Senior editor Ira Silverberg is leaving Simon & Schuster at the end of the year, after a little more than 3 years with the company. Publisher Jonathan Karp calls the forthcoming HARK by Sam Lipsyte, acquired by Silverberg, something “we expect to be one of our fiction highlights in 2019.” He notes, “Ira has been an ardent champion of his authors, a keen observer of international literary talent, and valued colleague.”
Forthcoming
Diana Gabaldon previewed her ninth book in the Outlander series, GO TELL THE BEES THAT I AM GONE, a couple of months ago but said she was still at work and there was no publication date. On December 22 on Twitter, she told a reader that the book will indeed “be out in 2019” — and Recorded Books has an audiobook release currently listed for October 1, 2019.
Bookselling
Carol Besse and Michael Boggs of Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville will retire and pass on the store to their daughter Miranda Blankenship, and their niece Kelly Estep. The store has been in operation since 1978.
Obits
Israeli novelist Amos Oz, 79, a longtime candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature, died Friday from cancer. “To those who love him, thank you,” his daughter Fania Oz-Salzberger posted on Twitter in announcing Oz’s death.
Picks
Heart by Sandeep Jauhar is the January pick for the PBS NewsHour-New York Times book club.
The Book of the Month Club chose Madeline Miller’s Circe as its Book of the Year, based on members’ votes.
Barack Obama posted a list of his favorite books he read in 2018. Books published this year include his wife’s book as well as: An American Marriage by Tayari Jones; Educated by Tara Westover; Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday; Warlight by Michael Ondaatje; Feel Free by Zadie Smith; Florida by Lauren Groff; and more.