Publishers Weekly 23 When Mars Met Venus Self-Help Books Aren’T Just for Men—Or Women—Anymore

FROM THE CREATORS OF THE HIT BROADWAY SHOW COMES A GROUNDBREAKING NOVEL.

“The hit musical will make you cry just as much in book form.” —Entertainment Weekly

“A powerful exploration of grief and depression and the many ways we’re present (or not) for those around us without always knowing it.” —David Arnold, bestselling author of Mos uitoland

AUDIOBOOK ALSO AVAILABLE DearEvanHansenNovel.com | #DEHNovel P UBLISHERSW EEKLY. COM O CTOBER 8, 2018

Volume 265 October 8, Advertisement Number 41 2018 ISSN 0000-0019 “Apostol’s layers of narrative, pop culture UHIHUHQFHVDQGEOXUULQJRIKLVWRU\DQGÀF- tion make for a profound and unforgettable journey….” F EATURES —Publishers Weekly 23 When Mars Met Venus Self-help books aren’t just for men—or women—anymore. They target a more inclusive demographic: the reading public. 33 Escaping from Time Jonathan Franzen’s new essay collection, The End of the End of the World, holds out hope for the future. 1–32 Miami Book Fair Preview We talk with several authors appearing at the fair, which runs November 11–18 at Miami Dade College.

N EWS 4 Print Unit Sales Up in 2018 to Date Insurrecto In the January–September period, sales of print books rose 2.5% over Gina Apostol. the first nine months of 2017, helped by strong adult nonfiction titles. Soho Press, $26 (336p) ISBN 978-1-61695-944-9 6 Diversion Scores The publisher, which started as an e-book-only operation in 2010, recently released a memoir by Rick Pitino, former head basketball coach at the University of Louisville, with an announced 20,000- copy first print run. Apostol (Gun Dealer’s Daughter) fearlessly probes the long shadow of forgotten American imperialism in 8 Deals the Philippines in her ingenious novel of competing lmmakers. Chiara Brasi, daughter of the director of Cory Doctorow closes a six-figure deal with Tor; William Morrow nabs The Unintended, a Vietnam War movie shot in the a debut novel by an assistant at Curtis, Brown UK; and more. Philippines, comes to Manila to make her own lm. She hires Magsalin, a translator, to take her to the Philippine 9 Ta-Nehesi Coates in France island of Samar (near where Magsalin was born) and the The author has released the French edition of his bestselling We town of Balangiga, site of a brutal American massacre of Were Eight Years in Power through Editions Présence Africaine, a revolutionaries in 1901 during the Philippine-American historic French-African publishing house based in Paris. War. Chiara and Magsalin craft two very different scripts for the lm. One script focuses on Cassandra 11 Blizzard Publishing Powers Up Chase, a well-connected photographer who travels to the Philippines to produce stereographs of the American This October, the division is launching an ongoing audiobook series military’s actions. She faces extreme hostility from and new hardcover books based on Blizzard Entertainment’s massively the soldiers, including the inexperienced and devoutly popular video game franchises. Catholic Capt. Thomas Connell. The second script more elusively follows Caz, a Filipino school teacher, 12 Sunmark Pushes Two Japanese Bestsellers who mourns the death of an eccentric lm director she The Tokyo-based house, which was the original publisher of Marie had an affair with in the 1970s. This is a complex and Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, has high hopes for aptly vertiginous novel that deconstructs how humans two new titles in the U.S. and abroad. tell stories and decide which versions of events are remembered; names repeat between scripts, and directors suddenly interrupt what feels like historical narration. VISIT US ONLINE FOR ADDITIONAL NEWS, Apostol’s layers of narrative, pop culture references, and REVIEWS, BESTSELLERS & FEATURES. blurring of history and ction make for a profound and unforgettable journey into the past and present of the Philippines. (Nov.) publishersweekly.com —Publishers Weekly twitter.com/PublishersWkly September 3, 2018 https://sohopress.com facebook.com/pubweekly

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 1 Contents

D EPARTMENTS & COLUMNS 20 Open Book James Oseland tells Louisa Ermelino about his forthcoming memoir, Jimmy Neurosis, in which he describes coming of age in the New York punk scene of the late 1970s. 22 Digital Perspectives Publishing execs need to give metadata more attention than lip service. 64 Soapbox by Stephen Evans An author finds that caring for others turns on his creative spirit.

B ESTSELLERS

● Adult Hardcovers 14 ● Adult Paperbacks 15 ● Children’s 16 ● Apple Books 17 ● Smashwords 18

R EVIEWS

Fiction Nonfiction 978-1-61159-979-4 • Pub Date 9/25/18 36 General Fiction 50 General Nonfiction 41 Mystery/Thriller 55 Religion/Spirituality 45 SF/Fantasy/Horror 46 Romance/Erotica Children’s 48 Inspirational 58 Picture Books 49 Comics 62 Fiction 63 Comics 52 37 Q&A with John Strausbaugh Q&A with Ben Schott

56 42 Q&A with Joy Ladin Q&A with Frederick Forsyth 59 Reviews Roundup 47 Books about words Q&A with Priscilla Oliveras

PW Publishers Weekly USPS 763-080 (ISSN 0000-0019) is published weekly, except for the last week in December. Published by PWxyz LLC, 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1608, New York, NY 10010. George Slowik Jr., President; Cevin Bryerman, Publisher. Circulation records are maintained at ESP, 12444 Victory Boulevard, 4th Floor, North Hollywood, CA 91606. Phone: (800) 278-2991 or +001 (818) 487-2069 from outside the U.S. Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y. and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Publishers Weekly, P.O. Box 16957, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6957. PW PUBLISHERS WEEKLY copyright 2018 by PWxyz LLC. Rates for one-year subscriptions in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank: U.S. $289.99, Canada: $339.99, all other countries: $439.99. Except for special issues where price changes are indicated, single copies are available for $9.99 US; $16.99 for Announcement issues. Extra postage applied for 978-1-61159-984-8 • On Sale 11/6/18 non-U.S. shipping addresses. Please address all subscription mail to Publishers Weekly, P.O. Box 16957, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6957. PW PUBLISHERS WEEKLY is a (registered) trademark of PWxyz LLC. Canadian Publications Mail Agreement No. 42025028. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: IMS, 3390 Rand Road, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 E-mail: Distributed by Simon & Schuster [email protected]. PRINTED IN THE USA. $14.95 US / $17.95 Can Proudly made 100% in the USA

2 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 ONLINE & ON-AIR

LAST WEEK’S TOP REVIEWS THE MOST-READ REVIEWS ON PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM LAST WEEK WERE...

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From the Podcasts PW Insider Newsletters Week Ahead Emulating Walter Mosley, Ta-Nehisi Tip Sheet PW senior writer Andrew Albanese looks at Coates has picked a black-owned Camille Acker, author of Training School for why a bill to make the register of copyrights Negro Girls, picks seven essential Washington, a presidential appointee has resurfaced in independent press for the French D.C., books that aren’t about politics. the Senate. release of We Were Eight Years in publishersweekly.com/weekahead publishersweekly.com/camilleacker Power. We talk with Paul Coates— Children’s Bookshelf More to Come Mosley’s publisher and Ta-Nehisi’s More than a decade after the The cohosts share interviews with artists father—about indie publishing. publication of Marcus Zusak’s and publishers recorded live at New York publishersweekly.com/pwinsider4 bestselling novel The Book Comic Con. Thief, PW interviews him about publishersweekly.com/moretocome © elena seibert © elena his much-anticipated follow-up, Bridge of Clay. KidsCast Call for publishersweekly.com/marcuszusak Tami Charles speaks about her debut middle Information grade novel, Like Vanessa, a coming-of-age BookLife Report story set in 1983, when Vanessa Williams Feature: Spring 2019 Children’s Announcements Lee Wind’s debut YA novel focuses on a was crowned the rst black Miss America. Issue: Jan. 28, 2019 Deadline: Nov. 2, 2018 little-known side of Abraham Lincoln. publishersweekly.com/tamicharles Needed: Information on original children’s board publishersweekly.com/leewind books, picture books, graphic novels, and LitCast middle grade and YA fiction and nonfiction Blogs Gwen Carr, author of This Stops (new titles only please, no reprints/reissues ShelfTalker Today: Eric Garner’s Mother or boxed sets) being published between Feb. 1 Seeks Justice After Losing Her and July 31, 2019. Enter title information at A bookseller discusses getting ready for her Son, talks about grief, her role announcements.publishersweekly.com. For more regional show with help from a classic picture as an activist, and the ongoing information and submission instructions, visit book. ght for equality. publishersweekly.com/showprep publishersweekly.com/gwencarr publishersweekly.com/spring2019kidsinfo.

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 3 News

Print Unit Sales Up in 2018 to Date In the January–September period, sales of print books rose 2.5% over the irst nine months of 2017, helped along by strong adult noniction titles

hree-quarters of the way through 2018, unit sales of Hollis. Overall, 10 of the 20 bestselling books so far this year print books were up 2.5% over the January through are in the adult nonfiction category. September period in 2017 at outlets that report to While adult nonfiction is enjoying a good year, print unit NPD BookScan. sales in adult fiction continue to be soft. Units were down 4.3% TThe adult nonfiction segment, the largest of the major book in the first nine months of 2018 compared to a year ago. The categories, posted a solid gain, with units up 5.7%. The cate- President Is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton is the gory has the biggest seller to date, Michael Wolff’s Fire and Fury, top adult fiction title this year, selling nearly 618,000 copies. which is the only print title to crack the one-million-copies-sold One of the weakest fiction categories in 2018 has been religion, level so far this year. Another political book was not far behind with units off about 43%. Wm. Paul Young’s The Shack sold Fury: Bob Woodward’s Fear sold more than 760,000 copies since more than 280,000 copies from January to September of last its release in September, making it the third-biggest seller so year. far this year. In between those two titles is another adult nonfic- Print unit sales increased 1.6% in the juvenile fiction seg- tion book, Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines, which sold nearly ment in the first nine months of 2018. The top juvenile fiction 980,000 copies. And in fourth place on the year-to-date best- book is Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man and Cat Kid, which sold more seller list is Girl, Wash Your Face, a self-help title by Rachel than 582,000 copies, putting it in seventh place on the year-to- date bestseller list. The only other juvenile fiction title in the UNIT SALES OF PRINT BOOKS, JANUARY–SEPTEMBER overall top 10 is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, which (units in thousands) was in ninth place with more than 563,000 copies sold.

2017 2018 CHANGE Juvenile nonfiction sales rose 6.7% in the period over 2017. First 100 Words by Robert Priddy was the top title in the cat- TOTAL egory so far this year, selling just under 300,000 units. 465,121 476,676 2.5% In terms of format, board books continued their steady CATEGORY growth, with unit sales up 10% over the first nine months of Adult Fiction 99,070 94,859 -4.3% 2017. The popularity of board books has helped fuel the increase Adult Nonfiction 195,216 206,312 5.7% in juvenile nonfiction, where the format is widely used. Hardcover sales also have had a strong 2018 so far, with units Juvenile Fiction 103,135 104,784 1.6% ahead 6%. Unit sales of mass market paperback fell 2.3% in the Juvenile Nonfiction 37,116 39,594 6.7% nine-month period, but the years-long slide in the format seems Young Adult Fiction 14,966 14,284 -4.6% to be coming to an end. On the other hand, sales of physical audiobooks continue to plunge, down 26.6% in the year to date, Young Adult Nonfiction 1,475 1,617 9.6% and the decline shows no signs of slowing as customers turn FORMAT away from CDs to digital audio. —Jim Milliot Trade Paperback 263,927 265,722 0.7% Editor’s note: This week is the first in which NPD has generated unit Hardcover 119,257 126,385 6.0% sales through its DecisionKey platform. Since BookScan was acquired Mass Market Paperback 39,117 38,199 -2.3% by NPD from Nielsen in January 2017, NDP has been migrating the Board Books 22,518 24,762 10.0% data from Nielsen. With the migration completed, slight differences in the processes and methodologies of the two companies have led to minor Audio 2,329 1,709 -26.6% variances for the overall market (less than 1%), although the differences SOURCE: NPD BOOKSCAN may be slightly larger for specific ISBNs.

4 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 #1 MOST REPUTABLE RETAILER IN AMERICA 1. Barnes & Noble 2. Amazon 3. Cabela’s 4. AutoZone 5. Costco

Source: Reputation Institute® 2018 US Retail RepTrak Rankings News

Indie Publishing September 4 with an announced 20,000- copy first printing, and the publisher plans to go back to press for another Diversion Scores with Rick Pitino 10,000 copies. That print run is large for Diversion; the t wasn’t until the end of May that shelves on September 25. house currently releases 30–40 Keith Wallman, editor-in-chief of So Pitino’s team—which titles annually, with average IDiversion Books, got the full manu- included his agent, David first printings of about 5,000 script for what is now Rick Pitino’s My Vigliano, and his coau- copies. Story. Part memoir and part assessment of thor, Seth Kaufman— Talking about where the evolution of college basketball began looking for a pub- Diversion sits in the current recruiting, the book is primarily what its lisher that could get his trade publishing ecosphere, title states: Pitino’s take on the FBI inves- book out before Sokolove’s. Waxman—speaking with tigation that led to his 2017 iring as the Waxman, it turned out, Wallman by his side—said the head basketball coach at the University of was able to help. goal of the print program is to Louisville. That a marquee name like Waxman, who choose wisely on books that Pitino landed at Diversion, a midsize admitted that Vigliano can perform in the mar- publisher that began as an e-book-only likely didn’t think he’d be selling the ketplace but, crucially, operation in 2010, was thanks to tight book to Diversion when he took on the have legs on the backlist side. Citing the timing requirements and a competing project, said he nonetheless came to drop-off in the midlist and the fact that title from a Big Five publisher. the table with the most attractive offer. the big houses don’t want to take chances Pitino was fired from Louisville after a Not only did Diversion promise to get on titles that call for first printings of federal investigation implicated a number the book out in less than six months under 20,000 copies, he said Diversion’s of people working for (or connected to) but it also offered Pitino the profit- competitors are houses like Pegasus. “In the university’s basketball program in a sharing model available to the house’s a lot of ways, we’re like what St. Martin’s sweeping scheme of bribery and fraud. biggest authors: a small (or no) advance Press was 20 years ago,” Waxman noted. Although he was never implicated in any in exchange for a bigger cut of the Wallman, who came to Diversion from wrongdoing by the FBI, his desire to clear royalties. Lyons Press, concurred. He said that his name, according to Scott Waxman, Waxman said Diversion has filled a though almost all of Diversion’s books Diversion’s founder and publisher, was niche, claiming that it’s become increas- now come through agents (which is a strong. With that in mind, Waxman said, ingly hard for the big houses to crash shift from the press’s early, e-only days), Pitino decided he wanted to write a book books. Publishing a book in less than six the publisher can be nimble and publish in February. months is “a real headache for them.” to specialty audiences—audiences, he Around the same time, Pitino learned Although launched as an e-book-only noted, that big houses probably don’t that Penguin was planning to publish its house, Diversion has evolved, Waxman want to target, as they look for titles that own book about the scandal: The Last explained, into something of a standard they can “knock out of the park.” Temptation of Rick Pitino, by journalist midsize publisher. With this template, Diversion focuses and author Michael Sokolove (author of Pitino’s book, one of Diversion’s heavily on nonfiction—business, sports, Warrior Girls), which hit bookstore bigger “gets” as titles go, landed in stores true crime—but it does a smattering of novels. Wallman cited the range of categories that Diversion will publish as one thing that sets it apart from other mid- Author and Bookseller size houses, many of which, he added, Get Together at PNBA “can be very specific general interest.” Author Chelsea Pitcher (l.), And the Pitino book, coup though it who’s just published her may have been, is not an anomaly at first thriller, This Lie Will Diversion. The press will be publishing Kill You, with S&S, talks Pitbull’s memoir in May 2019. Though up the book to Libby Waxman was coy about the specifics of Mahoney of Riverwalk the book, or how it landed at Diversion, Books in Chelan, Wis., he did say that the rapper, like Pitino, at last week’s PNBA. was attracted to the publisher’s royalty- © jenn director knudsen share model. —Rachel Deahl

6 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018

News

Deals By Rachel Deahl

■ Lit Agency Assistant Lands ■ Moriarty’s Adult Debut ■ Pride Wins Auction for Six Figures Goes to Harper Card’s ‘Ghosts’ In a two-book deal, Emily Krump at Gravity Is the Thing, the first adult novel Simon & Schuster’s Christine Pride won William Morrow paid six figures for by YA author Jaclyn Moriarty, was world rights, at auction, to Maisy Card’s North American rights to Abbie acquired by Emily Griffin at Harper. The debut short story collection, These Ghosts Greaves’s debut book, the publisher said, is about a single Are Family. The linked novel, The Silent mother and café owner who has been tales in the book, per Treatment. Greaves, an receiving chapters in Card’s agent, Monica assistant at the literary “a guidebook for liv- Odom at Liza Dawson agency Curtis Brown ing” from an anony- Associates, “incorpo- UK, was represented mous source since the rate elements of gothic Greaves by Madeleine Mill- day her brother went Card fiction and Jamaican burn, who has an eponymous shingle. missing 20 years ear- folklore” and were “pitched as Big Little The book, Morrow said, follows Frank Moriarty lier. Then, “in the Lies from the POV of a group of immigrant and Maggie, a couple who, after 40 wake of a move across continents and the home-health aides living in a wealthy happy years of marriage, are engaging in devastating dissolution of her marriage, retirement community in Florida.” The a six-month bout of the silent treatment. she receives an invitation to learn the title, acquired in a two-book deal, centers When Maggie becomes sick, however, ‘truth’ about the guidebook.” Jill Grin- on a working-class Jamaican couple circa Frank ends the fight. The book, the pub- berg at Jill Grinberg Literary Manage- the 1960s. lisher went on, explores why the rift ment represented the author in the North occurred and whether it’s become “too American rights agreement, done on ■ Scots Ollie and Harry Head late to save Maggie.” A number of other behalf of Tara Wynne at Curtis Brown to Norton deals have been closed for the book, Australia. The novel was pitched, Harper Scottish brothers Ollie and Harry Fer- including in Germany, Italy, Portugal, noted, as being “in the spirit of Maria guson (ages five and eight, respectively), and the U.K. Semple.” In the author’s native Australia, who became Pan Macmillan acquired the novel. a sensation ■ Tor Nabs Quad by Doctorow thanks to Cory Doctorow closed a six-figure ■ Amazon Lays Out Seven their viral agreement with Tor’s Patrick Nielsen Figures for Ragan © macneill ferguson Facebook Hayden for four new novellas. Russell Liz Pearsons at Thomas & Mercer paid page chart- Galen at Scovil Galen seven figures for three books by bestsell- Ollie (l.) and Harry Ferguson ing a set of Ghosh Literary ing author T.R. Ragan. The world Eng- 500 adventures they concocted, sold a Agency, who repre- lish (as well as Chinese, French, German, book to Simon Boughton at Norton sented Doctorow, said Italian, Spanish, and Young Readers. Ollie & Harry’s Marvellous the novellas will be Turkish) rights deal Adventures, based on the brothers’ Face- published as a single covers two titles in a book page (called “The Days Are Just Doctorow print volume by Tor © morgan ragan new series featuring a Packed”), was preempted for world rights. under “the overall title of Radicalized” journalist heroine Lucy V. Cleland at Kneerim & Williams and individually, in audio, by Macmillan named Sawyer Brooks, brokered the sale for the book, noting Audio. Slated for a March 2019 release, Ragan as well as a standalone that it is being cowritten by the authors’ the novellas will, Galen said, “provide a novel. Ragan has, to date, published three father, MacNeill Ferguson, as well as unique take on some of the most urgent series with Thomas & Mercer, which, the with writer Garry Jenkins (A Home of and painful issues of our time.” The first publisher noted, “have reached over 2.5 Their Own). Cleland added that the title, novella in the collection, “Unauthorized million readers.” The author was repre- slated for fall 2019, “blends classic out- Bread,” has been optioned for film by sented by Amy Tannenbaum at the Jane doors fun with quirky applications of Topic Studios. Rotrosen Agency. makerspace tech.”

8 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 News

Foreign Releases Coates’s ‘Eight Years in Power’ to Be Published by Historic Black Press in France

n a gesture of support for independent lishing with EPA was inspired black publishing in France, National by a similar effort made by IBook Award–winner Ta-Nehesi another popular black author. In Coates and his U.S. publisher, One World, 1996, bestselling novelist Walter © gabriella demczuk have released the French edition of his Mosley offered Gone Fishin’, an bestselling We Were Eight Years in Power: installment in his Easy Rawlins An American Tragedy through Editions crime series, to Black Classic Présence Africaine, a historic French- Press, an independent house African publishing house based in Paris. founded by Coates’s father, W. The French edition was published on Paul Coates. The book sold more September 24, according to Gloria Loomis, than 100,000 copies, making it Ta-Nehesi Coates Coates’s agent. In mid-October, Coates one of the biggest books ever will arrive in Paris to begin a series of published by BCP. Paul has cited Mosley’s publishersweekly.com/pwinsider.) public events, including print and broad- gesture as a key factor in the development The younger Coates said Mosley’s sup- cast interviews in support of the EPA edi- of BCP, which celebrated its 40th anni- port of BCP directly inspired his own tion of We Were Eight Years in Power. versary this year. (To hear an interview writing career and led him to Loomis, Coates says that his interest in pub- with W. Paul Coates about BCP, go to who also represents Mosley. “Walter was News

pretty much responsible for department (along with all of my books that fol- Loomis, who speaks French) lowed,” Coates said. “I was worked closely with EPA to 25 hoping to be a writer, but structure the deal, and he was no idea what that meant. It confident that the house had was Walter’s introduction the capacity to deliver the that allowed any of this to book. He will travel to Paris happen. It was a big deal.” this month with Coates on the Chris Jackson, publisher of French book tour. One World (a Penguin EPA is a renowned literary Random House imprint), press that was founded in said that after Coates finished his NBA- 1947 as a literary quarterly by Alioune winning Between the World and Me, the Diop, a Senegalese professor, along with author expressed an interest in finding a a group of writers associated with négri- black press in France to release his next tude, a 1930s French-African critical book. Jackson told Coates that PRH theory focused on the value of black would forego “a big advance” on French African diasporic culture in the West. foreign rights for We Were Eight Years in Those writers include Aimé Césaire, Power in order to work with a small house. Leon Damas, and Leopold Senghor, as Jackson said he explained to the PRH well as related Pan-Africanist writers sub rights department the reasons why such as Wright and historian Cheikh Coates wanted to go with a black press. Anta Diop. “We have a great foreign right depart- Loomis said that EPA has released “a ment,” he noted. “But in this case we modest printing,” and she praised the care asked them to not take the best financial it took to prepare the French translation. deal, and they understood.” She emphasized that Coates wanted to After the discussions with One World, make sure his latest work reached young Coates and his father traveled to France black French readers as well as African in spring 2017 to meet the three genera- disaporic communities in France. tions of women who oversee EPA and As part of the tour, Rokhaya Diallo, a Librairie Présence Africaine, its historic Paris-based journalist, will interview bookstore in Paris. He met with pub- Coates on BET-Talk, a Black Entertainment lisher Christiane Yandé Diop, the TV talk show in France. She said that, 92-year-old widow of the press’s founder, though Coates is not quite as widely and her daughter Suzanne, who currently known in France as he is in the U.S., “he is directs the press with Diop’s grand- very popular and respected in French book daughter Mari. culture, French media, and among young “To sit with Madame Diop, someone people who know black issues.” She who ran a bookstore that served Malcolm added that EPA will “do a good job” X, James Baldwin, and Richard making his work available to black audi- Wright... It’s been really fruitful,” ences in France, and French African and Coates said. “I’m big on history and lin- diasporic territories overseas. eage, so when I was in position to work Coates emphasized the intellectual with a historic black press, it was a clear and historical connections between his no-brainer for me.” books and the writings on négritude, Jackson acknowledged that “EPA is a Pan-Africanism, and black liberation small house and Ta-Nehesi is a big writer,” published by and celebrated at EPA. and explained that “obviously we were “Everything I do comes out of some- concerned about publicity and printing, thing,” he said. “I’ve been deeply lucky because indie presses can struggle with a to have the kind of success I’ve had. I try big book.” He added, “We didn’t want to my best to make the most out of it. You put them in a bad situation.” don’t want to get here and just forget Jackson said that PRH’s foreign rights where you came from.” —Calvin Reid News

Moving Beyond Games Starcraft, and Warcraft. Blizzard had me messages on Twitter like, ‘I never already found success with free online read that much because I hated school- audio dramas that tackled key moments work reading, but I wanted to learn more Blizzard Publishing in World of Warcraft’s in-game history. about this one character from Warcraft Powers Up With audio alone, “The Tomb of and I started reading—now I can’t get Sargeras” and “A Thousand Years of War” enough of it!’ ” or more than two decades, Blizzard dramas had over three million views on Before joining Blizzard, Brooks spent Entertainment has been known for YouTube. four-and-a-half years as a producer at CBS Fcreating video games such as World This month, Blizzard Publishing will News in Sacramento, Calif. Now, he’s a of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Hearthstone. In also release three illustrated books: The full-time employee at Blizzard, working many cases, the company worked with Art of Hearthstone, a $45 hardcover that on publishing projects and video game publishing partners to publish books traces the development of Blizzard’s storytelling. “There really is no typical related to its games. That strategy strategy card video game, which has 50 day at Blizzard,” Brooks said, explaining began to change in December 2016, million players around the globe; Book of that full-time writers and editors collabo- when the gaming company created Adria: A Diablo Bestiary, a $30 hardcover rate on many projects simultaneously. Blizzard Publishing in an effort to bring survey of the various monsters players “At the moment, I’m working on an more of its literary work in-house. And must confront in Blizzard’s unpublished Blizzard book, although Blizzard Publishing has Diablo franchise; and a couple of cinematics that released a few books since its launch, this Cinematic Art of StarCraft, a are going to be a product October will mark a turning point for $45 hardcover guide to the later on, and in-game the division, when it launches an ongoing creation of animation writing. We deal with pieces audiobook series and new hardcover sequences in StarCraft, the of narrative, in any medium.” books based on the massively popular company’s science fiction Even though Blizzard video game franchises Diablo, Starcraft, game series. Entertainment has its own and Warcraft. Before establishing its publishing arm, it still By year’s end, the Irvine, Calif.–based independent publishing maintains key publishing publisher will have released more than arm, Blizzard had released partnerships with Brown 40 publications across print, audio, and more than 300 novels, comic Trout, Dark Horse, Insight digital formats. As part of its launch, books, graphic novels, and Editions, Prima, Random Blizzard signed with PGW to handle its nonfiction art books with licensed part- House, and Scholastic. Insight has global English distribution and tapped ners that expanded upon the company’s worked with the gaming company for a Byron Parnell—the former director of IP. decade. They’ve collaborated on every- sales at Insight Editions—as director of Between December 2016 and October thing from art books and cookbooks to consumer products and publishing. 2018, Blizzard Publishing’s output candles based on Blizzard games. In The creation of the publishing divi- mostly focused on rereleasing books October, Insight will publish a series of sion “allows us to release our content on from past publishing partnerships— journals and notebooks for fans of a timelier schedule to coincide with our bringing older titles back to life for fans. Blizzard’s team shooter video game major internal beats,” said Parnell, who One example is World of Warcraft: Rise of Overwatch. launched the publisher with writers, the Horde by Christie Golden; the orig- “It can’t be beat,” said Insight senior editors, and producers who work on inal 2006 Pocket paperback now sells editor Amanda Ng. “The feeling of many different projects at Blizzard for $58.99 on Amazon, but Blizzard owning and holding your own copy of Entertainment. “We also have the oppor- Publishing revived the title with a the art you love, seeing the beautiful tunity to hold projects to release outside $14.95 paperback for new readers. In details in the art up close, or jotting the traditional publishing seasons,” he addition to these reissues, Blizzard down notes in a journal featuring a logo added. This year, the company’s big Publishing has only released two other or character you really enjoy.” books will hit shelves just before the books: World of Warcraft: An Adult Fans appreciate artifacts that keep November 2 return of BlizzCon, Coloring Book in 2016 and Overwatch them connected to their favorite gaming Blizzard’s 12th fan convention (held in Coloring Book in 2017. universes. “That’s the nature of how deep Anaheim). “Blizzard makes very large worlds and these worlds go,” Brooks said. “People The audiobook series will launch with very big stories in its games,” said love Blizzard games so much because the eight newly produced audio editions of Blizzard Entertainment senior writer world is so engaging, and they like to novels from the publisher’s catalogue set Robert Brooks. “That actually encour- spend as much time there as possible.” in the gaming universes of Diablo, ages people to start reading. People send —Jason Boog

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 11 News

Dealing Sunmark Has High International Hopes for Two Japanese Bestsellers

novel about time travel and title for publication for the year, and miracles is deinitely not some- her decision has proven to be astute.” A thing one would expect from The story, set in a family café some- Tokyo-based Sunmark Publishing, the where in Japan, revolves around a specific wonderful escape from the troubles and original publisher of worldwide best- seat at a table where the occupant can worries we face in our daily lives.” sellers such as Marie Kondo’s The Life- travel back in time. Strict rules apply, of Zero Training is more in line with what Changing Magic of Tidying Up (published which the most crucial specifies that the Sunmark is best known for: self-help, life- in 42 languages) and Eiko’s Even the time travel will end when the coffee gets style, and nonfiction titles. In Japan, sales Stiffest People Can Do the Splits (14 lan- cold. The book describes four heart- have exceeded 800,000 copies within the guages). But with more than 800,000 warming miracles—about a pair of lovers, first three months of its release. The book copies sold in Japan since December a married couple, sisters, and a mother is based on the training method devel- 2015 (and a movie adaptation released and child—that take place at the Funiculi oped in New York by Ishimura, the just last month), Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s Funicula Café. founder of Body Tone yoga studio. Before the Coffee Gets Cold seems poised to “Kawaguchi’s book is romantic, mys- The crux of the method lies in retaining be another international hit. terious, and at times scary, but ultimately, the “zero position,” or the original posi- Rights have already been sold to nine it is a sweet reminder of loves lost and tion of the body—specifically the back, countries, including China, the Czech found, and of those moments in our lives neck, and shoulders—prior to aging. It Republic, Germany, Hungary, and when we make the most important deci- seeks to improve body posture and shed Turkey. The German edition, Das sions,” said Neil Gudovitz of the weight, thereby reversing the aging pro- Magische Cafe from Droemer Knaur, is set Gudovitz & Company Literary Agency, cess. All exercises within the 144-page for release in November. Over in Taiwan, which handles the rights of Sunmark full-color book can be done in five min- where the traditional Chinese edition is titles in the U.S. and Europe. “The plot utes while lying down, which puts little currently a bestseller, one local compa- twists and the poignancy of the narrative strain on the body and makes it suitable ny’s acquisition of the screening rights of make this a very unusual book.” Gudovitz for people of all ages. the Japanese movie is likely to give book is currently negotiating U.S. deals for “Anybody over 30 years old knows that sales a boost. Coffee and a second Sunmark title, our bodies are not as flexible as they once Before the Coffee Gets Cold was originally Tomomi Ishimura’s Zero Training. were—that we have our aches and pains, a stage play. “One of our editors, who saw The sincerity and compassion in Before and the things we cannot do that we once the play four years ago, convinced the the Coffee Gets Cold is the main selling did so easily,” Gudovitz said. “So the idea playwright to turn it into a book,” said point, Gudovitz said. “This is especially that there are methods, such as zero Ichiro Takeda, international rights man- so when we are constantly bombarded by training, that we can use to recover our ager at Sunmark. “The manuscript was headlines, public discourse, and social body’s elasticity and energy—as if we are rejected by our editor-in-chief. But the media posts that are riven by cynicism. being reborn—is just an amazing and editor exercised her right to choose one Reading this feel-good novel makes for a unique concept.” —Teri Tan

ways to increase shareholder value. B&N Considering Sale Named to the special committee are B&N independent directors Explaining that it has received “expressions of interest from multiple Mark Carleton, Paul Guenther, Patricia Higgins, and Kimberley Van Der parties in making an offer to acquire the company,” Barnes & Noble Zon. According to B&N, Riggio—the company’s largest shareholder, has created of a formal review process to evaluate the retailer’s stra- with about a 19% stake—has promised to support any transaction rec- tegic alternatives. Among the parties interested in making an offer for ommended by the committee. B&N noted that there can be no assur- B&N is its founder and chairman, Len Riggio. ance that a transaction will be completed. The formation of the review process comes after it was disclosed, The bookseller also announced that it has seen “rapid material in an August lawsuit by former B&N CEO Demos Parneros, that a bid accumulations” of its stock “by a party or parties that cannot be identi- to buy the company had fallen through in June, as well as the news in fied.” To prevent a possible hostile takeover, the board has approved a September that an investor group led by Richard Schottenfeld had shareholder rights plan that B&N says will increase the likelihood of a upped its stake in B&N to 6.9%. Schottenfeld is pushing B&N to find successful outcome to the strategic alternatives process. —Jim Milliot

12 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Behind the Bestsellers SEPT. 23–29, 2018 BY CAROLYN JURIS

A Stealthy Climb Fit for a Duchess Kate Atkinson won the Costa novel award in her native U.K. for her In the aftermath of the 2017 Grenfell most recent books, 2013’s Life After Life and 2015’s A God in Ruins. Tower fire in London, which killed Her latest, Transcription, “is enlivened by its heroine’s witty, sardonic 72 people and injured many others, a voice,” our review said, “as she is transformed from an innocent, un- group of women from the community gathered at a local Muslim cultural sophisticated young woman into a spy for Britain’s MI5 during WWII.” center to prepare meals for their It debuts at #5 in hardcover fiction, with print unit sales showing a families and slight uptick compared with its award-winning predecessors. neighbors. As word spread, more RECENT FIRST WEEK PRINT UNIT SALES FOR KATE ATKINSON women joined in, and in January, Meghan Markle, then engaged to Prince William, made her first of several visits. 2013 9,901 On September 17, Kensington Palace announced that Markle, now Duchess of Sussex, was supporting 2015 8,542 a fund-raising cookbook featuring recipes by the women of what’s become known as Hubb Community 2018 Kitchen. The book, Together, pubbed 10,622 a week later, and debuts at #7 in hardcover nonfiction. NEW & NOTABLE Charting a New Course VINCE FLYNN: RED WAR This week is the first in which NPD tion completed, slight differences in the Kyle Mills has generated unit sales through its processes and methodologies of the two #1 Hardcover Fiction, #5 overall DecisionKey platform. Since BookScan companies have led to minor variances “A highly original plot lifts bestseller Mills’s outstanding fourth was acquired by NPD from Nielsen in for the overall market (less than 1%), entry in the late Vince Flynn’s January 2017, NDP has been migrating although the differences may be slightly Mitch Rapp series,” our starred the data from Nielsen. With the migra- larger for specific ISBNs. review said of this thriller featuring a Russian president who is “a vigorous, unrelenting TOP 10 OVERALL dictator given to riding horses while shirtless and hunting wild bears.” RANK TITLE AUTHOR IMPRINT UNITS 1 Fear Bob Woodward Simon & Schuster 70,947 AN ABSOLUTELY 2 Girl, Wash Your Face Rachel Hollis Nelson 37,191 REMARKABLE THING 3 Lord of the Fleas (Dog Man #5) Dav Pilkey Graphix 35,124 Hank Green 4 Whiskey in a Teacup Reese Witherspoon Touchstone 29,527 #3 Hardcover Fiction 5 Vince Flynn: Red War Kyle Mills Atria 26,908 The first novel by John Green’s 6 Supernova (Amulet #8) Kazu Kibuishi Graphix 25,407 younger Vlogbrother “combines 7 Cravings: Hungry for More Chrissy Teigen Clarkson Potter 23,410 science fiction and mystery 8 In Pieces Sally Field Grand Central 21,845 with philosophical musings about the perils 9 The Dichotomy of Leadership Willink/Babin St. Martin’s 19,931 of internet fame,” our review said. A signed 10 Juror #3 Patterson/Allen Little, Brown 16,530 edition lands at #6 in hardcover fiction,

