley Eleanor and Esmerelda are identical twins, inseparable until a terrible accident claims Esmerelda’s life. Eleanor’s family is left in tatters and Eleanor is forced to grow up quickly as she becomes the target of her mother’s grief-fueled rage. Years pass, and at fifteen, Eleanor’s painful reality begins to unravel in inexplicable ways.   I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN by Jandy Nelson Ages 14 And Up The Printz Medal winner and Stonewall Honor book! At thirteen, Jude and her twin brother are NoahandJude; inseparable. Noah draws constantly and harbors has a crush on the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude cliff-dives and wears red-red lipstick and does all the talking for both of them. At sixteen, they are barely speaking. In between, something has happened to wreck the twins in different yet equally devastating ways.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection: Twin Lit

PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction EVICTED: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond (Crown) PEN Open Book Award WHAT IS NOT YOURS IS NOT YOURS by Helen Oyeyemi (Riverhead Books) PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award PATIENT H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness, and Family Secrets by Luke Dittrich (Random House) PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sports Writing INDENTURED: The Inside Story of the Rebellion Against the NCAA by Joe Nocero and  Ben Strauss (Portfolio) Warm congratulations to all of our award-winning authors, their editors and publishers. To view the complete winners’ list announced today, click here. Additional 2017 PEN America Literary Awards recipients will be revealed at the PEN Ceremony March 27 at The New School’s Auditorium in NYC. PEN/Jean Stein Book Award KNOWN AND STRANGE THINGS by Teju Cole (Random House) THE RETURN: Fathers, Sons, and the Land in Between by Hisham Matar (Random House) DARK MONEY: The Hidden History of The Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right by Jane Mayer (Doubleday) THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday) PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction THE MOTHERS by Brit Bennett (Riverhead Books) HOMEGOING by Yaa Gyasi  (Alfred A Knopf) PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay KNOWN AND STRANGE THINGS by Teju Cole (Random House)

Coogan, the film had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival on February 10 and is scheduled to be released on May 5 by The Orchard, a Sony Music Entertainment company. Watch the trailer: First published in the fall of 2013, THE DINNER was heralded as “a European GONE GIRL” byThe Wall Street Journal.  Skewering everything from parenting values to pretentious menus to political convictions, the narrative reveals the dark side of genteel society and asks what each of us would do in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

picture and best documentary categories. Movie fans, we invite you to compliment your viewing with some cinematic reading… NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE: FENCES by August Wilson Now a Major Motion Picture directed by, and starring, Denzel Washington alongside Viola Davis. As a play, Fences won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. “In his work, Mr. Wilson depicted the struggles of black Americans with uncommon lyrical richness, theatrical density and emotional heft, in plays that give vivid voices to people on the frayed margins of life.”—The New York Times   ARRIVAL by Ted Chiang Arrival is the movie tie-in edition of the book previously published as Stories of Your Life and Others, one of the most award-winning science-fiction collections of all time. The movie stars Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker.   LION by Saroo Brierley First it was a media sensation. Then it became the #1 international bestsellerA Long Way Home. Now it’s “Lion”, the major motion picture starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, and Rooney Mara—nominated for six Academy Awards! This is the miraculous and triumphant story of Saroo Brierley, a young man who used Google Earth to rediscover his childhood life and home in an incredible journey from India to Australia and back again…   LION: A LONG WAY HOME YOUNG READERS’ EDITION by Saroo Brierley On Sale February 28, 2017; Ages 10 And Up The young readers’ edition of the true story that inspired the film. When Saroo Brierley used Google Earth to find his long-lost hometown half a world away, he made global headlines. Saroo had become lost on a train in India at the age of five. Not knowing the name of his family or where he was from, he survived for weeks on the streets of Kolkata before being taken into an orphanage and adopted by a couple in Australia.   NOMINATED FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY: I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO: A Companion Edition to the Documentary Film Directed by Raoul Peck by James Baldwin, Raoul Peck Each line of narration in Raoul Peck’s remarkable film I Am Not Your Negro is taken directly from Baldwin’s writings, letters, and interviews, or video clips featuring him. The film’s starting point is the most famous book Baldwin never wrote: in his final years, he had begun work on a book about Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King. His deeply personal notes for the project have never been published before.   For more on all editions of these titles visit the collection: Oscar 2017 Tie-ins

The biopic tells the story of Henrietta Lacks (played by Ms. Goldsberry of Hamilton fame), the black woman whose cells — which were harvested without her permission as she lay dying from cancer in 1951 — led to the discovery of the polio vaccine, in vitro fertilization, and gene mapping. The story is told through the eyes of her daughter Deborah (Winfrey), who teams up with Ms. Skloot (Byrne) to learn about the mother she never knew. George C. Wolfe, who adapted and directed the film, told Entertainment Weekly: “The book connects the epic with the intimate, and that’s the movie’s ambition. This woman’s cells helped heal the planet, yet her children were suffering. They didn’t know their mother’s story, even though they were living in the shadows of Johns Hopkins. I found that dichotomy incredibly moving.” Watch the trailer here. Last fall, Ms. Skloot’s book also sparked a group of Oakland, California middle school students to produce and star in a rap video that took social media by storm. Read about the phenomenon in our story: Must-Watch Rap Video by Middle Schoolers Inspired by Rebecca Skloot’s Bestseller

form – who once actually said, ‘A novel is a story that hasn’t figured out how to be short yet.’ But then, one day in September 2015, the draft appeared in my inbox, with a simple message: ‘Here it is.’ I opened the file. It was … historical fiction. It was … a story told by ghosts … in a swirling chorus of voices, oral-history style … unfolding in a graveyard over the course of a single night in 1862 … starring Abraham Lincoln and his recently departed, 11-year-old son, Willie… a novel that blended fiction and nonfiction. But given that it’s George, I can’t say I was surprised. Thrilled is probably the better word. Thrilled by the formal innovation, the total commitment to the idea, and the central story of a father trying to come to terms with the loss of his beloved son.” In a New York Times Book Review cover review of LINCOLN IN THE BARDO, Penguin Random House author Colson Whitehead wrote, in part, “It’s a very pleasing thing to watch a writer you have enjoyed for years reach an even higher level of achievement. To observe him or her consolidate strengths, share with us new reserves of talent and provide the inspiration that can only come from a true artist charting hidden creative territory. George Saunders pulled that trick off with Tenth of December…. How gratifying and unexpected that he has repeated the feat with Lincoln in the Bardo, his first novel and a luminous feat of generosity and humanism…. Here is a crucible for a heroic American identity: fearful but unflagging; hopeful even in tragedy; staggering, however tentatively, toward a better world. The father must say goodbye to his son, the son must say goodbye to the father. Abraham Lincoln must stop being the father to a lost boy and assume his role as a father to a nation, one on the brink of cataclysm.” More praise has been heaped on Mr. Saunders and LINCOLN IN THE BARDO. Here is a small sampling: “Opening a George Saunders book feels like falling into a lucid dream: a world so fantastically vivid and strange that it wouldn’t be entirely surprising to wake up and find some new, untraceable stamp on your passport. A master of the short form for more than two decades, Saunders has finally produced his first full length novel — though that word hardly begins to convey the literary wonder contained within its pages, an extraordinary alchemy of free-verse ghost story, tender father-son devotional, and backdoor presidential biography….wild high-wire pastiche. He’s always been a dazzlingly clever voice in fiction, but Bardo is something else: a heartfelt marvel, sad and funny and surreal.” — Entertainment Weekly “A stunning depiction of the sixteenth President’s psyche … witty and garrulous … Saunders does a fine job—and has a fine time—quickening his little necropolis to literary life…These are the voices of fiction, not history, but they are also the voices of history still having to be made, with whatever hopelessness, in whatever time.”—New Yorker “A brilliant, Buddhist reimagining of an American story of great loss and great love… Saunders has risen an unsentimental novel of Shakespearean proportions, gorgeously stuffed with tragic characters, bawdy humor, terrifying visions, throat-catching tenderness, and a galloping narrative, all twined around the luminous cord connecting a father and son and backlit by a nation engulfed in fire.”—Elle In case you missed it, check out this recent feature: Nearly 60 Colleagues Featured on George Saunders’ LINCOLN IN THE BARDO Random House Audio Title

FICTION I SEE YOU by Clare Mackintosh (Berkley) The author of the New York Times bestseller I LET YOU GO propels readers into a dark and claustrophobic thriller, in which a normal, everyday woman becomes trapped in the confines of her normal, everyday world. Every morning and evening, Zoe Walker takes the same route to the train station, waits at a certain place on the platform, finds her favorite spot in the car, never suspecting that someone is watching her. And now that man on the train—the one smiling at Zoe from across the car—could be more than just a friendly stranger. He could be someone who has deliberately chosen her and is ready to make his next move. THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE by Mariana Enriquez (Hogarth) THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE is an arresting collection of 12 short stories that use fear and horror to explore multiple dimensions of life in contemporary Argentina. From women who set themselves on fire in protest of domestic violence to angst-ridden teenage girls, friends until death do they part, to street kids and social workers, young women bored of their husbands or boyfriends, to a nine-year-old serial killer of babies and a girl who pulls out her nails and eyelids in the classroom, to hikikomori, abandoned houses, black magic, northern Argentinean superstition, disappearances, crushes, heartbreak, regret and compassion. THE SCHOOLDAYS OF JESUS: A Novel by J.M. Coetzee (Viking) Davíd is the small boy who is always asking questions. Simón and Inés take care of him in their new town, Estrella. He is learning the language; he has begun to make friends. But he’ll be seven soon and he should be at school. And so, with the guidance of the three sisters who own the farm where Simón and Inés work, Davíd is enrolled in the Academy of Dance. It’s here, in his new golden dancing slippers, that he learns how to call down the numbers from the sky. But it’s here, too, that he will make troubling discoveries about what grown-ups are capable of. In this mesmerizing allegorical tale, Coetzee deftly grapples with the big questions of growing up, of what it means to be a “parent,” the constant battle between intellect and emotion and how we choose to live our lives. DEAD LETTERS by Caite Dolan-Leach (Random House) Ava Antipova has her reasons for running away: a failing family vineyard, a romantic betrayal, a mercurial sister, an absent father, a mother slipping into dementia. In Paris, Ava renounces her terribly practical undergraduate degree, acquires a French boyfriend and a taste for much better wine, and erases her past. Two years later, she must return to upstate New York. Her twin sister, Zelda, is dead. Even in a family of alcoholics, Zelda Antipova was the wild one, notorious for her mind games and destructive behavior. Stuck tending the vineyard and the girls’ increasingly unstable mother, Zelda was allegedly burned alive when she passed out in the barn with a lit cigarette. But Ava finds the official explanation a little too neat. A little too Zelda. Then she receives a cryptic message—from her sister. Just as Ava suspected, Zelda’s playing one of her games. In fact, she’s outdone herself, leaving a series of clues about her disappearance. NONFICTION THE INKBLOTS by Damion Searls (Crown) In 1917, working alone in a remote Swiss asylum, psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach devised an experiment to probe the human mind: a set of ten carefully designed inkblots. For years he had grappled with the theories of Freud and Jung while also absorbing the aesthetic movements of the day, from Futurism to Dadaism. A visual artist himself, Rorschach had come to believe that who we are is less a matter of what we say, as Freud thought, than what we see. In this first-ever biography of Rorschach, Damion Searls draws on unpublished letters and diaries and a cache of previously unknown interviews with Rorschach’s family, friends, and colleagues to tell the unlikely story of the test’s creation, its controversial reinvention, and its remarkable endurance—and what it all reveals about the power of perception. OTHER PEOPLE by David Shields (Knopf) An intellectually thrilling and emotionally wrenching investigation of otherness: the need for one person to understand another person completely, the impossibility of any such absolute knowing, and the erotics of this separation. Can one person know another person? How do we live through other people? Is it possible to fill the gap between people? If not, can art fill that gap? Grappling with these questions, David Shields gives us a book that is something of a revelation: seventy-plus essays, written over the last thirty-five years, reconceived and recombined to form neither a miscellany nor a memoir but a sustained meditation on otherness. DEAR FRIEND, FROM MY LIFE I WRITE TO YOU IN YOUR LIFE by Yiyun Li (Random House) Yiyun Li grew up in China and has spent her adult life as an immigrant in a country not her own. She has been a scientist, an author, a mother, a daughter—and through it all she has been sustained by a profound connection with the writers and books she loves. From William Trevor and Katherine Mansfield to Søren Kierkegaard and Philip Larkin, Dear Friend is a journey through the deepest themes that bind these writers together. Interweaving personal experiences with a wide-ranging homage to her most cherished literary influences, Yiyun Li confronts the two most essential questions of her identity: Why write? And why live? THE LEADING BRAIN by Friederike Fabritius and Hans W. Hagemann (TarcherPerigee) There’s a revolution taking place that most businesses are still unaware of. The understanding of how our brains work has radically shifted, exploding long-held myths about our everyday cognitive performance and fundamentally changing the way we engage and succeed in the workplace. Based on the authors’ popular leadership programs, which have been delivered to tens of thousands of leaders all over the world, this clear, insightful, and engaging book will help both individuals and teams perform at their maximum potential, delivering extraordinary results. POETRY TEN WINDOWS: How Great Poems Transform the World by Jane Hirshfield (Knopf) “Poetry,” Jane Hirshfield has said, “is language that foments revolutions of being.” In ten eloquent and highly original explorations, she unfolds some of the ways this is done–by the inclusion of hiddenness, paradox, and surprise; by a perennial awareness of the place of uncertainty in our lives; by language’s own acts of discovery; by the powers of image, statement, music, and feeling to enlarge in every direction. Closely reading poems by Dickinson, Bashō, Szymborska, Cavafy, Heaney, Bishop, and Komunyakaa, among others, Hirshfield reveals how poetry’s world-making takes place: word by charged word. THE BEAUTY by Jane Hirshfield (Knopf) The Beauty opens with a series of dappled, ranging “My” poems–“My Skeleton,” “My Corkboard,” “My Species,” “My Weather”–in which Hirshfield uses materials both familiar and unexpected to explore the magnitude, singularity, and permeability of our shared existence. Of her memory, she writes, “Like the small soaps and shampoos / a traveler brings home / then won’t use, / you, memory, / almost weightless / this morning inside me.” With a pen faithful to the actual yet dipped at times in the ink of the surreal, Hirshfield cuts, as always, directly to the heart of human experience. YOUNG READERS STEPPIN’ OUT by Lin Oliver, illustrated by Tomie DePaola (Nancy Paulsen Books) Being a preschooler means days full of discovery every time you step out of your door. It’s a time filled with wonder, at all the sights and sounds of the outdoors and at the huge variety of people there are to meet. This collection of nineteen original poems features little ones eager to explore, whether it’s splashing in puddles, riding in an elevator or through a car wash, or visiting the library. They go full-steam ahead to the park, the beach, and dance class, somewhat begrudgingly learn to share and get their first haircut, and enjoy lots of time with their families. Full of contagious rhythm and rhyme, this inviting picture book introduces young children to the sounds of poetry through familiar childhood activities. OPTIMISTS DIE FIRST by Susin Nielsen (Wendy Lamb Books) Sixteen-year-old Petula de Wilde is anything but wild. A former crafting fiend with a happy life, Petula shut herself off from the world after a family tragedy. She sees danger in all the ordinary things, like crossing the street, a bug bite, or a germy handshake. She knows: life is out to get you. The worst part of her week is her comically lame mandatory art therapy class with a small group of fellow misfits. Then a new boy, Jacob, appears at school and in her therapy group. He seems so normal and confident, though he has a prosthetic arm; and soon he teams up with Petula on a hilarious project, gradually inspiring her to let go of some of her fears. But as the two grow closer, a hidden truth behind why he’s in the group could derail them, unless Petula takes a huge risk. EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IS NOT RUINED by Danielle Younge-Ullman (Viking Books for Young Readers) Wild meets The Breakfast Club in this story of a girl who must survive an extreme wilderness experience to prove to her mother that she has the strength to pursue her dreams. Then: Ingrid traveled all over Europe with her opera star mother, Margot-Sophia. Life was beautiful and bright, and every day soared with music.Now: Ingrid is on a summertime wilderness survival trek for at-risk teens: addicts, runaways, and her. She’s fighting to survive crushing humiliations, physical challenges that push her to her limits, and mind games that threaten to break her. THE DRAGON’S PRICE (A TRANSFERENCE NOVEL) by Bethany Wiggins (Crown Books for Young Readers) When two warring kingdoms unified against a deadly menace laying waste to both their lands, they had to make a choice: vow to marry their heirs to one another, or forfeit their lives to the dragon. Centuries later, everyone expects the sheltered princess Sorrowlynn to choose the barbarian prince over the fire-breathing beast—everyone, that is, except Sorrow, who is determined to control her own destiny or die trying. As she is lowered into the dragon’s chamber, she assumes her life is over until Golmarr, the young prince she just spurned, follows her with the hopes of being her hero and slaying the dragon. But the dragon has a different plan.

Brazilian publishing. He co-founded Companhia das Letras, with his wife, the historian and anthropologist Lilia Moritz Schwarcz, in 1986. Since then, it has made a profound and unique contribution to book publishing in Brazil, having published over 5,000 titles across fiction and nonfiction. In October 2016, the company celebrated its 30th anniversary; and according to Nielsen’s report that year the Companhia das Letras Group held the largest market share of trade publishing in Brazil. Luiz Schwarcz “I feel deeply honored,” said Mr. Schwarcz, “and also humbled to receive the news that I have been granted the Lifetime Achievement Award by The London Book Fair. Honored to be part of this incredible group of publishers that includes some of my heroes. And humbled as I always think that part of my job is to help authors to be awarded and that all the prizes should go to them. I am particularly happy to have my name next to Deborah Rogers’, one of my greatest friends in publishing and whom I admire and deeply miss. I consider that the award is for all the people who helped me to build Companhia das Letras.” The London Book Fair’s Advisory Board, under the chairmanship of David Roche, Non-Executive Chair, The London Book Fair, voted for Mr. Schwarcz from a shortlist of international publishing figures. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has made a truly significant mark in the sphere of global publishing. It is open to publishers, agents, editors, scouts and anyone else involved in international publishing from any country in the world. Last year the award was presented to Baroness Gail Rebuck DBE, Chair, Penguin Random House UK Board. The Lifetime Achievement Award in International Publishing will be presented at the International Excellence Awards on March 14 in London.

The announcement was made by Crown Archetype Vice President and Editorial Director Tricia Boczkowski. The book will be released simultaneously in the United States and Canada in print and digital formats on November 7, 2017. Crown Archetype Executive Editor Jennifer Schuster acquired North American, electronic book, audio, and first-serial rights from Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management on behalf of Paper Lantern Lit, and will edit the book. Said Ms. Boczkowski, “While many know Krysten Ritter for her acting, the publication of BONFIRE will showcase her prowess as a contemporary storyteller. In this terrific first novel, Ritter has crafted a smart and fast-paced read that includes all the hallmarks of great thriller writing: tension, suspense, and a strong female protagonist. We’re thrilled to be publishing her debut novel.” Said Ms. Ritter, “As a huge fan of psychological suspense novels, I was so thrilled to take on the challenge of writing my first book. This was an exciting opportunity for me to explore a character journey and really get inside the head of my protagonist, a process that has a lot in common with how I prepare to play a role.” Informed by real-life instances of local conspiracy, BONFIRE is a multilayer psychological thriller about a woman forced to confront her past in the wake of small-town corruption. Twenty-eight-year-old Abby Williams returns to her small hometown after a ten-year absence as an environmental lawyer sent to investigate Optimal Plastics, the town’s largest company and economic heart, accused of illegal dumping of toxic chemicals in local water. Abby’s findings lead her to revisit the town’s biggest scandal—the disappearance of a girl who had been one of Abby’s prime torturers in high school. As Abby tries to find out what really happened all those years ago, she unearths an even more disturbing secret, the scope of which is far bigger and more twisted than she could have imagined. With tantalizing twists, slow-burning suspense, and a remote rural town of just five claustrophobic miles, BONFIRE is a dark exploration of the question, can you ever outrun your past? Growing up on a small-town farm in rural Pennsylvania, Ms. Ritter started her career in front of the camera as a model at fifteen years old. Her body of work has subsequently spanned film, television, theater, writing, producing, music, and fashion design. Ritter’s work in film includes Big Eyes, Listen Up Philip, Life Happens, Confessions of a Shopaholic, and She’s Out of My League. She is the founder of Silent Machine, a production company that aims to highlight complex female protagonists. BONFIRE is her first book.

to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers…Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.” We hope you enjoy this distinctive collection of presidential fiction and nonfiction – new and notable:   LINCOLN IN THE BARDO: A NOVEL by George Saunders The captivating first novel by George Saunders, about Abraham Lincoln and the death of his eleven-year-old son, Willie, at the dawn of the Civil War. On February 22, 1862, two days after his death, Willie Lincoln was laid to rest in a marble crypt in a Georgetown cemetery. That very night, shattered by grief, Abraham Lincoln arrives at the cemetery under cover of darkness and visits the crypt, alone, to spend time with his son’s body. Set over the course of that one night and populated by ghosts of the recently passed and the long dead, Lincoln in the Bardo is a thrilling exploration of death, grief, the powers of good and evil.   SECRET LIVES OF THE U.S. PRESIDENTS: STRANGE STORIES AND SHOCKING TRIVIA FROM INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE by Cormac O’Brien This updated and redesigned edition of Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents features outrageous and uncensored profiles of our commanders in chief—complete with hundreds of little-known, politically incorrect, and downright wacko facts.   WASHINGTON: A LIFE by Ron Chernow The Pulitzer Prize-winning portrait of the first president of the United States from the author of Alexander Hamilton, the biography that inspired the musical. Chernow’s biography provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation.   FOR YOUNGER READERS   THE PRESIDENTS VISUAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  (DK Children’s); Ages 9 to 12 A visual reference guide for kids that presents a unique insight into the lives of each one of the 45 presidents of the United States, from George Washington to Donald Trump. Created in association with the Smithsonian Institution. Kids can explore the lives of America’s 45 presidents, as well as notable first ladies, famous speeches, and major constitutional events.   GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY: A MOSTLY TRUE TALE by Margaret McNamara, Illustrated by Barry Blitt; Ages 4 to 8 A perfect President’s Day picture book biography from award-winning author Margaret McNamara and New Yorker artist Barry Blitt comes this partly true and completely funny story of George Washington’s 7th birthday. In this clever approach to history, readers will discover the truths and myths about George Washington.   LOOKING AT LINCOLN by Maira Kalman; Ages 5 to 8 Who was Lincoln really? This little girl wants to find out. She discovers, among other things, that our sixteenth president was a man who believed in freedom for all; had a dog named Fido; loved Mozart, apples, and his wife’s vanilla cake; and kept his notes in his hat. From his boyhood in a log cabin to his famous presidency and untimely death, Maira Kalman shares Lincoln’s remarkable life with young readers in a fresh and exciting way.   For more on these and related titles visit: PRESIDENTS’ DAY

reader Sarah Jessica Parker is partnering with the ALA to serve as the Honorary Chair of Book Club Central. As honorary chair, Ms. Parker will provide a selection of recommended titles for Book Club Central throughout the year. She will unveil her inaugural pick at the official launch of Book Club Central, which will take place during the President’s Program at the ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago on Saturday, June 24, at 3:30 p.m. at McCormick Place West. “I can’t think of anyone more perfect than Sarah Jessica Parker to be the American Library Association chair of Book Club Central,” said ALA President Julie Todaro. “Ms. Parker is an advocate for libraries and literacy issues, has served on a Presidential Task Force to integrate literature and drama into schools, has experience starting a book club, is the Editorial Director of a new line of books: SJP for Hogarth, and is – most importantly – a lifelong reader who shares her love of reading with others. The ALA is lucky to be able to share Ms. Parker’s passion and expertise with book clubs and readers everywhere.” Said Ms. Parker, “From an early age, books were my constant companions and my local library a place I could find a new friend on every shelf. It is a great honor and privilege to partner with the American Library Association and Book Club Central. I’m thrilled to help champion original voices for dedicated readers as well as for a new generation, supporting libraries in what they do best.” Ms. Parker recently launched SJP for Hogarth in partnership with Molly Stern, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Crown, Hogarth, Broadway, Crown Archetype, and Three Rivers Press. SJP for Hogarth will selectively publish high-quality works of fiction by both established writers and distinctive emerging voice with critical and commercial promise. In this new role, Ms. Parker will be involved in all aspects of the publication process, from their selection and acquisition to cover design and promotion with her vision providing the editorial foundation for each publication. Libraries and librarians are champions of reading and fostering love of books. Whether it’s through early literacy programs for children, one-on-one tutoring or community-wide reading initiatives known as “One Book, One Community,” libraries and librarians are transforming lives through reading and lifelong learning. According to Pew Research, more than 78 percent of Americans believe that libraries are effective at promoting literacy and love of reading. Book Club Central is being designed to provide the public with the very best in reading. Book Club Central partners include Booklist, the book review magazine of the ALA, and United for Libraries, a division of the ALA.  

Follow-Up, featuring an exclusive interview with Mr. Pullman. Here is an excerpt: For readers and booksellers, this is news to rival the discovery of a new Harry Potter story. “His Dark Materials” has sold more than 17.5 million copies around the world. It spawned a Hollywood movie, The Golden Compass, and a hit stage adaptation. The new book begins a decade before the start of the original trilogy, but Mr. Pullman says it is not a prequel. Nor is it a sequel. Mr. Pullman prefers to call it an “equel,” or companion story. “The first part will deal with something that happened when Lyra was less than 1 year old,” he said. “So in that sense she’s the center of the story, but she’s not actually an agent in the story. She is acted upon, so to speak, by other people who are very important. The second part, which will come out later, will deal with events when Lyra is about 20.” Read the full AP article here. NPR’s Morning Edition is airing an approximately 10-minute taped interview, Author Philip Pullman Announces A Follow-Up Trilogy To ‘His Dark Materials’.  Access it here.

by such award-winning actors as Nick Offerman, Carrie Brownstein, Lena Dunham, Ben Stiller, Julianne Moore, Susan Sarandon, Bill Hader and Rainn Wilson. A number of musicians, fellow authors, Saunders’ family and friends also participated. Kelly Gildea directed and produced this audiobook. Random House publishes the hardcover and eBook editions. Unfolding in a graveyard over the course of a single night and narrated by a dazzling chorus of voices both living and dead, LINCOLN IN THE BARDO is an exploration of struggle, death, love and the powers of good and evil. On February 22, 1862, a grief-stricken Abraham Lincoln visits the crypt where his eleven-year-old son was just laid to rest so that he might hold his boy’s body once more. LINCOLN IN THE BARDO is a story told in a thrilling new form that features a theatrical panorama of voices, which reflect how varied the America of that time was by using high diction and low diction, along with beautifully articulate 19th century letters and obscene rants. The audiobook simulates that diversity of voice intended within the book. “I love the idea that by casting actors and non-actors,” Saunders says, “we were able to simulate that ‘I hear America singing’ notion.” Watch  this video: George Saunders on the LINCOLN IN  THE BARDO Audiobook Here is the complete list of participating Penguin Random House colleagues, preceded by the characters (in order of appearance) they gave voice to: DAVID VON DREHLE – Benjamin Dreyer MRS. KATE O’BRIEN – Barbara Fillon ANN BRIGHNEY – Mika Kasuga BERNADETTE EVON – Dhara Parikh DOLORES P. LEVENTROP – Molly Turpin I.B. BRIGG III – Greg Kubie ALBERT TRUNDLE – Lane Jantzen MAXWELL FLAGG – Richard Romaniello TYRON PHILIAN – Jeff Kenyon A SPRINGFIELD NEIGHBOR – Amanda D’Acierno SIMON WEBER – Michael Goldsmith SIMON IVERNESS – Joe Scalora BENJAMIN BROWN FRENCH – Andy Hughes MR. MAXWELL BOISE – Andy Ward JASON TUMM – Dan Musselman SOLDIER (from Bell/Trust) – Noah Eaker C.R. DEPAGE – Louise Quayle JAYNE COSTER – Hilary Redmon JAMES R. GILMORE – Ben Greenberg MARTIN P.S. RINDLAUB – Aaron Blank ROBERT WILSON – Robert Guzman F.B. CARPENTER – Peter Mendesund JOHN S. BARNES – Simon Katz JOHN WIDMER – Michael Gentile THE UTICA “HERALD” – Richard Wylde ORLANDO B. FICKLIN – Phil Stamper-Halpin JAMES MINER – Mike Murray A JOURNALIST (from Piatt) – Sean Baker HORACE WHITE – Cesar Guadamuz SENATOR JAMES HARLAN – Eric Lovaas NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE – David McLaughlin CORDELIA A.P. HARVEY – Susan Kamil CHARLES A. DANA – Patrick Billard ABRAHAM M. GORDON – Oliver Mundy EDWARD J. KEMPF – Tom Russell REV. GEORGE C. NOYES – Simon Tepas CLARK E. CARR – Bill Rood COLONEL THEODORE LYMAN – Bob Quinto W.A. CROFFUT – Henry Williams ALLEN THORNDIKE RICE – Thomas Perry DAVID LOCKE – Dan Zitt LARRY TAGG – David Weller GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN – Hugo Bressin EDWARD EVERETT – Pat Stango CONGRESSMAN CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS – David Haase TOBIAN CLEARLY – David Phethean JAMES SPICER – Greg Wilson B. MILLBANK – Robin Schiff THEODORE BLASGEN – Michael Rotondo MAUREEN H. HEDGES – Jennifer Rubins ELIZABETH TODD GRIMSLEY – Alaina Waagner LEONARD SWETT – Sam Nicholson “LINCOLN LORE” – Leigh Marchant THOMAS J. CRAUGHWELL – Jeff Weber EMILY WEDGE – Caitlin McKenna MATHILDE WILLIAMS – Avideh Bashirrad MRS. ANTOINETTE BOXER – Kelly Gildea

allowing viewers the opportunity to witness how education can break the cycle of poverty. The book shows how educating girls in developing countries can vastly improve their quality of life in just one generation. “I had to publish this book—the topic is so important, and the stories of the girls in the stunning film by Girl Rising that inspired it are so powerful and affecting,” said Wendy Lamb, Vice President and Publishing Director, Wendy Lamb Books. “I knew that Tanya Lee Stone would find just the right approach to take the stories in the film in a new direction in her book. GIRL RISING is a call to action for America’s young people. This book has the potential to inspire readers to become a force for lasting change.” Tanya Lee Stone said, “Working on GIRL RISING changed me. It expanded my scope of the world and inspired both deep compassion and extreme awe. I was continually conscious of the comforts I take for granted while I work from my warm house, with plenty of food, clean water, and free school for my children. I am eternally grateful for the education I gained from discovering these girls and women who persevered through the darkest and direst of conditions.” In conjunction with the team behind the Girl Rising film and Ms. Stone, Random House Children’s Books launched the #MyGirlRising social media campaign last week. The goal of the campaign is to find and highlight women around the world who are making positive changes in their communities.  It’s easy to join the #MyGirlRising conversation:

• Post a photo on Twitter and/or Instagram and nominate the inspiring girl or woman in your life.
• For each picture posted using #MyGirlRising, @RandomHouseKids will donate $5 to @GirlRising (up to $5,000) in celebration of the new Girl Rising book and women everywhere.
• Follow the hashtag #MyGirlRising on Twitter and Instagram.

Instagram posts that highlight a book set in each state, paired with an object that is representative of the state. Curated ReadDown book lists will offer additional reading recommendations for each state. #UnitedStatesOfBooks kicked off in January 2017, and will run through the end of the year. The states will be presented on the site during the coming months in the order in which they joined the union, having started with Delaware, and to conclude with Hawaii. Readers are encouraged to use hashtag #UnitedStatesOfBooks on Instagram to discuss their favorite books, iconic objects, and images related to each state. Related ReadDown lists for each state can be found by swiping up on an Instagram story. The states, books, and objects that have been featured to date include:

• Delaware: The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez and Dogfish Head Ales

• Pennsylvania: Miller’s Valley by Anna Quindlen and Hershey Kisses

• New Jersey: Drown by Junot Diaz and bagels

• Georgia: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt and sweet tea

• Connecticut: Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates and autumn leaves

• Massachusetts: Little Women by Luisa May Alcott and Homesick Candles  

  “We invite readers to join Penguin Random House on an armchair literary tour of the #UnitedStatesOfBooks to better understand the different voices, values, perspectives, and stories that make our country a unique place,” said Kristen O’Connell, Senior Director, Consumer Marketing and Social Media, at Penguin Random House. “The #UnitedStatesOfBooks is one of the many ways we are helping readers discover their next great read and engage in discussion about the world in which we live, through books, and the sharing of them on social media.”  

