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Each work shines in its own way throughout this new compilation, which upholds the standards set by preceding volumes in the series beautifully. Required reading for students, writers, and seekers of fine literature.
Nicolson’s gifts, both as a writer and a scholar, shine brightly, offering readers a thrilling glimpse into the marvelous work that is the “making of poetry.” Interspersed throughout are beautiful and simple woodcuts by artist Tom Hammick that may inspire readers to take up a pen and do a little making of their own. Highly recommended for all libraries.
Essential for followers of Genet, inquisitive general readers, and enthusiasts of 20th-century avant-garde French writing.
Palahniuk readers--and writers at any career level--likely will devour this vivid and instructive behind-the-scenes tour.
The compelling, eminently readable, novel-like style of Ackmann’s writing makes this new take on the poet’s artistic and personal growth highly recommended for both scholars and casual readers long captivated by the “Belle of Amherst.”
Leduc persuasively illustrates the power of stories to affect reality in this painstakingly researched and provocative study that invites us to consider our favorite folktales from another angle.
A delightful entry for lovers of literature and literary criticism.
All who pick up this book, from Morrison devotees to newcomers, will discover lessons in the literature to apply to their own lives. They will also feel inspired and wish to be part of a Toni Morrison Book Club of their own.
Readers of William S. Burroughs and Beat literature, as well as experiential journals from Djuna Barnes, Paul Bowles, and Hunter S. Thompson will find here much to endure and enjoy.
A fine narrative of how the best writers express the deepest secrets of the heart.
PREMIUM
Dante
While not for beginners, Took’s biography is deeply enriching for those who have some grounding in Dante, for whom this is an essential resource.
Chock-full of approachable and engaging critical analyses, this work will pique the curiosity of both Shakespeareans and anyone interested in American culture.
Dig in for music history, trailblazing animators, and incisive critiques of film and TV. The best arts titles published in 2019.
PREMIUM
James Baldwin: Living in Fire
A clear, incisive writer, Mullen succeeds with providing a fresh perspective on an author he so obviously admires. Recommended for readers seeking a broader understanding of the opinions of one of the great writers of the 20th century.
High school and college students will find excellent examples of how to study the geographical components of literature, while book clubs will discover fresh approaches to old and new classics.
The strong writing, creative genre use, and authentic voice add up to some high-impact essays.
PREMIUM
Little Weirds
This volume mixes the oddball self-examination of Jenny Lawson with moments of poetic insight. Recommended for lovers of fizzy memoirs.
This definitive account of Bishop’s contributions to American letters will attract both casual readers of her poetry as well as academics with more specialized knowledge of her work.
PREMIUM
Essays One: Reading and Writing
Those familiar with Davis’s work, and even new readers, will find much to ponder—even love
Copious and valuable source material provide students and scholars with noteworthy and new information about the poet. Those interested in the relationship between Eros and Thanatos in Ginsberg’s life and work will be especially rewarded.
Beautifully translated from Portuguese by Whitty, these accounts make up an unforgettable compilation documenting the lives of those largely underrepresented in literature. While the stories are specifically Brazilian, the insights they reveal are universal.
An award-winning portrait of the first African American female author to have a play performed on Broadway, a collection of must-read stories for black girls, and a look at some of the most influential women authors of the past top the list of best-selling literary criticism books, as compiled by GOBI Library Solutions from EBSCO.
Most readers will home in on a specific essay or section, but they will likely find something useful in this wide-ranging text.
PREMIUM
97,196 Words: Essays
A compelling collection, best suited for sophisticated readers up-to-date on their current affairs, and academic audiences.
PREMIUM
Me & Other Writings
An admirable translation that will enthrall fans of French literature as well as 20th-century history buffs.
Extensive references and footnotes make this a good choice for readers comfortable with analysis steeped in research. Recommended for larger academic holdings.
PREMIUM
The Best American Essays 2019
A worthwhile series installment that should not only interest contemporary readers but also hold a place in the historical record.
Despite the occasionally gossipy tone and casual language that detracts from the work’s overall scholarly perspective, this volume will be welcomed by readers and students curious about the cultural aspects of Woolf’s development as a writer.
Interestingly, the essayists here, rather than literary experts, specialize in religion, history, theology, and ethics, which provides a refreshing analysis and perspective on Morrison’s work and a valuable contribution to Morrison scholarship.
High school and college students will get a strong sense of Wright’s life, motivations, and creative output. Readers new to the author, as well as devotees, will take away valuable insights.
A good stopgap read for fans who anxiously await the next Reacher feature, and an amusing look behind the scenes at an author’s creative process.