ALL PRINT UNIT SALES PER NPD BOOKSCAN EXCEPT WHERE NOTED

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 13 Information supplied by NPD BookScan. Copyright © 2018 Adult Bestsellers | SEPT. 23–29, 2018 The NPD Group. All rights reserved. Hardcover Frontlist Fiction RANK LW TITLE AUTHOR IMPRINT ISBN UNITS

1 – Vince Flynn: Red War Kyle Mills Atria/Bestler 9781501190599 26,908 2 2 Juror #3 Patterson/Allen Little, Brown 9780316474122 16,530 3 – An Absolutely Remarkable Thing Hank Green Dutton 9781524743444 16,261 4 1 Lethal White Robert Galbraith Mulholland 9780316422734 10,797 5 – Transcription Kate Atkinson Little, Brown 9780316176637 10,622 6 – An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (signed ed.) Hank Green Dutton 9781524744120 7,941 7 4 Shadow Tyrants Cussler/Morrison Putnam 9780735219069 7,351 8 5 In His Father’s Footsteps Danielle Steel Delacorte 9780399179266 6,953 9 10 Where the Crawdads Sing Delia Owens Putnam 9780735219090 6,749 10 6 Leverage in Death J.D. Robb St. Martin’s 9781250161567 6,135 11 – Christmas Cake Murder Joanne Fluke Kensington 9781617732324 5,562 12 8 Texas Ranger Patterson/Bourelle Little, Brown 9780316556668 5,381 13 9 The Forbidden Door Dean Koontz Bantam 9780525483700 4,385 14 12 The Outsider Stephen King Scribner 9781501180989 4,376 15 11 The President Is Missing Clinton/Patterson Little, Brown/Knopf 9780316412698 3,957 16 13 The Fall of Gondolin J.R.R. Tolkien HMH 9781328613042 3,554 17 3 Time’s Convert Deborah Harkness Viking 9780399564512 3,302 18 – Vengeful V.E. Schwab Tor 9780765387523 3,104 19 – Hippie Paulo Coelho Knopf 9780525655619 2,602 20 14 Tailspin Sandra Brown Grand Central 9781455572168 2,533 Hardcover Frontlist Nonfiction RANK LW TITLE AUTHOR IMPRINT ISBN UNITS

1 1 Fear Bob Woodward Simon & Schuster 9781501175510 70,947 2 4 Girl, Wash Your Face Rachel Hollis Nelson 9781400201655 37,191 3 2 Whiskey in a Teacup Reese Witherspoon Touchstone 9781501166273 29,527 4 3 Cravings: Hungry for More Chrissy Teigen Clarkson Potter 9781524759728 23,410 5 5 In Pieces Sally Field Grand Central 9781538763025 21,845 6 – The Dichotomy of Leadership Willink/Babin St. Martin’s 9781250195777 19,931 7 – Together Hubb Community Kitchen Clarkson Potter 9781984824080 15,323 8 – Chris Beat Cancer Chris Wark Hay House 9781401956110 14,125 9 – This Is the Day Tim Tebow WaterBrook 9780525650300 13,722 10 6 Leadership Doris Kearns Goodwin Simon & Schuster 9781476795928 11,079 11 10 Magnolia Table Joanna Gaines Morrow 9780062820150 10,623 12 7 The Deep State Jason Chaffetz Broadside 9780062851567 8,913 13 8 These Truths Jill Lepore Norton 9780393635249 8,636 14 – AI Superpowers Kai-Fu Lee HMH 9781328546395 8,563 15 12 Educated Tara Westover Random House 9780399590504 8,447 16 13 12 Rules for Life Jordan B. Peterson Random House Canada 9780345816023 7,231 17 – Republicans Buy Sneakers Too Clay Travis Broadside 9780062878533 6,907 18 – Wine Folly: Magnum Edition Puckette/Hammack Avery 9780525533894 6,196 19 14 The Russia Hoax Gregg Jarrett Broadside 9780062872746 5,725 20 15 Liars, Leakers, and Liberals Jeanine Pirro Center Street 9781546083429 5,688

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14 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Information supplied by NPD BookScan. Copyright © 2018 Adult Bestsellers | SEPT. 23–29, 2018 The NPD Group. All rights reserved. Mass Market Frontlist RANK LW TITLE AUTHOR IMPRINT ISBN UNITS

1 – Deep Freeze John Sandford Putnam 9780399573781 9,710 2 – The People vs. Alex Cross James Patterson Grand Central 9781538760642 7,942 3 2 Vampires Like It Hot Lynsay Sands Avon 9780062855138 7,020 4 1 Why Not Tonight Susan Mallery HQN 9781335474605 6,743 5 4 The Romanov Ransom Cussler/Burcell Putnam 9780399575563 5,925 6 3 Haunted Patterson/Born Grand Central 9781538745489 5,914 7 – A Snow Country Christmas Linda Lael Miller HQN 9781335041159 5,717 8 6 Origin Dan Brown Anchor 9780525563709 5,496 9 – The Christmas Room Catherine Anderson Berkley 9780399586323 5,045 10 – A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas Maisey Yates HQN 9781335474629 5,022 11 – Hot Winter Nights Jill Shalvis Avon 9780062741837 4,934 12 5 Echoes of Evil Heather Graham Mira 9780778359999 4,884 13 – Choir of Angels Debbie Macomber Mira 9780778368694 4,770 14 7 The Crooked Staircase Dean Koontz Bantam 9780525483694 4,712 15 8 Vince Flynn: Enemy of the State Kyle Mills Pocket 9781476783536 4,597 16 9 The Rooster Bar John Grisham Dell 9781101967706 4,529 17 – Mistletoe Miracles Jodi Thomas HQN 9781335005632 4,505 18 – Cowboy Honor Carolyn Brown Forever 9781538744888 4,421 19 – The Christmas Wishing Tree Emily March St. Martin’s 9781250131720 4,137 20 – The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary – Merriam-Webster 9780877795964 4,105 Trade Paperback Frontlist RANK LW TITLE AUTHOR IMPRINT ISBN UNITS

1 2 The Tattooist of Auschwitz Heather Morris Harper 9780062797155 12,274 2 1 The Fallen David Baldacci Grand Central 9781538761380 10,993 3 3 Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine Gail Honeyman Penguin Books 9780735220690 8,567 4 8 Instant Pot Miracle – HMH 9781328851055 8,113 5 4 Rich People Problems Kevin Kwan Anchor 9780525432371 7,164 6 7 Less Andrew Sean Greer Back Bay 9780316316132 5,972 7 5 A Simple Favor (movie tie-in) Darcey Bell Harper 9780062878649 5,925 8 6 The Winner David Baldacci Grand Central 9781538711798 5,739 9 9 Sapiens Yuval Noah Harari Harper Perennial 9780062316110 5,301 10 19 Sleeping Beauties Stephen King Gallery 9781501163418 5,181 11 87 How to End the Autism Epidemic J.B. Handley Chelsea Green 9781603588249 5,104 12 10 The Dutch Wife Ellen Keith Park Row 9780778369769 4,942 13 13 The Sun and Her Flowers Rupi Kaur Andrews McMeel 9781449486792 4,579 14 – Season of Wonder RaeAnne Thayne HQN 9781335947932 4,440 15 12 Letters to the Church Francis Chan David C. Cook 9780830776580 4,294 16 18 Pachinko Min Jin Lee Grand Central 9781455563920 4,174 17 24 The Official ACT Prep Guide (20182019) ACT Wiley 9781119508069 4,074 18 – Think Yourself Thin J.J. Smith Atria 9781501177132 3,904 19 15 Everybody, Always Bob Goff Nelson 9780718078133 3,899 20 20 Uncommon Type Tom Hanks Vintage 9781101911945 3,823

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WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 15 Information supplied by NPD BookScan. Copyright © 2018 Children’s Bestsellers |SEPT. 23–29, 2018 The NPD Group. All rights reserved. Children’s Frontlist Fiction RANK TITLE AUTHOR IMPRINT ISBN UNITS

1 Lord of the Fleas (Dog Man #5) Dav Pilkey Graphix 9780545935173 35,124 2 Supernova (Amulet #8) Kazu Kibuishi Graphix 9780545828604 25,407 3 I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 Lauren Tarshis Scholastic 9780545919821 10,439 4 Dog Man and Cat Kid (Dog Man #4) Dav Pilkey Graphix 9780545935180 8,016 5 Shine of the Silver Dragon (Dragon Masters #1) Tracey West Scholastic 9781338263657 7,717 6 Always and Forever, Lara Jean Jenny Han Simon & Schuster 9781481430494 7,437 7 To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (movie tie-in) Jenny Han Simon & Schuster 9781534438378 6,716 8 The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare Shannon Hale Candlewick 9780763688271 6,006 9 The Magic Misfits: The Second Story Neil Patrick Harris Little, Brown 9780316391856 5,730 10 The Hate U Give (movie tie-in) Angie Thomas HC/Balzer + Bray 9780062871350 5,095 11 Kristy’s Big Day (Baby-Sitters Club #6) Martin/Galligan Graphix 9781338067613 5,085 12 Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices) Cassandra Clare McElderry 9781534432307 4,717 13 The House with a Clock in Its Walls (movie tie-in) Bellairs/Gorey Puffin 9780451481283 4,473 14 The Getaway (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #12) Jeff Kinney Abrams 9781419725456 3,924 15 Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel A.W. Jantha Freeform 9781368020039 3,557 16 The Hate U Give (collector’s ed.) Angie Thomas HC/Balzer + Bray 9780062872340 3,130 17 Squirm Carl Hiaasen Knopf 9780385752978 3,013 18 Big Nate Goes Bananas! Lincoln Peirce Andrews McMeel 9781449489953 3,000 19 The Last Kids on Earth and the Cosmic Beyond Brallier/Holgate Viking 9780425292082 2,704 20 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Rowling/Selznick Scholastic/Levine 9781338299144 2,662 21 The Bad Guys in Do-You-Think-He-Saurus?! Aaron Blabey Scholastic 9781338189612 2,530 22 Children of Blood and Bone Tomi Adeyemi Holt 9781250170972 2,315 23 Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle... Dav Pilkey Scholastic 9781338271492 2,270 24 The Magic Misfits Neil Patrick Harris Little, Brown 9780316355575 2,133 25 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Rowling/Selznick Scholastic/Levine 9780545791342 2,122

Children’s Picture Books RANK TITLE AUTHOR IMPRINT ISBN UNITS

1 Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete Dean/Dean HarperFestival 9780062198709 11,913 2 Goodnight Goon Michael Rex Putnam 9780399245343 10,909 3 Little Blue Truck’s Halloween Schertle/McElmurry HMH 9780544772533 10,408 4 Room on the Broom Donaldson/Scheffler Puffin 9780142501122 10,286 5 Goodnight Moon Brown/Hurd HarperFestival 9780694003617 7,297 6 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle Philomel 9780399226908 6,983 7 First 100 Words Roger Priddy Priddy 9780312510787 6,896 8 Room on the Broom (board book) Donaldson/Scheffler Dial 9780803738416 6,675 9 Giraffes Can’t Dance Andreae/Parker-Rees Cartwheel 9780545392556 5,660 10 Spooky Pookie Sandra Boynton Little Simon 9781481497671 5,648 11 You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie Natalie Marshal Silver Dolphin 9781684124343 5,512 1 2 Love You Forever Robert Munsch Firefly 9780920668375 5,458 13 Happy Halloween, Daniel Tiger! Santomero/Fruchter Simon Spotlight 9781481404297 5,137 14 Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins James Dean HarperCollins 9780062304186 5,086 15 Nancy’s Ghostly Halloween Krista Tucker HarperFestival 9780062798275 4,768 16 Dr. Seuss’s ABC Dr. Seuss Random House 9780679882817 4,732 17 The Pout-Pout Fish Diesen/Hanna FSG 9780374360979 4,576 18 5Minute Halloween Stories – Disney Press 9781368002578 4,476 1 9 Little Blue Truck Schertle/McElmurry HMH 9780544568037 4,421 20 The Wonderful Things You Will Be Emily Winfield Martin Random House 9780385376716 4,407 21 There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat! Colandro/Lee Cartwheel 9780439737661 4,379 22 It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! Numeroff/Bond HC/Balzer + Bray 9780694014293 4,320 23 The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything Williams/Lloyd HarperCollins 9780064431835 4,214 24 Guess How Much I Love You McBratney/Jeram Candlewick 9780763642648 4,183 25 Corduroy’s Best Halloween Ever! Don Freeman Grosset & Dunlap 9780448424996 4,131

16 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Charts supplied by Apple Inc., copyright 2018 Apple Inc. All Apple Books Bestsellers | SEPT. 24–30, 2018 rights reserved. Apple Books is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Fiction & Literature

RANK TITLE AUTHOR IMPRINT ISBN 1 Where the Crawdads Sing Delia Owens Putnam 9780735219113 2 Lethal White Robert Galbraith Mulholland 9780316422741 3 Behold the Dreamers Imbolo Mbue Random House 9780812998498 4 Room Emma Donoghue Little, Brown 9780316129114 5 The Help Kathryn Stockett Berkley 9781440697661 6 China Rich Girlfriend Kevin Kwan Anchor 9780385539098 7 Rich People Problems Kevin Kwan Anchor 9780385542241 8 Transcription Kate Atkinson Little, Brown 9780316479752 9 Shadow Tyrants Cussler/Morrison Putnam 9780735219076 10 Before We Were Yours Lisa Wingate Ballantine 9780425284698 11 In His Father’s Footsteps Danielle Steel Dell 9780399179273 12 The Scottish Prisoner Diana Gabaldon Delacorte 9780345533494 13 The Shop on Blossom Street Debbie Macomber Mira 9781488037016 14 Little Fires Everywhere Celeste Ng Penguin Press 9780735224308 15 Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine Gail Honeyman Penguin Books 9780735220706 16 Swing Time Zadie Smith Penguin Books 9780399564314 17 The 158Pound Marriage John Irving Ballantine 9781984800091 18 Cathedral of the Sea Ildefonso Falcones Berkley 9781440630415 19 The Great Alone Kristin Hannah St. Martin’s 9781250165619 20 Under Fire W.E.B. Griffin Putnam 9781440639036

Mysteries & Thrillers

RANK TITLE AUTHOR IMPRINT ISBN 1 Vince Flynn: Red War Kyle Mills Atria/Bestler 9781501190612 2 Don’t Let Go Harlan Coben Dutton 9780698411661 3 Behind Closed Doors B.A. Paris St. Martin’s 9781250121011 4 Juror #3 Patterson/Allen Little, Brown 9780316470063 5 Cross My Heart James Patterson Little, Brown 9780316210928 6 A Simple Favor Darcey Bell Harper 9780062497796 7 Enigma Catherine Coulter Gallery 9781501138119 8 Leverage in Death J.D. Robb St. Martin’s 9781250161581 9 Swimming to Catalina Stuart Woods HarperCollins 9780061798320 10 Origin Dan Brown Anchor 9780385542692

Science Fiction & Fantasy

RANK TITLE AUTHOR IMPRINT ISBN 1 The Name of the Wind Patrick Rothfuss DAW 9781101147160 2 The Complete Ella Grey Series Jayne Faith Jayne Faith – 3 Salvation Peter F. Hamilton Del Rey 9780399178771 4 The Fifth Season N.K. Jemisin Orbit 9780316229302 5 The Wise Man’s Fear Patrick Rothfuss DAW 9781101486405 6 Fear University Series Meg Collett Meg Collett 9781370861194 7 Uncompromising Honor David Weber Baen 9781625796677 8 Phoenix Unbound Grace Draven Ace 9780451489760 9 Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles Omnibus Rebecca Chastain Mind Your Muse 9780990603191 10 Take Back Tomorrow Richard Levesque Richard Levesque 9781502291844

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 17 Information supplied by Smashwords Self-Published Bestsellers | AUG. 2018 Smashwords.

RANK TITLE AUTHOR ISBN CATEGORY PRICE

1 Wild Like the Wind Kristen Ashley 9781370264513 Romance $3.99 2 Broken Silence Natasha Preston 9781301920686 Romance $2.99 3 The Someday Girl Julie Johnson 9780998657400 Romance $5.99 4 The 5 Second Rule Mel Robbins 9781682612392 Self-Improvement $9.99 5 Four Day Fling Emma Hart 9781370280148 Romance $3.99 6 Mud and Gold Shayne Parkinson 9781452303802 Hisorical Fiction $2.99 7 Settling the Account Shayne Parkinson 9781452303840 Hisorical Fiction $2.99 8 A Second Chance Shayne Parkinson 9781452303871 Hisorical Fiction $3.99 9 Furious Tory Richards 9780463635988 Romance $5.99 10 Imprisoned Evangeline Anderson 9780463691052 Romance $3.99 11 Generations Steve Alten 9781943957156 Thriller & Suspense $9.99 12 A Marriage Made in Scandal Elisa Braden 9780463428245 Romance $3.99 13 Kindling Flames, Box Set 2 Julie Wetzel 9781634222679 Romance $9.99 14 Carved in Ice Ivy Smoak 9780463389454 Romance $6.99 15 As Dust Dances Samantha Young 9780463070949 Romance $4.99 16 Sweet Little Bitch Abbi Glines 9780463312322 Romance $3.99 17 Stylized Moments William McBride 9781301579372 Entertainment $32 18 Falling for You Leeanna Morgan 9780994135551 Romance $5.99 19 Tormented Em Brown 9781942822554 Romance $3.99 20 Forged in Flames Ivy Smoak 9781370470648 Romance $6.99 21 Quintus Kym Grosso 9781370839285 Romance $3.99 22 Bound by Vengeance Brenda K. Davies 9781370050888 Romance $4.99 23 Ravaged Em Brown 9781942822509 Romance $2.99 24 Rough Jove Chambers 9781311005687 Romance $3.99 25 Players, Bumps and Cocktail Sausages Natasha Preston 9781311298089 Romance $2.99

1818 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 NEW SELF-HELP from North Atlantic Books

COMING SOON

breathing space the yoga of new motherhood Yo g a for Sleep ALISON ROGERS with ERIN O. WHITE The Art and Science of Sleeping Well

Mark Stephens Author of the Best-selling Yoga Sequencing

SUMMER 2019 SPRING 2019 SPRING 2019 SUMMER 2019 Column|OPEN BOOK This Boy’s Life Louisa Ermelino A punk rocker comes of age in 1970s New York City with credit due to a singular mom

ames Oseland tells me that writing Jimmy Neurosis, his sharp.” He was living with an older lover in Manhattan who, he memoir that Ecco is publishing in February, was “the continues, “was eager to turn me on to all the contemporary art hardest thing I ever did.” This from an editor, writer, and music I could take in.... We rang in New Year’s Eve [1979] and television personality. Among his many credits: he at the Mudd Club.” was editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine (2006–2014); Everyone involved in publishing Jimmy Neurosis (named for J editor of Lonely Planet’s anthology Fork in the Road; author of Cradle of Flavors, a memoir and cookbook about his time living in India and Southeast Asia; and a judge on Top Chef Masters. He’s right now living in Paris and working on the World Food series for Penguin Random House, with the first book scheduled for 2019. But about that memoir: Jimmy Neurosis is stunning, heartbreaking, inspiring, wild, and thrilling—kind of like Oseland himself. The story is profoundly American. It’s the tale of a lower-middle-class family—a boy and his mom, a teenager who doesn’t quite it in but inds his place in an exciting era and goes from high school dropout to graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute and a stellar career in media. Of Jimmy Neurosis, Oseland says, “I’m a food journalist, and this is a very personal memoir. I have no experience writing like this, and boy does that process allow one to discover muscles and body parts one didn’t know existed.” Oseland was a kid, just home from a ritual afternoon movie with his mother, when the family fell apart. He writes that they returned from seeing Fun with Dick & Jane in St. Paul, Minn., a place they’d lived for “a grand total of only 23 days,” to discover Oseland’s father’s empty sock drawer. His father was gone, and Oseland and his mother had to move again—this time to San Carlos, Calif., halfway between San Francisco and San Jose. There he survived as the outsider kid until he left school at 15 in the 1970s and found his way to the San Francisco punk scene, and then to New York City. “Late night dinners at Puerto Rican restaurants, museums, long walks, trips to Bleecker Bob’s to peruse newly released albums, sex, midnight screenings of John Waters movies, endless glasses of Valpolicella,” Oseland writes. “All of it felt bracingly adult and

20 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 OPEN BOOK | Column

Oseland with his sister, Julia, and father, Oseland with his father in 1971 James Oseland Lawrence, on Easter Sunday,1965

with Oseland’s adventures, but then executive editor Denise Oswald, who edited Jimmy Neurosis, tells me that she grew up as a punk rock kid going to clubs, so her affection is also easily understood. “I had seen the book on submission in 2012 and made a house bid [while at Dey Books], but James went with Dan,” Oswald says. “James and I stayed friendly, and, when the book came in, I was at Ecco, and it was decided that I would work on it.” Oseland wrote three drafts, working with Halpern in the beginning. “I always felt his spiritual and literary presence in Denise Oswald Denise Shannon the process,” Oseland says. By the third draft, “we nailed it.” Oseland’s punk rock moniker) has a history either with Oseland He adds that the story has been in his mind for decades: “As or the book. Dan Halpern, publisher and president of Ecco a creator, I had to understand why it was in my mind. Then, Press, who bought North American rights from Denise Shannon about eight years ago, I started externalizing it. Bread is ready at the Denise Shannon Literary Agency in 2012, says he’s been to come out of the oven when it’s ready.” a fan of Oseland “since I first encountered his enlightened Oseland, 55, tells me that he wanted to write a book that was editing of Saveur magazine.” The two had a friendship of lunch positive—“not to be a victim of one’s self but to be a crusader.” and dinner meetings, where they celebrated the “highs and lows And, as he told Oswald, he wanted the book to be “a love letter of food media.” to his mom.” Shannon also got to know Oseland in the Saveur days and says For a memoir, Oswald says, an editor needs vision: “You have that she remembers his “colorful plaid jacket” from Top Chef. to see what you fell in love with and where to focus, and I loved She recalls that when Oseland asked her early on if she thought the relationship with his mother. And the writing was always his idea for the memoir would work, “I said it was a great excellent.” story—universal, with a typical family, but with things going Oseland calls his mother “his great supporter” and says that on beneath the surface and Little Jimmy caught in the middle. “without her love and patience, I wouldn’t be here.” She didn’t It’s the making of an artist in a dangerous, lamboyant time: an always agree with his choices: he remembers coming home in era of punk rock, gay liberation, pre-AIDS. We worked on the neon-green pants with bright orange hair, and she “took one proposal in 2012. I sent it out to a handful of people and had a look at me and burst into tears.” So he’s sincere when he says, small auction.” “My irst instinct was to tell my story, but the second was to Interestingly, Shannon tells me that she was an “uncool celebrate how against all odds my mother raised me. I was the person” in the late ’70s, so I can easily understand her fascination original Rosemary’s baby!” ■

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 21 Column|DIGITAL PERSPECTIVES Let’s Make Metadata

Great Again Thad McIlroy Publishing execs need to give metadata more attention than lip service

et’s make metadata great again. Okay, perhaps They don’t understand how metadata really works, and they’ll that’s not the best slogan for my new campaign, but settle for the 30,000-foot view. And, truth be told, from 30,000 you get my drift. I want some enthusiasm, folks. feet, metadata does look like a library card catalogue. Up close, Metadata for e-commerce has been sitting in the it looks complicated. Metadata is standards based, and right- doldrums for too long now, conined to some kind brained people don’t like technical standards. Going deep on Lof bibliographic hell, saddled with the ever-vague concept of metadata takes you into the realm of ePub, HTML, SEO, and discoverability. “Keywords” has been the cry: ind the right Onix. What publishing executive wants to go there? keywords and you can rule the online universe. Is that all there The other damning thing about metadata is that the #1 is? Seven keywords and you’re off to the races? reason publishers need great metadata is to compete on Amazon. Metadata has been vastly undervalued. I’m here to tell you that And if there’s one thing that makes a publishing executive metadata is the most important part of selling books today. Bar cringe more than complex technology, it’s thinking about ways none. Its power should change the way you market books. It can to more effectively compete on Amazon. The game is brutal and measurably increase your sales; this has been proven. Publishers complex, the rules change all the time, and self-published have to start approaching metadata as a strategic weapon, not as authors and Amazon imprints keep winning. the digital equivalent of an old library card catalogue. The unpleasant truth is that, though online book pages may Publishers Weekly started covering metadata 16 years ago (the irst appear reminiscent of the bookshop on Main Street, they are in article I can ind is dated 2002). “Accurate Metadata Sells Books” fact located at the bookshop in the city of Amazon. The cover is the title of a PW article from 2010. Why, in late 2018, am I still matters a lot, as do the jacket copy and blurbs. still trying to convince publishers that metadata sells books? But there’s so much more that happens on Amazon. There are Editorial is at the heart of book publishing: if all other factors reader reviews—good ones and bad ones—that signal a book’s are equal, the better book will sell more copies. Of course, few quality from a customer’s perspective, rather than from the of the factors are ever equal, and, in publishing, sales and mar- perspective of a doting friend of the author. There’s a dynamic keting is mostly concerned with trying to tip the precariously sales ranking. There are multiple formats on sale side-by-side. balanced scales ever-so-slightly in your direction. Complementary titles are found below the fold. There’s dynamic In a bricks-and-mortar world, the marketing process is well pricing. On the author’s page are videos and links to community deined and easy to understand: take a good book, seek to inlu- pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ence the conversation via book reviews and the author’s pres- The big hurdle for publishers is understanding that all of this ence, and, anticipating some interest, buy your way to promi- online information is based in metadata. Metadata has depth nent retail display, so the book is visible when the educated and breadth. Metadata should be verbose but accurate. Metadata customer comes calling. should emanate outward, linking, constantly linking, to every In the online world, publishers and authors still seek inluence online way station that a book buyer might visit. but, for the most part, can’t buy prominent display space. It’s a Preparing this article in mid-September, I dived into the Gordian knot. A book appears most prominently on Amazon Publishers Weekly Job Zone, searching for jobs that I was certain because it’s selling well despite not appearing prominently on would demand a familiarity with metadata. To my surprise, I Amazon. found several ads seeking marketing managers, publicity coor- We saw a vivid example of the problem earlier this year, when dinators, and the like that did not list any metadata-related bad metadata appropriated the buzz of Michael Wolff’s Fire and skills or knowledge in their applicant requirements. If it’s true Fury: Inside the Trump White House and turned a 2009 book, Fire that metadata sells books, then why do none of these marketing and Fury: The Allied Bombing of Germany, 1942–1945, into an positions require metadata knowledge? overnight bestseller. Until management prioritizes its managers’ knowing how to And so achieving prominence becomes a far more complex compete with metadata, metadata will be a good housekeeping challenge than it was in an exclusively bricks-and-mortar world. afterthought. Metadata is great, and the publishers who embrace Relationships are established digitally; metadata is the grease its strategic value will thrive. ■ on the wheel of online connections. Thad McIlroy is an electronic publishing analyst and author, based on the Metadata is left-brained, dry, and analytical, and publishing West Coast and at his website, The Future of Publishing. He is a founding executives are mostly right-brained, creative, and sensitive. partner of Publishing Technology Partners.

22 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 When Mars Met Venus Self-improvement books: they aren’t just for men—or women—anymore

BY LELA NARGI

ike the makers of infant onesies and designated his-or- I Was a Miserable F*ck (HarperOne, Jan. 2019), calls it a shift hers grooming products, the self-help industry has away from “telling you what kind of man you should be and been a stalwart soldier along what others might call an toward challenging you to create a new definition of what that L anachronistic gender divide. Success-oriented books means.” (For more on Kim, see “The Potency of Humanizing with titles palatable to a stereotypical male reader- Yourself,” p. 24.) ship—Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People; Like Kim’s book, Stop Doing That Sh*t by success coach Gary Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People—typi- John Bishop (HarperOne, May 2019) aims to fill a void. cally have squared off against what editors including Lisa According to Curr, such titles show men how to be better part- Sharkey, senior v-p and director of creative development at ners for their wives, or how to “not get into a big fight by taking HarperCollins, refer to as “woo woo” titles, chock-full of new an entrenched position,” through the personal experiences of agey pronouncements meant to capture a female audience. the authors. This approach appears to resonate: Bishop’s Unfu*k Many self-help books still court readers of only one gender, Yourself, originally self-published, has sold 182,000 print copies but, Sharkey says, those readers’ concerns are shifting. They’re since HarperOne released it in 2017. “identifying as people who aren’t afraid to admit they need Curr disputes any potential drawback to overtly courting a self-help, but want it delivered by someone they can relate particular readership. “In publishing, everyone says, ‘Women to—not some guru on a mountain.” will like it, too!’ ” she says. “We don’t care; the people we want HarperOne president and publisher Judith Curr also notes to speak to directly have to like it, and everyone else will come the transformation of self-help publishing and its readership: along for the ride.” “We now have a new, younger, angrier male reader looking for Other publishers are taking a similar tack. In December, New help outside of business books, while young women are grap- Harbinger is releasing How to Stop Feeling So Damn Depressed: pling with serious issues like anxiety.” In both cases, she says, The No BS Guide for Men by clinical psychologist Jonas A. many of the books addressing these readers come from writers Horowitz, which sports its male slant right in its subtitle. And who share their own experiences “rather than any professional Raise Your Game by performance coach Alan Stein Jr., with Jon expertise, as a way to say, ‘You are not alone.’ ” Sternfeld (Center Street, Jan. 2019), which the publisher touts This expansion seems to have worked to the category’s ben- as a sourcebook for the secrets to high performance, draws paral- efit: print unit sales surged by 18% in 2017 compared to lels between the business and sports worlds. 2016—and so far in 2018, they’ve increased another 11%, com- At St. Martin’s, forthcoming titles include The Holy Sh!t pared to last year at this time. Moment (Jan. 2019), by fitness columnist and motivational “Is it crass and totally reductive to say that self-help is cool writer James Fell, and The Power of Agency, by clinical psycholo- now?” asks Da Capo editorial director Renée Sedliar. Perhaps gists Paul Napper and Anthony Roo (May 2019). Executive not, because, as the forthcoming season shows, there’s room in editor Elizabeth Beier debates whether the readership for these the category for books that speak to men as well as women, and books is gendered, instead calling the titles “hybrids that observe also, plenty of titles are banking on a more inclusive demo- the way psychology works in people’s lives, for a great group of graphic: the reading public. people.” Still, she’s found that men have become more voracious consumers of self-help and are as likely to purchase a steady stream Divide & Conquer of these books as the old-model customer, a woman she calls “an Self-help books marketed to men are becoming less prescrip- improver,” who would buy several self-help titles per year. tive and more descriptive. John Kim, author of the forthcoming continued on p. 26

ALL PRINT UNIT SALES PER NPD BOOKSCAN EXCEPT WHERE NOTED.

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 23 Self-Help Books

centralrecoverypress.com The Potency of Humanizing Yourself: A vital guide to PW Talks with John Kim overcome the barriers to achieving intimacy and meaningful connection.

Using the moniker the Angry Therapist, Kim eschews the traditional model of office-based client sessions in favor of speaking to men seeking self- betterment someplace they feel more comfortable—online. He also dis- closes personal information with a candor atypical for his profession, a practice he continues in his new book, I Used to Be a Miserable F*ck (HarperOne, Jan. 2019). “A roadmap Do you think men have traditionally shied away from books marketed as self-help? to a thriving I’m 45 years old and, for my parents, self-betterment was for a crazy person. Now, men are curious but they’re more interested in the person who’s writing the book relationship.” or speaking than the letters after their name. People connect with self-betterment books that come with you, not at you, and the new generation doesn’t want —Harville Hendrix, PhD to be told what to do. They want to hear your story, and need you to be down on bestselling author of street level with them. Getting the Love You Want As a licensed therapist sharing your own story, you straddle the line between traditional and nontraditional expert. What’s the appeal of this hybrid approach? Brené Brown talks about showing vulnerability, which you’re not supposed to do OCTOBER 2018 in my professional world. I believe the potency is in you humanizing yourself; I don’t care if you’re a meditation coach, a doctor, a nutritionist. When HarperOne Paperback: 978-1-942094-81-4 suggested the title, my first instinct was, “No, I’m not going admit to the world E-Book: 978-1-942094-82-1 that I used to be miserable.” Then I thought about it and realized it was impor- Relationships / Personal Growth tant to tell people you’re not perfect—you’re human. 264 pages | 6 x 9 | $16.95 Technology is a key component of your practice. Why does your client base respond so well to it? I remember doing my first group online as a therapist, closing the laptop, and Distributed to the trade by thinking, “This will change world.” Then I started my blog, writing about love and all my defects. I think these outlets created a bridge for millennials who grew up continued on p. 26

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continued from p. 23 continued from p. 24 Male self-help readers come at the category from a slightly different angle, Beier confused about what a man should look like. A lot of men aren’t driving to a says. “They’re thinking they can go from therapist but are willing to Skype or text. So, if you love tech, let’s use it to have good to great, continuing to evolve and sessions. If you want to hide behind your computer, I’ll meet you there. understand themselves.” Your clients primarily are millennial men. Is it also possible to reach Female Troubleshooting the generations before them? Sounds True editorial editor Haven It’s 1,000% possible for the older generation to understand self-betterment, so it’s Iverson says the house has been actively important that my book’s being translated in places where the definition of a man is more traditional. [The book is being translated into Spanish and Polish.] But millen- trying to reach more men, which means nials are also firefighters, police officers—all the spaces where men don’t usually sit “overt targeting, with goal-oriented reading self-betterment books. Maybe my readers will feel safe, where they cannot be books”; it will publish men’s mentor and judged, because the author is a guy’s guy. psychotherapist Robert August Masters’s Bringing Your Shadows Out of the Dark in Is your book only for men, as implied by the subtitle, An Everyman’s October, for instance. Guide to a Meaningful Life? Much of Sounds True’s forthcoming My book is a man’s guide but it’s also a standard for women; women will read it and list, though, skews female. Naturopath think, “I should raise my bar.” It’s not really about gender, though, it’s about being Samantha Brody’s Overcoming Overwhelm human and relatable and how we engage with and treat each other. But I do think (Jan. 2019) fits into what Iverson says is men talking about stuff like love and vulnerability among each other is a huge step; a trend in women’s books on rest and it’s almost like training wheels for talking to wives, girlfriends, mothers. Then, that anxiety. The Way of Grace (Nov.), by energy makes women feel safe and like they can show themselves. We as authors spiritual teacher Miranda Macpherson, and therapists have an obligation to bring them together, showing by example. —L.N. takes what the publisher calls “an integrated, feminine approach” to self-help.