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About Penguin Random House Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, is dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. The company, which employs more than 10,000 people globally, was formed on July 1, 2013, by Bertelsmann and Pearson, who own 53 percent and 47 percent, respectively. With nearly 250 independent imprints and brands on five continents, Penguin Random House comprises adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital English- and Spanish-language trade book publishing businesses in more than 20 countries worldwide. With over 15,000 new titles, and close to 800 million print, audio and eBooks sold annually, Penguin Random House’s publishing lists include more than 60 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

FICTION LINCOLN IN THE BARDO by George Saunders (Random House) The long-awaited first novel from George Saunders comes a moving and original father-son story featuring none other than Abraham Lincoln, as well as an unforgettable cast of supporting characters, living and dead, historical and invented. LINCOLN IN THE BARDO is an astonishing feat of imagination and a bold step forward from one of the most important and influential writers of his generation. Formally daring, generous in spirit, deeply concerned with matters of the heart, it is a testament to fiction’s ability to speak honestly and powerfully to the things that really matter to us. Saunders has invented a thrilling new form that deploys a kaleidoscopic, theatrical panorama of voices to ask a timeless, profound question: How do we live and love when we know that everything we love must end? GUNMETAL GRAY by Mark Greaney (Berkley) After five years on the run Court Gentry is back on the inside at the CIA. But his first mission makes him wish he had stayed on the outs when a pair of Chinese agents try to take him down in Hong Kong. Normally the Chinese prefer to stay eyes-only on foreign agents. So why are they on such high alert? Court’s high stakes hunt for answers takes him across Southeast Asia and leads to his old friend, Donald Fitzroy, who is being held hostage by the Chinese. Fitzroy was contracted to find Fan Jiang, a former member of an ultra-secret computer warfare unit responsible for testing China’s own security systems. And it seems Fan may have been too good at his job—because China wants him dead. THE CHILBURY LADIES’ CHOIR by Jennifer Ryan (Crown) Through letters and journals, THE CHILBURY LADIES’ CHOIRunfolds the struggles, affairs, deceptions, and triumphs of a village choir during World War II. As England becomes enmeshed in the early days of World War II and the men are away fighting, the women of Chilbury village forge an uncommon bond. They defy the Vicar’s stuffy edict to close the choir and instead “carry on singing,” resurrecting themselves as the Chilbury Ladies’ Choir. We come to know the home-front struggles of five unforgettable choir members: a timid widow devastated when her only son goes to fight; the older daughter of a local scion drawn to a mysterious artist; her younger sister pining over an impossible crush; a Jewish refugee from Czechoslovakia hiding a family secret, and a conniving midwife plotting to outrun her seedy past. WE WERE THE LUCKY ONES: A Novel by Georgia Hunter (Viking) It is the spring of 1939 and three generations of the Kurc family are doing their best to live normal lives, even as the shadow of war grows closer. The talk around the family Seder table is of new babies and budding romance, not of the increasing hardships threatening Jews in their hometown of Radom, Poland. But soon the horrors overtaking Europe will become inescapable and the Kurcs will be flung to the far corners of the world, each desperately trying to navigate his or her own path to safety. Driven by an unwavering will to survive and by the fear that they may never see one another again, the Kurcs must rely on hope, ingenuity, and inner strength to persevere. SHADOWBAHN by Steve Erickson (Blue Rider Press) A chronicle of a weird road trip, a provocative work of alternative history, and a dazzling discography of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, encompassing artists from Louis Armstrong and Billie Holliday to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, SHADOWBAHN is a richly allusive meditation on the meaning of American identity and of America itself.     NONFICTION FED UP by Danielle Booth (Portfolio Books) In the early 2000s, as a Wall Street escapee writing a financial column for the Dallas Morning News, Booth attracted attention for her bold criticism of the Fed’s low interest rate policies and her cautionary warnings about the bubbly housing market. Nobody was more surprised than she when the folks at the Dallas Federal Reserve invited her aboard. Figuring she could have more of an impact on Fed policies from the inside, she accepted the call to duty and rose to be one of Dallas Fed president Richard Fisher’s closest advisors. To her dismay, the culture at the Fed–and its leadership–were not just ignorant of the brewing financial crisis, but indifferent to its very possibility. This book is Booth’s clarion for change in the way America’s most powerful financial institution is run, before it’s too late. NATURALLY NOURISHED by Sarah Britton (Clarkson Potter) Sarah Britton streamlines vegetarian cooking by bringing her signature bright photography and fantastic flavors to an accessible cookbook fit for any budget, any day of the week. Her mains, sides, soups, salads, and snacks all call for easy cooking techniques and ingredients found in any grocery store. With callouts to vegan and gluten-free options and ideas for substitutions, this beautiful cookbook shows readers how to cook smart, not hard. THE CANCER-FIGHTING KITCHEN, SECOND EDITION by Rebecca Katz and Mat Edelson (Ten Speed Press) Featuring science-based, nutrient-rich recipes that are easy to prepare and designed to give patients a much-needed boost by stimulating appetite and addressing treatment side effects including fatigue, nausea, dehydration, mouth and throat soreness, tastebud changes, and weight loss. A step-by-step guide helps patients nutritionally prepare for all phases of treatment, and a full nutritional analysis accompanies each recipe. This remarkable resource teaches patients and caregivers how to use readily available powerhouse ingredients to build a symptom- and cancer-fighting culinary toolkit. STAND YOUR GROUND by Caroline Light (Beacon Press) STAND YOUR GROUND explores the development of the American right to self-defense and reveals how the original “duty to retreat” from threat was transformed into a selective right to kill. In her rigorous genealogy, Light traces white America’s attachment to racialized, lethal self-defense by unearthing its complex legal and social histories—from the original “castle laws” of the 1600s, which gave white men the right to protect their homes, to the brutal lynching of “criminal” Black bodies during the Jim Crow era and the radicalization of the NRA as it transitioned from a sporting organization to one of our country’s most powerful lobbying forces. YOUNG READERS GIRL RISING by Tanya Lee Stone (Wendy Lamb Books) Girl Rising, a global campaign for girls’ education, created a film that chronicled the stories of nine girls in the developing world, allowing viewers the opportunity to witness how education can break the cycle of poverty. Now, award-winning author Tanya Lee Stone deftly uses new research to illuminate the dramatic facts behind the film, focusing both on the girls captured on camera and many others. She examines barriers to education in depth—early child marriage and childbearing, slavery, sexual trafficking, gender discrimination, and poverty—and shows how removing these barriers means not only a better life for girls, but safer, healthier, and more prosperous communities. THE VALIANT by Lesley Livingston (Razorbill) Fallon is the daughter of a proud Celtic king and the younger sister of the legendary fighter Sorcha. When Fallon was just a child, Sorcha was killed by the armies of Julius Caesar. On the eve of her seventeenth birthday, Fallon is excited to follow in her sister’s footsteps and earn her place in her father’s war band. She never gets the chance. Fallon is captured and sold to an elite training school for female gladiators—owned by none other than Julius Caesar himself. In a cruel twist of fate, the man who destroyed Fallon’s family might be her only hope of survival. THE LEGO® BATMAN MOVIE: THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE (DK) Packed with stunning concept art, sketches, artwork, inspiration, and LEGO builds, the book tells the fascinating story of how TheLEGO Batman Movie was made. Find out how your favorite heroes, villains, vehicles, and locations were created for the movie. Learn about each development stage of the movie, from the initial idea and storyboarding to recording the dialogue and special effects. Created in full collaboration with the LEGO Group and Warner Bros., The Making of The LEGO Batman Movie features exclusive insights from the filmmakers, animators, LEGO designers, and actors. CARNIVAL IN A FIX by Philip Reeve, illustrated by Sarah McIntyre (Random House Books for Young Readers) Journey to an amusement park on a moon! Funfair Moon, the outer space amusement park where Emily lives, has the highest roller coasters, the most dizzying Tilt-A-Whirls, and the scariest ghost train in the galaxy. Normally, Emily’s heroes Jinks and O’Hare keep it in tip-top shape. But the day the funfair inspector comes, everything goes wrong. Peeploid’s Merry-Go-Round and Fudge Shoppe is spinning out of control, gravity has reversed on the biggest slide, and there are strange little spiny black balls all over the place! Can Emily help fix the carnival before the inspector closes it for good? KEITH HARING: THE BOY WHO JUST KEPT DRAWING by Kay Haring, illustrated by Robert Neubecker (Dial Books for Young Readers) Iconic pop artist Keith Haring comes to life for young readers in this picture book biography lovingly written by his sister. This one-of-a-kind book explores the life and art of Keith Haring from his childhood through his meteoric rise to fame. It sheds light on this important artist’s great humanity, his concern for children, and his disregard for the establishment art world. Reproductions of Keith’s signature artwork appear in scenes boldly rendered by Robert Neubecker. This is a story to inspire, and a book for Keith Haring fans of all ages to treasure.

Hemali Sodhi, Senior Vice President, Marketing, and Publisher, Children’s, Penguin Random House India, filed the following report: The highlight of the festival was the Penguin pop-up cart, a mobile treasure trove of some of our most loved books and collectibles that bibliophiles can relate to. The cart is also part of our ongoing campaign for the year – #KeepReading – aimed at promoting reading anywhere, anytime, and providing a variety of reading content across genres to literary enthusiasts. Authors such as Sunil Khilnani, Devdutt Pattanaik, Ravinder Singh, and Sanjay Barua as well as other renowned personalities made appearances. In a country such as ours, where a huge proportion of the audience is still not online, there is a big opportunity that an offline mobile cart brings with it, standing out from the crowd of brands trying to compete for attention. It created a buzz around the message of reading and is a great medium to engage with customers better in an attempt to understand their book interests face to face. Some of the other highlights included the brand new Penguin Tent featured a traditional Rajasthani avatar, replete with ambis and camels. We also unveiled our 30th anniversary logo as part of the tent décor and anniversary titles –  an alluring selection of India’s most brilliant and visionary writing in the English language published over the last 30 years – including timeless classics like Kalidasa’sKumarasambhavam and Nehru’s An Autobiography as well as much-loved fiction like Vikram Seth’s The Golden Gate, Amitav Ghosh’s Sea of Poppies and Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth, among others. We also launched an interesting contest – #KeepTweeting – India’s first ever crowd-sourced Twitter book. The contest was launched by giving out the first line of the story and inviting users to keep adding on to the next lines till the story was complete. The idea was to create the first ever short story with 30 lines to commemorate our 30th anniversary in India. In addition to this, we also urged people visiting the festival to tweet their memories and pictures along with the five key elements at the Diggi Place – Kulhar Chai, Trees, Durbar Hall, Rajasthani food, and books. Festivities concluded with the inimitable Penguin Party at Sujan Rajamahal Palace, graced by a who’s-who of the literary circuit. To commemorate our 30th anniversary celebrations in India, Glenfiddich curated a special cocktail aptly named “The Flying Penguin,” created exclusively for the grand occasion. A special 3D tasting arena was set up by Glenfiddich for the guests to enjoy. As each Glenfiddich variant was poured into glasses, 3D projections on the table demonstrated the tasting notes and aging techniques of the drink. The year of India 30th celebrations has just begun for us, and there’s a lot more to watch out for throughout the year. Stay tuned for the latest news about our continuing birthday celebrations!

Fifty Shades Darker opens Thursday night with preview showings on more than 3,000 screens across North America. Here’s hoping that classic mantra “See the movie. Read the book” will be a popular call to action these coming days. Watch the Fifty Shades Darker film trailer from Universal Pictures here.

Random House Audio authors nominated this year participated in the announcement. Ruta Sepetys revealed the Audio Drama category on her Twitter (9.7K followers); Amie Kaufman revealed the Mystery category on her Twitter (11.6K followers); and Colson Whitehead revealed the Autobiography & Memoir category on his Twitter (188k followers). The hashtag #Audies2017 is trending nationally. Our Penguin Random House Audie Awards finalists are presented below in the following categories: Autobiography/Memoir WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR by Paul Kalanithi, read by Sunil Malhotra and Cassandra Campbell (Random House Audio) Best Female Narrator THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead, read by Bahni Turpin (Random House Audio) History/Biography VALIANT AMBITION by Nathaniel Philbrick, read by Scott Brick (Penguin Audio) Humor THE BASSOON KING: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy by Rainn Wilson, read by the author (Penguin Audio) YOU CAN’T TOUCH MY HAIR by Phoebe Robinson, read by Phoebe Robinson, Jessica Williams and John Hodgman (Penguin Audio) Literary Fiction & Classics HOMEGOING by Yaa Gyasi, read by Dominic Hoffman (Random House Audio) THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead, read by Bahni Turpin (Random House Audio) Middle Grade THE ENCHANTED FILES: Hatched by Bruce Coville, read by Matthew Frow, Jeremy Gumbs and a full cast (Listening Library) THE INQUISITOR’S TALE by Adam Gidwitz, read by Adam Gidwitz and a full cast (Listening Library) Multi-Voiced Performance SMALL GREAT THINGS by Jodi Picoult, read by Audra McDonald, Cassandra Campbell and Ari Fliakos (Random House Audio) Narration by Author or Authors IN SUCH GOOD COMPANY by Carol Burnett, read by the author (Random House Audio) Nonfiction EVICTED: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond, read by Dion Graham (Random House Audio) Paranormal STAKED by Kevin Hearne, read by Luke Daniels (Random House Audio) Science Fiction SLEEPING GIANTS by Sylvain Neuvel, read by a full cast (Random House Audio) STAR WARS: The Force Awakens by Alan Dean Foster, read by Marc Thompson (Random House Audio) Young Adult GEMINA by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, read by Carla Corvo and a full cast (Listening Library) SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys, read by Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris and Michael Crouch (Listening Library) Young Listeners THE TALE OF KITTY-IN-BOOTS by Beatrix Potter, read by Helen Mirren (Listening Library) Congratulations to all of our honorees and everyone involved with creating these exemplary titles. View the full list of this year’s Audie Awards nominees here. The winners will be announced at the Audies Gala at the Alliance Français in New York on June 1.

  LOVE LETTERS edited by Peter Washington (Everyman’s Library) Here are 200 irresistible love letters from over the centuries, love letters both historic and fictional, love letters by poets and by princes, love letters enchanting, tragic, comic, superbly selected, beautifully printed, conveniently portable, to have with you wherever and whenever you’re in the mood for love.   BRIGHT STAR: LOVE LETTERS AND POEMS OF JOHN KEATS TO FANNY BRAWNE by John Keats, Foreword by Jane Campion The epic romance of one of the most celebrated poets in the English language. Bright Star is a collection of Keats’ romantic poems and correspondence in the heat of his passion, and is a dazzling display of a talent cut cruelly short.   LETTERS TO VERA by Vladimir Nabokov From their first encounter in 1923, Vladimir’s letters to Véra form a narrative arc that tells a half-century-long love story, one that is playful, romantic, pithy and memorable. At the same time, the letters tell us much about the man and the writer.   YOURS FOR ETERNITY: A LOVE STORY ON DEATH ROW by Damien Echols, Lorri Davis New York Times bestselling author Damien Echols and his wife Lorri Davis reveal their intimate and affecting letters, written while Echols was wrongfully imprisoned on death row.   THE LETTERS OF ABELARD AND HELOISE by Peter Abelard, Heloise, Michael Clanchy Through the letters between Abelard and Heloise, we follow the path of their 12th-century romance, from its reckless and ecstatic beginnings when Heloise became Abelard’s pupil, through the suffering of public scandal and enforced secret marriage, to their eventual separation.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection: Love Letters

With your extensive background as an editor, writer and author in the food and cooking realm, what factors led to your decision to become TASTE’s Editor in Chief? Honestly, the first reason I came here is the books. Clarkson Potter and Ten Speed Press make the best food and food culture books in the business. Hands down. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many Crown Publishing authors, and then eventually I became one myself, and I just have so much respect for the teams producing, marketing, and selling these things. The next factor was the opportunity (and support) to launch a truly unique online cooking and culture magazine. The Crown leadership saw a clear lane to success in a crowded race, and really have gone for it. I have no idea where that racing metaphor came from! But it’s the truth. In what ways will TASTE – as an online magazine and a brand – stand out in the marketplace and fully maximize the capabilities of your format, your global scope, and the breadth of your talented team of contributors? Standing out in a crowded field is important, no doubt. But what we’re trying to avoid are some of the cheap tricks sometimes used to do this on the Internet: click-bait headlines, circular food content jammed into the square news cycle, images of bacon and burgers ad nauseam. All that isn’t TASTE. What we can do is publish a weekly slate of stories that are unique and tackle an exciting, and sometimes surprising, range of topics. We recently sent a journalist to Denmark during the darkest days of winter to witness firsthand what it’s like to cook and live in the hygge way—a trend you may have read about in the Guardian or New York Times Styles section, but one that hasn’t been fully reported from the ground. We have stories about the art of Malaysian meat on a stick, and how the Instant Pot might be the world’s first viral kitchen appliance. Did you ever wonder how to cook with yuzu juice? We have that story coming. Why do you think there is such a universal fascination with cooking and the culinary arts in the world today, and how will TASTE engage most successfully with this ever-growing consumer base? Here’s a fact: You have to eat at least three times a day. And for many of us that’s a baseline! Food is universal; it’s the connective tissue that keeps us running as a society. So, unlike sports or film or marathon running, food is a requirement. It’s life. Our goal is to tell stories about food and cooking that takes this requirement and adds some color and detail. We seek to answer questions, but also to ask them. And we think there’s a growing swell of people who are thinking more and more about not just the best brick-oven pizza in their hometown (for the record, in NYC, it’s Motorino), but how to make traditional Neapolitan pies at home.

smoking. According to the CDC, small changes can make a big difference: 1. Schedule regular visits with your doctor to talk about your heart health 2. Exercise daily. If this is difficult, start by taking 15 minute walks, and work up from there. 3. Focus on healthy eating habits like cooking at home and limiting sodium intake. 4. Kick the smoking habit!

To support these heart-healthy changes, we offer the following:

FEATURED TITLES   American Heart Association Eat Less Salt: An Easy Action Plan for Finding and Reducing the Sodium Hidden in Your Diet  from The American Heart Association Knock down that sodium–but not the flavor–to decrease your blood pressure and risks for heart attack and stroke. This toolkit, sodium tracker, and cookbook in one gives you solid health information and 60 low-sodium recipes for favorite comfort foods. With the book’s step-by-step approach, eating less salt has never been more achievable.   American Heart Association The Go Red For Women Cookbook: Cook Your Way to a Heart-Healthy Weight and Good Nutrition from The American Heart Association, Jennie Garth A health cookbook for women, by women The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women social initiative has inspired hundreds of thousands of women to eat nutritiously, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight. Now the iconic “red dress” can be your kitchen companion all year long, with 200 recipes to help you take charge of your health.   Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure by Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. M.D. Based on the groundbreaking results of his twenty-year nutritional study, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease illustrates that a plant-based, oil-free diet can not only prevent the progression of heart disease but can also reverse its effects.   The Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook: Over 125 Delicious, Life-Changing, Plant-Based Recipes by Ann Crile Esselstyn, Jane Esselstyn The long-awaited cookbook companion to the revolutionary New York Times bestseller Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease   Heart 411: The Only Guide to Heart Health You’ll Ever Need by Marc Gillinov, M.D., Steven Nissen, M.D. The definitive guide to heart health from two of America’s most respected doctors at Cleveland Clinic, the #1 hospital for heart health in America. Are you one of the eighty-two million Americans currently diagnosed with cardiovascular disease—or one of the millions more who think they are healthy but are at risk? Whether your goal is to get the best treatment or stay out of the cardiologist’s office, your heart’s health depends upon accurate information and correct answers to key questions.   Cholesterol Down: Ten Simple Steps to Lower Your Cholesterol in Four Weeks–Without Prescription Drugs by Janet Bond Brill, Ph.D., R.D., LDN Take Control of Your Cholesterol— Without Drugs If you are one of the nearly 100 million Americans struggling with high cholesterol, then Dr. Janet Brill offers you a revolutionary new plan for taking control of your health—without the risks of statin drugs. With Dr. Brill’s breakthrough Cholesterol Down Plan, you simply add nine “miracle foods” to your regular diet and thirty minutes of walking to your daily routine. That’s all. This straightforward and easy-to-follow program can lower your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by as much as 47 percent in four weeks.   Blood Pressure Down: The 10-Step Plan to Lower Your Blood Pressure in 4 Weeks–Without Prescription Drugs by Janet Bond Brill, Ph.D., R.D., LDN If you have high blood pressure, you’re not alone: nearly a third of adult Americans have been diagnosed with hypertension, and another quarter are well on their way. Yet a whopping 56 percent of diagnosed patients do not have it under control. Easy, effective, safe—and delicious—Blood Pressure Down is the encouraging resource that empowers you, or your loved ones, to lower your blood pressure and live a longer, heart-healthy life.   Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease: The Only System Scientifically Proven to Reverse Heart Disease Without Drugs or Surgery by Dean Ornish, M.D. Dr. Dean Ornish is the first clinician to offer documented proof that heart disease can be halted, or even reversed, simply by changing your lifestyle. Dr. Ornish’s program has yielded amazing results. Participants reduced or discontinued medications; their chest pain diminished or disappeared.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection: Heart Health Month  

With over five million copies sold around the world, Palacio’s WONDER, with its message to Choose Kind, has inspired global kindness and anti-bullying campaigns and has become part curricula in schools across the country. WONDER has demonstrated the power of a book to spark a cultural dialogue, and to inspire children and adults to think differently about the world around them. Random House Children’s Books encourages everyone at Penguin Random House to take part in this initiative by spreading kindness around your own community beginning this Valentine’s Day. It can be as simple as:

• Write a friend or family member a nice note to tell them something you love about them.

 

• Treat a stranger in the coffee line to a free beverage.

 

• Shovel a neighbor’s snow, clear their car, or leave a basket of treats at their door.

 

• Leave a nice note or gift for your mail carrier as a token of gratitude.

  Then post your act of kindness on social media with #ChooseKindValentine. Tag someone, and continue the kindness chain. Happy Valentine’s Day! Yours in Wonder, Random House Children’s Books

Ms. Kinsella opens a window into the writing of her book: “In MY NOT SO PERFECT LIFE, my struggling heroine so desperately wants her life in London to be perfect – as she believes her older female boss’s life is – that she creates the online myth that it is. I always write what I see around me and I’ve seen so many people compare their own lives to other people’s ‘lives’ on Instagram. It’s kind of addictive. It was great to write about such a current topic and wonderful to focus on the relationship between two strong females.” Susan Kamil, Executive Vice President, Publisher, Random House and The Dial Press: “I have had the joy of working with Sophie Kinsella for over 15 years and have marveled at how she maintains her perfect pitch for both story and character. Each book is sharply observed, and filled with wit and humor and her heroines are as recognizable as members of my own family. In MY NOT SO PERFECT LIFE, readers will find Kinsella’s most relatable heroine yet.” Fellow Penguin Random House author Jojo Moyes commented, “Sophie Kinsella keeps her finger on the cultural pulse, while leaving me giddy with laughter. I loved it.” The “Girls Night Out with Sophie Kinsella” event is happening Tuesday (2/7) from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at one of Barnes & Noble’s new Concept Stores at Vernon Hills Shopping Center in Eastchester, NY. This is a Ticketed Event, with a special gift bag (including a signed book). Wine & Appetizers will be served. Sophie’s launch event will be Facebook Lived on the B&N Eastchester page as well as shared on the Random House and Sophie Kinsella platforms Random House partnered with Barnes & Noble to create an innovative book tour experience. The goal is to give fans more of a personal connection with the author than the traditional event. Sophie is the first author to launch this series. For more details, click here.

Elan Mastai has worked as a screenwriter for the past 15 years and has had five films produced from his screenplays including What If, which starred Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, and Adam Driver. With ALL OUR WRONG TODAYS, Mastai brings us a multi-dimensional time travel story that is also about the versions of ourselves that we shed and grow into over time. With a quirky and unusual touch, Mastai’s debut is an entertaining ride through time that brings our current version of reality into question. ALL OUR WRONG TODAYS is a #1 Indie Next and a Library Reads pick, and has already received several positive accolades. Joining Mastai at the celebration of his book release will be Jonathan Tropper. Tropper is the New York Times bestselling author of six novels including ONE LAST THING BEFORE I GO and THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU.

FICTION A SEPARATION by Katie Kitamura (Riverhead Books) A young woman has agreed with her faithless husband: it’s time for them to separate. For the moment it’s a private matter, a secret between the two of them. As she begins her new life, she gets word that Christopher has gone missing in a remote region in the rugged south of Greece; she reluctantly agrees to go look for him, still keeping their split to herself. In her heart, she’s not even sure if she wants to find him. As her search comes to a shocking breaking point, she discovers she understands less than she thought she did about her relationship and the man she used to love. AUTUMN by Ali Smith (Pantheon) Ali Smith’s new novel is a meditation on a world growing ever more bordered and exclusive, on what richness and worth are, on what harvest means. It is the first installment of her Seasonal quartet—four stand-alone books, separate yet interconnected and cyclical (as the seasons are)—and it casts an eye over our own time. Who are we? What are we made of? Shakespearean jeu d’esprit, Keatsian melancholy, the sheer bright energy of 1960s pop art: the centuries cast their eyes over our own history making. ALL OUR WRONG TODAYS by Elan Mastai (Dutton) You know the future that people in the 1950s imagined we’d have? Well, it happened. In Tom Barren’s 2016, humanity thrives in a techno-utopian paradise of flying cars, moving sidewalks, and moon bases. Except Tom just can’t seem to find his place in this dazzling, idealistic world, and that’s before his life gets turned upside down. Utterly blindsided by an accident of fate, Tom makes a rash decision that drastically changes not only his own life but the very fabric of the universe itself. In a time-travel mishap, Tom finds himself stranded in our 2016, what we think of as the real world. For Tom, our normal reality seems like a dystopian wasteland. MY NOT SO PERFECT LIFE by Sophie Kinsella (The Dial Press) Everywhere Katie Brenner looks, someone else is living the life she longs for, particularly her boss, Demeter Farlowe. Demeter is brilliant and creative, lives with her perfect family in a posh townhouse, and wears the coolest clothes. Katie’s life, meanwhile, is a daily struggle. No wonder Katie takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts, especially as she’s desperate to make her dad proud. Then, just as she’s finding her feet—not to mention a possible new romance—the worst happens. Demeter fires Katie. Shattered but determined to stay positive, Katie retreats to her family’s farm in Somerset to help them set up a vacation business. London has never seemed so far away—until Demeter unexpectedly turns up as a guest. Secrets are spilled and relationships rejiggered, and as the stakes for Katie’s future get higher, she must question her own assumptions about what makes for a truly meaningful life. ALWAYS by Sarah Jio (Ballantine Books) Enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner with her fiancé, Ryan, at one of Seattle’s chicest restaurants, Kailey Crain can’t believe her good fortune: She has a great job as a journalist and is now engaged to a guy who is perfect in nearly every way. As she and Ryan leave the restaurant, Kailey spies a thin, bearded homeless man on the sidewalk. She approaches him to offer up her bag of leftovers, and is stunned when their eyes meet, then stricken to her very core: The man is the love of her life, Cade McAllister. Alternating between the past and the present, ALWAYS is a beautifully unfolding exploration of a woman faced with an impossible choice, a woman who discovers what she’s willing to save and what she will sacrifice for true love. NONFICTION CIVIL WARS by David Armitage (Knopf) We think we know civil war when we see it. Yet ideas of what it is, and what it isn’t, have a long and contested history, from its fraught origins in republican Rome to debates in early modern Europe to our present day. Defining the term is acutely political, for ideas about what makes a war “civil” often depend on whether one is a ruler or a rebel, victor or vanquished, sufferer or outsider. Calling a conflict a civil war can shape its outcome by determining whether outside powers choose to get involved or stand aside: from the American Revolution to the war in Iraq, pivotal decisions have depended on such shifts of perspective. HIT MAKERS: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction by Derek Thompson (Penguin Press) In his groundbreaking investigation, Atlantic senior editor Derek Thompson uncovers the hidden psychology of why we like what we like and reveals the economics of cultural markets that invisibly shape our lives. Shattering the sentimental myths of hit-making that dominate pop culture and business, Thompson shows quality is insufficient for success, nobody has “good taste,” and some of the most popular products in history were one bad break away from utter failure. It may be a new world, but there are some enduring truths to what audiences and consumers want. People love a familiar surprise: a product that is bold, yet sneakily recognizable. BLACK EDGE by Sheelah Kolhatkar (Random House) The rise over the last two decades of a powerful new class of billionaire financiers marks a singular shift in the American economic and political landscape. Their vast reserves of concentrated wealth have allowed a small group of big winners to write their own rules of capitalism and public policy. How did we get here? Through meticulous reporting and powerful storytelling, New Yorker staff writer Sheelah Kolhatkar shows how Steve Cohen became one of the richest and most influential figures in finance—and what happened when the Justice Department put him in its crosshairs. THINGS YOU CAN ONLY SEE WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN by Haemin Sunim (Penguin Books) The world moves fast, but that doesn’t mean we have to. In this bestselling mindfulness guide—it has sold more than three million copies in Korea, where it was a #1 bestseller for forty-one weeks and received multiple Best Book of the Year awards, and it’s being published in more than 20 countries—Haemin Sunim (which means “spontaneous wisdom”), a renowned Buddhist meditation teacher born in Korea and educated in the United States, illuminates a path to inner peace and balance amid the overwhelming demands of everyday life. POETRY YOU, TOO, COULD WRITE A POEM by David Orr (Penguin Books) Poetry is never more vital, meaningful, or accessible than in the hands of David Orr. In the pieces collected here, most of them written originally for the New York Times, Orr is at his rigorous, conversational, and edifying best. Whether he is considering the careers of contemporary masters, such as Louise Glück or Frederick Seidel, sizing up younger American poets, like Matthea Harvey and Matthew Zapruder, or even turning his attention to celebrities and public figures, namely Oprah Winfrey and Stephen Fry, when they choose to wade into the hotly contested waters of the poetry world, Orr is never any less than fully persuasive in arguing what makes a poem or poet great—or not. YOUNG READERS DISRUPTOR by Arwen Elys Dayton (Delacorte Press) Quin has spent her life as her father’s pawn. She was trained to kill and manipulated to guarantee her family’s power. And now that she’s broken free of that life, she’s found herself trapped again, hostage to a plot that has been centuries in the making. It’s taken generations for the pieces to come together, and finally all is in place. Her best friend Shinobu’s mind has been corrupted, the Young Dread has aligned with her enemy John, and the bloodthirsty Watchers are being awakened and gathered. Now there is nothing that can stop the force of time. But Quin will no longer be a pawn. Quin is a Seeker. She stands for light in a shadowy world. She will face the vengeance of the past and its enemies and save herself and the ones she loves, or she will die trying. EMPRESS OF A THOUSAND SKIES by Rhoda Belleza (Razorbill) Rhee, also known as Crown Princess Rhiannon Ta’an, is the sole surviving heir to a powerful dynasty. She’ll stop at nothing to avenge her family and claim her throne. Aly has risen above his war refugee origins to find fame as the dashing star of a DroneVision show. But when he’s falsely accused of killing Rhee, he’s forced to prove his innocence to save his reputation – and his life. With planets on the brink of war, Rhee and Aly are thrown together to confront a ruthless evil that threatens the fate of the entire galaxy. BUNNY’S BOOK CLUB by Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss (Doubleday Books for Young Readers) Bunny loves to sit outside the library with the kids and listen to summer story time. But when the weather gets cold and everyone moves inside, his daily dose of joy is gone. Desperate, Bunny refuses to miss out on any more reading time and devises a plan to sneak into the library at night . . . through the library’s book drop! What follows is an adorable caper that brings an inquisitive, fuzzy bunny and his woodland pals up close and personal with the books they have grown to love. THE CASTLE IN THE MIST by Amy Ephron (Philomel) Tess and her brother, Max, are sent for the summer to their aunt’s sleepy village in the English countryside, where excitement is as rare as a good wifi signal. So when Tess stumbles upon an old brass key that unlocks an ornately carved gate, attached to a strangely invisible wall, she jumps at the chance for adventure. And the world beyond the gate doesn’t disappoint. She finds rose gardens, a maze made of hedges, and a boy named William who is just as lonely as she is. But at William’s castle, strange things begin to happen. Carnival games are paid for in wishes, dreams seem to come alive, and then there’s William’s eerie warning: Beware of the hawthorn trees. A warning that chills Tess to the bone.

opportunity to witness how education can break the cycle of poverty. The book shows how educating girls in developing countries can vastly improve their quality of life in just one generation. “I had to publish this book—the topic is so important, and the stories of the girls in the stunning film by Girl Rising that inspired it are so powerful and affecting,” said Wendy Lamb, Vice President and Publishing Director, Wendy Lamb Books. “I knew that Tanya Lee Stone would find just the right approach to take the stories in the film in a new direction in her book. GIRL RISING is a call to action for America’s young people. This book has the potential to inspire readers to become a force for lasting change.” In conjunction with the team behind the Girl Rising film and Ms. Stone, Random House Children’s Books launched the #MyGirlRising social media campaign this week. The goal of the campaign is to find and highlight women around the world who are making positive changes in their communities.  It’s easy to join the #MyGirlRising conversation:

• Post a photo on Twitter and/or Instagram and nominate the inspiring girl or woman in your life.

• For each picture posted using #MyGirlRising, @RandomHouseKids will donate $5 to @GirlRising (up to $5,000) in celebration of the new Girl Rising book and women everywhere.

• Follow the hashtag #MyGirlRising on Twitter and Instagram.

