Books

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.

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.

Beth Cato's debut novel takes on the problems and limitations of the steampunk genre with an appealing heroine and a thoughtful meditation on what heroism really means. Plus, mechanical animals!

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

Scott Westerfeld's latest book is about a teen who writes her own YA novel. Westerfeld alternates chapters about her life with chapters of her novel. This book honors YA tropes as it subverts them.