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Awards & Buzzy Book News

The 2023 Pacific Northwest Book Awards are announced.

Many news outlets weigh in on revelations in Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare (Random), including: Parade with the “biggest bombshells and juiciest confessions;” more on his relationship with his brother, Prince William as described by USA Today; “every catty thing” by Slate; an exploration of “shocking revelations” from Bustle; AARP on “royal family tensions;” and Fox News on the possible betrayal felt by his family as “the palace braces itself for impact.” Also, Vanity Fair dedicates three articles to the names Harry calls William, touchy subjects of other family members, and the fury reported by “palace insiders.” Lastly, The Bookseller shares the story of how the information was leaked.

Congressman Robert Garcia will use a first edition Superman comic to be sworn into office. Entertainment Weekly explains why. Kotaku also covers this news.

Apple Books has launched a line of audiobooks narrated by AI, according to The Verge. 

There is more news coverage on the story of romance writer Susan Meachen coming back from the dead by Salon and also, her announcement on being alive on Jezebel. 

Page to Screen

January 6:

A Man Called Otto, based on A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Sony Pictures. Reviews | Trailer

The Pale Blue Eye, based on the book by Louis Bayard. Netflix. Reviews | Trailer

January 7:

Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro, based on a web manga series by Nanashi. Crunchyroll. No reviews | Trailer

The Misfit of Demon King Academy II, based on the light novel series by Shu. Crunchyroll. No reviews | Trailer

Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement, based on the light novel series by FUNA. Crunchyroll. No reviews | Trailer

January 8:

All Creatures Great and Small, based on the book series by James Alfred Wight (who used the pen name James Herriot). PBS. Reviews | Trailer

By the Grace of the Gods, based on the light novel series by Roy. Crunchyroll. No reviews | Trailer

In/Spectre, based on the book by Kyo Shirodaira. Crunchyroll. No reviews | Trailer

Mayfair Witches, based on the novel trilogy by Anne Rice. AMC+. Reviews | Trailer

Vienna Blood, based on the "Liebermann" novels by Frank Tallis. PBS. Reviews | Trailer

January 9:

Ayakashi Triangle, based on the manga series by Kentaro Yabuki. Crunchyroll. No reviews | Trailer

The Vampire Dies in No Time, based on the manga series by Itaru Bonnoki. Crunchyroll. No reviews | Trailer

Vinland Saga, based on the manga series by Makoto Yukimura. Crunchroll/Netflix. Reviews | Trailer

January 10:

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a #*%!, based on the book by Mark Manson. Universal Pictures. No reviews | Trailer

Campfire Cooking in Another World With My Absurd Skill, based on the light novel series by Ren Egushi. Crunchyroll. No reviews | Trailer

January 11:

Kaina of the Great Snow Sea, based on associated titles. Crunchyroll. No reviews | Trailer

January 12:

Shin Ultraman, based on associated titles. Fathom Events. Reviews | Trailer

The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House, based on the manga series "Kiyo in Kyoto" by Aiko Koyama. Netflix. No reviews | Trailer

Popsugar lists “11 Books Becoming TV Shows in 2023.”

Reviews

NYT reviews Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor (Riverhead; LJ starred review): “Over more than 500 pages, the book’s sleekness bends toward slickness and the magic toward tricks. Its length really hurts it. What might have been a crisp and moody entertainment, in Graham Greene’s elevated sense of that word, distends.”

The Washington Post reviews Endless Flight: The Life of Joseph Roth (Granta): “What elevates “Endless Flight,” beyond the pathos of its narrative, is Pim’s discussion of Roth’s writing. Whereas most biographies settle for the breezily abstract, Pim devotes page after page of close reading to almost all of Roth’s novels, redescribing them in a style to match its subject.” Also, Eve Bites Back: An Alternative History of English Literature by Anna Beer (Oneworld: S. & S.): "isn’t pleading for justice for female writers, it’s indicting a system that has long ignored them and, to some extent, still does." Plus, Bloodbath Nation by Paul Auster (Grove): "in the end, as Auster suggests, it’s really about us, our character, who we are as a nation. Or more aptly put, who we aren’t." And, Myth America: Historians Take on the Biggest Legends and Lies About Our Past by Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer (Basic: Hachette): "brings together outstanding historians who draw on rich, often surprising recent research by themselves and others to present a much more complicated and less congratulatory picture of many of the most contentious issues in the nation’s history. Moreover, these essays treat readers to wonderfully accessible, jargon-free historical writing." Finally, The Deluge by Stephen Markley (S. & S.; LJ starred review): "Markley imagines predicaments that are hard to see coming and delivers them in convincing, fine-grained detail. "

Locus Magazine reviews Amongst Our Weapons by Ben Aaronovitch (DAW): “moves Our Peter forward and expands several story arcs in an intriguing way.”

Book Marks share "The Best Reviewed Books of the Week."

Briefly Noted

Nicole Morse, author of Selfie Aesthetics: Seeing Trans Feminist Future in Self-Representational Art (Duke University), talks to Autostraddle about Morse’s vision “in which the material experiences of trans women and transfeminine people are taken seriously.”

Amanda Oliver discusses how “America’s public libraries reflect the systematic failures and social inequality” as detailed in her book, Overdue: Reckoning with the Public Library (Chicago Review Pr.), in an interview with Electric Lit. 

The Washington Post chats with Laura Zigman about her new book, Small World (Ecco), and how she takes lessons from her own family life to inspire her work. NYT also reviews Zigman's book for Group Text. 

CBC Books gives a first look at Perry Chafe’s Closer by Sea (S. & S.). 

The Atlantic dives into the relationship between biographer Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb, his editor of over 50 years.

NYT explores the world and work of ghostwriters.

The Millions delves into “the evolving comedy of George Saunders.”

Town & Country gives “The Best Books to Read This January.”

Electric Lit lists “8 Memoirs by Women About Multicultural Identity and Belonging.”

BookRiot provides reading lists for 2023 including 8 romance novels, “15 must-read paperbacks,” and “15 of the most anticipated cozy mysteries.”

NYPL Blog gives a group of “Memoirs About the Transformative Power of Hobbies.”

NYT recommends 9 new books and 6 new paperbacks.

Lit Hub has “18 new paperbacks coming out this January.”

Authors on Air

Kashana Cauley, author of the upcoming debut book, The Survivalists (Soft Skull), discusses “how the Black Panthers inspired our modern gun control movement” on The Maris Review podcast.

David Sedaris, author of Happy-Go-Lucky (Little, Brown; LJ starred review), talks to Charlie and Kate Gibson on The Book Case podcast to talk about what influences his work.

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