This latest victory for Mr. Barry, after DAYS WITHOUT END had been named Costa’s Novel of the Year last month, was announced at a ceremony in London on Tuesday night.  It was a unanimous decision by the judges.  Professor Kate Williams, chair of the judges, said the novel, both “brutal” and “terrifying,” had moved her to tears with a voice that was unforgettable and “one of the most wonderful depictions of love in fiction.”  Upon receiving the award, Mr. Barry thanked the judges and said the honor made him “crazy happy from the top of my head to my toes,” adding, “It doesn’t get any less overwhelming the second time.”

wives, one husband, and how that triangle came to be. Jane’s storytelling is complex and takes many unexpected turns – which is why this is a domestic thriller that stood head and shoulders above the pack for me.” Ms. Corry offers personal insights into the writing of MY HUSBAND’S WIFE, her perspective on the editorial process, and working with Ms. Dorman: “I’d like to start by saying that I couldn’t have written this novel without having been married (twice) and having gone to prison! I must also add quickly that I didn’t go to prison as an inmate but as a writer in residence of a high-security male prison in the UK. My brief was to help men write novels, poems, letters, articles or anything that would help them voice their feelings. Research has shown that this therapeutic approach can help reduce the risk of reoffending. “This was very rewarding. But there was an unexpected bonus too. My experience gave me a different writer’s voice. Until then, I’d been concentrating on romance. However, I’d always been interested in stories with twists and turns. My prison experience allowed me to create a character (Joe) who was a criminal but who wasn’t all bad. I also wanted to write about the relationship between first and second wives. People often assume that the two don’t like each other. But what if the second wife had to ask the first wife a very big favor? And so the plot was born in my head. “Thanks to my journalist background, I write fast. When I wrote MY HUSBAND’S WIFE, I was at my desk immediately after breakfast where I wrote between 2,000 and 3,000 words in a morning. The following day, I re-read those words, did a slight edit to get into the right mind zone and went onto the next chapter. At the end, I went back to the beginning and deepened the characters because by then I knew them better. I also made sure the plot hung together; checked timelines; and added setting and senses. It was a very intense process which took about five months from start to finish. “MY HUSBAND’S WIFE was published in the UK first where it was a Sunday Times bestseller (it reached Number 5 in the charts!). By then, it had been edited by my wonderful UK Penguin editor, Katy Loftus. When I found out that Pamela Dorman was to be my US editor, I was thrilled. Pam has such a brilliant reputation so it was a real honor. She and her assistant Jeramie Orton were extremely friendly from the start as well as being professional. They explained that they would send me various questions on the copy once they’d gone through it. “Interestingly, many of the questions related to different interpretations of the British language! For example, I said that one of my characters ‘twigged’ something. This meant that she suddenly realized a certain fact. But this phrase might not be understood by American readers so I was asked to find a substitute! “I was very impressed with Pam and Jeramie’s thoroughness. I was also touched by the fact that they clearly saw my characters as real people – just as I did! In my view, an editor needs to have that good overall eye but at the same time, understand how the cast ‘ticks.’ I certainly found those qualities in Pamela Dorman Books.”

and Patagonia co-founder Yvon Chouinard on his book, LET MY PEOPLE GO SURFING; a 10th anniversary fully updated trade paperback edition was published by Penguin last fall. In this interview, Scott offers insights into Mr. Chouinard’s book, business philosophies, core values, and environmental activism as well as the “contagious success” of Patagonia, whose primary mission is “to use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”  The recent news on the Earth Setting a Temperature Record for the Third Straight Year reminds us all of the urgency of global warming and the importance of how we consider the environment. What brought about your initial contact with Yvon Chouinard and how would you characterize the experience and process of working with him as his book editor and publisher while presenting all aspects of his life and business?  Yvon Chouinard is powerfully inspiring because he has stubbornly refused to do anything with his business that does not advance its core mission: “to use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”  You can’t be in partnership with him without learning that, one way or another.  I was submitted the book by his agent, Susan Golomb, in 2004 or 2005, and I knew enough about Patagonia’s brand halo, as they say, and was sufficiently taken by the voice on the page, which even in proposal form had that thrilling ring of authenticity and irreverence, that I went for it, and was fortunate enough to prevail in a heated auction. (It helped that no one has a bigger crush on Yvon Chouinard than Ann Godoff.)  But really diving off the deep end with him was something else entirely.  First, everything was slightly irreverent, and counterintuitive – what business leader calls his memoir “Let My People Go Surfing?”  Which is from the company policy that when the surf’s up, employees should feel free to hit it.  And he wanted to do an oddball trim size, with all sorts of funky sidebars and a lot of art.  And he and Patagonia nudged us over to using a different kind of paper, recycled, of course.  And on and on. But what really hit me was the story of the business itself. Just one story for now: there came a point when Patagonia commissioned a holistic environmental impact study of their entire business.  What came back surprised and dismayed them: the worst thing they were doing to the planet was using so much factory-farmed cotton. As you can imagine, cotton shirts, etc., make up a big chunk of the business.  What did they do? They pulled all of their cotton products, reinvented their supply chain, sourced their cotton ethically and in such a way as to catalyze environmentally responsible cotton growing more generally… in short, they used their market power to be a force for good and not ill. And ultimately, in the long run, they were more profitable by doing so!  In the short run, of course, they had to absorb a tremendous hit to the bottom line. Needless to say, if they were a publicly held company, this might have been impossible, even unimaginable.Though thanks in no small part to Patagonia’s example, there’s been a change in consciousness, and perhaps it’s less unimaginable than it was.  I hope this book has contributed to that; I think it has. How does LET MY PEOPLE GO SURFING, divided into a History of Patagonia and eight Philosophies sections, best inform and inspire readers through key takeaways from this environmentally-responsible businessman/adventurer and his company?  I think the bottom-line takeaway for your own life and work is that, in area after area – design, production, distribution, marketing, finance, HR, management, environmental stewardship – if you don’t blink, if you keep fear at bay and keep your focus on the most quality for the least harm, you will be a magnet for talented, big-hearted colleagues and customers, and your story will carry.  Every time this company took a short-term hit to innovate in the direction of greater responsibility for the state and fate of the earth, the more successful they have been in the long term. How transferable are Mr. Chouinard’s approaches to business, life and the environment to other industries and individual readers?  No one wants to leave their values at home when they come to work. Yvon Chouinard never did, and his company has been an enormous force for the good.  We all are part of the problem that is the global sustainability crisis, including global warming, one way or another. Activism and capitalism don’t have to be opposed, in fact they can’t be, if we’re going to keep this planet of ours and all the creatures on it. What factors were involved in the decision to produce a new edition of LET MY PEOPLE GO SURFING on the 10th anniversary of its first publication and what are examples of some of the most significant new content?  Back in 2006, “sustainable business” was just emerging as a concept in mainstream terms.  Part of the good news of the past decade is that sustainability has become cooked in to the mix of business education, at the MBA level and down, and LET MY PEOPLE GO SURFING is widely taught. The past decade has been a period of great growth and thus change for Patagonia, and it has also really doubled down and then some on its environmental activism, so there was so much more to tell. Yvon added a good 20% of new material to the book, including an entirely new chapter on environmental activism, and Naomi Klein has added a passionate new foreword. There are revisions throughout the book, my favorite being that it’s now in four-color and Yvon and Patagonia have added many wonderful new photographs.  One way or another, all of the additions only sharpen the point, which is that, as Naomi Klein puts it in her foreword, “This is the story of an attempt to do more than change a single corporation – it is an attempt to challenge the culture of consumption that is at the heart of the global ecological crisis.”  And to have fun doing it!  Contagious fun, contagious righteousness, contagious success – that’s Yvon Chouinard and Patagonia, and that’s LET MY PEOPLE GO SURFING, now cleaned up for the next 10 years, and then some.

                                    

FEATURED TITLES THE BOAT ROCKER by Ha Jin From the award-winning author of Waiting: an urgent, timely novel that follows an aspiring author, an outrageous book idea, and a lone journalist’s dogged quest for truth in the Internet age.   CHINA RICH GIRLFRIEND by Kevin Kwan Kevin Kwan, bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians, is back with a wickedly funny new novel of social climbing, secret e-mails, art-world scandal, lovesick billionaires, and the outrageous story of what happens when Rachel Chu, engaged to marry Asia’s most eligible bachelor, discovers her birth father.   THE FLOWER DRUM SONG by C. Y. Lee Originally published in 1957, The Flower Drum Song was a groundbreaking work of popular literature. An immediate bestseller, it inspired the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. This charming, bittersweet tale of romance and the powerful bonds of family tells the story of Wang Ta, living in San Francisco’s Chinatown-with his widowed father, who wants what every young American man wants: a great career and a woman to love   CHINA BOY by Gus Lee Kai Ting is the only American-born son of an aristocratic Mandarin family that fled China in the wake of Mao’s revolution. Growing up in San Francisco’s ghetto, Kai is caught between two worlds—embracing neither the Chinese nor the American way of life.   THE PIANO TEACHER: A NOVEL by Janice Y. K. Lee In the sweeping tradition of The English Patient, Janice Y.K. Lee’s debut novel is a tale of love and betrayal set in war-torn Hong Kong. In 1942, Englishman Will Truesdale falls headlong into a passionate relationship with Trudy Liang, a beau …   SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN by Lisa See In nineteenth-century China, in a remote Hunan county, a girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven, is paired with a laotong, an “old same,” in an emotional match that will last a lifetime.   BALZAC AND THE LITTLE CHINESE SEAMSTRESS by Dai Sijie An enchanting tale that captures the magic of reading and the wonder of romantic awakening. An immediate international bestseller, it tells the story of two hapless city boys exiled to a remote mountain village for re-education during China’s infamous Cultural Revolution.   BEIJING DOLL by Chun Sue Banned in China for its candid exploration of a young girl’s sexual awakening yet widely acclaimed as being “the first novel of ‘tough youth’ in China” (Beijing Today), Beijing Doll cuts a daring path through China’s rock-and-roll subculture.   I LOVE DOLLARS: AND OTHER STORIES OF CHINA by Zhu Wen An immediate sensation upon publication in China, I Love Dollars is a hilarious send-up of China’s love affair with capitalism by one of its most gifted new writers. In the title story, a young man, acutely aware of his filial duty, sets out to secure a prostitute for his father, only to haggle his old man out of a good time.   RED SORGHUM: A NOVEL OF CHINA by Mo Yan The acclaimed novel of love and resistance during late 1930s China by Mo Yan, winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature. Spanning three generations, this novel of family and myth is told through a series of flashbacks that depict events of staggering horror set against a landscape of gemlike beauty.   For more on these and related titles visit: Chinese Lit

characters were complex, often flawed, but always sympathetic – I felt like I internalized each of their dilemmas, which is the feeling I crave as a reader from any great book.” Lindsey Lee Johnson: “From the start, my experience working with Noah Eaker and Susan Kamil was magical. The novel has a layered plot with multiple points of view; during the editing process, we worked to knot these POVs and plot lines more tightly together in order to create a reading experience that is propulsive and engrossing. I’m so grateful to have had the guidance of these brilliant editors.” A Spring 2017 Barnes & Noble Discover Pick and a January ABA “Indie Next” Pick, THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE ON EARTH has elicited high praise: “In sharp and assured prose, roving between characters, Lindsey Lee Johnson plumbs the terrifying depths of a half-dozen ultra-privileged California high school kids. I read it in two chilling gulps. It’s a phenomenal first book, a compassionate Less Than Zero for the digital age.” —Anthony Doerr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Light We Cannot See “In her stunning debut, Johnson…explores the fallout among a group of teens—an alpha girl turned stoner, a striving B student, an Ivy League wannabe—who prove, in the end, less entitled than simply empty and searching. An eye-opener.” —People “Book of the Week” “The characters in Lindsey Lee Johnson’s novel affected me in a way I can’t remember feeling since I binge-watched all five seasons of Friday Night Lights…you’ll walk away feeling like you could revisit hallway drama armed with bulletproof perspective.” —Glamour

Francisco Chronicle. But as many critics noted, Ottessa Moshfegh is particularly held in awe for her short stories. HOMESICK FOR ANOTHER WORLD, on sale now from Penguin Press, is the rare case where an author’s short story collection is, if anything, more anticipated than her novel. And for good reason. There’s something eerily unsettling about Ottessa’s stories, something almost dangerous, while also being delightful, and even laugh-out-loud funny.  Her characters are all unsteady on their feet in one way or another; they all yearn for connection and betterment, though each in very different ways, but they are often tripped up by their own baser impulses and existential insecurities. HOMESICK FOR ANOTHER WORLD is a master class in the varieties of self-deception across the gamut of individuals representing the human condition. In this Meet Our Author Igloo interview, Ottessa takes us inside her world: How would you describe your writing regimen and routines? Obsessive and neurotic and captivating. I wake up, I work, I dilly dally, work, take out the trash, work, pace around, eat, work, shower, work, read, work, go for a walk, call people, work, eat, work, sleep. Toward the end of writing a book, I often sleep with my computer under my pillow… What differentiates your approach to conceiving a novel as compared with your short stories? The motivation to write a short story often comes from an abstract, mysterious noise in my head, and I can take my time concentrating on that sound and experimenting with what words, voice, characters, and narrative movements are being described by the music in my mind. Writing a novel is that, plus a million pounds of pressure at my back, loaded with questions about how my life is being reflected in this writing process, and what I want to learn and say to the world. So, novels are more prolonged and intense journeys, although they can start out as playfully as a story. Where do inspirations for your characters and storylines come from? They come from my life experiences, overheard conversations, dreams, the imagination, the ether… In what ways has Penguin Press impacted your writing career? Penguin Press has been a miracle in my life – this team has been so incredibly supportive, positive, and – I think – gutsy.  I tell everyone how blessed I feel to have a publisher that understands my work and sees its value today and the potential for the future.

making a difference beyond the books … I think this is the perfect conclusion to a week when we will celebrate all the originality, talent, and ambition that sets us apart.” Our colleagues took Markus’ words to heart as they donated their time and support to company-sponsored volunteer events at such organizations as The Book Fairies, CAMBA, Food Bank NYC, Good + Foundation, Henry Street Settlement, The HOPE Program, Housing+Solutions, Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, New York Common Pantry, Read Ahead, QSAC: Quality Services for the Autism Community, South Bronx Educational Foundation, Toni’s Kitchen and WHEDco.  A number of employees also volunteered at other organizations such as Behind the Book, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center and Hunger Free America. Here is a selection of social media posts (#TeamPRH) illustrating our colleagues in action.  To view a gallery of Community Day photos, click here.    

children’s, YA and adult authors and books were honored at this week’s ALA Midwinter meeting. As a follow-up to our earlier Igloo coverage, Our 2017 ALA Award Honorees, we recognize and celebrate these honorees: Andrew Carnegie Medal For Excellence in Fiction

• THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday; Random House Audio/Books on Tape)

For Excellence in Nonfiction

• EVICTED: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond (Crown; Random House Audio/Books on Tape)

Laura Ingalls Wilder Award Penguin Young Readers author Nikki Grimes, for her substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. Schneider Family Book Award

• SIX DOTS: A Story of Young Louis Braille, written by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Boris Kulikov (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers), for embodying an artistic expression of the disability experience.

APALA Award for Young Adult Fiction

• OUTRUN THE MOON by Stacey Lee (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers), from the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), an affiliate of the American Library Association.

Stonewall Award

• MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD, BOOK TWO: THE HAMMER OF THOR by Rick Riordan (Listening Library)

Alex Awards For the best adult books that appeal to teen audiences

• THE REGIONAL OFFICE IS UNDER ATTACK! by Manuel Gonzales (Riverhead; Penguin Audio/Books on Tape)
• ARENA by Holly Jennings (Ace; Penguin Audio/Books on Tape)
• ROMEO AND/OR JULIET: A Choosable-Path Adventure by Ryan North (Riverhead)
• THE WASP THAT BRAINWASHED THE CATERPILLAR by Matt Simon (Penguin Books)

Notable Books Council’s 2017 Notable Books List Fiction

• BEHOLD THE DREAMERS: A Novel by Imbolo Mbue (Random House; Random House Audio/Books on Tape)
• HOMEGOING: A Novel by Yaa Gyasi (Alfred A. Knopf; Random House Audio/Books on Tape)
• THE NIX: A Novel by Nathan Hill (Alfred A. Knopf; Random House Audio/Books on Tape)
• THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday; Random House Audio/Books on Tape)

Nonfiction

• EVICTED: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond (Crown; Random House Audio/Books on Tape)
• BLOOD AT THE ROOT by Patrick Phillips (Random House Audio/Books on Tape)
• THE FIREBRAND AND THE FIRST LADY: Portrait of a Friendship — Pauli Murray, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the Struggle for Social Justice by Patricia Bell-Scott (Alfred A. Knopf)
• LOUISA: The Extraordinary Life of Mrs. Adams by Louisa Thomas (Penguin Press)
• VALIANT AMBITION: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick (Viking; Penguin Audio/Books on Tape)

Poetry

• THE RAIN IN PORTUGAL: Poems by Billy Collins (Random House)

The Reading List Council’s Best in Genre Fiction for Adult Readers Historical Fiction

• THE LAST DAYS OF NIGHT: A Novel by Graham Moore (Random House; Random House Audio/Books on Tape)

Women’s Fiction

• I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT YOU by Terry McMillan (Crown; Random House Audio/Books on Tape)

The Listen List Council’s Outstanding Audiobook Narration for Adult Listeners

• EVICTED: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond. Narrated by Dion Graham. (Random House Audio/Books on Tape)
• RAZOR GIRL: A Novel by Carl Hiaasen. Narrated by John Rubinstein. (Random House Audio/Books on Tape)
• SLEEPING GIANTS by Sylvain Neuvel (Random House Audio/Books on Tape)
• THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead. Narrated by Bahni Turpin. (Random House Audio/Books on Tape)

Zora Neale Hurston Award

• Trevor Noah, author of BORN A CRIME(Spiegel & Grau/Random House) and host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, as an individual who has demonstrated leadership in promoting African American literature.

Congratulations to all of our honorees. Check back for further Penguin Random House ALA Awards news.

 

Newbery Honors:

THE INQUISITOR’S TALE  by Adam Gidwtiz (Dutton Books for Young Readers; Listening Library)

WOLF HOLLOW  by Lauren Wolk (Dial Books for Young Readers; Listening Library)

   

Odyssey Award Winner: 

ANNA AND THE SWALLOW MAN by Gavriel Savit (Listening Library, Knopf Young Readers hardcover and March paperback) The 2017 top ALA Youth Media Award for an audiobook production was produced by Penguin Random House Audio colleague Orli Moscowitz and narrated by Allan Corduner

Michael L. Printz Honors: THE PASSION OF DOLSSA by Julie Berry (Viking Children’s Books)

THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by Nicola Yoon (Delacorte Press; Listening Library)

Margaret A. Edwards Award: Sarah Dessen, a Penguin Young Readers author, and one of the most popular writers for young adults.

   

William C. Morris Award:

THE SERPENT KING by Jeff Zentner (Crown Books For Young Readers; Listening Library)

 Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for New Talent:  THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by Nicola Yoon (Delacorte Press; Listening Library)

  Robert F. Sibert Honor: UPROOTED by Albert Marrin (Knopf Book For Young Readers; Listening Library)

Congratulations to all. More Penguin Random House ALA award news as it is announced.

starred reviews from Shelf Awareness, Bulletin, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus. On January 8th, Spinelli was a guest on NPR’s Weekend Edition to discuss the themes and prison setting of this book. Next month, the New York Times will review THE WARDEN’S DAUGHTER as a standalone review. Spinelli is best known for his beloved middle grade novels STARGIRL and LOVE, STARGIRL, but has also penned other celebrated titles such as MILKWEED, CRASH, WRINGER, and MANIAC MAGEE, the winner of the Newbery Medal. In his autobiography, KNOTS IN MY YO-YO STRING, Spinelli chronicled his experiences as a young boy growing up in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Gettysburg College and still lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, poet and author Eileen Spinelli. Jerry Spinelli will be joined by fellow author Richard Peck at Books of Wonder on January 24th at 6:00 PM.

unfinished by Twain, will be brought to life by author Philip Stead and illustrator Erin Stead, the creators of the Caldecott Medal–winning A Sick Day for Amos McGee. The book, THE PURLOINING OF PRINCE OLEOMARGARINE, was acquired and edited by Frances Gilbert, Associate Publishing Director, Random House Books for Young Readers, from Tina Wexler at ICM, representing the Mark Twain House & Museum, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr., representing the author/illustrator team. The New York Times heralded the news in this major feature article: A Rediscovered Mark Twain Fairy Tale Is Coming Soon. THE PURLOINING OF PRINCE OLEOMARGARINE, an eleven-chapter, 152-page illustrated storybook for all ages, will be published on September 26, 2017, with a first printing of 250,000 copies. The basis of this new work is sixteen pages of Twain’s handwritten notes after telling his young daughters a fairy tale one night in 1879 while the family was staying in Paris, an event he documented in his journal. In 2011, a visiting scholar at the Mark Twain Papers & Project at the University of California at Berkeley spotted the notes in the archives while conducting his own research and recognized their significance. Although Twain told his young daughters countless bedtime stories, made up on the spot as they requested them, these notes are believed to be the only ones he ever jotted down from those sessions. “To publish a new Twain story is an incredible literary event,” says Frances Gilbert. “When I first got the chance to read this unpublished Twain story, I couldn’t believe what I was holding. I’ve admired Erin and Philip Stead’s work since their first book and couldn’t think of a more ideal match for this project. It’s an American dream team.” Philip and Erin Stead, two of today’s most notable names in children’s literature, have completed the text and illustrated the book, framing the narrative as a story “told to me by my friend, Mr. Mark Twain,” and even including occasional interruptions by an imagined meeting over tea between Philip and Twain. Exploring themes of charity, kindness, and bravery in the face of tyranny, with sharply drawn satire and tear-inducing pathos, this extraordinary combination of talent both classic and contemporary reaches its full potential as an old-fashioned—yet thoroughly modern—fully illustrated storybook that readers of every age will treasure. A monumental event not only in the world of children’s literature, but for literature overall, the publication of THE PURLOINING OF PRINCE OLEOMARGARINE will take place during the 150th anniversary of Mark Twain’s very first book, a collection of twenty-seven previously published stories titledThe Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, and Other Sketches.

PEN/Jean Stein Book Award: KNOWN AND STRANGE THINGS by Teju Cole (Random House) THE RETURN: Fathers, Sons, and the Land in Between by Hisham Matar (Random House) DARK MONEY: The Hidden History of The Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right by Jane Mayer (Doubleday) THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday) PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction THE MOTHERS by Brit Bennett (Riverhead Books) HOMEGOING by Yaa Gyasi (Alfred A Knopf) PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction EVICTED: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond (Crown) CHILDREN OF PARADISE: The Struggle for the Soul of Iran by Laura Secor (Riverhead Books) BAD NEWS: Last Journalists in a Dictatorship by Anjan Sundaram (Doubleday) PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay KNOWN AND STRANGE THINGS by Teju Cole (Random House) PEN Open Book Award WHAT IS NOT YOURS IS NOT YOURS by Helen Oyeyemi (Riverhead Books) PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award PATIENT H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness, and Family Secrets by Luke Dittrich (Random House) HOW TO MAKE A SPACESHIP: A Band of Renegades, an Epic Race, and the Birth of a Private Spaceflight by Julian Guthrie (Penguin Press) LAB GIRL by Hope Jahren (Alfred A. Knopf) PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sports Writing INDENTURED: The Inside Story of the Rebellion Against the NCAA by Joe Nocera and  Ben Strauss (Portfolio) PEN Translation Prize THE VEGETARIAN by Han Kang; translated from the Korean by Deborah Smith (Hogarth/Crown Publishing Group) Warm congratulations to all of our shortlisted authors, their editors and publishers. Of particular note: Random House author Teju Cole is the first writer in PEN America’s history to be a finalist in two categories! To view the complete 2017 PEN Literary Awards shortlists, click here. Most of the winners will be revealed on February 22. The awards for debut fiction and essay as well as those for the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award and the PEN/Nabokov Award will be named live at the 2017 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony on March 27 at The New School’s Auditorium in NYC. PEN America is the U.S. branch of the world’s leading international literary and human rights organization. International PEN was founded in 1921 in direct response to the ethnic and national divisions that contributed to the First World War. PEN American Center was founded in 1922 and is the largest of the 144 PEN centers in 101 countries that together compose International PEN.

news comes on the heels of one of President Obama’s final environmental actions while in office: He transferred a reported $500 million to the UN’s Green Climate Fund, a key program set up to finance climate change adaptation and renewable energy projects in developing countries. To further inform yourself on the topic that affects us all, we present the following titles on climate change.   FEATURED TITLES   EARTH CALLING: A CLIMATE CHANGE HANDBOOK FOR THE 21ST CENTURY by Ellen Gunter, Ted Carter, Caroline Myss Our earliest mythologies tell us we all start as a little bit of dirt. These stories carry a profound message: each of us is born with a deep and abiding connection to the earth, one that many of us have lost touch with. The Silent Spring for today’s environmental activists, this book offers an invitation to reestablish our relationship with nature to repair our damaged environment.   THE WHOLE STORY OF CLIMATE: WHAT SCIENCE REVEALS ABOUT THE NATURE OF ENDLESS CHANGE by E. Kirsten Peters This book, written by a geologist, describes the important contributions that geology has made to our understanding of climate change. What emerges is a much more complex and nuanced picture than is usually presented.   FINDING HIGHER GROUND: ADAPTATION IN THE AGE OF WARMING by Amy Seidl In Finding Higher Ground, Amy Seidl takes the uniquely positive—yet realistic—position that humans and animals can adapt and persist despite these changes. Drawing on an emerging body of scientific research, Seidl brings us stories of adaptation from the natural world and from human communities.   FOSSIL CAPITAL: THE RISE OF STEAM POWER AND THE ROOTS OF GLOBAL WARMING by Andreas Malm The more we know about the catastrophic implications of climate change, the more fossil fuels we burn. How did we end up in this mess? In this masterful new history, Andreas Malm claims it all began in Britain with the rise of steam power.   SIX DEGREES: OUR FUTURE ON A HOTTER PLANET by Mark Lynas Possibly the most graphic treatment of global warming that has yet been published, Six Degrees uses accessible journalistic prose to distil what environmental scientists portend about the consequences of human pollution for the next hundred years.   FOR YOUNGER READERS   A WARMER WORLD: FROM POLAR BEARS TO BUTTERFLIES HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS WILDLIFE by Caroline Arnold, Jamie Hogan The golden toad used to inhabit the cloud forests of Costa Rica, but when the weather became too warm and dried up the pools where its eggs hatched, the golden toad disappeared. It has not been seen in more than twenty years. This amphibian is just one of several species in A WARMER WORLD, a thought-provoking and informative account of how global climate change has affected wildlife over the past several decades.   LET’S SAVE THE ANIMALS: A FLIP THE FLAP BOOK by Frances Barry Bold illustrations, big flaps, and an ingenious die-cut design invite young readers to peek at the lives of endangered animals — and learn how to help.   NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC INVESTIGATES: EXTREME WEATHER: SCIENCE TACKLES GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE by Kathleen Simpson, Jonathan D. W. Kahl Join the weather scientists who are using modern technology, including satellites and supercomputers, to produce a weather forecast for Earth’s future. Extreme Weather gives readers the expert’s views and highlights the climate changes that may be on the horizon.   AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH: THE CRISIS OF GLOBAL WARMING (Middle grade edition) by Al Gore Dramatic full-color photos, illustrations, and graphs combine with Gore’s effective and clear writing to explain global warming in very real terms: what it is, what causes it, and what will happen if we continue to ignore it. An Inconvenient Truth will change the way young people understand global warming and hopefully inspire them to help change the course of history.   For more on these and related titles visit the collection: Global Warming

from Shelf Awareness and has received glowing reviews for its heartwarming story and fun beat when read aloud. The School Library Journal raved in a starred review, “This delightful story is a feast for the eyes and ears, and it will hold up well to repeated demands from eager young listeners.” Besides quickly becoming a new favorite for storytime, A GREYHOUND, A GROUNDHOG has also been recognized for its stunning and adorable watercolor artwork by illustrator Chris Appelhans (Sparky), the 2014 Children’s Choice Illustrator of the Year. With A GREYHOUND, A GROUNDHOG, Jenkins adds to an impressive backlist of hits, including the picture book TOY MEETS SNOW, a New York Times Notable Book and a Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Book of the Year. She has also written award-winning chapter books featuring the same beloved characters from TOYS GO OUT, TOY DANCE PARTY, and TOYS COME HOME.

outstanding first books in any genre and named in honor of founding NBCC member John Leonard. Penguin Random House author Margaret Atwood is the recipient of the Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, for her lifetime contribution to letters and book culture, which includes groundbreaking fiction, environmental and feminist activism, and service to community as a cofounder of the Writers’ Trust of Canada. Penguin Random House imprints publish six finalists for the NBCC Awards in the following categories: FICTION Zadie Smith’s SWING TIME (Penguin Press) GENERAL NONFICTION Matthew Desmond’s EVICTED: Poverty and Profit in the American City(Crown) Jane Mayer’s DARK MONEY: The Hidden History of The Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right (Doubleday) AUTOBIOGRAPHY Hope Jahren’s LAB GIRL (Alfred A. Knopf) Hisham Matar’s THE RETURN: Fathers, Sons, and the Land in Between (Random House) CRITICISM Mark Greif’s AGAINST EVERYTHING: Essays (Pantheon) Congratulations to Ms. Gyasi and Ms. Atwood as well as all of our nominees, their editors and publishers. View a complete list of the NBCC finalists here. Winners of the NBCC awards will be announced on Thursday, March 16 in NYC at the New School’s Tishman Auditorium. The National Book Critics Circle was founded in 1974 at New York’s Algonquin Hotel by a group of the most influential critics of the day, and awarded its first set of honors in 1975.  The NBCC now comprises more than 1,000 working critics and book-review editors throughout the country.  The NBCC annually bestows its awards in six categories, honoring the best books published in the past year in the United States.

Children’s Books has already licensed rights in the United Kingdom to Hot Key Books and in Australia and New Zealand to Allen & Unwin; both will publish Lockhart’s GENUINE FRAUD immediately following the U.S. publication. GENUINE FRAUD will carry a first printing of 250,000 copies and release on September 5, 2017. “It is always cause for celebration when a new E. Lockhart book arrives,” says Ms. Horowitz. “With GENUINE FRAUD Lockhart brilliantly combines a unique structure with the raw emotions of fascinating characters into a subversive psychological suspense novel readers will be hard-pressed to put down—and will want to read again as soon as they finish.” Edgy and inventive, GENUINE FRAUD is an instantly memorable story of love, betrayal, and entangled relationships that are not what they seem. Lockhart introduces readers to the story of Imogen and Jule—Imogen, a runaway heiress, an orphan, a cook, and a cheat; Jule, a fighter, a social chameleon, and an athlete. This is a novel about intense friendship, a disappearance, murder, bad romance, a girl who refuses to give people what they want from her, and a girl who refuses to be the person she once was. Who is genuine? And who is a fraud? You be the judge. Follow #GenuineFraud for conversation about the book. In May 2017, Delacorte Press will publish a special deluxe edition of Lockhart’s bestseller WE WERE LIARS, originally published in 2014 and hailed as “haunting” (Wall Street Journal), “mindblowing” (MTV News), and “shocking” (Entertainment Weekly), now with more than half a million copies sold in all formats in North America and legions of fans around the world. The new keepsake edition will include 32 pages of exclusive content that shares never-before-seen letters written to the main character, Cady, by Gat; the original book proposal; the author’s drawings of Beechwood Island and the Sinclair family tree; an excerpt of Genuine Fraud; and more. The book will retail for $18.99 and will be available wherever books are sold on May 23. WE WERE LIARS spent 50 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list (for both hardcover and eBook editions). Follow the latest discussions about the book using #WeWereLiars.

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well as the forgiveness and nonviolence that empowered his leadership. It’s especially important for the young to learn about Dr. King’s character and contributions. We recommend the books herein for education and inspiration. Visit The King Center’s site here for more information on this year’s commemoration. FEATURED TITLES MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: THE LAST INTERVIEW AND OTHER CONVERSATIONS by Martin Luther King, Jr. As the Black Lives Matter movement gains momentum, and books like Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me and Claudia Rankine’s Citizen swing national attention toward the racism and violence that continue to poison our communities, it’s as urgent now as ever to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr., whose insistence on equality and peace defined the Civil Rights Movement and forever changed the course of American history.   MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: A LIFE by Marshall Frady Marshall Frady, the reporter who became the unofficial chronicler of the civil rights movement, here re-creates the life and turbulent times of its inspirational leader. Deftly interweaving the story of King’s quest with a history of the African American struggle for equality, Frady offers fascinating insights into his subject’s magnetic character and the complexities of King’s relationships with other civil rights leaders, the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, and the FBI’s J. Edgar Hoover.   WHY WE CAN’T WAIT  by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Often applauded as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s most incisive and eloquent book, Why We Can’t Wait recounts the Birmingham campaign in vivid detail, while underscoring why 1963 was such a crucial year for the civil rights movement.   THE TRUMPET OF CONSCIENCE by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In November and December 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered five lectures for the renowned Massey Lecture Series of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Immediately released under the title Conscience for Change after King’s assassination, it was republished as The Trumpet of Conscience. Each oration speaks prophetically to today’s perils, addressing issues of equality, conscience and war, the mobilization of young people, and nonviolence.   FOR YOUNGER READERS   I AM MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. by Brad Meltzer, Christopher Eliopoulos; Ages 5 to 8 Even as a child, Martin Luther King, Jr. was shocked by the terrible and unfair way African-American people were treated. When he grew up, he decided to do something about it—peacefully, with powerful words. He helped gather people together for nonviolent protests and marches, and he always spoke up about loving other human beings and doing what’s right.   NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC READERS: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. by Kitson Jazynka; Ages 5 to 8 National Geographic Readers are educational, high-interest, and comprehensive for children. In this title, readers will learn about the fascinating life and legacy civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON by Frances Ruffin, Stephen Marchesi; Ages 6 to 8 On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people came to the nation’s capital. They came by plane, by bus, by car–even on roller-skates–to speak out against segregation and to demand equal rights for everyone. They also came to hear the words of a very special leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. Told with a wonderful immediacy, this book captures the spirit of this landmark day in American history and brings Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech to vivid life for young children.   FREE AT LAST! by Angela Bull; Ages 8 to 12 Free at Last! is a biography of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., who encouraged nonviolent protest to fulfill his dream of an America where people would be judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin.   For more on these and other titles about Martin Luther King, Jr. visit MLK, JR. TITLES

“Out with the old and in with the new!” Well, we don’t quite feel that way at Penguin Random House about our books… like Helen Keller’s wisdom, the beauty and intelligence of our best titles transcend time. Still, the sentiment is optimistic and a fresh start for one’s self in 2017 is usually embraced, witness the resolutions that are bandied about on social media, in conversation and in news features. Who can deny the appeal of the ubiquitous marketing meme “New Year, New You”? What’s not as appealing is the toil and discipline involved with healthy change. So we offer our support in the quest for success and happiness with titles that will help readers realize 5 of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions as follow: GET MORE EXERCISE: THE RUNNER’S HANDBOOK: THE BESTSELLING CLASSIC FITNESS GUIDE FOR BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE RUNNERS by Bob Glover, Jack Shepherd If you’re a runner, or would like to be one, The Runner’s Handbook will answer all your questions. Fitness expert Bob Glover-who has trained thousands of runners-shows you how to devise a training program and keep at the top of your form.   STRENGTH TRAINING EXERCISES FOR WOMEN by Joan Pagano Packed with more than 200 visual step-by-step exercises designed to burn calories, strengthen the core, and tone the body, Strength Training for Women is a must-have for core-conscious women who want to target key areas of their body and maintain all-round strength and fitness.   GET MORE SLEEP: THE SLEEP REVOLUTION: TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE, ONE NIGHT AT A TIME by Arianna Huffington In her new book, Arianna Huffington, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, delves into the sleep revolution that is happening all across the world. Sleep, she writes, is one of humanity’s great unifiers, binding us to each other, to our ancestors, to our past, and to the future. Yet we find ourselves in the middle of a crisis of sleep deprivation, with devastating effects on our health, happiness and performance.   BUDDHA’S BOOK OF SLEEP: SLEEP BETTER IN SEVEN WEEKS WITH MINDFULNESS MEDITATION by Joseph Emet, Thich Nhat Hanh Enlightened sleep practices for the modern mind. Buddha’s Book of Sleep is the first book to address sleep disturbances with techniques from mindfulness meditation. Yet this is a natural choice—mindfulness meditation has proven effective for psychological problems such as stress, depression, and anxiety, and these very issues are what become sleep problems when your head hits the pillow.   PRACTICE MEDITATION: MEDITATION by Domyo Sater Burk A concise, easy-to-grasp prescriptive primer on the numerous types of meditation and how to practice them. While meditation is viewed in many ways, it’s essentially the slowing down of your thoughts in order to achieve awareness. Most meditation practitioners use it as a means of focusing their thoughts and relaxing in their space and mind. Many use it as a daily form of prayer. Meditation can help focus your thinking, lower your stress levels, and lower risks for medical issues.   MINDFUL GAMES: SHARING MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION WITH CHILDREN, TEENS, AND FAMILIES by Susan Kaiser Greenland Playing games is a great way for kids to develop their focusing and attention skills and to become more mindful. Susan Kaiser Greenland has had a lot of success bringing mindfulness to the classroom, and in this book she shares her experience, showing how parents, caregivers, and teachers can cultivate these qualities at home or in a school setting.   DECLUTTER: CUT THE CLUTTER by Cynthia Ewer From how to combat and stay on top of the clutter tide to the most effective tools and methods for cleaning, expert Cynthia Townley Ewer guides you through solving the many obstacles of running an orderly home. Step-by-step instructions, household routines, and quick tips make these daunting tasks easier to tackle, and will leave you with more time and energy for the good things in life.   THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP: THE JAPANESE ART OF DECLUTTERING AND ORGANIZING by Marie Kondo Japanese organizational consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly declutter your home once, you’ll never have to do it again. Whereas most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, the KonMari Method’s category-by-category, all-at-once prescription leads to lasting results.   REDUCE CALORIES: ZERO BELLY SMOOTHIES: LOSE UP TO 16 POUNDS IN 14 DAYS AND SIP YOUR WAY TO A LEAN & HEALTHY YOU! by David Zinczenko Now in a full-color print edition with added photographs, the much-requested extension of the bestselling Zero Belly books franchise, an essential collection of more than 100 simple, nutritious and delicious smoothies that adhere to the Zero Belly dos and don’ts, including a 3- and 5-day smoothie cleanse to jumpstart rapid weight loss!   THE SKINNYTASTE COOKBOOK: LIGHT ON CALORIES, BIG ON FLAVOR by Gina Homolka Skinnytaste.com is the hottest go-to resource for low-fat, low-calorie meals that taste anything but. Gina Homolka—a home cook turned savvy blogger—started the site as she launched her own efforts to lose weight after having her second child, and her recipes instantly resonated with a wide audience.   For our Top 50 Health Books visit the collection: Health for New Year

to Penguin Random House, which read, in part: “On behalf of our staff on the ground and all the girls and boys served by Save the Children’s literacy programs, I want to express my deep gratitude for the generous gifts we received from Penguin Random House. Thanks to you, we’ve been able to give children growing up in poverty in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Malawi and rural America more opportunities to develop strong literacy skills and discover the joy of reading that only comes with access to books that stretch imaginations, inspire new ways of thinking and transport young readers to faraway places … Your operations team deserves extra acknowledgment for the extraordinary effort, time and expense that they devoted to ensuring that 300,000 books – an enormous amount by any count – made it into the hands of children in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach places.” Ms. Mills also taped a short video message that features some of the children who have benefited from Penguin Random House’s contributions. Watch it here. Globally, Penguin Random House supports Save the Children’s Literacy Boost program, which creates a culture of reading both inside and outside the classroom, reaching more than 1,900 schools for children aged 6-10 particularly in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malawi and Zambia as well as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Philippines, and Australia. In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, Early Reader books were donated to partner programs in North Carolina and South Carolina. Penguin Random House has also been a strong supporter of Save the Children’s Early Steps to School Success program, which lays a critical foundation of language and literacy skills for children from birth to age 5, so they can enter school ready to succeed. The best way to ensure all children have a fair chance at a brighter future is to give each child the opportunity to learn and grow early on.

