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Starred Reviews for Kathleen Collins’ WHATEVER HAPPENED TO INTERRACIAL LOVE?

9780062484154_96816

Kathleen Collins, the first African American woman to produce a feature-length film, tragically passed away in 1988 at the age of 46. Now, with the help of her daughter, we are releasing a never-before-published collection of Collins' short stories, Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? Stirring and electric, examining deeply human topics with a clear eye and a beautiful voice, this is truly a special release. One story in, it becomes apparent Collins is a vital voice in American literature. See below for a sampling of the early praise:

"Gorgeous and strikingly intimate...Collins has a spectacular sense of dialogue….Though most of the pieces span only a few pages, they are frequently overwhelmingly rich—not just in their sharp takes on sex, race, and relationships, but in the power and music of their sentences. Collins' prose is so precise and hypnotic that no amount of rereading it feels like enough. Astonishing and essential. A gem." —Kirkus starred review

 "Race, gender, love, and sexuality are portrayed beautifully and humanely….Full of candor, humor, and poise, this collection, so long undiscovered, will finally find the readers it deserves." —Publishers Weekly starred review

Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? goes on sale December 6th. Vibrant, important, and timely, we expect big things for this collection. In anticipation of its on-sale date, we will send a finished copy upon its release to the first 20 people to email us at librarylovefest@harpercollins.com. To get the egalley, visit the Edelweiss page here.

-Chris

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Watch this Stunning Defense of Libraries by Caitlin Moran, Author of the Upcoming MORANIFESTO

9780062433756_fae02Caitlin Moran, New York Times bestselling author of How to Be a Woman and Moranthology, has been called "The UK's answer to Tina Fey, Chelsea Handler, and Lena Dunham all rolled into one" by Marie Claire. After her impassioned defense of libraries as seen in the video below, she is also officially a shining star near and dear to the LLF team's heart. She directly confronts moves within the UK to drastically reduce the number of libraries and their staff and beautifully imparts the distinction between the value of the internet and the value of conscious, educated advice as only a librarian can impart.

“If the library is…the

world in miniature, then a good

librarian is its map.”

-Caitlin Moran

Moranifesto, her latest collection of award-winning London Times columns, packaged with all-new original pieces, goes on sale November 29th. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll laugh some more, and you'll walk away with irreplaceable insights on everything from Daft Punk to UTIs. Get the egalley from Edelweiss here.

 

-Chris

 

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Something Special: ANOTHER BROOKLYN by Jacqueline Woodson

9780062359988_42588As the praise pours in for acclaimed YA author Jacqueline Woodson's return to adult fiction with Another Brooklyn, the feeling that we have something special on our hands is palpable. This beautiful book is the story of four friends whose lives take very different directions as they transition from adolescence to adulthood in 1970s Brooklyn. Check out the four (that's right, FOUR) starred reviews below. Another Brooklyn goes on sale August 9th, so head on over to Edelweiss to check out the egalley and see what all the buzz is about.

"An evocative portrayal of friendship, love, and loss that will resonate with anyone creating their own identity and will have YA crossover appeal." —Library Journal (Starred Review)

 “The novel’s richness defies its slim page count. In her poet’s prose, Woodson not only shows us backward-glancing August attempting to stave off growing up and the pains that betray youth, she also wonders how we dream of a life parallel to the one we’re living.” —Booklist (Starred Review)






“Woodson crafts a haunting coming-of-age story of four best friends in Brooklyn, New York…Here is an exploration of family—both the ones we are born into and the ones we make for ourselves—and all the many ways we try to care for these people we love so much, sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. A stunning achievement from one of the quietly great masters of our time.” —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“Woodson…combines grit and beauty in a series of stunning vignettes, painting a vivid mural of what it was like to grow up African-American in Brooklyn during the 1970s…Woodson draws on all the senses to trace the milestones in a woman’s life and how her early experiences shaped her identity.” —Publishers Weekly, (Starred Review)

Be sure to check out the egalley on Edelweiss and let us know what you think.  We are about two months away from the on sale date and this powerful book will undoubtedly be one this summer's most talked about titles and one you'll hold near and dear for a long time to come.

-Chris

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Remembering Harper Lee

Harper-lee-getty

Harper Lee

1926-2016

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved author, Harper Lee.  She died peacefully last night at the age of  89.

Harper Lee was born in 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama. She attended Huntingdon College and studied law at the University of Alabama. She is the author of To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set A Watchman.  Ms. Lee received numerous literary awards, including the Pulitzer Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Michael Morrison, President and Publisher of HarperCollins US General Books Group and Canada says, “The world knows Harper Lee was a brilliant writer but what many don’t know is that she was an extraordinary woman of great joyfulness, humility and kindness.  She lived her life the way she wanted to- in private- surrounded by books and the people who loved her.  I will always cherish the time I spent with her.”