26 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Self-Help Books

And October’s Freedom Is an Inside Job is a self- Packaging imprint Morrow Gift is releasing the help title from women’s rights activist Zainab breezy How to Not Always Be Working by Marlee Salbi. (For more on Salbi, see “Toward Freedom Grace (Oct.), with a look that matches the author’s and Joy,” p. 28.) minimalist, inspirational website, and Recipes for Authors publishing with women readers in mind Self-Love by Alison Rachel (Apr. 2019), with include psychotherapist Marni Feuerman, who, in maxims and illustrations that mimic those on the Ghosted and Breadcrumbed (Apr. 2019), advises author’s 247,000 follower–strong Instagram feed. women on how to break the pattern of falling for “What these two titles have in common,” unavailable men. Women—specifically moms— senior editor Emma Brodie says, “is that they are also the subject of Katherine Wintsch’s Slay Like focus on empowering women specifically to take a Mother (Sourcebooks, Mar. 2019). Wintsch is CEO of the Mom care of themselves and resist patriarchal messaging and Complex, a consulting company that helps corporations develop consumerism.” products and services for mothers; her book focuses on the demographic in a different way, aiming to help its target readership Speaking Their Language combat self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviors. Longtime book editor Sarah Knight started her self-help Seal Press—which, like Da Capo, is an imprint of the Perseus writing career with a Marie Kondo parody, 2015’s The Life Book Group—has been targeting female readers for over 40 Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck, which blossomed into the years, Sedliar says. For instance, Everything Is Negotiable (Dec.) No F*cks Given series: three titles, 239,000 print copies. In by Meg Myers Morgan, who leads the graduate programs in January 2019, Little, Brown will release the series’s fourth public administration and nonprofit management at University volume, Calm the F*ck Down. She says that though her books of Oklahoma in Tulsa, is one of a number of success-oriented tend to appeal more to women,“I hear from a lot more male self-help books directed at women. “That framework has clas- readers than I expected to; maybe the profanity in the title sically been male business territory,” Sedliar says. “We’re allows them to feel like it’s not so woo woo.” applying it more widely.” continued on p. 30

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Toward Freedom and Joy: PW Talks with Zainab Salbi Salbi, founder of the humanitarian organization Women for Women International, has long worked to improve the lives of women in war-torn countries. In Freedom Is an Inside Job (Sounds True, Oct.), she shares how her activist mindset evolved into one that also embraces self-care. PW spoke with Salbi about dipping her toe into self-help, and what readers in search of a new outlook might learn from someone who isn’t a traditional expert.

After years doing humanitarian work, what inspired

you to write a self-help book? den brulle © eric van I’m not a guru or a psychiatrist; I’m just sharing my own journey au- does not require us to sacrifice things like thentically and transparently. In my encounters in war, the women beauty. I was working to serve were telling me something different than what I embodied myself. I’d ask them, “Don’t you want pens and How have you made your experiences relevant to paper and slogans?” And they’d say, “We want lipstick; it’s the potential readers? smallest thing where we can still feel beauty.” Over time I came to I went about my mission to change the world, and that wound up reflect on the fact that any cause—women’s rights, a mother con- changing me. I moved from surrounding myself with like-minded cerned with her child, a career woman concerned with success— people to those with opposing views, so I may be challenged in growing as a person. All these things that helped me are what I’m sharing. My editor kept telling me, “You have to describe how you do this, this, and this. It has to DISCOVER YOUR PERSONAL be ‘four ways to...’ or ‘seven ways to...’ ” But I cannot tell you, “Here are the five POWER AND PASSION steps to happiness”; I can only tell you, “This is my background and how I did it.” Help Your SELF — Discover and Develop Your Higher Self! Personal Empowerment Pioneers Michael Benner and Steven Snyder, business partners Can you give an example of what MVY`LHYZUV^PUWYPU[)V[OH]HPSHISL^OLYL]LYÄULIVVRZHYLZVSK you mean? All the workshops and retreats about The Best Parts of You Master the Alpha Brainwave meditation I used to go to—I’d feel great, are Hidden Where You’re State for Accelerated Learning then go back to my normal life and not Most Afraid to Look. and Peak Performance! feel great. I needed to figure out how to incorporate all that in my daily life. Any- body who expects the journey to living their truth to be easy—they are mistaken. The journey towards freedom and joy takes work: having uncomfortable conversations inside yourself, clearing the clutter in your life, looking at aspects of yourself you don’t necessarily like.

Who do you see as the readership for your book? I would say my main audience is women, always. But I also hope that, because of who I am—a woman, a woman of color, a continued on p. 30

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FEBRUARY 2019 Self-Help Books An exploration of the UGNHHWNƒNNKPINKXGUQHRGQRNG YJQD[EJCPEGQTEJQKEGJCXG continued from p. 28 no children of their own Muslim woman, an activist feminist woman, an American woman, and an Iraqi woman—it is every reader who is the “other.” This book is giving limelight to those not seen otherwise.

Has the role of self-help for women changed in the #MeToo era? For the first time in long time, women are being heard and taken seriously. It’s upon us to demonstrate what good leadership is, and to lead not with fear but with dialogue and compassion. We also need to bring men along with us. In self-help books now, it’s women versus men. To a certain extent, it’s okay to tailor discussions to women and to men, because our experiences are different. It’s okay to have separate discussions, but in a time of division, we also need to have a common conversation about what it means to live our truth. —L.N.

continued from p. 27 Knight calls herself an antiguru, and she’s part of a cohort of authors who speak to a millennial readership that doesn’t necessarily want to hear from a traditional expert. HarperOne, for instance, is releasing Lose Well (Oct.) by comedian Chris Gethard. “Yes, people are taking advice from comedians, because all comedy is self-help of some kind,” Curr says. Gethard has a recurring role on Comedy Central’s Broad City and • Based on a global survey and hosts the podcast Beautiful/Anonymous. more than 50 in-depth interviews Also in October, Hay House is publishing bearded fitness bro Drew Canole’s self- with childless and childfree help debut, You Be You; his 119,000-strong Instagram feed features hunky pictures of women and men aged 19 to him posing with his girlfriend and his goldendoodle. Kidding: Childlike Solutions to 91 from different cultures Bullsh*t Adult Problems (Running Press, Oct.) is by Laura Jane Williams, a magazine writer and former dating columnist in the U.K. and walks of life Conventionally credentialed experts are also embracing the language of millennials, • Enables readers to place their including clinical psychologist Lara E. Fielding, author of Mastering Adulthood: Go Beyond own circumstances in a larger Adulting to Become an Emotional Grown-Up (New Harbinger, Jan. 2019), and licensed context as they gain insight in professional counselor Faith G. Harper, whose Unfuck Your Adulting (Microcosm, Nov.) the worldwide trend of people tells readers, among other advice, “Don’t be a dick.” YJQNGCFCUGNHHWNƒNNKPI So coveted is this demographic as a potential self-help readership that, Iverson says, childless life Sounds True has hired a millennial-focused acquisitions editor, who’s currently buying up books from Instagram personalities including astrology-focused Alexandra Roxo. With a master’s degree in the “There’s a whole wave of self-help teachers who are into superfeminine be-a-goddess Classics, Lisette Schuitemaker stuff and who are reaching millennials,” Iverson says. obtained a BSc in Brennan Heal- ing Science, working as a healer Code Switching and coach. She is the author The biggest self-help title of 2018 so far isn’t a self-help book at all—at least, not of The Childhood Conclusions according to its BISAC code. Rachel Hollis’s Girl, Wash Your Face, categorized as Fix and co-author of The Eldest Christian life/women’s issues, has sold 707,000 print copies since Nelson released it Daughter Effect. in February. In March 2019, HarperCollins Leadership will publish her follow-up, Girl, Stop Apologizing, under the self-help/motivational and inspirational category. $16.99 • 208 pages • Paperback “Women have connected deeply with Rachel,” says HarperCollins Christian v-p and 978-1-62055-838-6 publisher Jeff James, “because she speaks to their common challenges that transcend any specific faith, culture, or life stage.” Other historically Christian authors are being positioned in the secular self-help space. Zondervan chose the self-help/motivational and inspirational BISAC as the InnerTraditions.com primary category for Do It Scared (May 2019) by finance blogger Ruth Soukup; previous Soukup titles—Living Well, Spending Less and Unstuffed—were tagged Christian 800-246-8648 • life/personal growth. Valorie Burton, a life coach with several books, including Successful Women Think Differently and Successful Women Speak Differently, in the Christian life/women’s issues

30 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Self-Help Books World-changing Secrets of the category, has a new title, It’s About Time, pubbing in May from W Publishing, with the secular self-help/personal growth/happiness BISAC. Daisy Blackwell Hutton, v-p and Entrepreneurial publisher at W, a Thomas Nelson imprint, explains that the new book has “practical wisdom that can reach across faith-based and secular markets.” Categories being what they are—slippery and imprecise—publishers try to label Mindset Revealed their books as best matches their content. At Morrow Gift, Brodie sees How to Not Always Be Working and Recipes for Self-Love fitting into a “self-care” category—the

It’s Never Too Early for Self-Improvement As Free Spirit Publishing marks its 35th anniversary this year, its mission—creating accessible self-help books for children and young adults—remains constant, even as its target audience has expanded over the years. “We’re aging down, with more books for toddlers and even younger ages,” says editorial director Marjorie Lisovskis. One example is the Best Behavior board book series, which is geared toward babies, preschoolers, and their caregivers. It launched with Teeth Are Not for Biting by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marieka Heinlen, which has sold 199,000 print copies since its 2003 publication. The 11th title, Verdick and Heinlen’s Worries Are Not Forever, pubs in October.

The publisher’s picture book list is also booming, with new authors joining in spring 2019. Lisovskis describes Lory Britain’s I’m Happy-Sad Today, illustrated by Matthew Rivera, as one of the few titles designed to help young readers understand complex emotions. How to Take the Ache Out of Mistakes by Kimberly Feltes Taylor and Free Spirit Every entrepreneur editor Eric Braun, illustrated by Steve Mark, is new to the Laugh and Learn series and will offer lighthearted tips for confronting missteps. should read this book! In addition to releasing new books, Free Spirit maintains a backlist of some 300 titles. “We revise any books that are popular in the market, to make sure they’re really current,” — Sir Richard Branson Lisovskis says, “so everything continues to be timely and fit the needs of children.” For instance, the revised and updated third edition of Stick Up for Yourself! by Gershen Kaufman and Lev Raphael, a book that consistently sells a few thousand copies each year, hits shelves in April 2019. “This book is particularly dear to my heart,” says Free Spirit founder and publisher Judy Galbraith. “I field tested it with students in a summer This brilliant must-read school program before the first edition came out in 1990.” The forthcoming edition, the first update since 1999, “has been fully refreshed with book provides the key to real-life examples and offers ways for kids to address modern issues, such as cyberbullying,” Galbraith says. “A new chapter helps kids learn strategies for building inner unlocking the emerging security to cope with powerlessness and uncertainty, and discover ways of protecting themselves when using social media.” new era of abundance, Staying on top of such societal shifts is essential, acquisitions editor Brian Farrey-Latz says. “We’re always on the lookout for new topics. As the world changes, kids face new turning the page forever social-emotional challenges. Thirty years ago, no one had to worry about cyberbullying; this is a uniquely 21st-century problem.” In terms of research, he adds, “We keep a close on the old and obsolete eye on educational trends in an effort to identify problems that today’s kids are facing, and offer creative suggestions to handle evergreen topics, such as anger management.” scarcity-driven mindset. As Free Spirit comes of age, seeking to introduce new voices in the self-help space and revitalize backlist staples, Lisovskis says, “The idea continues to be that young — Tony Robbins children can be empowered to express themselves.” —Emma Kantor Self-Help Books

BISAC that doesn’t yet exist, but she thinks it could emerge in Capo, Dec.) has psychology/mental health as its primary coming seasons. BISAC, but, Sedliar says, “This is a true crossover” that would HarperOne’s Curr, meanwhile, foretells an inspirational cat- be equally at home in self-help. Morton—who, with her hun- egory that merges self-help and poetry. TarcherPerigee, which dreds of thousands of YouTube subscribers, has broad main- is publishing Instagram poet Tyler Knott Gregson’s Miracle in stream reach—“answers the most commonly asked questions the Mundane in May, as self-help/motivational and inspirational, about mental health, hence psychology; and the book also may want to take note. includes tips, suggestions and concrete info on when to get help Given the plethora of existing labels, there’s an art to choosing and where to find it; hence the self-help component.” the right primary category. The Empathy Effect (Dec.) by Helen At Morrow, psychotherapist Amy Morin’s 13 Things Mentally Riess, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Strong Women Don’t Do (Jan. 2019) falls under self-help/personal Medical School, could be positioned as self-help; its stated goal growth/happiness. Though the book’s tactics are grounded in is to help readers transform “the way we live, love, work, and psychology, “they are really aimed at having a message break connect across differences.” Sounds True is categorizing it as through instantly, without too much overthinking,” Sharkey psychology/emotions, Iverson says, because the marketing says. “This is the new self-help.” ■ department is banking on it having greater impact there. Similarly, family therapist Kati Morton’s Are U OK? (Da Lela Nargi is a freelance journalist in Brooklyn, N.Y. MASS APPEAL A selection of forthcoming books from self-help stalwarts—Gretchen Rubin, Jen Sincero—and high-profile newcomers—Lin-Manuel Miranda, Queer Eye’s Fab Five—offer advice and inspiration.

The Best Advice I Ever Heard The Good Girl’s Guide to Queer Eye: Amy Newmark. Chicken Soup for the Soul, Being a D*ck Love Yourself. Nov. Alexandra Reinwarth. Love Your Life Newmark, editor-in-chief of the 25-year-old Grand Central Life & Antoni Porowski, Tan Chicken Soup for the Soul brand, stays true Style, Apr. 2019. France, Jonathan Van to inspirational form with a collection of self- The German author, with Ness, Bobby Berk help stories from 101 readers. 30 books under her belt, and Karamo Brown. hit it big in Europe with Clarkson Potter, Nov. Brave, Not Perfect this title—more than half The Fab Five mine their backstories and Reshma Saujani. Currency, a million copies sold, per her publisher— Netflix success to tweak their brand for Feb. 2019 which admonishes women to stop aiming to inspiration-seeking readers. They may “fix” The tech entrepreneur, who please so that they might find true happiness. men on TV, but the book is likely to appeal to has 102,000 Twitter fol- their most enthusiastic audience—the women lowers and whose 2017 No One Does It who are tired of “fixing” such men themselves. programming primer for Like You tweens, Girls Who Code, Amy Rose Spiegel, The Warrior Code has sold 44,000 print copies, puts her spin illus. by Catherine Tee Maria Hanible, with Denene Millner. on women’s empowerment. Willemse. Workman, St. Martin’s, Feb. 2019 Apr. 2019 The retired Marine gunnery sergeant and Game Changers Inspired by the Daily reality TV personality with 141,000 Twitter Dave Asprey. HarperWave, Dec. Affirmations column followers offers what she calls “teachable Biohacker and Bulletproof Nutrition founder Spiegel contributed to Lenny Letter, these 78 moments” from her life in order to help Asprey, whose previous health and cooking inspirational quick hits—e.g. “When you’re women to, as the subtitle puts it, unleash titles include The Bulletproof Diet (124,000 tempted to say ‘I don’t know,’ consider that their inner “badass.” print units sold), shares his rules for success. you do, and try that instead”—are comple- mented by Dutch artist Willemse’s pastel You Are a Badass Gmorning, Gnight! illustrations of a diverse roster of women. Every Day Lin-Manuel Miranda, illus. by Jonny Sun. Jen Sincero. Viking, Dec. Random House, Oct. Outer Order, Inner Happiness Motivational speaker This breezy, gift-y compendium of the Hamilton Gretchen Rubin. Harmony, Mar. 2019 Sincero’s first two titles— creator’s tweets to his 2.4 million followers Rubin, whose The Happiness Project has You Are a Badass and You features black-and-white illustrations by Sun, sold 1.24 million print copies, taps into Are a Badass at Making whose 2017 release Everyone’s a Aliebn the decluttering craze popularized by Marie Money—have sold a com- When Ur a Aliebn Too has sold 56,000 print Kondo in a book with an appropriately bined two million print copies and spawned a copies and grew out of his own popular minimalist 5” x 7” trim size and spare text. mini empire of merch. Here, she builds on her Twitter account. brand with daily exercises and affirmations.

32 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Jonathan Franzen’s new essay collection, The End of the End of the World, holds out hope for the future

Escaping from Time

BY BETHANNE PATRICK

onathan Franzen’s new book, The End of the End of the behavior and the ecosystems they belong to, and take long atten- Earth (FSG, Nov.), is a collection of his essays about tive walks in new places,” he says. “I traveled quite a bit in the everything from fellow novelist William Vollman (“A first half of my life, in Europe. I’d arrive, check into a cheap

Friendship”) to his experience of 9/11 (“9/13/01”) and pension, then head straight to the museum and the churches. I © shelby graham Jhis ideas about Edith Wharton (“A Rooting Interest”). learned a lot about the Western tradition of art and architecture, And birds. There are several pieces about birds. There are but the actual experience of place was mostly confined to the birds on the cover. food. And food is completely transferable. But to see a hwamei Why birds? The author groans. “That’s my least favorite bird in the wild? Then you know you’re in China.” question,” he says, speaking from his home in Santa Cruz, Calif. Franzen says his travel goal in “the second half of life” (he’s “No matter what the subject, I’m always asked, ‘So, why birds?’ 59) is “making sure there are days when I’m just out in the place I mean, the full answer is in an essay called ‘My Bird Problem’; where I am, experiencing the bird life.” He adds, “I have, now, it’s in my collection The Discomfort Zone.” a keener sense of visiting Peru once than I have of my several However, Franzen’s groans are really window dressing. He trips to Italy, because, in Peru, I went to places no tourist would wants to talk about birds and birding and being a birder. “I go ever go unless they were in pursuit of a bird.” birding to experience their beauty and diversity, learn about their But not all birding spots are remote. For example, Franzen

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 33 Author Profile

asks, “Did you know Berlin is the birdiest city in the world? It’s versy, including the well-known Oprah snub and hashtags like home to 150 bird species. The streets tend to be quiet, and the #Franzenfreude, meant to poke fun at Franzen’s very public city has a great system of parks, and there’s all this empty space. persona. When it comes to interviews, he says, sometimes “as When the Wall came down they could have built on that land the interviewee, I get in trouble.” He adds, “One forgets that it but they decided not to.” is going to take some form in the digital world, and things you Berlin, especially its once-divided incarnation, figures in say will have a life of their own and can, of course, be quoted 2014’s Purity, Franzen’s most recent novel, in which the book’s out of context. I am a competitive person, and earlier in middle great villain, Andreas Wolf, who was born in East Germany and age I was very motivated by a sense of competition. But that’s is the head of a WikiLeaks-like organization, is a true believer in not enough to make me go through what it takes to write a the former German Democratic Republic. Does Wolf still exist novel now.” in Franzen’s imagination? What keeps Franzen working, he says, is “That’s an interesting question, espe- that he’d rather spend a day writing than cially in the case of Andreas, because not. “I get up in the morning and I know immediately after publication, I spent what I am going to do each day. My pur- hours on Showtime scripts for the pose is to go and write another 1,000 novel,” he says. “I got to know these words.” He continues to write because of characters in a different way than I have “how quickly time passes when you’re any others. I actually know strangely writing.” He adds, “I feel like I really have more about Andreas now than I did escaped from time. It’s the closest I’ll ever when I published the book. I was get to that kind of immersion, in the pur- thinking, the other day, in the shower, suit of something that gives shape to my where I often think about things, about days and meaning to my life.” some family memory I’d written about, Meaning matters to Franzen, who labels and realized there’s this strange thing himself “a 1970s person” who grew up that happens when you tell a story and reading Foucault and Derrida and essays in make it formally tight, where the Semiotext(e). The first piece in The End of the written thing displaces any authentic End of the Earth, “The Essay in Dark memory. I think something similar may Times,” includes the line, “It all depends happen with a fictional char- on what we mean by meaning.” Could that acter, as well. Purity isn’t be an epigraph for this book? going into production. “Meaning is very bound up, in a There’s this whole world we built, larger way I’m not going to try to expli- even than the novel, and it’s in this weird kind of purgatory cate here, in loving something,” with a door that isn’t fully closed on it—and may never close.” Franzen says. “I need to be able to Franzen laughs ruefully. “The only thing to do is to displace love my characters—even the ones doing very bad things. And that set of characters,” he adds. “As recently as last week I was once I love them, I become responsible for them and for what writing some pages, trying to fall in love with, oh, about eight happens to them. The ending actually matters. If you succeed new characters.” at that, then you feel you’ve created a thing in which for a little However, something psychological may be at work in while you are involved in a story that has some purpose. Even Franzen’s inability to say goodbye to characters—which would if the larger world is completely meaningless, you’ve created be unsurprising for a novelist whose breakout book, The something in which meaning is possible.” Corrections, examined an American middle-class family’s Although the essays in Franzen’s collection aren’t fiction, he inability to reflect. “If there’s something left in a major character says, “I can still fall in love with my subjects, and that’s why I at the end of a book, then I haven’t done my job as a novelist,” knew my climate piece [“The End of the End of the Earth,” he says, just a few minutes after he’s discussed the expansion of about the global seabird crisis seen through the lens of its Wolf as a character. “It gets harder and harder as you get older author’s three-week Lindblad National Geographic expedition] to find major characters, because my experience is finite and my couldn’t be about me telling anyone anything. It had to be about experience of intense relationships is finite. To do character at what I love, which is birds. You have to love, love, love, and you the level I want to do it means going through the content of my have to convey that in some unsentimental way before you can mind—is there psychological content I’ve overlooked? It feels bear down and offer any advice. I added a line to that essay: ‘Love like going over the furniture. This is not pleasant work. It is a better motivator than guilt.’ ” ■ involves failure.” Failure stings, even after years of accolades, fame, and contro- Bethanne Patrick is a writer and book critic who lives in Northern Virginia.

34 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2018 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM NYUSPS Woolworth Building Conference Center, 15 Barclay Street, New York, NY

Unlocking the Power Get inside the influencer universe from multiple viewpoints at a panel of Influencers discussion and presentation featuring industry experts including: Join us for a breakfast and Moderator: Brittany Kristin Fassler Hennessy conversation co-hosted by the NYU VP, Director of Author of Influencer: Center for Publishing and Publishers Integrated Marketing, Building Your Personal Atria Publishing Brand in the Age of Weekly about the power of online Group, Simon & Social Media and Schuster, Inc. Co-Founder of Carbon, influencers who are changing the a technology company marketing message. How do brands building solutions for influencers create an authentic and lucrative influencer marketing campaign? Karah Preiss Leslie Prives Co-Founder of Senior Director, How do influencers help extend the Belletrist, a dedicated Consumer Engagement online community for & Analytics, Penguin reach of both author and brand? readers to promote Random House, who What's the timeline and elements of intellectual curiosity, will present case created with actress studies and a plan of a successful platform and what does Emma Roberts action for creating your own influencer that cost? What are the metrics and marketing campaign how do you evaluate success? Suzanne Adam Small Skyvara Co-Founder & Principal, Southern Vice President, PUBTECHCONNECT PRESENTED BY: Made, a technology Communications for company supporting Goodreads, where today’s digital she educates authors marketers and publishers about how Goodreads can Center for Publishing help break out a book

Access Your Early Bird Discount at PubTechConnect.com Swan inn at Radcot and collapses. While the local nurse, Rita Sunday, is being Reviews summoned, the innkeeper’s son discovers that the large puppet the man was carrying is a little girl who at first appears to have drowned. After tending to the unconscious Fiction man, Rita turns her attentions to the child, who, stunningly, returns to life.

Hark photography by susie, © diane setterfield The tale of the dead-then-alive girl travels Sam Lipsyte. Simon & Schuster, $27 (304p) throughout the night, and, in the morning, ISBN 978-1-5011-4606-0 three parties arrive to claim her: Lily Lipsyte (The Fun Parts) pillories the White, housekeeper to the parson, identi- mindfulness movement in this acerbic fies the child as her sister Ann, despite the and surprisingly moving novel of a hesi- age difference; Robert Armstrong, a pros- tant guru and his self-involved inner perous farmer, believes the girl to be the circle. Failed comic Hark Morner writes Diane Setterfield’s Once upon a River is a child of his absent son, Robin; and Helena a book and launches an unexpected craze satisfying novel about a mysterious girl and and Anthony Vaughan hope that she might for “mental archery,” a practice combining her real identity (reviewed on this page). be their daughter, Amelia, kidnapped two disconnected ramblings of invented his- years before. Setterfield’s characters tory, opaque aphorisms, and yogalike school teacher, and Christine, an artist who attempt to puzzle out the child’s identity. poses. Among his devoted inner circle frequently exhibits her work in Zach’s By combining flavors of some of Britain’s are Kate, an aimless and wealthy gallery, have a long, complicated relation- very best writers—a hint of Austen’s 20-something who finances the move- ship with Zach and Lydia. Christine and domestic stories, a tinge of Tolkien’s more ment; Teal, a convicted embezzler and Lydia, friends since childhood, met the folkloric elements, and a dash of mystery unlicensed marriage therapist; and Fraz, two slightly older men when the young from Christie—Setterfield has created a a middle-aged man disappointed by his women were just out of college. Lydia set tale not to be missed. (Jan.) career stagnation and tense marriage. her sights on the melancholy Alex, who Hark rejects their schemes to monetize barely noticed her. Instead, he settled into That Churchill Woman his teachings and offers only oblique a relationship with the at first reluctant Stephanie Barron. Ballantine, $28 (374p) answers to questions, saying that the Christine after her brief fling with Zach, ISBN 978-1-5247-9956-4 only point is to focus. Facing pressures who was actually infatuated with Lydia. This finely researched, sumptuous novel from tech magnate Dieter Delgado, who Over the years, the two couples settled from Barron (The Jane Austen Mysteries) wants to co-opt mental archery, Hark into the passive happiness of married life, follows the journey of American heiress retreats to the Upstate New York home but Zach’s death forces Lydia, Alex, and Jennie Jerome, mother of Winston of true believer Meg. When Fraz acciden- Christine to finally confront the feelings Churchill. Socialite Jennie marries Lord tally injures his young daughter, he Alex and Lydia have for each other. As the Randolph Spencer-Churchill at age 20 pleads for Hark to call for a worldwide two move forward together, and Christine, and almost immediately becomes one of focus to help her survive a coma, leading to her own surprise, discovers that she British society’s most talked-about to a wild conclusion an unexpected relishes time alone, Alex and Christine’s beauties. Despite their shared passion denouement. This is a searing exploration daughter Grace decides to make a death for politics and Jennie’s staunch belief in of desperate hopes, and Lipsyte’s potent mask of her father, and moves in with Randolph’s ability to shape Britain’s blend of spot-on satire, menacing bit Alex and Christine’s daughter Isobel. future, it’s clear that Randolph’s sexual players, and deadpan humor will delight Hadley is a writer of the first order, and appetites don’t include Jennie—or any readers. (Jan.) this novel gives her the opportunity to other woman, she begins to fear. In a explore, with profound incisiveness and society where homosexuality and divorce Late in the Day depth, the inevitable changes inherent to are taboo, and affairs are commonplace, Tessa Hadley. Harper, $26.99 (288p) ISBN 978- long-lasting marriages. (Jan.) Jennie falls for Charles Kinsky, an Austrian 0-06-247669-2 count and diplomat. Far from a fling, Hadley’s perceptive, finely wrought Once upon a River Jennie and Charles’s love spans decades novel (after Bad Dreams) traces the impact Diane Setterfield. Atria/Bestler, $28 (480p) and weathers multiple stops and starts. of the death of one man on three others. ISBN 978-0-7432-9807-0 Yet despite its powerful romanticism and When affable art gallery owner Zachary Setterfield (The Thirteenth Tale) braids eroticism, their relationship is complex dies suddenly in his 50s, he leaves behind miracle and mystery in this marvelous tale and realistic. Barron’s commitment to not only his flamboyant and determinedly set in the upper reaches of the Thames at detail and scope allows for illuminating helpless widow, Lydia, but also the couple the end of the 19th century. The story flashbacks and references to actual family closest to them, Alex and Christine. Alex, begins on a winter solstice night, when a letters, which serve to flesh out Jennie’s an acerbic failed poet turned primary gravely injured man stumbles into the story with realism and empathy. Though

36 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_FICTION set in a world of transatlantic Victorian splendor, the story is more concerned with the harrowing aspects of the era—war, [Q&A] social ostracism, classism, and the sad PW state of public health. Presenting a fiercely Talks ith Ben Schott intelligent, independent version of Jennie, this satisfying book actively pushes back Mirroring Wodehouse against her historical reputation as a scandalous woman to great, consuming In Jeeves and the King of Clubs (Little, Brown, Nov.), Schott writes effect. (Jan.) a fictional homage to P.G. Wodehouse.

Talent What initially sparked your interest because the books were written when Juliet Lapidos. Little, Brown, $27 (256p) in P.G. Wodehouse and his Jeeves and Hitler was coming to power. The ISBN 978-0-316-48055-0 Wooster books? character of Spode, a buffoon, in the In her snappy debut, Lapidos questions My father read them to me as bedtime book is actually based on Sir Oswald cultural obsessions with productivity and stories when I was a little boy, and I Mosley, the politician who became maximized potential that date back to could tell he was having fun. We leader of the British Union of Fascists. Jesus’s parable of the talents. A graduate laughed a lot. So even though some of Bertie Wooster is also a bit of a fool, student at Collegiate University (a thinly the humor was too sophisticated for but a good-hearted one, and he helps veiled Yale) and on the cusp of 30, Anna me at that age, I absolutely loved the the government in his role of spy. He’s struggles to complete her languishing language. Wodehouse’s style is rather hapless. Jeeves is actually the dissertation on artistic inspiration, already quintessential. There’s nobody like wise master of the pair. looking ahead to “the life of a professor him. He obviously emerita” before her career has even begun. had a love of lan- How did you get the A chance encounter with Helen Langley guage, and he was an Wodehouse estate to at the grocery store puts her in “physical elegant writer. authorize the book? proximity to genetic proximity to fame”: ©harry macauslan I wrote a sample and Helen is the niece of Frederick Langley, a Did you intend to his heirs liked it. But deceased author of some renown who write a full-length I had to convince stopped writing after a promising early book in the style of them that I would be career. Helen is involved in a legal battle Wodehouse? diligently respectful with Collegiate over its possession of No. What happened of the genius Langley’s unpublished notebooks, which was that, when it Wodehouse was. I the idling graduate student hopes to mine began to look like used a dictionary of for material to kick-start her dissertation. Trump was a serious historical slang, and The novel proceeds briskly as Anna delves presidential contender, to the best of my into Frederick’s papers to explain his I was inspired to write ability used the exact premature retirement and as the impover- a short satirical piece words, and the ished Helen angles to secure the valuable about Wooster’s butler, Jeeves, rhythm of syllables that Wodehouse manuscripts. Anna’s voice is sharp and meeting Trump’s butler. It ran in the wrote with. He completely inhab- humorous, capturing the jaded graduate Spectator in May 2016. It was very ited his world. People are still fasci- student’s mix of posturing, snark, and well received by readers, and got a nated by the era of the 1930s and self-loathing, but Frederick isn’t as generally positive response. I was 1940s. The 1990s TV series Jeeves & enigmatic as he’s intended to be, and his surprised. And it inspired me to Wooster, starring Hugh Laurie and scheming niece Helen is insufficiently write Jeeves and the King of Clubs. Stephen Fry, is still popular on drawn, which weakens the pull of the YouTube. literary mystery. However, the novel is You create a plot twist in the book redeemed by its intelligent musings on that has Wooster carrying out pre- Was it difficult for you to stay true to the responsibilities of literary culture: what do talented authors owe their WWII espionage for the British his style and sense of humor? readers and themselves? (Jan.) government. Did Wodehouse ever Oh, it was daunting to follow in his include politics in the Jeeves and footsteps. This is not a pastiche, but a The Martin Chronicles Wooster series? book that mirrors Wodehouse. It’s the John Fried. Grand Central, $26 (272p) ISBN 978- Not that I know of. But I couldn’t most fun I’ve ever had. 1-5387-2983-0 resist bringing it into the plot, —Wendy Werris Set in Manhattan’s Upper West Side in the 1980s, Fried’s uneven debut novel

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 37 Review_FICTION

a satisfying multigenerational epic ★ The Dreamers linked by the intricate embroidery used on Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown. Karen Thompson Walker. Random House, $27 (320p) ISBN 978-0-8129-9416-2 In 1947 London, Ann Hughes works as alker’s richly imaginative and quietly devastating an embroiderer at Hartnell, an exclusive second novel (after The Age of Miracles) begins in clothing designer whose designs have a college dorm in an isolated town in the hills of been worn by the royals. Ann lost her Southern California, where a freshman thinks brother during the Blitz and now lives W with her widowed sister-in-law Milly. she is coming down with the flu. In fact, she has a mysterious disease that causes its victims to fall into a When French émigré Miriam Dassin deep, dream-laden sleep from which they cannot be starts working as an embroiderer at woken, and which sometimes leads to death. The disease Hartnell, she and Ann become friends, spreads slowly at first, then more rapidly, and soon the and she moves in with Ann after Milly leaves England to live in Canada with whole town is under a quarantine. The perspective her brothers. After Hartnell is chosen as moves smoothly in and out of the minds of several of the designer for Princess Elizabeth’s the college students and town residents, drawing back wedding dress, Ann and Miriam work to look at the entire situation from a detached but compassionate point of view on the dress’s embroidery. The story and then plunging back into the minds of those attempting to deal with the jumps forward to 2016 Canada when escalating problems. Among the characters are Mei, a lonely college freshman; journalist Heather Mackenzie’s grand- 12-year-old Sara, who copes with an unhinged survivalist father; Sara’s neighbors, mother dies and leaves her a box with a faculty couple with a newborn baby; and aging biology professor Nathaniel. As beautifully embroidered fabric. She had the majority of the people of the town fall victim to the disease, neuropsychiatrist disclosed little of her life in England Catherine Cohen, separated from her family by the quarantine, tries desperately to before emigrating to Canada, and find its cause, until arson at a library that’s being used as a makeshift hospital has Heather travels to London to uncover unintended results on the state of some of the dreamers. The relatively large the secrets of her grandmother’s life in number of central characters makes it likely that some will succumb to the disease, London and her friendship with Miriam, upping the suspense of the story. Walker jolts the narrative with surprising now a celebrated artist. Robson’s metic- twists, ensuring it keeps its energy until the end. This is a skillful, complex, and ulous attention to historical details— thoroughly satisfying novel about a community in peril. (Jan.) notably the intricacies of the embroidery work—is a wonderful complement to the memorable stories of Ann and Milly, follows Marty Kelso as he ages from tween protagonist a bit too closely. Rain hammers making for a winning, heartwarming to teen, beginning with him in sixth grade an air conditioner “like a drumroll”; a tale. (Dec.) and ending with his high school gradua- rifle fires like “a firecracker going off.” tion. After a water pipe bursts at their However, when the excessive simile usage Revolution Sunday “sister middle school,” Marty and his best settles down, Fried’s lighthearted humor Wendy Guerra, trans. from the Spanish by friends, Dave and Max, are confronted shines through, as when Marty gets stuck Achy Obejas. Melville House, $16.99 trade with attending a school with girls for the in an elevator with an elderly neighbor: paper (208p) ISBN 978-1-61219-661-9 first time. On top of this seismic shift, “I reached out and felt her hand. Ice cold. Guerra’s English-language debut is Marty’s cousin Evie has also temporarily Dead, I worried. Terrific, I thought.” While the lyrical and potent narrative of Cleo, moved in to his house after the death of Fried’s novel offers playful moments and an a young poet who becomes an outcast in her father. Drifting episodically from Mr. evocative atmosphere, these vignettes her native Cuba following her parents’ Harding’s middle school English classroom never come together into a fully formed death in a suspicious accident. During to summer camp to the brink of his grad- story. (Jan.) the depths of her depression, Cleo learns uation, Marty sees his once-steady she has won a Spanish award for her friendships become strained as romantic ★ The Gown inaugural book and must leave Cuba to relationships come into play. Unfortunately, Jennifer Robson. Morrow, $26.99 (400p) claim the prize. Yet upon returning to an overabundance of cliché causes the tale ISBN 978-0-06-288427-5 Havana, Cleo endures a multitude of to reflect the awkwardness of its pubescent Robson (Moonlight over Paris) delivers visits by police and discovers her work is ▲ Our Reviewers Allen Appel Eboni Dunbar Patricia Guy Kendra Korte Eric Norton Antonia Saxon Chris Barsanti Stefan Dziemianowicz Bob Hahn Michael Kurland Dionne Obeso Liz Scheier Michael Barson Christina Eng Katrina Niidas Holm Pam Lambert Chelle Parker Martha Schulman Leah Bobet Caitlin Farley Zina Hutton Sally Lodge Ben Perry Ceillie Simkiss Charlene Brusso Maya Fleischmann Shavonne Johnson Victoria McManus Leonard Picker Erin Talbert Mitzi Brunsdale Jordan Foster Mary M. Jones Sheri Melnick Diane Reynolds Kathy Weeks Rob Clough Elizabeth Foxwell Michael M. Jones Sarah Mirk Eugene Reynolds Rona Wilk Phoebe Cramer Lila Garrott Juliet Kahn Elizabeth Morse Holly Rice Michael Zimmerman Jessica Daitch Idris Grey Bridget Keown Julie Naughton Michael Sandlin

38 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 READ ALL ABOUT IT!

he great political books debate of 2018

Books focusing on the presidency—both pros and cons—and ones about prominent political ﬁgures are dominating nonﬁction bestsellers lists. Consumers can’t get enough. Stand out in PW’s special issue featuring dedicated coverage of the political books pouring out this fall and beyond.

