Category Archives: Books

35 Gifts for Book Lovers | 2024 Picks

While buying a book for the bibliophile in your life may seem like an obvious gift idea, chances are high they’ve already added way too many titles to their TBR (to be read) list. Fortunately, there are tons of other literature-inspired presents out there to suit every kind of reader.The best gifts for book lovers include cozy accessories to curl up with, home decor items to showcase their prized possessions, and a subscription that keeps new releases coming at them all year long. To make your holiday shopping easier, we’ve curated a wide variety of thoughtful gifts for bookworms that are available at Amazon, Nordstrom, Etsy, and other SELF favorite retailers. Add them to your virtual cart now, stress less, and thank us later.Papier Italian Summer Reading JournalPapierItalian Summer Reading JournalHelp them keep track of what they’ve read in style with this gorgeous journal. Inside, they can start a wish list, jot down book reviews, and even note which titles they’re currently borrowing to help prevent library late fees from stacking up.Book Nook Reading ValetUncommon GoodsBook Nook Reading ValetThis portable wooden valet will save their page and hold other essentials, like their glasses and a cup of tea. There’s even a hidden slot to tuck their phone into, so it’s out of sight—but still easily accessible.Amazon KindleAmazonKindle 2024As a self-professed bookworm, this is my most used device (after my phone). A Kindle allows them to take thousands of their favorite books on the go without the bulk. It easily slips into a purse, and the glare-free screen is far easier on the eyes than reading on a tablet.Remote Control Kindle Page TurnerOresocRF Remote Control Page Turner for Kindle PaperwhiteIf they already have a Kindle, help make reading in bed that much easier with this handy remote-control page turner. It may seem silly, until they’re all snuggled into their blankets and enjoying their next novel hands-free.Off the Grid Kindle CasePageOff the Grid Kindle CaseGive their boring black Kindle an upgrade with this colorful case that opens and shuts like a book cover. I own one myself, and I love its high-quality look and feel. (Just make sure to double-check which model they have before purchasing.)Book Lover’s Hand Painted Hair ClipUncommon GoodsBook Lover’s Hand Painted Hair ClipA beautiful, gilded hair clip will keep their strands out of the way and maybe even attract a few compliments while they’re out and about too.Ban.do Meet Me at the Bookstore VaseBan.DoMeet Me at the Bookstore VaseThis may look like a colorful book, but it’s actually a ceramic vase for them to display their favorite blooms in.Bibliophile Diverse Spines PuzzleChronicle BooksBibliophile Diverse Spines PuzzleFor the reader who also loves to relax by puzzling, this 500-piece puzzle featuring spines of new and old literary classics by a range of authors will do just the trick.Custom Library EmbosserVstarnerCustom Library EmbosserThis personalized embosser is perfect for the bookworm who’s constantly lending out their favorite reads to friends and family.Personalized Hand-Embroidered Corner Bookmark55treePersonalized Hand-Embroidered Corner BookmarkThis sweet corner bookmark can be embroidered with whichever initial you choose, so they can always save their page. It makes a lovely stocking stuffer or gift topper.Glocusent Neck Book LightGlocusentBook LightFor the friend who loves to read in bed, this clever, rechargeable book light eliminates the hassle of having to clip a light onto their pages (or some other precarious perch).Literary ClockUncommon GoodsLiterary ClockThis ingenious clock tells the time by displaying quotes from authors of the past six centuries. It’s minimalist, can hold a charge for weeks, and looks sleek on a desk or countertop—a real treat for any bibliophile.Book of the MonthBook of the MonthA Book of the Month subscription will deliver the latest and greatest fiction right to their door. From BookTok favorites to brand new releases, there’s a lot to love (just don’t be offended if you hear from them less—because, well, they’re reading!).Pippi Post 52 Weeks of Book Quotes Flip Desk CalendarPippi Post52 Weeks of Book Quotes Flip Desk CalendarA sweetly illustrated calendar that features a new literary quote each week will be the desk accessory they never knew they needed.Article Fantol Narrow BookcaseArticleFantol Narrow BookcaseGive them a place they can proudly display all their favorite novels this year. This slim natural oak bookcase works in even small spaces and has a clean, minimal aesthetic that goes with almost any decor.Bibliophile: An Illustrated MiscellanyBibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany by Jane MountI