PREMIUM
Savage Gods
Kingsnorth wrote his brilliant first novel, The Wake, in a language he created. This book provides a startling and instructive account of an uncommonly creative consciousness in a state of profound doubt.
Of interest to students of O’Connor and American, especially Southern, mid-20th-century literature.
To be dipped into rather than read through, this volume will appeal to many readers. Anyone who enjoyed the comics or TV specials will recognize their experiences in these pages and have their appreciation of Schulz’s genius renewed.
Because of the esoteric nature of this book, it is primarily geared toward collections with Bloom’s other works and his most ardent readers.
An invaluable volume for Ellison scholars and recommended for all readers interested in American literature.
PREMIUM
Gilgamesh: The Life of a Poem
Schmidt’s book deeply enriches our appreciation of a work already rich. A solid addition to all collections.
A winning look at black girl fashion and a solid addition for all collections
Fitzgerald enthusiasts will find these revealing letters sad but insightful
Scholars and devoted readers of political history, notably of the Middle East, will turn to Segev’s majestic analysis of this pivotal leader for decades to come
PREMIUM
Think Black: A Memoir
Recommended for readers interested in histories of computing and business, and black history, especially regarding STEM
Austin’s experiences, both positive and negative, are recounted in this fast-paced, heartwarming memoir of motherhood and adoption told through an African American lens. Essential for all libraries.
A perfect book for dipping into when something longer and more involved would be too much. There are plenty of “I didn’t know that” moments in spite of how well known many of these talented women will be to readers.
Despite its tendency toward repetition, this is an overall welcome addition to larger literature and writing collections.
A solid inclusion for libraries with strong contemporary fiction collections.
PREMIUM
The Wisdom of the Renaissance
Montaigne wrote that reading is “the best provision I have found for this human journey.” Kellogg’s book is well worth taking along.
This clear-eyed exploration of the attitudes and trends around reading and books will likely provoke lively discussion. Recommended for anyone with an interest in these favorite forms of entertainment.
Despite the padding of several slight and flimsy items, this compilation will gratify Auster readers and grace most library shelves.
Recommended for those studying library and information science or who are interested in America’s prison system.
Jamison’s observational skills, genuine empathy, and lack of sentimentality create an intelligent blending of journalism, scholarship (she directs the graduate nonfiction program at Columbia Univ.), and memoir.
This excellent portrait of a complicated, brilliant individual will appeal to those interested in late 20th-century culture, LGBTQ studies, and literary scholarship.
Accessible and engaging, this fresh look at Stein’s life is especially recommended for those interested in modernist literature.
PREMIUM
Coventry: Essays
These 17 essays are sassy, honest, and memorable. Readers will come away with numerous “aha” moments.
For readers fascinated by race and reparative writing, now and in American history, and the transformative potential of literature to change minds and emphasize our common humanity. [See Prepub Alert, 2/4/19.]
PREMIUM
Magill’s Literary Annual, 2019
A good starting point for research into current literature or as a readers’ advisory tool.
PREMIUM
New Russian Drama: An Anthology
Extensive coverage of controversial topics such as sex, drug use, and violence could offend those with a general interest in drama. Moreover, the experimental nature of some of these works will be an obstacle for many readers. Recommended for scholars, theater makers, and readers with a serious interest in world theater.
Recommended for readers seeking a new look at this much-loved classic, the source of Alcott’s inspiration, and how contemporary authors have seen themselves evolve over time.
Grant’s readable work both illuminates Bagehot’s life and places his writings in the conservative gold standard context of his time. [See Prepub Alert, 1/7/19.]
Recommended for those interested in the latest World War II biographies. [See Prepub Alert, 1/7/19.]
All readers will value this vivid account that corrects Mary’s record and reveals the dilemmas and distorted sensibility of Virginian slave-holding white women, along with the devastation caused by the Revolutionary War
The By the Book podcast meets Andre Bernard’s Now All We Need Is a Title, in this compulsively readable collection that may appeal to bibliophiles.
It’s not hard to imagine this work as a staple of creative writing course syllabi for years to come. A must for any library.
A wonderful guide to a misunderstood art. Essential for all libraries.
Visceral and unsettling, these essays will not easily be forgotten. A must-read.
The writing is polished and the stories compelling and often heartbreaking, but what this volume does best is change the women from faceless criminals into human beings deserving of dignity and compassion. For literary and sociology collections.
Recommended for readers interested in creative nonfiction, especially the essay genre.
A solid choice for large collections, especially where memoirs are popular.
This earnest memoir is somewhat overstuffed with discussions of religion and Hollywood; the greatest appreciation will likely come from readers interested in a heartfelt look at self-acceptance as well as the complexities of family or personal stories about mending divides between liberal and conservative
PREMIUM
Notes from the Field
Creative and highly thought-provoking, this work should be read not only by those who wish to perform the monologs but by anyone seeking to understand an increasingly frightening and pervasive social ill.
