News
PYR to Publish Poetry Collection by Amanda Gorman, the Featured Poet at Today’s Presidential Inauguration
January 20, 2021
Amanda Gorman, photo credit Kelia Anne
There's a Book for That: Inauguration Day
January 20, 2021
The inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States begins at noon (ET) today, Wednesday, January 20. The inaugural ceremony will take place on the West Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. and will be the 59th presidential inauguration. Biden will take the oath of office as President, and Kamala Harris will take the oath of office as Vice President. It will be an inauguration like no other before it with the coronavirus and security threats prohibiting large crowds. "America United" and "Our Determined Democracy: Forging a More Perfect Union"—a reference to the Preamble to the United States Constitution—will serve as the inaugural themes. The inauguration will also include performances and readings from a range of artists including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Garth Brooks and Amanda Gorman, a Penguin Young Readers author and the youngest-ever inaugural poet. In honor of the occasion, we’ve gathered books by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as well as past inaugural addresses.
Your Daily Guide to PRH’s Virtual Events: Share on Social!
January 20, 2021
Connecting readers with our books and authors is more important than ever in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, ongoing social distancing, racism and police use of deadly force that has mobilized our country. Across Penguin Random House, we are hosting a variety of virtual events, and you can help promote them. Share the day’s complete calendar or your favorite individual listings via the share button, which will allow you to directly deliver all the relevant event information to your social network.
Robert Jones, Jr. In Conversation with Deesha Philyaw via Crowdcast (1/21)
January 19, 2021
Robert Jones, Jr., author THE PROPHETS (Putnam), will discuss his debut novel with Deesha Philyaw at a virtual event hosted by Books & Books via Crowdcast on Thursday, January 21 at 7:00 pm (ET).
Kevin Barry to Discuss THAT OLD COUNTRY MUSIC via Zoom (1/21)
January 19, 2021
Kevin Barry will discuss his latest story collection, THAT OLD COUNTRY MUSIC (Doubleday), with Peter Orner at a virtual event hosted by the Harvard Book Store via Zoom on Thursday, January 21 at 7:00 pm (ET).
Jane Smiley Presents PERESTROIKA IN PARIS via Crowdcast (1/21)
January 19, 2021
Jane Smiley, author of PERESTROIKA IN PARIS (Knopf), will discuss her latest novel in conversation with Jessica Osborne, followed by an audience Q&A, at a virtual event hosted by the Savannah Book Festival via Crowdcast on Thursday, January 21 at 7:30 pm (ET).
C.M. Waggoner Shares THE RUTHLESS LADY'S GUIDE TO WIZARDRY via Zoom (1/21)
January 19, 2021
The Six Bridges Book Festival presents C.M. Waggoner, author of THE RUTHLESS LADY'S GUIDE TO WIZARDRY (Ace), who will share her new book at a virtual event moderated by Danielle Butler via Zoom on Thursday, January 21 at 7:30 pm (ET).
Your Daily Guide to PRH’s Virtual Events: Share on Social!
January 19, 2021
Connecting readers with our books and authors is more important than ever in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, ongoing social distancing, racism and police use of deadly force that has mobilized our country. Across Penguin Random House, we are hosting a variety of virtual events, and you can help promote them. Share the day’s complete calendar or your favorite individual listings via the share button, which will allow you to directly deliver all the relevant event information to your social network.
THE FOREVER SEA Explores the Magic and Mysteries of Nature
January 19, 2021
Joshua Phillip Johnson’s THE FOREVER SEA is the first book in a new environmental epic fantasy series set in a world where ships kept afloat by magical hearthfires sail an infinite grass sea. Published on January 19 by DAW, this debut novel has been greeted with glowing praise, including rave reviews from Library Journal (“Johnson’s beautiful coming-of-age saga touches on subjects of conservation, water rights, morality, and relationships…. The book’s setting and plot are so original as to be a breath of fresh air to the fantasy genre”) and Publishers Weekly (“Lush descriptions of plant life abound… When combined with the exceptional protagonist and themes of embracing the unknown, [THE FOREVER SEA] calls to mind Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series. With a good balance of grit and tenderness, this entertaining story makes a nice addition to the growing hopepunk subgenre.”)
Kevin Barry to Discuss His Latest Story Collection with Susan Orlean via Zoom (1/20)
January 15, 2021
Kevin Barry will talk about his latest story collection, THAT OLD COUNTRY MUSIC (Doubleday), in conversation with Susan Orlean at a virtual event hosted by Prairie Lights via Zoom on Wednesday, January 20 at 6:00 pm (ET).