Issue date: 10/29 | Reservations: 10/17 | Materials due: 10/22 Review_FICTION

tively), and schemes to make each other ★ An Orchestra of Minorities appear as traitors in the eyes of an unstable king. Wertman provides a stark image of Chigozie Obioma. Little, Brown, $27 (464p) ISBN 978-0-316-41239-1 the aging, volatile king: a prolific execu- et in Umuahia, Nigeria, Man Booker finalist tioner who sends two wives and numerous Obioma’s unforgettable second novel (after The others to the scaffold; suffers from painful, Fishermen) follows the saga of Chinonso, a young rancid leg ulcers; and spends extrava- and doomed poultry farmer. The story is narrated gantly on finery while budgeting poorly S for a military campaign against Scotland. by Chinonso’s chi, the guardian spirit that bridges humans and the divine in Igbo cosmology; this narrator The novel’s sweeping historic detail and functions as both advocate and Greek chorus in the bewitching blend of rivalries and tragedy that unfolds. Orphaned and broken by his romances will dazzle devotees of Tudor father’s death, Chinonso spends his life in isolation England. (BookLife) caring for his beloved chickens, until he sees a woman Then She Was Born preparing to jump to her death off a bridge. She turns Cristiano Gentili, trans. from the Italian by out to be Ndali, the daughter of a prominent local Lori Hetherington. #HelpAfricanAlbinos, family. Suicidal in the wake of a broken engagement, Ndali is drawn to Chinonso’s $3.99 ebook (320) ASIN B01N214BWU fierce protectiveness of his flock, seeing in him a steadiness and resoluteness of Gentili’s novel successfully pleads the character, but she’s blind to the anger and sorrow at his core. The two quickly fall case for improved treatment of African in love, despite her family’s mounting objections. In a bid to win their approval, albinos, despite some flawed character Chinonso takes up an old acquaintance on the offer of university education in construction. From the moment that Cyprus, selling his family’s property and possessions to pay for it. The con is Adimu, an albino girl, is born, she is in painful and clear as day; Chinonso is robbed blind and left stranded in an alien danger from those around her; in her land. After he meets a sympathetic nurse, a moment of violence lands Chinonso in island community of Ukerewe in Tanzania, jail, where he must bide his time—still burning with a violent determination to an albino is not a person but a zeru zeru, reclaim the life he lost and punish those responsible. Obioma’s novel is electrifying, “phantom” in Swahili. Her paternal a meticulously crafted character drama told with emotional intensity. His grandmother, Nkamba, rescues her from invention, combining Igbo folklore and Greek tragedy in the context of being killed upon birth and raises her. modern Nigeria, makes for a rich, enchanting experience. (Jan.) Few others in Adimu’s community show her any kindness—her parents disown her, other children taunt her when they not allowed to be distributed in Cuba. The Path to Somerset aren’t ignoring Cleo keeps to her home, trusting only Janet Wertman. Janet Wertman, $13.99 her, and the Margara, her housekeeper. One day, (378p) ISBN 978-0-9971338-4-4 local shaman, famous actor Gerónimo Martines appears Wertman’s second book of the Seymour Zuberi, wants at her door and says he wants to make a Saga (after Jane the Quene) moves confi- to make charms documentary about Cleo’s father, a figure dently through the dark, final years of from her body. who opposed the government—or at Henry VIII as well as through the vicious Charles least that’s what the reader is led to power struggle between soldier/politician Fielding, a believe from the documents shown to Edward Seymour and Bishop Stephen wealthy white Cleo. Cleo begins living with Gerónimo Gardiner. In 1539, Henry is mourning mine owner, as her lover while they seek answers Jane Seymour, his third wife and Edward’s wants nothing through interviews with people who sister, who died giving birth to the son he to do with knew her father. In turn, the police had long wanted. A depressed Henry Adimu, but his wife, Sarah, dreams of remove more and more items from Cleo’s arranges a political marriage to Anne of adopting her. When Nkamba dies, home and delete her poems from her Cleves, which is never consummated and Adimu is treated like a servant by the rest computer, forcing Margara to memorize quickly annulled once he becomes smitten of her family and sought by kidnappers them for preservation. Meanwhile, Cleo with 17-year-old Catherine Howard who would sell her body to men like struggles to connect the parents she (Henry is 49 at the time). Catherine Zuberi. While Gentili creates a fully real- thought she knew with her mounting becomes queen and the simmering ized character in Adimu, others are less suspicions of not really knowing them. Seymour-Howard feud—between Edward believable—Charles’s behavior is very Guerra’s captivating tale is an intriguing and the Howard family ally, Gardiner— inconsistent, while Zuberi is simply a car- depiction of art amid corruption, and a flares. Wertman dives into the rivalry icature of an evil and ambitious “witch reminder of the power in a singular voice. between Edward and Gardiner: their doctor.” Still, despite the inconsistent sto- (Dec.) political power struggle; religious dis- rytelling, the novel is a detailed portrait agreements (reformist and papist, respec- of its community and is an intriguing

40 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_FICTION look at a lesser-known aspect of Tanzanian life. (BookLife) [Q&A] Mystery/Thriller PW Talks ith Frederick Forsyth Tear It Down Slowing Down at 80 Nick Petrie. Putnam, $26 (384p) ISBN 978-0- 399-57566-2 In Forsyth’s The Fox (Putnam, Oct.), MI6 employs the talents of Thriller Award winner Petrie’s gripping 18-year-old genius hacker Luke Jennings against Britain’s enemies. fourth Peter Ash novel (after 2018’s Light It Up) takes the war vet to Memphis at the Is there a real-life basis for Luke? silence, as all the generals were busy behest of girlfriend June Cassidy. June is Yes, there is. In fact, over here in reading. concerned that her friend Wanda Wyatt, a Britain, we’ve had two such people. former war photographer who’s even more The first did exactly what Luke did. In your 2015 memoir, My Life in psychologically damaged than Peter, is in He broke into the American NSA Intrigue, you said you wrote The Day danger. Peter soon ascertains that’s the databases, one of the most secretive of the Jackal in 35 days. Do you still case when Wanda’s ramshackle home is and impenetrable databases in the write at that speed? bulldozed by a garbage truck. Wanda world. The Americans were seriously No. I was 31 then, and I’m now 80. refuses to vacate the ruined house even worried about the damage this kid Jackal was all prepared in my head, after a nighttime machine gun assault. had done and wanted as I had lived through But what do her attackers, two ex-con him extradited. being a foreign corre- brothers, want? Meanwhile, 15-year-old Prime Minister spondent in Paris in homeless blues guitarist Eli Bell gets Theresa May, who at 1962–1963. The OAS roped into a disastrous jewelry store heist the time was home was on the threshold of by some fellow wastrels and goes on the secretary, saved him. assassinating the presi- run. When Eli steals Peter’s pickup truck She didn’t extradite dent of France. Even at at gunpoint, the inveterate do-gooder due to his fragile the time, I didn’t think Peter decides to help the imperiled kid mental state, as she they would succeed anyway. While logic sometimes takes a didn’t think he’d unless they hired a real holiday as these dual stories unspool, and survive in a pro with a sniper rifle. the finale’s high-speed car chase strains Supermax prison, Seven years later, I credulity, there’s no denying that Petrie is which is where he went back to that hell on wheels at mounting lethal action was destined to go. thought. I didn’t do face-offs. A close cousin to Lee Childs’s any preparation and more analytical Jack Reacher, Peter Ash is Do you think intelli- © gillian sha wrote off the top of my one of today’s more exciting action heroes. gence professionals pick up ideas from head, producing 10 pages per day Author tour. Agent: Barbara Poelle, Irene novels and use them in their work? over 35 days, which became a novel. Goodman Literary. (Jan.) Apparently they do, even if they say The only thing I researched was how they wouldn’t rely on fiction. Once, to forge a British passport. ★ The Blood during the Cold War, I was inter- E.S. Thomson. Pegasus Crime, $25.95 (384p) viewing a high-ranking defector from You once announced you were ISBN 978-1-68177-875-4 the KGB. I introduced myself, and he retiring, then you changed your London apothecary Jem Flockhart said he knew who I was and that I was mind. Is this the last book you’ll tackles two cases in Thomson’s standout very popular. I thought I was banned write? third Victorian mystery (after 2017’s in the USSR, and he said I was to the This really is the last! I wrote this the Dark Asylum). Jem receives a message people but not the KGB, and that same year I moved houses, which is from her friend John Aberlady, who works every time one of my books came out traumatic enough, and the tight dead- at the Seaman’s Floating Hospital, a they had a limousine from the line nearly knocked me sideways. I decommissioned naval frigate colloquially known as the Blood and Fleas, imploring embassy outside a bookshop in was writing frenziedly fast from March her to come quickly. The ominous final London to pick up 50 copies. After to May. Age has certain privileges, sentence reads: “Come now, Jem, but their shipment in a diplomatic bag to and one is that you’re allowed to slow come ready to face the Devil.” When Jem the Russian equivalent of Langley, down. boards the Blood, which is anchored in the there would be two to three days of —Allen Appel Thames, she learns that Aberlady has been missing for a week. In the course of her

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search for him, Jem finds the body of centering on paterfamilias Tom into the Wetherbys’ past secrets. prostitute Mary Mercer in the water near Fitzwilliam. For some reason, the now Although attentive readers might identify the Blood. Soon she is also seeking Mary’s middle-aged, nationally honored school- the perpetrator, the principled, smart, killer. The discovery validates Jem’s father’s master seems to effortlessly bewitch and courageous Iris is bound to garner grim dictum that “the corpses of men find women and girls alike, among them his enthusiastic fans. Agent: Luke Janklow, their way into the river by accident. slavishly solicitous wife, Nicola; increas- Janklow & Nesbit. (Dec.) Women’s arrive there by design.” While ingly paranoid stalker Frances Tripp, the the puzzle element of the plot is first-rate, mother of one of his students, 15-year- For the Sake of the Game: what really distinguishes Thomson’s work old Jenna; and Jenna’s best friend, Bess Stories Inspired by the is her depiction of London’s poor, whose Ridley, who has a schoolgirl crush on Sherlock Holmes Canon precarious river-based livelihoods depend him. While all the people watching Tom Edited by Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger. “on the direction of the wind.” Readers will facilitate the serpentine plot, they’re also Pegasus Crime, $25.95 (272p) ISBN 978-1- eagerly await Jem’s next outing. Agent: Jenny the novel’s weakest link, since their 68177-879-2 Brown, Jenny Brown Assoc. (U.K.). (Dec.) respective obsessions remains baffling King and Klinger’s entertaining fourth and at times border on the tedious. That Holmes-themed anthology (after 2016’s Broken Ground said, prepare to be blindsided by the Echoes of Sherlock Holmes) features well- Val McDermid. Atlantic Monthly, $26 (432p) murder victim’s identity, not revealed known authors representing genres ISBN 978-0-8021-2912-3 until late in the game—and an even more ranging from cozy to horror. The 14 In McDermind’s fine fourth novel fea- stunning final surprise. Jewell does a selections include a poem, Peter S. turing Edinburgh Det. Chief Insp. Karen masterly job of maintaining suspense. Beagle’s “Dr. Watson’s Song,” which Pirie (after 2016’s Out of Bounds), Alice Agent: Deborah Schneider, Gelfman Schneider provides a deeper look at the doctor’s and Will Somerville, a married couple, Literary. (Dec.) emotional life, and a comic, William set out on a treasure hunt in the Scottish Kotzwinkle and Joe Servello’s “The Case Highlands. They have a map to guide Murder at the Mill of the Naked Butterfly,” which continues them to the spot where Alice’s grandfather M.B. Shaw. Minotaur, $27.99 (400p) ISBN 978- the exploits of insects Inspector Mantis buried two American motorcycles in 1-250-18929-5 and Dr. Hopper. Fans of the BBC’s Sherlock protective boxes in 1944 when he was Artist Iris Grey, the heroine of this will appreciate Alan Gordon’s take on serving in the British army. To their sur- engrossing first mystery and series Holmes’s relationship with Mycroft in prise, they discover a body along with the launch from Shaw (the pen name of Tilly “The Case of the Missing Case.” Reed motorcycles in the peat. When Pirie is Bagshawe, Sidney Sheldon’s Chasing Farrel Coleman weighs in with one of the called to the scene—a rarity for a cold case Tomorrow), flees the remnants of a bitter more memorable contributions, the detective, getting to see the body in situ— marriage in metaphysical “A Study in Absence,” in she realizes the peat’s preservation prop- London for Mill which a book editor asks for help tracing erties have worked in her favor. A forensic Cottage in an author using the pseudonym of I.M. anthropologist identifies the victim as a Hampshire, Knott. The best light entry is Harley Jane professional athlete, who disappeared where she’s been Kozak’s “The Walk-in,” featuring a around 1995, based on his shoes. But commissioned Sherlockian British intelligence agent, even with a name, reconstructing a to paint the which opens with the tantalizing line “It’s decades-old murder is tricky, and this portrait of not every day that you walk into your time there’s a lot of pressure from above writer Dominic apartment and find that your cat has to solve it. Meanwhile, Pirie becomes “Dom” turned into a dog.” This volume contains embroiled in a contemporary crime Wetherby, something for every fan of the Baker involving domestic violence. As always, whose suc- Street sleuth. (Dec.) McDermid’s story lines are as richly cessful TV detective series will soon draw layered as her protagonist. Agent: Jane to a close. For Iris, the circle at nearby Mill ★ Eighteen Below: Gregory, David Higham Assoc. (U.K.) (Dec.) House at first seems warm and devoted, A Fabian Risk Novel encompassing Dom; wife Ariadne; Stefan Ahnhem, trans. from the Swedish by Watching You daughter-in-law Jenna; sons Marcus, Rachel Willson-Broyles. Minotaur, $29.99 Lisa Jewell. Atria, $26 (336p) ISBN 978-1-5011- Billy, and Lorcan; and the barrister and (592p) ISBN 978-1-250-10322-2 9007-0 family friend Graham Feeney. Yet Iris In Ahnhem’s intricately plotted third In the prologue of this crafty conundrum later detects disquieting fault lines: infi- Fabian Risk novel (after 2017’s Ninth from bestseller Jewell (Then She Was Gone), delity, blackmail, drug addiction, mental Grave), police detective Risk is struggling a dead body lies on the kitchen floor of the instability, troubles with the law and local with his deteriorating marriage and his Fitzwilliam family’s Victorian house in a residents, and rumors of abuse. When troubled teenage son, Theodor, when he posh neighborhood of Bristol, England. Lorcan finds a body in the River Itchen on and other members of the Helsingborg The author smoothly juggles multiple Christmas Day, Iris cannot agree with the crime squad, led by Astrid Tuvesson, story lines—some dating back 20 years— easy verdict of suicide and begins to look become involved in a bizarre case.

42 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_FICTION

Wealthy IT magnate Peter ★ Deep War: Brise appears to have died in a The War with China and North car crash, but forensic evidence Korea—the Nuclear Precipice proves that Brise David Poyer. St. Martin’s, $27.99 (304p) ISBN 978-1-250-10110-5 died two months earlier. As the oyer continues the story arc of 2017’s Hunter Killer bodies of other in this unforgettable thriller, the 18th entry in his wealthy people military action series featuring U.S. Navy officer pile up, Risk and Dan Lenson. America’s war with China has his fellow officers realize that serial killers P expanded, and it’s not going well. Dan’s badly damaged are stealing the identities of their victims. old ship, the USS Savo Island, is scuttled; North Korea Meanwhile, Risk’s Danish police counter- invades South Korea; China is winning the fight in India part, Dunja Hougaard, is stuck in out-of- and Vietnam; and the U.S. and its military forces are the-way Zealand, where she’s tracking a threatened by possible Chinese nuclear strikes. Whenever ring of disaffected teens known as “happy the allies seem to be making headway, the Chinese slappers” who randomly assault people— supercomputer, Jade Emperor, launches cyber attacks and Theodor is involved with them. that cripple weapons and destroy communications. Then China nukes Hawaii. Readers will sympathize with Risk, a As for Dan, he’s marooned on an uninhabited island in the China Sea with the decent man caught between the demands of his family and his job, and such well- two other survivors of the missile strike that destroyed their helicopter. Fans can drawn supporting characters as Tuvesson, count on Poyer’s naval battles to be superb, but it’s the scenes of land combat— who’s sinking into alcoholism. Ahnhem such as SEAL Master Chief Teddy Oberg leading his band of Mujahedeen rebels in unflinchingly unveils the monstrous South Asia’s rugged Karakoram Mountains—that will burn their way into crimes lurking beneath Scandinavia’s readers’ imaginations. Poyer is at the top of his game in this all-too-plausible seemingly placid surface. (Dec.) future war scenario. (Dec.)

Wrong Light: A Rick Cahill Novel Matt Coyle. Oceanview, $26.95 (352p) tale. Agent: Kimberley Cameron, Kimberley eventually leads to the Late Supper Club. ISBN 978-1-60809-316-8 Cameron & Assoc. (Dec.) Readers will enjoy Hall’s convincing A mysterious stalker known as Pluto is picture of 1960s London, especially as fixated on sultry-voiced Naomi, the star Playing with Fire viewed through the eyes of Barnard, a of a radio talk show based in San Diego, Patricia Hall. Severn, $28.99 (208p) ISBN 978- square copper who’s trying to come to Calif., in Coyle’s suspenseful if flawed 0-7278-8826-6 terms with a changing society. (Dec.) fifth novel featuring PI Rick Cahill (after It’s 1964, and London is swinging, and 2017’s Blood Truth). Naomi doesn’t take nowhere is this more apparent than in the The Division Bell Mystery Pluto’s threats seriously, but Rick does city’s Soho neighborhood, as shown in Ellen Wilkinson. Poisoned Pen, $12.95 trade when someone breaks into Naomi’s car and Hall’s solid seventh mystery featuring paper (250p) ISBN 978-1-4642-1085-3 steals her pistol and the car’s registration. professional photographer Kate O’Donnell Wilkinson (1891–1947), a Labour MP Rick’s attempts to protect her are side- and her lover, Det. Sgt. Harry Barnard for much of her career, makes fine use of tracked when Tatiana Volkov, the daughter (after 2017’s Cover Up). Early one morning, her inside knowledge to craft this of a Russian mafia boss, who has a hold Barnard answers a summons to Greek intriguing whodunit, first published in over him from an earlier book, orders him Street, where the body of a 15-year-old 1932. Robert West, a Parliamentary private to stake out mobster Peter Stone’s house girl known only as Jackie has fallen from a secretary, has arranged for American daily from dusk until midnight. If he window of the Late Supper Club. By the financier Georges Oissel to dine with his refuses or fails, Tatiana will have him killed. time he arrives, an ambulance has removed boss, the home secretary, in the House of It makes no sense, but he has no choice. the body, and the club’s staff and patrons Commons. The meal, held in a private Rick asks fellow PI Moira MacFarlane to have vanished. Was Jackie’s death an acci- dining room, is to be followed by a cover Naomi while he watches Stone. The dent or was she pushed? Meanwhile, Kate meeting between Oissel and the prime Stone surveillance takes several puzzling is contacted by a former boyfriend, who minister to discuss assistance for the turns that portend nothing good for Cahill, asks her to help him find his singer girl- beleaguered exchequer. That evening, just and the body count rises as a killer closes friend, Marie Collins, who left Liverpool as the division bell rings to summon MPs in on Naomi. Distinctive characters and a for London hoping to be signed by Brian to a vote, a gunshot rings out, and West powerful narrative compensate for the Epstein, the Beatles’ manager, and has finds Oissel dead in the dining room, with implausibly complex plot of this grim not been heard from since. Marie’s trail a revolver nearby and no evidence that

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anyone else was present at the fatal amination of A Spell of Murder: A Witch Cats moment. The near-contemporaneous the crime scene of Cambridge Mystery timing of a burglary at Oissel’s lodgings, and forensic Clea Simon. Polis, $26 (304p) ISBN 978-1- which ends with his bodyguard’s murder, evidence, and 947993-32-7 leads West to suspect that Oissel was also find new leads Set in Cambridge, Mass., this murdered, and he joins forces with the that may have delightful series launch from Simon Yard to uncover the truth. Wilkinson’s escaped the (World Enough) introduces three talking detailed depiction of her professional original police cats—littermates Clara, Harriet, and home more than compensates for the less officers, who Laurel—and their 26-year-old human, than clever solution. This is another soon settled on Becca Colwin, who has recently lost her worthy addition to the British Library Lockman as job as a researcher for the local historical Crime Classics series. (Dec.) their prime society due to “budget cutbacks and the suspect. She and her team discover that advances in technology.” Becca rightly Mind Games: Kaely Quinn Profiler key witnesses weren’t completely honest interprets this to mean that “they can get Nancy Mehl. Bethany House, $15.99 trade for a variety of reasons, including cov- an intern to do a Google search.” Her self- paper (336p) ISBN 978-0-7642-3184-1 ering up unsavory wrongdoings of their esteem has plummeted, so she’s ripe to FBI profiler Kaely Quinn, the heroine own. Lockland’s accusation of wrongful respond to a flyer advertising an opening of this uneven series launch from Mehl conviction against the police department for “Witches: New and In Training.” (Unbreakable), was born Jessica Oliphant, ratchets up the pressure. Cross, herself a Convinced she has psychic powers, Becca but she changed her name after she dis- forensic psychologist, plays fair with the joins the coven, but none of the women, covered that her father, Ed Oliphant, was reader right up to the surprising conclu- nor their lone warlock, has any aptitude a serial killer. Kaely has recently relocated sion. Agatha Christie fans will be for performing magical spells. When one to St. Louis from Quantico, Va.—glad to enthralled. Agent: Camilla Wray, Darley coven member is murdered, the police have escaped reporter Jerry Acosta, who Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency regard Becca as a person of interest. Clara, used to pester her for interviews, “deter- (U.K.). (Dec.) with the reluctant help of her sisters, steps mined to write a book about the daughter in surreptitiously to help Becca solve the of a monster who now fought monsters for Batter Off Dead: crime. You don’t have to be a cat lover to a living.” Then the obsessed Jerry shows A Southern Cake Baker Mystery appreciate this paranormal cozy’s witty up in St. Louis with an anonymous poem Maymee Bell. Crooked Lane, $26.99 (304p) observations, entertaining dialogue, and he received in the mail, titled “Seven Little ISBN 978-1-68331-878-1 astute characterizations. Agent: Colleen Elephants: A Eulogy for Kaely Quinn.” Bell’s scrumptious sequel to Cake and Mohyde, Doe Coover Agency. (Dec.) The allegorical poem outlines a series of Punishment finds pastry chef Sophia murders leading up to Kaely’s suicide. It Cummings, who trained in New York Murder in the Dark also identifies her as Jessica. Thus begins a City, tirelessly working to keep her Simon R. Green. Severn, $28.99 (192p) hunt, complicated by the attentions of bakery, For Goodness Cakes, afloat in her ISBN 978-0-7278-8823-5 two fellow FBI agents who are attracted to hometown of Rumford, Ky. Sophia is Green’s subpar sixth paranormal mystery Kaely, for a killer who knows a lot about pleased to land a last-minute catering gig featuring Ishmael Jones (after Into the her past. Some readers may find the motive at the Grape Valley Winery, where a fund- Thinnest of Air) takes Ishmael and his of the unlikely killer unconvincing, but raiser is to be held for an addition to the lover, Penny Belcourt, who often assists fans of romantic mysteries will want to town library. Wealthy businessman Ray him, to Somerset. Jones, an alien who was see more of the gutsy Kaely. (Dec.) Peel, who owns the land the winery leases, made human by “transformation has pledged to donate a large sum to the machines” after his spaceship crashed to ★ Cold, Cold Heart cause, but his abrupt decision to sell the Earth in 1963, works for the Organization, A.J. Cross. Severn, $28.99 (256p) ISBN 978-0- property threatens to scuttle the event. which investigates “cases of the weird 7278-8822-8 On a trip to the winery, Sophia stumbles and unusual.” He and Penny are to provide In 2006, novelist David Lockman, the on Ray in a field of grapevines, the victim security for an archeological dig on focus of Cross’s outstanding fifth mystery of a fatal head blow. His promise to pay off Brassknocker Hill, where one archeologist featuring forensic psychologist Kate the library’s debt is out the window, and on the team vanished after falling into an Hanson (after 2017’s Something Evil Comes), suspicion falls on Sophia’s friend Madison “unnatural” hole. The site is also the was convicted of the murder of 30-year- Ridge, who was seen arguing with Ray locus for legends about the Beast of old Della Harrington. Ten years later, shortly before his death. Sophia sets out to Brassknocker, which “tears apart the local his appeal to have the verdict overturned clear Madison’s name. Bell rounds out the wildlife.” Later, a second archeologist for insufficient evidence is granted, and volume with recipes for treats like Cherry jumps into the hole, only to be retrieved the case is assigned to the city of Flip-Flops. Fans of culinary cozies will as a corpse. The body displays no marks of Birmingham’s Unsolved Crime Unit. have fun. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon violence, but the face is “contorted into an Kate’s job is to reinterview surviving wit- Literary. (Dec.) expression of utter horror.” The survivors nesses, profile the killer based on a reex- wonder whether they face an external or

44 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_FICTION an internal threat, which may not be later determine that she died of an opioid from the human. Those expecting the high level of overdose, but both Devin and Mona suspect Knights tension of the previous book, in which foul play. Mona uses Veronica’s case to Templar, pro- people inside an eerie house disappeared persuade Grant to approve some serious tecting the one at a time, will be disappointed. Green journalism, allowing her to explore the roads and trav- has done better and, hopefully, will do so human dimensions of the opioid epidemic. elers. While again. (Dec.) Fans of capable and complex female leads, Lovina works a who struggle to manage personal difficul- missing-person Five Days, Five Dead: ties with professional ambitions, will look case involving a The China Bohannon Series forward to future books. (BookLife) ghost clown and Carol Wright Crigger. Five Star, $25.95 an alchemist (282p) ISBN 978-1-4328-4729-6 who assembles Set in Spokane, Wash., in the 1890s, SF/Fantasy/Horror a cult of disaffected souls, Jimmie and Crigger’s vivid third China Bohannon novel Heck battle a number of supernatural (after 2017’s Two Feet Below) finds China We Are Mayhem horrors, including animated corpses and still trying to persuade her uncle, Monk Michael Moreci. St. Martin’s, $28.99 (368p) living shadows. They’re also drawn into Howe, and his partner, Gratton Doyle, of ISBN 978-1-250-21638-0 a savage war between biker gangs that the Doyle & Howe Detective Agency, In this stirring sequel to Black Star seems likely to destroy them. Belcher has where she serves as “bookkeeper, office Renegades, reluctant hero Cade Sura and a knack for capturing the best and worst manager, and general dogsbody,” that Kira Sen, the heroic daughter of a Praxian of humanity in his superb characteriza- she’s as good a detective as they are. She overlord, fight to expand their rebellion tions. His story wends expertly through a gets her chance to prove it when Sepp following a surprise victory against the landscape filled with American folklore, Ansel, the owner of a string of gambling evil Praxians. Although Cade has the ancient legends, and urban myths, culmi- establishments, arrives at the agency in legendary weapon called the Rokura, he nating in a showdown that will have fans need of help. Kidnappers have grabbed doubts his ability to wield it without and newcomers alike eager for further Anka Kalb, the sister of Sepp’s imported falling under its control. As he agonizes, installments of this fascinating series. Austrian bride-to-be, Jutte, and are asking the villainous Ga Halle plots to take it for Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency. (Dec.) for a $2,000 ransom. Monk and Gratton herself. While Kira sets off on a secret are happy for the business, but they go off mission that brings her face-to-face with Percival Gynt and the Conspiracy in a wrong direction, while the resilient the father who betrayed her and her mother, of Days and resourceful China pursues a more Cade seeks a way to learn more about the Drew Melbourne. Ruesday, $16.95 trade paper promising line of inquiry, which involves Rokura and its ancient maker, the myste- (354p) ISBN 978-0-9998748-0-6 interviewing first a hotel bellhop and then rious Wu-Xia. Moreci’s story wears its In this offbeat, enjoyable adventure set a haberdashery worker. She also gets a antecedents proudly, from the Star Wars– in the far-flung future of 20018, a mild- little male help that she doesn’t need. crawl–style opening and flashback prologue mannered accountant with a dark past Crigger’s colorful historical shows that to the talk of controlling mystical energies reluctantly teams up with a three-armed you can’t keep a good woman down. (Dec.) by truly knowing oneself. The novel is an alien cop and a mysterious young woman even blend of high-energy battle scenes to save the universe. Percival Gynt and his Vice Report and trenchant moments of character allies must crack the mystery of the long- C.X. Wood. Wood Pulp, $15.99 trade paper interaction as heroes dive into “fighting hidden Engine of Armageddon before it (243p) ISBN 978-1-9851-4247-3 for what [they] believe is right.” can finish unmaking all of creation. Along Mona Breen, the narrator of Wood’s Returning readers and fans of intrigues the way, they have to cope with a galaxy- promising first novel and series launch, and battles will enjoy this brisk space spanning church, relentless space Nazis, covers crime for Vice Report, a seedy website adventure series. (Apr.) and an evil wizard whose very existence based in Oakland, Calif., and brings in was erased from memory. Melbourne’s additional income by writing online sex ★ King of the Road zippy, often tongue-in-cheek debut reads fantasies for a site that requires the stories R.S. Belcher. Tor, $27.99 (384p) ISBN 978-0- like postmodern Douglas Adams: a mix- to be ones that “a slow reader” can finish 7653-9015-8 ture of self-aware humor, existential crisis, in seven minutes or less. When her boss, Belcher’s masterful storytelling and and cultural satire. Modern brand names Grant, gets a tip, Mona responds to the worldbuilding make for a gripping and such as Apple, Viagra, and Walmart per- apartment of Veronica Wolfe, who was consistently surprising follow-up to sist millennia from now, juxtaposed with found dead after a neighbor reported a Brotherhood of the Wheel. Long-haul trucker clones, temporal manipulation, and magic. suspicious smell. The woman’s sister, Jimmie Aussapile; his squire, Hector Percival is a contradictory everyman, a Dahlia Black, who’s the wife of a noted “Heck” Sinclair; and Louisiana State dapper-dressed nobody with unexpected crime writer, tells Det. Devin Powers, the Police Officer Lovina Marcou, a road heroic qualities. Though the plot is occa- investigating officer, that Veronica was an witch gradually coming into her powers, sionally too twisty and clever for its own addict for most of her life. The authorities are members of a secret society descended good, the underlying sense of good-natured

