The Style Blog: books


Posted at 09:37 AM ET, 05/20/2013

Two thumbs up! (I hated it)
By Ron Charles
What do the blurbs on book jackets really mean?

By Ron Charles  |  09:37 AM ET, 05/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 11:22 AM ET, 05/19/2013

Adam Mansbach at the Gaithersburg Book Festival
By Ron Charles
The fourth annual book fair offered 100 authors and a dozen workshops.

By Ron Charles  |  11:22 AM ET, 05/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 09:33 AM ET, 05/15/2013

Timothy Egan wins Chautauqua Prize for "Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher"
By Ron Charles
Egan's biography of American West photographer Edward Curtis garners $7,500 and a week at the summer program in New York State.

By Ron Charles  |  09:33 AM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 04:30 PM ET, 05/13/2013

Paul Muldoon fed and feted at Irish ambassador's residence
By Ron Charles
The Irish poet will speak tonight at the Folger Library

By Ron Charles  |  04:30 PM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 12:58 PM ET, 05/08/2013

Ahoy! 'Moby Dick, or, The Card Game'
By Ron Charles
The Kickstarter campaign raised more than $65,000 in a single week.

By Ron Charles  |  12:58 PM ET, 05/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 12:14 PM ET, 05/05/2013

Benjamin Alire Saenz receives PEN/Faulkner Fiction Award
By Ron Charles
First Latino writer to win the prize in its 33-year history

By Ron Charles  |  12:14 PM ET, 05/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 11:54 AM ET, 05/02/2013

U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey: Poetry still matters
By Ron Charles
Her final lecture in the Library of Congress concludes an extraordinarily popular term.

By Ron Charles  |  11:54 AM ET, 05/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 04/24/2013

The Totally Hip Book Review of Claire Messud's 'The Woman Upstairs'
By Ron Charles
It's just such a shame that it's so shrill and bitter....

By Ron Charles  |  10:45 AM ET, 04/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 06:03 AM ET, 04/22/2013

Kevin Powers's "The Yellow Birds" among Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards winners
By Ron Charles
The annual prize recognizes fiction and nonfiction about cultural diversity.

By Ron Charles  |  06:03 AM ET, 04/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 05:01 PM ET, 04/19/2013

"Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" named a finalist for the Chautauqua Prize
By Ron Charles
Now in its second year, the contest drew 125 submissions in fiction and nonfiction

By Ron Charles  |  05:01 PM ET, 04/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 02:19 PM ET, 04/18/2013

Southern indie bookstore owners pick their favorite titles
By Ron Charles
Ben Fountain's "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" is a finalist for the fiction prize.

By Ron Charles  |  02:19 PM ET, 04/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 11:55 AM ET, 04/18/2013

How to visualize anything
By Ron Charles
"The Best American Infographics" will present the finest examples of data visualization.

By Ron Charles  |  11:55 AM ET, 04/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 11:21 AM ET, 04/18/2013

Andrew Solomon wins Lukas Book Prize
By Ron Charles
And Robert Caro wins Lynton History Award for latest Johnson biography

By Ron Charles  |  11:21 AM ET, 04/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 04:03 PM ET, 04/16/2013

"Stag's Leap" sells out after winning Pulitzer Prize
By Ron Charles
Knopf goes back for 5th paperback printing of Sharon Olds's winning collection

By Ron Charles  |  04:03 PM ET, 04/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Book, Books

Posted at 01:07 PM ET, 04/16/2013

The Hunger Games Explorer combines trailer, tweets and more
By Cara Kelly
The site is a catch-all for Hunger Games content, including the new "Catching Fire" trailer.

By Cara Kelly  |  01:07 PM ET, 04/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books, Movies

Posted at 02:54 PM ET, 04/15/2013

Granta's Best Young British Novelists
By Ron Charles
Every 10 years, the London-based literary magazine predicts who we'll be reading in the future.

