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Book News: Roxane Gay's Got A Brand-New Bag — The Butter

10:12am October 01, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

The author is topping her big year with The Butter, a new sister site to The Toast that she'll helm starting in mid-October. Also: Kei Miller wins the Forward Prize, and Wolf Hall goes Broadway.

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Book News: First-Ever Kirkus Prize Picks 18 Finalists

7:16am September 30, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

Kirkus Reviews has been around, in varying forms, for over 80 years — but it's the new kid in town this awards season. Today, the publication announced the finalists for its inaugural Kirkus Prize.

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Book News: Listen To The First-Timers Nominated For PEN Prize

9:40am September 29, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

A night before the winner's declared, the writers shortlisted for the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize read their works. Listen here first. Also: Thomas Pynchon might soon be coming to the big screen.

As The Ebola Outbreak Worsens, A Book About Compassion

6:59pm September 26, 2014

by Alaya Dawn Johnson

This week, the CDC predicted there could be tens of thousands of Ebola cases if the disease is not controlled soon. Author Alaya Dawn Johnson turns to a favorite novel for wisdom amid this epidemic.

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Dayton Literary Peace Prize winner Bob Shacochis peers deeply into the camera at the 2013 Texas Book Festival.

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Book News: A Prize In Memory Of Peace Picks Its Winners

7:38am September 26, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

The Dayton Literary Peace Prize, honoring writers who use literature to further social justice, has recognized Bob Shacochis and Karima Bennoune. Also: Sub Pop has published some grunge-worthy haiku.

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Remembering The 'Short And Tragic Life Of Robert Peace'

10:59pm September 25, 2014

by NPR Staff

Robert Peace, a 30-year-old African-American, was a Yale University graduate and an almost straight-A student in molecular biophysics and biochemistry. He also dealt marijuana.

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Book News: Amtrak Unveils Writers Picked For A Residency On The Rails

7:34am September 25, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

The 24 writers chosen will set out on long-distance train rides — and write along the way. Also: Neil Gaiman tells a tale about Terry Pratchett, who isn't quite the kindly elf you might think he is.

Repeat Offender: Dav Pilkey created artwork for Banned Books Week featuring his frequently complained-about hero, Captain Underpants.

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Too Graphic? 2014 Banned Books Week Celebrates Challenged Comics

1:31pm September 24, 2014

by Lynn Neary

Captain Underpants has once again topped the list of most-challenged books. Author Dav Pilkey says his tighty-whities-clad hero teaches kids a healthy lesson about questioning authority.

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Book News: Author J. California Cooper, Whose Simple Prose Drew Acclaim, Dies

7:55am September 24, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

The playwright-turned-novelist had a conversational style that made even vast themes feel intimate.

Nobel Prize-winning novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez appeared in public during a celebration marking his 87th birthday on March 6 in Mexico City. He died in April.

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Book News: Gabriel Garcia Marquez Books Go Digital

7:19am September 23, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

Nine of the late writer's works are coming out as e-books in English. Also: a survey shows (again) a lack of diversity in publishing, and Ray Bradbury's ode-worthy gardening tool gets an asking price.