have this gorgeous coffee table book that can serve as inspiration and a reference point for their next great read. It even has a section about the world’s most beautiful bookstores, with stunning illustrations.Homesick Book Club CandleHomesickBook Club CandleYou can’t go wrong with a cozy candle, like this book-themed one from Homesick. Nutmeg, sandalwood, and amber will add some relaxing notes to their reading experience.Book PinsAlphabet BagsBooks & Snacks Pin Hard Enamel PinWord For Word FactoryWell Read Enamel PinIndigo MaidenRead Banned Books Enamel PinPunky PinsBook Club Enamel PinIf they’re always adorning their tote bags and jackets with enamel pins, gift them these bookish ones so they can show their favorite hobby off with pride.Quince Cotton Fisherman ThrowQuinceCotton Fisherman ThrowEvery bookworm needs a snuggly throw blanket to curl up with. This 100% cotton throw comes in four sophisticated colors and will add a touch of hygge to their room.Bookworm Rainbow SocksUncommon GoodsBookworm Rainbow SocksKeep their toes nice and warm with this fun pair of socks they can wear to low-key declare their bibliophile status.100 Essential Novels Scratch Off ChartUncommon Goods100 Essential Novels Scratch Off ChartThis fun scratch-off poster of 100 famous reads will be a motivating challenge for any classics fan (there are even a few contemporary titles to expand their literary palette!).Where Is the Bookstore? Embroidered HatUncommon GoodsWhere Is the Bookstore? Embroidered HatYour book-loving friend, sister, or cousin who can’t wait to visit Paris will flip for this seriously cute baseball cap that asks, “Où est la librarie?” (a.k.a. where is the bookstore?).Scrabble Del Mar Shagreen EditionAmazonScrabble Del Mar Shagreen EditionGet the word nerd in your life this vintage Scrabble game that can easily be displayed on the shelf next to their actual novels.Wishacc Book StandWishacc Adjustable Bamboo Book StandElevate their late-night reading sessions with this adjustable book stand that can hold their novel, keep their coffee or tea safe in the built-in cupholder, and even stash a notebook for them to jot their favorite passages down in.Storybook DIY KitUncommon GoodsStorybook DIY KitFor the crafter in your life who loves to read, this miniature DIY bookstore kit may be the perfect gift. The box comes with all the supplies they’ll need to build a sweet greenhouse, and when it’s completed, it’ll slip right into place on their bookshelf.Bookstack OrnamentMagnolia Bookstack OrnamentThis sparkling stack of books is the perfect addition to any avid reader’s tree.The Book Was Better Tote BagThe Bookish GoodsThe Book Was Better Tote BagIsn’t this almost always the case? This canvas tote bag is perfect for stashing library finds, bookstore purchases, and so much more.Accordion Book LampUncommon GoodsAccordion Book LampA wireless, rechargeable lamp that looks like the fanned-out pages of a book is a truly unique gift for any book lover. The pages emit a warm soft glow and can even be opened vertically for a more lantern-like effect. When they’re done with it, they can “shut” the book to turn off the light, and no one will ever be the wiser.Barefoot Dreams Cozy Chic Blanket WrapBarefoot DreamsCozyChic Blanket WrapA wrap that also doubles as a super soft blanket? Yes, please. They’ll never want to leave the couch after opening this oh-so-cuddly present.Novogratz Curvy Aluminum BookendsNovogratzCurvy Aluminum BookendsThese simple, metal bookends will help keep their titles organized and in place (not to mention, they look seriously chic).Rifle Paper Co. Porcelain MugRifle Paper Co.Porcelain MugMake sipping their favorite A.M. beverage even more of a treat when you give them this mug, which is illustrated with classic titles like Little Women and Pride and Prejudice.Inkwell Threads Readers’ Paradise TeeInkwell ThreadsReaders’ Paradise TeeIf they’re always begging to finish just one more chapter before you leave the pool or beach, this graphic tee will be a fun nod to their favorite pastime.How we picked these productsLots of SELF writers and editors love to read (we even have our own book club!), so we started building this list by asking around for present recommendations from our resident bookworms. Then, we went shopping at some of our favorite retailers—like Amazon, Etsy, Nordstrom, Uncommon Goods, and Rifle Paper Co., just to name a few—and found lots of highly rated, giftable products that we think are right up any bibliophile’s alley. Our final list includes gadgets and accessories that we’d happily give our book-loving friends and family members for birthdays, holidays, or just because.Related:Get more of SELF’s stellar gift guides and product recommendations delivered right to your inbox (for free!).

