Most everyone has heard of this prolific author and many were fans. He will be missed as his voice and pen are silent today. But we are so fortunate to have a body of work that will live on. Bob Minzesheimer did a nice piece for USA Today, http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2009-01-27-updike-obit_N.htm?csp=34.
Thanks Brad and John you will be missed and remembered for your literary contribution to our lives.
The 2009 Newbery Medal winner is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean, and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books. You might recognize this name as he is the author of Coralinewhich is just about to open on the big screen.
A delicious mix of murder, fantasy, humor and human longing, the tale of Nobody Owens is told in magical, haunting prose. A child marked for death by an ancient league of assassins escapes into an abandoned graveyard, where he is reared and protected by its spirit denizens.
“A child named Nobody, an assassin, a graveyard and the dead are the perfect combination in this deliciously creepy tale, which is sometimes humorous, sometimes haunting and sometimes surprising,” said Newbery Committee Chair Rose V. Treviño.
2009 Honor Books
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by David Small (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing)
Underneath the canopy of the loblolly pines, amid the pulsating sounds of the swamp, there lies a tale. Intertwining stories of an embittered man, a loyal hound, an abandoned cat and a vengeful lamia sing of love, loss, loneliness and hope. Appelt’s lyrical storytelling heightens the distinguished characteristics of this work.
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle (Henry Holt & Comapny)
The Surrender Tree utilizes compelling free verse in alternating voices to lyrically tell the story of Cuba’s three wars for independence from Spain. Combining real-life characters (such as legendary healer Rosa La Bayamesa) with imagined individuals, Engle focuses on Rosa’s struggle to save everyone–black, white, Cuban, Spanish, friend or enemy.
Savvy by Ingrid Law (Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group in partnership with Walden Media, LLC
This rich first-person narrative draws readers into a wild bus ride, winding through the countryside on a journey of self-discovery for Mibs Beaumont and her companions. Newcomer Law weaves a magical tall tale, using vivid language and lively personalities, all bouncing their way to a warm, satisfying conclusion.
After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Books for Young Readers)
This tightly woven novel looks back on two years in a New York City neighborhood, where life changes for two 11-year-olds when a new girl joins their game of double Dutch. Bonded by Tupac’s music, the three girls explore the lure of freedom and build a friendship that redefines their own identities.
Turkish author, Mehmet Murat Somer author of the popular Turkish Delight Mystery series will be at Centuries & Sleuths in Forest Park on Thursday, January 29th at 7:00 pm. Mehmet’s hero/heroine is a computer security expert by day that channels Audrey Hepburn at night when this unnamed transvestite becomes as hostess at a club that she has a small ownership interest in.
The Kiss Murder, the second in the series that are bestsellers in Turkey, is bringing Mehmet to the US. If you like something on the edge but with humor these are the books for you. It takes place in Istanbul and it is lesson of geographic and social culture.
24/8 is proud to be a partner with Penguin and will be giving away books this week to celebrate the series arrival here in the US. Please check under Blue Plate Specials for the details.
The Change Your Life Challenge is a way to make those resolutions come true in 2009. But that’s not all, starting next week Brook is hosting a virtual tour, where she’ll be giving a week-long FREE workshop beginning Monday, January 26, that take the ideas and tips to make a change in your life, and help you put them in action.
Additionally, anyone who buys her book at Target or Costco stores nationwide can submit their receipt and in exchange they’ll receive a free month-long membership to Brook’s Make Today Matter Life Coaching System! It is a win win proposition you have nothing to loose, and so much to gain.
By leaving a comment, you have the chance to win a copy of Brook’s book, The Change Your Life Challenge! Let us know what you think of your own resolutions, or what has helped you change your own life over the years. Thanks to our friends at Source Books, One Lucky Commenter registered at 24/8 mail, will win a copy of the book and can jumpstart the challenge to make today matter!
It has been a great season for movies for the whole family This Friday is no exception as the book INKHEART will premiere on the big screen. This movie was once again adapted from a brilliant book by author Cornelia Funke.