  WONDER by R. J. Palacio Soon to be a major motion picture with starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay (April, 2017) Wonder is the story of Auggie, a boy born with major facial abnormalities but no cognitive ones.  The novel begins with Auggie’s parents’ decision to send him to school for the first time – beginning with 5th grade which is middle school in New York City, where the family lives.  Auggie rises to the occasion, but typical middle school hardships are tenfold harder for him. Though classified as a “middle-grade” book, Wonder is a classic of empathy for all readers as it proves the adage that our similarities are much stronger than our differences. – Liz Camfiord   SEVEN BRIEF LESSONS ON PHYSICS by Carlo Rovelli Carlo Rovelli’s fantastic book I think could change the mind of even the most deeply pessimistic about science because, as Carlo states in the book, “Science is, above all, about visions.” Covering the theory of relativity, quantum physics, the architecture of our cosmos, and much more in this slim volume, Rovelli peels back the mystique and myth around science. – Amanda Fensch   THE BOYS IN THE BOAT: NINE AMERICANS AND THEIR EPIC QUEST FOR GOLD AT THE 1936 BERLIN OLYMPICS by Daniel James Brown By the end of the prologue, I was hooked, reading it straight through in one sitting. Daniel James Brown’s switches between Joe Rantz’s early and home life partnered with the team selections and shell races made what could have been a monotonous plot, into a very page turning narrative.  Peppered throughout, and seamlessly incorporated, he also includes the crisis of the Great Depression and its effects on the US, while pinpointing the concurrent events in Germany and Hitler’s rise to power. The minute I finished it I had to tell my family all about it. The reluctant young readers in the group absolutely loved the audiobook and demanded it be played anytime we got in the car. – Katie Kipe   THE NIX by Nathan Hill The Nix is a sprawling satire that perfectly captures the late-capitalism, post-democratic society in which we live – obsessed as it is with superficiality, consumerism, unreality – but which also treats its characters with such warmth, such sincerity, such empathy that it’s a tonic for the times we’re in. - Pennie Hoyle Note: Meryl Streep and J.J. Abrams have partnered to bring THE NIX to the small screen as a limited TV series. Streep is reportedly looking to executive produce and star in the project.   HERO OF THE EMPIRE by Candice Millard I always thought of Winston Churchill as a cigar smoking, short stocky man who was a great leader of England during WWII and somewhat crippled by his bigger nation partners in the US and Soviet Union against Nazi Germany but Candice Millard shows us a completely different side of Churchill as a young man full of aspiration and eager to serve his country. The author spins a story of bravery, savagery and chance encounters.  It is timeless non-fiction that reads like fiction on par with Stieg Larsson and draws comparison to works by Nathaniel Philbrick.  It’s perfect for readers interested in the time period and war history.  – Brian Nielsen   YOU CAN’T TOUCH MY HAIR by Phoebe Robinson Comedian Phoebe Robinson has experienced her fair share over the years: from being unceremoniously relegated to the role of “the black friend”, been followed around stores by security guards; and yes, people do ask her whether they can touch her hair all the time.  Now, she’s taking these topics to the page. As personal as it is political, You Can’t Touch My Hair examines our cultural climate and skewers our biases with humor and heart. – Hugo Bresson   TALES OF THE PECULIAR by Ransom Riggs This is a book for peculiars only, if you don’t find yourself floating out of bed in the middle of the night because you forgot to tie yourself to the mattress, or if you’re not sprouting flames from the palms of your hands an inopportune times or if you don’t chew food with the mouth in the back of your head, then please whatever you do, don’t read this book! – Robert Haddock   THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE by Melanie Benjamin This is the story of Truman Capote and his swans. Babe Paley, along with Slim Keith, Gloria Vanderbilt, Pamela Churchill, and more. But mostly Babe. It is the story of how Capote courted them, lunched with them, entertained them, and used them to make his entrée into the world that their husbands inhabited – that of men of wealth, the one status that Truman wanted, but was unable to attain…But Capote couldn’t maintain his friendship with his swans.  He miscalculated, and published a chapter out of his most famous and never-to-be-finished novel, Answered Prayers.  In it, he told stories that should have never been revealed. Truman Capote fascinates us. We can’t get enough of him.  And stories of glitterati and socialites will always fascinate us. - Sharon Parker   SWEETBITTER by Stephanie Danler A thrilling novel of the senses, and coming-of-age tale, follows a small-town girl who gets the education of a lifetime at one of the most exclusive restaurants in Manhattan…Stephanie Danler conjures the nonstop and totally adrenalized world of the restaurant. Evoking the infinite possibility of being young in New York City with heart-stopping accuracy, Sweetbitter is ultimately about the power of what remains after disillusionment, and the wisdom that comes from life experiences… both sweet and bitter.  – Brad Simpson For more on these and other books on our list visit the edelweiss collection: Year-End Hot Titles

of a first novel . . . [Graham] has an easy, unforced style and, when the situation calls for it, a keen sense of the ridiculous.” “Lauren’s 2013 novel, SOMEDAY, SOMEDAY, MAYBE, established her as a talented writer with a terrific voice,” says her editor Sara Weiss. “When she approached us about writing a book of personal essays that would tie into the release of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, we knew it was a winning idea. Not only are Gilmore fans die-hard, but Lauren is the real deal – and the book more than delivers: The essays are honest, hilarious, quirky, and charming and reading it is like having a cup of coffee with your best friend. “ In TALKING AS FAST AS I CAN, Graham reveals stories about love, life, and working as a woman in Hollywood—along with the behind-the-scenes dispatches from the set of the new Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life. “Returning to the show justified putting together these thoughts and essays,” with the Gilmore endeavors serving as “bookends,” Graham told USA Today. “I thought, ‘I feel so grateful to get to do this again that I’m going to write about what it was like.’” Ms. Graham appeared on Ellen, The Today Show, Rachael Ray, The Chew, National Public Radio and was featured in The New York Times, USA Today, People magazine,Entertainment Weekly, among many other national outlets. Her events at the 92nd St. Y in New York and Sixth & I in Washington, DC both instantly sold out, along with a fantastic event at Barnes & Noble Union Square.

PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction THE MOTHERS by Brit Bennett (Riverhead Books) WHEN WATCHED by Leopoldine Core (Penguin Books) HOMEGOING by Yaa Gyasi  (Alfred A Knopf) WRECK AND ORDER by Hannah Tennant-Moore (Hogarth/Crown Publishing Group) PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction EVICTED: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond (Crown) WHITE TRASH: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America by Nancy Isenberg (Viking) STRANGERS DROWNING: Impossible Idealism, Drastic Choices, and the Urge to Help by Larissa MacFarquhar (Penguin Press) CHILDREN OF PARADISE: The Struggle for the Soul of Iran by Laura Secor (Riverhead Books) BAD NEWS: Last Journalists in a Dictatorship by Anjan Sundaram (Doubleday) PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay KNOWN AND STRANGE THINGS by Teju Cole (Random House) AGAINST EVERYTHING by Mark Greif (Pantheon Books) PEN Open Book Award CHRONICLE OF A LAST SUMMER: A Novel of Egypt by Yasmine El Rashidi (Tim Duggan Books/Crown Publishing Group) BEHOLD THE DREAMERS by Imbolo Mbue (Random House) WHAT IS NOT YOURS IS NOT YOURS by Helen Oyeyemi (Riverhead Books) PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award THE GENIUS OF BIRDS by Jennifer Ackerman (Penguin Press) PATIENT H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness, and Family Secrets by Luke Dittrich (Random House) ENGINEERING EDEN: The True Story of a Violent Death, a Trial, and the Fight Over Controlling Nature by Jordan Fisher Smith (Crown) HOW TO MAKE A SPACESHIP: A Band of Renegades, an Epic Race, and the Birth of a Private Spaceflight by Julian Guthrie (Penguin Press) LAB GIRL by Hope Jahren (Alfred A Knopf) THE GLASS UNIVERSE by Dava Sobel (Viking) PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sports Writing BOYS AMONG MEN: How the Prep-to-Pro Generation Redefined the NBA and Sparked a Basketball Revolution by Jonathan Abrams (Crown Archetype) INDENTURED: The Inside Story of the Rebellion Against the NCAA by Joe Nocer and  Ben Strauss (Portfolio) PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography CHARLOTTE BRONTE: A Fiery Heart by Claire Harman (Alfred A. Knopf) PEN Translation Prize THE VEGETARIAN by Han Kang; translated from the Korean by Deborah Smith (Hogarth/Crown Publishing Group) PEN Award for Poetry in Translation TALES OF ISE translated from Japanese by Peter MacMillan (Penguin Classics) Warm congratulations to all of our PEN longlisted authors, their editors and publishers. To view the complete 2017 PEN Literary Awards longlists click here. Finalists for the 2017 PEN awards will be announced on January 18. The winners will be revealed on February 22, except those for the awards for debut fiction and essay as well as those for the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award and the PEN/Nabokov Award, which will be named live at the 2016 PEN Literary Awards Ceremony on March 27 at The New School’s Auditorium in NYC.

  HAWAII: A NOVEL by James A. Michener, Steve Berry Pulitzer Prize–winning author James A. Michener brings Hawaii’s epic history vividly to life in a classic saga that has captivated readers since its initial publication in 1959. As the volcanic Hawaiian Islands sprout from the ocean floor, the land remains untouched for centuries—until, little more than a thousand years ago, Polynesian seafarers make the perilous journey across the Pacific, flourishing in this tropical paradise according to their ancient traditions.   PARADISE NEWS by David Lodge Bernard Walsh is in Hawaii on family business, escorting his querulous father to the bedside of a long-forgotten aunt. His mission transports him from quiet obscurity in England, to a lush tropical playground, from cloistered solitude into the unfamiliar company of package tourists: honeymooners; young women looking for Mr. Nice; families nuclear and fissile. But it is the island itself that holds the most astonishing surprises.   UNFAMILIAR FISHES by Sarah Vowell An examination of Hawaii, the place where Manifest Destiny got a sunburn. Of all the countries the United States invaded or colonized in 1898, Sarah Vowell considers the story of the Americanization of Hawaii to be the most intriguing.   THIS IS PARADISE: STORIES by Kristiana Kahakauwila Elegant, brutal, and profound—this magnificent debut captures the grit and glory of modern Hawai’i with breathtaking force and accuracy.     THE DESCENDANTS: A NOVEL by Kaui Hart Hemmings The basis for the hit movie starring George Clooney, The Descendants is Narrated in a bold, fearless, unforgettable voice and set against the lush, panoramic backdrop of Hawaii. It’s a stunning debut novel about an unconventional family forced to come together and re-create its own legacy.   SWEET LIFE by Mia King When her husband gets a new job, Marissa Price leaves the island of Manhattan for the island of Hawaii. Paradise seems like the perfect place to find herself, save her marriage, and reconnect with her daughter. But Marissa discovers her new life is less about beaches and beautiful sunsets and more about cows and lava flows. Their new home is a fixer-upper. But what most needs fixing – her marriage – is the first thing to crumble.   For more books on Hawaii, visit the edelweiss collection Hawaii

  FEATURED TITLES   REPORTING WORLD WAR II: AMERICAN JOURNALISM 1938-1946 edited by Samuel Hynes, Anne Matthews, Nancy Caldwell Sorel Marking the 75th anniversary of America’s entrance into World War II, this Library of America two-volume boxed set gathers the acclaimed collection that evokes an extraordinary period in American history—and in American journalism. In two authoritative volumes, nearly 200 pieces by 80 writers record seminal events. Read an excerpt: “The Worst News That I Have Encountered in the Last 20 Years.”   AT DAWN WE SLEPT: THE UNTOLD STORY OF PEARL HARBOR; Revised edition by Gordon W. Prange, Donald M. Goldstein Revisit the definitive book on Pearl Harbor: At 7:53 a.m., December 7, 1941, America’s national consciousness and confidence were rocked as the first wave of Japanese warplanes took aim at the U.S. Naval fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor. As intense and absorbing as a suspense novel, At Dawn We Slept is the unparalleled and exhaustive account of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor.   REMEMBERING PEARL HARBOR: EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS BY U.S. MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN by Robert S. La Forte, Ronald E. Marcello       FOR YOUNGER READERS   WHAT WAS PEARL HARBOR? by Patricia Brennan Demuth, John Mantha, Tim Tomkinson; ages 8-12 In a compelling, easy-to-read narrative, children will learn all about a pivotal moment in American history.     REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR: AMERICAN AND JAPANESE SURVIVORS TELL THEIR STORIES by Thomas B. Allen, Robert D. Ballard; Ages 10 & up This landmark volume will provide young readers with valuable insights into both the Japanese and American points of view and demonstrate why people on both sides feel the need to remember Pearl Harbor.   UNDER THE BLOOD-RED SUN by Graham Salisbury; Ages 12 & up Tomi was born in Hawaii. His grandfather and parents were born in Japan, and came to America to escape poverty. World War II seems far away from Tomi and his friends. But then Pearl Harbor is attacked by the Japanese, and the United States declares war on Japan. Japanese men are rounded up, and Tomi’s father and grandfather are arrested. It’s a terrifying time to be Japanese in America. But one thing doesn’t change: the loyalty of Tomi’s buddies, the Rats.   EYES OF THE EMPEROR by Graham Salisbury; Ages 12 & up Eddy Okubo lies about his age and joins the army in his hometown of Honolulu only weeks before the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. Suddenly Americans see him as the enemy—even the U.S. Army doubts the loyalty of Japanese American soldiers. Then the army sends Eddy and a small band of Japanese American soldiers on a secret mission to a small island off the coast of Mississippi. Here they are given a special job, one that only they can do. Eddy’s going to help train attack dogs. He’s going to be the bait.   HOUSE OF THE RED FISH by Graham Salisbury; Ages 12 & up 1943, one year after the end of Under the Blood-Red Sun.  As a Japanese American, Tomi and his family have new enemies everywhere, vigilantes who suspect all Japanese. Tomi finds hope in his goal of raising Papa’s fishing boat, sunk in the canal by the Army on the day of the attack. To Tomi, raising Papa’s boat is a sign of faith that Papa and Grandpa will return.   For more on these and related titles visit the edelweiss collection: Pearl Harbor

more days for kids across the country through First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise that distributes books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families. This new #GiveaBook framework gives readers everywhere the power to give back and donate Penguin Random House books to students and educators in their local communities, continuing our mission to help nourish a passion for reading among the next generation of readers. The #GiveaBook campaign doesn’t stop at 100,000 books. Now through December 31, 2016, Penguin Random House is tripling the impact of donations made to First Book. Your donation through www.firstbook.org/prhcould help provide three times as many books to kids in local communities.  First Book can provide a new book to a child in need for just $3. Every $3 donated, online and off, will also be matched with an in-kind donation of two additional books from Penguin Random House. Penguin Random House celebrated the launch of #GiveaBook and the giving season by distributing books as gifts to readers at locations in New York, Maryland, Indiana and California. Through this cross-departmental effort, Emily Condlin has been leading the team driving the #GiveaBook 2016 campaign, highlighting the ongoing impact of our social responsibility programs. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the positive power of books and reading this holiday season. Stay tuned for more campaign updates and for shareable social media assets to help spread the word.

    IN SUCH GOOD COMPANY: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, And Fun in The Sandbox by Carol Burnett, narrated by the author (Random House Audio; Produced by Aaron Blank; Crown Archetype Print & E-book)       M TRAIN by Patti Smith, narrated by the author (Random House Audio; Produced by Orli Moscowitz; Knopf Print & E- book)       UNDER THE BIG BLACK SUN: A Personal History of L.A. Punk by John Doe with Tom DeSavia, narrated by the authors and a full cast (Random House Audio; Produced by Dan Zitt; Da Capo Press Print & E-book)       UNFAITHFUL MUSIC & DISAPPEARING INK by Elvis Costello, narrated by the author (Penguin Audio; Produced by Dan Zitt; Blue Rider Press Print & E-book)     Penguin Random House Audio titles have previously received 39 GRAMMY® nominations and 13 GRAMMY® Awards. The 59th Annual GRAMMY® Awards will be presented Sunday, February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles. We are thrilled for our Audio colleagues and author/narrators.

a water-spraying salute from firetrucks. As travel to Cuba ramps up so has an interest in its culture, history and politics. With that in mind, we’ve curated the following fine fiction and nonfiction to do with the intriguing island nation.   FEATURED TITLES   ¡CUBA!: RECIPES AND STORES FROM THE CUBAN KITCHEN by Dan Goldberg, Andrea Kuhn and Jody Eddy As the borders of Cuba continue to relax, more tourists are flooding in to find a country that is rich in history and steeped in tradition. Award-winning photographer Dan Goldberg has been visiting and photographing Cuba for almost a decade. Packed with 75 approachable and delectable recipes for classic Cuban dishes; essays on Cuba’s culture, history, and politics, and hundreds of breathtaking photos, ¡CUBA! offers readers a unique opportunity to dive into the food and culture of this vibrant country.   THE ROUGH GUIDE TO CUBA Discover all of Cuba’s highlights with insider information ranging from Cuba’s diverse music, Scuba diving, and colonial architecture to its world-class ballet and baseball, political history and captivating capital city, Havana. Clear maps make your travels around this spectacular country easy and unforgettable.   CUBANO BE, CUBANO BOP: ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF JAZZ IN CUBA by Leonardo Acosta, Paquito D’Rivera, Daniel S. White Based on unprecedented research in Cuba, the direct testimony of scores of Cuban musicians, and the author’s unique experience as a prominent jazz musician, CUBANO BE, CUBANO BOP is destined to take its place among the classics of jazz history. The work pays tribute not only to a distinguished lineage of Cuban jazz musicians and composers, but also to the rich musical exchanges between Cuban and American jazz throughout the twentieth century.   THE BOYS FROM DOLORES: FIDEL CASTRO’S SCHOOLMATES FROM REVOLUTION TO EXILE by Patrick Symmes At once sweeping and intimate, this remarkable history is a tour de force investigation of the world that gave birth to Fidel Castro – and the world his Cuban Revolution left behind.   BACARDI AND THE LONG FIGHT FOR CUBA by Tom Gjelten In this widely hailed book, NPR correspondent Tom Gjelten fuses the story of the Bacardi family and their famous rum business with Cuba’s tumultuous experience over the last 150 years to produce a deeply entertaining historical narrative.   SELECTED WRITINGS by Jose Marti José Martí (1853-1895) is the most renowned political and literary figure in the history of Cuba. A poet, essayist, orator, statesman, abolitionist, and the martyred revolutionary leader of Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain, Martí lived in exile in New York for most of his adult life, earning his living as a foreign correspondent. Throughout the 1880s and early 1890s, Martí’s were the eyes through which much of Latin America saw the United States.   BEFORE NIGHT FALLS: A MEMOIR by Reinaldo Arenas The shocking memoir by visionary Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas “is a book above all about being free,” said The New York Review of Books–sexually, politically, artistically. Arenas recounts a stunning odyssey from his poverty-stricken childhood in rural Cuba and his adolescence as a rebel fighting for Castro, through his suppression as a writer, imprisonment as a homosexual, his flight from Cuba via the Mariel boat lift, and his subsequent life and the events leading to his death in New York.   DREAMING IN CUBAN by Cristina García Here is the dreamy and bittersweet story of a family divided by politics and geography by the Cuban revolution. It is the family story of Celia del Pino, and her husband, daughter and grandchildren, from the mid-1930s to 1980.   THE ISLAND OF ETERNAL LOVE by Daina Chaviano Alone in a city that haunts her, far from her family, her history, and the island she left behind, Cecelia seeks refuge in a bar in Little Havana where a mysterious old woman’s fascinating tale keeps Cecelia returning night after night.   THE SUGAR KING OF HAVANA : THE RISE AND FALL OF JULIO LOBO, CUBA’S LAST TYCOON by John Paul Rathbone Drawing on stories from the author’s own family history and other tales of the island’s lost haute bourgeoisie, THE SUGAR KING OF HAVANA is a rare portrait of Cuba’s glittering past—and a hopeful window into its future.   FOR YOUNGER READERS   THE RED UMBRELLA by Christina Gonzalez This a moving tale of a 14-year-old girl’s journey from Cuba to America as part of Operation Pedro Pan—an organized exodus of more than 14,000 unaccompanied children, whose parents sent them away to escape Fidel Castro’s revolution.   For more on these and related titles visit the edelweiss collection: Cuba

THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR is Yoon’s second novel and widely regarded as a stunning follow-up to her 2015 YA hit, EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, which will make the jump to the big screen in August of 2017 and will star Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson. Buzz for Yoon’s second novel was high in the months leading up to the publication of THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR on November 1. It was featured everywhere from The New York Times Book Review and Publishers Weekly’s Best of 2016 list, to Entertainment Weekly and People Magazine. It is currently #6 on The New York Times bestsellers list for young adult hardcovers. Kirkus, USA Today, Time Magazine, Buzzfeed, and so many others have all given it glowing reviews. This book is inspired by Big History (to learn about one thing, you have to learn about everything). In THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR, to understand the characters and their love story, we must know everything around them and everything that came before them that has affected who they are and what they experience. Two teens–Daniel, the son of Korean shopkeepers, and Natasha, whose family is here illegally from Jamaica–cross paths in New York City on an eventful day in their lives–Daniel is on his way to a college interview with a Yale alum, Natasha is meeting with a lawyer to try and prevent her family’s deportation to Jamaica–and fall in love. In one of this book’s many starred reviews, Booklist praised Yoon, saying that THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR is “lyrical and sweeping, full of hope, heartbreak, fate…and the universal beating of the human heart.”

1.     #GiveABook and Change a Life

This holiday season, Penguin Random House is giving you 5 books in your honor to donate to your community through our third annual #GiveaBook holiday campaign. With your help, we have donated more than 85,000 books to children in need across the country through #Giveabook since its inception in 2014. This year, we’re donating an additional 50,000 books to children nationwide through First Book. Click here to claim 5 of these 50,000 books for your local students and teachers today.

2.     Help Young Readers Get Ahead with Read Ahead

Read Ahead ignites a love of reading in young students in New York City through mentoring, improving their confidence as well as their odds for success in school and life. Help nourish a passion for reading early in life by making a one-time or recurring contribution through their Page Turners program.

3.     Share a Bedtime Story with Worldreader

Reading to kids throughout their childhoods has a lasting and powerful impact on their future. This holiday season, join Worldreader, the innovative nonprofit that uses technology to bring digital books to every child and their family, to help give the gift of a bedtime story to kids around the globe. Watch how Penguin Random House Author Ambassador Tad Hills is spreading the joy of books and reading around the world. Make a donation of any size and your contribution will go towards making a collection of ebooks free, so that families around the world can read to their children.

4.     Buy One, Give One with Penguin Random House and Zulily

This year, get your holiday shopping done on zulily and help children in need across the country. Beginning on #CyberMonday on November 28 and throughout the holiday season Penguin Random House will donate one book for every Penguin Random House book sold on zulily. Look for the special Buy One, Give One badge for qualifying items and give the gift of reading to kids in need across the country.

5.     Give a Gift of Joy with Save the Children

Browse Save the Children’s Gifts of Joy Catalog to find your perfect #GivingTuesday gift. Choose to educate a girl for just $75 and you’ll give the gift of books, resources, and access to an education. For less than 20 cents a day, you can change a girl’s life forever.

6.     Help to Defend Freedom of Expression with PEN America

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the US and worldwide. Support PEN America and their efforts to champion the freedom to write and to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Join Penguin Random House in supporting PEN America and become a member today.

7.     Support the Literary Community with Poets and Writers

Poets and Writers is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization serving creative writers. By subscribing to the Poets and Writers magazine and becoming a member at any level, you can help the non-profit with their mission to foster the professional development of poets and writers, promote communication throughout the literary community, and help create an environment in which the widest possible public can appreciate literature.

8.     Support UJA and Help People in need.

Contribute to the UJA Federation of New York today and your support will have a global effect. Each year, UJA’s work touches 4.5 million people in more than 70 countries through a network of more than 100 charitable organizations. Donate today and visit their new volunteer website, www.timeforgood.org, to find meaningful volunteer projects around New York City in the five boroughs, Westchester and LI.

9.     Put Girls First and Donate to the Malala Fund

Join Malala Yousafzai’s #YesAllGirls movement and make a donation to support education programs for girls around the world. In her words, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.” Help make it happen.

10.     Support Jumpstart and Make a Difference

Because every child deserves a jump start, donate now and your gift will support Jumpstart’s early education program, providing children who are at risk of failing school with the support they need to be successful in preschool and ready for life. Celebrate #GivingTuesday by sharing this story on social media.

This holiday season, zulily’s campaign will benefit First Book, a Penguin Random House partner and nonprofit social enterprise that provides new books and educational resources to kids nationwide, and Treehouse, a Seattle-based nonprofit dedicated to giving children and teens in the foster care system the essentials they need to succeed in school and in life. Penguin Random House is proud to partner with zulily as the exclusive source of books to both First Book and Treehouse. For every Penguin Random House book sold on zulily we will donate one book to First Book, throughout the holiday season beginning #CyberMonday, November 28. Look for the special Buy One, Give One badge for qualifying books and give the gift of a bedtime story. In addition to our contributions to First Book, Penguin Random House will also provide Treehouse with books to offer for free to kids and teens in the Seattle foster care system throughout the holiday season. Read more about zulily’s campaign here. Celebrate #GivingTuesday by sharing this story on social media.

children in need across the country through our #GiveaBook holiday season campaign since its inception in 2014. This year, we are donating an additional 50,000 books to First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise that provides new books and educational resources to children from low-income families. We’re giving readers the chance to claim 5 of these 50,000 books for students in their home states. To claim yours and support your community visitwww.penguinrandomhouse.com/giveabook, complete the form, and Penguin Random House and First Book will make 5 books available to students and educators near you. Tomorrow on Giving Tuesday, our Penguin Random House colleagues in New York, Maryland, Indiana and California will celebrate the campaign kickoff by distributing more than 1,500 free books as gifts to readers in their home towns. Be sure to snap a picture and share using the hashtag #Giveabook to spread the word. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the positive power of books and reading this holiday season, and helping to create our next generation of readers. Stay tuned to Igloo to learn more about the campaign and for shareable social media assets to hep spread the word. Visit www.penguinrandomhouse.com/giveabook to #GiveaBook and give back.

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving – a secular holiday originally celebrated as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. What follows is a selection of books to help us all have “an attitude of gratitude” for each other, nature’s bounty and, of course, books!   FEATURED TITLES   GRATITUDE by Oliver Sacks No writer has succeeded in capturing the medical and human drama of illness as honestly and as eloquently as Oliver Sacks. During the last few months of his life, he wrote a set of essays in which he movingly explored his feelings about completing a life and coming to terms with his own death. Together, these four essays form an ode to the uniqueness of each human being and to gratitude for the gift of life.   THE GRATITUDE DIARIES: HOW A YEAR LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE CAN TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE by Janice Kaplan Former Parade Editor-in-Chief, Janice Kaplan spends a year living gratefully and transforms her marriage, family life, work and health. Through extensive interviews with experts and lively conversations with real people including celebrities like Matt Damon, Daniel Craig, and Jerry Seinfeld, Kaplan discovers the role of gratitude in everything from our sense of fulfillment to our children’s happiness.   A YEAR OF DAILY GRATITUDE: A GUIDED JOURNAL FOR CREATING THANKFULNESS EVERY DAY by Lorraine Miller Thoughtful quotations, easy-to-follow exercises and meditations, and space to record personal reflections offers a personalized path to inner peace. Filled with inspiring images and organized around monthly themes like growth, faith, and perspective, this guided journal is as visually palliative as it is emotionally rewarding.   TIES THAT BIND: STORIES OF LOVE AND GRATITUDE FROM THE FIRST TEN YEARS OF STORYCORPS by Dave Isay TIES THAT BIND honors the people who nourish and strengthen us. StoryCorps founder Dave Isay draws from ten years of the revolutionary oral history project’s rich archives, collecting conversations that celebrate the power of the human bond and capture the moment at which individuals become family.   THANKS HELP WOW: THE THREE ESSENTIAL PRAYERS by Anne Lamott It is these three prayers – asking for assistance from a higher power, appreciating what we have that is good, and feeling awe at the world around us – that can get us through the day and can show us the way forward. In Help, Thanks, Wow, Lamott recounts how she came to these insights, explains what they mean to her and how they have helped, and explores how others have embraced these same ideas.   THE LITTLE BOOK OF THANKS: A GIFT OF JOY AND APPRECIATION by Anne Rogers Smyth With inspiring words of gratitude, this tiny book with a great big message, helps us recognize the people who make our lives brighter and our hearts lighter. Enlightening quotes and short writings paired with adorable animal photos provide the perfect way to acknowledge everyone who makes a difference: a parent, friend, sibling, spouse, colleague, teacher, mentor, or anyone else who has enriched your life.   GRATITUDE AND TRUST: SIX AFFIRMATIONS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE by Paul Williams, Tracey Jackson Paul Williams is an alcoholic. Tracey Jackson is not. But together, these two close friends are working to apply the principles of the recovery movement to those countless people who are not addicts but nevertheless suffer from difficulties and pain.   FOR YOUNGER READERS   GIVING THANKS by Jonathan London, Gregory Manchess; Ages 3 to 7 How can a young boy ever show his gratitude for all the beauty he sees? He will learn from his father, who thanks the earth and the sky, the frogs and the crickets, the hawk and the deer, even the trees that wave their arms in the breeze. Majestic as the most beautiful autumn day and filled with glimpses of favorite woodland animals, GIVING THANKS is truly a gift to readers.   LADYBUG GIRL GIVES THANKS by David Soman, Jacky Davis; Ages 2 to 5 Ladybug Girl tells us why she’s thankful for all of her favorite things. And she has so much to be thankful for—Bingo, the trees, her books, her friends and family, and, of course, pumpkin pie!   For more information on these and related titles visit Gratitude

the program to reach children in Worldreader-affiliated schools as well as adults in libraries. Tad talks about his Author Ambassador experiences in his first blog post, The Power of Reading to Kids: “I am not a researcher, scientist, academic or someone who has gathered empirical evidence about the value of reading to children, but I’ve seen first-hand how a book or story can introduce children to a world they’ve never seen, a concept that has never occurred to them, or a life they haven’t lived. I’ve seen books bring people together and as I have visited classrooms in the United States and throughout the world, most recently in Ghana and Kenya with Worldreader, I’m always amazed at how stories can connect people.” Tad’s 5-day Author Ambassador journey featured visits to the Kibera School for Girls (Kibera, Kenya), St. Mary’s Boarding School (Narok, Kenya), Kade School (Accra, Ghana) and Dordiak Educational Complex (Accra, Ghana). The trip was captured documentary-style and is presented in a Worldreader blog post today and can be viewed on the Penguin Random House YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/aQT1CFr3-I0 Penguin Random House and Worldreader proudly partner to help create a world where everyone is a reader. Visit www.worldreader.org and www.penguinrandomhouse.com to learn more about how we are committed to creating the next generation of readers around the world.

Best Awful, and memoirs like Wishful Drinking, Carrie has established herself as a singular comedic voice, tinged with the sadness of modern living. While some of the early press on The Princess Diarist has focused on Carrie’s revelations about her relationship with Harrison Ford four decades ago, her book brilliantly dissects the questions of fame, aging and longing for connections in Hollywood (and in our families).” With her portrayal of Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, Fisher became one of the world’s most famous pop-culture icons.  As she prepared to return to the Star Wars series in 2015, Fisher made a most interesting discovery—three long-forgotten journals she had kept during the making of the first Star Wars film in 1976. Filled with the musings, insights, and witticisms of her nineteen-year-old self, they also document an affair with one of her co-stars that has never been revealed until now, with the publication of THE PRINCESS DIARIST. “I’ve rarely talked about being Leia at length—not deliberately in any event,” Fisher writes. She definitely corrects that state of affairs with her new memoir, reflecting on how she got to be Leia, what it was like to actually play her, and how Leia has changed her life. “I’m asked about her all the time,” she writes. “How she is. What her plans are for episodes VIII and IX.  How things are going with Harrison.” As it turns out, Harrison Ford plays a significant role in Fisher’s new book. “I’ve spent so many years not telling the story of Harrison and me having an affair on the first Star Wars movie that it’s difficult to know exactly how to tell it now,” she writes. “I suppose I’m writing this because it’s forty years later and whoever we there then—superficially at least—we no longer are now. Whoever I might have infuriated then wouldn’t have the energy to be infuriated now. And even if they did, I wouldn’t have the energy to feel as guilty as I would have thirty or twenty or—well, there’s no way I could’ve written it even ten years ago.” Lest she be accused of kissing and telling without warning or scruple, Fisher notes that, before disclosing anything that is possibly someone else’s secret to tell, she first lets that person know about her intention. “I don’t want to make anyone else look stupid,” she writes. “That’s a privilege I reserve for myself.” Besides, she says, if she hadn’t written about it, someone else would have. Someone without direct knowledge of the “situation.” Someone who would wait—cowardly—until after her passing to speculate on what happened and make her look bad. Or Internet folks, who would conjecture about it with their proof being heretofore-unseen publicity pictures from Japan. Beyond “Carrison,” Fisher offers fresh, funny, and touching new takes on many of the major events of her remarkable life and career, starting with her childhood in the Hollywood fishbowl, as the daughter of the famously divorced Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. Their bitter split amid the tabloid glare when Fisher left Reynolds for her best friend, Elizabeth Taylor, and the subsequent decline of her parents’ finances and starry luster, made her vow never to go into show business. But at fifteen she was in a Broadway show starring her mother, and at seventeen, she won the role of a jaded, intellectually and sexually precocious teenager in Shampoo, which brought her to the attention of George Lucas.