WW Book Club Loves Sophie Cousens’ New Rom-Com—Here’s What to Read This Week!

Happy Thanksgiving Week, book lovers! If your upcoming weekend plans consist of delicious leftovers and reading all day by the fire, you’re in the right place. This week, Woman’s World Book Club has another batch of just-released book recommendations—from mystery to romance, nonfiction and more. We promise there’s something for everyone to enjoy between sips of cider and pumpkin pie bites.
For the week of November 26 to December 2, we’re starting our list with legendary author Janet Evanovich’s Now or Never—the 31st installment of her bestselling Stephanie Plum series. If you’re in the market for a rom-com—or in this case a ‘mom-com’—we recommend Pick-Up by Nora Dahlia. Dahlia’s charming novel centers on a single mom and the promise of finding love again. Our second romantic recommendation of this week: Sophie Cousens’ Is She Really Going Out With Him? Fellow bestselling author Ashley Poston described Cousens’ latest as “How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days meets He’s Just Not That Into You.”
If you’re interested in traveling back in time to the exciting and glamorous 1920s jazz era, pick up The Jewel of the Blues by Monica Chenault-Kilgore. How about a nonfiction pick? Wake Up To Love by Nikki Walton presents a beautiful collection of meditations to kick start each day with faith and joy.
Keep scrolling for more details on Woman’s World Book Club’s book recs for the week of November 26 to December 2. Your next great read is waiting—enjoy!

Mystery
‘Now or Never’ by Janet Evanovich
Atria Books
Bestselling author Janet Evanovich returns with the 31st installment in her Stephanie Plum series. After Stephanie says yes to marrying Morelli and Ranger, she’s caught in a huge predicament. To distract herself, she focuses on her work as a bounty hunter and enlists Lula, Connie and Grandma Mazur to help her catch law-breakers. As danger approaches and a big secret may be revealed, she must make a choice—now or never.
Romance
‘​​Pick-Up’ by Nora Dahlia
Gallery Books
Filled with smart banter and swoon-worthy moments, this enemies-to-lovers mom-com follows single mom Sasha Rubinstein. As she navigates daily life and judgmental school pick-up lines, she meets Ethan Jones, an annoyingly handsome, entitled dad. But Ethan’s motives are not to irritate Sasha—in fact, he can’t stop thinking about her. When a job takes them both to a tropical island, their spars turn to sparks.
Chick lit
‘Is She Really Going Out with Him?’ by Sophie Cousens
G.P. Putnam’s Sons
This laugh-out-loud love story stars columnist Anna Appleby, a divorcée whose office rival is vying for her column. To save her job, Anna pitches a unique angle for a story: She’ll go on seven dates chosen by her kids. She finds herself asking out waiters, the mailman and even her celebrity crush—but when she stumbles on an unexpected connection, she wonders if she’ll take another real chance on love.
Historical fiction 
‘The Jewel of the Blues’ by Monica Chenault-Kilgore
Graydon House
Readers are transported back to the 1920s jazz era in this rich and sparkling page-turner. Blues singer Lucille Arnetta Love was once billed “the little girl with the big voice” in her family’s traveling band. But Lucy doesn’t know the real reason her parents never stayed in one place for too long. Then Lucy meets talent manager Marcus Williams, who sets her up with a band. As success grows, her family’s secrets threaten everything.

Nonfiction 
‘Wake Up to Love: Meditations to Start Your Day’ by Nikki Walton

HarperOne
Daily meditation has the power to soothe worry and fear—and spiritual leader, author and chart-topping GoOD Mornings podcast host Nikki Walton just made this practice easier. In her new book, Wake Up to Love, Walton shares a written collection of 52 of her most inspiring podcast episodes. Filled with insightful prompts and 5-minute meditations centered around four principles: finding love, sustaining love, being love and spreading love and more, the book acts as a gentle guide to freeing fear, finding peace and walking in God’s love and light.
 

Black Friday Box Set Book Deals! ‘ACOTAR,’ ‘Bridgerton’ & More Romance On Sale

Black Friday is the time to stock up on your favorite romance books. Since it’s the holiday season, many books are bundled together in box sets. For fans of romantasy book series like A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass, box set deals are essential.
As we anxiously await the third season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, you can bide your time but reading all three of Jenny Han‘s novels. The trilogy is less than $20! The final four books of the Bridgerton book series are bundled together in a box set that’s 54% off right now.

Authors Against Book Bans demand publishers prepare for 2025.