Her agent, Andrew Nurnberg says, “Knowing Nelle these past few years has been not just an utter delight but an extraordinary privilege. When I saw her just six weeks ago, she was full of life, her mind and mischievous wit as sharp as ever.  She was quoting Thomas More and setting me straight on Tudor history.  We have lost a great writer, a great friend and a beacon of integrity.”
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A Stellar Upcoming Release: PT 109

We've mentioned the excellent book blog – Harper/Bookselling – before.  Run by our friend and HarperCollins sales rep, Kate McCune, the blog is chock-full of wonderful insights and reviews for booksellers, book readers, and everyone in between.  

She just posted a fantastic video for the upcoming title PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival, and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy by William Doyle.

  

The book goes on sale tomorrow, October 6th, so be sure to check it out here! And don't forget to subscribe to Kate's blog for other great reading suggestions.

-Chris

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Skype and Learn

9780061118210_0_14413_Author Here at Librarylovefest, we love to try new things.  So when Kenneth C. Davis (author of the Don't Know Much About series) came to us with an idea for Skyped author events, we were thrilled.  In case you missed it, Ken plans on skyping himself into libraries across the US to mark the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, which began in April of 1861.  We've already heard back from a few libraries interested in booking Ken for events this year and next–if you'd like to join in the fun, let him know!   

-Kayleigh

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Guest Review: Russian Winter

Is there anything better than recommending a book you adore, and finding out you've made a great match? Doubtful! This year, I've been book-talking Daphne Kalotay's luminous debut Russian Winter, and nothing makes me happier than hearing back from excited librarians afterwards.  Check out this guest blog from Juliann M. Janovicz, Head of Adult Services at the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District.  Juli writes:

9780061962165_0_Cover I managed to miss the prepublication publicity for this novel and the advanced reading copy from Baker & Taylor.  I was unaware of the book until the @harperlibrary reps talked about the title at an Early Word galley chat (*ewgc) on Twitter.  I’m happy I stopped in to chat because they sent me a copy of Russian Winter and tipped me off to a great title to recommend for the fall.  I couldn’t put it down.

Russian Winter provides a view of the life of the intellectual elite in the Soviet Union under Stalin.  Focusing on the life of a prima ballerina in the Bolshoi Ballet, Kalotay offers a glimpse into the privileged world of the dancers, poets and musicians who created art within the Soviet regime despite fear of punishment for straying outside of the prescribed code of political behavior.  The author makes this historical period come alive by weaving this past into the present.

Kalotay’s main character is retired ballerina Nina Revskaya who fled Soviet Russia and settled in the United States. Nearing eighty and living in Boston, Nina has decided to auction her substantial jewelry collection with the proceeds benefiting the Boston Ballet Foundation. The auction catalog descriptions for each piece of jewelry set off chapters in the book. The catalog descriptions are catalysts, taking the reader and Nina further into the past. As the auction date nears, Nina is forced to confront memories and secrets that are intertwined with the jewels.

Russian Winter defies categorization.  It is a literary novel that is part mystery and part historical.  It has the ingredients that pull readers in: love, passion, betrayal, jealousy, loss and redemption. Daphne Kalotay has written a book that I look forward to recommending for a long time to come.

Juli Janovicz is the Head of Adult Services at Winnetka–Northfield Public Library District in Winnetka, IL. She is also the Coordinator of One Book Two Villages www.onebooktwovillages.org.  She can be reached at julij@winnetkalibrary.org or www.twitter.com/@libraryj

-Kayleigh

Ebooks, Librarians, Libraries, Library Journal

Library Journal’s Ebook Summit: What I Learned

LJI am the resident 20something, and coincidentally, the youngest member of the Library Marketing team here at Harper.  I worked in a library in high school, and from youth, I’ve been a devotee of stacks, musty books, microfiche, book carts…the classic trappings of the library world.  But there’s so much more to it nowadays.  I’ve been back to my old hometown library, Patchogue Medford Library, and after a mere 7 years, it’s barely recognizable.   

With the increasing digitization of our world, the way we read is changing on a fundamental level.  And it’s left many of us—myself included—with mixed feelings. Kevin Kelly, of Wired Magazine, spoke glowingly of a shift from ownership to access, of sharing increasing the value of the books we love.  Eli Neiburger put a different spin on it, succinctly stating, “Libraries are screwed.”
 