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 45 Review_FICTION

excitement makes this a fun, frenetic return, Dhyre attempts to finish what he munity with story. (BookLife) started and regain control over Carrie. superb nuance. Anderson ably explores the worst elements Sparks fly when ★ Viral of human nature—rape and violence play social services Piers Platt. Piers Platt, $4.99 e-book (354p) a large role in the narrative—while still advocate Lilí ASIN B07DHZ8R6Y leaving hope for the future. A crowded Fernandez con- Platt (Escape from Oz) puts a relatable plot means that each thread does not get fronts police face on the future of human warfare in the attention that it deserves, but by the officer Diego this affecting tale of self-discovery, con- end, the various story elements resolve Reyes at the flict, and loss. Sam Ombotu-Chen is an successfully into a coherent whole. scene of her cli- aimless college graduate with a worthless (BookLife) ent’s domestic degree and a bucketload of guilt-driven assault. Diego’s depression following the death of her best The Road Once Taken dedication to his neighborhood and Lilí’s friend. Trying to make something of her Lori L. MacLaughlin. Book and Sword, $19.99 desire to make a difference in Humboldt life, she signs up for StreaMercs, a company trade paper (446p) ISBN 978-1-942015-04-8 Park showcase how different approaches training remote warriors (“death- MacLaughlin’s third novel (after Trouble to good deeds can clash. Their attraction streamers”) to wage war on the by Any Other Name) suffers from a flimsy is strong and only grows as they continue encroaching extraterrestrial horde known protagonist who’s outshone by her sup- to encounter each other, but incidents in as the Octipedes, or Ochos, on distant porting cast. On her way to visit a friend, their pasts inspire them to caution. Diego planets. Their battles are broadcast as Jacinda Harper witnesses an accident that gradually shares his turbulent family his- entertainment to earn money. Through gravely injures a woman, Deirdre. She tory with Lilí, but he must overcome guilt several clashes, Sam transforms from a instructs Jaci to find a key hidden at her about his sister’s longtime addiction and novice made flush by beginner’s luck to an estate. When Jaci agrees to the request, sort things out with her before he can experienced StreaMerc with millions of she is transported through a portal to the truly commit to a romantic relationship. viewers, and trains naive “noobs” to survive kingdom of Tarshane, still holding the Familial assistance from both sides is on foreign beachheads. Sam weathers key. Rescued from the elements by a needed to help the protagonists identify fortune and heartbreak on her way to an band of rebels and their leader, Talan what’s truly important to them. interplanetary conflict that jeopardizes d’Lochlann, Jaci learns that Tarshane is Oliveras’s tangled, topical conflicts the future of the Ochos and humans alike. under control of the sorcerer Galenock, a between multidimensional characters Platt brings otherworldly conflict down usurper of the rightful royal family. Jaci blend with lovingly portrayed family life to Earth in thrilling action sequences; bears a striking resemblance to the and an intricate, realistic plot, enmeshing adroitly portrays the bleakness of depres- missing Princess Deirdre, and the key the reader in her created world. Agent: sion; and crafts a well-rounded cast that’s opens a crypt with the ability to increase Rebecca Strauss, DeFiore & Co. (Dec.) diverse in sexuality, ethnicity, and gender. Galenock’s power exponentially. Lauded This is a must-read for fans of video game as the heir to the throne and capable of Tiger’s Claim streamers and futuristic SF. (BookLife) extraordinary defensive magic, Jaci joins Celia Kyle. Forever, $7.99 mass market, the rebels to overthrow Galenock’s rule. (352p) ISBN 978-1-5387-4456-7 NanoMorphosis MacLaughlin provides little context for In Kyle’s fun second Shifter Rogue Marla Anderson. Wolfheart, $18.99 trade Jaci’s life prior to her arrival, and each romantic thriller (after Wolf’s Mate), a paper (439p) ISBN 978-0-9963249-2-2 detail gleaned along the way feels too jaguar shape-shifter with a vendetta Anderson’s debut tackles human convenient and in service of plot. However, clashes with a tiger with a more calculated nature through a science fiction lens. On Talan and the other characters have dis- plan. Stella Moore’s family was destroyed an overcrowded 22nd-century Earth, tinctive voices that give the story enough by agents of the underground antishifter Daniel Walker, childhood survivor of an color and drive for readers to see it through organization United Humanity. She alien attack, is determined to carry on to the end. (BookLife) wants to kill one of the organization’s his murdered parents’ legacy and find a leaders, but she’s stopped by billionaire habitable exoplanet. Even as he gains Cole Turner, a member of Shifter public support, he is undermined by Romance/Erotica Operations Command (SHOC), who Senator Bromberg, a xenophobic politician needs Stella’s target alive for interroga- with a secret life, and sabotaged by Dr. ★ Their Perfect Melody: tion. Stella reluctantly agrees to cooperate Cadmon Dhyre, a bioengineer trying to Matched to Perfection, Book 3 with SHOC, and she and Cole pose as a find a cure for a nanogenetic plague. Before Priscilla Oliveras. Zebra Shout, $4.99 mass couple at United Humanity fundraising Daniel’s ship leaves the solar system, market (352p) ISBN 978-1-4201-4430-7 events to get the access they need. This Dhyre’s intelligent nanobots infect the Oliveras’s marvelous third Matched to masquerade isn’t too much of a hardship mission, developing into Carrie, a sentient Perfection contemporary (after Her Perfect for Cole and Stella, who are very aware of shape-shifter who sparks curiosity and Affair) tackles domestic violence and their mutual attraction. Certainly, their fear among Daniel and his crew. On their policing in Chicago’s Puerto Rican com- inner beasts are eager to know each other

46 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_FICTION better. With the rest of Cole’s SHOC team offering cute commentary and providing backup for the spy games they play on a [Q&A] tropical island, Stella and Cole’s steamy PW relationship advances quickly. Kyle’s fast- Talks ith Priscilla Oliveras paced storytelling is invigorating, and readers will look forward to the rest of the It Takes a Family to SHOC team finding their mates. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary. (Dec.) Support a Romance ★ In Their Perfect Melody (Zebra Shout, Dec.; reviewed on p. 46), a My Favorite Half-Night Stand romance between a cop and a social worker highlights hopes and Christina Lauren. Gallery, $16 trade paper challenges in Chicago’s Puerto Rican community. (384p) ISBN 978-1-5011-9740-6 Lauren’s delicious newest standalone Why did you choose familial relation- through the course of the book, they rom-com (after Josh and Hazel’s Guide to ships as a theme for the Matched to both learn a little bit about each other Not Dating) captures some of the perils of Perfection series? and about themselves. They wind up online dating by focusing on the alter- My family and close friends play a big seeing how they can complement each nating points of view of Millie Morris and role in my life. Most of the characters other, and how they can help each Reid Campbell, two members of a small, I write are Latinx, and in my culture, other. It goes back to wanting to insular group of friends who work at UC the Latinx culture, that’s the way I’ve create believable characters and put Santa Barbara. After the two of them experienced it—our family plays a them into believable situations. enjoy the titular big role, sometimes whether you want sexual them to or not. It comes naturally to What’s the one question you wish encounter, me to write about family issues, someone would ask about your work? Millie, using a family themes. What role models do I half-obscured Obviously, there are a lot have for writing profile picture of emotional issues that romance? My parents. and her middle can come up, based on Papi, the series heroines’ name, matches how my family is impor- ©michael a. eaddy late father, reminds me a with Reid on a tant to me as an indi- lot of my dad, and that’s dating app. The vidual, and also in my probably why it was so two friends culture how important hard for me to write the wind up entan- family, and extended sad scenes about him. But gled in an unexpected sexual and family, is. my parents’ relationship romantic relationship in the digital realm is not a perfect relation- that threatens to destroy their offline In this book, social ship. It’s a healthy rela- friendship. The majority of the novel is worker Lilí and police tionship. Even though I told in prose, but text messages, group officer Diego have different ideas write characters that could be com- chats, and emails sent through the dating about how to accomplish the same pletely different from my parents, at app solidify the world that Millie and her goals. What influenced this choice of the core of that happily ever after, at friends live in and shows the steady deep- conflict? the end of every book, is the happily ening of the romance between Reid and There’s not always a right way to do ever after I’ve seen for most of my life Millie’s alter ego. This is a messy and sexy something. There’s your way. I guess in the relationship that my parents look at digital dating that feels fresh and with Lilí and Diego, they both needed have modeled for my siblings and for exciting. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary. (Dec.) to learn that. Diego, everything is me. What I love about writing black and white and there’s a wrong romance novels is the opportunity to Hidden Secrets: Siren Cove, Book 3 and there’s a right, and as a cop, show any reader that picks up my Jannine Gallant. Lyrical, $4.99 mass market there’s a lot of times where he needs to book what a healthy relationship can (352p) ISBN 978-1-5161-0378-2 have that perspective. I have a close look like. You will experience a lot of Suspense overwhelms romance in friend who worked as a victim’s advo- conflict, but with the right person and Gallant’s gripping third Siren Cove cate, and just in hearing about her job, the right people around you, you can romantic thriller (after Lost Innocence). the caring and the commitment—I keep on keeping on in healthy, pro- Paige Shephard, owner of the antiques knew that was the type of person Lilí ductive, loving ways. shop Old Things in Siren Cove, Ore., is was. They challenge each other, and —Victoria McManus delighted to learn that her longtime friend Quentin Radcliff is moving back to

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 47 Review_FICTION

town tempo- fully engages with the horrors of imperi- home to Baltimore when her father’s ship, rarily to open a alism and colonialism—Charles and a privateer, is captured by the British. new restaurant. Zambak can, after all, leave China and Luckily for Emeline, her medical skills Soon their put it all behind them. Their dawning keep her out of the brig. She soon catches friendship love, though sincere, does not strike a the eye of a dashing young lieutenant, develops a spark bright note against the overall tragedy, Owen Masters. While the attraction is of romance, but but instead sinks into sentimentality. mutual, their divided allegiances keep Quentin is (BookLife) their romantic feelings at bay—until reluctant to Emeline decides to draw on her ancestry commit to Dangerous to Know: Jane Austen’s to convince the British Marines of her Paige. The idyll Rakes & Gentlemen Rogues loyalty to the Crown. Believing Emeline, of Siren Cove is Christina Boyd. The Quill Ink, $12.95 trade the captain entrusts her to join Lieutenant shattered when a dangerous intruder paper (380p) ISBN 978-0-9986540-1-0 Masters’ reconnaissance mission into her breaks into Paige’s store, possibly looking This capable homage anthology brings hometown as the British plan to take for something among the recent antique new life to the rakes of Jane Austen’s Baltimore. The two not only fight against acquisitions. As Paige tries to discover worlds. Each of the stories details either a a growing intimacy, they each struggle what the intruder could be looking for, rake’s rise to roguishness or his fall from with matters of spiritual faith and human she and Quentin stumble across a clue to it. Beyond this unifying theme, the compassion in a time of war. Tindall’s the disappearance of a woman decades ago. authors seem to come together in the engrossing book, filled with complex Then Quentin is arrested in connection belief that women set the men on their characters and layered historical detail, with the recent disappearance of his wicked paths, except in one or two stories. nicely blends romance and intrigue on the former girlfriend, but Paige never doubts In Katie Oliver’s “A Wicked Game,” high seas. Agent: Tamela Hancock Murray, his innocence. Mystery adds intensity to George Wickham is the victim of a Steve Laube Agency (Dec.) this fast-paced story, but the transition woman who stole his innocence, much as from friends to lovers lacks the sensuality he tried to steal Georgiana Darcy’s. In Searching for You and passion that would make it believ- Jenetta James’s “The Lost Chapter in the Jody Hedlund. Bethany House, $15.99 trade able. Agent: Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Life of William Elliot,” William Elliot is paper (352p) ISBN 978-0-7642-1806-4 Literary. (Dec.) seduced and humiliated by a young Set in the 1850s and spanning the U.S., actress. In “Willoughby’s Crossroads,” this entertaining third installment of the The Unexpected Wife Joanna Starnes imagines the woman who Orphan Train series from Hedlund (A Caroline Warfield. Soul Mate, $3.99 e-book broke John Willoughby’s heart. Though Loyal Heart) continues the story of the (271p) ISBN 978-1-68291-716-9 the final story, Amy D’Orazio’s “For Neumann sisters. While her older sisters Warfield’s ambitious but lackluster Mischief’s Sake,” seems to want to redeem have married well, 17-year-old Sophie romance (following The Reluctant Wife) this point, teaching Capt. Frederick Neumann is dating a gang leader in New takes place in 1838, in the period leading Tilney to feel ashamed of casually York City and up to the Opium Wars. Aristocratic destroying women’s reputations, the other providing for English scapegrace Thorn Hayden sails on portrayals of women as villains is disheart- Olivia and a trade ship to China to make his fortune, ening and may turn some readers off. For Nicholas, two against the wishes of his father, the Duke fans of Austen, bad boys, and romance, young orphans. of Sudbury; Thorn’s sister, Zambak, runs this anthology will be a fun frolic into the After her boy- away with him to take care of him. worlds they know well, so long as they do friend shoots a Charles Wheatley, struggling to recover not dwell on the fates of women. (BookLife) rival gang from the death of his young son, is sent member, Sophie by Sudbury to watch out for the errant and the orphans pair, and also to take notes on the political Inspirational flee the city and situation in Macao and Canton for the head west. In British government. The sprawling plot The Liberty Bride Mayfield, Ill., she convinces the Ramseys, involves plenty of actual political Marylu Tindall. Barbour, $12.99 trade paper a farming family, to take in Olivia and maneuvers and real historical personages (256p) ISBN 978-1-68-322617-8 Nicholas. Meanwhile, farmer Euphenia on both the British and Chinese sides, as Tindall (the Legacy of the King’s Duff hires Sophie to help on her property. well as Thorn’s descent into opium addic- Pirates series) contributes to the multi- Euphenia, a patient and positive role tion, Zambak sneaking into portions of author Daughters of the Mayflower series model, teaches Sophie how to manage a China where Western women were not with this tale of romance and espionage in farm and read the Bible. Sophie is also permitted, the unexpected reappearance which the British try to thwart American shocked to discover that her new neighbor of Charles’s runaway wife, and a look at independence during the War of 1812. is Reinhold Weiss, an old family friend. the emigré society of Macao. However, After spending time abroad with her Sophie and Reinhold are attracted to each well-researched as it is, the book never British aunt, Emeline Baratt is sailing other, but he knows Sophie’s wealthy sis-

48 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_FICTION ters would want a richer man for her. points in their lives. The book centers inside of me”). While successful in France, When Sophie discovers Mr. Ramsey is around George and Miriam, who met at a he remains the pugnacious colonial out- treating Olivia and Nicholas badly, she Beatles concert in 1964 and carried on an sider (“it’s the Algerian in me they don’t proposes a marriage of convenience to intense, intermittent, decades-long rela- like”). His flurry of childhood memories, Reinhold in order to take the children. tionship. Dean’s innovative page layouts from swimming to hunting and pic- Trapped between his own desires and his and competing narrative perspectives nicking, are mixed with ruminations on desire for Sophie to reconnect with her between George and Miriam unfolds the the nature of the homeland he hates to family, Reinhold must decide on the most complexity of their relationship and their love—dissecting the knotted relationship admirable path forward. This sweet, faith- desperate yearning for a singular, simpler of French colonials to Algerian Arabs, filled novel beautifully considers the core time. George and Miriam are immersed in people “close together and far apart.” of what it means to be a family. (Dec.) the popular music of their adolescence, Too much of this is wound up in Jacques’s while other era’s characters wrap their cyclical guilt over his poor, illiterate identities around the aesthetics of the mother, about whom he unloads on his Comics past. Moving between the U.S. and U.K., painfully acquiescent lover. While stories follow the likes of 1980s teen Fernandez’s colors and architectural Drawn to Sex: The Basics Alvin, obsessed attention evokes the spare, sun-scorched Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan. Limerence, with Chuck Mediterranean setting, his inexpressive $19.99 trade paper (160p) ISBN 978-1-62010- Berry because of faces don’t help enliven an already stiff 544-3 his music as narrative. Too obviously incomplete, this Couple Moen and Nolan of the Oh Joy well as for what moody adaptation doesn’t have the philo- Sex Toy website lend their sexpertise to he represents sophical power of Camus’s better fiction. this witty and informative volume of historically and (Oct.) advice for those curious about sex 101. politically. The authors consider myriad questions Seventies teen Blackwax Boulevard: Five Years, (What is sex in contemporary, broad def- Lisa’s love of the What A Surprise (2012-2017) inition—and when is the right time to Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds album propels her Dmitri Jackson. Frotoon, $30 trade paper start having it? What is and is not con- through an acid trip at prom, with the (232p) ISBN 978-0-9992596-3-4 sent?) and offer the requisite chapters on colors mixing candy-colored psychedelia Record stores might be struggling for STI testing, the sexual response cycle, and more lurid dance-floor lights. Dean survival, but in this warmhearted tribute condoms and other prophylactics, and provides each teen with a precise voice to the joys of music shopping, they are the pros and cons of various types of birth while charging each narrative with a dif- positively flush with camaraderie. control including the pill, the implant, ferent visual approach and alternating Marsalis, an employee of record store and IUDs. Playfully illustrated guides to rich colors and black-and-white. This Blackwax Boulevard, is a stuttering nerd how to masturbate, both with a penis and stunning debut pulls off the rare feat of whose devotion to vinyl is as impressive a vulva; how to give blow jobs and cunni- drawing about music with authenticity as he is insufferable in extolling it. lingus; and how to prepare for anal sex and charm. (Nov.) Alongside rockabilly Veronika and metal- are approachable and useful. The tone head Hardy, they indulge Green Day– throughout is friendly, cheerful, and The First Man: A Graphic Novel loving grade schoolers and preening hip- encouraging. The sexually active adults Albert Camus and Jacques Fernandez, trans. sters alike in the decaying city they call in the peppy, colorful drawings are queer from the French by Ryan Bloom. Pegasus, home. Jackson creates an honest, believable and straight, trans and cisgender, able $25.95 (184p) ISBN 978-1-68177-863-1 world where the cool girl behind the and disabled, racially diverse, and come Fragments by Camus are tenderly counter struggles with addiction and the in every body shape and size. The text is knitted together by translator Bloom quirky owner isn’t always diligent about inclusive of monogamy, polyamory and and cartoonist Fernandez (The Stranger) managing his diabetes. Marsalis’s desire asexuality. Pleasure is the goal, and the into an episodic autobiographical ramble to succeed as an aspiring music critic and tools to achieve it, the authors write, are that intrigues at times but falls well community activist, meanwhile, chafes communication; self-knowledge; and short of the War and Peace–style epic disastrously against his crippling anxiety. safe, joyful experimentation. This is a Camus planned. Only 144 pages of the The store and its denizens pulse with life, sex-positive gulp of fresh air. (Nov.) unfinished work were discovered in the rendered in Jackson’s expertly chunky car wreck that killed Camus in 1960. inking: everything from Veronika’s tattoos ★ I Am Young The author’s stand-in is Jacques Cormery, to the shop’s eternal clutter feels right-on. M. Dean. Fantagraphics, $19.99 (108p) an Algerian-born writer who is the toast Readers won’t just want to visit Blackwax ISBN 978-1-68396-139-0 of 1957 Parisian literary society. A superb (or get inspired to drop by their real local Each story in this poignant debut plays brooder, drawn by Fernandez with a indie, if it’s still standing) by the last on how music is interwoven with the dashingly Gallic cinematic appeal, page—they’ll feel like a part of the gang. deeply felt emotions of its young charac- Jacques is torn between worlds (“the (Booklife) ters, each of whom are poised at tipping Mediterranean separates two universes

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Nonfiction

The Discrete Charm of the Machine: © doug bock clark Why the World Became Digital Ken Steiglitz. Princeton Univ., $27.95 (224p) ISBN 978-0-691-17943-8 Steiglitz (Snipers, Shills, and Sharks: eBay and Human Behavior), professor emeritus of computer science at Princeton, falls far short of his stated goal—explaining the development of “devices that store and manipulate information in the form of discrete bits” in a manner accessible to technically untrained readers. Instead, Steiglitz offers a jargon-laced and sometimes eccentric history of the computer that will confound even those with some scientific literacy. His opening section summarizing the material he will cover is much clearer than anything that follows— A photo from Doug Bock Clark’s The Last Whalers, which examines the rituals and lifestyle of a he refers to “physical obstacles to reliable small hunter-gatherer society on the remote Indonesian island of Lembata (reviewed on p. 51.) computation” and how these challenges are overcome digitally; how ideas that emerged writers, activists, painters, ballbusters.” minates the life of African-American from communication studies, rather than Loosely linear with discursive asides, photojournalist Ernest Withers (1922– physics, yielded “high-speed networking Shalmiyev shares memories of her mother’s 2007), beginning with his childhood in and the internet”; and what the full potential drunken promiscuity, her own neglected the racially divided city of Memphis. of quantum computing might be. But even childhood raised by an enigmatic father, Withers joined the Army after high here, with an unexplained reference to “an and their emigration from Leningrad to school, where he honed his photography NP-complete problem,” Steiglitz betrays New York in 1990. After her arrival in skills; afterward, he returned to his disconnect from his intended audience. America at age 11, the narrative becomes Memphis and as a freelancer covered And that divergence only grows, through more chronological and focused. Shalmiyev sports events, funerals, and politics for complex diagrams, and obscure phrasing describes her college years in Seattle as a local papers. Withers shot some of his (“every time we multiply a sinusoid by an sex worker; a fruitless trip to Russia to most memorable photos there, including additional sinusoid, we double the number find Elena; and her subsequent marriage, shots of Elvis Presley laughing with of frequencies in the signal”). The bizarre miscarriage, and role as mother; she B.B. King at an all-black function, and epilogue, an imagined intercepted alien intersperses these accounts with musings of Martin Luther King Jr. leading message, also fails to render complex con- on art, feminism, Russian history, and the Memphis sanitation workers in a strike cepts more relatable. A more stringent work of Pauline Réage, Anaïs Nin, and demonstration just a week before he was editorial hand might have made Steiglitz’s Susan Sontag (whose son was raised by his killed. Realizing that he couldn’t support undoubted expertise in his subject genu- father, “purposefully, unlike my mom, so his growing family solely as a photogra- inely accessible to layreaders. (Feb.) that she can think clearly and write”). pher, Withers became an informant for Shalmiyev’s prose can be brilliant, but at the FBI and reported on the activities of Mother Winter: A Memoir times overreaches (“Father never got various organizations, including the Sophia Shalmiyev. Simon & Schuster, $25 wintery feet” instead of, simply, cold feet), Invaders, an emerging Black Power (288p) ISBN 978-1-5011-9308-8 and the book’s ragged continuity stalls any group, and people, including Martin In this bold if uneven memoir, momentum. This ambitious contemplation Luther King Jr. Lauterbach points out Shalmiyev, former nonfiction editor for on a child’s unreciprocated love for her that in Withers’s community, “black the Portland Review, writes of being a mother trips over its own story, resulting leaders had long informed white leaders motherless Russian immigrant, addressing in an ambiguous, unresolved work. Agent: about African-American political the woman who “left me for the bottle Jamie Carr, WME. (Feb.) activity” (church leaders might speak long before my father took me away to with, for example, elected town offi- America.” Stitching together lyrical essays, Bluff City: The Secret Life of cials), and that Withers didn’t equate fragmented narratives, and critical com- Photographer Ernest Withers being a black photojournalist in a black mentary, she reflects on “Elena. Mother. Preston Lauterbach. Norton, $27.95 (288p) world with promoting racial justice. His Mama,” whose absence led her to seek ISBN 978-0-393-24792-3 easy access, at least tacitly as a partici- “surrogate mothers for myself: feminists, Lauterbach (Beale Street Dynasty) illu- pant, enabled him to document the

50 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_NONFICTION activities of these groups and to pass the physical met there, such as Yonanes “Jon” Demon along pictures of them to the FBI in the differences. Hariona, a young man who aspires to late 1960s. Lauterbach tells a fantastic But when she become a “lamafa,” or harpooner, his soci- story of a brilliant and compromised got the DNA ety’s highest honor, yet also toys with the artist living in challenging and divisive test results, the idea of seeking “a richer and easier life times. (Jan.) then-54-year- elsewhere,” away from his community. By old began exploring personal conflicts like Jon’s, Clark The End of Ice: Bearing Witness researching her creates a thoughtful look at the precarious- and Finding Meaning in the Path family history, ness of cultural values and the lure of mod- of Climate Disruption and within ernization in the developing world. Agent: Dahr Jamail. New Press, $25.99 (320p) months she Jim Rutman, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Jan.) ISBN 978-1-62097-234-2 unraveled a Jamail (Beyond the Green Zone), a war narrative leading back to the 1960s and The Second Kind of Impossible: correspondent and mountaineer, offers an the early days of artificial insemination. The Extraordinary Quest for a unrelentingly depressing account of the Her own parents had died, but now, with New Form of Matter current state of the environment. Time the support of her husband and son, she Paul J. Steinhardt. Simon & Schuster, $27 and again, Jamail asserts that all available discovered her biological father, a doctor (352p) ISBN 978-1-4767-2992-3 scientific evidence shows that the damage from Portland. Shapiro realized that her In an intriguing blend of science and humanity has done to the planet cannot childhood, her ancestral lineage, and the international adventure, Steinhardt (Endless be reversed, recounting near the start his foundation of her world were based on Universe, coauthor), a Princeton professor realization that “we had defiled the bio- deception. “What potent combination of of physics and astrophysics, takes readers sphere and we were past the point of no lawlessness, secrecy, desire, shame, greed, on a wild ride in search of a new kind of return.” His survey of various ecosystems, and confusion had led to my conception?” matter. The author’s hunt for a rare crystal including the Alaskan glaciers, the Amazon Shapiro writes. With thoughtful candor, structure once thought impossible begins basin, the Great Barrier Reef, and northern she explores the ethical questions sur- in the early 1980s, when he proposed the California’s forests, leads him to the grim rounding sperm donation, the consequences existence of “quasicrystals” with a unique conclusion that “we are already facing of DNA testing, and the emotional impact property called “five-fold symmetry.” mass extinction.” Jamail has managed to of having an uprooted religious and ethnic Months of making paper models and achieve inner peace by accepting the identity. This beautifully written, thought- Styrofoam-and-pipe cleaner “arts-and- inevitability of humanity’s end, even as he provoking genealogical mystery will craft” projects showed how minerals grieves deeply, although he offers no basis captivate readers from the very first pages. might form such crystals, and despite for concluding that his calm response will (Jan.) scoffing from luminaries such as Nobel be widespread. His message is not entirely laureate Linus Pauling, one scientist consistent; he echoes an expert in palliative The Last Whalers: Three Years in managed to grow a quasicrystal in 1987. care that “the time to change our ways is the Far Pacific with a Courageous But could quasicrystals exist in nature? long past,” but also endorses Vaclav Havel’s Tribe and a Vanishing Way of Life The quest takes Steinhardt from Princeton definition of hope as “the certainty that Doug Bock Clark. Little, Brown, $30 (384p) University to Florence, Italy, and ultimately something is worth doing no matter how ISBN 978-0-316-39062-0 to a remote mountain range in the rugged, it turns out,” suggesting some merit to In this fascinating debut, journalist bear- and mosquito-infested wilds of changing policies. The hopelessness this Clark offers an account of a small hunter- Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The book engenders makes its intended gatherer society, the Lamalerans, devoted author’s opening discussion of crystallog- audience and scope of readership unclear. to whaling on the remote Indonesian raphy basics, “cubatic matter,” and Penrose Agent: Anthony Arnove, Roam Agency. (Jan.) island of Lembata. On his first visit to the tiling demands close attention, but the Lamalerans’ village in 2011, Clark realized second half of the book is full of intrigue ★ Inheritance: A Memoir of the Ways of the Ancestors—“a set of and adventure, culminating with the epic Genealogy, Paternity, and Love whaling and religious practices handed Kamchatka journey. As a result, a general Dani Shapiro. Knopf, $25.95 (272p) ISBN 978- down through the generations”—still audience can and should enjoy this original, 1-5247-3271-4 defined indigenous life there. Wondering suspenseful true-life thriller of science In this fascinating memoir, Shapiro how much longer these ancient traditions investigation and discovery. Agent: Katinka (Hourglass) writes of how she questioned could last, Clark returned to Lembata Matson, Brockman. (Jan.) her identity when a DNA test revealed several times in subsequent years, aiming that she was not, as she believed she was, to “immerse myself as deeply as possible The Surprising Science of 100% Jewish. Shapiro grew up in an in the tribe.” To that end, he hunted, wove Meetings: How You Can Lead Orthodox family in suburban New Jersey; ropes, spearfished, attended ceremonies, Your Team to Peak Performance blonde-haired and blue-eyed, she often and bartered at the village market alongside Steven G. Rogelberg. Oxford Univ., $24.95 felt out of place in a family of dark-haired the Lamalerans. With accessible and empa- (192p) ISBN 978-0-19-068921-6 Ashkenazi Jews, yet she had shrugged off thetic prose, Clark profiles the people he Science, yes—but there’s little surprising

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about this slim, narrow-scope proposal from Rogelberg, a UNC –Charlotte man- [Q&A] agement and psychology professor. Setting PW the scene, he observes in the preface that Talks ith John Strausbaugh meetings have their upsides—when done well, they provide employees with The Capital of the World, “organizational democracy” and “buy- in”—but also get a consistently bad rap, for a While and for good reason. In one study, 47% of Strausbaugh’s Victory City (Twelve, Dec.) looks at New York’s outsize workers reported meetings as the role in the WWII years. number-one time-waster in their offices. Rogelberg’s stated goal, then, is to bring a What made New York City so community outside of Germany. More systematic, statistics-based approach to uniquely influential during WWII? Irish people lived in New York City understanding and improving meetings, New York in the years before, during, than in Dublin. I like to say the great usable not just in the workplace but in and after WWII was achieving its metropolis rarely speaks with one community and religious gatherings as zenith as the biggest, busiest, richest, voice about anything. well. How can meetings be more produc- most influential city in the world, not tive—and does science have the answer? just in the country. It had long been What surprised you the most while One obstacle is that people, according to the de facto capital of the United States researching the book? studies, tend to naturally overestimate in pretty much every meaningful way One thing was the extent of support their own leadership ability—but, except for national politics. And for the fascists and the Nazis, not just Rogelberg counsels, the typical manager during the 12 years FDR was in the in the German neighborhoods, but in can do better by shortening meetings, White House, New Yorkers ran the a cross-section of New York society inviting fewer participants, keeping the nation as well. He from Park Avenue’s tone positive, and avoiding the “folly” of packed the White House wealthy blue bloods to remote call-ins. Simultaneously sparse with so many New Irish Catholic neighbor- and padded, Rogelberg’s work only con- Yorkers it was a Gotham hoods in Queens and firms what the average office worker on the Potomac. And © christine alker Brooklyn, going back as already knew even without the benefit when the war’s over, it’s early as when Mussolini of scientific confirmation. (Jan.) still the largest city in first came to town in the the world and the early 1920s. The other King of the Dinosaur Hunters: richest, but it’s also was the extent to which The Life of John Bell Hatcher intact, which many other the Wall Street banks and and the Discoveries That great cities were not— the big corporations, Shaped Paleontology they’d been bombed to headquartered in New Lowell Dingus. Pegasus, $29.95 (336p) rubble. So the lights are on, the York, played all sides during the war ISBN 978-1-68177-865-5 phones work, and it attracts the U.N. and supported Hitler and Mussolini, While it’s true that John Bell Hatcher starting in 1946. And it’s the capital and in some ways the Japanese, at the (1861–1904) was one of the 19th century’s of the world for a while. same time they were supporting the most prolific fossil hunters, this deeply Americans. It’s a beginning, I think, flawed biography by Dingus (Barnum The theme of a united front around of the kind of amoral, apolitical, global Brown: The Man Who Discovered Tyrannosaurus Rex, coauthor), an the war effort was not really accurate. financial world we live in today. American Museum of Natural History Could you talk about the different research associate, does little to reveal his factions in New York City at that Is there a city now rising that you subject’s humanity or mystique. Although time? think will become another capital of Dingus provides excruciating detail about New York was the home of GI Joe the world? the many fossils Hatcher collected and Rosie the Riveter, but it was also There are giant cities, and they’re throughout western North America and the national headquarters for the vastly influential. But I don’t think shipped back to Yale, Princeton, and the American Nazis, communists, anar- any one has primacy over all the Carnegie Museum beginning in 1884, chists, and socialists, the antiwar others. It’s unnecessary now to have virtually no information is presented movement, the isolationist movement. one central brain. It’s more like a about any other collector, so the reader It had the largest Jewish community giant octopus with brains in all its lacks any context to judge Hatcher’s in the world, the largest German limbs. —Diane Molleson record. Much of the material presented arises from Hatcher’s letters to his employers, dealing with mundane matters

52 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_NONFICTION like salaries and reimbursements for him- the part of motivational guru for book favorite confection is said to be the self and his assistants and conveying little business newbies, striking a generally Scarlett Red Velvet) and everyday folks of the excitement of scientific discovery. positive tone (“Frame your message alike. Butler writes with wit and honesty Remarkably few personal facts appear— around what you believe in, not what you about her bumpy road to success in life it isn’t until a full year after the fact that oppose”). Seemingly conversant with and in love (including a brief marriage Dingus reveals Hatcher was married, and every conceivable facet of book publishing, and a romance with a Navy SEAL, the not until the penultimate chapter that he he generously father of her daughter) and on the impor- had seven children, three of whom died imparts his tance of learning from other entrepreneurs. before the age of four. The book does give accumulated She opens each chapter with a recipe and paleontology enthusiasts a sense of the knowledge in a story behind it; Hunka Chunka challenges involved in 19th-century fossil straightforward Banana Love, for instance, was “the first hunting, at least in Hatcher’s case, but (but not dry or cupcake I baked the morning I opened the leaves them with little insight into the didactic) original Gigi’s.” Butler’s memoir provides man himself. (Dec.) fashion, and an encouraging argument for the value of offers study chasing dreams. (Dec.) The Leader Architect: The Right questions at People in the Right Places Doing the end of each The Sit Room: the Right Stuff at the Right Time section. The business strategies are all In the Theater of War and Peace Jim Grew. Career, $16.95 trade paper (256p) practical enough: emphasize traditional David Scheffer. Oxford Univ., $29.95 (360p) ISBN 978-1-63265-133-4 print books (as opposed to relying on ISBN 978-0-19-086063-9 Executive adviser Grew treats business- e-books), build up a sturdy backlist, and Scheffer (All the Missing Souls: A Personal book readers to a mushy treatise on myth- forge personal relationships with one’s History of the War Crimes Tribunals), pro- making and its effect on leadership. People customer base. Perhaps most helpfully, fessor of law at Northwestern University in the workplace hang on to various wide- Biel maps out all possible divisions of and former American ambassador-at-large spread myths, he observes, because they’re labor in a publishing house and the duties for war crimes, offers an insider’s detailed associated with powerful emotions— required for each. Mixed in with the DIY account of the “three-year conversation” bosses care only about themselves, inputs tips and encouragement are some less that took place in the White House situa- are more important than outputs, metrics obvious and even counterintuitive caveats: tion room as policy makers tried to provide accountability—but these are the for instance, that successful books can kill grapple with the early-1990s Balkans kinds of beliefs he says can ruin a business. a small publisher if not managed correctly. War. For Scheffer, deliberations in the Uncovering “your personal myths” as a Though beginners might feel intimidated “sit room” were characterized both by businessperson will help one get past by these and other words of caution, this courageous, innovative thinking—in those constraints to success. In a per- insider’s guide to outsider publishing particular that of Scheffer’s boss at the plexing, ill-explained leap, Grew goes should leave aspiring publishers feeling time, Madeleine Albright, U.S. permanent on to reverse course and assert that myths inspired, optimistic, and well-informed. representative to the United Nations— are not necessarily bad, but can provide (Dec.) and by “procrastination, fear of the inspiration and vision. He also touches unknown, and a futile search for alterna- on directives to work in pairs rather than The Secret Ingredient: Recipes tives to bold action.” Participants in on teams, build up the “architecture” of for Success in Business and Life these discussions found themselves one’s business, draw on the power of rela- Gigi Butler, with Bud Schaetzle. Howard, $26 negotiating ever-changing daily devel- tionships, and find the right talent. His (320p) ISBN 978-1-5011-7352-3 opments and a dizzying array of stake- framework is never established, and Entrepreneur Butler convincingly holders, ultimately “muddling through” spotty attempts at concrete advice are demonstrates the sass and determination to secure what Scheffer calls a “fragile insufficient, so the final product feels that made her Gigi’s Cupcakes empire a peace.” This account will doubtless be insufficient and meandering. (Dec.) success. Hoping to become a country useful to scholars of U.S. foreign policy singer after college, Butler supported and the policy-making process, but may A People’s Guide to Publishing: herself as a house cleaner, first in her native prove less than engaging for the general Build a Successful, Sustainable, California, and then in Nashville. Despite reader, as it often reads like a sequence of Meaningful, Book Business from her best efforts at singing, Butler found notes—meeting after meeting, document the Ground Up herself making far more money from her after document—rather than a unified Joe Biel. Microcosm, $19.95 (384p) ISBN 978- cleaning business than her music; she narrative with an identifiable arc. As 1-62106-285-1 then focused on another dream, to own a such, policy scholars will be rewarded by This is a politely rebellious guide to cupcake shop. She saved and borrowed the level of detail and the sharp character thriving on the periphery of what its punk money to open her first shop in downtown sketches of key figures, but other readers rocker-turned-publisher author dubs the Nashville in 2007; since then her business may find themselves losing the forest for “Literary Industrial Complex.” Biel, has grown to more than 94 locations, the trees. (Dec.) founder of indie press Microcosm, plays attracting celebrity clients (Taylor Swift’s