November 26, 2024, 5:05pm

Authors Against Book Bans, a coalition of writers and creative workers who “stand united against the deeply unconstitutional movement to limit the freedom to read,” released an open letter yesterday demanding publishers prepare for the incoming Trump administration.
The AABB conducted open forums with authors, and compiled their concerns and demands for the coming years. The letter was released on social media, and outlines collective worries about the Trump administration and its threats, and how authors hope the corporations they work with will counter those coming dangers:

The letter highlights what authors need from book publishers in the years to come, knowing that Trump will usher in a “pro-censorship, pro-book-banning administration, and the successful implementation of its policies will require willing compliance of America’s institutions, including its corporations.”
Among the organization’s demands are that publishers “be unequivocal in your support of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC authors,” “be more aggressive and more public in fighting book bans and censorship,” and “refuse to provide “ratings” of books that goes beyond the current industry standard categorization of books by age group.”
The list of demands is incomplete by admission — AABB acknowledges that we all “have a short time before January to prepare” — but the letter is a great start to an important conversation.
And equally as important, I’m heartened by the display of solidarity and collective action. Groups like Authors Against Book Bans that can organize and mobilize are going to be crucial in the fights to come.
Here’s the full letter, copied from Instagram:
An Open Letter to Our Publishers from Authors Against Book Bans:
With the election of the Trump administration and its policies as embodied in Project 2025, we authors have deep concerns about how our publishers will be operating and how publishers will advocate for and protect authors. Trump’s agenda explicitly calls for the criminalization of authors, teachers, librarians, and publishing professionals with consequences including, “imprison[ment],” and being “classed as registered sex offenders” (Pg 4, Project 2025). For authors who are not citizens, this could also result in deportation. This promises to be a pro-censorship, pro-book-banning administration, and the successful implementation of its policies will require willing compliance of America’s institutions, including its corporations.
The freedom to write is as important as the freedom to read. We have been heartened by many publishers’ willingness to engage in legal and legislative pathways to fight book banning, and want to be sure that you will double-down on your fight during this consequential time.
This past week, AABB held open forums with authors from all genres and age levels to better understand author concerns and needs. While this may not be a complete list due to the rapid turnaround, we know we have a short time before January to prepare for what is to come, and we want to start this conversation sooner rather than later.
As authors, we need you to:
– Continue to acquire and promote books by LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC voices. We are concerned that these voices under particular attack will be silenced or discouraged, directly and/or indirectly.
– Be unequivocal in your support of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC authors. We need to know that no author will be asked to “tone down” or erase elements in their books to please potential censors or to avoid being targeted by unjust laws in certain states. Authors need to know that we can continue to speak our truths in our works and remarks.
– Guarantee the safety and confidentiality of all personal information that exists in your portals, or that has been shared for book promotion. We need publishers to refuse to provide lists of:
– Authors or staff they know to be immigrants, Muslims, individuals with backgrounds from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Gaza et al (targeted under Trump’s promise to expand the “Muslim ban”)
– All books by queer or trans authors, or that include queer or trans characters or content
– Authors and their citizenship, birthplace, and/or other personal information
– Books that reference diversity, equity, inclusion, sexual orientation, gender identity, racism, privilege, or “critical race theory” etc as defined or listed on page 4 of Project 2025
– Refuse to provide “ratings” of books that goes beyond the current industry standard categorization of books by age group.
– Resist requests for authors to sign contractual language for appearances that impinges upon our free speech in ways including but not limited to: written or spoken language, personal expenditures, personal advocacy.
– Provide security in states or locations where an author may be under threat or has received threats. If an author is arrested for discussing their book in a public space, we need you to promise to provide legal aid. We need clear industry standards regarding author security and direct contact information for security and legal needs.
– Stand against the blanket weaponization of “pornography,” “obscenity,” “triggering,” and “inappropriate” as they have been used in widespread book bans to target anything with queer content, sex, or references to racism, bigotry, misogyny, abortion, etc. Project 2025 states that people who produce or distribute anything deemed “pornographic” should be jailed, though it does not define pornographic, nor does it seem to adhere to the SCOTUS standard of pornography.
– Ensure the freedom of every author to use the terms targeted on pages 4-5 of Project 2025 (which include but are not limited to: sexual orientation and gender identity, diversity, equity, and inclusion, gender, gender equality, gender equity, gender awareness, gender-sensitive, abortion, reproductive health, reproductive rights, etc) freely in their works. We need to know you will continue to send LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC authors to schools, libraries, and festivals funded in whole or in part by federal grants.
– Provide training on author safety and emergency contacts for situations when an author feels unsafe.
– Be more aggressive and more public in fighting book bans and censorship at local, state, and the national level.
We approach all these needs with the assumption of your support, and we will be vigilant to make sure that any divergence on these crucial points will be noted and protested. It’s imperative that publishers, like authors, do not obey in advance. We must be aligned against policies that promote censorship, book bans, and the criminalization of storytelling. We look forward to working together with you and with all the other organizations fighting for our fundamental freedoms to read and to write.

