About Books & Literature: Best Debut Fiction of 2012

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor The Age of Miracles was one of my favorite novels of the year, and as it turns out, it was Karen Thompson Walker's debut. It wasn't the only great debut this year, either. Check out some others... Best Debut Fiction of 2012 Joining The Age of Miracles on this list is Maggie Shipstead's Seating Arrangements which I picked up to read at the beach a few weeks ago but never got to, as well as several others which look quite promising. See More About:  debut fiction  2012 books  reading recommendations Book Review: 'Telegraph Avenue' by Michael Chabon I'm a music geek -- an esoteric world music geek, to be more specific -- and there are few places I'd rather be at any given moment than flipping through stacks and stacks of funky old records at any one of the used record shops on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley (especially if I was still stuffed from lunch at Chez Panisse and buzzin' on a cup of Major Dickason's Blend from Peet's). This new book is about two guys who own a record store in Berkeley, as well as the funky characters who make up their scene. I haven't read a single page yet, and I'm already hooked. See More About:  michael chabon  literary fiction  "The Devil and Tom Walker" by Washington Irving Halloween is approaching, and in honor of my very favorite holiday, I'm going to link to a classic scary story in this newsletter every week for the five weeks, as we count down. This Faustian tale from spooky story master Washington Irving is a great way to ease into the spirit (pun intended) of the season. See More About:  the devil and tom walker  washington irving  faust What Ever Happened to Thee and Thou? Speaking of geekery, if you're a word nerd, here's a fun article that'll get you thinking about the loss of the formal and informal second-person distinctions in the English language. Our own Richard Nordquist always makes grammar fun. No, really. Books & Literature Ads Scholastic Books Books Stores Books Literature Books Music Books Featured Articles "Inscription on the Monument of a Newfoundland Dog" 'Proof: A Play' by David Auburn Elephant and Piggie Series - Great New Reader Books Quotations About Heartbreak Scholastic Comic Book Publisher Profile Famous First Lines of Novels   More from About.com Plan a Caribbean Vacation Whether you're planning a romantic escape, a girlfriend getaway, or an active family vacation we've got the resources you need. Read more...> How to Eat Locally Eating locally has many benefits, the food is fresher, tastes better, and has less environmental impact. But how can you get started? Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com   Learn Shakespeare... With Video! Shakespeare's Comedies Shakespeare's Tragedies How To Translate Shakespeare's Top Words and Phrases Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Good Books to Read in the Fall

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor Fall officially begins this weekend, and with it comes hot cider, pumpkin carving, and the looming threat of snow. We'd all better stay inside with a book, just in case. Good Books to Read in the Fall These books cover several genres, but all of them lend themselves well to this season of change. When it's time to light that first woodstove fire of the year (or, if you live way down in the Deep South as I do, turn the air conditioner off), consider curling up with one of these. See More About:  book recommendations  the big burn  our story begins Kids' Books About Libraries Did you know that September is Library Sign-Up Month? If you don't have a library card, why not go get one today? While you're there, bring home one of these picture books about libraries to bring home to your kids -- or better yet, take them along! See More About:  children's books about libraries and librarians  libraries  Review: 'Redshirts' by John Scalzi Says our Guide to Contemporary Literature: Ok, here's a riddle for you: Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Doctor McCoy beam down to the planet Tatooine (shut up, it's my riddle) with the red-shirted Ensign Johnson that none of us has ever seen before. Who gets their face vaporized by the planetary bad guys? We all know the answer to that one, right? Well, what if the redshirts banded together and decided to fight back? How to Improve Your Reading Speed Okay, confession time: my New Year's Resolution was to read 100 books this year. I just finished number 42. It's September. It's time to step up my game, folks. I'll be using this list here to improve my speed, but we'll see if I can catch up! See More About:  how to  reference  study Books & Literature Ads Kids Books Books for Children Children 'S Books Story Books for Kids Books Featured Articles Video: Shakespeare's Tragedies Video: Shakespeare's Comedies H.L Mencken and the American Language It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Superman! (The Musical!) Quotes on Wisdom What is Your Favorite Novel?   More from About.com Plan a Caribbean Vacation Whether you're planning a romantic escape, a girlfriend getaway, or an active family vacation we've got the resources you need. Read more...> How to Eat Locally Eating locally has many benefits, the food is fresher, tastes better, and has less environmental impact. But how can you get started? Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com   Poems by George Gordon, Lord Byron When We Two Parted (1808) I Saw Thee Weep (1815) Farewell to the Muse (1832) Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Celebrating 50 Years of 'A Wrinkle in Time'