By Ron Charles  |  02:54 PM ET, 04/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 02:37 PM ET, 04/11/2013

Maryland jockey wins book award
By Timothy R. Smith
Patrick Smithwick's "Flying Change" chronicles his return to steeplechase racing after a 25-year hiatus

By Timothy R. Smith  |  02:37 PM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 01:24 PM ET, 04/11/2013

Elizabeth Alexander opens the Hill Center Poetry Series
By Ron Charles
Attendants hear her recite "Praise Song" from President Obama's first inauguration

By Ron Charles  |  01:24 PM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:19 AM ET, 04/08/2013

Amazon buys Goodreads -- and then goes totally hip
By Ron Charles
The Seattle-based retailer acquires the Totally Hip Video Book Review

By Ron Charles  |  10:19 AM ET, 04/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 09:41 AM ET, 04/05/2013

10 illuminating books about North Korea
By Timothy R. Smith
Fiction and nonfiction that sheds lights on the secretive communist nation

By Timothy R. Smith  |  09:41 AM ET, 04/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 11:27 AM ET, 03/29/2013

Remodeled St. Louis Central Library is a marvel
By Ron Charles
A $70 million renovation brings the city library into the present while honoring its glorious past.

By Ron Charles  |  11:27 AM ET, 03/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 01:20 PM ET, 03/22/2013

Humble beginnings of Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart'
By Marie Elizabeth Oliver
As with so many things, the success of Chinua Achebe is best understood in reverse.

By Marie Elizabeth Oliver  |  01:20 PM ET, 03/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 09:20 AM ET, 03/22/2013

Sheryl Sandberg and Ben Franklin lean in together
By Ron Charles
"Lean In" offers negotiating advice that America's Founding Father would recognize

By Ron Charles  |  09:20 AM ET, 03/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:03 AM ET, 03/20/2013

The Western Writers of America lasso the best books of the year
By Ron Charles
Thomas Cobb wins the 2013 Spur Award for "With Blood in Their Eyes"

By Ron Charles  |  10:03 AM ET, 03/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 09:45 AM ET, 03/19/2013

10 years of the Iraq War: 10 great books
By Ron Charles
10 of the best works of fiction and nonfiction

By Ron Charles  |  09:45 AM ET, 03/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:07 AM ET, 03/18/2013

Dan Brown's 'Inferno' is already burning
By Ron Charles
Free e-copies of 'The Da Vinci Code' and a preview of Brown's upcoming novel are available this week.

By Ron Charles  |  10:07 AM ET, 03/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 03:12 PM ET, 03/15/2013

Two female Supreme Court Justices on the bestseller list
By Ron Charles
For the first time ever, two female Supreme Court Justices -- one sitting, one former -- have books on The Washington Post bestseller list simultaneously.

By Ron Charles  |  03:12 PM ET, 03/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:30 AM ET, 03/15/2013

Fifty weeks of 'Fifty Shades of Grey'
By Ron Charles
EL James erotic novel has been on The Washington Post bestseller list for 50 weeks.

By Ron Charles  |  10:30 AM ET, 03/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 08:56 AM ET, 03/15/2013

Luck o' the Irish: 7 novelists for St. Patrick's Day
By Ron Charles
What's the luckiest thing that's ever happened to you?

By Ron Charles  |  08:56 AM ET, 03/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 11:09 AM ET, 03/14/2013

The Life of Pi Day
By Ron Charles
March 14 (3.14) is a day to reconsider our most mysterious number.

By Ron Charles  |  11:09 AM ET, 03/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 09:55 AM ET, 03/14/2013

Washington native aims to set record for most book club visits in a month
By Ron Charles
Jennifer Miller, author of "The Year of the Gadfly" wants to visit 100 book clubs in July.

By Ron Charles  |  09:55 AM ET, 03/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:11 AM ET, 03/12/2013

The Curious Incident of the Kindle Single in the Day-Time
By Ron Charles
Mark Haddon reflects on overcoming his fear of swimming and flying -- and writing.

By Ron Charles  |  10:11 AM ET, 03/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 09:02 AM ET, 03/10/2013

Books for Daylight Saving Time travelers
By Ron Charles
You only lost an hour. These people are lost in time.

By Ron Charles  |  09:02 AM ET, 03/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 11:56 AM ET, 03/08/2013

Joyce Carol Oates and the accursed tale of two dust jackets
By Ron Charles
Her new novel, "The Accursed," sports strikingly different dust jackets in England and the United States

By Ron Charles  |  11:56 AM ET, 03/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 02:49 PM ET, 03/07/2013

Celebrate #WorldBookDay with our list of best books
By Fahima Haque
In honor of World Book Day, we recommend some of our favorite fiction and non-fiction titles from the past year.