Melanie Benjamin to Delve Into THE CHILDREN'S BLIZZARD In Conversation with Elizabeth Letts via Zoom (1/20)
January 15, 2021
Melanie Benjamin, author of THE CHILDREN'S BLIZZARD (Berkley), will be in conversation about her latest novel with author Elizabeth Letts and participate in an audience Q&A at a virtual event hosted by Warwick’s Bookstore in partnership with the Mission Viejo Library via Zoom on Wednesday, January 20 at 7:00 pm (ET).
Announcing “Black Like We Never Left”– a Read-a-Thon Celebrating Black Literature
January 15, 2021
Next Monday, Martin Luther King., Jr. Day, bookstagrammer @creemyles , @penguinrandomhouse, and @belletrist will kick off Black Like We Never Left, a week-long virtual read-a-thon celebrating Black fiction. This year’s event will highlight the work of Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning Penguin Random House author Toni Morrison.Friday Reads: Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 15, 2021
On Monday, January 18, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. This year, the holiday is in the same week as the Presidential Inauguration. As ever, MLK Day celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. It’s a time to commemorate the timeless values Dr. King exemplified – courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service – as 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 and the power of words. We recommend the books herein for education and inspiration for all ages.
Hillary Clinton Joins Dutton Author Stephanie Schriock to Virtually Launch RUN TO WIN
January 14, 2021
This week Hillary Rodham Clinton joined Dutton author and EMILY’s List president Stephanie Schriock for a Politics & Prose virtual event to launch Schriock’s new book, RUN TO WIN: Lessons in Leadership for Women Changing the World. In a discussion moderated by Politics & Prose owner Lissa Muscatine, the two shared their own experiences of moving into leadership roles and why we need more women in elected office and in leadership roles more broadly.
Actor/Comedian Kevin Hart to Publish Middle-Grade Series with RHCB
January 14, 2021
Comedian, actor, producer, and entrepreneur Kevin Hart will release his debut children’s book, MARCUS MAKES A MOVIE, to be published by Crown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, it was announced by Phoebe Yeh, VP & Publisher. The humorous novel for middle-grade readers, co-written with New York Times bestselling author Geoff Rodkey and featuring art from David Cooper, pulls from Kevin’s experiences as a go-getter and father of four to celebrate do-it-yourself creativity and rising against the odds to bring your dreams to life. The first in a series, MARCUS MAKES A MOVIE will release with a first print run of 150,000 on June 1, 2021.
Anchor Launches a Line of Hardcover Books
January 14, 2021
Anchor Books will begin publishing hardcovers, announced Suzanne Herz, Publisher of Vintage Books and Anchor Books and EVP of Doubleday. The new venture will complement the existing award-winning Vintage/Anchor paperback program and will launch with six to eight titles in spring 2022. The hardcover list will focus primarily on psychological suspense, mystery, and commercial fiction, as well as popular nonfiction. Edward Kastenmeier, previously VP and Executive Editor, Vintage/Anchor, will lead the program in his new role as Editorial Director.
Your Daily Guide to PRH’s Virtual Events: Share on Social!
January 13, 2021
Connecting readers with our books and authors is more important than ever in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, ongoing social distancing, racism and police use of deadly force that has mobilized our country. Across Penguin Random House, we are hosting a variety of virtual events, and you can help promote them. Share the day’s complete calendar or your favorite individual listings via the share button, which will allow you to directly deliver all the relevant event information to your social network.
Deanna Kizis and Sam Boughton to Share PLEASE DON'T READ THIS BOOK via Crowdcast (1/16)
January 13, 2021
Vroman’s Bookstore presents a virtual storytime, conversation and Q&A with PLEASE DON'T READ THIS BOOK (Philomel) author Deanna Kizis and illustrator Sam Boughton via Crowdcast on Saturday, January 16 at 2:00 pm (ET).
Bess Kalb In Conversation with Rabbi Susan Shankman via Zoom (1/15)
January 13, 2021
Bess Kalb, author of NOBODY WILL TELL YOU THIS BUT ME: A True (As Told to Me) Story (Knopf), will be in conversation with Rabbi Susan Shankman, followed by audience Q&A, at a virtual event hosted by the Women of Washington Hebrew Congregation, via Zoom on Friday, January 15 at 12:00 pm (ET).
Olga Grushin to Discuss THE CHARMED WIFE with Karen Joy Fowler via Crowdcast (1/15)
January 13, 2021
Olga Grushin will discuss her new novel, THE CHARMED WIFE (Putnam), in conversation with Karen Joy Fowler at a virtual event hosted by The Book Mark via Crowdcast on Friday, January 15 at 7:00 pm (ET).