Maya Angelou Teacher Award for Poetry was presented by Dr. Maya Angelou’s great granddaughter Caylin Johnson. The award specifically focuses on poetry initiatives and is awarded in honor of Dr. Maya Angelou’s legacy. The 2016 awards also consist of a $10,000 first-place grant, one $5,000 second-place grant, and one $2,500 third-place grant for each teacher’s respective school. In addition, book donations are made to these winners. Ten additional runner-ups receive $250 grants and books donations. Pictured, left to right: Michael Gentile, VP, Director, Academic Marketing, Penguin Random House; Melanie Fallon-Houska, Director of Corporate Giving, Penguin Random House; Caylin Johnson, Dr. Maya Angelou’s great grand-daughter; Kristen Nevins, $10,000 Grant Recipient; Gillian Schneider, $10,000 Maya Angelou Grant Recipient; Doug Hesse, NCTE President; and Susan Houser, NCTE President-Elect Melanie Fallon-Houska, Director, Corporate Giving, underscored Penguin Random House’s commitment to nurturing a universal passion for reading and creating lifelong readers during a short presentation, and recognized the 2016 Teacher Awards for Literacy winners and presented them with their grant awards:

• Kristen Nevins –$10,000 Grant Recipient, Third Grade Teacher, Dr. Charles C. Polk Elementary School, Roselle, NJ
• Gillian Schneider  – $10,000 Maya Angelou Grant Recipient, English Teacher, Neuqua Valley High School, Naperville, IL
• Amy Rasmussen  – $5,000 Grant Recipient, English Teacher, Lewisville High School, Lewisville, TX
• Joyce Victor  – $2,500 Grant Recipient, Teacher Tutor, Owens Primary School, Bakersfield, CA

  These awards recognize the nation’s most dynamic and resourceful teachers who use their creativity to inspire and successfully instill a love of reading in students.  They are open to full- and part-time teachers in public schools across the United States.  Winners are awarded grants to help further their innovative reading programs and to disseminate them to other teachers around the country. The Penguin Random House Teacher Awards for Literacy Highlights Video shows the difference these grants are making to the teachers, schools, and, most importantly, the kids. Watch the video here and go to http://foundation.penguinrandomhouse.com for 2017 guidelines and application. The first 2016 application received by September 1, 2017 will receive a free class set of Penguin Random House titles. Deadline for all applications is September 15, 2017.

FICTION CONCLAVE by Robert Harris (Knopf) The best-selling author, Robert Harris, turns to today’s Vatican in a ripped-from-the-headlines novel, and gives us his most ambitious, page-turning thriller yet–where the power of God is nearly equaled by the ambition of men. The pope is dead. Behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, one hundred and eighteen cardinals from all over the globe will cast their votes in the world’s most secretive election. They are holy men. But they have ambition. And they have rivals. Over the next seventy-two hours one of them will become the most powerful spiritual figure on Earth. NOVELS, TALES, JOURNEYS by Alexander Pushkin (Knopf) The father of Russian literature, Pushkin is beloved not only for his poetry but also for his brilliant stories, which range from dramatic tales of love, obsession, and betrayal to dark fables and sparkling comic masterpieces, from satirical epistolary tales and romantic adventures in the manner of Sir Walter Scott to imaginative historical fiction and the haunting dreamworld of “The Queen of Spades.” The five short stories ofThe Late Tales of Ivan Petrovich Belkin are lightly humorous and yet reveal astonishing human depths, and his short novel, The Captain’s Daughter, has been called the most perfect book in Russian literature. PRESENCE: COLLECTED STORIES by Arthur Miller (Penguin Classics) Though best known for creating some of the greatest dramas of the twentieth century, Arthur Miller was also a master of the short story. Initially published in prestigious venues like the New Yorker, the Atlantic, and Esquire, his fiction constitutes a fascinating and indispensable portion of his life’s work. PRESENCE: COLLECTED STORIES revives and reintroduces these masterly works, making available in one volume stories previously scattered across various collections. Here, as in his best plays, Miller pulls apart the threads of American life with tender humanism and unmatched psychological realism. These stories build on the landscape of Miller’s drama, of Broadway dives and Brooklyn shipyards where businessmen, writers, bums, and blue-collar workers struggle for self-worth. THE SPY by Paulo Coelho (Knopf) When Mata Hari arrived in Paris she was penniless.  Within months she was the most celebrated woman in the city. As a dancer, she shocked and delighted audiences; as a courtesan, she bewitched the era’s richest and most powerful men. But as paranoia consumed a country at war, Mata Hari’s lifestyle brought her under suspicion. In 1917, she was arrested in her hotel room on the Champs Elysees, and accused of espionage. Told in Mata Hari’s voice through her final letter, THE SPY is the unforgettable story of a woman who dared to defy convention and who paid the ultimate price. NONFICTION THE PRINCESS DIARIST by Carrie Fisher (Blue Rider Press) When Carrie Fisher recently discovered the journals she kept during the filming of the first Star Wars movie, she was astonished to see what they had preserved—plaintive love poems, unbridled musings with youthful naiveté, and a vulnerability that she barely recognized. Today, her fame as an author, actress, and pop-culture icon is indisputable, but in 1977, Carrie Fisher was just a teenager with an all-consuming crush on her costar, Harrison Ford. With these excerpts from her handwritten notebooks, THE PRINCESS DIARISTis Fisher’s intimate and revealing recollection of what happened on one of the most famous film sets of all time—and what developed behind the scenes. VICTORIA: THE QUEEN by Julia Baird (Random House) This page-turning biography reveals the real woman behind the myth: a bold, glamorous, unbreakable queen—a Victoria for our times. In a world where women were often powerless, during a century roiling with change, Victoria went on to rule the most powerful country on earth with a decisive hand. Drawing on sources that include fresh revelations about Victoria’s relationship with John Brown, Julia Baird brings vividly to life the fascinating story of a woman who struggled with so many of the things we do today: balancing work and family, raising children, navigating marital strife, losing parents, combating anxiety and self-doubt, finding an identity, searching for meaning. THE KEYS by DJ Khaled (Crown Archetype) From Snapchat sensation, business mogul, and recording artist DJ Khaled, the book They don’t want you to read reveals his major keys to success: Stay away from They; Don’t ever play yourself; Secure the bag; Respect the code; Glorify your success; Don’t deny the heat; Keep two rooms cooking at the same time; Win, win, win no matter what.     ISLAND PEOPLE by Joshua Jelly-Schapiro (Knopf) From the moment Columbus gazed out from the Santa María‘s deck in 1492 at what he mistook for an island off Asia, the Caribbean has been subjected to the misunderstandings and fantasies of outsiders. Running roughshod over the place,  they have viewed these islands and their inhabitants as exotic allure to be consumed or conquered. The Caribbean stood at the center of the transatlantic slave trade for more than three hundred years, with societies shaped by mass migrations and forced labor.  But its people, scattered across a vast archipelago and separated by the languages of their colonizers, have nonetheless together helped make the modern world—its politics, religion, economics, music, and culture. Jelly-Schapiro gives a sweeping account of how these islands’ inhabitants have searched and fought for better lives. YOUNG READERS TROUBLE MAKES A COMEBACK by Stephanie Tromly (Kathy Dawson Books) Now that the infuriating and irresistible Philip Digby has left town for a lead on his sister who disappeared years ago, Zoe Webster is looking forward to a quiet spring semester. She’s dating a cute quarterback, hanging out with new friends, and enjoying being “a normal.” Which is of course when Digby comes back. He needs Zoe’s help, and not just to find his sister. Zoe can either choose to stay on her current path toward popularity, perfect SAT scores, and Princeton, or she can take a major detour with Digby, and maybe find out what that kiss he stole from her really meant. Digby and his over-the-top schemes always lead somewhere unexpected and Zoe’s beginning to learn she might just like jumping into the unknown. When it comes to Digby, for Zoe at least, the choice might already be made. PLENTY OF LOVE TO GO AROUND by Emma Chichester Clark (Nancy Paulsen Books) Based on the adventures of Emma Chichester Clark’s real-life dog, Plum, this delightful romp gently tackles feelings of jealousy and the difficulties of sharing, in endearing, dynamic illustrations that readers will love. Plum the dog loves being her family’s Special One. So when Binky the cat moves in next door and everyone showers him with attention, Plum feels left out. Cats are not her favorite thing! Binky follows Plum everywhere, even to the park, which everyone knows is not for cats. And on top of that, Binky is so annoyingly clever. Is he the new Special One? Or is there enough love for both of them? DAN AND PHIL BOXED SET by Dan Howell and Phil Lester (Random House Books for Young Readers) YouTube sensations Dan Howell (danisnotonfire) and Phil Lester (AmazingPhil) present their NYT bestselling THE AMAZING BOOK IS NOT ON FIRE and DAN AND PHIL GO in one amazing box. Now you can own their complete collection! In your hands is a box (pretty heavy, huh?) containing two books created by two awkward guys who share their lives on the Internet. Dan and Phil invite you on a journey inside their world!

Here are our NYT Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2016 honorees: THE CAT FROM HUNGER MOUNTAIN Written and illustrated by Ed Young (Philomel Books) PREACHING TO THE CHICKENS: The Story of Young John Lewis By Jabari Asim. Illustrated by E. B. Lewis (Nancy Paulsen Books) THE TREE IN THE COURTYARD: Looking Through Anne Frank’s Window By Jeff Gottesfeld. Illustrated by Peter McCarty (Knopf Books for Young Readers) This year’s judges were G. Brian Karas, a Penguin Random House author and illustrator; Cynthia Weill, director of the Center for Children’s Literature at Bank Street College of Education; and Cheryl Wolf, the librarian for two New York City public elementary schools, the Neighborhood School and S.T.A.R. Academy.

the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It got us thinking about the art of conversation, which is also the art of listening. Both are key to health and happiness, for the individual and society. We all see how technology affects conversation, for better or worse. With that in mind please enjoy the following array of titles that are either conversations themselves, or about them. So let’s read, let’s talk, let’s listen…   FEATURED TITLES ABSOLUTELY ON MUSIC: CONVERSATIONS by Haruki Murakami, Seiji Ozawa This deeply personal, intimate conversation about music and writing provides a glimpse into the minds of the two maestros between the internationally acclaimed, best-selling author and his close friend, the former conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.   J. D. SALINGER: THE LAST INTERVIEW: AND OTHER CONVERSATIONS by J. D. Salinger, David Streitfeld From the moment J. D. Salinger published The Catcher in the Rye in 1951, he was stalked by besotted fans, would-be biographers, and pushy journalists.  These enlightening, provocative, and even amusing conversations reveal a writer fiercely resistant to the spotlight but powerless to escape its glare.   THE WISDOM OF FORGIVENESS: INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS AND JOURNEYS by Dalai Lama, Victor Chan The extraordinary documentation of the evolving friendship between the Dalai Lama and the man who followed him across Ireland and Eastern Europe, on a pilgrimage to India’s holy sites, and through the Dalai Lama’s near fatal illness.   SICK IN THE HEAD: CONVERSATIONS ABOUT LIFE AND COMEDY by Judd Apatow At 16, comedy director Apatow (The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up) started hosting a radio show for his local high school station, and he would call up the biggest comics of the day – comics like Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Steve Allen, Sandra Bernhard and talk to them about what got them into comedy, and what made them stay in. Thirty years later, Apatow is still interviewing comics. Featuring interviews with luminaries like Mel Brooks and Chris Rock and modern icons like Louis CK and Amy Schumer, this is a book for fans of comedy, from the nerdiest fan of all.   YOU WERE ALWAYS MOM’S FAVORITE!: SISTERS IN CONVERSATION THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES by Deborah Tannen Conversations between sisters reveal a deep and constant tug between two dynamics—an impulse toward closeness and an impulse toward competition. Wise and witty, You Were Always Mom’s Favorite! will leave you with a profound new understanding of the unique and precious sister bond.   EINSTEIN’S GOD: CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SCIENCE AND THE HUMAN SPIRIT by Krista Tippett Drawn from Krista Tippett’s Peabody Award-winning public radio program, the conversations in this profoundly illuminating book reach for a place too rarely explored in our ongoing exchange of ideas—the nexus of science and spirituality. Whether she is speaking with celebrated surgeon and author Sherwin Nuland about the biology of the human spirit or questioning Drawin biographer James Moore about his subject’s religious beliefs, Tippett offers a rare look at the way our best minds grapple with the questions for which we all seek answers.   DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen We attempt or avoid difficult conversations every day-whether dealing with an underperforming employee, disagreeing with a spouse, or negotiating with a client. From the Harvard Negotiation Project, the organization that brought you Getting to Yes, Difficult Conversations provides a step-by-step approach to having those tough conversations with less stress and more success.   RECLAIMING CONVERSATION: THE POWER OF TALK IN A DIGITAL AGE by Sherry Turkle Sherry Turkle investigates how a flight from conversation undermines our relationships, creativity, and productivity—and how we can reclaim conversation. Based on five years of research and interviews in homes, schools, and the workplace, Turkle argues that we have come to a better understanding of where our technology can and cannot take us and that the time is right to reclaim conversation.   CHANGING THE CONVERSATION: THE 17 PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION by Dana Caspersen, Joost Elffers From the producer of THE 48 LAWS OF POWER, this is a graphic, two-color manual that teaches the key 17 principles that help resolve conflict. The book shows how to step out of destructive patterns, discover new approaches to problems, create useful dialogue in difficult situations, and find long-lasting solutions for conflicts.   THE ART OF CONVERSATION: A GUIDED TOUR OF A NEGLECTED PLEASURE by Catherine Blyth Reclaim the pleasures and possibilities of great conversation with this sparkling guide from the witty pen of an Englishwoman wise to its art: What transforms encounters into adventures is how we listen, laugh, flirt, and flatter. Blyth celebrates techniques for reading and changing minds, whether you’re in a bar or a boardroom.   TEN CONVERSATIONS YOU MUST HAVE WITH YOUR SON: PREPARING YOUR SON FOR A HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL LIFE by Tim Hawkes Having been a headmaster for 25 years and an internationally recognized expert in the field of raising and educating boys, Dr. Hawkes is in a unique position to know what goes on inside the minds of teenage boys. Ten Conversations You Must Have with Your Son is the one book anyone with a teenage son should read to help them prepare him for adulthood.   THE MOSAIC OF ISLAM: A CONVERSATION WITH PERRY ANDERSON by Suleiman Mourad, Perry Anderson Today, 23 percent of the global population is Muslim, but ignorance and misinformation about Islam persist. In this fascinating and useful book, Perry Anderson interviews the noted scholar of Islam Suleiman Mourad about the Qur’an and the history of the faith.   For more information on these and related titles visit conversation titles  

Mr. Whitehead accepted his award to thunderous applause from the 700 guests, among them, our CEO Markus Dohle, publishing colleagues from across our imprints, and members of the Penguin Random House shareholder board, including Bertelsmann Chairman and CEO Thomas Rabe and Pearson CEO John Fallon, both attending their first-ever NBA ceremony. In THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD (Doubleday HC & E-Book; Random House Audio; Penguin Random House Canada distribution; Literatura Random House/Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, Fall 2017), a #1 New York Times Hardcover Fiction bestseller from Doubleday, Colson Whitehead tells the harrowing story of Cora, an indomitable teenage slave and her desperate bid for freedom from an antebellum cotton plantation in Georgia circa 1850.  In August, THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD became an Oprah’s Book Club selection, was excerpted in a stand-alone New York Times Magazine section, and received rave reviews. In her New York Times daily review, Michiko Kakutani said the novel “possesses the chilling matter-of-fact power of the slave narratives collected by the Federal Writers’ Project in the 1930s, with echoes of Toni Morrison’s Beloved, Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, and brush strokes borrowed from Jorge Luis Borges, Franz Kafka and Jonathan Swift… Whitehead has told a story essential to our understanding of the American past and the American present.” From the podium, Mr. Whitehead exuberantly observed that the “last four months since the book came out have been incredible,” noting that Doubleday has been his “only publisher for eighteen years” he’s been an author.  He thanked his publicity teams over the years, and praised his editor Bill Thomas: “No matter what kooky [book] idea I come up with, he assures me we will do an incredible job publishing it. Thank you for your faith in me all these years,” said Mr. Whitehead.  “It is incredible to have someone like Bill in your corner.” Earlier in the evening Knopf/Vintage author Robert A. Caro was presented with the National Book Foundation’s 2016 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.  Read a report on this memorable moment here. In a book world of dizzying change, the National Book Awards ceremony dinner remains a celebration of authors, publishers, and the readers we serve. Our cross-company pride in Colson Whitehead’s achievement, and in Bill Thomas, and the publishing team at Doubleday, also embraces our multiple Penguin Random House NBA longlist semi-finalists and short list finalists this year. It continues to be a humbling privilege for us to have the opportunity to bring their work to the widest possible audience. Here is a complete list of our National Book Award winners since the formation of Penguin Random House: Fiction: 2016: THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday) 2015: FORTUNE SMILES: Stories by Adam Johnson (Random House) 2014: REDEPLOYMENT by Phil Klay (Penguin Press) 2013: THE GOOD LORD BIRD by James McBride (Riverhead) Nonfiction: 2015: BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Spiegel & Grau) Poetry: 2015: VOYAGE OF THE SABLE VENUS by Robin Coste Lewis (Knopf) Young People’s Literature: 2014: BROWN GIRL DREAMING by Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy Paulsen Books)

with two Pulitzer Prizes, a National Book Award, three National Book Critics Circle Awards, and the National Humanities Medal, presented by President Obama in 2010. This award is given annually to an author who has enriched our literary heritage over a lifetime of achievement.Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Caro has demonstrated the power of biography to illuminate not just individuals but also the societies they influence and shape. Renowned librarian and educator Dr. William P. Kelly introduced Mr. Caro as “the greatest biographer of our time—and one might argue of all time.”  The Medal, he said, honors the recipient as “biographer, historian and journalist, and for his contribution to American letters…His passion for getting the story right is the stuff of legend,” adding that the author’s “narrative power derives from getting the language right.” Mr. Caro, gracious and modest, followed his standing ovation from the 700 dinner guests by observing that “one particularly nice aspect” of receiving this lifetime achievement award was the opportunity of “remembering experiences from [his] lifetime.” Our author affectionately praised his editor Bob Gottlieb and Knopf Managing Editor, Kathy Hourigan, who both have worked editorially with him on all his books since 1972, “44 years.” He acknowledged “another big part of my life is Sonny Mehta. It has meant a lot to have Sonny with me, “noting that after he first reads the new work in manuscript, Knopf’s Chairman and Editor in Chief unfailing “always picks out the things I want readers to get out of my book.” Mr. Caro recognized Knopf Production head Andy Hughes—“who is most responsible, long though they are, that my books are beautiful;”—and Tony Chirico, Anne Messitte, Paul Bogaards, Nicholas Latimer, and Russell Perreault, “not only friends, but friends of decades.” Mr. Caro, whose biography of Lyndon Johnson has grown from three to four and now five eagerly anticipated volumes, expressed his further gratitude that, “Never once has anyone at Knopf ever asked me when I was going to finish my book.” Mr. Caro concluded: “This award has made me remember a life, and that has been a great gift for me,” leaving the podium to a second standing ovation.

Cookbooks, Debut Goodreads Author, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction, Middle Grade & Children’s Books. Votes may be cast for the Goodreads Best Books of the Year through November 27. Here are our Goodreads Choice Awards 2016 final round nominees: Fiction SMALL GREAT THINGS by Jodi Picoult (Ballantine) THE GIRLS by Emma Cline (Random House) MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON by Elizabeth Strout (Random House) WHAT IS NOT YOURS IS NOT YOURS by Helen Oyeyemi (Riverhead) ELIGIBLE by Curtis Sittenfeld (Random House) Mystery & Thriller BROTHERHOOD IN DEATH by J.D. Robb (Berkley) FOOL ME ONCE by Harlan Coben (Dutton) THE TRESPASSER by Tana French (Viking) THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR by Shari Lapena (Pamela Dorman Books/Viking) Historical Fiction HOMEGOING by Yaa Gyasi (Knopf) A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by Amor Towles (Viking) THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday) THE SUMMER BEFORE THE WAR by Helen Simonson (Random House) THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE by Melanie Benjamin (Delacorte Press) Fantasy MAGIC BINDS by Iona Andrews (Ace) MARKED IN FLESH by Anne Bishop (Roc) FEVERBORN by Karen Marie Moning (Delacorte Press) FIRE TOUCHED by Patricia Briggs (Ace) Romance THE BEAST by J.R. Ward (NAL) THE OBSESSION by Nora Roberts (Berkley) KINGS RISING by C.S. Pacat (Berkley) Science Fiction SLEEPING GIANTS by Sylvain Neuvel (Del Rey) BLOODLINE (Star Wars) by Claudia Gray (LucasBooks) DARK MATTER by Blake Crouch (Crown) MORNING STAR by Pierce Brown (Del Rey) THE LAST ONE by Alexandra Oliva (Ballantine)’ CROSS TALK by Connie Willis (Del Rey) Horror MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM by Grady Hendrix (Quirk) THE CITY OF MIRRORS by Justin Cronin (Ballantine) Humor WHERE AM I NOW? by Mara Wilson (Penguin Books) MOTHER, CAN YOU NOT? by Kate Siegel (Crown Archetype) BASED ON A TRUE STORY by Norm Macdonald (Spiegel & Grau) DAN AND PHIL GO OUTSIDE by Dan Howell and Phil Lester (Random House Children’s Books) YOU CAN’T TOUCH MY HAIR by Phoebe Robinson (Blue Rider Press) Nonfiction ORIGINALS by Adam Grant (Viking) BUT WHAT IF WE’RE WRONG by Chuck Klosterman (Blue Rider Press) EVICTED by Matthew Desmond (Crown) DARK MONEY by Jane Mayer (Doubleday) Memoir & Autobiography WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR by Paul Kalanithi (Random House) LAB GIRL by Hope Jahren (Knopf) History & Biography WHITE TRASH by Nancy Isenberg (Viking) Science & Technology PATIENT H.M. by Luke Dittrich (Random House) INTO THE MAGIC SHOP by James Doty (Avery) THE BIG PICTURE by Sean Carroll (Dutton) THE GENIUS OF BIRDS by Jennifer Ackerman (Penguin Press) IN A DIFFERENT KEY by John Donovan and Caren Zucker Food & Cookbooks ALTON BROWN: Everyday Cook by Alton Browne (Ballantine) CRAVINGS by Chrissy Teigen (Clarkson Potter) OH SHE GLOWS EVERYDAY by Angela Liddon (Avery) OUTLANDER KITCHEN by Theresa Carle-Sanders (Delacorte Press) Debut Goodreads Author THE MOTHERS by Brit Bennett (Riverhead) LILAC GIRLS by Martha Hall Kelly (Ballantine) THE SERPENT KING by Jeff Zentner (Crown Books for Young Readers) REBEL OF THE SANDS by Alwyn Hamilton (Viking Books for Young Readers) Young Adult Fiction SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys (Philomel) THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by Nicola Yoon (Delacorte Press) HOLDING UP THE UNIVERSE by Jennifer Niven (Knopf Books for Young Readers) Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT by Sabaa Tahir (Razorbill) CALAMITY by Brandon Sanderson (Delacorte Press) Middle Grade & Children’s Books SUMMERLOST by Ally Condie (Dutton Books for Young Readers) MR. LEMONCELLO’S LIBRARY OLYMPICS by Chris Grabenstein (Random House Books for Young Readers) FURTHERMORE by Tahereh Mafi (Dutton Books for Young Readers)

underachievers to the best team in major league baseball. Granted full access to team president Theo Epstein, manager Joe Maddon, and the Cubs players, Verducci, Sports Illustrated’s Senior Baseball Writer and FOX Sports Analyst, will reveal how Epstein and Maddon built, led, and inspired the team that broke a 108-year championship drought by focusing on the mental side of the game as much as the physical, emphasizing chemistry as well as statistics. Starting with Epstein’s first year with the team in 2011, Verducci will detail how key players like Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Jon Lester, and Jake Arrieta were deftly brought into the organization by Epstein and managed by Maddon to outperform expectations. Together, Epstein and Maddon proved that clubhouse culture is as important as on-base percentage, and that intangible components like personality, vibe, and positive energy are necessary for a team to perform to their fullest potential. THE CUBS WAY will be released simultaneously in the United States and Canada in print, digital, and audio formats.  The deal was announced by Crown Archetype Vice President and Editorial Director Tricia Boczkowski. Executive Editor Mary Reynics acquired North American, electronic book, and first-serial rights from David Black of the David Black Agency and will edit the book. The Penguin Random House audiobook edition will be narrated by the author. Said Boczkowski, “The Chicago Cubs’ dramatic triumph in winning the World Series Championship for the first time in 108 years was the greatest sports story of the year and one that will endure in baseball lore. THE CUBS WAY is a celebration of this iconic team and an exploration of their journey to breaking the longest curse in baseball. We’re thrilled to have Tom Verducci, one of the most respected sportswriters today, narrating their inspiring and historic story.” Said Verducci, “The Cubs won 114 games on their way to one of the most meaningful championships in our lifetimes. The beauty of their story is in all the little victories it took to build a consummate example of teamwork.”

Penguin Random House is the world’s largest trade book publisher. The company, led by CEO Markus Dohle, was formed on July 1, 2013, with the merger of Penguin and Random House by Bertelsmann and Pearson, who own 53 percent and 47 percent, respectively. Mr. Hoffman has served on the Penguin Random House Board of Directors since the company’s inception and has been Chairman of the Audit Committee during that time. Until his retirement earlier this year, he held leadership positions for Penguin and Pearson for the past 27 years, among them, Chairman and CEO of the Learning Network; President, Pearson Inc; Chief Financial and Chief Administrative Officer of the Penguin Group; and Chief Financial Officer, Pearson Inc. He was a member of the Pearson PLC Executive Committee since 2003. Mr. Hoffman also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the GED Testing Service. He has also held board positions at The Economist Group, MarketWatch, and Interactive Data Corporation. Thomas Rabe, Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, said, “I congratulate Philip Hoffman on his appointment as the new Chairman of Penguin Random House. From the beginning, he has closely supported Penguin Random House’s development as an equally expert and responsible advisor. I look forward to working even more intensively with him in the future. “At the same time, I would like to sincerely thank John Makinson for his outstanding contribution to the Penguin Random House success story over the past few years. The smooth integration of the two companies, the ongoing development of Penguin Random House, and many of the company’s successes would have been inconceivable without him.” John Fallon, CEO of Pearson said, “Philip Hoffman has played a leading role in developing both Pearson and Penguin’s businesses over the past two decades.  As Chairman, his strategic insights, commercial expertise, and industry knowledge will serve Penguin Random House extremely well. “John Makinson spent a decade leading the creative and commercial resurgence of Penguin and the last four years ensuring the tie up with Random House builds on that success. In an engagement with Pearson that dates back to 1979, John has proved himself to be a highly talented and inspirational colleague for all seasons -- distinguished journalist, finance director, publishing executive and leader, highly regarded by his colleagues and industry peers. We thank him for all his work on Pearson's behalf and wish him every future success." Philip Hoffman said, “I am delighted to be taking on the role of Chairman of Penguin Random House, continuing the outstanding Board leadership begun by my colleague and friend John Makinson. Since my days at Penguin, book publishing has always been close to my heart. As a member of the Penguin Random House Board these past three years, I have really enjoyed working with Markus Dohle and his team, and I look forward to plugging in more deeply with them to help drive the continued success of this amazing company.” The Penguin Random House Board of Directors currently comprises John Makinson, Chairman, Penguin Random House; Markus Dohle, CEO, Penguin Random House; Milena Alberti, CFO, Penguin Random House; John Fallon, CEO, Pearson PLC; Thomas Götz, General Counsel and Head of Legal Department, Bertelsmann; Bernd Hirsch, Chief Financial Officer, Bertelsmann; Philip Hoffman, former Chief Corporate Finance and Strategic Development Officer, Pearson PLC; Thomas Rabe, Chairman and CEO, Bertelsmann; Baroness Rebuck, DBE, Chair Penguin Random House U.K. Board; Emmanuel Roman, CEO, Pacific Investment Management Co.; Coram Williams, CFO, Pearson PLC; and Lauren Zalaznick, Media Executive.

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About Penguin Random House

Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, is dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. The company, which employs more than 10,000 people globally, was formed on July 1, 2013, by Bertelsmann and Pearson, who own 53 percent and 47 percent, respectively. With nearly 250 independent imprints and brands on five continents, Penguin Random House comprises adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital trade book publishing businesses in more than 20 countries worldwide, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, India, South Africa, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Portugal, and Uruguay. With over 15,000 new titles, and close to 800 million print, audio and eBooks sold annually, Penguin Random House’s publishing lists include more than 60 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

Trevor Noah says, “So much of my story growing up in South Africa during apartheid is about the strength of my mother. She didn’t believe in self-pity. ‘Learn from your past and be better because of your past,’ she used to say, ‘but don’t cry about your past. Life is a full of pain. Let the pain sharpen you, but don’t hold on to it. Don’t be bitter.’” Chris Jackson, Vice President, Publisher and Editor in Chief, One World, Random House, edited BORN A CRIME, and says, “Trevor comes from an entirely different world than his viewers, certainly than Jon Stewart came from. What the book does is it puts Trevor back into the world he came from. He grew up at this turning point at the end of apartheid-era South Africa and the birth of this very tumultuous new society. As a mixed-race kid, he was the child who should not have existed in that society. And then, in the new world, he had these opportunities that never had existed in the old world. It’s infused with humor throughout, but what’s really amazing about it is it’s so moving.”

Last week The New York Times reported on this phenomenon, which has been compared to the Ice Bucket Challenge, the Harlem Shake and Planking, in the article Mannequin Challenge Is the New Viral Video Sensation You Probably Can’t Avoid: “Groups of people are gathering and freezing themselves in place, often in elaborate poses and scenarios, as one camera-toting person walks through the scene to zoom in on the details. As is often the case, teenagers are leading the way. Many of the videos are set to the song ‘Black Beatles’ by Rae Sremmurd, making it the unofficial anthem of the meme. The rap duo recorded its own version of the challenge at a recent concert.” More #MannequinChallenge videos are popping up everywhere, including on the Fox N.F.L. Sunday pregame show, college football’s S.E.C. Network and on Penguin Random House author Giada De Laurentiis’ Twitter feed as Family night dinner w/ a side of…. #mannequinchallenge.