It’s overwhelming sometimes, trying to gain perspective on concrete things, as well as the more ephemeral implications of ebooks, like the way a “read” changes when the format is electronic.   In a wonderful panel on Readers Advisory, Neal Wyatt, Duncan Smith, and Katie Dunneback discussed the changing “appeal” of a book in digital form.  The perks to reading on an ereader  are, when reversed, also its detractions.  For instance, if you interrupt your reading to click on a live link in the text, aren’t you disrupting a pace that was previously determined by the author? Does the experience become less “private,” less “personal,” as it becomes more interactive?  I have a lot of questions, and I know you do too. 

My biggest question: what can we, as publishers, do better when it comes to ebooks and libraries? Where do you stand in the digital divide?

At the end of the day, information matters—in any form, whether it’s an ebook or print.  Suffice it to say, Library Journal’s Ebook Summit was helpful on many levels.  We’d love to hear what you think in the comments.

-Kayleigh

computers, Librarians, Libraries

Libraries and Job Seekers: a Match Made in Cyberheaven

Library_stacks "I'm pretty sure librarians can change the world," she said. "Libraries are such resources and librarians make it all happen." This article from the Wisconsin State Journal hit our inbox over the weekend.  If you get a second, read up–it's all about the increased internet usage in libraries over the last year or so.  Thanks for the tip, Melissa!

-Kayleigh 

Karin Slaughter, Librarians, Libraries

Karin Slaughter for libraries!

KSlaughter3 Whether she’s penning her latest suspense novel or outlining in precise detail why libraries are a necessity, Karin Slaughter’s words are perfectly chosen and pack a powerful punch.  Her passion for libraries is as fierce as her novels are thrilling.  Check out this amazing article by this dedicated library champion.

-Virginia

Adam & Eve, Sena Jeter Naslund

Adam & Eve

Happy September! A fresh batch of Fall books ease the sorrow as we bid summer one last lingering adieu.  Shelves get crowded, reading piles teeter, and new hardcovers cage-match for nightstand rights.  Here's one of the contenders: Sena Jeter Naslund's Adam & Eve, a literary tour de force from the acclaimed author of Ahab's Wife and Abundance.  Library Journal writes: “Naslund pulls it off. This thriller is rich in brilliant discourses on religion, fanaticism, the meaning of ancient cave art, the speculative future, and love." Here's Sena's message to librarians.

-Kayleigh

Books, Collection Development, Libraries, Marilyn Johnson, The Desk Set, This Book is Overdue!

This Book is Overdue!

ThisBookIsOverdue hc c The buzz continues to grow for This Book is Overdue: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson.   Due out in February, this book explores the role of librarians today and focuses on the increasing demands to keep up with the onslaught of new technology.  This book is an homage to librarians everywhere – and it is long overdue! Check out this interesting Q&A the author did with The Desk Set, a site written by ‘a group of New York City area librarians, archivists, bibliophiles and other bookish types,’ and be sure to read the first chapter here.  
 
-Virginia

Blog Talk Radio, Books, Cooking, Katherine Hall Page, Libraries, The Body in the Sleigh

The Body in the Sleigh

9780061474255 The Body in the Sleigh, Katherine Hall Page’s 18th book in the Faith Fairchild mystery series goes on sale today.

This is a terrific page-turner that’ll keep you in your seat. Aside from the terrific plot, beautiful setting, wonderful characters and yummy easy-to-make recipes, the book has one more thing going for it:

It’s dedicated to librarians.

Read Katherine’s love letter to librarians which appears at the back of The Body in the Sleigh as well as on her website.  It’s heartfelt and beautiful.

If you’d like to write a review of this book, send us an email at librarylovefest dot harpercollins dot com and we’ll send you a copy.  I’ll be speaking with the author later today (Tuesday, October 27th at 3:00pm EST) on  Blog Talk Radio.  Write or call in with a question for Katherine, and be sure to register before the show starts.

Hope you can listen in. Thanks!

-Virginia

Africa, Books, Current Affairs, Inspiration, Libraries, Life Lessons, Malawi, Memoir, Readers Advisory Book/Review Swap, TED Conference, Television, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, The Daily Show, William Kamkwamba

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind on The Daily Show!

We’ve been talking about The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind for months – telling everyone who’d listen how inspiring and downright unbelievable this story is.  A boy from a village in Africa – too poor to attend school – is inspired by a librarian to read.  He picks up a book on windmills and figures out how to build one out of scraps found in a junkheap.  He generates electricity and changes the trajectory of his life and the lives of his community.  From Malawi to the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.  What a difference a windmill makes.  Here's a link to our previous posts.  Take a look…

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
William Kamkwamba
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full Episodes		 Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

-Virginia

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