Saying Goodbye to a Literary Legend

Farewell to a Legend:

Tributes have been pouring in throughout the literary world for Cormac McCarthy, who died this week at the age of 89. Known for his works including All The Pretty Horses, No Country for Old Men and The Road, McCarthy, with a unique voice, humor and insight into the human condition, was widely regarded as one of the most talented American fiction writers of his generation. His novels, primarily set in the American Southwest, captivated readers and critics alike. McCarthy’s impact extended to the screen, with several film adaptations of his works. McCarthy’s final publications, The Passenger and Stella Maris, received critical acclaim in 2022.

And Farewell to Another Literary Legend:

Robert A. Gottlieb, a renowned editor at Simon & Schuster, Alfred A. Knopf and The New Yorker, passed away this week at 92. Gottlieb’s seven-decade career included collaborations with esteemed authors like Toni Morrison, Joseph Heller and Robert Caro. He championed contemporary literary giants and edited bestsellers by genre writers such as Michael Crichton and Anne Rice. Notably, his work with Morrison led to groundbreaking novels like Beloved, a Pulitzer Prize winner. Besides publishing, Gottlieb served on ballet boards and authored biographies of notable figures like Greta Garbo. His contributions as a dedicated editor will be cherished for years to come.

Ali Hazelwood on Writing:

New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Ali Hazelwood has captivated romance fans since the release of her debut novel, The Love Hypothesis, a tale of two scientists navigating a hate-to-fake-dating relationship. This success propelled Hazelwood to become a prominent figure in the romance genre. In her recent interview with BookTrib, the professor-turned-author talks about her books and writing process, as well as her upcoming novel Love, Theoretically.

Amazon’s Best Books of 2023 (So Far):

Amazon has unveiled its selection of the best books of the year so far, with Ann Napolitano’s Hello Beautiful claiming the top position. Other books that made the cut include: S.A. Cosby’s crime novel All the Sinners Bleed, Jean M. Twenge’s Generations, Emilia Hart’s Weyward, Paul Kix’s You Have To Be Prepared To Die Before You Can Begin To Live: Ten Weeks in Birmingham That Changed America, Helen Elaine Lee’s Pomegranate, Deepti Kapoor’s Age of Vice, David Grann’s The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, Abraham Verghese’s The Covenant of Water and Emily Henry’s Happy Place.

A Good Omen for Fans:

The second season of Good Omens, the television series based on Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s 1990 fantasy novel, has a trailer. The story centers around Aziraphale, an angel, and Crowley, a demon, as they work together to prevent the apocalypse triggered by Satan’s son. While the first season faithfully followed the book, the second season expands upon the universe created by Pratchett and Gaiman, and is set to premiere on July 28 on Amazon Prime Video.

Electrifying New Enemies-To-Lovers Series:

Marie Lu takes her bestselling author status in a thrilling new direction with her YA spy thriller, Stars and Smoke. The novel introduces Winter Young, an international superstar, and Sydney Cossette, a no-nonsense spy, as an unlikely duo teaming up for a high-stakes mission. Readers are bound to become immersed in the world of covert operations, secret gadgets, and electrifying adventures.

Ernest Cline to Make Kid Lit Debut:

Ernest Cline, author of Ready Player One, will release his first children’s book next year, titled Bridge to Bat City. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will publish the book, marking Cline’s return after four years. The story revolves around Opal B. Flats, a 13-year-old girl who moves to her uncle’s farm and befriends a group of music-loving bats. When a mining company threatens their habitat, Opal and the bats escape to Austin, Texas, a city known for its fascination with these winged creatures. Bridge to Bat City combines elements of fact and fiction, featuring vibrant characters, 1980s Austin, music history, activism, environmentalism, and themes of belonging. The book is set to be published on April 9, 2024.

Queer YA Rom-Com Paves the Way for a Happily Ever After:

Dahlia Adler’s latest release, Going Bicoastal, explores the challenges of decision-making and the possibilities that lie ahead. The book follows Natalya Fox, who faces a summer filled with two enticing options: staying in New York City to gather the courage to approach her crush, or heading to California to reconnect with her work-driven mother. With dual timelines, readers witness Natalya’s journey as she navigates different scenarios, grappling with her bisexuality, Jewish background, and understanding what it means to be queer.

The Winner’s Circle:

The 2023 Lambda Literary Awards, recognizing outstanding works by LGBTQ+ authors, have recently been announced. K-Ming Chang received the lesbian fiction award for Gods of Want, Danny Ramadan won the gay fiction prize for The Foghorn Echoes, while Gwendolyn Kiste’s Reluctant Immortals took the bisexual fiction award and Cat Fitzpatrick’s The Call-Out won the transgender fiction prize. Hafizah Augustus Geter’s The Black Period: On Personhood, Race, and Origin was honored in the LGBTQ+ nonfiction category. Emma Grove’s The Third Person won the transgender nonfiction prize, and Maria San Filippo’s Appropriate Behavior received the bisexual nonfiction award. Other winners included Kathryn Schulz for Lost & Found, Edgar Gomez for High-Risk Homosexual, Sonora Reyes for The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, Wallace West for Mighty Red Riding Hood, and Maulik Pancholy for Nikhil Out Loud. A complete list of winners can be found on the Lambda Literary website.

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