FICTION SWING TIME by Zadie Smith (Penguin Press) An ambitious, exuberant new novel moving from North West London to West Africa, from the multi-award-winning author of WHITE TEETH and ON BEAUTY. Two brown girls dream of being dancers—but only one, Tracey, has talent. The other has ideas: about rhythm and time, about black bodies and black music, what constitutes a tribe, or makes a person truly free. It’s a close but complicated childhood friendship that ends abruptly in their early twenties, never to be revisited, but never quite forgotten, either. Tracey makes it to the chorus line but struggles with adult life, while her friend leaves the old neighborhood behind, traveling the world as an assistant to a famous singer, Aimee, observing close up how the one percent live. TURBO TWENTY-THREE by Janet Evanovich (Bantam) Larry Virgil skipped out on his latest court date after he was arrested for hijacking an eighteen-wheeler full of premium bourbon. Fortunately for bounty hunter Stephanie Plum, Larry is just stupid enough to attempt almost the exact same crime again. Only this time he flees the scene, leaving behind a freezer truck loaded with Bogart ice cream and a dead body—frozen solid and covered in chocolate and chopped pecans. As fate would have it, Stephanie’s mentor and occasional employer, Ranger, needs her to go undercover at the Bogart factory to find out who’s putting their employees on ice and sabotaging the business. It’s going to be hard for Stephanie to keep her hands off all that ice cream, and even harder for her to keep her hands off Ranger. ODESSA SEA by Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler (Putnam) Dirk Pitt, the director of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, is on the Black Sea, helping to locate a lost Ottoman shipwreck, when he responds to an urgent Mayday—“Under attack!”—from a nearby freighter. But when he and his colleague Al Giordino arrive, there is nobody there. Just dead bodies and a smell of sulfur in the air. As Pitt and Giordino explore, a blast from the stern scuttles the ship swiftly, almost taking them with it. Filled with breathtaking suspense and remarkable imagination, ODESSA SEA is further proof that when it comes to adventure writing, nobody beats Clive Cussler. CATALYST (STAR WARS) by James Luceno (Del Rey) War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine’s top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before their enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic’s, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key. Galen’s energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic’s debt. NONFICTION BORN A CRIME by Trevor Noah (Spiegel & Grau) Trevor Noah’s unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. The stories collected here are by turns hilarious, dramatic, and deeply affecting. Whether subsisting on caterpillars for dinner during hard times, being thrown from a moving car during an attempted kidnapping, or just trying to survive the life-and-death pitfalls of dating in high school, Trevor illuminates his curious world with an incisive wit and unflinching honesty. I LOVED HER IN THE MOVIES: Working with the Legendary Actresses of Hollywood by Robert Wagner with Scott Eyman (Viking) In a career that has spanned more than sixty years Robert Wagner has witnessed the twilight of the Golden Age of Hollywood and the rise of television, becoming a beloved star in both media. During that time he became acquainted, both professionally and socially, with the remarkable women who were the greatest screen personalities of their day. I LOVED HER IN THE MOVIES is his intimate and revealing account of the charisma of these women on film, why they became stars, and how their specific emotional and dramatic chemistries affected the choices they made as actresses as well as the choices they made as women. TESTIMONY by Robbie Robertson (Crown Archetype) On the 40th anniversary of The Band’s legendary The Last Waltz concert, Robbie Robertson finally tells his own spellbinding story of the band that changed music history, his extraordinary personal journey, and his creative friendships with some of the greatest artists of the last half-century. Robbie Robertson’s singular contributions to popular music have made him one of the most beloved songwriters and guitarists of his time. With songs like “The Weight,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” and “Up on Cripple Creek,” he and his partners in The Band fashioned a music that has endured for decades, influencing countless musicians. WONDERLAND: How Play Made the Modern World by Steven Johnson (Riverhead) This lushly illustrated history of popular entertainment takes a long-zoom approach, contending that the pursuit of novelty and wonder is a powerful driver of world-shaping technological change. Steven Johnson argues that, throughout history, the cutting edge of innovation lies wherever people are working the hardest to keep themselves and others amused. Johnson’s storytelling is just as delightful as the inventions he describes, full of surprising stops along the journey from simple concepts to complex modern systems. He introduces us to the colorful innovators of leisure: the explorers, proprietors, showmen, and artists who changed the trajectory of history with their luxurious wares, exotic meals, taverns, gambling tables, and magic shows. GENDER OUTLAW by Kate Bornstein (Vintage) On one level, GENDER OUTLAW details Bornstein’s transformation from heterosexual male to lesbian woman, from a one-time IBM salesperson to a playwright and performance artist. But this particular coming-of-age story is also a provocative investigation into our notions of male and female, from a self-described nonbinary transfeminine diesel femme dyke who never stops questioning our cultural assumptions. GENDER OUTLAW was decades ahead of its time when it was first published in 1994. Now, some twenty-odd years later, this book stands as both a classic and a still-revolutionary work—one that continues to push us gently but profoundly to the furthest borders of the gender frontier. LUCKY BASTARD: My Life, My Dad, And The Things I’m Not Allowed to Say on TV by Joe Buck (Dutton) Sports fans see Joe Buck everywhere: broadcasting one of the biggest games in the NFL every week, calling the World Series every year, announcing the Super Bowl every three years. They know his father, Jack Buck, is a broadcasting legend and that he was beloved in his adopted hometown of St. Louis. Yet they have no idea who Joe really is. Or how he got here. They don’t know how he almost blew his career. They haven’t read his funniest and most embarrassing stories or heard about his interactions with the biggest sports stars of this era. POETRY FOREVER WORDS by Johnny Cash, with Foreword by John Carter Cash and introduced by Paul Muldoon (Blue Rider Press) A collection of never-before-published poems by Johnny Cash, edited and introduced by Pulitzer-prize winning poet Paul Muldoon with a foreword by John Carter Cash.  Illustrated with facsimile reproductions of Cash’s own handwritten pages. Since his first recordings in 1955, Johnny Cash was an icon in the music world. In this collection of poems and song lyrics that have never been published before, we see the world through his eyes and view his reflection on his own interior reality, his frailties and his strengths alike. FOREVER WORDS confirms Johnny Cash as a brilliant and singular American literary figure. YOUNG READERS THE GIRL IN THE PICTURE by Alexandra Monir (Delacorte Press) One dead body, one photograph, one compromising secret. Nicole Morgan has been labeled many things—the geeky music girl, the shy sidekick of Miss Popularity, and the girl with the scar. Now only one name haunts her through the halls of Oyster Bay Prep. The girl in the picture. After heartthrob Chace Porter is found dead in the woods near the school, the police search for the girl snuggled up next to him in a picture discovered among his personal effects. A girl no one knew was even close to him—and whose best friend, Lana Rivera, was his girlfriend. Nicole is that girl, and now she’s the primary suspect in his murder. In alternating points of view—that of suspect Nicole Morgan and that of Lana Rivera—and weaving between present-day, flashbacks, and the characters’ surreal subconscious, THE GIRL IN THE PICTURE is a unique tale of teen friendship, romance, and deadly secrets. INTO THE LION’S DEN by Linda Fairstein (Dial Books for Young Readers) Someone has stolen a page from a rare book in the New York Public Library. At least, that’s what Devlin’s friend Liza thinks she’s seen, but she can’t be sure. Any other kid might not see a crime here, but Devlin Quick is courageous and confident, and she knows she has to bring this man to justice—even if it means breathlessly racing around the city to collect evidence. But who is this thief? And what could the page—an old map—possibly lead to? With her wits, persistence, and the help of New York City’s finest (and, okay, a little bit of help from her police commissioner mother, too), Dev and her friends piece the clues together to uncover a mystery that’s bigger than anyone expected—and more fun, too. THE CAT FROM HUNGER MOUNTAIN by Ed Young (Philomel Books) Caldecott Medalist Ed Young delivers a visually stunning, poignant story about humility, wastefulness, and appreciating what one has. In a place called Hunger Mountain there lives a lord who has everything imaginable yet never has enough. To satisfy his every desire, he hires builders to design the tallest pagoda; a world-famous tailor to make his clothing from silk and gold threads; and a renowned chef to cook him lavish meals with rice from the lord’s own fields. What more could he possibly want? Yet when drought plagues the land, Lord Cat is faced with his first taste of deep loss, he ventures down the mountain and what he discovers will change his life forever. THE TURNCOAT’S GAMBIT by Andrea Cremer (Philomel Books) Charlotte has spent her whole life fighting the British Empire, following in the footsteps of her parents and their group of rebels. But when her reunion with her mother laid bare horrible truths about the rebellion, Charlotte knew she had to escape. Now she is on the run, with no idea who the enemy is–or which of her compatriots is truly on her side. In this action-packed conclusion to the Inventor’s Secret trilogy, full of swashbuckling pirates and young ladies who can hold their own against them, Charlotte will need to fight for her life and for her beliefs — whatever they might be.

  FEATURED TITLES   THE POWER OF KINDNESS: THE UNEXPECTED BENEFITS OF LEADING A COMPASSIONATE LIFE–TENTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION by Piero Ferrucci, Foreword by The Dalai Lama When The Power of Kindness first appeared in 2006 it thrilled and challenged readers with one audacious promise: Your acts of generosity and decency are the secret to a fuller, more satisfying life. Kindness is not some squishy virtue but the very key to your own happiness.   EMOTIONAL FIRST-AID: HEALING REJECTION, GUILT, FAILURE, AND OTHER EVERYDAY HURTS by Guy Winch, Ph.D. We all sustain emotional bruises from time to time, and when it happens, most of us have no idea what to do about it. However—if left untreated—feelings of failure, guilt, rejection, and loss can spiral into much bigger ailments. Fortunately, there is such a thing as mental first aid for battered emotions.   OVERCOMING LIFE’S DISAPPOINTMENTS: LEARNING FROM MOSES HOW TO COPE WITH FRUSTRATION by Harold S. Kushner From the bestselling author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People —a passionate and practical book that teaches us how to overcome life’s inevitable disappointments—in our work and family life, and to our personal hopes and dreams.   SMALL VICTORIES: SPOTTING IMPROBABLE MOMENTS OF GRACE by Anne Lamott In Small Victories Lamott writes of forgiveness, restoration, and transformation, how we can turn toward love even in the most hopeless situations, how we find the joy in getting lost and our amazement in finally being found.   PROFIT FROM HAPPINESS by Jake Ducey In this enlightening, simple, heart-opening book, Jake Ducey asserts that the secret to high achievement and happiness at work, at school, in your heart, and at home is the deeply human need to wholeheartedly connect with and become more valuable to those around you.     THE GIVING WAY TO HAPPINESS: STORIES AND SCIENCE BEHIND THE LIFE-CHANGING POWER OF GIVING by Jenny Santi, Foreword by Deepak Chopra Jenny Santi overturns conventional thinking about what it takes to be happy by revealing how giving to others—whether in the form of money, expertise, time, or love—has helped people from all walks of life find purpose and joy.   UNITED by Cory Booker A passionate new voice in American politics, United States Senator Cory Booker makes the case that the virtues of empathy, responsibility, and action must guide our nation toward a brighter future.     THE BOOK OF JOY by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Carlton Abrams Nobel Peace Prize Laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have survived more than fifty years of exile and the soul-crushing violence of oppression. Despite their hardships—or, as they would say, because of them—they are two of the most joyful people on the planet.   FOR YOUNGER READERS   THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME: THE LIFE AND SONGS OF WOODY GUTHRIE by Elizabeth Partridge; Ages 12 and up Before Springsteen and before Dylan, there was Woody Guthrie. With “This Machine Kills Fascists,” scrawled across his guitar in big black letters, Woody Guthrie brilliantly captured in song the experience of twentieth-century America. Whether he sang about union organizers, migrant workers, or war, Woody took his inspiration from the plight of the people around him as well as from his own tragic childhood.   PEACE IS AN OFFERING by Annette LeBox, Stephanie Graegin; Ages 3-5 “Peace is an offering, a muffin or a peach. A birthday invitation, or a trip to the beach.” Peace can be found almost anywhere if you’re looking for it. With rhythmic, rhyming text and a diverse cast of neighborhood children, this poetic picture book captures the everyday ways people make the world better for each other, from giving a gift just because to comforting a friend who’s feeling blue.   THE SNEETCHES AND OTHER STORIES by Dr. Seuss Dr. Seuss’ timeless picture-book classic The Sneetches and Other Storieswonders are you a Star-Belly Sneetch or a Plain-Belly Sneetch? This delightful book contains four tales with deliciously subtle takes on how silly it is to be, well, silly.   A IS FOR ACTIVIST by Innosanto Nagara A is for Activist is an ABC board book written and illustrated for the next generation of progressives: families who want their kids to grow up in a space that is unapologetic about activism, environmental justice, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and everything else that activists believe in and fight for. For more information on these and related titles visit Campaign Recovery Titles

Madeleine Thien entranced the jurors with its detailed, layered, complex drama of classical musicians and their loved ones trying to survive two monstrous insults to their humanity: Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution in mid-twentieth century China and the Tiananmen Square massacre of protestors in Beijing in 1989 … A beautiful homage to music and to the human spirit, DO NOT SAY WE HAVE NOTHING is both sad and uplifting in its dramatization of human loss and resilience in China and in Canada.” Congratulations to Ms. Thien, her editor and publisher as well as these Giller Prize finalists: Mona Awad for 13 WAYS OF LOOKING AT A FAT GIRL, published by Penguin Canada and edited by Nicole Winstanley Gary Barwin for YIDDISH FOR PIRATES, published by Random House Canada and edited by Amanda Lewis The Scotiabank Giller Prize annually awards $100,000 to the author of the best Canadian novel or short story collection published in English and $10,000 to each of the finalists. The award is named in honor of the late literary journalist Doris Giller and was founded in 1994. More information can be found at www.scotiabankgillerprize.ca. Watch Madeleine Thien's acceptance speech here.

with Joe, I’ve learned to love baseball and football even more. Joe’s deep knowledge about the game, the players, and what it takes to share all the details with the viewing audience adds a new — and fascinating — level to everything I watch. And there’s no better example than the 2016 World Series. I loved Joe’s perspective as a viewer, but after having read – and edited – his book, I was able to enjoy the Series, and his calls, on an even deeper level. I know readers will have a similar experience after reading LUCKY BASTARD. They’ll learn what’s going on behind the scenes of the sports they love, and also enjoy Joe’s genuinely funny, razor-sharp wit. I feel so lucky to have worked with Joe, and so lucky to be sharing this book with all of you.” Before beginning this book project, Joe Buck said, “I can’t wait to tell the emotional and often funny story of my life as both a sportscaster and my father’s son. Perceptions will be addressed and confessions made.” LUCKY BASTARD accomplishes that and more. While sports fans see and hear Joe everywhere: broadcasting one of the biggest games in the NFL every week, calling the World Series every year, announcing the Super Bowl every three years. And they know his father, Jack, a broadcasting legend and beloved in his adopted hometown of St. Louis. Most fans and readers have no idea who Joe really is. In this book, readers will learn how hard Joe can laugh at himself—that he thinks some of his critics have a point — and what it was really like to grow up in his father’s shadow. Joe and Jack were best friends, but it wasn’t that simple. Jack Buck, the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals for almost fifty years, helped Joe get his broadcasting start at eighteen. But Joe had to prove himself, first as a minor league radio announcer and then on local TV, national TV with ESPN, and then finally on FOX. He now has a successful, Emmy-winning career, but only after a lot of dues-paying, learning, and pretty damn entertaining mistakes that are recounted in this book.

FICTION NIGHT SCHOOL by Lee Child (Delacorte Press) It’s 1996, and Reacher is still in the army. In the morning they give him a medal, and in the afternoon they send him back to school. That night he’s off the grid. Out of sight, out of mind. Two other men are in the classroom—an FBI agent and a CIA analyst. Each is wondering what the hell they are doing there. Then they find out: A Jihadist sleeper cell in Hamburg, Germany, has received an unexpected visitor—a Saudi courier, seeking safe haven while waiting to rendezvous with persons unknown. A CIA asset, undercover inside the cell, has overheard the courier whisper a chilling message: “The American wants a hundred million dollars.” From Langley to Hamburg, Jalalabad to Kiev, NIGHT SCHOOL moves like a bullet through a treacherous landscape of double crosses, faked identities, and new and terrible enemies, as Reacher maneuvers inside the game and outside the law. AFTER ATLAS by Emma Newman (Roc) Gov-corp detective Carlos Moreno was only a baby when Atlas left Earth to seek truth among the stars. But in that moment, the course of Carlos’s entire life changed. Atlas is what took his mother away; what made his father lose hope; what led Alejandro Casales, leader of the religious cult known as the Circle, to his door. And now, on the eve of the fortieth anniversary of Atlas’s departure, it’s got something to do why Casales was found dead in his hotel room—and why Carlos is the man in charge of the investigation. To figure out who killed one of the most powerful men on Earth, Carlos is supposed to put aside his personal history. But the deeper he delves into the case, the more he realizes that escaping the past is not so easy. There’s more to Casales’s death than meets the eye, and something much more sinister to the legacy of Atlas than anyone realizes. THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE by Thomas Hardy (Vintage) THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE, one of Thomas Hardy’s most powerful novels, opens with a scene of shocking heartlessness. In a fit of drunken rage, Michael Henchard, an out-of-work laborer, sells his wife and baby daughter to a passing sailor. When the horror of what he has done dawns on him the next day, he determines to set his life on a different path, and through years of hard work and ambition rises to become the rich and respectable mayor of his town. Secret guilt continues to haunt this proud and brooding man, however, and when his wife and grown daughter return to Casterbridge, Henchard is set on the path to a dramatic confrontation with his own deeply flawed nature. Hardy’s keen insight into the course of wayward lives and his instinctive feel for the beauty of the rural landscape come together in this unforgettable portrait of a tragic hero. LEOPARD’S FURY by Christine Feehan (Jove) With her own bakery in San Antonio, Evangeline Tregre made a new life far from the brutal lair of shifters she was born into. Though she is all too aware of her leopard-shifter blood, she never felt the sensation of a wild animal stirring inside her. Not until Alonzo Massi walked into her bakery. The powerful shifter is as irresistible as he is terrifying, but his icy demeanor tells her to keep her distance. Alonzo knows better than to let himself get involved with someone like Evangeline. But even with his lean muscle and iron will, Alonzo isn’t strong enough to stay away from the one woman who can make him feel at peace. And when their secret lives draw a mortal threat, Alonzo unleashes the feral passion he keeps pent up inside himself. NONFICTION THE ARTIST’S WAY MORNING PAGES JOURNAL by Julia Cameron (TarcherPerigee) Elegantly repackaged, THE MORNING PAGES JOURNAL is one of THE ARTIST’S WAY’S most effective tools for cultivating creativity, personal growth, and change. Now more compact and featuring spiral binding to make for easier use, these Morning Pages invite you to do three pages daily of longhand writing, strictly stream-of-consciousness, which provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize, and synchronize the day at hand. This daily writing, coupled with the twelve-week program outlined in The Artist’s Way, will help you discover and recover your personal creativity, artistic confidence, and productivity. BUTTER CELEBRATES! by Rosie Daykin (Knopf) What’s a celebration without something delicious that’s been baked with love? Rosie Daykin, author of Butter Baked Goods and owner of the Vancouver bakery of the same name, believes that celebrating is about much more than just circling a date on the calendar. It’s a chance to spend time with your family and friends, to laugh really hard, to let things get a little chaotic, and to eat lots of delicious baked goods. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, Rosie’s straightforward recipes are easy to follow and will produce irresistible results. It will inspire you to celebrate life and to create new traditions and memories along the way. THE VANILLA BEAN BAKING BOOK: Recipes for Irresistible Everyday Favorites and Reinvented Classics by Sarah Kieffer (Avery) Readers find the Vanilla Bean blog while hunting for the perfect chocolate cake or cinnamon roll recipe, or another everyday favorite. They stay for founder Sarah Kieffer’s simple approach to home baking, the utterly transporting, dreamlike quality of her photography, and her evocative storytelling.  Most of all, the Vanilla Bean blog celebrates the soulfulness of baking. Kieffer mastered the art of home baking while working in tiny kitchens in the back of coffeehouses and bakeries in Minnesota. With recipes that help simplify the process behind complicated techniques, Vanilla Bean has built a dedicated following of several hundred thousand loyal readers and won several awards, including the Reader’s Choice Award for best baking blog from Saveur. MY LOST POETS by Philip Levine (Knopf) In prose both as superbly rendered as his poetry and as down-to-earth and easy as speaking, Levine reveals the things that made him the poet he became. In the title essay, originally the final speech of his poet laureate year, he recounts how as a boy he composed little speeches walking in the night woods near his house and how he later realized these were his first poems. He wittily takes on the poets he studied with in the Iowa Writing Program: John Berryman, who was his great teacher and lifelong friend, and Robert Lowell, who was neither. His deepest influences–jazz, Spain, the working people of Detroit–are reflected in many of the pieces. There are essays on Spanish poets he admires, William Carlos Williams, Wordsworth, Keats, and others. A wonderful, moving collection of writings that add to our knowledge and appreciation of Philip Levine–both the man and the poet. YOUNG READERS DEAD GIRLS SOCIETY by Michelle Krys (Delacorte Press) Hope is sick of everyone treating her like she’s breakable. Sure, she has cystic fibrosis (basically really bad lungs), but she’s tired of being babied by her mom and her overprotective best friend, Ethan, not to mention worrying about paying for her expensive medication and how she’s going to afford college. And she’s bored with life in her run-down New Orleans suburb. When an invitation arrives from a mysterious group that calls itself the Society, Hope jumps at the chance for some excitement. This could be her ticket out. All she has to do is complete a few dares and she just might win some real money. But the Society isn’t all that it seems . . . and soon Hope finds that playing the game isn’t a choice—it’s a requirement. DOUBLE ECLIPSE by Melissa de la Cruz (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers) Twin witches Mardi and Molly Overbrook are back for another summer in North Hampton, and this year they’re serious about two things: avoiding trouble and dedicating themselves to rest and relaxation. Molly’s headed to Aunt Ingrid’s, while Mardi has convinced their father, Troy—a.k.a. Thor, the god of thunder—to let her crash with her boyfriend, Trent, who also happens to be Tyr, the god of war. It’s a tangled web they weave, but that’s to be expected where gods and goddesses are concerned. Their vacation’s just begun when an old secret is revealed, leaving Molly and Mardi to question everything they’ve ever known about their family. Then a hot new guy comes to town and starts brewing even more trouble . . . and soon enough, the twins are back to their old tricks. THE DOOR THAT LED TO WHERE by Sally Gardner (Delacorte Press) AJ Flynn has just failed all but one of his major exams, and at almost seventeen years old, he sees a future that’s far from rosy. So when he’s offered a junior clerk position at a London law firm, he hopes his life is about to change—and it does, but he could never have imagined how much. While on the job, AJ finds an old key labeled with his birth date, and he’s determined to find the door it will open. When he does just that, AJ and his group of scrappy friends begin a series of amazing journeys to the past—1830, to be exact. When they discover a crime that only they can solve, the boys go from wayward youths to intrepid young men with a purpose in life. But with enemies all around, can they unravel the mysteries of the past before the past unravels them? THE SEELIE KING’S WAR by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple (Viking Books for Young Readers) The war that Prince Aspen and midwife’s apprentice Snail started—purely by accident—is at hand. The Unseelie Army, the evil side of Faerie, will soon invade and destroy the Seelie kingdom. Aspen is terrified, not simply because his homeland is on the verge of ruin, but because he is now, after the death of his father and brothers, the Seelie King. He is a young, untried king; a king without a battle plan. But he has Snail, his first and only friend, and the only one who can raise the army Aspen needs—an army of changelings, like her. First, however, she has to convince the mysterious, dangerous Professor Odds, the changelings’ leader, who has a destructive plan of his own.

outside the law.  To learn about the inspiration behind NIGHT SCHOOL, how his storylines are rooted in real life, the best part of seeing his books adapted into Hollywood movies, and his daily writing routine, read our interview with Lee Child. What inspired you to go back in time to 1996 and Jack Reacher’s Army Days for your latest book NIGHT SCHOOL? Lee Child: Readers tell me they’re always interested in seeing Reacher during his military career, and prequels are fun for me as a writer – they give me a chance to show him as a younger man, possibly more naive and optimistic and energetic.  In particular, I was interested in the mid-1990s – the security threats we’re used to by now were just becoming apparent, and no one knew exactly who was involved, or where, or why.  But the administration was smart enough to admit they didn’t know anything, and to follow an improvised, whack-a-mole policy. So I felt it was a very interesting era. How have real-life incidents and news headlines influenced some of the storylines you’ve created? LC: Always, from the very first book, KILLING FLOOR, which was written when the US was updating its paper currency because of counterfeiting fears, all the way to MAKE ME, which caught up with the Deep Web, and now Night School, which traces the early origins of jihadist terror. I think thrillers need to be rooted in real life – although I have learned that if I can imagine it, it’s already happening somewhere. Literally, you can’t make this stuff up. What are the best aspects of seeing your novels adapted into films on the big screen? LC: Frankly and honestly, from my point of view, the best part is seeing someone spend $100m on promoting my books. How would you describe your writing routine and regimen? LC: It’s disciplined, in that I work every day I can, but also a little self-indulgent, in that I start late in the morning. It’s the best job in the world. What piece of advice would you give to fledgling writers trying their hand at the suspense/thriller genre? LC: I would say if you’ve read a lot in the genre, then just go for it. Do exactly what you want, and don’t listen to advice from me or anyone else. A book needs a kind of organic vitality, and it won’t have that if you write by committee. Ignore all thoughts that include the words “ought” or “should.”  Write to please yourself alone. If you like the book, so will other people.

cultures in the Americas were far from uncivilized or savage. Societies were often egalitarian; Tribal civilizations could be massive and urban and their governments were quite well-developed. In commemoration of the culture and people that were the original settlers of this land, we present the following books that celebrate and offer insight into Native life.   FEATURED TITLES   THE EARTH IS WEEPING: THE EPIC STORY OF THE INDIAN WARS FOR THE AMERICAN WEST by Peter Cozzens Bringing together a pageant of fascinating characters including Custer, Sherman, Grant, and a host of other military and political figures, as well as great native leaders such as Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Geronimo, and Red Cloud, The Earth is Weeping—lauded by Booklist as “a beautifully written work of understanding and compassion”—is the fullest account to date of how the West was won…and lost.   “ALL THE REAL INDIANS DIED OFF”: AND 20 OTHER MYTHS ABOUT NATIVE AMERICANS by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Dina Gilio-Whitaker In this enlightening book, scholars and activists Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and Dina Gilio-Whitaker unpack the twenty-one most common myths and misconceptions about Native Americans that have misinformed generations.   THE LAKOTAS AND THE BLACK HILLS: THE STRUGGLE FOR SACRED GROUND by Jeffrey Ostler The Lakota Indians made their home in the majestic Black Hills mountain range during the last millennium, drawing on the hills’ endless bounty for physical and spiritual sustenance. Yet the arrival of white settlers brought the Lakotas into inexorable conflict with the changing world, at a time when their tribe would produce some of the most famous Native Americans in history, including Red Cloud, Sitting Bull, and Crazy Horse.   THIS INDIAN COUNTRY: AMERICAN INDIAN ACTIVISTS AND THE PLACE THEY MADE by Frederick Hoxie In this bold and sweeping counter narrative to our conventional understanding of Native American history, celebrated academic historian Frederick E. Hoxie presents the story of Native American political activism—a chronicle that spans more than two hundred years. Highlighting the activists—some famous and some unknown beyond their own communities—who have sought to bridge the distance between indigenous cultures and the U.S. republic.   WHERE THE LIGHTNING STRIKES: THE LIVES OF AMERICAN INDIAN SACRED PLACES by Peter Nabokov For thousands of years, Native Americans have told stories about the powers of revered landscapes and sought spiritual direction at mysterious places in their homelands. In this important book, respected scholar and anthropologist Peter Nabokov writes of a wide range of sacred places in Native America.   ATLAS OF INDIAN NATIONS by Anton Treuer In the most comprehensive atlas of Native American history and culture available, the story of the North American Indian is told through maps, photos, art, and archival cartography.   NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS by George Catlin Catlin’s unprecedented fieldwork culminated in more than five hundred oil paintings and his now-legendary journals, which, as Peter Matthiessen writes in his introduction, “taken together… constitute the first, last, and only ‘complete’ record of the Plains Indians ever made at the height of their splendid culture.”   THE DAY THE WORLD ENDED AT LITTLE BIGHORN: A LAKOTA HISTORY by Joseph M. Marshall III The saga of Custer’s Last Stand has become ingrained in the lore of the American West, and the key players – Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and George Armstrong Custer – have grown to larger-than-life proportions. Now, award-winning historian Joseph M. Marshall presents the revisionist view of the Battle of the Little Bighorn that has been available only in the Lakota oral tradition.   THE APACHE WARS: THE HUNT FOR GERONIMO, THE APACHE KID, AND THE CAPTIVE BOY WHO STARTED THE LONGEST WAR IN AMERICAN HISTORY by Paul Andrew Hutton A stunningly vivid historical account of the manhunt for Geronimo and the 25-year Apache struggle for their homeland.  They called him Mickey Free. His kidnapping started the longest war in American history, and both sides—the Apaches and the white invaders—blamed him for it. A mixed-blood warrior who moved uneasily between the worlds of the Apaches and the American soldiers, he was never trusted by either but desperately needed by both.   IN THE SPIRIT OF CRAZY HORSE: THE STORY OF LEONARD PELTIER AND THE FBI’S WAR ON THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT by Peter Matthiessen, Martin Garbus On a hot June morning in 1975, a desperate shoot-out between FBI agents and Native Americans near Wounded Knee, South Dakota, left an Indian and two federal agents dead. Peter Matthiessen (1927-2014) has written an “indescribably touching, extraordinarily intelligent” (Los Angeles Times Book Review) chronicle of the tragedy.   FOR YOUNGER READERS   TALKING LEAVES by Joseph Bruchac; Ages 10 And Up From the acclaimed author of Code Talker, a compelling new work of historical fiction about Sequoyah and the creation of the Cherokee alphabet. Thirteen-year-old Uwohali has not seen his father, Sequoyah, for many years. So when Sequoyah returns to the village, Uwohali is eager to reconnect and learn from one of his people’s greatest craftsman. But Sequoyah’s new obsession with making strange markings causes friends and neighbors in their tribe to wonder whether he is crazy or worse-   THE LEGEND OF THE BLUEBONNET by Tomie dePaola; Ages 4 to 8 When a killing drought threatens the existence of the tribe, a courageous little Comanche girl sacrifices her most beloved possession–and the Great Spirit’s answer results not only in much needed rain but a very special gift in return. “An ideal complement to Native American and Texas studies…” – Booklist   For more information about these and related titles visit Native American Heritage Month.

Miriam Klein Stahl. From 430 BCE to 2016, spanning 31 countries around the world, the book features an array of diverse figures, showing the immense range of what women have done and can do.  Read on as Julie and Kate share their insights. The combination of text and art in RAD WOMEN WORLDWIDE is very unique and striking. What initially brought you into contact with Kate and Miriam and how would you describe the editorial process of working with them as this book came to be? Julie Bennett: I first learned about Kate and Miriam via their New York Times-bestselling book, Rad American Women A-Z. When Miriam’s agent, an old friend of mine, contacted me about doing an internationally focused follow-up, I was immediately on board. The process of making RAD WOMEN WORLDWIDE  was both creative and collaborative. Kate and Miriam have an abundance of ideas and work very quickly, so we spent a good amount of time trying to narrow down the list of women to feature in the book, and then share their histories completely but concisely. There are so many important stories to tell, we could fill five more books with the ladies we had to leave out. (The list of 250 “more rad women” at the back of the book introduces readers to many of them.) The most powerful element in the book for me is the final profile, called “The Stateless.” It shines a light on the millions of women around the world who are refugees, displaced, or seeking asylum. The idea for this piece developed relatively late in the editorial process, and at first I wasn’t sure we’d have room to include it. But after everyone on the book team cried while reading Kate’s words, we knew we had to make it fit. What sparked the ideas and concepts for Rad Women A-Z, then RAD WOMEN WORLDWIDE? Kate Schatz: I got the idea for the first book when my daughter was two years old. I wanted her to have the kind of book I would’ve loved as a kid—something empowering and inspiring and fun to read. When I reached out to Miriam, an artist whose work I greatly admire, she felt the same. And so we made it happen! As a feminist and a history-lover, a book about cool women from American history was a joy to create; as a new parent whose bookshelves were inundated with A-Z books, the concept for the format came easily. For the second book we knew we wanted to go worldwide—it’s what many of our readers, young and older, requested. It felt like an exciting challenge for us, and in a time of rising nationalism and xenophobic around the world, we knew it was an important approach to take. What was the criteria for selecting the women to profile in RAD WOMEN WORLDWIDE  and what did you want to emphasize in words and art? KS: We strive to include a diverse and unexpected array of women who have one thing in common: a story of inspiring perseverance against great odds. We include women from every continent and region of the world, and combine well-known figures with more obscure ones. 30 out of the 40 stories are about non-white women, and that commitment to diverse storytelling is important to use. We also showcase women who succeeded in an array of fields, from sports to science to political leadership. Through the illustrations and the narratives, we want to create compelling figures whose stories are engaging and relatable, no matter where they’re from or how long ago they lived. We want to emphasize the strength, power, and complexity of these women.   Who do you see as the primary reading audience for RAD WOMEN WORLDWIDE  and what aspects of the book do you think will resonate most strongly with readers? KS: If I had to choose, I’d say that the sweet spot for this book is age 12—but the success of our first book showed us just how challenging it is to predict who our primary reading audience is! We really wanted to create and aesthetic and narrative experience that would appeal to a wide range of ages. I know parents who read these books to their preschoolers, I know college kids who have them in their dorms, and I know older adults who bought them for their grandkids—and then decided to keep them! I think that stories of strong women, many of whom are underappreciated, resonate with lots of readers. Another powerful aspect that’s been exciting to witness since Rad Women Worldwide came out a few weeks ago is what it means to young people who are immigrants, or the children of immigrants, to find their countries and cultures represented in the book. RAD WOMEN WORLDWIDE only tells 40 stories from 31 countries, but in the back of the book we include a list of 250 more women from almost every country in the world. We did a visit to a middle school in Queens recently and students were flipping through the pages, and exclaiming with joy when they found the name of someone from their home country. That was amazing to see. JB: The book was written primarily for a young adult audience, but adults are also coming to it for the bold and graphic art and stories of both known and less familiar women. Parents are using it for bedtime stories for their daughters, and educators will want to share these profiles with girls and boys to illustrate what’s possible when one has purpose and dedication. This also makes a powerful and positive gift for girls of all ages, who will be inspired to connect to their own passions, find their true selves, and help make a better future for all of us.

exhaustion, and danger in an uncompromising quest for emotional and spiritual transformation. A remarkable work of performance in its own right, WALK THROUGH WALLS is a vivid and powerful rendering of the unparalleled life of an extraordinary artist. For fascinating insights, read on. What was the genesis of Marina Abramović’s memoir, WALK THROUGH WALLS, and what was involved in the title being acquired by Crown? Marina is turning seventy in November and decided to mark the occasion by writing her memoir. When she came around with her agent to meet with publishers, we were her twelfth and final meeting. But durational performance artist that she is, Marina was as full of energy as if it were her first. Before the meeting began she perused the bookshelves in the conference room until she came across two titles that delighted her so much she wanted to take them home: one called Yogurt and the other called Unleash the Power of the Female Brain. From those disparate topics we launched into an expansive conversation that gave us a true taste of Marina’s dynamic storytelling ability and were completely hooked. How would you describe the editor/writer relationship and process between you and Marina during the creation of this book? To know Marina is to love her. Within moments of meeting her you understand why thousands of people stood in line at her 2010 MoMA retrospective for a chance to sit across from her and communicate nonverbally. She is warm, funny, smart, and endlessly charismatic…. She’s also insanely busy, traveling nonstop with a full year of exhibitions ahead. So no small credit is due to her collaborator, James Kaplan (author of Frank and Sinatra), who managed to capture Marina’s distinctive voice so vividly on the page. Once you join Marina’s team, you join her extended family, and it’s a wonderful family to be a part of. What aspects of WALK THROUGH WALLS do you think will resonate most strongly with readers? Marina set out to write a book that would resonate with anyone who has experienced pain…which is to say all of us. In pushing her own body past its limits, she was able to overcome her fears, find human connection, and experience emotional and spiritual transformation. She hopes to inspire people to leave their comfort zones, walk through their own walls, and experience the freedom that comes with perseverance. There’s also an epic, heart-rending love story at the book’s core that sucks you in from the start. And jokes. Lots of jokes tinged with her indelible Balkan sense of humor.

