Obituaries National Book Award winner Barry Lopez, 75, died Christmas Day following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. Publishing veteran Roland Elgey, 65, died recently of colorectal cancer. He was 65 years old. His 40 years in publishing included serving as president of Que Computer Publishing and svp of sales at Que/Sams, Hungry Minds. Later in his career he worked in publishing services, most recently as vp for business development at Integra Software Services. Biographer Scott Donaldson, 92, died on December 1 of lung cancer. Poet Jean Valentine, 86, whose collection Door in the Mountain, won the 2004 National Book Award, […]
Best of
The Best of the Best Children’s Books of 2020
For the second year, we are pleased to present a terrific tabulation of the consensus Best of the Best Children’s Books of 2020. Drawing on 20 selective sources in all, the data naturally provided a clear set of top titles across young adult, middle grade, and picture books. With more lists focused on young adult books than any other segment, we also have a top 10 young adult list to share. Top 3 Young Adult Books of the Year 1. Stamped, Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi (Little, Brown Children’s) 2. Clap When You Land, Elizabeth Acevedo (Quill Tree) 3. […]
The Final, Very Best of the Best Books of 2020
With 59 votes tabulated we’re ready to present the final and ultimate aggregation of selective “best of 2020” book lists from all over — including major publications of all kinds, but also retailer and library selections, major award nominees, public votes, new “tastemakers” and more. This year Isabel Wilkerson’s CASTE led as “book of the year” from start to finish — and it becomes the first work of nonfiction to claim that distinction since we started compiling these aggregated lists. In fiction, Brit Bennett’s THE VANISHING HALF also led the field the entire way. A big five of the top […]
Briefs
Andrea Walker has joined Azantian Literary Agency as agent. She was previously an agent at Olswanger Literary. William Morris Endeavor named 25 new partners across the agency, including Margaret Riley King in the books department. WME also told staff that the pay reductions imposed in April will be restored starting January 1. Best Of Barack Obama shared his favorite books of the year. His picks include novels by Brit Bennett, Raven Leilani, and Kawai Strong Washburn, all featured in our Buzz Books 2020 Spring/Sumer anthology. Homeland Elegies, by Ayad Akhtar Jack, by Marilynne Robinson Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson The Splendid […]
Counting Down to the Very Best of the Best Books of 2020
Here is our weekly updated aggregation of the best of Best Books of 2020 lists, now with over 50 lists tabulated. As has been the case all along, Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste leads the overall Top 10 and is in line to be the first nonfiction book to rank as Book of the Year since we started these compilations. Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half continues to lead among works of fiction, where a pretty clear top 10 list is emerging as well: The Very Best of the Best Books of 2020: Top 10 Overall 1. Caste, Isabel Wilkerson [22] 2. The […]
People, Etc.
Beth Polcari has been promoted to president, international, at Scholastic, starting January 1. She succeeds Nelson Hitchcock, who will retire at the end of the year after 15 years. Rose Else-Mitchell is rejoining the company as president, education solutions, and will work with current Scholastic Education president Greg Worrell and Polcari to combine their existing divisions into a single education solutions group over the next six months, which Ms. Else-Mitchell will lead starting June 1. After the transition, Worrell will continue to advise on strategic partnerships until his retirement in December 2021 after 30 years. Polcari, Else-Mitchell, and Worrell will […]