While similar in approach to William Steinhoff's George Orwell and the Origins of 1984, this is an important contribution to Orwell studies and a timely introduction to the man and his most famous achievement.
Highly recommended for Lurie's fans and admirers of the essay genre.
This attractive biography should be on the bedside reading table of thousands of Dr. Seuss lovers, and deservedly so.
Readers interested in di Prima and her bohemian fraternity will appreciate this memoir; for libraries serious about American history and poetry
January 2018 to date as identified by GOBI Library Solutions from EBSCO
Austen devotees will rejoice in this respectful cross-cultural update to a beloved classic; this charming tale told by Eliza Bennet's rival will allow enthusiasts to peer through the windows of Mr. Darcy's Pemberly estate
A small sampling of our favorite holiday titles that readers can relax with or give to that special someone
The perfect accompaniment for a literature-inspired vacation in the U.S. capital. The compact size, clearly labeled maps, and succinct, informative text make this a handy guide to slip into your suitcase.
This literary travelog is ideal for fans of Bass and the authors he celebrates. [See Prepub Alert, 1/8/18.]
PREMIUM
First Time Ever
An engrossing read for all, even those who don't know their folk music history. (Memoir, 12/13/17)
PREMIUM
Mean
Gurba is a writer for our times; her memoir brings a powerful perspective. (Memoir, 10/20/17)
An early candidate for memoir of the year, this is a thrilling story of one woman's search for truth and her place in the world. (Memoir, 1/12/18)
An absolute joy to read. Through her close encounters with the bovine kind, Narayan shows how Indian traditions are incorporated into contemporary ways of life. (Memoir, 10/20/17)
A heartfelt meditation on the fragility and wonder of life, O'Farrell's work emphasizes the body's desire to fight for survival, even as it takes on challenges from all sides. (Memoir, 12/13/17)
Deftly written, this thoughtful and well-researched work will appeal to a wide variety of readers; scholars and casual fans of printing history will enjoy this insider's look that is both informative and entertaining.
Anyone interested in where Shelley's ideas may have come from will find a multitude of context in Harkup's volume. This is fascinating for those interested in the development of sf and in the difficult life of one of the genre's first authors.
Readers fond of Shelley's original work, as well as those who enjoy consuming the culture it's spawned and influenced, will find this a book to savor, and despite edited compilations not being the usual choice for book groups, this could be a stellar choice for any pop-culture savvy group that's recently worked with Shelley's title. Recommended.
This gift-worthy coffee-table book will delight readers of the magazine and enthusiasts of its namesake city.
Fans of 1980s and 1990s alternative music and fashion will appreciate this retrospective, as will students of journalism and graphic design.
PREMIUM
The Wine Lover's Daughter
A fascinating book with something to interest anyone; a pure reading pleasure. [See "Reconciling Histories, Unraveling Mysteries," ow.ly/IGNv30fklIH].
One couldn't hope for a better introduction to the work of Perry or Montaigne. [See "Families & Addiction, Philosophers, Two Debuts, & Joyce Maynard"; ow.ly/X70F30fkmkA.]
PREMIUM
Where the Past Begins
Readers of Tan's novels will enjoy learning about the inspiration behind many of her stories. Book clubs and those who enjoy writers' memoirs, stories about difficult families, or children-of-immigrants narratives will also find much to savor. [See Prepub Alert, 4/24/17.]
A perfect summer read that will allow parents, dads especially, to reflect upon their own experiences raising children.
PREMIUM
We Are All Shipwrecks
Moving and complex, this is an exquisitely written tale of perseverance and unconditional love. A worthwhile addition to any collection.
PREMIUM
Ars Botanica: A Field Guide
This singular account will make readers wish that Taranto was a more polished writer and thinker.
PREMIUM
Man of the Year
A very fine family memoir that proves, in a variety of ways, that things are not always what they seem.
Recommended with reservations for readers who enjoyed The Reason I Jump or those seeking deeper insight into one man's distinctive struggle. [See Prepub Alert, 2/16/17.]
Hill's designs celebrate the best-known works of Potter, while also bringing some of her lesser-known botanical illustrations to the forefront. Quilters interested in machine appliqué, as well as fans of Potter's work, will enjoy this collection.
Dennison writes a concise summary of Potter's inspirations and legacy; fans already familiar with her life and works may want a more comprehensive retelling.
PREMIUM
Norse Mythology
A spectacularly entertaining and elucidating collection of stories with wide crossover appeal. Essential for all collections.
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