Multilingual Children’s Books Launched at Lake I Public Library

Today, author Karryn Dawson launched her children’s books Dream Powers: Where Dreams Become Adventures and Less is More: Faith-Driven Progress for Service Providers at the Lake Independence Public Library in Belize City. The event blends imagination, faith, and entrepreneurship, offering something for everyone—from children to parents, educators, and service providers.
Dawson’s first book, Dream Powers, is inspired by her dreams and encourages children to make their dreams a reality and lead the way to success. It is available in both Spanish and French, aiming to reach a wider audience. Her second book, Less is More, offers a faith-driven perspective on redefining success through purpose, impact, and balance.
The event also celebrates Dawson’s dedication to creativity and her work with Quiet Collab Solutions Limited.

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Grandma Dawn shares her love of books and toys with Harlem’s children at Grandma’s Place

HARLEM, Manhattan (WABC) — The busiest shopping season of the year is almost here, but before you head to the mall or open up that computer, you may want to consider shopping small.From local chocolate shops and bakeries to one-of-a-kind toy stores, you can find countless unique gifts while giving back to your community.One of those small businesses is Grandma’s Place in Harlem, where a former teacher is working to ensure all children develop a love for reading and learning.Joelle Garguilo sat down with the owner of the shop, Grandma Dawn, to talk about her unique business.Joelle: I look around this shop Grandma Dawn and it is so special and it makes me think about what you were like as a kid. What did you play with as a kid?Grandma Dawn: I didn’t have toys as a child my mother gave me clothing and pajamas and tangerines and nuts and stockings.Joelle: So who raised you? Or should I say what raised you?Grandma Dawn: The block. The people on my block raised me. The tailor and his wife and two sons were my family. And I ran errands for the hairdresser and the barber and anyone on the block. I wasn’t allowed off the block. But my enterprise at 6 years old was running errands on the block for people.Joelle: Your love of books where did that come from?Grandma Dawn: My mom cleaned offices in the evening and she bought back books that were discarded I would pick up the books and I would read the books. I would read my sisters. And I would read the books my mom bought home from work. But I loved books because they told me about places I never saw about before.Joelle: I also know the library in so many ways raised you.Grandma Dawn: YesJoelle: Your sister would drop you off at the library?Grandma Dawn: They call it the Harry Belafonte Library now. Before they called it the 15th Library and I read all the books in the children’s book and the lady told me I could go into the adult section and read those books.Joelle: You have become the unofficial grandma to the neighborhood and that must be a title you wear with so much pride.Grandma Dawn: Yes, because that’s why the store is Grandma Dawn because my children call me Grandma and so the kids on the block thought that my name was Grandma, so everyone called me Grandma Dawn.”She’s like everybody’s grandma, so I think anybody who had that kind of grandma that they could go to speak to about anything you know if they had any kind of issue or even if it’s just something they just want to cuddle with somebody you know just have a nice body to hold onto that’s grandma,” a customer said.Joelle: If there were to be a book about Grandma’s Place what would be the story you’d be telling in those pages?Grandma Dawn: The resiliency of some of these parents and these children. I mean some of them have very difficult lives. But the fact that a parent who is barely making it will come in a toy store and take a recommendation about a particular book or toy, so it was my duty to have the right book and right toy. If this woman was going to spend this money on her child I wanted to make sure it was uplifting and it was important for the child and it would be something that would make the child feel that they were worth something.Grandma Dawn has been the grandmother to her neighborhood for decades. She tells us what has kept her going all these years and how she’s working to ensure no child gets left behind, this Friday on storefront stories hosted by Joelle Garguilo. She’ll introduce you to some of the faces behind New York City’s small businesses ahead of Small Business Saturday. That’s Friday at 10:30 a.m. on ABC 7.ALSO READ: Neighborhood Eats: Sanuki Udon offers quality, authentic Japanese-style noodles and tempura This week’s Neighborhood Eats takes you to Sanuki Udon, a fast casual udon and tempura restaurant in Greenwich Village, Manhattan.———-* Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More Manhattan news* Send us a news tip* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness NewsHave a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.Copyright © 2024 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.

7 Ag-Related Books Perfect for Gifting

“The Way I Heard It” by Mike Rowe From his podcast of the same name, this book is a collection of Paul Harvey-type stories of interesting people and historical events from a different perspective. The 35 short stories have extra commentary by Rowe, detailing his memories and life experiences.

Amazon

“40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World” by Howard Buffett 
It’s said that most farmers have 40 growing seasons in their career. This book tells the story about lessons Buffett learned as a farmer and a philanthropist in his  work to fight food scarcity and world hunger. 

Amazon

“Land Rich Cash Poor” by Brian Reisinger
A fourth-generation farmer, Reisinger uses his family farm to tell a larger story facing farmers in America today. Through current data, historical analysis, and interviews with modern farming’s champions and critics, the facts about the current issues facing agriculture are presented with a challenge to do something before it’s too late. 