FICTION THE AWARD by Danielle Steel (Delacorte Press) Gaëlle de Barbet is sixteen years old in 1940 when the German army occupies France and frightening changes begin to occur. She is powerless when French gendarmes take away her closest friend, Rebekah Feldmann, and her family for deportation to an unknown, ominous fate. Gaëlle begins a perilous journey with the French Resistance, hoping to save lives to make up for the beloved friend she could do nothing to help. Taking terrifying risks, Gaëlle becomes a valuable member of the Resistance. Gaëlle’s life will take her from Paris to New York, from a career as a Dior model to marriage and motherhood, unbearable loss, and mature, lasting love. She returns to Paris to run a small museum, but her label as a collaborator remains, until her granddaughter, a respected political journalist, ensures that her grandmother’s brave acts are recognized. THE SHORES OF TRIPOLI by James L. Haley (Putnam) It is 1801 and President Thomas Jefferson has assembled a deep-water navy to fight the growing threat of piracy, as American civilians are regularly kidnapped by Islamist brigands and held for ransom, enslaved, or killed, all at their captors’ whim. The Berber States of North Africa, especially Tripoli, claimed their faith gave them the right to pillage anyone who did not submit to their religion. Young Bliven Putnam, great-nephew of Revolutionary War hero Israel Putnam, is bound for the Mediterranean and a desperate battle with the pirate ship Tripoli. He later returns under legendary Commodore Edward Preble on the Constitution, and marches across the Libyan desert with General Eaton to assault Derna—discovering the lessons he learns about war, and life, are not what he expected. THUS BAD BEGINS by Javier Marias (Knopf) Madrid, 1980. Juan de Vere, nearly finished with his university degree, takes a job as personal assistant to Eduardo Muriel, an eccentric, once-successful film director. Urbane, discreet, irreproachable, Muriel is an irresistible idol to the young man. But Muriel’s voluptuous wife, Beatriz, inhabits their home like an unwanted ghost; and on the periphery of their lives is Dr. Jorge Van Vechten, a family friend implicated in unsavory rumors that Muriel now asks Juan to investigate. As Juan draws closer to the truth, he uncovers only more questions. What is at the root of Muriel’s hostility toward his wife? How did Beatriz meet Van Vechten? What happened during the war? Marías leads us deep into the intrigues of these characters, through a daring exploration of rancor, suspicion, loyalty, trust, and the infinitely permeable boundaries between the deceptions perpetrated on us by others and those we inflict upon ourselves. FIRST LIGHT by Bill Rancic (Putnam) Set amid the wild woods of the Yukon, FIRST LIGHT tells the story of Daniel Albrecht and Kerry Egan, young lovers leaving a work trip in Alaska to plan their wedding back home in Chicago. Not long into their trip, both engines of their plane catch fire and send them careening into a mountainside in the middle of a terrible snowstorm. Kerry is seriously injured in the accident, and it soon becomes clear that search-and-rescue teams aren’t going to find the survivors in time to save her. Daniel—the one person with survival experience amid the passengers—makes the courageous decision to find help and bring it back to the rest of the passengers, hoping against hope he might save the woman he loves. NONFICTION KENNETH CLARK by James Stourton (Knopf) The definitive biography of this brilliant polymath–director of the National Gallery, author, patron of the arts, social lion, and singular pioneer of television–that also tells the story of the arts in the twentieth century through his astonishing life. Kenneth Clark’s thirteen-part 1969 television series, Civilisation, established him as a globally admired figure. Clark was prescient in making this series: the upheavals of the century, the Cold War among others, convinced him of the power of barbarism and the fragility of culture. He would burnish his image with two memoirs that artfully omitted the more complicated details of his life. Now, drawing on a vast, previously unseen archive, James Stourton reveals the formidable intellect and the private man behind the figure who effortlessly dominated the art world for more than half a century. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, VOLUME 3: The War Years and After, 1939-1962 by Blanche Wiesen Cook (Viking) Historians, politicians, critics, and readers everywhere have praised Blanche Wiesen Cook’s biography of Eleanor Roosevelt as the essential portrait of a woman who towers over the twentieth century. The third and final volume takes us through World War II, FDR’s death, the founding of the UN, and Eleanor Roosevelt’s death in 1962. It follows the arc of war and the evolution of a marriage, as the first lady realized the cost of maintaining her principles even as the country and her husband were not prepared to adopt them. This is a sympathetic but unblinking portrait of a marriage and of a woman whose passion and commitment has inspired generations of Americans to seek a decent future for all people. Modest and self-deprecating, a moral force in a turbulent world, Eleanor Roosevelt was unique. ZAYN by Zayn (Delacorte Press) The first and only official book from ZAYN. Global superstar ZAYN shares a photographic journey of his life since leaving One Direction. ZAYN opens up with this collection of thoughts, inspiration, and never-before-seen personal photographs. After five years of massive success with One Direction, ZAYN launched his career as a solo artist with Mind of Mine, becoming one of the most successful artists in the world. Now, for the first time ever, ZAYN is going to tell and show all in this intimate and raw scrapbook of his life. Never-before-released photos give readers insight to ZAYN, no-holds-barred. With hundreds of full-color photographs and ZAYN’s notes, drawings, song lyrics, and personal stories, the book captures ZAYN’s most private moments and his candid feelings on fame, success, music, and life. AMERICAN DREAMER by Tommy Hilfiger and Peter Knobler (Ballantine) AMERICAN DREAMER brims with anecdotes that cover Tommy’s years as a club kid and scrappy entrepreneur in 1970s New York as well as unique insights into the exclusive A-list personalities with whom he’s collaborated and interacted, from Mick Jagger and David Bowie to Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. But this is more than just a fashion icon’s memoir—it’s a road map for building a brand, both professionally and personally. Tommy takes us behind the scenes of every decision—and every mistake—he’s ever made, offering advice on leadership, business, team-building, and creativity. This is the story of a true American original, told for the first time in his own words, with honesty, humor, and the insatiable appetite for life and style that proves that sometimes you have to dream big to make it big. BY WOMEN POSSESSED by Arthur Gelb and Barbara Gelb (Putnam) This is a tour through both a magical moment in American theater and the troubled life of a genius. Not a peep show or a celebrity gossip fest, this book is a brilliant investigation of the emotional knots that ensnared one of our most important playwrights. Handsome, charming when he wanted to be: O’Neill was the flame women were drawn to—all, that is, except his mother, who never let him forget he was unwanted. BY WOMEN POSSESSED follows O’Neill through his great successes, the failures he was able to shrug off, and the long eclipse, a twelve-year period in which, despite the Nobel, nothing he wrote was produced. But ahead lay his greatest achievements: The Iceman Cometh and Long Day’s Journey into Night. Both were ahead of their time and both received lukewarm receptions. YOUNG READERS THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by Nicola Yoon (Delacorte Press) Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story. Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us. The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true? THE OUTSIDERS 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION by S.E. Hinton (Penguin Books) Celebrating 50 years of the novel that laid the groundwork for the YA genre, this is the ultimate edition for fans of THE OUTSIDERS. A perfect way to honor this impressive milestone and a must-have for fans of all ages. This special edition of the groundbreaking novel contains: never before seen photos and letters from the publisher’s archives, original review clippings and media coverage, photos from the author’s personal collection, a gallery of covers around the world, new material from the stars and director of the iconic film–including Francis Ford Coppola, Rob Lowe, Matt Dillon, and others, and much more! TEDDY & CO. by Cynthia Voigt, illustrated by Paola Zakimi (Knopf Books for Young Readers) Teddy is a thinking kind of bear. Of all his friends, he does the most wondering. He lives with a ragtag group of lost toys—a very hungry snake, an elephant who likes to bake, two charmingly silly pigs, and a reclusive penguin—and they all bump along happily together. But their peaceful world gets shaken up when new toys arrive—first a rabbit, who is not as soft and floppy as he looks, and then a beautiful doll with royal ambitions. Will the newcomers learn to fit into the community? Or will the community be forever changed by them? As Teddy the philosopher would answer: Yes. Cynthia Voigt’s charming tale of community and compromise comes alive in the adorable pictures from Paola Zakimi. YOU IN FIVE ACTS by Una Lamarche (Razorbill) At a prestigious New York City performing arts school, five friends connect over one dream of stardom. But for Joy, Diego, Liv, Ethan and Dave, that dream falters under the pressure of second-semester, Senior year. Ambitions shift and change, new emotions rush to the surface, and a sense of urgency pulses between them: Their time together is running out. Diego hopes to get out of the friend zone. Liv wants to escape, losing herself in fantasies of the new guy. Ethan conspires to turn his muse into his girlfriend. Dave pines for the drama queen. And if Joy doesn’t open her eyes, she could lose the love that’s been in front of her all along.

celebration has mobilized over 17 million people in an effort to address educational inequalities that leave too many children unprepared for kindergarten. This year’s Read for the Record was an incredible illustration of the campaign’s reach and importance. Physical and digital event materials were distributed by Random House Children’s Books nationwide to schools, libraries and bookstores, with everyone reading and enjoying THE BEAR ATE YOUR SANDWICH. A host of celebrities supported the campaign on social media, including Julianne Moore (774k Twitter followers), Danica McKellar (120k Twitter followers), Lauren Conrad (3.54million Twitter followers), Bridget Moynahan (56k Twitter followers) and Scott Kelly (2.06million Twitter followers). See a sampling of the wide array of terrific posts below.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A READING OF THE BEAR ATE YOUR SANDWICH

https://youtu.be/MRhtZ8DspaE?list=PLDcpsppkgAloXxGU9Y09vmHLZevSoM4TO

                

Today, October 26 – which would have been Pat Conroy’s 71st birthday – Doubleday went live with #PatConroyDay on Pat’s Facebook page as well as the Penguin Random House, Random House Publishing Group, and Doubleday/Nan A. Talese Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.Readers and booksellers are encouraged to share their own Pat Conroy Day posts, memories, and photos. Five entries per person per platform, and the promo runs until 11:59 p.m. tonight. Nan A. Talese/Doubleday published Conroy’s new nonfiction book, A LOWCOUNTRY HEART: Reflections on a Writing Life, on Tuesday (10/25). The Pat Conroy Literary Center is a 5013c nonprofit and located in Conroy’s hometown of Beaufort, South Carolina. The Center will provide space for book clubs and writing groups, offer master classes in poetry, memoir and fiction, and give support and encouragement to both emerging and advanced writers of all ages.  A Conroy museum will be located onsite and honorary board members include John Grisham, Charlie Gibson, Ron Rash and Barbra Streisand. Donations can also be made directly via www.patconroyliterarycenter.org.

testimony and archival documents. The true flesh-and-blood man behind the legend has long remained a mystery. Unscrupulous newspaper accounts and Capone’s own tall tales perpetuated his mystique, but through dogged research Ms. Bair debunks the most outrageous of these myths. With the help of Capone’s descendants, she discovers his essential humanity, uncovering a complex character that was flawed and sometimes cruel but also capable of nobility. “Two things surprised me as I wrote about Al Capone,” says Ms. Bair. “The first was how briefly he was on top of the gangster world, only 5-6 years in the 1920s, and yet, how his name is known today all over the world. The second was how deeply private his family had become, not only his own descendants but also those of his siblings. I joke about this but it’s true, that I was responsible for any number of Capone family reunions when I introduced them to each other, because until I came along to write about their family, none of them had any idea that the others even existed.” Dan Meyer, Associate Editor, Nan A. Talese/Doubleday, comments: “When I learned that Deirdre intended to write about Al Capone, I was surprised, to say the least—he’s unusual company for Samuel Beckett, Simone de Beauvoir, and Carl Jung, to name just a few of the impressive figures Deirdre has written about before. And while Capone’s cultural power is undeniable, as a subject for biography he presents particular challenges: his own grandstanding for reporters eager to scoop the most salacious account possible, competitive newspapers desperate to print the most lurid details regardless of the facts, and a slim paper trail of primary documents from his life—for obvious reasons, given his line of work. But Deirdre’s unique access to the Capone family provides a window into the life that the press couldn’t capture: how he lived behind closed doors, what motivated him and what troubled him. We all think we know Al Capone, but as Deirdre ably shows, the historical man was far more complex than any Hollywood portrayal.”

FICTION THE WHISTLER by John Grisham (Doubleday) From John Grisham, America’s #1 bestselling author, comes the most electrifying novel of the year, a high-stakes thrill ride through the darkest corners of the Sunshine State. We expect our judges to be honest and wise. Their integrity and impartiality are the bedrock of the entire judicial system. We trust them to ensure fair trials, to protect the rights of all litigants, to punish those who do wrong, and to oversee the orderly and efficient flow of justice. But what happens when a judge bends the law or takes a bribe? It’s rare, but it happens. SEX, LIES & SERIOUS MONEY by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) Stone Barrington takes on a client who gives him a run for his money in the newest heart-stopping thriller from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author. Fresh off the runway at Teterboro, Stone Barrington arrives home to find an unexpected new client on his doorstep, anxiously soliciting his help. But everything is not as it seems, when the client reveals the true nature—and value—of his recent turn of fortune. From luxury New York high-rises to the sprawling New Mexico desert, his client is pursued from all angles…and Stone quickly learns that easy money isn’t always so easy. THE BOAT ROCKER by Ha Jin (Pantheon) New York, 2005. Chinese expatriate Feng Danlin is a fiercely principled reporter at a small news agency that produces a website read by the Chinese diaspora around the world. Danlin’s explosive exposés have made him legendary among readers—and feared by Communist officials. But his newest assignment may be his undoing: investigating his ex-wife, Yan Haili, an unscrupulous novelist who has willingly become a pawn of the Chinese government in order to realize her dreams of literary stardom. Haili’s scheme infuriates Danlin both morally and personally—he will do whatever it takes to expose her as a fraud. But in outing Haili, he is also provoking her powerful political allies, and he will need to draw on all of his journalistic cunning to emerge from this investigation with his career—and his life—still intact. PRETTY PAPER by Willie Nelson (Blue Rider Press) It’s the early sixties and Willie Nelson is down and out, barely eking out a living as a singer-songwriter. The week before Christmas, he spots a legless man on a cart, selling wares in front of Leonard’s Department Store in Fort Worth, Texas. The humble figure, by the name of Vernon Clay, piques Willie’s curiosity, but Vernon is stubbornly private and—despite Willie’s charming queries—has no interest in telling his story. Willie is tenacious, though, and he eventually learns that Vernon is a fellow musician, a fine guitarist and singer. When Vernon disappears, he leaves behind only a diary, which tells an epic tale of life-altering tragedies, broken hearts, and crooked record men, not to mention backroad honky-tonks, down-home cooking, and country songwriting genius. Deeply moved and spurred on by Vernon’s pages, Willie aims to give the man one last shot at redemption and a chance to embody the holiday spirit. NONFICTION COOKING FOR JEFFREY by Ina Garten (Clarkson Potter) Ina’s most personal cookbook yet, COOKING FOR JEFFREY is filled with the recipes her husband Jeffrey and their friends request most often as well as charming stories from Ina and Jeffrey’s many years together. There are traditional dishes that she’s updated, such as Brisket with Onions and Leeks, and Tsimmes, a vegetable stew with carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and prunes, and new favorites, like Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken and Roasted Salmon Tacos. You’ll also find wonderful new salads, including Maple-Roasted Carrot Salad and Kale Salad with Pancetta and Pecorino. Desserts range from simple Apple Pie Bars to showstoppers like Vanilla Rum Panna Cotta with Salted Caramel. For the first time, Ina has included a chapter devoted to bread and cheese, with recipes and tips for creating the perfect cheese course. With options like Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschettas and Challah with Saffron, there’s something everyone will enjoy. A LOWCOUNTRY HEART by Pat Conroy (Nan A. Talese) Final words and heartfelt remembrances from bestselling author Pat Conroy take center stage in this winning nonfiction collection, supplemented by touching pieces from Conroy’s many friends. This new volume of Pat Conroy’s nonfiction brings together some of the most charming interviews, magazine articles, speeches, and letters from his long literary career, many of them addressed directly to his readers with his habitual greeting, “Hey, out there.” Ranging across diverse subjects, such as favorite recent reads, the challenge of staying motivated to exercise, and processing the loss of dear friends, Conroy’s eminently memorable pieces offer a unique window into the life of a true titan of Southern writing. WALK THROUGH WALLS by Marina Abramovic (Crown Archetype) In 2010, more than 750,000 people stood in line at Marina Abramović’s MoMA retrospective for the chance to sit across from her and communicate with her nonverbally in an unprecedented durational performance that lasted more than 700 hours. This celebration of nearly fifty years of groundbreaking performance art demonstrated once again that Marina Abramović is truly a force of nature. Marina’s story, by turns moving, epic, and dryly funny, informs an incomparable artistic career that involves pushing her body past the limits of fear, pain, exhaustion, and danger in an uncompromising quest for emotional and spiritual transformation. A remarkable work of performance in its own right, WALK THROUGH WALLS is a vivid and powerful rendering of the unparalleled life of an extraordinary artist. CARRY THIS BOOK by Abbi Jacobson (Viking) From the mind of Broad City’s Abbi Jacobson, a wonderfully weird and weirdly wonderful illustrated look at the world around us—all through the framework of what we carry. With bright, quirky, and colorful line drawings, Jacobson brings to life actual and imagined items found in the pockets and purses, bags and glove compartments of real and fantastical people—whether it’s the contents of Oprah’s favorite purse, Amelia Earhart’s pencil case, or Bernie Madoff’s suitcase. How many self-tanning lotions are in Donald Trump’s weekender? What’s inside Martha Stewart’s hand-knit fanny pack? What kind of protein bars does Michelle Obama hide in her tiny clutch at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner? CARRY THIS BOOK provides a humorous and insightful look into how the things we carry around every day can make up who we are. NOT DEAD YET by Phil Collins (Crown Archetype) Phil Collins pulls no punches—about himself, his life, or the ecstasy and heartbreak that’s inspired his music. In his much-awaited memoir, NOT DEAD YET, he tells the story of his epic career, with an auspicious debut at age 11 in a crowd shot from the Beatles’ legendary film A Hard Day’s Night. A drummer since almost before he could walk, Collins received on the job training in the seedy, thrilling bars and clubs of 1960s swinging London before finally landing the drum seat in Genesis. Soon, he would step into the spotlight on vocals after the departure of Peter Gabriel and begin to stockpile the songs that would rocket him to international fame with the release of Face Value and “In the Air Tonight.” Whether he’s recalling jamming with Eric Clapton and Robert Plant, pulling together a big band fronted by Tony Bennett, or writing the music for Disney’s smash-hit animated Tarzan, Collins’s storytelling chops never waver. And of course he answers the pressing question on everyone’s mind: just what does “Sussudio” mean? POETRY FLOAT by Anne Carson (Knopf) From the renowned classicist and MacArthur Prize winner: a new collection that explores myth and memory, beauty and loss, all the while playing with–and pushing–the limits of language and form. Anne Carson consistently dazzles with her inventive, shape-shifting work and the vividness of her imagination. Float reaches an even greater level of brilliance and surprise. Presented in an arrestingly original format–individual chapbooks that can be read in any order, and that float inside a transparent case–this collection conjures a mix of voices, time periods, and structures to explore what makes people, memories, and stories “maddeningly attractive” when observed in spaces that are suggestively in-between. YOUNG READERS WANDERING STAR by Romina Russell (Razorbill) Orphaned, disgraced, and stripped of her title, Rho is ready to live life quietly, as an aid worker in the Cancrian refugee camp on House Capricorn. But news has spread that the Marad–a group of unbalanced Risers determined to overturn harmony in the Galaxy–could strike any House at any moment. Then, unwelcome nightmare that he is, Ochus appears to Rho, bearing a cryptic message that leaves her with no choice but to fight. Now Rho must embark on a high-stakes journey through an all-new set of Houses, where she discovers that there’s much more to her Galaxy–and to herself–than she could have ever imagined. And just when Rho has started to come to terms with the pain of losing Mathias, the stars deliver their most shocking surprise yet. UPROOTED by Albert Marrin (Knopf Books for Young Readers) On the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor comes a harrowing and enlightening look at the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II— from National Book Award finalist Albert Marrin. Just seventy-five years ago, the American government did something that most would consider unthinkable today: it rounded up over 100,000 of its own citizens based on nothing more than their ancestry and, suspicious of their loyalty, kept them in concentration camps for the better part of four years. How could this have happened? Uprooted takes a close look at the history of racism in America and carefully follows the treacherous path that led one of our nation’s most beloved presidents to make this decision. Meanwhile, it also illuminates the history of Japan and its own struggles with racism and xenophobia, which led to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, ultimately tying the two countries together. GLITTER by Aprilynne Pike (Random House Books for Young Readers) Outside the palace of Versailles, it’s modern day. Inside, the people dress, eat, and act like it’s the eighteenth century—with the added bonus of technology to make court life lavish, privileged, and frivolous. When Danica witnesses an act of murder by the young king, her mother makes a cruel power play . . . blackmailing the king into making Dani his queen. When she turns eighteen, Dani will marry the most ruthless and dangerous man of the court. She has six months to escape her terrifying destiny. Six months to raise enough money to disappear into the real world beyond the palace gates. Her ticket out? Glitter. A drug so powerful that a tiny pinch mixed into a pot of rouge or lip gloss can make the wearer hopelessly addicted. MY NAME IS JAMES MADISON HEMINGS by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Terry Widener (Schwartz & Wade) In an evocative first-person account accompanied by exquisite artwork, Winter and Widener tell the story of James Madison Hemings’s childhood at Monticello, and, in doing so, illuminate the many contradictions in Jefferson’s life and legacy. Though Jefferson lived in a mansion, Hemings and his siblings lived in a single room. While Jefferson doted on his white grandchildren, he never showed affection to his enslaved children. Though he kept the Hemings boys from hard field labor—instead sending them to work in the carpentry shop—Jefferson nevertheless listed the children in his “Farm Book” along with the sheep, hogs, and other property. Here is a profound and moving account of one family’s history, which is also America’s history.

featuring shimmering foil-stamped covers, bold type design, and a series introduction by the inimitable Neil Gaiman. With this series, some of the most popular, prescient, path-breaking books of the last 70 years—long available mainly in disposable mass-market format—are now available in beautiful, collector-worthy editions, joining the ranks of the Penguin Classics at a moment when science fiction and fantasy pervade some of our most popular cultural franchises, including television, film, fashion, dance, and music. Want to know which Penguin Galaxy title is right for you? Take this quiz. Still can’t decide? All six are available in a stunning, limited-edition lucite boxed set. Click on the covers below to find out more about each title.

What are some of the primary characteristics that distinguish a Virgil Flowers novel from a Lucas Davenport novel? Virgil works for Lucas at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. He came about because once Lucas got married and had a family, he had to settle down a little – he couldn’t be the sexy loose cannon he used to be. So John created Virgil as a younger Lucas, but with a lot of idiosyncrasies of his own. There tends to be more humor in the Flowers books, and they’re more freewheeling, so they have their own distinct style, while still being part of the Davenport universe – every book has some interaction between Virgil and Lucas, sometimes about the case Virgil’s working on, sometimes about incidents that may have been in the previous Prey book – or even one that’s coming up. How would you describe your editor/author relationship with John Sandford and how it has evolved over the years? We’ve been working together since 1988, so, as you can imagine, we know each other’s minds pretty well by now, and there’s a lot of mutual trust. We use shorthand, and tend to anticipate one another’s thoughts, with the result that we often don’t actually have to voice those thoughts – they’re already incorporated into the book. It’s a great partnership. How does John keep the Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers series fresh and where can he take the series going forward? John keeps his characters fresh by constantly evolving them, getting them into new situations, both personal and professional, setting new parameters. With Davenport, for instance, he started as a Minneapolis cop, rose to deputy chief, then got picked by the governor to be a state-wide troubleshooter. Now, as a result of events in the last two Prey books, Davenport is embarking on a new role as a federal marshal, but with a difference – he gets to pick his own cases, anywhere in the country. As for Virgil, his role has stayed pretty much the same so far, but in ESCAPE CLAUSE, he’s getting kind of serious about a woman he met in the last book. Only problem is, she has a sister named Sparkle who has her own eye on Virgil, and, as you can imagine, that provides problems: You mess around with Sparkle, she tells him, you could get yourself stabbed. “She carries a knife?” “No, but I do.”

potentially damaging emails and transcripts of the candidate’s Goldman Sachs speeches that were hacked from Clinton campaign chair John Podesta’s private email account. To meet public interest in cyber-security and whistleblowers we present the following titles:   Headline: Ecuador: We have ‘temporarily restricted’ Assange’s internet (AP)   THE SNOWDEN FILES: THE INSIDE STORY OF THE WORLD’S MOST WANTED MAN by Luke Harding The official movie tie-in to the Oliver Stone-directed major motion pictureSnowden. The book offers a definitive account of Edward Snowden, the extraordinary NSA whistleblower behind the biggest intelligence leak in history and the forces that tried to stop him; written by reporter Luke Harding, member of the Guardian’s Snowden coverage team.   HACKER, HOAXER, WHISTLEBLOWER, SPY: THE MANY FACES OF ANONYMOUS by Gabriella Coleman Here is the ultimate book on the worldwide movement of hackers, pranksters, and activists that operates under the non-name Anonymous, by the writer the Huffington Post says “knows all of Anonymous’ deepest, darkest secrets.”   THIS MACHINE KILLS SECRETS: JULIAN ASSANGE, THE CYPHERPUNKS, AND THEIR FIGHT TO EMPOWER WHISTLEBLOWERS by Andy Greenberg This is the unauthorized telling of the revolutionary cryptography story behind the motion picture The Fifth Estate and the documentary We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks. WikiLeaks brought to light a new form of whistleblowing, using powerful cryptographic code to hide leakers’ identities while they spill the private data of government agencies and corporations.   BLACK CODE: SURVEILLANCE, PRIVACY, AND THE DARK SIDE OF THE INTERNET by Ronald J. Deibert In BLACK CODE, Ronald J. Deibert, a leading expert on digital technology, security, and human rights, lifts the lid on cyberspace and shows what’s at stake for Internet users and citizens.   GLASS HOUSES: Privacy, Secrecy, and Cyber Insecurity in a Transparent World by Joel Brenner Like the rest of us, governments and corporations inhabit “glass houses,” all but transparent to a new generation of spies who operate remotely from such places as China, the Middle East, Russia, and even France. In this urgent wake-up call, Brenner draws on his extraordinary background to show what we can—and cannot—do to prevent cyber spies and hackers from compromising our security and stealing our latest technology.   FUTURE CRIMES: Everything Is Connected, Everyone Is Vulnerable and What We Can Do About It by Marc Goodman From former FBI Futurist, Interpol advisor and beat cop Marc Goodman, a deep dive into the digital underground illuminating the alarming ways criminals, corporations, and even countries are using new and emerging technologies against you—and how this makes everyone more vulnerable than you ever thought possible.   THE WIKILEAKS FILES : THE WORLD ACCORDING TO US EMPIRE by WikiLeaks, Julian Assange The WikiLeaks Files exposes the machinations of the United States as it imposes a new form of imperialism on the world. The book also includes an introduction by Julian Assange, founder and editor-in-chief of Wikileaks, examining the ongoing debates about freedom of information, international surveillance, and justice. For more information on these and other titles on cyber-security and whistleblowers visit the collection: Cyber-Security & Whistleblowers

“When the Igloo announcement about DOGS AND THEIR PEOPLE came out, several coworkers encouraged me to send in a photo of my babies,” says Camille Dewing-Vallejo, Senior Copy Manager, Ad Promo, Random House. “Nearly every week, someone stops me or my husband (Richard Vallejo, Online & Digital Sales Manager, Random House Children’s Books), and asks to take a picture of our dogs. So I’ve been photographing Finn, a nine-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux, since he was a puppy. Then, when we rescued young Gemma last December, my Instagram photos became a double-dose of adorableness. We’re so excited to be included in this beautiful book of much-loved dogs. Now everyone can see and enjoy these sweet—and BIG—faces!” “I’m really excited to have Goosie featured in Dogs and Their People,” says Alice Rahaeuser, Production Associate, Random House Children’s Books. “We’ve had Goosie for over ten years now, and as anyone can attest, I love talking about her.  It means a lot to me that Goosie was included, because she is such an important part of our lives.” Sam Lawrence, Senior Manager, People Programs, Human Resources:  “My dog, Otto, is a typical French bulldog – plenty of energy, spunky little personality, and enough gas to fuel a Prius.  He is also very much a neighborhood celebrity.  Rarely a day goes by without a pet or a friendly hello from someone I don’t know, but my dog clearly does.  After attending a Bark Box party for NYC dogs a couple of years ago, a New York magazine reporter convinced my husband and I to start an Instagram account for Otto (@OttoGene_Frenchie). We love sharing him and his adventures online, so we are absolutely THRILLED to be included in this amazing book, as we know they had so many other wonderful pooches to choose from!” Bark & Co., a company dedicated to the happiness of dogs everywhere, talks about the inspiration behind the creation of Dogs and Their People: “Over the past 4+ years, BarkPost, our media site, has shared some of the most astounding and heartwarming dog stories on the Internet, but we felt something was missing in our coverage of what it really means to have a dog in your life.  We wanted to be able to celebrate the best kind of couch-snuggling, belly-scratching, snout-kissing humans by featuring the small, intimate, and snuggly moments that make loving a dog so special.” Kerri Kolen, Executive Editor, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, who edited the book, says, “The Bark brand and the dogs they serve were the inspiration! Bark has tapped into such a happy audience with all of their content and product; and we wanted to celebrate that happiness with a book by and for them.”  Kerri adds: There are no dogs not worthy! This book could have been thousands of pages, if not more. We’ll just have to make another one!”

what they experience. Two teens—Daniel, the son of Korean shopkeepers, and Natasha, whose family is here illegally from Jamaica—cross paths in New York City on an eventful day in their lives. He is on his way to an interview with a Yale alum, she is meeting with a lawyer to try and prevent her family’s deportation to Jamaica, and they fall in love. THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR (Delacorte Press) “Nicola Yoon’s writing is sophisticated, emotional, and thought provoking. Once you start reading you can’t stop.” Start spreading the word early using the hashtag #TheSunIsAlsoAStar In its third year, Penguin Random House’s Title Wave program continues to amplify exposure across the house and bring new readers to buzzing books. DARK MATTER, the Summer 2016 Title Wave, debuted at #15 on the New York Times Bestseller list and made its way directly into the hands of readers and books clubs through social media posts. When the time came to suggest titles for this Fall 2016 season, there was certainly no lack of excitement surrounding the finalists nominated by sales to receive the Title Wave treatment. The following titles were among the finalists in the in the running to become the Fall Title Wave pick. A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW (Viking Adult) “Reading this book is like discovering the beauty of language for the first time, allowing the reader to experience the best in literature.” #PermanentStaycation—Like Count Rostov sentenced to the Grand Metropol Hotel in A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW, post on social media the places you would love to spend a lifetime of house arrest. THE MOTHERS (Riverhead) “This is one of the best books I’ve read all year. . . .This is a novel of love, hurt, disappointment, and so much more. I still can’t believe this is her first book.” Not just for literary buffs— THE MOTHERS has been praised internally for approaching issues of religion and teenage pregnancy in an accessible and compelling way which could appeal to High School readers. KIDS OF APPETITE (Viking Young Readers) “The last time I saw an author with this potential, his name was John Green.” If you loved THE OUTSIDERS, you will love KIDS OF APPETITE —make that connection and use the great quotes for social media posts. Even better, make a playlist for the book and post it on Spotify and Pandora.  

books he has designed have become New York Times bestsellers. Last month, Jason was chosen by Publishers Weekly, American Booksellers Association, The Association of American Publishers and the Frankfurt Book Fair as a 2016 PW Star Watch Honoree, recognized as one of “publishing’s brightest lights.” Jason is also the author/illustrator of an upcoming picture book, and founder of the community project Books Beyond Borders, which you will learn more about as you read on. What initially drew you to the world of young readers book design? As a kid, I loved reading comic books and the sci-fi novels of HG Wells that my grandfather gave me. As I read them, I’d draw my own adventures, inspired by those awesome stories. For the quiet kid that I was growing up, those books were a way for me to take off to worlds far away and be like the brave and bold heroes I read about. In middle school, my parents, seeing that I took better to comics than the baseball team, enrolled me in cartooning and drawing classes at an art school in our small Pennsylvania town. I’m so thankful for that because it’s where I met other people who loved art and creating stories too, and that I did have a talent for drawing—it’s where I found my voice. Those early experiences set me on the course to study art in college, at Pratt Institute in New York City. There I met two amazing mentors, Megan Halsey and Bert Waggott. I took Megan’s children’s book illustration class and rediscovered the picture books that had such an impact on me growing up, as well as the great new ones that were being made today. I very quickly fell in love with the art of creating picture books and knew that’s what I wanted to do. Bert Waggott was the Design professor who introduced me to the art of typography and graphic design. I loved working with type and learning from him what went into making beautiful books. One day, he asked if I’d be interested in applying for an internship at Dial Books for Young Readers, where his friend Nancy Leo-Kelly worked as a designer. I jumped at the chance, got the internship, and began working with art director Atha Tehon, and the Dial art department. It was an amazing experience, and after graduation I started with Penguin Young Readers full time—where I am today, doing what I love. What has made this job so exciting for me over the years is the passion of the talented people I work with, the beautiful books that we have the opportunity to create, and the readers that we get to reach and inspire through these books—the same way the books I read as a kid inspired me. How would you describe the conceptual processes you follow when envisioning then creating a book cover? One of the things that I love about my work is that we get to create projects across such a wide range of formats—from Board-Books to Graphic Novels, from Picture Books to illustrated Middle-Grade and Young Adult. Even though each of these are very different, a similarity is that the process of designing the cover is a collaborative one. I work with the illustrator, editor, publisher, executive art director, and others early on in the process and begin sketching out thoughts for the cover image, designing the title-type, or playing with the composition and layout of a sketch the illustrator has sent me. Those ideas for the cover come from the story and what we can pull from it in terms of setting, character, or mood, and also how the entire design of the book can tie together as a cohesive package. After designing a variety of layouts, we get together and “kick-the-tires” to see what’s working and what’s not—and then go back and rework until we’ve hit on the final cover. I think the back-and-forth conversation that happens around the cover design is what ends up making the final version great. And when the cover’s great, it can be what brings readers to their next favorite book. Which of your book cover designs are you most proud of and why? It’s tough to pick just a few books to share because I do put much thought and care into the design of each one, and am fortunate to be a part of making such incredible titles. One series that I particularly love designing is Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulos’ bestselling ORDINARY PEOPLE CHANGE THE WORLD. With twelve titles and counting, I’m proud of how each cover stands well on its own and looks great as a collection too—each has so much heart. Another title that I’m proud of designing is the picture book, ROBO-SAUCE. This was a tour de force to produce. The challenge that the author gave me was to find a way to create a book that would transform into a completely new book—with its own alternate cover—as the result of something awesome that happens in the story. And, the way it needed to work had to be simple and easy enough for a child or a parent to do as they read the story. I worked on many variations to engineer the final fold-out-and-wrap-around silver foil and neon-orange jacket that creates the transformation of ROBO-SAUCE to ROBO-BOOK. The end result was something totally original and exciting to discover inside the book. I’m also very proud of the design of the Newbery Honor-winning Roller Girl. When designing the cover, I took inspiration from the look of colorful roller-derby posters. The cover is impactful, fun, and I’m happy at how this title has reached so many readers. What role do you think its cover plays in attracting a young reader or parent to a book? The cover is really our first impression of a book, and it’s my goal to make it welcoming and intriguing for a young reader or parent to pick up and discover the story within. When designing a book, I put much time and care not only into the layout, but also to the physical aspects of the book. The great thing about a book is that picking it up and reading it is a tactile experience (and in the case of picture books, something that’s often going to be shared between a parent and a child). So, the trim size of the book, number of pages, the type of paper used on the interior and jacket, and any effects that we may employ on the cover (like foil, neon inks, embossing, different types of lamination, and more) are all deliberate choices that I can make to enhance the experience of reading the book, and make it memorable. What was the inspiration behind the creation of Books Beyond Borders? Books Beyond Borders was created through a conversation I had with a friend who has done outreach work in Africa. She told me about the children that she worked with in Nigeria who were in need of something that I took for granted—books and paper. I was moved, and chose to help. Through conversations with friends, coworkers, and family, I was able to gather an abundance of books to donate. I found the more people I talked to, the more books came my way, and also more individuals willing to help. I also saw that there was just as much need here at home as there was at my friend’s school in Africa. Since February 2016, this community project has gathered and donated over 1,000 books locally and in multiple countries—Kenya, Nepal, and South Africa. What’s next for the project is a program to teach children how to create their own books from simple materials, and share those stories with each other around the world. The books that I read as a kid transported me to places I could only dream of being, and opened the doors to a love of art and learning, which in turn lead to my career in publishing. That’s something that I am honored to be a part of creating for others through the books we make together.