By Fahima Haque  |  02:49 PM ET, 03/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 01:34 PM ET, 03/06/2013

Washington writer Thomas Mallon among finalists for PEN/Faulkner Award
By Ron Charles
His comic novel "Watergate" is one of five works of fiction vying for the $15,000 prize.

By Ron Charles  |  01:34 PM ET, 03/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 03/04/2013

New poetry series to begin soon in Washington
By Ron Charles
The Hill Center Poetry Series will open with Elizabeth Alexander on April 10.

By Ron Charles  |  11:00 AM ET, 03/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 05:13 PM ET, 03/01/2013

Amazon website down briefly Friday afternoon
By Ron Charles
The Seattle-based online retailed quickly recovered from a technical glitch

By Ron Charles  |  05:13 PM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 12:55 PM ET, 03/01/2013

Poem by 13-year-old Charlotte Bronte could fetch $67,000
By Ron Charles
A tiny slip of paper containing a handwritten poem by 13-year-old Charlotte Bronte is expected to fetch as much as $67,000 when it goes to auction next month in London.

By Ron Charles  |  12:55 PM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 09:55 AM ET, 02/28/2013

Natasha Trethewey celebrates 75th anniversary of Poetry and Literature Center
By Ron Charles
The poet laureate spoke with the NewHour's Jeffrey Brown about the troubling blank spots in American history

By Ron Charles  |  09:55 AM ET, 02/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 03:01 PM ET, 02/25/2013

Mary Doria Russell on the perils (and rewards) of being a midlist novelist
By Ron Charles
Just as her celebrated novel "Doc" was being released, her publisher said good-bye.

By Ron Charles  |  03:01 PM ET, 02/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 01:33 AM ET, 02/23/2013

'Book Thief' author Markus Zusak remembers humble beginnings
By Ron Charles
The international bestseller's first book reading was a disaster.

By Ron Charles  |  01:33 AM ET, 02/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 12:51 PM ET, 02/19/2013

"Human Capital" finds a market in Italy
By Ron Charles
Filming began yesterday in Italy on a movie version of Stephen Amidon's "Human Capital."

By Ron Charles  |  12:51 PM ET, 02/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 12:46 PM ET, 02/19/2013

Ron Paul is calling school to order
By Ron Charles
The former presidential candidate will release a libertarian critique of education on Sept. 17.

By Ron Charles  |  12:46 PM ET, 02/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 02:50 PM ET, 02/18/2013

Relax -- rabies is good news!
By Ron Charles
A recent attack by a rabid fox in Washington recalls the best rabies scenes in literature.

By Ron Charles  |  02:50 PM ET, 02/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 11:17 AM ET, 02/18/2013

Haruki Murakami fans: Brush up on your Japanese
By Ron Charles
The international bestselling author will release his new novel in April.

By Ron Charles  |  11:17 AM ET, 02/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:32 AM ET, 02/15/2013

What to read before the asteroid strikes
By Ron Charles
Novelist Ron Currie, Jr. reflects on life in the cosmic shooting gallery.

By Ron Charles  |  10:32 AM ET, 02/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:13 AM ET, 02/14/2013

How do bestselling novelists court Cupid on Valentine's Day?
By Ron Charles
Bestselling novelists reveal their plans for romance -- and home maintenance.

By Ron Charles  |  10:13 AM ET, 02/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 04:09 PM ET, 02/13/2013

Valentine's Day at Harlequin headquarters
By Ron Charles
Like the rest of us, the editors of Harlequin romance books celebrate with chocolate.

By Ron Charles  |  04:09 PM ET, 02/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 04:28 PM ET, 02/12/2013

Hatchet Job of the Year Award
By Ron Charles
The annual prize for the angriest, funniest, most trenchant book review.

By Ron Charles  |  04:28 PM ET, 02/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 01:20 PM ET, 02/12/2013

AARP launches new book blog
By Ron Charles
Tens of millions of "mature" readers can't be wrong.

By Ron Charles  |  01:20 PM ET, 02/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:54 AM ET, 02/11/2013

Would you pay to browse in a real bookstore?
By Ron Charles
How might “real” bookstores fight back against their Amazonian nemesis?

By Ron Charles  |  10:54 AM ET, 02/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 02:39 PM ET, 02/10/2013

President Lyndon B. Johnson at St. John's Church
By Ron Charles
Lecture series on President Lyndon B. Johnson at St. John's Church

By Ron Charles  |  02:39 PM ET, 02/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:04 AM ET, 02/09/2013

How wet is the Arena Stage's 'Metamorphoses'?
By Ron Charles
If you sit in the first two rows, you might get soaked.