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A Taste of Naples: Neapolitan and evaluated purely on our physical nine American women poets who rose to Culture, Cuisine, and Cooking appearance”) and contract negotiations prominence in the first half of the 20th Marlena Spieler. Rowman & Littlefield, $38 (“In the NFL we don’t sign contracts. We century. Some, such as Amy Lowell, Edna (356p) ISBN 978-1-4422-5125-0 sign promissory notes, with people St. Vincent Millay, and Dorothy Parker, Food writer Spieler (Feeding Friends) whose fingers are crossed behind their are still familiar names. Others, such as passionately extols the food and culinary backs”). Abdullah also writes movingly Léonie Adams, Louise Bogan, and Elinor traditions of Naples. With its looming about how deepening his Muslim faith Wylie, have fallen into obscurity. All, volcano of Vesuvius, overcrowding, and helped him endure difficult times and however, gravitated at some point to history of organized crime, the gritty city bring “compassion, empathy and heart” to New York City and contributed to its of Naples is often ignored in favor of professional athletes and to develop “a vibrant literary and cultural scene. touristy Tuscany and Rome. Yet Naples playbook for the NFL afterlife.” Abdullah Dizikes explores their lives by dividing gave the world pizza, marinara sauce, and provides a unique and important look at his book into sections based on historical zeppole, Spieler writes, and she begins the life of NFL players today. (BookLife) period, offering a slice of each woman’s with an early history of the city, from the life in each section, allowing readers the Greeks in the seventh century BCE (who Finding Theo: A Father’s True Story chance to compare and contrast, or to named the city Neapolis, or new city) to of Loss, Courage, and Discovery flip through the book and read any one Italy’s unification in 1860 under Timothy Krause. Clovercroft, $14.99 trade poet’s life through. Dizikes’s prose is Giuseppe Garibaldi (many of his soldiers paper (192p) ISBN 978-1-945507-92-2 straightforward and easily readable, from the north had never tasted pasta). Krause delivers a stirring account of without critical jargon. His chief Spieler includes chapters on pasta and his son Theo’s severe spinal injury and strength, however, is his ability to convey pizza, festivals and celebrations, the fruit recovery. On Sept. 17, 2013, just a few the personal cost of art for women in this and vegetables that flourish in volcanic weeks after he turned 25, Theo Krause period: some left husbands and children soil, and “how to eat like a Neapolitan.” was mountain biking in Crested Butte, behind or had abortions, Parker The heart of the book, though, is the city’s Colo., when he lost control of his bike and attempted suicide twice, and a few faced a deeply embedded food culture, which launched headfirst into a tree. After being lack of recognition for their work as they Spieler explains is deeply intertwined evacuated to a hospital by helicopter, aged. This would make an excellent gift with the penny-frugal but taste-rich Theo was told his neck was broken, he book for bibliophiles, easy to dip in and habits of the poor: there are pages on the needed immediate surgery, and he probably out of, and filled with attention-grabbing abundant San Marzano plum tomato would not walk again. In candid prose, and important poems and stories. (BookLife) (“fragrant, fleshy... and bright skin that Krause recounts his son’s struggle to peels off easily”) and also plenty about walk, as well as Krause’s and his wife’s Writing to Be Understood: pasta, such as linguine alle vongole, “one feelings of helplessness as parents. What Works and Why of the most iconic dishes.” Her enthusiasm (“Emotions soared with each sign of Anne Janzer. Cuesta Park Consulting, $25 and knowledge will likely inspire travelers progress and then plunged at every dis- (228p) ISBN 978-0-9996248-1-4 to Italy to add a stop on their trip. (Dec.) appointment, slamming us back and In this straightforward, practical forth between exhilaration and fear, hope guide from Janzer (The Writer’s Process), Come Follow Me: A Memoir. and despair.“) Krause is repeatedly the “why” of her subtitle provides her The NFL. A Transition. grateful and amazed as Theo makes book’s most intriguing aspect. She A Challenge. A Change remarkable strides in working toward applies insights from psychology and Hamza Abdullah. Abdullah Bros, $23 (390p) living independently. Krause’s philoso- cognitive science, among other disci- ISBN 978-0-9981129-0-9 phizing is a bit tedious at times (“All of plines, to help nonfiction writers gear Abdullah, who played safety for four us, including me, are still in some stage their work to the minds of their audience. NFL teams from 2005 to 20011, of ‘finding Theo,’ in the sense of under- Rather than focus exclusively on style or recounts his life in and out of professional standing our gifts, in understanding our technique—though she does provide football, focusing on what he calls “The place in the world”), but readers will root advice on tone and stylistic elements, such Transition”—how to navigate the “finan- for the dogged Theo and all the friends, as the use of humor—Janzer seeks to cial, physical, emotional, psychological, family, and medical professionals who figure out how to connect with readers, spiritual or mental” challenges that players supported him. (BookLife) including hostile or resistant ones, and face when they leave the game. Abdullah avoid alienating them. (Avoid overly criticizes the way the NFL “indoctrinates” Love Songs: The Lives, Loves, and complex sentences and “field-specific” players to rely solely on the team to the Poetry of Nine American Women jargon, for example.) She also explains detriment of each individual player (“I John Dizikes. Animal Mitchell, $35 (582p) how to take difficult issues and make assumed I would be integrated into NFL ISBN 978-1-944037-76-5 them accessible and appealing to a gen- culture with the protection of a shepherd. This fine book from Dizikes (Opera in eral readership by understanding how I was sadly mistaken”). He critiques college America: A Cultural History), professor people take in and process information. player evaluations (“a modern-day slave emeritus of American Studies at UC– Acknowledging that readers “may be trade where we were measured, weighed, Santa Cruz, follows the lives and work of surprised by the amount of cognitive

54 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_NONFICTION science” in what’s billed as a writing The Birth of Modern Belief: less-than-desirable neighborhoods is cru- guide, she explains, per the title, “that’s Faith and Judgment from the cial. It’s only when people feel comfortable, because the end goal [of writing] is Middle Ages to the Enlightenment the authors suggest, that they will be truly being understood, and understanding is Ethan H. Shagan. Princeton Univ., $35 (392p) honest about sin and begin to understand a cognitive function.” It’s a unique way to ISBN 978-0-691-17474-7 the biblical principles for accepting God’s approach the topic, and while it may not Shagan (The Rule of Moderation), a pro- forgiveness. Cowles and Roberts note that resonate with everyone, it’s worthy of fessor of history at the University of the process of recovery can be messy and investigation. Moreover, her belief that California, Berkeley, traces the surpris- complicated, and that setbacks are the world needs effective communicators ingly complicated evolving meaning of common; however, “Failure is not fatal,” of challenging and multifaceted topics belief in this engrossing intellectual his- they write, and it is important to keep provides this entry into a crowded genre tory. Rather than looking at shifts in what the focus on the hope for lasting change. with an unusually compelling reason for people believe in, Shagan questions what Multiple stories of those who were led to being. (BookLife) belief actually means to them. Starting recovery through the Genesis Project are with the church fathers and scholastics, featured, though they are all brief and serve Shagan shows that various understandings only to undergird already established Religion/Spirituality of belief existed in the medieval era, but points. The frequent viewpoint shifts and that all Christians reserved it exclusively lack of real detail will make this book Atheist Overreach: for communal religious claims. During appealing to those in outreach ministry but What Atheism Can’t Deliver the Reformation, arguments about belief hard for general readers to follow. (Dec.) Christian Smith. Oxford Univ., $19.95 (168p) intensified, with Protestants insisting that ISBN 978-0-19-088092-7 belief had to remake one’s life, Catholics ★ Muhammad: Forty Smith (The Bible Made Impossible), a arguing that belief meant strict adherence Introductions professor of sociology at the University of to tradition, and radical reformers taking Michael Muhammad Knight. Soft Skull, $16.95 Notre Dame, highlights major flaws in a more mystical, transcendent approach. trade paper (320p) ISBN 978-1-593-76147-9 atheist arguments in this incisive collection This fragmentation allowed groups to In the vein of 40-hadith collections— of essays. He begins by tackling atheism’s accuse one another of not truly believing, well-known retellings of stories about the potential lack of ethical power in two Shagan says, and paved the way for atheism prophet Muhammad—Knight (Magic in essays. Atheists can be decent individuals, as a meaningful religious category. He Islam) delivers both a personal practitio- he argues, but atheism does not provide concludes with the Enlightenment, per- ner’s and a scholar’s view of the many ways any persuasive reasons to deny self-interest. suasively arguing that thinkers of the era Muhammad is imagined today. More than He specifically targets the naturalism of expanded belief beyond religious contexts a survey of the prophet’s life and times, atheism as a hindrance for supporting and thereby flattened distinctions between this book is an introduction to the stun- universal human rights, as bare evolution types of knowledge. This impressive ning diversity of Islam and the ways in would only encourage concern with those unpacking of the now-common-sense which Muslims think, dream, and make closest to an individual (such as family or understanding of knowledge glides Muhammad into their very own prophet. clan). His third essay lambasts scientists smoothly through its arguments and Knight addresses topics such as gender, for too eagerly slipping into theological provides useful insights for scholars in sexuality, law, arguments against belief in God, sug- religion and beyond. (Dec.) environmen- gesting that scientists ought to be more talism, and honest about the limits of their knowledge The God of New Beginnings: mysticism in and methods. In the final essay, he argues How the Power of Relationship chapters each that humans are not inevitably religious Brings Hope and Redeems Lives pegged to a but have easily activated innate capacities Rob Cowles and Matt Roberts. Thomas saying of or and inclinations to believe in powers Nelson, $16.99 trade paper (224p) ISBN 978- story about beyond themselves. This counters some 0-7852-2035-0 Muhammad. atheists’ claims that religion can wither Cowles and Roberts—founding pastors For instance, a and die with sufficient rational education. of the Genesis Project, a church that focuses story about Smith’s powerful arguments never collapse on outreach toward the nonreligious— the prophet into apologetics or defense of theism, but offer a clear guide to key Christian princi- allowing a Bedouin to urinate within a instead offer crucial weak spots for atheists ples for reaching and helping those whose mosque is used as precedent for not to consider. These thoughtful essays and lives are in chaos. The authors begin by immediately censuring profane behavior. their refreshingly balanced approach will recounting their purchase of a strip club He also uses the often-cited “Hadith of appeal to a general audience searching in Fort Collins, Colo., in order to turn it Intention” (a selection of Muhammad’s for clarity and precision in considering into a church. To bring the gospel message sayings that question the intention behind the shortcomings of atheist debates. of Christ to those suffering from addiction, behaviors) as, Knight says, a way to “assess (Dec.) violence, and poverty, Cowles and Roberts personal choices beyond simple questions believe that establishing safe spaces in of permissible or prohibited.” Anyone

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who picks up this sparkling book will be introduced to the many Muhammads who [Q&A] exist in the world and the ways in which PW they are in conversation with each other Talks ith Joy Ladin in the lives of Muslims across the globe. Fresh Facets (Jan.) ★ On Thomas Merton Poet and scholar Ladin mines Jewish tradition for deeper Mary Gordon. Shambhala, $24.99 (160p) understanding in The Soul of the Stranger: Reading God and Torah ISBN 978-1-61180-337-2 from a Transgender Perspective (Brandeis Univ., Nov.). This brilliant, incisive work from biographer, novelist, and memoirist Gordon What led you to write this book now? What would you say to those who (Reading Jesus) examines the relationship— This book grew out of things I had claim the Torah cannot be used to sup- and tension—between 20th-century been writing and talking about for port the lives of queer people? Christian philosopher Thomas Merton’s years since my transition. There’s an In one way, I completely understand dual roles as writer and monk. Gordon understandable assumption in both the that. The Torah, however, is only approaches her subject through four facets LGBTQ world and in the wider world interested in people when they are of Merton’s writing life: his relationship that LGBTQ identities are inherently leaving their accustomed roles and with the church that censored him; his secular. I kept finding that people their relationship with God is requiring bestselling memoir, The Seven-Story were interested in understanding the them to become something the people Mountain; his novel My Argument with the different way that my trans identity around them do not understand. If you Gestapo; and his private journals (which could relate to religious don’t value that human Gordon quotes from extensively). The engagement. My rela- beings are always more than author depicts a man often in conflict with tionship with God and our assigned roles, you can’t himself and his Torah kept me going recognize that we are cre- church, a man through some hard times ated in the image of God or who felt com- and I wanted to talk make room for God who is pelled to write about that out of grati- never going to conform to and yet who tude. I hoped to promote human habits. hated being the kind of conversations pressured to that were being skipped How does your work as write: “I am over in the legal and a poet influence your sickened by political promotion of ©lisa ross theological work? being treated as trans identity. When writing, I did not realize I did an article for not know who I was writing to because sale, as a com- Has your relationship with the Torah I was quite pleased with the ideas. It modity... God have mercy on me,” and changed since your gender transition? was this messy hybrid of nervous later, “Today I feel hateful, and miserable, Absolutely. When I was living as a academic twitches and creative flights exhausted, and I would gladly die... Abbot male but I knew I wasn’t, God was of fancy and needed to be completely Dom James [his host and patron] is in really the character I identified with. rewritten. Writing poetry has given absolute control of a bird that everyone wants to hear sing.” The section on his There was a real lack of sympathy for me a lot of practice in shaping my journals, where Merton expressed himself the flawed characters who were all men language in response to the readers I freely, is the strongest part of the book— and women and I wasn’t either. I was imagine. I realized the academic stuff particularly Gordon’s reaction to entries forced to confront the fact that my didn’t matter to me. I was talking written shortly before Merton’s death in readings were based on a very childlike about the most intimate truths I knew 1968. “Because this flawed mess of a man anthropomorphization of God. I in terms of my religious life and my lived every day with fullness, with a heart- started to realize other human beings life as a trans person and I wanted to felt passion,” Gordon writes, “I close the talk intimately and honestly to as many project their own experience of gender journal, and I weep.” Readers will be just onto God. My gender transition people as possible. I stripped the lan- as affected by this intelligent, moving helped me see the ways my unusual guage down and kept trying to imagine book. (Dec.) readings of the Torah made me like leaning over urgently, as if your body other people rather than setting me is trying to move your words into your Shameless: A Sexual Reformation apart. friend’s body. —Dai Neman Nadia Bolz-Weber. Convergent, $25 (224) ISBN 978-1-60142-758-8 In this mix of memoir and call to

56 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_NONFICTION action, Bolz-Weber (Pastrix) draws on week dedicated ONLINE experiences from friends, congregants, to a different NOW www.publishersweekly.com and her life growing up evangelical in theme: mind- order to offer a new framework for fulness and FICTION Christian teachings about sex, gender, and goal-setting, ★ Creatures of Want and Ruin Molly Tanzer. relationships. A former pastor, Bolz-Weber elevating HMH/Adams, ISBN 978-1-328-71025-3, Nov. expertly sets her critique of Christianity’s healthy habits, The Dream Gatherer Kristen Britain. DAW, current teachings and her own ideas for removing ISBN 978-0-7564-1496-2, Nov. reform in dialogue with biblical texts, unhealthy The Last Unicorn: The Lost Journey Peter S. early and recent Christian thinkers, and habits, creating Beagle. Tachyon, ISBN 978-1-61696-308-8, Nov. evangelical cultural models for femininity, balance, glori- masculinity, and sex. Her aim is to retrieve fying God, and The Rising Tide J. Scott Coatsworth. DSP, ISBN 978-1-64108-118-4, Nov. what’s of value from within Christianity— dedication to a renewed spirit. Each and posit what is missing and needed—in chapter focuses on a daily plan rooted in ★ Roar of Sky Beth Cato. Harper Voyager, order to create a more forgiving, empow- the “pillars of promise” (nutrition, sleep, ISBN 978-0-06-269225-2, Nov. ering community that encompasses the and exercise combined with a daily pur- The Rust Maidens Gwendolyn Kiste. Journal- many Christians (and non-Christians) poseful prayer, Bible verse, and an act of Stone, ISBN 978-1-947654-44-0, Nov. who find themselves left out in the cold by service) that serves to foster a healthy the church. Bolz-Weber proposes dropping lifestyle and create a deeper connection Thin Air Richard K. Morgan. Del Rey, ISBN 978-0- 345-49312-5, Nov. the abstinence-only approach by instead with God and community. For the exercise using concern as the criteria for sexual portion of the program, detailed instruc- Texas Hold’em, edited by George R.R. Martin. health. By this standard, a devout tions for workouts are laid out in each Tor, SBN 978-0-7653-9059-2, Nov. Christian with concern for his or her chapter and followed up at the end of the Blood Communion Anne Rice. Knopf, spiritual health would abstain from sex book with a variety of options for people ISBN 978-1-5247-3264-6, Oct. before marriage. More concern for healthy of all fitness levels. Christian readers Bright Young Dead Jessica Fellowes. Minotaur, sexuality from Christian teachers would looking to maintain faithfulness and ISBN 978-1-250-17081-1, Oct. also, in Bolz-Weber’s estimation, allow healthy habits will find great advice in room for rethinking “sexual ethics, this approachable work. (Dec.) A New York State of Fright: Horror Stories from the Empire State, edited by James gender, orientation, extramarital sex, and Chambers, April Grey, and Robert Masterson. the inherent goodness of the human Stars Upside Down: Hippocampus, ISBN 978-1-61498-227-2, Oct. body.” The book is aimed at multiple A Memoir of Travel, Grief, ★ Time’s Children D.B. Jackson. Angry Robot, readerships: disaffected and alienated and an Incandescent God ISBN 978-0-85766-791-5, Oct. Christians; ex-Christians who left the Jennie Goutet. CreateSpace, $11.99 e-book church due to restrictive, problematic, (262p) ISBN 978-1-5236-8899-9 Occupy Me Tricia Sullivan. Titan, ISBN 978-1- and heteronormative teachings; and the Blogger Goutet (The Viscount of Maisons- 78565-798-6, Sept. still-committed Christians who struggle Laffitte) details her travels abroad, as well ★ Vengeful V.E. Schwab. Tor, ISBN 978-0-7653- with those same teachings. Accessibly as her early adult experiences living in 8752-3, Sept. written, Bolz-Weber’s powerful book New York City, in this revealing, energetic NONFICTION effectively presents sexually liberating memoir. She starts with her brief brushes Africa’s Business Revolution: How to and inclusive guidance within a Christian with religion as an adolescent before a Succeed in the World’s Next Big Growth context. (Jan.) more serious consideration of faith as an Market Ache Leke, Mutsa Chironga, and Georges Desvaux. Harvard Business Review, adult. A Christian counselor convinced ISBN 978-1-633-69440-8, Nov. Seven Sundays: A Faith, Fitness, her that she needed to accept Jesus during and Food Plan for Lasting Spiritual college: “So I took a deep breath and said Bill Duke: My 40-Year Career on Screen and Behind the Cameras Bill Duke. Rowman and Physical Change inwardly, Um. Jesus? I opened the door to & Littlefield, ISBN 978-1-5381-0555-9, Nov. Alex Penix. Howard, $26 (304p) ISBN 978-1- my heart so you could come in. Suddenly 5011-8985-2 I felt a little sick. I felt invaded. No, no, Creative Selection: Inside Apple’s Design Process During the Golden Age of Steve Celebrity fitness trainer Penix makes get out. Get out! I don’t know you.” Jobs Ken Kocienda. St. Martin’s, ISBN 978-1-250- the connection between living a faithful Eventually, Goutet found this same 19446-6, Sept. life and living a healthy lifestyle in this vulnerable feeling to be reassuring, and animated debut. Penix shares his story of became involved in a church in New York. salve for that depression, and spends her moving to Hollywood and his quest to fit After she got married, Goutet and her final chapters on her current work in in; he writes that he couldn’t find the husband traveled to Kenya to serve as France. Goutet demonstrates in this fulfillment he was searching for until he missionaries. She was unprepared for the candid and engaging story how maturing formed a connection with Christ. The poverty and suffering she witnessed, and spiritually can alleviate depression. book walks readers through a six-week soon she spiraled into depression. She (BookLife) plan in the style of a devotional, with each then describes her volunteer work as a

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complete, though, until every chicken Children’s/YA gets a voice of its own. Artwork by Krosoczka (Hey, Kiddo) uses softly sketched lines and gentle farmyard hues Picture Books to provide a sense of the farm’s peace and the chickens’ cleverness. MacLachlan (My Goat’s Coat Father’s Words) offers droll dialogue, a Tom Percival, illus. by Christine Pym. bucolic setting, and a spirited defense of Bloomsbury, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-68119- animals as distinct beings with unac- 901-6 knowledged powers of observation. Ages In buoyant rhymed couplets and well- 4–8. (Jan.) executed meter, Percival (Perfectly Norman) underscores the rewards of ★ Gilda the Giant Sheep resourcefulness and care in this cheering Emilio Urberuaga, trans. from the Spanish by friendship story. Winsome multimedia art Ben Dawlatly. NubeOcho, $17.95 (44p) by Pym (Little Mouse’s Big Breakfast) shows ISBN 978-8-41712-324-6 Alfonzo the goat cutting a dapper figure, A dirigible-size sheep supplies the clad in a flashy checked coat that is comic premise for this fable by Spanish An enormous fluffy sheep has a big, brave admired by all the neighborhood animals. artist Urberuaga (Carlota Wouldn’t Say adventure in Gilda the Giant Sheep (reviewed When he hears the sad croaking of a frog on this page). Boo), published in English with new art family whose log has rotted away, the goat 25 years after its European release. Gilda selflessly rips the cuffs off his jacket to are the tender pod/ hold me.” The sail is an industry of her own, requiring 20 fashion a boat for them. “Alfonzo’s new fills, and the family’s sea journey begins. shepherds to shear and milk her. When coat didn’t look quite so smart,/ but he “I am the drifting boat/ you are the quiet they tire of the work and her “giant sheep felt a warm glow in the depths of his deep/ buoy me.” Their voyage never seems ears” overhear them scheming to kill her heart.” The jacket becomes increasingly dangerous, and sometimes is sweetly fan- for her meat, she takes off for the nearest unraveled as Alfonzo tears off bits and ciful, as when they rescue a stranded polar metropolis. After a King Kong–style sky- pieces to aid other friends, until the gar- bear. At journey’s end, safe refuge awaits. scraper climb (“She looked like a huge ment is reduced to a collar and a pocket, With a story that suggests a flight from woolly cloud”) and a failed attempt to join which, in a particularly moving scene, violence but does not dwell on it, adults the circus, Gilda performs a heroic rescue he uses to save a chick stranded in a tree. can explain as much or as little to young and enters a career suited to her big heart When the coatless ungulate ends up shiv- readers as they are ready to hear. Ages and even bigger size. Illustrations are in ering in a blizzard, his pals pay his kind- 3–7. (Dec.) the tradition of Steinberg and Sempé, the ness forward, and the story leads to a characters captured in economical, expres- rewarding and colorful finale featuring Chicken Talk sive ink lines, with washed skies in var- Alfonzo and other animal friends sporting Patricia MacLachlan, illus. by Jarrett J. ious shades of blue and rose. Gilda’s misfit dazzling cold-weather garb. Ages 3–6. Krosoczka. HarperCollins/Tegen, $17.99 status (“I’m completely useless”) makes (Dec.) (32p) ISBN 978-0-06-239864-2 her final triumph more satisfying; there’s A farmer and his family have 12 a place for everyone, Urberuaga argues— Pea Pod Lullaby beloved chickens, among them seven hens one just needs to find it. A Spanish edi- Glenda Millard, illus. by Stephen Michael named Joyce. The whole group listens tion will publish simultaneously. Ages King. Candlewick, $16.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1- avidly during readaloud time, and the 4–8. (Jan.) 5362-0197-0 hens “sometimes sat on the porch chairs The Australian duo created this story and looked out over the meadow like ele- ★ Is That You, Eleanor Sue? during a real-time gallery collaboration, a gant ladies.” Then a message appears in Tricia Tusa. Roaring Brook/Porter, $17.99 note explains. In loose pencil, colorful the dirt: “No more arugula.” Willie and (32p) ISBN 978-1-250-14323-5 wash, and lyrical lines, they portray a ref- Belle, the farmer’s children, ponder the Disguised in an impressive bouffant ugee family’s journey in the gentlest pos- mystery. “Only the chickens eat arugula,” wig and a green dress, Eleanor Sue climbs sible light. King draws a mother with a Willie points out, and a hen named Trixie out her bedroom window, knocks on her babe in her arms and an older child and gives the kids a pointed look. Their par- own front door, and introduces herself to hound running through coils of barbed ents, Otis and Abby, are quick to believe: her mother as Mrs. McMuffins, a new wire away from a fiery battlefield. Yet the “I thought Trixie liked arugula,” Abby neighbor. Eleanor’s mother has lots of figures’ features betray no trauma. A tiny, says. The birds’ messages develop from time and a deep well of patience, and she scruffy boat awaits them. Millard writes there, with one request for “more stories invites her visitor in for tea. But that’s just in the prayerful voice of a child addressing about brave chickens” and a growing ret- the beginning: throughout the day, a parent, or a loved one addressing the inue of bystanders clamoring after eggs Eleanor’s mother opens her door to a beloved: “I am the small green pea/ you and chicken talk both. The story isn’t witch, a wizard, and a bear; accepts a

58 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_CHILDREN’S

Words, Words, Words

Two books celebrate the wondrous world of words.

What a Wonderful Word: A Collection of ★ The Lost Words Untranslatable Words from Around the World Robert Macfarlane, illus. by Jackie Morris. Anansi International, $35 Nicola Edwards, illus. by Luisa Uribe. Kane Miller, $14.99 (64p) (128p) ISBN 978-1-4870-0538-2 ISBN 978-1-61067-722-6 A deeply reflective and gorgeously illustrated oversize volume Sometimes the right word is just a lexicon away. In this lists natural words that were excluded from the most recent compact volume, Edwards introduces words across multiple edition of the Oxford Junior Dictionary, among them dandelion, languages that singularly express particular emotions, con- heron, willow, and wren (replacement words cepts, and actions. Uribe accompanies the definitions with in that text include broadband and blog). gently fanciful scenes and abstract representations. For Nature and travel writer Macfarlane offers verschlimmbesserung (“a supposed improvement that makes “a spellbook for conjuring back these lost things worse”), Edwards shares the story of words” and transforms each inclusion into an elderly woman who, in 2012, attempted a marvelous lyrical acrostic; Morris’s to repair a 19th-century fresco of Jesus paintings of wildlife echo the complexity “and made a pretty spectacular mess of it.” and vibrancy of Macfarlane’s poetry. For the In Arabic, the word ishq means “a perfect word starling, the named bird, painted in detail, perches on a love without jealously or inconsistency branch against a gold background, while the acrostic begins: that holds two people together”; Uribe offers a tender image “Should green-as-moss be mixed with/ blue-of-steel be mixed of a couple holding hands. With soft-spoken humor, Edwards with gleam-of-gold/ you’d still fall short by far of the – / Tar- conveys how relatable experiences connect human beings bright oil-slick sheen and/ gloss of starling wing.” The duo across languages and cultures while shedding light on the captures mystery and magic throughout, offering up “spells of whimsy (“playfully quaint or fanciful behavior or humor”) and many kinds that might just, by the old, strong magic of being complexity of evolving language. All ages. (Sept.) spoken aloud... summon lost words back.” All ages. (Oct.) delivery of flowers from her own garden; several locks and a surveillance camera. imaginations sometimes miss what’s greets a cat; and at last answers the door in “That apartment belongs to a family of closest to them. Ages 4–8. (Jan.) a costume of her own. Imaginative but thieves,” the girl announces; the apart- never too precious talk shared between ment, revealed in a page turn, contains a I Wish It Would Snow! mother and daughter underscores realistic symphony of luxurious museum pieces, Sarah Dillard. Aladdin, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978- character play (“I wore my shoes right and the family is dressed all in black, with 1-5344-0676-6 through, ma’am,” Eleanor-as-delivery- face masks. The door on floor two is “always A bunny in a woolly red sweater revels person says as her mother proffers a foot- surrounded by muddy footprints.” A in the beauty and leafiness of autumn. But bath), and Eleanor’s hints at the personas gardener? No. when the leaves finally carpet the forest to come reward alert listeners. Artwork by “That is the floor in gold and orange—Dillard Tusa (Follow Me) in a palette of rose, home of an old (Extraordinary Warren) draws every one of sienna, and green offers instant accessi- explorer and his them individually to give a sense of how bility to the characters’ emotions and all pet tiger.” Each quickly abundance turns into excess—the the warmth of the Sunday funnies. family enterprise rabbit is filled with fall ennui. “I need it Eleanor’s mother takes obvious delight in is more unlikely to snow!” it says, throwing itself around her daughter’s inventiveness in this cele- than the next, in what looks very much like a tantrum. bration of creative play, simple pleasures, and the spreads And the snow arrives. But the pretty and bighearted love. Ages 4–8. (Dec.) burst with swirling white dots soon blot out the appropriate domestic detritus; a vampire wintry lavender sky, and the weather goes ★ The Neighbors seamster’s apartment (floor four) is littered from catch-a flake-on-the-tip-of-the- Einat Tsarfati, trans. from the Hebrew by with notions and art deco furniture. The tongue fun to bowl-one-over blizzardy Annette Appel. Abrams, $16.99 (40p) ISBN 978- girl’s own apartment, by contrast, has (“When will it stop?”). Sledding with 1-4197-3168-6 ordinary furniture and an ordinary set of friends offers a momentary respite, but by The girl with the bright-green frog parents. Or does it? Tsarfati (An After then, spring is already on its way. Here we umbrella who narrates this tightly focused Bedtime Story) offers accomplished execu- go again: “I wish it would snow,” the story has invented tales about her build- tion, sureness of line, and restrained, rabbit thinks anew, sneezing on the fresh ing’s residents based on the distinctive urbane humor. Her story celebrates both flowers. Dillard’s array of compositional appearance of their doors. The first has imaginative power and the way great styles includes comics-like panels and an continued on p. 62

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 59 Review_CHILDREN’S

Get on the STEAM Train

STEAM-focused books offer much to engage readers.