Description:One cruel night, Meggie’s father, Mo, reads aloud from INKHEART, and an evil ruler named Capricorn escapes the boundaries of fiction, landing instead in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie’s in the middle of the kind of adventure she thought only took place in fairy tales. Somehow she must master the magic that has conjured up this nightmare. Can she change the course of the story that has changed her life forever?
“Beguiling…the story seems to have been sprinkled with some magical fairy dust.”–The New York Times Book Review
Hollywood take care to preserve the mastery that authors are bringing to the written word as it has and will continue to supply the rich material for so many of the pictures on the big screen.
Jordan Danedebut novel, No One Heard Her Scream, was chosen as one of the ‘Best Books of the Year’ in 2008 by Publishers Weekly. The trade publication raved, “Dane crafts this debut murder mystery with tight plotting and smooth prose, and adds a few sparks to create a story that appeals to mainstream thriller readers as well as romantic suspense fans.”
Her second trilogy, SWEET JUSTICE, starts with Evil Without a Face (Avon, On Sale: 1/27/2009, ISBN 13: 9780061474125, $7.99), a new series about three powerful women—a bounty hunter operating outside the law, an ambitious vice cop, and a former international operative with a mysterious past.
Ripped from the headlines, Dane’s gritty suspense plots weave a tapestry of vivid settings, intrigue, and dark humor. A thrilling ride of mystery and suspense. There a many upcoming opportunities to see and join JD on a blog site coming up, http://www.jordandane.com/appearances.php.
are in for a treat tonight on the Hallmark TV channel. A Cool, Dry Place is presented tonight, check your local listings. This 1998 movie adapted from the novel Dance Real Slow by Michael Grant Jaffe. The movie stars Vince Vaughn, Monica Potter, Joey Lauren Adams and Bobby Moat.
Remember Hollywood, so many ideas for movies are adapted from novels so it is essential to keep this artform as strong as possible or it will hurt your industry. So many good books so many good reads.
Author Jeff Kinney joined Al Roker’s Today Show Kids Club today. Jeff is just a regular guy that wrote his first installment of this very popular series for adults. He worked on this for nine years and when it was sold to the publisher the good news was it was sold, the bad news was it was sold as a kids book.
It has changed many kids lives to date with more to come. Jeff is unique in that he does both the illustrations and the writing himself. The third book in this series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw was just released a few days ago. Your children, both boys and girls will love this series so pick up the original Wimpy Kid Diary or the lastest one today.
Be sure to visit Jeff’s website, it is adorable, http://www.wimpykid.com/. There is also news and a link about how to try out for the lead character, Greg, for the upcoming Twentienth Century’s Fox picture.
Princess Mia whom we have all gotten to know over the years in the books and on the big screen is going to be featured for the last time in Meg Cabot’s latest book, Forever Princess. Alas, do not fret, the clever folks at Avon and Meg have found a way to give Mia her own voice.Ransom My Heart is a new book penned by the princess herself. As the princess has had so many romantic notions and adventures it is only fitting her new book is a romance. Meg and Princess Mia care about the environment and that is why they have chosen to team up. But it is not enough for Meg and Mia to talk about Greenpeace they have really stepped up and are paying it forward by donating the advance and royalties from Ransom My Heart to Greenpeace. Additionally, if you go to the Greenpeace website you can find Meg Cabot e-cards, an exclusive Q&A with Meg and Princess Mia, info on what you can do to help, and much more.
PS According to Meg’s website, Princess Mia will continue to blog even though she is not going to be the subject of a book.
The Original Voices program highlights exceptional emerging writers. Finalists in four categories were chosen from the more than 150 books selected for the OV program in 2008. The winners from each category receive a $5,000 award.
Awards are fantastic for us to find new treasures and of course for the authors that receive them. Please remember to visit your local Borders today as they work to weather this tough economy.
24/8 Book Club 