Forty years ago, rules for the Man Booker Prize changed, causing a year of British authors and their books to be skipped for award consideration. The Lost Man Booker Prize will fill the gap. Here's the shortlist of finalists, and why I think they should let well enough alone.
The bird that was tragedy
Heidi W. Durrow's debut novel "The Girl Who Fell From the Sky" tells the story of a family tragedy and also explores issues about race and identity. Told from multiple viewpoints, it succeeds where other novels of similar technique have failed.
What you’ll find “In Almost Every Picture”
"In Almost Every Picture" is a series of quirky photography books that contain images found and published by Dutch art director Erik Kessels. It's a weird but clever idea that's become collectible. Check out the slide show.
Hans Fallada’s must-read masterpiece
Melville House, an independent publisher, has rediscovered and reissued books written by the once popular German novelist Hans Fallada. His last novel, "Every Man Dies Alone," wasn't available in English until Melville House hired a translator, Michael Hofmann. From reviews of the book to interviews with the publisher to articles about both, the message is clear: this book should not to be missed.
Hilary Mantel wins again with “Wolf Hall”
The National Book Critics Circle announced the winners for their annual awards in fiction, nonfiction, autobiography, biography, criticism and poetry. Here's the list.
Athill’s “Somewhere Towards the End”
Diana Athill is a founding editor of the prestigious London-based publishing house Andre Deutsch, Ltd. Her memoir "Stet," published in 2000, recalled her years as one of the 20th Century's greatest editors, spanning five decades. Her newest memoir shares what it's been like for her, now 91, to grow old. It's an engaging, frank memoir.
Huneven’s novel about guilt and forgiveness
Michelle Huneven's "Blame" is a finalist for the National Book Critic's Circle award in fiction (to be announced March 11). It's up against "Wolf Hall" and "American Salvage". Here's what it's about and why I'm baffled by its award nomination.
My Reading Table gets a make-over
I keep piling books on the reading table to the point where it becomes another book shelf. So, the RT has been reorganized. Here's what moved off and what it looks like now, with descriptions of the 12 books. Realistic versus hopeful.
Good stories: “Something Is Out There”
Richard Bausch is one of our present-day masters of rich short fiction. His new collection is the usual good stuff. Here's a review.
Not your typical March Hare & Mad Hatter
Jamison Odone retells and illustrates Lewis Carroll's 1865 classic "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" with stick figures. The small, engaging book is to be released the same day as Tim Burton's new movie about the girl in Wonderland. Seems like a great combo to me.
Risky poetry purchases
I like to read poetry, but getting to know poets by purchasing their new collections takes a toll on the wallet. Here's why.
Webster is fine now (thank you)
If you have dogs or love dogs, this is a brief dog post with a minor book tie-in.
A big, new novel about the Vietnam War
"Matterhorn" is an epic war novel in the tradition of Norman Mailer’s "The Naked and the Dead" and James Jones’s "The Thin Red Line," according to its publisher Grove/Atlantic. How it got published and its author's background are interesting stories. A book to anticipate.
It was a long and snowy journey
Michael O’Brien is professor of American Intellectual History at the University of Cambridge, and he's also the author of an upcoming book about Louisa Catherine Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams. Library Journal gives it a starred review. Here's a glimpse of what to expect.
Trial lawyer walking
"The Unnamed" is the recently released second novel of Joshua Ferris. It's absurd, unique and ultimately sad, commenting on the fragility of a good, secure life. Not for every reader. Here's why.
The Longest Chapter 