FICTION A GAMBLER’S ANATOMY by Jonathan Lethem (Doubleday) Handsome, impeccably tuxedoed Bruno Alexander travels the world winning large sums of money from amateur “whales” who think they can challenge his peerless acumen at backgammon. Fronted by his pasty, vampiric manager, Edgar Falk, Bruno arrives in Berlin after a troubling run of bad luck in Singapore. Perhaps it was the chance encounter with his crass childhood acquaintance Keith Stolarsky and his smoldering girlfriend Tira Harpaz. Or perhaps it was the emergence of a blot that distorts his vision so he has to look at the board sideways. Things don’t go much better in Berlin. Bruno’s flirtation with Madchen, the striking blonde he meets on the ferry, is inconclusive; the game at the unsettling Herr Kohler’s mansion goes awry as his blot grows worse; he passes out and is sent to the local hospital, where he is given an extremely depressing diagnosis. PARIS FOR ONE AND OTHER STORIES by Jojo Moyes (Pamela Dorman Books) From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ME BEFORE YOU and AFTER YOU, PARIS FOR ONE AND OTHER STORIES is an irresistibly romantic collection filled with humor and heart. Nell is twenty-six and has never been to Paris. She’s never even been on a romantic weekend away—to anywhere—before. Traveling abroad isn’t really her thing. But when Nell’s boyfriend fails to show up for their mini-vacation, she has the opportunity to prove everyone—including herself—wrong.  Alone in Paris, Nell finds a version of herself she never knew existed: independent and intrepid. Could this turn out to be the most adventurous weekend of her life? Funny, charming, and irresistible, PARIS FOR ONE is quintessential Jojo Moyes—as are the other stories that round out the collection. CAKEWALK by Rita Mae Brown (Bantam) The night a riot breaks out at the Capitol Theater movie house—during a Mary Pickford picture, no less—you can bet that the Hunsenmeir sisters, Louise and Julia, are nearby. Known locally as Wheezie and Juts, the inimitable, irrepressible, distinctly freethinking sisters and their delightful circle of friends are coming of age in a shifting world—and are determined to understand their place in it. Across town, the well-to-do Chalfonte siblings are preparing for the upcoming wedding of brother Curtis. But for youngest sister Celeste, the celebration brings about a change she never expected and a lesson about love she’ll not soon forget. Set against the backdrop of America emerging from World War I, Cakewalk is an outrageous and affecting novel about a small town where ideas of sin and virtue, love and sex, men and women, politics and religion, can be as divided as the Mason-Dixon Line that runs right through it. ESCAPE CLAUSE by John Sandford (Putnam) The first storm comes from, of all places, the Minnesota zoo. Two large, and very rare, Amur tigers have vanished from their cage, and authorities are worried sick that they’ve been stolen for their body parts. Traditional Chinese medicine prizes those parts for home remedies, and people will do extreme things to get what they need. Some of them are a great deal more extreme than others—as Virgil is about to find out. Then there’s the homefront. Virgil’s relationship with his girlfriend Frankie has been getting kind of serious, but when Frankie’s sister Sparkle moves in for the summer, the situation gets a lot more complicated. For one thing, her research into migrant workers is about to bring her up against some very violent people who emphatically do not want to be researched. For another…she thinks Virgil’s kind of cute. NOTWITHSTANDING by Louis de Bernieres (Vintage) As the world around it marches forward, the bucolic English village of Notwithstanding remains unchanged. It is, as it always has been, a place of pubs and cricket pitches, where local eccentrics—a retired colonel who has eschewed clothes, a spiritualist living with the ghost of her husband, and a dog named Archibald Scott-Moncrieff—almost fit in. In this delightfully evocative collection of stories, in which a young couple falls in and out of love by letter alone, an eleven-year-old boy battles a monstrous fish, and a man of the cloth has a premonition of death, Louis de Bernières conjures up a rural idyll long since forgotten. Funny, bittersweet, and deeply felt, NOTWITHSTANDING is the bestselling author of CORELLI’S MANDOLIN at his most enchanting. NONFICTION LUCKY PEACH PRESENTS POWER VEGETABLES! by Peter Meehan and the Editors of Lucky Peach (Clarkson Potter) Mostly vegetarian and infrequently vegan, the recipes in LUCKY PEACH PRESENTS POWER VEGETABLES! are all indubitably delicious. The editors of Lucky Peach have colluded to bring you a portfolio of meat-free cooking that even carnivores can get behind. Designed to bring BIG-LEAGUE FLAVOR to your WEEKNIGHT COOKING, this collection of recipes, developed by the Lucky Peach test kitchen and chef friends, features trusted strategies for adding oomph to produce with flavors that will muscle meat out of the picture. THE MURDER OF SONNY LISTON by Shaun Assel (Blue Rider Press) On January 5, 1971, Sonny Liston was found dead in his home—of an apparent heroin overdose. But no one close to Liston believed that his death was acci­dental. Digging deep into a life that Liston tried hard to hide, investigative journalist Shaun Assael treats the boxer’s death as a cold case. The result is a page-turning who­dunit that evokes a glorious and grimy era of Las Vegas. THE MURDER OF SONNY LISTON takes a fresh look at the legendary boxer, the town he called home, and one of America’s most enduring mysteries. THE TUNNELS by Greg Mitchell (Crown) In the summer of 1962, the year after the rise of the Berlin Wall, a group of young West Germans risked prison, Stasi torture, and even death to liberate friends, lovers, and strangers in East Berlin by digging tunnels under the Wall. Then two U.S. television networks heard about the secret projects and raced to be first to document them from the inside. NBC and CBS funded two separate tunnels in return for the right to film the escapes, planning spectacular prime-time specials. President John F. Kennedy, however, was wary of anything that might spark a confrontation with the Soviets, having said, “A wall is better than a war,” and even confessing to Secretary of State Dean Rusk, “We don’t care about East Berlin.” JFK approved unprecedented maneuvers to quash both documentaries, testing the limits of a free press in an era of escalating nuclear tensions. GOOD CLEAN FUN: Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop by Nick Offerman (Dutton) Nestled among the glitz and glitter of Tinseltown is a testament to American elbow grease and an honest-to-god hard day’s work: Offerman Woodshop. Captained by hirsute woodworker, actor, comedian, and writer Nick Offerman, the shop produces not only fine handcrafted furniture, but also fun stuff—kazoos, baseball bats, ukuleles, mustache combs, even cedar-strip canoes. Now Nick and his ragtag crew of champions want to share their experience of working at the Woodshop, tell you all about their passion for the discipline of woodworking, and teach you how to make a handful of their most popular projects along the way. This book takes readers behind the scenes of the woodshop, both inspiring and teaching them to make their own projects and besotting them with the infectious spirit behind the shop and its complement of dusty wood-elves. POETRY SCRIPTORIUM by Melissa Range (Beacon Press) The poems in SCRIPTORIUM are primarily concerned with questions of religious authority. The medieval scriptorium, the central image of the collection, stands for that authority but also for its subversion; it is both a place where religious ideas are codified in writing and a place where an individual scribe might, with a sly movement of the pen, express unorthodox religious thoughts and experiences. In addition to exploring the ways language is used, or abused, to claim religious authority, SCRIPTORIUM also addresses the authority of the vernacular in various time periods and places, particularly in the Appalachian slang of the author’s East Tennessee upbringing. Throughout SCRIPTORIUM, the historical mingles with the personal: poems about medieval art, theology, and verse share space with poems that chronicle personal struggles with faith and doubt. YOUNG READERS GEMINA by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (Knopf Books for Young Readers) The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller ILLUMINAEcontinues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault. Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion. Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, GEMINA raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless. WHAT LIGHT by Jay Asher (Razorbill) Sierra’s family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon—it’s a bucolic setting for a girl to grow up in, except that every year, they pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other. Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life eclipses the other. By reputation, Caleb is not your perfect guy: years ago, he made an enormous mistake and has been paying for it ever since. But Sierra sees beyond Caleb’s past and becomes determined to help him find forgiveness and, maybe, redemption. As disapproval, misconceptions, and suspicions swirl around them, Caleb and Sierra discover the one thing that transcends all else: true love. HAMSTER PRINCESS: RATPUNZEL by Ursula Vernon (Dial Books for Young Readers) Princess Harriet Hamsterbone does not like sitting around at home. How’s a princess supposed to have any fun when her parents are constantly reminding her to be careful and act princessly? So when her pal Prince Wilbur needs help finding a stolen hydra egg, Harriet happily takes up the quest.  The thief’s trail leads them to a wicked witch and a tall tower, occupied by a rat whose tail has more to it than meets the eye! The third book in the award-winning comic hybrid Hamster Princess series will make you look at rodents, royalty, and fairy tales in a whole new light. THE EMOTIONARY by Eden Sher (Razorbill) All her life, Eden Sher has suffered from dyscommunicatia (n. the inability to articulate a feeling through words.). Then, one day, she decided that, whenever she had an emotion for which she had no word, she would make one up. The result of this is The Emotionary, which lives at the intersection of incredibly funny and very useful. Chock full of words you always wanted/never knew you needed, often accompanied by illustrations of hilarious and all-too-familiar situations, The Emotionary will be a cherished tool for you or the world-class feelings-haver in your life.

cycle. What do the wealthy pay in taxes? What are the rules? Are there fair loopholes, or are laws being broken? What would make for fair taxes? Here are some books that examine these urgent questions, as we head into November.   FEATURED TITLES:   WEALTH AND OUR COMMONWEALTH: WHY AMERICA SHOULD TAX ACCUMULATED FORTUNES by William H. Gates, Chuck Collins Weaving personal narratives, history, and plenty of solid economic sense, Bill Gates and Chuck Collins make a sound and compelling case for estate tax reform, not repeal.   PERFECTLY LEGAL: THE COVERT CAMPAIGN TO RIG OUR TAX SYSTEM TO BENEFIT THE SUPER RICH–AND CHEAT EVERYBODY ELSE by David Cay Johnston By relating the compelling tales of real people across all areas of society, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter David Cay Johnston exposes exactly how the middle class is being squeezed to create a widening wealth gap that threatens the stability of the country.   SHOWDOWN AT GUCCI GULCH : LAWMAKERS, LOBBYISTS, AND THE UNLIKELY TRIUMPH OF TAX REFORM by Alan Murray The Tax Reform Act of 1986 was the single most sweeping change in the history of America’s income tax. It was also the best political and economic story of its time.   DIRTY SECRETS: HOW TAX HAVENS DESTROY THE ECONOMY by Richard Murphy The revelations from the Panama Papers show unknown levels of secret money: how the superrich hide their wealth from the rest of us. Dirty Secrets uncovers the extent of the corruption behind this crisis and exposes the failures of those in power to control this rampant greed.   GENERATION DEBT: HOW OUR FUTURE WAS SOLD OUT FOR STUDENT LOANS, BAD JOBS, NO BENEFITS, AND TAX CUTS FOR RICH GEEZERS–AND HOW TO FIGHT BACK by Anya Kamenetz GENERATION DEBT offers a truly gripping account of how young Americans are being ground down by low wages, high taxes, huge student loans, sky-high housing prices, not to mention the impending retirement of their baby boomer parents. Twenty-four-year-old Anya Kamenetz examines this issue from every angle and provides a riveting, rousing manifesto that will inspire everyone to take care of their financial future.   RICH IS NOT A FOUR LETTER WORD: HOW TO SURVIVE OBAMACARE, TRUMP WALL STREET, KICK-START YOUR RETIREMENT, AND ACHIEVE FINANCIAL SUCCESS by Gerri Willis In Rich Is Not a Four-Letter Word, veteran financial journalist and pundit Gerri Willis takes on the progressive mind set championed by liberals that gives government bureaucrats the right to decide what’s best for us, resulting in bigger government programs, more bureaucracy, and more wasted taxpayer money. She dissects Obamacare and Democratic tax initiatives to show how they have hamstrung the average American.   For more information on the titles visit Taxes

            Check back on Igloo in the coming days for more previews of our Fall Books.

DK Associate Publishing Director Liz Wheeler reflects on the making of the book: “GEM is no ordinary guide to mineralogy. It gave us an opportunity to photograph the world’s most precious minerals and metals afresh in a contemporary style—much larger than life size—so readers can really see the beauty in our planet’s treasures. And it gave our team a chance to get our hands on the most stunning jewelry and artifacts, and tell the extraordinary tales behind some of the world’s most famous pieces like the Dom Pedro Aquamarine and Marie Antoinette’s diamond earrings. It’s not just minerals and rocks! It’s a treasure trove of delights.” Aja Raden, an experienced jeweler, trained scientist and well-read historian, explains her journey to GEM: “My first book, Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World  was actually only written on a dare. I went to a birthday party in Paris full of writers and editors and agents, drank too much champagne and the next thing I knew, I had agreed to write a book about eight pieces of jewelry that changed the world. I was thrilled with the reception Stoned received, even more so when the success of that book lead DK to ask me to write the forward to Gem. In a way, both as an author and as a jewelry designer, it was just as exciting as publishing my own book. “While there are countless reference guides, visual encyclopedias and coffee-table books in the same vein, there are no other books like GEM. It’s the most comprehensive and lavish volume of its kind that I’ve ever seen. And I’ve pretty much seen all of them. GEM features not only amazing historical pieces from all over the world, but brings together common and rare examples of gems, minerals and metals of every kind, putting each stone in its historic and scientific context. It’s the kind of book that makes all of your other reference books on the topic obsolete, and it looks damn good doing it.”

readers to question everything they know about privilege, power and race. Jodi and Jennifer talk about how SMALL GREAT THINGS came to be and how they think readers everywhere will be deeply affected and inspired to have further discussions about issues that are important to us all. Jodi Picoult In your novels, you often place your characters in situations where there are no easy answers, and where their choices can have lasting consequences. This is most definitely the case in SMALL GREAT THINGS. What was the inspiration behind the writing of this book and creation of its central storyline and characters? I had wanted to write about race for about twenty years, and even started a novel and abandoned it, concerned about my “right to write” about a life I’ve never led, and whether this was my story to really tell. Then I read a real-life news story in 2012 about a Michigan nurse who helped deliver the baby of a white supremacist, who requested that she and other African Americans not touch the infant.  The nurse sued the hospital, but it got me thinking — what if she was alone with the baby and something went wrong?  What if she wound up on trial with a white public defender who – like most people I know –  would never consider herself to be a racist? What if the story was told by the nurse, the lawyer, and the white supremacist as they faced their beliefs about race, power, and privilege? Suddenly I knew this WAS my story to tell. I wasn’t writing it to tell people of color what their lives are like.  I was writing to people like me, to say that even though it’s easy to point to a white supremacist and say, “He’s a racist,” it’s harder to point to yourself and say the same thing. And yet, it’s true — because if you’re white in this country, you hold all the power — and that’s part of the equation of racism. As you were writing the book, what were some of the most challenging and rewarding parts of the process? I couldn’t ask my readers to unpack their biases without doing that myself. So I attended social justice workshops, where I left in tears every night as I realized how much I had overlooked the privileges I’d had as a white woman.  I also sat down with multiple women of color who shared their stories with me, kindly overlooking my ignorance.  I talked about race with them in a way I’d never talked to people of color before — it was intense, and upsetting, and very healing.  They were also sensitivity readers for me — making sure that the voice of Ruth was accurate and authentic. Part of my research, too, involved meeting with two former Skinheads who now actively speak out against racism. Their experiences were horrifying to hear about, but I kept thinking: if THEY can change, can’t the average white person change too? How much did your own personal experiences impact the development of aspects of SMALL GREAT THINGS? I learned so much about racism in general — it’s easy to see the headwinds of racism, the things that make it harder for a person of color to achieve success. It’s harder to see the tailwinds — the ways that being white has contributed to our own success. I’d spent years chalking that up to luck or hard work…but in reality, the opportunities I may have had are a direct result of the fact that someone of color may not have had those opportunities. It’s a huge concept to wrap your head around — and once you do, you won’t see the world the same way. I know I don’t. In what ways do you envision how your readers may react to the novel’s dilemmas, particularly the ones involving race, prejudice, and the justice system? Everyone who has read it so far has been deeply affected.  From the African American man who came up to me after I spoke at a conference and burst into tears, and then said, embarrassed, “I’m so sorry. I just…never expected to hear anything like that here…” to the white people who write me weeks after they have finished the book to tell me about micro-aggressions they’ve noticed and how they’ve been so much more aware and critical of their own behavior. Here’s the thing about racism – it’s systemic and institutional, but it’s both perpetuated and dismantled in individual acts. Most of us don’t talk about racism because we don’t HAVE to, and because we are afraid of offending people. It’s my hope that this book will be a springboard for discussion, and will give readers the tools and the vocabulary to join a conversation that this country desperately needs to have. Jennifer Hershey As Jodi’s editor, what do you see as your primary role? One of the main characters of her new novel is a labor and delivery nurse, so I just can’t resist using that as an analogy for my role. Providing support and encouragement as the novel is being “born” is a huge element of my job. Beyond that, as part of an amazing team that includes brilliant publicists and marketers and art directors and sales people, my goal is to help strategize and coordinate all those efforts so that we can get the novel into the hands of the widest possible readership. How would you describe your editor/author relationship/process with Jodi on this book and how it compared to prior novels of hers that you have worked on? It was similar to our previous experiences. Jodi is a dream to work with because she has a very clear vision of what she is trying to accomplish and is very open-minded to any suggestions that may help her do it even more effectively. She is passionate about her subject matter and I responded powerfully to it, so we had thought-provoking and emotional conversations about the questions her characters are forced to confront in the story. What elements of SMALL GREAT THINGS do you feel may have the strongest impact on readers and spark the most discussion? Jodi has three very different point of view characters in the story, and they each, obviously, see the dramatic events that are unfolding in a very different way, through a very different lens. As a reader, then, it’s almost impossible not to think hard about your own point-of-view on our world, our culture, as you rotate among those different lenses. It is definitely one of those books that you want to talk about the minute you finish reading it!

SJP for Hogarth will selectively publish high-quality works of fiction by both established writers and distinctive emerging voices with critical and commercial promise, with its first list anticipated to debut in 2018. As Editorial Director of the sub-imprint, Ms. Parker will be involved in every aspect of the publication of books issued by SJP for Hogarth, from their selection and acquisition to cover design and promotion, working in close partnership with Molly Stern, Senior Vice President, Publisher, Crown, Hogarth, Broadway, Crown Archetype, and Three Rivers Press. Ms. Parker will be supported on individual book projects by members of Hogarth’s editorial team in New York, led by Lindsay Sagnette, Editorial Director of Fiction for Crown and Hogarth, and Alexis Washam, Executive Editor, as well as by the Hogarth editorial team in London. An avid reader who traces her lifelong love of writing to an early childhood spent checking books out of her local library, Ms. Parker’s association with Hogarth began in 2012 when she met Ms. Stern by chance at a media luncheon in New York.  Ms. Stern subsequently sent her an advance copy of Anthony Marra’s critically acclaimed debut novel A CONSTELLATION OF VITAL PHENOMENA, which Ms. Parker fell instantly in love with and decided to vigorously champion. Ms. Parker and Ms. Stern decided to form a book club, which has been meeting regularly for the past three years. They both see the launch of SJP for Hogarth as a natural extension of Ms. Parker’s authentic love of great books and of her desire to support and bring attention to the most talented writers working today. Said Ms. Parker, “As a lifelong book lover, as someone who treasures and admires the skill and talent of original and powerful story tellers it is my great privilege to be invited into the world and business of books. Especially thrilling to join those who serve the rich history that is Hogarth. I so look forward to offering to readers the sort of books that have inspired my life long devotion to the written word.” Said Molly Stern, “From the moment we met, I was drawn to Sarah Jessica’s extraordinary passion for books and her natural instinct for what makes for great writing.  The Hogarth editorial team and I cannot wait to partner with her as she brings her excellent taste and infectious enthusiasm to bear in support of both writers and reading.” Sarah Jessica Parker is the star and executive producer of Divorce, which premiered Sunday (10/9) on HBO. She currently serves as a Vice-Chairman of the board of directors for the New York City Ballet. In November 2009, the Obama administration elected her to be a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

FICTION SMALL GREAT THINGS by Jodi Picoult (Ballantine Books) Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse with more than twenty years’ experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other’s trust, and come to see that what they’ve been taught their whole lives about others—and themselves—might be wrong. THE MOTHERS by Brit Bennett (Riverhead) It is the last season of high school life for Nadia Turner, a rebellious, grief-stricken, seventeen-year-old beauty. Mourning her own mother’s recent suicide, she takes up with the local pastor’s son. Luke Sheppard is twenty-one, a former football star whose injury has reduced him to waiting tables at a diner. They are young; it’s not serious. But the pregnancy that results from this teen romance—and the subsequent cover-up—will have an impact that goes far beyond their youth. As Nadia hides her secret from everyone, including Aubrey, her God-fearing best friend, the years move quickly. Soon, Nadia, Luke, and Aubrey are full-fledged adults and still living in debt to the choices they made that one seaside summer, caught in a love triangle they must carefully maneuver, and dogged by the constant, nagging question: What if they had chosen differently? HAG-SEED by Margaret Atwood (Hogarth) Felix is at the top of his game as Artistic Director of the Makeshiweg Theatre Festival. His productions have amazed and confounded. Now he’s staging a Tempest like no other: not only will it boost his reputation, it will heal emotional wounds. Or that was the plan. Instead, after an act of unforeseen treachery, Felix is living in exile in a backwoods hovel, haunted by memories of his beloved lost daughter, Miranda. And also brewing revenge. After twelve years, revenge finally arrives in the shape of a theatre course at a nearby prison. Here, Felix and his inmate actors will put on his Tempest and snare the traitors who destroyed him. It’s magic! But will it remake Felix as his enemies fall? CRIMSON DEATH by Laurell K. Hamilton (Berkley) Anita has never seen Damian, her vampire servant, in such a state. The rising sun doesn’t usher in the peaceful death that he desperately needs. Instead, he’s being bombarded with violent nightmares and blood sweats. And now, with Damian at his most vulnerable, Anita needs him the most. The vampire who created him, who subjected him to centuries of torture, might be losing control, allowing rogue vampires to run wild and break one of their kind’s few strict taboos. Some say love is a great motivator, but hatred gets the job done, too. NONFICTION THE MAN WHO KNEW: The Life and Times of Alan Greenspan by Sebastian Mallaby (Penguin Press) Sebastian Mallaby’s magisterial biography of Alan Greenspan, the product of over five years of research based on untrammeled access to his subject and his closest professional and personal intimates, brings into vivid focus the mysterious point where the government and the economy meet. To understand Greenspan’s story is to see the economic and political landscape of the last 30 years–and the presidency from Reagan to George W. Bush–in a whole new light. As the most influential economic statesman of his age, Greenspan spent a lifetime grappling with a momentous shift: the transformation of finance from the fixed and regulated system of the post-war era to the free-for-all of the past quarter century. The story of Greenspan is also the story of the making of modern finance, for good and for ill. AMARO by Brad Thomas Parsons (Ten Speed Press) The European tradition of making bittersweet liqueurs–calledamari in Italian–has been around for centuries. AMARO is the first book to demystify this ever-expanding, bittersweet world, and a must-have for any home cocktail enthusiast or industry professional. Starting with a rip-roaring tour of bars, cafés, and distilleries in Italy, amaro’s spiritual home, Brad Thomas Parsons—author of the James Beard and IACP Award–winner Bitters—will open your eyes to the rich history and vibrant culture of amaro today. With more than 100 recipes for amaro-centric cocktails, DIY amaro, and even amaro-spiked desserts, you’ll be living (and drinking) la dolce vita. GONE ‘TIL NOVEMBER by Lil Wayne (Plume) In 2010, recording artist Lil Wayne was at the height of his career. A fixture in the rap game for more than a decade, Lil Wayne (aka Weezy) had established himself as both a prolific musician and a savvy businessman, smashing long-held industry records, winning multiple Grammy Awards, and signing up-and-coming talent like Drake and Nicki Minaj to his Young Money label. All of this momentum came to a halt when he was convicted of possession of a firearm and sentenced to a yearlong stay at Rikers Island. Suddenly, the artist at the top of his game was now an inmate at the mercy of the American penal system. Taken directly from Wayne’s own journal, this intimate, personal account of his incarceration is an utterly humane look at the man behind the artist. THE CLANCYS OF QUEENS by Tara Clancy (Crown) From scheming and gambling with her force-of-nature grandmother, to brawling with eleven-year-old girls on the concrete recess battle yard of MS 172, to hours lounging on Adirondack chairs beside an immaculate croquet lawn, to holding court beside Joey O’Dirt, Goiter Eddy, and Roger the Dodger at her Dad’s local bar, Tara leapfrogs across these varied spheres, delivering stories from each world with originality, grit, and outrageous humor. ButTHE CLANCYS OF QUEENS is not merely an authentic coming-of-age tale or a rowdy barstool biography. Chock-full of characters who escape the popular imaginings of this city, it offers a bold portrait of real people, people whose stories are largely absent from our shelves. YOUNG READERS THE MIDNIGHT STAR by Marie Lu (Putnam Books for Young Readers) Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She’s turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all she’s gained. When a new danger appears, Adelina’s forced to revisit old wounds, putting not only herself at risk, but every Elite. In order to preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger. BEAST by Brie Spangler (Knopf Books for Young Readers) Tall, meaty, muscle-bound, and hairier than most throw rugs, Dylan doesn’t look like your average fifteen-year-old, so, naturally, high school has not been kind to him. When Dylan goes up on his roof only to fall and wake up in the hospital with a broken leg—and a mandate to attend group therapy for self-harmers he meets Jamie. She’s funny, smart, and so stunning, even his womanizing best friend, JP, would be jealous. She’s also the first person to ever call Dylan out on his self-pitying and superficiality. As Jamie’s humanity and wisdom begin to rub off on Dylan, they become more than just friends. But there is something Dylan doesn’t know about Jamie, something that shouldn’t change a thing. She is who she’s always been—an amazing photographer and devoted friend, who also happens to be transgender. But will Dylan see it that way? STILL LIFE WITH TORNADO by A.S. King (Dutton Books for Young Readers) Sixteen-year-old Sarah can’t draw. This is a problem, because as long as she can remember, she has “done the art.” She thinks she’s having an existential crisis. And she might be right; she does keep running into past and future versions of herself as she wanders the urban ruins of Philadelphia. Or maybe she’s finally waking up to the tornado that is her family, the tornado that six years ago sent her once-beloved older brother flying across the country for a reason she can’t quite recall. After decades of staying together “for the kids” and building a family on a foundation of lies and domestic violence, Sarah’s parents have reached the end. Now Sarah must come to grips with years spent sleepwalking in the ruins of their toxic marriage. As Sarah herself often observes, nothing about her pain is remotely original—and yet it still hurts. A HAT FOR MRS. GOLDMAN by Michelle Edwards, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Schwartz & Wade) Mrs. Goldman always knits hats for everyone in the neighborhood, and Sophia, who thinks knitting is too hard, helps by making the pom-poms. But now winter is here, and Mrs. Goldman herself doesn’t have a hat—she’s too busy making hats for everyone else! It’s up to Sophia to buckle down and knit a hat for Mrs. Goldman. But try as Sophia might, the hat turns out lumpy, the stitches aren’t even, and there are holes where there shouldn’t be holes. Sophia is devastated until she gets an idea that will make Mrs. Goldman’s hat the most wonderful of all. Readers both young and old will relate to Sophia’s frustrations, as well as her delight in making something special for someone she loves.

submitted for award consideration are reviewed by a panel of judges, who include authors, librarians, critics, booksellers, and others. All finalists receive a $1000 prize, a medal, and become members of the National Book Foundation. Each category winner will receive a $10,000 prize and a bronze sculpture. We would like to congratulate all of this year’s chosen authors on this momentous achievement! The winner in each category will be revealed on November 16th, but until then we suggest reading the following finalists:   FICTION THE ASSOCIATION OF SMALL BOMBS by Karan Mahajan Woven among the story of  the Khurana and Ahmed families is the gripping tale of Shockie, a Kashmiri bomb-maker who has forsaken his own life for the independence of his homeland. Karan Mahajan writes brilliantly about the effects of terrorism on victims and perpetrators, proving himself to be one of the most provocative and dynamic novelists of his generation. THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead As Whitehead brilliantly re-creates the unique terrors for black people in the pre–Civil War era, his narrative seamlessly weaves the saga of America from the brutal importation of Africans to the unfulfilled promises of the present day. The Underground Railroad is at once a kinetic adventure tale of one woman’s ferocious will to escape the horrors of bondage and a shattering, powerful meditation on the history we all share. NONFICTION BLOOD IN THE WATER: THE ATTICA PRISON UPRISING OF 1971 AND ITS LEGACY byHeather Ann Thompson Drawing from more than a decade of extensive research, historian Heather Ann Thompson sheds new light on every aspect of the uprising and its legacy, giving voice to all those who took part in this forty-five-year fight for justice: prisoners, former hostages, families of the victims, lawyers and judges, and state officials and members of law enforcement. Blood in the Water is the searing and indelible account of one of the most important civil rights stories of the last century. YOUNG PEOPLE’S LITERATURE RAYMIE NIGHTINGALE by Kate DiCamillo As the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition approaches, loneliness, loss, and unanswerable questions draw  three girls into an unlikely Summer friendship — and challenge each of them to come to the rescue in unexpected ways. THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by Nicola Yoon ”A love story that is smart without being cynical, heartwarming without being cloying, and schmaltzy in all the best ways.“—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review See the complete NBA 2016 Finalists list by visiting www.nationalbook.org. Visit a collection of our favorite 2010-2016 NBA Finalists by clicking here.

FEATURED RELEASES   THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by Paula Hawkins Film stars Emily Blunt; Release: October 7, 2016; Trailer The debut psychological thriller that will forever change the way you look at other people’s lives.   NEVER GO BACK by Lee Child “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” is directed by Ed Zwick and stars Tom Cruise; Release: October 21, 2016; Trailer Finally arriving in Virginia, hoping to see the woman he spoke to on the phone in 61 Hours, Reacher finds himself drafted back into the Army and facing a case that digs deep into his past—and has personal ramifications that could change Reacher for life. LION by Saroo Brierley Film stars Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, and Rooney Mara; Release: November 25, 2016; Trailer Originally published as A LONG WAY HOME, LION tells the story of a five-year-old Indian boy lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of kilometers from home. He survives many challenges before being adopted by a couple in Australia; 25 years late, he sets out to find his lost family.   AMERICAN PASTORAL by Philip Roth Film stars Ewan McGregor, Jennifer Connelly, David Strathairn and Dakota Fanning; Release: October 28, 2016; Trailer Winner of the Pulitzer Prize. As the American century draws to an uneasy close, Philip Roth gives us a novel of unqualified greatness that is an elegy for all our century’s promises of prosperity, civic order, and domestic bliss.   INFERNO by Dan Brown Film is directed by Ron Howard and stars Tom Hanks and Felicity Jones; Release: October 28, 2016; Trailer Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon awakens in an Italian hospital, disoriented and with no recollection of the past thirty-six hours, including the origin of the macabre object hidden in his belongings.   GOAT: A MEMOIR by Brad Land Film stars Nick Jonas; Release: September 23, 2016; Trailer This searing memoir of fraternity culture and the perils of hazing provides an unprecedented window into the emotional landscape of young men.   FENCES by August Wilson Film stars Denzel Washington and Viola Davis; Release: Christmas Day, 2016; Trailer Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama Troy Maxson has gone through life in an America where to be proud and black is to face pressures that could crush a man, body and soul. The new spirit of liberation in the 1960s is making him a stranger, angry and afraid, in a world he never knew and to a wife and son he understands less and less.   DENYING THE HOLOCAUST: THE GROWING ASSAULT ON TRUTH AND MEMORY by Deborah E. Lipstadt The Film “Denial” stars Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Spall; Release: September 30, 2016; Trailer Lipstadt shows how Holocaust denial thrives in the current atmosphere of value relativism, and argues that this chilling attack on the factual record not only threatens Jews but undermines the very tenets of objective scholarship that support our faith in historical knowledge.   FOR YOUNGER READERS   MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN by Ransom Riggs ; Ages 14 And Up Film is directed by Tim Burton and stars Eva Green, Samuel L. Jackson, and Judi Dench; Release: September 30, 2106; Trailer Movie tie-in bonus features include a Q&A with author Ransom Riggs, eight pages of color stills from the film and a sneak preview of HOLLOW CITY, the next novel in the series. A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness; Ages 12 and up Film stars Sigourney Weaver and Felicity Jones; Release: January, 2017 An unflinching, darkly funny, and deeply moving story of a boy, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor.   ANNE OF GREEN GABLES by L.M. Montgomery PBS Masterpiece Theatre adaptation stars Ella Ballentine, Martin Sheen, Sara Botsford; Release: Thanksgiving Day; Trailer Anne, an eleven-year-old orphan, is sent by mistake to live with a lonely, middle-aged brother and sister on a Prince Edward Island farm and proceeds to make an indelible impression on everyone around her. WONDER by R. J. Palacio; Ages 8 to 12 Film stars Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson; Current release date: April, 2017 Over 5 million people have fallen in love with WONDER and Auggie Pullman, the ordinary boy with the extraordinary face, who inspired a movement to Choose Kind. This special movie tie-in trade paperback edition features an eight-page full-color insert with photos from the film, a new introduction by the author, and a family discussion guide.   IN DEVELOPMENT/PRE-PRODUCTION   IT’S WHAT I DO: A PHOTOGRAPHER’S LIFE OF LOVE AND WAR by Lynsey Addario Film is directed by Stephen Spielberg and stars Jennifer Lawrence Lynsey Addario was just finding her way as a photographer when September 11th changed the world. One of the few photojournalists with experience in Afghanistan, she gets the call to return and cover the American invasion. She makes a decision she would often find herself making—not to stay home, not to lead a quiet or predictable life, but to risk her life, to set out across the world, and to make a name for herself.   THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US by Charles Martin Film stars Kate Winslet and Idris Elba A pair survives a plane crash in the mountains where they are forced to trust each other and find safety while badly injured. Both a tender and page-turning read, THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US will reaffirm your belief in the power of love to sustain us.   For more book-to-screen adaptations visit: Books to Film