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor I've read A Wrinkle in Time about a dozen times over the year, starting when it was on my fifth grade required reading list. I'm pretty sure I understand it better now than I did when I was 10, but I'm still not sure that my brain is wrapped all the way around it. I refuse to believe that it's just a book for kids. (Mostly because if that were true, I'd surely be able to understand it completely by now...) 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition This year marks the 50th anniversary of A Wrinkle in Time's original release in 1962, and a commemorative edition of the book has been released. Is it worth picking up? Read More... See More About:  fantasy and science fiction for kids and teens  classic children's books  Madeleine L'Engle Video Profile I vividly remember my first impression of A Wrinkle in Time. "The author," thought my 10-year-old self, "has the most glamorous name I've ever heard." It turns out that she was as interesting as her name. (And hey, it turns out that she quite liked my name, too, as she named her protagonist "Meg!") Read More... Quotes from 'A Wrinkle in Time' "But you see, Meg, just because we don't understand doesn't mean that the explanation doesn't exist." Read More... See More About:  wrinkle in time  madeleine l'engle  novel quotes All About 'A Wrinkle in Time' Did you know that A Wrinkle in Time is one of the most frequently banned books in America? What's funny is that some people have wanted it banned because they think it's overtly Christian, whereas others want it banned because it's overtly Pagan. Hmm. Read More... See More About:  fantasy and science fiction for kids and teens  children's book awards  Books & Literature Ads Kids Books Read Books Online Literature Books Books for School Books for Kids Featured Articles Should I Get My Comic Book Restored? VIZ Manga Offers New Android App The Long Decline of Political Oratory Macy's Gives Drama Teachers an Early Christmas Gift Back to School Quotes Autumn Poems   More from About.com Free Children's Books How would you like to have access to a free online public library of books from around the world for kids 3 to 13? Read more...> Best Water Parks Better pack your bathing suit -- here are our recommendations for the funnest, wettest, splashiest water parks around. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com   Reviews of Recent Releases 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' by Stephen Chbosky 'Redshirts' by John Scalzi 'Seating Arrangements' by Maggie Shipstead Advertisement

About Books & Literature: September Book Releases

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor As summer draws to a close, we're starting to see the standard shift from beach-friendly new releases to the slightly more serious books that match the mood for the crisp evenings that are rapidly approaching. New Books in September September's releases include This is How You Lose Her, a new book of short stories from Junot Diaz (The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao), Winter of the World by Ken Follett (the second book in the Century Trilogy, following the critically acclaimed Fall of Giants), and The Casual Vacancy, the first-ever novel for adults written by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. See More About:  2012 books  new book releases  Review: 'Seating Arrangements' by Maggie Shipstead If you're one of the lucky ones who gets to spend the last couple of warm summer weekends in a beachy sort of place, this novel might be a good one to take along. Says our Guide: "In many ways, Seating Arrangements is the perfect end of summer book, with a beach house setting and wistful tone." Review: 'Skios' by Michael Frayn This farcical romantic novel takes place at a professional conference, which, if you've never been to one of the dreaded events, may not sound like the perfect setting for a farce, but if you have done time at one or more, you're probably giggling already. See More About:  michael frayn  funny books  farce Kate Chopin - 'The Story of an Hour' In keeping with the goal of getting more classic literature into your life, I submit this short story for your reading pleasure. It's a very quick read with a surprise ending, and in its simplicity, has stirred up tremendous amounts of literary critique and discussion. Have a go at it and see what you think! See More About:  kate chopin  story of an hour  american literature Books & Literature Ads Book Club Books Best Books for Kids Kids Books Read Books Online Literature Books Featured Articles Comic Review: Examination 1-3 Sophocles in 60 Seconds Why Two Heads are Not Always Better Than One King Lear Act 1, Scene 1 Quotes About Yourself Emily Dickinson: Continuing Enigma   More from About.com Free Children's Books How would you like to have access to a free online public library of books from around the world for kids 3 to 13? Read more...> Best Water Parks Better pack your bathing suit -- here are our recommendations for the funnest, wettest, splashiest water parks around. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com   Poems For Autumn William Blake - "To Autumn" (1783) Dante Gabriel Rossetti - "Autumn Song" (1883) Carl Sandburg - "Autumn Movement" (1918) Advertisement