Baby Loves Green Energy! tially useful objects, setting the stage for further inventions. Also Ruth Spiro, illus. by Irene Chan. Charlesbridge, $8.99 (20p) ISBN 978-1- available: The Great Go-Kart Race (Science) and Robot Repairs 58089-926-0 (Technology). Ages 4–6. (Oct.) In this addition to the Baby Loves Science board book series, Spiro uses a familiar reference to create a global warming analogy: The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal “Baby has a blanket... When Baby puts the blanket on, she feels Nick Seluk. Orchard, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-338-16697-2 warm... The earth has a blanket, too. Just like Baby! The earth’s Comics artist and author Seluk (Heart and Brain) educates readers blanket is air.” Chan illustrates in cheerful images, including a about the sun’s very important job. In bold, bright graphics, Seluk smiling, anthropomorphic Earth; the baby, who has blue-black introduces the sun and planets looking a bit like chatty Gobstoppers. hair and a serene expression, shows concern as she learns that The sun’s star status is apparent, from its dark sunglasses to its greenhouse gasses are making the Earth too hot under its blanket. fawning fans: “Could I have your autograph? It’s for, um, my moon, A spread shows vehicles and factories puffing out cloudy emissions, Callisto,” Jupiter requests. The sun gives light to Earth, provides leading to the question “How can people help?” Chan suggests warmth, and “helps bring us rain and grow plants to produce the green energy options with images of wind turbines and solar oxygen we breathe,” Seluk explains. Using playful analogies, visual panels, and lists tips for how family members of all ages can help gags, and infographics, the author presents key concepts in the Earth (turning out lights, recycling). A timely primer for early astronomy: planets are seen moving around the sun on a racetrack, ecologists. Ages up to 3. (Oct.) and another spread clearly shows how Earth’s temperatures range because of varying degrees of direct sunlight. It’s a playful, upbeat ★ 3 x 4 introduction to the galaxy, with a brief exploration of more distant Ivan Brunetti. Toon, $12.95 (40p) ISBN 978-1-943145-34-8 planets and stars. Ages 4–8. (Oct.) Cartoonist Brunetti (Wordplay) stages another concept-driven comic for early readers. “For your homework, you’ll draw 12 How Big Is Big? How Far Is Far? All Around Me things, but in sets,” a teacher wearing a plaid shirt and bow-tie Illus. by Jun Cen. Little Gestalten, $24.95 (48p) ISBN 978-3-89955-812-8 instructs. In full-bleed and four-panel spreads using dialogue This thought-provoking volume contemplates the relative balloons, Brunetti shows the children’s thought processes: “I can’t attributes of humans, animals, and the planet. “What is the hot- decide... Draw 3 things, 4 times each? Or 4 test thing you can think of? Are you thinking of the Sun?” posits things, 3 times each?” one boy ponders. A one spread (a bolt of lightning is hotter than the sun’s surface, it glance at a carton of eggs makes the assign- reveals). While most humans could not “walk happily in a land of ment more clear: “Oh, as long as I have 12! ice,” a polar fox survives at temperature of -58 degrees Fahrenheit. Mom, I’m hungry!” Another student draws a monster with four A cicada can jump up to 28 inches, which is 400 times its own heads, legs, and tails. Brunetti’s India ink and digital art features height: “If humans could do the same, we would easily hop over a playful scenes; figures have ball-like heads, blocky torsos, and elon- tower 50 floors high.” Cen illustrates in an alluring style with gated arms. As the characters work through the multiplication novel use of angle and perspective to underline the book’s compar- concept on their own terms, readers are sure to arrive at a clearer isons. Readers will pick up some juicy trivia, sure, but more understanding. Ages 3–6. (Sept.) broadly, the book may inspire them to think differently about humans’ place within the wide world. Ages 5–up. (Oct.) STEAM Stories: The Backyard Build (Engineering) Jonathan Litton, illus. by Magalí Mansilla. QEB, $12.95 (24p) ISBN 978-1- The Book of Comparisons: 78603-281-2 Sizing Up the World Around You Litton kicks off the STEAM Stories series of small interactive Clive Gifford, illus. by Paul Boston. Kane Miller, $17.99 (96p) ISBN 978-1- books. With their kite in a tree, their swing broken, and their 61067-667-0 soccer ball flat, friends Max and Suzy feel that they have nothing This slightly oversize volume compares and contrasts everything to play with. But when their handy neighbor, Miss Gizmo, builds under the sun—and beyond. Gifford compares the Earth’s longest a bird bath using a broom handle and tray, they are inspired to get geological and human-made structures, animals’ food consumption– to work. Under her guidance, they fix the swing using a sturdy to-poop ratios, the sizes of small animals to those of common chain, then make a seesaw and slide out of wood they already have. objects, and the energy produced from different seismic events. Litton emphasizes the use of problem-solving logic and trial and Infographic charts, graphs, and timelines show how the subjects error: “Although the plastic was slippery, Max couldn’t slide measure up, and Boston compares the approximate real size of an down. ‘Why can’t I slide, Miss Gizmo?’ ” Mansilla illustrates in African giant snail, a goliath bird-eating spider, a large butterfly, bright, cartoon graphics speckled with an assortment of poten- and stick insect on the page. Gifford conveys information in a

60 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_CHILDREN’S

compact, digestible format while inviting readers to observe, empires, the industrial revolution, and both world wars. Timelines, scrutinize, and reflect upon their own surroundings. Ages 7–up. illustrations, photographs, charts, maps, and other infographics (Sept.) supply a welcome visual element. A final chapter discusses landmark modern events (including the U.N.’s Universal Declaration of Tell Me: Science and Inventions Human Rights, Neil Armstrong’s landing on the moon, and the Sabine Boccador, illus. by Patrick Chenot et al. Barron’s, $14.99 (126p) arrival of the first personal computer). Readers will garner a basic ISBN 978-1-4380-5061-4 understanding of the scope of geological time, the progression of This addition to the Tell Me series of compact reference guides human civilization, and (although the content skews somewhat explores four topics relating to science and inventions. Boccador toward the Western world) defining historical moments, while offers questions and answers within each of the subject areas, the brief presentation is just enough to spark readers’ interest in which are marked by colorful tabs. A section about the Earth asks: learning more. Ages 9–12. (Oct.) “What is an island?” The answer immediately follows: “Some islands are pieces of land that the ocean has split off from a conti- Robot nent. Others are the tops of volcanoes that surfaced in the middle DK, $19.99 (160p) ISBN 978-1-4654-7584-8 of the ocean.” In the section about space, readers learn about the Once upon a time, “robots were machines of the future,” but, as expansion of the universe and dark matter, while in “Everyday this image-rich volume attests, robots are no longer the stuff of Phenomena,” questions include “Why do people sweat?” and speculative fiction. Rogers traces robot evolution from early “What is an echo?” Boccador provides an accessible, information- mechanical machines and automata to artificial intelligence. In packed volume enhanced by gentle cartoons and three pages of bold, clear graphics, readers are introduced to work robots like stickers. Ages 8–12. (Sept.) the “six-legged scuttler,” robotic submersibles, space robots, and biomimetic robots such as a bionic kangaroo. Models show the My First Book of Quantum Physics interior circuitry of the robots, while readers can also see them Sheddad Kaid-Salah Ferrón, illus. by Eduard Altarriba. Button, $17.99 in mid-motion as they perform their applications: a robot pro- (48p) ISBN 978-1-78708-013-3 grammed to work on factory floors grasps an egg with its adjust- Educator Ferrón takes a lively approach to quantum physics, able “gripper.” Elsewhere, a child with a neuromuscular disease detailing the history of classical physics and introducing key walks with a lower-body exoskeleton bot. Robots may be much concepts. Following this groundwork, the book explores experi- more commonplace today, but Rogers shows that their ubiquity ments and theories that were pivotal in the development of modern doesn’t make them any less cool. Ages 9–12. (Sept.) quantum physics, such as Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle (“Things are so small in the quantum world that we cannot avoid The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistry: disturbing them when we look at them”). 24 Experiments for Young Scientists Offset from the main text are key takeaways from Sean Connolly. Workman, $14.95 (256p) ISBN 978-0-7611-8010-4 the experiments and theories: of Schrödinger’s This substantial chemistry primer (following The Book of cat, he writes “The mind-blowing thing is that Totally Irresponsible Science) explores complex concepts in an it is our act of looking that forces nature to decide approachable, graphics-laden format. Connolly’s first 20 chapters what state the cat is in!” Altarriba’s busy art in focus on a single element per section—discussing each element’s reds, teals, and yellows includes personified particles and a cutesy discovery and attributes, and concluding with an experiment. Einstein. Models and charts offer concrete representations of concepts, Later chapters round up the “Dirty Dozen,” denoting elements too while a spread devoted to future uses for modern physics (teleporta- dangerous for experimentation. Connolly writes with light humor tion, flexible screens, nanorobots) should further captivate readers. that serves to spark readers’ natural curiosity: “Red phosphorous Ages 8–up. (Sept.) is the most common form of the element, and it is the only phosphorus that you’ll ever come across—unless you’re really unlucky.” Absolutely Everything! The experiments are accessible and intriguing: “Playing Cat A History of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots Detective” invites readers to use a black lightbulb to detect cat and Other Things Too Numerous to Mention urine (it contains phosphorus, which glows under ultraviolet Christopher Lloyd, illus. by Andy Forshaw. What on Earth, $21.99 (352p) light, Connolly explains). Charts and sidebars offer visual variety ISBN 978-1-9998028-3-7 to weightier sections of text, and playful illustrations anthropo- This ambitious volume chronicles life on Earth as we know it, morphize the elements (hydrogen resembles a bearded wizard). beginning with the big bang. Chronologically, Lloyd covers dino- This is a lively, hands-on introduction to chemistry. Ages 9–up. saurs, the birth of modern humans, ancient civilizations, classical (Nov.)

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continued from p. 59 almost vertiginous high-angle view. And grandfather fan fiction, and when she discovers lesbian though magical thinking sometimes sends him an pulp novels from the 1950s and early ’60s, collides with the forces of nature, Dillard old tin robot she’s enthralled and sets out to examine wisely chooses to give her protagonist a with a note that the genre. The books are rule-bound—the skewed resilience that’s both funny and says “this one is women must straighten out or die tragi- absurdly admirable. For this rabbit, special,” myste- cally—but one tells a love story that tomorrow’s always another day for rious and fright- Abby can’t stop thinking about, particu- yearning—and kvetching. Ages 4–8. ening things larly because she’s trying to understand Agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Dec.) begin to whether love can last. Talley (Our Own happen. Soon, Private Universe) toggles effectively Romeosaurus and Juliet Rex Alex is swept between excerpts from Janet’s book, the Mo O’Hara, illus. by Andrew Joyner. along in his two women’s lives, and Abby’s research as HarperCollins, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-06- grandfather’s wake, first to Paris and then the stories draw together. Though sec- 265274-4 to Prague, pursued by dangerous people ondary characters feel underdrawn, the When Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers and the animated robots they are capable tale is original and delivers some inter- become dinosaurs, “both alike in lizard- of powering. Alex’s grandfather has ebul- esting LGBTQ history, and the tone of ness,” it’s good-bye principles of tragedy, lient charm, and his humorous patter the novels within it is pleasantly pulpy. hello nonstop jokes. Instead of Montagues leavens a well-crafted adventure that’s Ages 12–up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, and Capulets, Romeo is an herbivore filled with desperate chases, narrow Goderich, & Bourret. (Nov.) stegosaurus, the sort of dino that Juliet escapes, fight scenes, and twists. Over Rex’s carnivorous family eats for dinner. the course of the escapade, Alex strug- ★ Skyward The two instantly connect at a party, gles with doubts about his grandfather’s Brandon Sanderson. Delacorte, $19.99 despite the fact that Romeosaurus must remarkable—but perhaps less-than-rep- (528p) ISBN 978-0-399-55577-0 liberate his aunt from the buffet table, utable—past, his own possible connection In a mysterious world called Detritus where she’s the main dish. A balcony to their pursuers, and the allure of power where humans live below the surface, scene ensues—although, as Juliet help- and the newfound autonomy it offers. 16-year-old Spensa must overcome her fully points out, “There’s a stone ramp Drawing on and modernizing stories of deceased starfighter pilot father’s reputa- over there”—and after a misunder- golems, debut author Love cleverly tion as a coward following his alleged standing at the tar pits, the families agree interweaves them with the history of robots desertion. She has always hoped to follow to put aside their differences. O’Hara and leaves some intriguing mysteries in his footsteps and defend her home (the My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish series) unresolved, hinting at further adventures from the increasingly devastating attacks and Joyner (The Pink Hat) know their to come. Ages 8–12. Agent: Catherine of the alien Krell. After earning a cadet audience well: in this version, the rela- Drayton, InkWell Management. (Nov.) spot in the Defiant Defense Force, Spensa tionship remains strictly platonic (“They pushes to prove herself amid relentless, giggled, they talked, they played”), and Pulp unforgiving, possibly fatal training. the irreverence is such that even readers Robin Talley. Harlequin Teen, $18.99 (448p) Worse, there are those determined to keep whose cultural literacy doesn’t yet include ISBN 978-1-335-01290-6 Spensa from becoming a pilot at all, for the Bard will feel in on the spoof. In 1955, aspiring author Janet, a shel- fear that she’ll turn out like her father. Dinosaurs dressed in medieval garb are as tered teen living in Washington, D.C., But Spensa has a surprise of her own: she’s funny as they sound, but the cartooning has no words for what she feels for her best discovered a long-abandoned starfighter never takes potshots at its improbable friend, Marie, and she’s living through the of unknown origin that could change her characters. Juliet may be a huge green Lavender Scare that forced LGBTQ people luck, and the war, once and for all. With tyrannosaur, but she’s also figuratively out of government jobs. When she finds a this action-packed trilogy opener, Sanderson fierce in her puffy dress. Ages 4–8. lesbian novel at a bus station, she’s (Steelheart) offers up a resourceful, fearless Author’s agent: Gemma Cooper, the Bent inspired to write one herself. Sixty-two heroine and a memorable cast—including Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Kirsten Hall, years later, high a strangely humorous, mushroom- Catbird Productions. (Dec.) school senior obsessed robot—set against the backdrop Abby lives in of a desperate conflict. As the pulse- the same city; pounding story intensifies and reveals its Fiction her love life is secrets, a cliffhanger ending sets things up hard because her for the next installment. Ages 12–up. (Nov.) ★ Monstrous Devices girlfriend Damien Love. Viking, $17.99 (352p) ISBN 978- dumped her, My Almost Flawless Tokyo 0-451-47858-0 not because Dream Life In an English suburb, 12-year-old Alex anyone disap- Rachel Cohn. Disney-Hyperion, $17.99 collects toy robots and tries to avoid proves. Abby (352p) ISBN 978-1-368-00839-6 relentless bullying at school. After his has long written Elle Zoellner’s life changes drastically

62 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 Review_CHILDREN’S on her 16th birthday, when Uncle Masa, a The mystery behind Mason’s provenance ONLINE family friend, arrives in Washington, and apparent immunity power the plot, NOW www.publishersweekly.com D.C., to take her to Tokyo to live with while the potential ramifications of his her estranged biological father, Kenji survival create tension. Bergin uses a FICTION Takahara, a Japanese hotel mogul. Elle clever premise and vividly sketched ★ 24 Hours in Nowhere Dusti Bowling. welcomes the opportunity: she has characters to illustrate the importance of Sterling, ISBN 978-1-4549-2924-6, Sept. bounced from one foster home to another compassion and inclusion, but stereotypi- The 48 Donna Hosie. Holiday House, ISBN 978-0- since her addict mother went to jail cally gendered world building (video 8234-3856-3, Sept. three months before. But she has diffi- games and organized sports don’t exist culty adjusting to Japanese customs, her without men), together with reductivist Not Even Bones Rebecca Schaeffer. Houghton aloof and formal father, the wealth that reflections on the social construction of Mifflin Harcourt, ISBN 978-1-328-86354-6, Sept. suddenly surrounds her, and the daily gender, lessen the story’s impact. Ages Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery reminder that she is both hafu (“half 14–up. (Nov.) Mary Amato. Carolrhoda Lab, ISBN 978-1-5124- Japanese, half something else”) and 6531-0, Sept. gaijin (a foreigner). When Elle begins The Red Ribbon Lucy Adlington. Candlewick, attending an elite international school, Nonfiction ISBN 978-1-5362-0104-8, Sept. she falls in with the “Ex-Brats,” the Summer Bird Blue Akemi Dawn Bowman. school’s coolest clique, and starts falling Just Right: Searching for the Simon Pulse, ISBN 978-1-4814-8775-7, Sept. for a boy whom they’ve “frozen out.” At Goldilocks Planet home, she barely sees her father, and Curtis Manley, illus. by Jessica Lanan. Roaring Unstoppable Moses Tyler James Smith. Flatiron, ISBN 978-1-250-13854-5, Sept. things are tense with her paternal grand- Brook, $18.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-250-15533-7 mother and aunt. Who is her family, Readers join a brown-skinned girl with The Wind Called My Name Mary Louise really? Cohn (Kill All Happies) creates a a polka-dotted backpack as she asks ques- Sanchez. Tu, ISBN 978-1-62014-780-1, Sept. relatable fish-out-of-water story with a tions about the stars and visits a space lively heroine and a message about sub- museum, where she watches exoplanets stance abuse, but the finale is rushed, and careen overhead in a planetarium. In courage Just attempts to highlight cultural differences sweeping, inky art, Lanan captures the from pur- are often distilled to simplistic idiomatic child’s dawning awareness of the vastness suing his misunderstandings (Masa, an educated of the universe. Manley’s writing swings passions; and well-traveled character, calls Coke gracefully between factual descriptions curiosity “dark sugar water”), keeping Elle’s family (“Earth orbits in our solar system’s ‘hab- and a strong and experience from coming fully to life. itable zone’ ”) and more lyrical observa- work ethic Ages 14–up. Agent: Jennifer Rudolph tions: “All stars twinkle, but some stars propelled Walsh, WME Entertainment. (Dec.) also seem to wink at us... as if saying, ‘I him to know a secret.’ ” Back home after the success as The XY museum trip, the child considers the a professor, Virginia Bergin. Fire, $17.99 (352p) ISBN 978- types of life-forms that might be out embryologist, and cytologist, even in the 1-4926-6217-4 there. Richly informative prose and inti- midst of jim crow segregation laws. Just This near-future novel from Bergin mate yet expansive art show a child’s con- attended a school his mother created in (H2O) is set in southwest Britain, 60 tagious enthusiasm for the book’s subject. South Carolina, and he paid his way years after a virus killed most of Earth’s Includes a timeline of astronomical dis- through Dartmouth College while sup- biologically born men. Women run the coveries and suggestions for further porting his siblings after she passed away. world, and boys and men now spend their reading. Ages 5–9. (Jan.) In muted blue hues, pencil and digital lives in sterilized Sanctuaries, valued only scenes by Uribe (The Queen and the First for their reproductive contributions. The Vast Wonder of the World: Christmas Tree) depict the undeterred sci- Teenage River has never even seen an Biologist Ernest Everett Just entist, surrounded by tools of his craft, “XY” until she stumbles across a sick, Mélina Mangal, illus. by Luisa Uribe. teaching at Howard University and fearful boy lying in the road and saves Millbrook, $19.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-5124-8375-8 working abroad: “Ernest worked in him in accordance with the Global School librarian and biographer Europe as often and as long as he could, Agreements, which require citizens to Mangal (Anne Hutchinson: Religious enjoying more warmth and respect than help one another. According to River’s Reformer) highlights Ernest Everett Just, a he’d ever felt in America.” Quotes from Mumma, their region’s National Council little-known African-American scientist Just, as well as creators’ notes, a timeline, representative, protocol dictates that from the turn of the 20th century who and source notes, wrap up this vivid, Mason receive no treatment other than unlocked the mysteries of “how the dif- inspiring tribute to a noteworthy life. painkillers. But the village’s remaining ferent parts of the cell worked together as Ages 8–9. Illustrator’s agent: Alli Brydon, granmummas, who lost loved ones to the new life developed.” Childhood hardships Bright USA. (Nov.) ■ pandemic, are determined to save him. of disease and family deaths didn’t dis-

WWW.PUBLISHERSWEEKLY.COM 63 Soapbox

“For years, I was smart, but being smart didn’t make me a writer.” My Metamorphosis An author finds that caring for others turns on his creative spirit

By Stephen Evans

In the movie version of Harvey, the char- moved in to take care of them. My acter of Elwood P. Dowd says, “Years ago writing during those years consisted my mother used to say to me... She’d say, mostly of short pieces. But I think it is ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be’—she some of my best work. always called me Elwood—‘in this world, After my parents passed away, I was Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so lucky to be able to take some time off. I pleasant.’ Well, for years I was smart. I thought I needed it—needed to get back recommend pleasant. You may quote me.” to being the person I used to be. I never I do, obviously. It is one of my favorite did. I don’t think now I will. And I lines in one of my favorite films. I don’t see wouldn’t choose to if I could, as a man or six-foot-tall rabbits (or none I’m admit- as a writer. ting to). But sometimes I think that some- In a year, I wrote drafts of two books, thing like his transformation may have plus half of a third. The two are being happened to me. For years, I was smart, published this year: The Island of Always, but being smart didn’t make me a writer. an extension of The Marriage of True

©avonlee photography ©avonlee Minds, and Painting Sunsets, a story for wenty years ago, I decided I was the words into my recorder. It wasn’t young artists. (I still have hopes for com- supposed to be a writer. I great poetry. But it was the first creative pleting the third book.) T thought about writing. I read writing I had done in a long time. I don’t really like the word caregiving: books about writing. But I wasn’t actu- That night, I sat at a desk in my hotel it is too one-sided. Caring for someone is ally doing any writing. room and began to write. I didn’t stop a shared experience, often both deeply So, feeling the years slipping by, I quit until I had finished the entire first act of rewarding and deeply draining. But in my job and headed out across the country, a play, and then, over the next few years, each case in my life, I feel that some intending to write a book. Yet mile after finally a book. The 20th-anniversary edi- reflection of that shared experience, and mile, I wrote nothing, except a few tion of that book, A Transcendental of the person I shared it with, has gone emails about the amazing scenery and Journey, comes out this fall. into the work. how often I got lost. Eventually, I gave Since I wrote A Transcendental Journey, As a writer, my instinct is to wrap myself up and turned toward home. so much of my life has revolved around up in a solitary world—to live in the one A thousand miles or so later, a but- taking care of family—a time that has I am creating. But I have realized that terfly got caught in my windshield also been the most creative of my life. I what works for me may be the opposite: wipers. I slowed down and got off the think there is a connection. turn out, see the world, do what needs highway at the next opportunity, coaxed I began The Marriage of True Minds, my to be done for the people in your life. the little guy onto a sheet of (blank, no first novel, while I was taking care of my And as you do, trust that the wheels are doubt) paper, and set him onto a patch of aunt Margaret, to whom it is dedicated. turning in your creative spirit. Caring is grass near some woods. He couldn’t fly I edited the novel while staying with my the wildest fuel for the writing fire. anymore, but he could walk. I watched friend Don in what turned out to be the You may quote me. ■ each slow, painstaking step until he dis- last months of his life. The final piece of appeared into the brush. Then I got back the story was based on the eulogy I wrote Stephen Evans is a playwright and the author in my car and on the highway. for my brother Michael. of A Transcendental Journey and the novels Moments later, a poem came to me A few years later, when both of my par- The Marriage of True Minds and The Island about the butterfly. Quickly, I dictated ents were diagnosed with health issues, I of Always, which is due out in January.

TO SUBMIT AN ESSAY FOR THE SOAPBOX COLUMN, EMAIL [email protected].

64 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ OCTOBER 8, 2018 A Perfect Book for Everyone!

Over TWO million copies sold! In the global publishing sensation 12 Rules for Life, renowned psychologist Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, YouTube star and one of the most in-demand speakers in America, brings his uncompromising voice to readers seeking a deeper and more profoundly meaningful life. ISBN: 978-0-345-81 02-3 As told through AVAILABLE NOW never-before-seen photographs, the incredible story of Turn simple foods the life and phenomenal career of hockey’s most into beautiful boards legendary superstar. with more than 100 easy recipes ISBN: 978-0-7352-3 18-9 and ideas. Sharing food on boards ON SALE: OCTOBER 30, 2018 is the perfect way to entertain family and friends. ISBN: 978-0-1475-3114-8 ON SALE: OCTOBER 30, 2018

From a Giller Prize– From the internationally winning author acclaimed Inuit throat singer comes a literary thriller who has dazzled the world about a woman who with music it never heard fears for her sanity— before comes a ﬁ erce, “A spectacular mix of and then her life—when tender, heartbreaking urban fantasy and mystery she learns that her story unlike anything it kept me up to two in the doppelgnger has you’ve ever read. morning.” Faith Hunter appeared in a local park. ISBN: 978-0- 70-07009-1 Kincaid Strange is not ISBN: 978-0-385- 8485-9 AVAILABLE NOW AVAILABLE NOW IN PAPERBACK your average voodoo practitioner. For fans of Bitten by Kelley Armstrong, this freshly imagined, An inspiring and practical urban fantasy series is collection of Anna Olson’s favorite hugely entertaining. festive recipes and menus to LIPSTICK VOODOO add sparkle to all of your ISBN: 978-0-345-81590-3 holiday celebrations. ON SALE: JANUARY 1, 2019 THE VOODOO KILLINGS ISBN: 978-0-1475-3081-3 ISBN: 978-0-7352-7312-2 ON SALE: OCTOBER 1 , 2018 AVAILABLE NOW

Mimi Book Fir WHAT TO DO, SEE & READ 2018

PETE SOUZA TROLLS TRUMP CELESTE NG TURNS UP THE HEAT AND MORE!

Justice Sotomayor Shares Her Beloved World Presented By and events YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Magic, Mayhem, and Misadventures: Page-Turning Quests 3:00-3:50 PM, LIVE Arts Lab (Building 1, 1st Floor)

Soman Chainani

Ph ot o c red hy it: D grap avid J Martin photo Buy Book #1 or #2 at the fair and get the next book FREE!* And a FREE tote bag! *Offer exclusive to this author and fair. Paperbacks only. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18

You’ve Got a Friend in Me: Heartwarming Stories of Identity & Belonging

2:00-2:50 PM,

n terso Wembly’s Author Tent Laurence Kes (Upper plaza of Children’s Alley) Erin Entrada Kelly

My Body is My Own: YA Women Fight Back

2:30-3:50 PM,

Pho ds Ph no LIVE Arts Lab to by Rayon Richar oto by Kim Indresa (Building 1, 1st Floor) Tiffany D. Jackson Anica Mrose Rissi harpercollinschildrens.com epicreads.com shelfstuff.com Special Events at the Fair Some of the biggest authors Contents appearing at the fair are The Miami Book Fair takes place November 11-18 at featured in these ticketed events Miami Dade College. There are hundreds of events, beginning at 5 p.m. or later. All events are held in Chapman from readings in English and Spanish to music, street Auditorium, Building 3, ﬂoor performances, and more. We talked with a handful of the 1. Visit miamibookfair.com for authors appearing at this year’s fair. Start here, ticketing information. and brace yourself for a literary adventure. A Conversation with Tina Brown 14 A WESTERN WITHOUT Sunday, November 11, 5 p.m. COWBOYS The legendary editor talks Hernán Diaz upends the old-school about her career and her western recent book, The Vanity Fair 16 MANY STORIES Diaries Celeste Ng explains what she meant A Conversation with in her essay “Why I Don’t Want to Liane Moriarty Be the Next Amy Tan” Sunday, November 11, 7 p.m. 18 DIGGING UP THE PAST Hear from the author whose 4 CASTING A WIDE NET Michael Ondaatje explores the novel became HBO’s Big Little We talk with Lissette Mendez, aftermath of WWII in Warlight Lies director of programs for the fair, to An Evening with

ﬁnd out how it all comes together 20 SPANISH-LANGUAGE LITERATURE AT THE FAIR Anna Quindlen Monday, November 12, 6 p.m. 6 OBAMA’S PHOTOGRAPHER Here are our picks for the must- The bestselling novelist and THROWS SHADE AT TRUMP see events Pete Souza’s Instagram habit turned journalist reads from her new into his new book, Shade 22 SONYA SOTOMAYOR work of ﬁction, Alternate Side SHARES HER LIFE WITH An Evening with Tayari Jones 8 THE LANGUAGE WARRIOR YOUNG READERS Tuesday, November 13, 8 p.m. Ngīgë Wa Thiong’o believes in the The Supreme Court justice talks Hear Jones read from her power of art about her two new books recent An American Marriage, 10 AGAINST ERASURE 24 SELF-SEARCHER which is taking taking the Alexander Chee takes o his Pablo Cartaya explores his roots world by storm novelist’s mask 26 INTO THE DARKDEEP An Evening with April Ryan 12 AUTHOR & BOOKSELLER Friends and collaborators Ally Thursday, November 15, 8 p.m. Lillian Li understands what makes a Condie and Brendan Reichs venture Journalist Ryan shares her new great bookstore reading into the unknown book, Under Fire: Reporting from the Front Lines of the 13 THE (SUPER)HEROICS OF 28 READING = HOPE × Trump White House NATION BUILDING CHANGE An Evening National Book Wayétu Moore reimagines her Jacqueline Woodson is on a mission Awards Nominees and homeland to spread hope through books Winners 30 HANGING OUT IN SPACE Friday, November 16, 6 p.m. Molly Brooks introduces two best The honorees for 2018 take a friends who live beyond Earth’s trip to Miami right after the N.Y. atmosphere awards ceremony

Editorial Director Jim Milliot Associate Publisher Joe Murray Editor Craig Teicher Managing Editor Daniel Berchenko Art Director Lisa M. Kelsey Copy Editor Penelope Cray Contributing Writers Matia Burnett, Dianna Dilworth, Elyssa East, Gabe Habash, Claire Kirch, Lillian Li, Sarah J. Robbins, Matt Seidel, and Leigh Anne Williams Production Manager Michele Piscitelli Sales Coordinator Deena Ali Published by Publishers Weekly Cover: Illustration by Jacob Thomas

NOVEMBER 2018 | MIAMI BOOK FAIR 3 { q & a }

We want to be very fair, to have a multiplicity of voices. There are

© Miami Dade College discussions of immigration, and there are panels on Syria, on the civil rights movement and economic justice, on feminism and its pros and cons, on economic realities for families in the U.S., and on the political parties and how the lines are being drawn and why. There’s a panel discussing athletes and activism. Race is a topic we consider in several panels. Our nonfiction and current events programming is varied and represents many of our fellow Americans’ preoccupations The fair is new every year because the books are new, and the performers in our music and children’s areas are diferent every year. We have upped the number of fun, roving performers who people Casting a walking the street fair can interact with— some will be music-based, some theatrical. I love to see the liveliness of the streets during the festival weekend. We are also adding “fringe” events—we started with Wide Net Literary Death Match some years back, and we’ve introduced Drunk Education, We spoke with Lissette Mendez, Miami and this year we are bringing the Sob Book Fair director of programs, to find out Sisters, House of Speak Easy and Geek how she and her team create this sprawling Girl Brunch. We have an outdoor hangout area called “the Porch” with a stage where celebration of books and culture we schedule live music and literary events by Craig Teicher that can be a little bit more irreverent— more twists on tradition. We also screen films and present dancers and other kinds of performances. This area features lots of hands-on fun: you can get a Poetic we have a poetry program in addition License, request a poem on demand to a full program of authors from Latin from a local poet with a typewriter, take America and Spain who present their part in writing an Exquisite Corpse books in Spanish, and we have another poem alongside other fairgoers, borrow program of writers from the Caribbean wireless headphones to listen to poetry who present in French and/or Haitian playlists curated by the National Poetry Creole. In the end, our selection committee Foundation, play board games, or take a looks at the writing—is the book good? mini writing workshop. Why? What is important about this topic How do the English- and Spanish- or issue? The book fair is the work of a language programs interact? small team, but we are very dedicated There are several authors each year who and are extremely lucky to be part of an might be crossing over, with their books What was on your mind this year educational institution with an open door being published in English, so they might when curating the fair? policy: Miami Dade College is nicknamed present twice—once in English and once WMaking sure that we were casting a wide Democracy’s College, and that ethos of in Spanish. And there are icons who will enough net across the genres. We also want open access for all has really informed how bring both audiences together, such as to make sure we reflect the diversity of the fair evolved and continues to evolve. Sandra Cisneros or Laura Esquivel, who interests and viewpoints in our community. How did this year’s political and are part of this year’s program. Their We have a very comprehensive program public climate inform the events sessions will be simultaneously translated featuring comics and graphic novels, you planned? into English.

4 MIAMI BOOK FAIR | NOVEMBER 2018

Obama’s Photographer Throws Shade at Trump

Since Trump’s inauguration, Pete Souza has been trolling the president on Instagram by Dianna Dilworth

“I’m a In your opinion, how is Trump demeaning the job? humorist- The fact that he accused President Obama of tapping his phones on social activist. I’ve media. He accused the former president of a felony on Twitter. It is like going into gotten less a movie theater and yelling ﬁre. There are certain things that shouldn’t be allowed. subtle as time Photojournalist and former White House And just the way he has tweeted about the photographer Pete Souza has spent his institutions of our democracy, calling the Pcareer documenting presidents from press the enemy of the people, calling our has gone on.” behind a camera. Cutting his teeth as a intelligence agencies liars, and telling the White House staf photographer under justice department what to do in terms of Ronald Reagan, Souza also snapped investigations. With President Obama, I had already photos of politicians for several news known him for four years before he was outlets, including for the Chicago Tribune, president. He is a couple of years younger during Barack Obama’s term as Illinois From the Book than me and I knew how the White House senator. During Obama’s presidency, “‘I watched this guy’—pointing worked. And the whole aspect of social Souza served as chief oicial White House to President Obama, seated media had changed things, not in terms photographer, in which capacity he had across from me—’every week of the kind of pictures I took but in terms full access to the leader of the free world. in the Situation Room, asking of what the White House did with the In Shade, Souza shares his post- thoughtful questions, listening photos, which was make a lot of them Trump journey. What started as some to advice, making tough but public. snarky Instagram posts snowballed into well-informed decisions on How has your role transformed from a thoughtful photo-essay rich with social really important issues. But documentarian to activist? commentary. Souza responds to Trump this other guy,’ I said, glancing I’m a humorist-activist. I’ve gotten less news and tweets using photos from out the window to where the subtle as time has gone on. With this book, Obama’s presidency, juxtaposing how new president had watched us I bring a little humor to the critique of the each president handled the job. depart, ‘is not capable of that.’” current administration. I think it is done much more respectfully than the way the Why did you decide to respond to current president uses his Twitter feed. Trump through images? How does the Instagram account

PW A couple of days after the inauguration, difer from the book? I saw a picture of the redecorated Oval On Instagram, I am responding with a Oice with those ornate gold curtains. photo and a comment that is somewhat It looked like a Saudi palace. I posted snarky or humorous, but I am not telling a picture of President Obama seated people what I am responding to. In the at the desk with the red curtains in the book, I lay it all out; I say, here is the tweet background. I said I kind of like these or news story that really bothered me. curtains better. I was directly responding When you photographed President to the new curtains, but I was also slyly Obama, was he conscious of being trying to make a point. documented? How did your Instagram habit become For anyone, having a guy following you a book? around all day taking pictures takes some I felt strongly that Trump was demeaning getting used to. I had this knack of being the oice of the presidency. One day I sent around and not really causing a nuisance. an email to my book agent and I I am just like part of the furniture. AN EVENING WITH PETE SOUZA said, “I want to go all in on this. Let’s How were the experiences of working Wednesday, November 14, 6 p.m. propose a book.” with Reagan and with Obama Chapman Conference Center diferent? Building 3, 2nd Floor, Room 3210 The times were diferent; there was no

A dierent version of this article previously appeared in appeared of this article previously version A dierent such thing as social media. CNN was new.

NOVEMBER 2018 | MIAMI BOOK FAIR 7 { nonﬁction }

The native language, through stories that he and other children shared while working the fields. Then came colonial school where anyone caught speaking Gĩkũyũ was forced to wear a sign with the words “I am stupid” or “I am a donkey.” Language Turning to his mother tongue while in prison was the ultimate rebellion. Ngaahika ndeenda, coauthored with Ngũgĩ wa Mirii, and the cause of his imprisonment, was the first play written in Gĩkũyũ. Its story of a farmer’s land being stolen out from under Warrior him postindependence with the aid of the Christian church was a sharp rebuke of the country’s first president Jomo Kenyatta NGŨGĨ WA THIONG’O and the KANU government. In Kamĩrĩthũ, where peasants and workers now lived in shacks, an outdoor theater was built. The authors, who He believes in the also starred in the show, spent months power of art perfecting the play. The performances opened in September 1977 and were by Elyssa East an immediate success. The people of Kamĩrĩthũ, Ngũgĩ writes, rediscovered “their collective strength.” In December,

From the Book “Here I have no name. I am just a number in a ﬁle: K6,77. A tiny iron frame against one wall serves as a bed. A tiny Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong’o was board against another wall imprisoned at Kamĩtĩ Maximum Security serves as a desk. These ﬁll up KPrison without trial in 1978 for one of his the minute cell.” plays. Earlier this year, the 80-year-old Ngũgĩ, many times a favorite for the Nobel

Prize, published Wrestling with the Devil, a PW © Daniel Anderson revised U.S. version of his 1982 memoir the authoritarian KANU government about his imprisonment. shut down the play. On December The book is “a drama of resistance as a 30, Vice President Daniel arap Moi means of survival,” says Ngũgĩ. His life and imprisoned its authors. art are a testament to the broader origins Nonetheless, in the memoir, Ngũgĩ of the word “resistance” as “the describes the six months during which impulse,” Ngũgĩ writes, “to say Ngaahika ndeenda was perfected and and act no to evil.” performed as “the most exciting in Ngũgĩ ’s locates this impulse my life and the true beginning of my among Kenya’s peasants education.” The experience, he says, and their native languages. set him on a lifelong mission: “I have Born in 1938 in the village become a language warrior on behalf of all of Kamĩrĩthũ, Ngũgĩ grew marginalized languages of the world.” up tenant farming. The lands he tended as a child, owned AN EVENING WITH NGĪGê WA by white and elite African THIONG’O landlords, had been stolen from Monday, November 12, 8 p.m. his people in the 1920s. Chapman Conference Center,

Ngũgĩ learned Gĩkũyũ, his Building 3, 2nd Floor in appeared of this article previously version A dierent

8 MIAMI BOOK FAIR | NOVEMBER 2018 TWO DECADES OF TOP NONFICTION BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Every weekend, C-SPAN2 features Book TV – 48 hours of author interviews, readings, panels and book fairs.