Amazon

“Fifty Years of Disruptive Innovation” by John Kinzenbaw 
This is the story of how an Iowa farmer and inventor created Kinze Manufacturing, one of the largest privately held farm equipment manufacturers in the world. Released to commemorate the company’s 50th anniversary in 2015, the book includes many pictures from the Kinze archives. 

Kinze

“You Can’t Dream Big Enough” by Orion Samuelson
If you grew up on a farm in the Midwest, you probably recognize the name — and the voice — of Orion Samuelson, longtime agriculture broadcaster on Chicago’s WGN radio. In his memoir, “Big O” shares stories from his childhood in Wisconsin to traveling around the country and the world telling the story of American agriculture — and a few of his famous “Ole and Lena” jokes. 

Amazon

“Driving Home Naked: And Other Misadventures of a Country Veterinarian” by Melinda McCall, DVM
Dr. McCall takes you on an emotional journey through her life as a large-animal vet in rural Virginia. Ride along in the truck as she and her all-female veterinary practice confront obstacles and challenges. Reviewers call it “heartfelt, enlightening, and humorous.”

Amazon

Grounded Journals
Would you rather write a book than read one? By answering the questions in your Grounded Journal each year, you create the story of how your farm, business, or family has grown. With versions for crop farms, dairy farms, diversified farms, ranches, entrepreneurships, or simply an overall memoir, there is one to help you record your story.    

Grounded Journals

The NEW YORK TIMES Reveals the 100 Notable Books of 2024

Welcome to Today in Books, our daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more.
It’s the Most Notable Time of the Year

The New York Times‘s annual list of 100 notable books of the year is, for my money, the very best of the end-of-year offerings. Evenly divided between fiction and nonfiction, it has a diversity of genres, subjects, and tones; a healthy mix of popular, commercially successful titles and under-the-radar gems; enough books to be useful as you select your next read or shop for the book lovers in your life but not so many as to be overwhelming. If you read widely and pay attention to the bookish zeitgeist during the other eleven months of the year, you’re likely to find validation for some of your faves alongside new-to-you picks and reminders of the “Oh, I’ve been meaning to read that!” variety. This time around, there are also boxes to tick to indicate whether you’ve read a book or want to read it. I’ve notched 23 of the 100 so far, and I’m proud to report that Jeff and I scored 11 out of the 15 titles we identified as shoo-ins when we predicted the list on a recent episode of the Book Riot Podcast.

Costco to Keep Book Sections in Some Stores Year-Round
After announcing this summer that they would begin restricting in-store book sales to a seasonal model in the final quarter of the year beginning in, Costco has decided to reverse course, kind of. The big box retailer now plans to maintain year-round book sections in 100 of its 600+ locations. The remaining stores will still move to the Q4-only model. Per Publishers Weekly, Costco has not offered comment or explanation for the decision, which will certainly offer an interesting A/B test.

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Publishing executives see 2025 as an important year for the future of books at Costco. If sales remain strong and a more user-friendly model is created, Costco could return full-year book sections to more stores. If sales decline, however, book sections across the chain could all move to the holiday season model.

Let the 2025 Anticipation Begin
A fun byproduct of best-of lists being released earlier and earlier (the first ones dropped in mid-October this year) is that most-anticipated lists for the new year have started showing up well before the end of this one. In a cute twist, People asked bestselling authors to share the books they’re most looking forward to in 2025. Are these probably books written by their friends, MFA classmates, and folks who have the same agent? Don’t think about it too much.

Help a Queer Bookstore Survive
Here’s a bit of literary activism you can participate in right now. Mosaics is a nonprofit bookstore in Provo, Utah that works to support and celebrate the LGTBQ+ and BIPOC communities and elevate marginalized voices. The store, which is owned by Drag Queen Tara and their partner, is also home to the United Drag Alliance. Since opening in 2023, Mosaics has received bomb threats, the owners have had to move after being doxxed out of their home, and their health has been negatively impacted by harassment and threats of violence. Now, Mosaics is at risk of closing, which would be a tremendous loss to the community of Provo and beyond. Here’s how you can help save this queer bookstore.

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Three best-selling authors collaborate on new book “The Author’s Guide to Murder”

Please consider joining our Facebook group by CLICKING HERE.   Find out more about the books below. Three best-selling authors combine forces for a new murder mystery Here’s a recipe from the CBS New York Book Club: Take three authors, add a “book within a book” concept, a sense of humor about the publishing industry, and a murder mystery.  Those are the ingredients for the new novel “The Author’s Guide to Murder” by Beatrice Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White. Individually, Williams, Willig, and White are authors of best-selling historical fiction books. The previous four books they wrote together were of the same genre.  “The Author’s Guide to Murder” is their first murder mystery. Williams and Willig talked to Mary Calvi about how their collaboration started. 