Live from the Miami Book Fair November 17-18

15,000 Authors

54,000 Hours

300 Book festivals

CREATED BY CABLE 800 Cities visited

@BookTV 1,000 Weekends

And still counting ... { nonﬁction } Against Erasure ALEXANDER CHEE

writes, “How had they managed to survive against whatever it was that had erased so many others?” Erasure is more than a literary question for Chee. Two of his creative heroes, artist David Wojnarowicz and ﬁlmmaker Derek Jarman, were publicly dying from AIDS in the summer of 1991 and were “facing another, new kind of erasure in the process,” that of government inaction around the crisis. “I was born out of it,” Chee says about this era of protest and its undeniable urgency, which How to Write an Autobiographical Novel helps,

From the Book 78. It is like the language the © M. Sharkey explorer must learn even to ask the question. 79. What is it you want from me? the novel asks.

—from the essay “100 Things PW by Elyssa East About Writing a Novel”

Alexander Chee is the author of During the AIDS crisis, if a news outlet the award-winning Edinburgh, an failed to cover a protest, “it was as if it in part, to restore to collective memory. autobiographical novel about sexual abuse hadn’t happened,” he continues. At that Having recently created, with Christine at the hands of a choirmaster. He recently time, with fellow activists, he says he Lee, the Lambda Justin Chin Memorial stepped out from behind his novelist’s “started thinking about the ways we could Scholarship, in honor of the gay mask. In his ﬁrst book of essays, How to create protests that could survive that Malaysian-American poet who died in Write an Autobiographical Novel, he looks, media eraser.” 2016, Chee’s activism is ongoing. “I want through many lenses, at his art and his In 1991, he moved to New York City these other young writers to act,” Chee identity as a gay, Korean-American writer. and took a job cataloguing the stock of says. “To do more, to write more, to create “A number of these historical events a mail-order gay and lesbian bookstore, more work about us.” that I tried to write about, which took which, he writes in the essay “My Parade,” place in the 1990s, really just before amounted to “a catalogue of the kinds we had the internet, are still weirdly of gay writing that had succeeded and ALEXANDER CHEE IN submerged in the culture,” Chee says failed—what the culture allowed and what CONVERSATION WITH GARNETTE about the protests he helped orchestrate it did not.” About famous gay writers CADOGAN with ACT UP and Queer Nation, detailed (such as James Baldwin, Gertrude Stein, Saturday, November 17, 11:00 a.m.

in the essays “1989” and “After Peter.” Susan Sontag, and Gore Vidal), Chee Building 8, 2nd Floor, Room 8202 in appeared of this article previously version A dierent

10 MIAMI BOOK FAIR | NOVEMBER 2018

Bookseller Author & LILLIAN LI books from Lillian Li two sides Lisees by

© Margarita Corporan their voice. author?”“I’m the say. they will slightly dazedlookandanoteofapologyin the author will approach the register with a out of ten, afewminutesbefore their event, ofbehavior.a strangepattern Nine times on tour, of authors noticing enough to start As abookseller, Ihave number met afair culture. literary authors, readingsare to andhow important Mich.’s Literati bookstore, discussesbookstores, their father. Li, alsoabooksellerat Ann Arbor, direction of their restaurant after the deathof argumentabout the brothers have arunning the scenesof the BeijingDuck Houseas two Chinese Restaurant Li’s insightfuldebut novel, Even the authors who have packed the , takes readersbehind Number One Building 8,2ndFloor, Room 8201 Sunday, November 18,1:30p.m. READINGS FROMNEWFICTION FAMILY STORIES: sense ofawe andundeserving. community with your work, is to feela authors, aspace that canconnectanentire with somany books, representingsomany are the honoredones. To enteraspace that weunderstanding authors is the the Rather, abookstore the timidity ofentering place devoted to words Me?” andstories? you have chosen to hostin this beautiful goes somethinglike this: “I’m the author fortune. Italsoisn’t the fullquestion, which is aquestionnotofidentitybut ofgood identity couldbecomeaquestion. how I began astatementof to understand became myto be the authoron tour,turn wondered. You’re the author!But when it on their own event. Why the shyness? I lists,are trespassing if they as act tendto fingers, who have authors hit the bestseller authors with morebooks than Ihave space halfanhourbefore the event starts, This isn’t modestyorstagefright. false “I’m the author?” I’ve begun to realize, A dierent version of this article previously appeared in PW settled inasuburb outsideofHouston. us out,” Mooresays. eventually Herfamily to essentially traic rebel femalesoldiers U.S. at the time, foranetwork arranged of old.years “My mother, who was in the the country’s civil war when she was five Wayétu Moore’s during fledLiberia family Nation Building heroics of The (Super) by Matt Seidel novel debut her homeland inher Moore reimagines WAYÉTU MOORE Ranging acrossa Ranging plantation,Virginia Jamaica, andLiberia, wentartistically.” to was Liberia placeI writing, start the first resounding. When Irealized wanted to my parents’ eforts, and that absence was outsideof “I barelyheardaboutLiberia and Caribbean America,” Mooresays. people together from and the Africa about what would happenif you brought was“Liberia this beautifulexperiment paths converge in the burgeoning republic. gift,is blessed with asupernatural whose follows three characters, eachof whom She Would BeKing

Building 8,2ndFloor, Room 8201 Saturday, November 17, 3:30p.m. AND TATJANA SOLI A READING HISTORICAL NOVELS TODAY: © Yoni Levy { ﬁction WITH HERNÁNDIAZ } HERNÁN DIAZ A Western Without Cowboys Diaz reinvents a genre by Gabe Habash

Hernán Diaz, born in Argentina and raised in Sweden, upends the old-school western in his Pulitzer Prize–ﬁnalist In the Distance.

This book is an immigrant story, a historical novel sort of removed from time and place, and a fascinating deconstruction of the western. What about these elements intrigued you? I found the kernel for this novel many years ago, when I ﬁrst moved to London. By chance, I read several books about solitary characters in deserted settings. D Perhaps because I was so utterly aware

November 11-18, 2018 / MIAMI, FLORIDA MIAMIBOOKFAIR.COM /miamibookfair #MiamiBookFair2018

POETRY, FICTION & NONFICTION FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD / STREET FAIR / PUBLISHERS & BOOKSELLERS / CHILDREN’S AUTHORS & ACTIVITIES { ﬁction }

I was concerned with his body—how it From the Book met the world through its senses, how it was dwarfed by its surroundings, how it “A pair of hands came inhabited time. Sometimes I even thought out of the water and of Håkan as a gentle animal. groped for the edges What was the most dicult part of of the angular hole.” the book to write? For ideological reasons, I found the few bursts of violence in the book very hard to write, and this is why they are so short. during the great push west; the story is Then, late in the book, Håkan flees the a Western without cowboys. I thought it world and is swallowed by the earth—he was important to quite literally alienate digs a burrow and spends years in a the genre in order to question the ossified network of tunnels. This was always the political assumptions at its core. gravitational center of the novel to me, of my own foreignness, I started asking During much of the novel, Håkan is a drain sucking in everything, from his myself if there was anything specific alone in remote parts of the West. sense of selfhood to time itself. It was very about those diferent wastelands. What Having a character by himself can be diicult to write this black hole. distinguishes one void from another? I very dicult to pull of. How did you found interesting contradictions. The make these scenes so compelling? larger the desert, for instance, the more This was one of the greatest challenges intense the feeling of claustrophobia. of the book. I adhered fanatically to HISTORICAL FICTION: Once I decided to set my story in Håkan’s point of view but didn’t allow A CONVERSATION America, I intentionally exacerbated these myself to pry too much into his mind. Saturday, November 17, 1:30 p.m. paradoxes—my character travels east Rather than focusing on his “interiority,” Building 8, 2nd Floor, Room 8203

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Ng explains her CELESTE NG China, Ng moved with her family ﬁction and what to Shaker Heights when she was 10. she meant in her She was unaware of Shaker Heights’ deliberate exceptionalism. Uncut lawns essay “Why I Don’t are ﬁned, there is no such thing as Want to Be the Next unsightly curbside trash pickup, and Amy Tan” the pro-integration housing policies were implemented before the end of by Elyssa East segregation. In Little Fires Everywhere, Ng’s character Lexie Richardson says, “I mean we’re lucky. No one sees race here.” “Everyone sees race, Lex,” Lexie’s brother Moody replies. “The only diference is who pretends not to.” When asked about the distinction between being seen and being visible, Ng says, “It’s a double-edged sword: on the one hand, being seen is so necessary and validating—those of us who haven’t had © Kevin Day Photography Day © Kevin much representation know how important it is to see yourself on the page or on the screen. At the same time, being highly visible also has its downsides. Sometimes,

From the Book “By the time the ﬁre was put out the house had not, despite Mrs. Richardson’s fears, quite burned to the ground.” PW

Celeste Ng published her essay “Why Now, says Ng,“I write about issues of when you’re seen prominently, you I Don’t Want to Be the Next Amy race and privilege and identity because I inadvertently end up blocking out other CTan” before Little Fires Everywhere and care deeply about them and because they people and held up as the representative Everything I Never Told You made her a afect my own life daily. I truly believe that of your group. I don’t speak for all literary celebrity. It’s not a criticism of most of our conﬂicts come from a lack of Asians, or all Asian-American women, Tan, whose writing Ng admires, but of empathy, so I try to extend that both to or all Chinese-American women, or all how Tan and other Chinese-American my characters and to other people.” women—because there are many stories authors have been received. “Comparing Little Fires Everywhere tells the story of a within those groups. Other people need Asian writers mainly to other Asian white American family in the progressive, to be seen, too, so I try to spread the writers implies that we’re all telling the bourgeois utopia of Shaker Heights, spotlight where I can.” same story, ” Ng writes. “Worst of all, Ohio. Life there is upended when a single such comparisons place undue weight mother and her daughter come to town on the writer’s ethnicity, suggesting that and the custody battle for an adopted READINGS FROM NEW NOVELS writers like Tan, Chang, and Kingston are Chinese-American baby divides the WITH LAURA VAN DEN BERG telling ﬁrst and foremost A Story About community. Sunday, November 18, 4 p.m. Being Chinese, not stories about families, Born in Pittsburg in 1980 to scientist Auditorium, Building 1, 2nd Floor,

love, loss, or universal human experience.” parents who had emigrated from Room 1261 in appeared of this article previously version A dierent

16 MIAMI BOOK FAIR | NOVEMBER 2018 A New York Confidential novel

From New York Times bestselling author

“Immediately entertaining and engrossing.” Don’t miss the —Publishers Weekly next installment, on A Dangerous Game A Lethal Legacy.

Coming Available now! Spring 2019!

BookClubbish.com { ﬁction } MICHAEL ONDAATJE Digs Up the Past In his new novel, Warlight, Ondaatje explores the aftermath of WWII in London through the story where his mother went, as well as why she left, drive much of the novel. of an abandoned brother and sister Warlight is also a bildungsroman, by Leigh Anne Williams following Nathaniel as he begins to explore the world beyond his family. A new sort of family takes shape in the house, ushering Nathaniel into youthful adventures, including a job smuggling illegal racing greyhounds. An abrupt and surprising shift to Nathaniel’s adult life occurs in the second half of the novel, © David Mordzinski © David when Rose reappears, and Nathaniel

“In 1945 our parents went away and left us in the care of two men From the Book Iwho may have been criminals.” This is how Michael Ondaatje “They had rarely spoken to opens Warlight. He compares his us about their lives. We were writing method to archeology, used to partial stories. Our usually beginning with a fragment father had been involved in or an image, like the sentence the last stages of the earlier

above, that he uses to slowly war, and I don’t think he felt PW uncover the story. he really belonged to us.” “It seems ridiculous and a bit like a kind of fairy tale,” Ondaatje says. I wasn’t setting out to write a learns that what took her away was war novel or a postwar novel; that dangerous work for British intelligence. became the landscape.” The afairs of the world and political In fact, Ondaatje says, “I really curfews during the war, when lights had to intrigue rush into the story when Rose begin a book not knowing what it was be dimmed to hide the city’s features from reappears. She had been a radio operator going to be about, but that’s the way I’ve German bombers. during the war, and later she intercepted, worked in the past.” That past includes It is 14-year-old Nathaniel Williams altered, and re-sent German signals. his best-known work, the 1992 novel who opens Warlight as he describes his The war is oicially over when this story The English Patient, which won the Man parents leaving him and his sister, Rachel, begins, but, Ondaatje says, “no wars Booker Prize, as well as six other novels who is nearly 16. Nathaniel’s parents say end punctually.” and 15 books of poetry. they’re going to Singapore, where his After his initial idea for the story father has accepted a new job. Separations MICHAEL ONDAATJE took hold, he says, the city of London of that kind weren’t unusual in wartime, ON WARLIGHT: A READING materialized as he focused on what it must Ondaatje says. Later Nathaniel leanrs that Saturday, November 17, 11:30 a.m. have been like there after WWII. The title his mother, Rose, didn’t go to Singapore. Auditorium, Building 1, 2nd Floor,

comes from the time of blackouts and Nathaniel’s eforts to solve the mystery of Room 1261 in appeared of this article previously version A dierent

18 MIAMI BOOK FAIR | NOVEMBER 2018

Spanish-Language Literature at the Miami Book Fair Our picks for the essential events by Marcela Valdes & Craig Teicher

The Miami Book recognized her son’s Prominent Ibero- Fair ofers so many homosexuality early American authors, irresistible events for on and nurtured the editors, and scholars Spanish-language panache that Izaguirre discuss trends, news, readers that the main later deployed in Spain and challenges. problem is how to as a TV showman. “Más libros, más choose among all the Boris Izaguirre libres,” organizado coming-of-age novels, presenta su nueva por la Fundación political reckonings, novela Cuatrogatos y la Feria social satires, literary 7 p.m. del Libro de Miami experiments, and Building 3, 2nd Floor, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. revived classics. Room 3209 Building 7, 1st Floor, Q Andrés Room 7106 Oppenheimer, Q Francisco Larios, ¡Sálvese Quien Sobre La Vida Breve Pueda! El Futuro Del De Cualquier Paraíso Trabajo En La Era De Translator Larios, who La Automatización immigrated to the U.S. Argentine journalist from Nicaragua in Oppenheimer (Miami the 1980s, considers Herald, CNN Español) the efects of power, warns that advances in illusion, and exile in his artificial intelligence fifth book of poems. and robotics will El aliento de la poesía soon afect the lives 1 p.m. of doctors, lawyers, Building 8, 5th Floor, bankers, salespeople, Room 8525 and teachers in the same Q Pilar Quintana, way that automation La Perra Quintana’s has already transformed intense short novel— factory work. winner of the Premio Encuentro con Andrés Biblioteca de Narrativa Friday, Oppenheimer Colombiana—traces the November 16 8 p.m. maternal tenderness, Q Boris Izaguirre, Building 2, 1st Floor, and the maternal fury, Tiempo de Tormentas Room 2106 of a middle-aged woman So far, the press who adopts a puppy and about Izaguirre’s Saturday, names it after the child autobiographical novel November 17 she never had. has focused on his frank Q VI Seminario de Distintos senderos de account of the rapes Literatura Infantil la narración 2 p.m. he sufered at age 13, y Juvenil This sixth Building 8, 5th Floor, but the true heart of edition of the Seminar Room 8503 his book is its portrait of Literature for Kids Q Jorge Volpi, Una of his courageous, and Young Adults is Novela Criminal pioneering mother, a co-organized by the Mexican novelist Volpi ballerina in Caracas, Miami Book Fair and won the Alfaguara Venezuela, who Fundación Cuatrogatos. Prize for this deeply researched “nonfiction Sunday, novel” about the case November 18 of Florence Cassez, a Q Ana María Shua, French woman charged Todos Los Universos with kidnapping and Posibles Argentine sentenced to 60 years writer Shua has been a in prison after Mexican master of micro fiction police staged her since the 1970s. This arrest for TV. Her case volume of her collected remains a controversial works should delight symbol of corruption newcomers to her in Mexico’s judiciary ministories as well as system. longtime fans. Encuentro con Por los territorios de Jorge Volpi, Premio la ficción Alfaguara de Novela 1:15 p.m. Building 8, 3rd Floor, 2018 3:30 p.m. Building 8, 5th Floor, Room 8303 Building 8, 5th Floor, Room 8525 Q Horacio Castellanos Room 8503 Q Renato Cisneros, Moya, Moronga The Dejarás La Tierra consequences of El Peruvian novelist Salvador’s brutal civil Cisneros presents part war surface in a college two of his acclaimed town in Wisconsin in family saga, spotlightin this novel about two his great-grandmother, immigrants, one of a matriarch who whom is investigating conceived seven the murder of a great children with a priest revolutionary poet. during the early years of Exploraciones de la Peru’s independence. palabra Narraciones para 3 p.m. estos tiempos Building 8, 5th Floor, 1:30 p.m. Room 8503

© Ray Santisteban Q Sandra Cisneros, La A note from Mariela Gal, Casa En Mango Street Univision anchorman IberoAmerican Author Program Jorge Ramos interviews manager for the Miami Book Fair: We are extremely proud to celebrate the legendary Chicana 35th anniversary of the Miami Book Fair and writer Cisneros about to witness the continuous growth of the her work and about the IberoAmerican Author Program along the years. new Mexican edition of We feel that in a cosmopolitan, multicultural her Chicago coming- community like Miami, there is a great need for of-age novel, which a diversity of authors and genres to satisfy the became an instant dierent tastes and preferences of the public. classic when it was ﬁrst Internationality is a unique feature of the published in 1984. This IberoAmerican Author Program. This year, we are session will be held in welcoming writers from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Spanish with translation Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, into English. El Salvador, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Sandra Cisneros Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Venezuela. From conversa sobre su emerging authors to renowned bestselling obra con Jorge novelists, from poets and essayists to writers Ramos 6 p.m. of micro stories, there is always something for Building 1, everybody to enjoy and discover. Auditorium, 2nd Floor, Room 1261

NOVEMBER 2018 | MIAMI BOOK FAIR 21 Sonia Sotomayor Shares Her Life With Young Readers

Two new books recall her journey BY SARAH J. ROBBINS

Conn.; she used my adult book in her class, but she told me that many pieces in it—a lot of the law things—were a little bit over the students’ heads. The middle grade book was a natural follow-up; we tried to retain those aspects of my life that were responses to the kids’ questions. Since we knew it would be impossible for the youngest readers to understand the adult book, no matter how much I simpliﬁed, I wondered if there was a way for me to introduce myself and my life For Supreme Court justice Sonia story to them in a way that they might Sotomayor, sometimes it’s all about kids appreciate. An illustrated book seemed Fand books. She has just released two new perfect for that purpose. books for young readers: one, The Beloved What did you learn in the process of World of Sonia Sotomayor, is a middle creating Turning Pages? What was it grade adaptation of her bestselling adult like for you to collaborate with Lulu memoir, My Beloved World (2013); the Delacre and to see your memories other, Turning Pages, is a picture book come to life through her illustrations? version of Sotomayor’s life, illustrated by In our search for an illustrator, my Lulu Delacre. We caught up with Justice publisher and I went through a long Sotomayor while she was traveling down the process of elimination. To her credit, she East Coast on her book tour. asked me what I didn’t like: styles that were too abstract, too dark in coloring. I said, “It Why did you decide that you wanted has to be bright, it has to reﬂect my family’s to share your story with younger home in the island of Puerto Rico, and it readers? has to be lifelike—I want readers to see me My Beloved World was stimulated by a lot as a person and not a cartoon.” As soon as of questions kids were already asking me: I saw Lulu’s work, I said, “This is it.” “What was it like to lose a parent when The amount of research she did you were young?” “What was it like having was so impressive, and it really was a a condition like diabetes?” “Was it scary?” collaborative efort. I had a suitcase full Once children see you in a position of of pictures that I had been collecting, power, a lot of them who are facing their from my family and my mother. She went own challenges ask: “Have you ever been through every single one—and all of the afraid?” “Can you ever succeed if you fail?” drawings of my room and living room My cousin Miriam is a middle school and some of what I’m wearing came from bilingual education teacher in Stamford, those photos.

22 MIAMI BOOK FAIR | NOVEMBER 2018 { children’s }

Sotomayor revisits her life in two inspiring books

One of the funniest moments of the process was when she showed me an illustration of me wearing a pair of flowered pants. I told her that I would have never worn those. “Sonia?” she said, sending me a picture of myself wearing the pants. “Well,” I said, “my taste has evolved since then!” Lulu was always so responsive. Working with her was one of the biggest treats of the book. You talk a lot about the books that “It’s trying to teach you have influenced you personally. If you a lesson, both about life could make one recommendation to and about giving—that kids today, based on your experience, sometimes it doesn’t come what would it be? back to you, but you give When kids ask me that, I say there are so because you love.” many books I love; mentioning one seems unfair. I might tell everybody to read the Bible. My reasons aren’t necessarily religious: so much of art is reflected in the Bible... if you want to be a student of art, of reading... For me, when I travel to Europe, some of the churches have I told her, “I know, sweetie, but it’s the earliest art forms. One of my favorite trying to teach you a lesson, both about fantasy books for kids is Watership Down. life and about giving—that sometimes it But should everyone read it? doesn’t come back to you, but you give You have photos of your goddaughter because you love.” And we had a very Alexia and your niece Kiley in the deep conversation about giving and about book. What inspires you about how sometimes it’s not reciprocated. This reading with the kids in your life? wasn’t about me trying to tell them a story I tend to send books to my niece about what happened to me. She could randomly. One day, not long after I sent see in a character she was reading about a her The Giving Tree, I picked up the phone real-life experience. and heard my sister’s voice: “Sonia, I think I wanted to create that experience— © Elena Seibert you better listen to your niece.” even if maybe not consciously—as I “Kiley, what’s up, sweetheart?” I asked. wrote. I wanted readers to see me as a JUSTICE SONYA SOTOMAYOR She said, “You sent me the saddest book, real person. I wanted to do that in a way Saturday, Nov. 17, 1 p.m. Titi. It’s the first time you’ve ever sent me that was engaging, but these experiences Chapman Conference Center, something like this—it was so sad!” weren’t magical. They’re real life. Building 3, 2nd Floor, Room 3210

NOVEMBER 2018 | MIAMI BOOK FAIR 23 { children’s } Self-Searcher Pablo Cartaya explores his roots BY MATIA BURNETT

In Pablo Cartaya’s Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish, the titular character goes Iin search of his Puerto Rican roots. We spoke to Cartaya about cultural identity, growing up, and finding mirrors in diverse Wharton © Leah characters. “Stories give us permission to reflect Marcus Vega feels disconnected from on who we are, to feel Puerto Rico, his father’s home, but doesn’t feel right in Philadelphia seen, and to exhale, either. Can you talk about how you knowing we are developed his character? not alone.” When I was a kid—and well into adulthood—I felt I straddled two identities. I’m Cuban-American, and I grew up speaking Spanish at home and As Marcus seeks out a greater English at school; eventually, I mixed understanding of his roots, he learns a both as a form of communicating. But lot about himself. Can you talk about I never felt I was enough of one culture his journey? or another. Through Marcus, I wanted Marcus casts aside his previous self- to speak to the idea of identity as perceptions and gives himself permission complicated and often alienating. to believe that he is more than he’s given Marcus’s immediate and extended himself credit for. Ultimately, connecting family members are incredibly vibrant. with his Puerto Rican roots fills a void Were they based on anyone you he’s had since his father left him. In the know? end, it wasn’t his father who he needed to Every character has pieces of people feel whole; it was his culture. I know, including myself. They carry How important is it for kids of all some emotional and personal truth backgrounds to see themselves YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME: from my own life. I believe that is our reflected in literature? HEARTWARMING STORIES OF great responsibility as writers: to imbue It is as important as breathing air. Stories IDENTITY & BELONGING a sense of personal connection to the give us permission to reflect on who we Sunday, November 18, 2 p.m. characters we’re creating. This gives them are, to feel seen, and to exhale, knowing Wembly’s Author Tent, upper plaza of authenticity and truth. we are not alone. Children’s Alley

24 MIAMI BOOK FAIR | NOVEMBER 2018 Fall Highlights from Vintage Español

Coming in Spanish ¡Buen día, buenas noches! (Spanish-language edition of Gmorning, Gnight!) On Sale 12/11/18 9780525566878

On Sale 10/23/18 9780525566717

From the creator and star of Hamilton, with beautiful From one of the titans of twentieth-century literature, illustrations by Jonny Sun, comes a book of affi rmations collected here for the fi rst time: a selection of his journalistic to inspire readers at the beginning and end of each day. writings from the late 1940s to the mid-1980s—work that he considered even more important to his legacy than his “ Good morning. Do NOT get stuck in the comments section universally acclaimed works of fi ction. of life today. Make, do, create the things. Let others tussle it out. Vamos!” “ I don’t want to be remembered for One Hundred Years of Solitude or for the Nobel Prize, but rather for my journalism.”

–Meet Our Authors Jorge Ramos at the and Sandra Cisneros © Gio Alma © Gio Miami Book Fair– in conversation 11/17 © Alan Goldfarb

On Sale 11/6/18 Available Now Available Now 9780525564966 9780525563778 9780679755265 Author event on 11/11 On Sale 10/30/18 9780525564874 Author event on 11/16

For more speciﬁ c event details visit miamibookfair.com www.VintageEspanol.com | /VintageEspanol | @VintageEspanol Into the Darkdeep

Friends and collaborators Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs venture into the unknown BY CLAIRE KIRCH

The Darkdeep, the first of two middle grade books in a duology by bestselling YA Tauthors Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs, has been described by the publisher, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, as “Stranger Things meets The Goonies with the heart of Stand by Me.” It’s fitting that Reichs and Condie write about tight bonds between friends embarking on wondrous adventures, because, as Reichs says, “we are super-duper best friends.” The coauthors first met at the Yallfest literary festival in 2014, after Reichs moderated a keynote panel featuring Condie. The two cemented their friendship at Yallwest in 2015, and the rest is history. The BFFs even went on to attend the Vermont College of Fine Arts in pursuit of MFA degrees in writing for children and young adults. The authors’ first cowritten project, The Darkdeep, is a paranormal mystery set in Still Cove, a mill town in the Pacific Northwest. Four children discover a hidden island in the middle of town; there, they find a portal to { children’s }

UNIVERSITY PRESS OF FLORIDA

another dimension where imaginary things liked in kids’ books, this whole framework turn into reality. At ﬁrst, it’s spectacular fell into place.” fun, but, as often happens with magical Creative projects are always mysterious; portals, circumstances soon turn menacing. whatever comes next for the coauthors, Nightmares and frightful imaginings Reichs promises readers that “it will be emerge and begin spreading out of shocking, interesting, and a little weird and

PW congtrol. that we will always pay attention to our Working in close creative collaboration is characters.” an adventure in itself; it can test the bounds of any friendship. But Condie believes that having a writing partner is invaluable. “It’s easier to write with somebody else,” she says, “because when you have someone who cares about the book as much as you do, you have access to double the ideas!” Reichs couldn’t agree more, saying that, with their similar senses of humor, their work comes together organically. “Ally and I were both looking to write something a VISIT US little diferent,” Reichs says, “I think it was Ally who ﬁrst had the idea, and it spiraled at the fair from there. While discussing things we A dierent version of this article previously appeared in appeared of this article previously version A dierent

THE PLOT THICKENS: SECRET ADVENTURE STORIES Sunday, November 18, 3 p.m. Wembly Wordsmith’s Storytorium, Children’s Alley

“When you have someone who cares about the book as much as you do, you have access to double the ideas!” —Ally Condie

@floridapress SHOP OUR HOLIDAY SALE upress.ufl.edu NOVEMBER 2018 | MIAMI BOOK FAIR 27 { children’s } Reading = Hope × Change

Jacqueline Woodson is on a mission to spread hope through books BY MATIA BURNETT

“We Read. We ﬁnd hope in what we read, and that reading and

that idea in The Day to what youth have to say is You Begin: “For each one that every adult should of us, there comes the ask themselves.” To say it has been a big year for National point where we enter a Given today’s climate of Book Award–winning author Jacqueline space and feel on the political and social discord, TWoodson (Brown Girl Dreaming) would be outside of it. For the Woodson’s focus in her

an understatement. To start with, Woodson very young, it often work on communication and PW was named National Ambassador for happens the ﬁrst time understanding is timely. Yet, Young People’s Literature for 2018–2019. they enter a classroom.” Woodson doesn’t intentionally Woodson takes her new role very seriously. Woodson’s aim in infuse her stories with In fact, she brings to her ambassadorship a writing the story was to allusions to current events. unique equation that she coined: Reading = show characters who “I try to keep my head down Hope x Change. To Woodson, the equation walk into an unfamiliar while I’m writing,” Woodson represents “everything. We read,” Woodson space and emerge “more thoughtful, says. “For Harbor Me, one may think it says. “We ﬁnd hope in what we read, and happier, more relaxed.” feels very ‘current,’ but I’m writing about that reading and hope changes us.” Despite their diferent formats and things that have been happening for This year, Woodson is also publishing audiences, Woodson’s picture book decades. For The Day You Begin—lifetimes. two new books: The Day You Begin, a and novel have thematic similarities. So the sadness is that so much hasn’t picture book illustrated by Rafael López, In Harbor Me, Woodson writes about a changed. But I do a lot of self-care around and Harbor Me, a middle grade novel. group of students who gather to openly myself and my writing.” Woodson garnered inspiration for The communicate with one another about Day You Begin from a passage in Brown their lives without the presence of Girl Dreaming in which she writes about adults. “I think, too often, we don’t have AUTHOR JACQUELINE WOODSON her great-great-grandfather’s experience these safe spaces where we can fully be Friday, November 16, 12:30 p.m. of being the only child of color among ourselves,” Woodson says. “I think the Chapman Conference Center,

white students. She wanted to expand question of whether we adequately listen Building 3, 2nd Floor, Room 3210 in appeared of this article previously version A dierent

28 MIAMI BOOK FAIR | NOVEMBER 2018 People Are Buzzing About . . . • • • • • • • • • • • • Merci SuÁrez Changes Gears • • • • • • • • • • • • by Meg Medina

+ “A must read.” “Merci Suárez has my heart.” — Booklist (starred review) — Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal–winning author of When You Reach Me + “Medina delivers another stellar “Read this book so that and deeply moving story.” Merci Suárez will become a light — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) forever shining in your heart.” — Francisco X. Stork, author of Marcelo in the Real World + “Pura Belpré–winning “Meg Medina has scored again.” author Medina cruises into — Clarissa Hadge, Trident Booksellers & Café, Boston, MA readers’ hearts with this “Merci, merci me, did I love this girl.” luminous middle grade novel.” — Jenesse Evertson, bbgb books, Richmond, VA — SLJ (starred review) “You’re going to fall in love + “Medina writes with with Merci Suárez.” sincerity and humor.” — Cecilia Cackley, East City Bookshop, Washington, D.C. — The Horn Book (starred review) An Indie Next Selection + “Warmly told.” A Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Okra Pick — Publishers Weekly (starred review) An Amazon Best Book of September 2018

The ﬁrst full-length graphic novel from author-illustrator Molly Brooks, Sanity & Tallulah, is a fantasy sci-ﬁ adventure starring two best friends living in space BY MATIA BURNETT

and using her knowledge to make and beats that don’t things happen. For Tallulah, science is seem to be working. extremely cool and impressive but also But I can never be a little mysterious, almost magical. I sure whether a joke can’t manage the plausibility of true, is actually funny hard sci-fi, but I can at least try to until someone else reads it. That’s one of share the sense of wonder I had reading the great things about having an editor! magazine articles about space, cloning, There haven’t always been girl and solar power as a kid. characters like Sanity and Tallulah. Do you tend to conceive of your Are you seeing more smart, female characters first or is your work initially protagonists in sci-fi and comics these more concept driven? days? Usually I like starting with a scenario and I am! Looking back, I read a lot of great then populating it with characters. A few middle grade and YA books with female years ago, my friend Andrea Tsurumi protagonists, but what I really loved was and I made a collaborative science-fiction the out-there genre stuf with dragons and teen-girl-detectives zine for SPX. My robots and time travel, and most of that Molly Brooks spoke about science, her story was about two friends who wander centered around boys. I ended up reading creative process, and the joy of writing of into an asteroid field and find a robot- a lot of magical girls manga and adult sci- Mand illustrating resourceful girl characters haunted shipwreck. By the time the zine fi/fantasy because there were more female who wind up in some major kerfues. was printed and stapled, the friends were characters to be found there. I’m glad pretty much the same characters that that girls growing up these days have so Your titular characters get a little show up in the graphic novel. Now I’m many options for seeing themselves having bit in over their heads as a result just having fun coming up with ridiculous adventures. of a rather unorthodox scientific situations for them to get caught in. experiment. Were you interested in How do you gauge whether a joke will THE PLOT THICKENS: science as a kid? hit the spot for readers? SECRET ADVENTURE STORIES I was definitely interested in science but When I’m going through drafts, I do my Sunday, November 18, 3 p.m. more in the way Tallulah is than Sanity. best to read with an outside eye and to be Wembly Wordsmith’s Storytorium, Sanity likes the iterative hard work of it really aggressive about getting rid of lines Children’s Alley

30 MIAMI BOOK FAIR | NOVEMBER 2018 MEET YOUR FAVORITE DISNEY PUBLISHING AUTHORS AT MIAMI BOOK FAIR 2018

NICK ELIOPULOS & ZACK LORAN CLARK The Adventurers Guild: Twilight of the Elves

MOLLY BROOKS Sanity & Tallulah “[A] fresh, realistic representation of future space exploration.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

DHONIELLE CLAYTON The Belles “[A]n undeniable page-turner.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “[C]layton examines the price of beauty.” —Booklist (starred review)

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