“We had known each other on the writers’ circuit,” said Williams. “It was the last day of a conference and we were saying this is so fun hanging out together. Wouldn’t it be fun to write a book together and our publisher could send us on book tour together.”  “And pay our bar bill,” Willig added.

“The Author’s Guide to Murder” is about three authors who are on a research trip to Scotland for a book they will write together. These authors don’t like each other. Willig says she, Williams, and White came up with the plot when they were working on their last book, “The Lost Summers of Newport.” “We were laughing over how whenever we are on tour, someone in the audience will pop up and say, ‘You can tell me the truth. You really hate each other, don’t you?’ And we’ll say, yeah, you can tell we can’t stand each other. We really are best friends. We sat over a little too much caffeine and said what if there were really three authors who hated each other and who were put together, like the Spice Girls. And what if we put them in a castle in Scotland.” 

“And what if there was a murder mystery?” added Williams. “We’ve all written lots of books on our own,” said Willig. “When you write a lot of books you often get typed. And often you get put into a certain style of character or writing. But when we are writing together, and we are writing three different characters, you can choose to write with-type or against-type. Sometimes when we are writing together, we pick the characters that are wildly different from ourselves and what we usually do. And we never tell anyone who wrote what.”

The CBS New York Book Club focuses on books connected to the Tri-State Area in their plots and/or authors. The books may contain adult themes.  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“The Author’s Guide to Murder” by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White 

William Morrow

From the publisher: There’s been a sensational murder at historic Castle Kinloch, a gothic fantasy of grey granite on a remote island in the Highlands of Scotland. Literary superstar Brett Saffron Presley has been found dead—under bizarre circumstances—in the castle tower’s book-lined study. Years ago, Presley purchased the castle as a showpiece for his brand and to lure paying guests with a taste for writerly glamour. Now it seems, the castle has done him in…or, possibly, one of the castle’s guests has. Detective Chief Inspector Euan McIntosh, a local with no love for literary Americans, finds himself with the unenviable task of extracting statements from three American lady novelists.  The prime suspects are Kat de Noir, a slinky erotica writer; Cassie Pringle, a Southern mom of six juggling multiple cozy mystery series; and Emma Endicott, a New England blue blood and author of critically acclaimed historical fiction. The women claim to be best friends writing a book together, but the authors’ stories about how they know Brett Saffron Presley don’t quite line up, and the detective is getting increasingly suspicious. 

Why did the authors really come to Castle Kinloch? And what really happened the night of the great Kinloch ceilidh, when Brett Saffron Presley skipped the folk dancing for a rendezvous with death?  Beatriz Williams lives in Connecticut. Lauren Willig lives in New York City. Karen White lives in Georgia.  “The Author’s Guide to Murder” (ThriftBooks) $23

Excerpt: “The Author’s Guide To Murder” by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White  PROLOGUE

Kinloch Castle 10 December 2022

A murder is reported . . . Detective Chief Inspector Euan Macintosh had never seen a crime scene like this one before.

Torches guttered in iron holders along the walls of the octagonal chamber, illuminating the body of a man, dressed in little more than strategic strips of black leather, sprawled face down in a puddle of something that gleamed pale and sticky. The sickly sweet scent made Euan feel like retching—or that could just be the sheer amount of punch he’d consumed at the Kinloch ceilidh last night. Did it count as last night if one hadn’t been to bed yet? Erotic tapestries lined the walls: Europa, pursued by a bull; Leda, in the process of being ravished by a swan. The torchlight glinted off bare breasts, reaching arms, arched necks, and the bare buttocks of the man splayed on the floor.

A pseudomedieval chalice, enormous, inlaid with rough-cut jewels, lay where it must have fallen from the man’s outstretched hand, spilling its honeyed contents.  A stag’s head lolled on the flagstones next to the body, lopsided due to the loss of a branch of antlers on the left.

The inspector didn’t need to ask what had happened to the missing antler. It was protruding from the back of the man lying on the floor, into which it had been shoved with considerable force. No chance of natural death here. Euan repressed the urge to curse. His first murder since returning to Kinloch and it couldn’t be a simple brawl at the pub gone terribly wrong.

A sheep bleated, nosing at the puddle spreading out around the corpse. A stern-faced man in a kilt tugged the sheep away. “Dinna ye be drinking that, Beatrice. Ye don’t know where it’s been.”

Calum MacDougal. Gillie. General factotum at Castle Kinloch. Employed by the man who now lay face down in a pool of mead wearing what looked like a woman’s dominatrix costume. Euan gestured at the body. “I take it that’s—”

“The novelist. Aye.” American. Had written a book Euan hadn’t bothered to read because it sounded like poncey nonsense. Rented out the castle for writers’ retreats at Castle Kinloch. Euan had never met the man but he’d seen his face on the posters the man had plastered across the island.

He didn’t look like his poster now. “I’ve rung the medical examiner,” said Calum expressionlessly.

Euan felt bile rise in his throat—and not just because of the scene before him. Euan had seen all sorts of brutality during his time with the Met in London. Gun violence, knife violence, brass-knuckled violence. But those had been simple crimes compared to this. And there, the suspects weren’t people he’d known from a boy. “You found the body?” Euan asked brusquely.

“That’d be me nan.” Calum looked sideways at Euan. “Or would ye be needin’ her full name for the record, Chief Inspector?” “Where is Mrs. MacDougal?” Euan asked. “I’ll need to speak to her. For the record.”

“At the castle. I sent her back to get warm. She was fair fashed as ye may imagine.” Euan followed Calum through a tunnel that led from the freestanding tower—a landmark on Kinloch, the Obelisk—to the castle itself, where Morag MacDougal stood like a wraith in the Great Hall, her white face and white hair standing out starkly against the black of her dress, making her look like a black-and-white photo of herself.

Euan had known Morag since he was a boy. She’d rapped his knuckles with one hand and fed him scones with the other. And now he had to question her about a murder. It felt like an impertinence. Calum made a clucking noise and wrapped his grandmother in a Kinloch plaid. “Ye’ll catch yer death.”

“Death,” she echoed. The keys hanging from the gold chain at her waist clanged like the tolling of a bell. “Death has come to Kinloch. . . . It’s a reckoning. A reckoning, I tell ye. . . .” “Can you tell me who else was in the castle?” Euan asked hastily. Morag MacDougal in her prophetic mood was a bit much before breakfast.

Behind him, Beatrice the sheep bleated plaintively. Euan swatted her away before she could nose under his kilt. In the distance, he could hear the sound of a siren: PC McMorris coming up from the village, bringing the medical examiner with her, and thank goodness for that. Euan wished he were wearing something more official and not the dress kilt and blazer he’d worn to the ceilidh the night before. Would it be sexist to send PC McMorris back to fetch him some trousers?

Before he could act on that thought, a commotion arose from above. “We need to take a selfie!” an American voice trilled.

What the—” Shove up, you’re blocking the way.” Three women tumbled down the stairs, shoving and elbowing one another, all talking at once. They came to an abrupt halt just shy of the landing, staring at Euan.

They all wore plaid, but in nothing resembling any tartan Euan had ever seen on Kinloch. Their jarring plaids were enough to give anyone a headache, much less a man who had been called out before he’d had a chance to go to bed and was still feeling the effects of the fabled Kinloch punch. One of them appeared to be wearing nothing at all underneath her plaid dressing gown.

He’d seen her at the ceilidh. Dancing. In skintight plaid. Euan turned to Calum.

“What the devil are they doing here?” Calum looked at him apologetically. “These’ll be the Amerrrrricans. The authors. Staying at the castle for the retreat.”

This was all the morning needed. Americans. Why did it always have to be Americans?

From the book THE AUTHOR’S GUIDE TO MURDER by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White. Copyright Ó 2024 by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers.   Return to the top of page

Silver Bow among Montana counties to receive books through Imagination Library

MONTANA STANDARD
The Amicus Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Cameron, Montana, will be providing free books to Montana children through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a book gifting program started by the entertainer to foster a love of reading among children.Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age 5 at no cost to families. For the next five years, the Amicus Foundation has committed to covering the book and mailing costs for the program in six Montana counties, including Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Jefferson, Madison, and Silver Bow County.Established in 2015 by John and Sheila Lake, the foundation’s focus is on strategic investments in conservation, education, faith, families, health and veterans.“My wife, Sheila, and I are pleased to support Imagination Library and help further its impact in Montana, the place we call home,” said John Lake. “One focus of the Amicus Foundation is supporting families, and Imagination Library is such a benefit to Montana families.”

People are also reading…

Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting free, high-quality books each month to children from birth to age 5. The age-appropriate books are mailed directly to the homes of registered children each month, starting about 10 weeks after their registration is received. Parents or guardians may register their children online by filling out a brief form at www.imaginationlibrary.com.For more details about Imagination Library, contact Teal Whitaker, outreach coordinator for Imagination Library of Montana, at [email protected] or 406-581-8976.
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