By Ron Charles  |  10:04 AM ET, 02/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books, Culture

Posted at 09:10 PM ET, 02/07/2013

America the Distracted -- from Walden Pond to Facebook
By Ron Charles
America has always been a distracted nation -- and anxious about it.

By Ron Charles  |  09:10 PM ET, 02/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 03:47 PM ET, 02/07/2013

'Creaky voice' draws huge audience to 'Lexicon Valley' podcast
By Ron Charles
We know what drives Web traffic: LOLcats, Kate Middleton and . . . guttural flutterings. Wondering about that last one? When Slate's relatively new podcast "Lexicon Valley" did a show about "creaky voice," downloads soared.

By Ron Charles  |  03:47 PM ET, 02/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books, Media

Posted at 10:04 AM ET, 02/07/2013

Washington area remains nation's 'most literate city' -- and among most romantic
By Ron Charles
Once again, Washington has been named the most literate city in the United States. And a separate study names Alexandria, Va., the second most romantic city in America. Apparently, all that traffic isn't hurting action in the library -- or the bedroom.

By Ron Charles  |  10:04 AM ET, 02/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books, DC

Posted at 06:32 PM ET, 02/06/2013

Books that illuminated gay life for Americans
By Ron Charles
Books that opened up life for gay Americans

By Ron Charles  |  06:32 PM ET, 02/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 06:11 PM ET, 02/05/2013

Sandra Day O'Connor event sells out in hours
By Ron Charles
Faster than Perry Mason could cry, "Objection, your honor!" Politics

By Ron Charles  |  06:11 PM ET, 02/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:19 AM ET, 02/05/2013

Bookish Web site debuts
By Ron Charles
A new publisher-sponsored Web site called Bookish hopes to give readers a place to discover their next favorite book.

By Ron Charles  |  10:19 AM ET, 02/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 03:26 PM ET, 01/31/2013

YA author Rachel Cohn visits Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
By Ron Charles
YA author Rachel Cohn visited Bethesda Chevy-Chase, her old high school.

By Ron Charles  |  03:26 PM ET, 01/31/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  BCC, Books, Rachel Cohn, YA books, YA fiction

Posted at 04:20 PM ET, 01/30/2013

US Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey on the legacy of the Civil War
By Ron Charles
US Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey talks about Walt Whitman and the mythology of the Civil War that still influences America's historical memory.

By Ron Charles  |  04:20 PM ET, 01/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books, Civil War, Poetry

Posted at 11:36 AM ET, 01/25/2013

Stephen King releases gun control essay
By Ron Charles
Best-selling author Stephen King has just released a passionate call for greater gun control. In a coup for Amazon, the essay is available only through its Kindle Store for 99 cents.

By Ron Charles  |  11:36 AM ET, 01/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 01:45 PM ET, 01/17/2013

Captain Underpants now available on the iPad
By Ron Charles
Parents beware, the beloved brief-clad superhero series is now available for purchase on the iPad.

By Ron Charles  |  01:45 PM ET, 01/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 10:56 AM ET, 01/14/2013

National Book Critics Circle finalists announced
By Ron Charles
Katherine Boo’s “Behind the Beautiful Forevers” and Robert Caro’s latest volume on Lyndon Johnson are among the 30 finalists.

By Ron Charles  |  10:56 AM ET, 01/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 11:35 AM ET, 01/12/2013

‘The Bachelor’ turns up the heat with Harlequin
By Ron Charles
Contestants on Monday night’s episode vie for a book-cover deal with the giant romance publisher.

By Ron Charles  |  11:35 AM ET, 01/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 12:11 PM ET, 01/09/2013

RGIII’s Surgeon’s new book published this week: How to prevent sports injuries (Oh.)
By Neely Tucker
How to prevent sports injuries (Oh.)

By Neely Tucker  |  12:11 PM ET, 01/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 06:31 PM ET, 01/04/2013

Gary Shteyngart blurbs
By Ron Charles
A new documentary examines the nature of blurbs by focusing on the master blurber himself.

By Ron Charles  |  06:31 PM ET, 01/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 07:30 PM ET, 01/03/2013

The Washington City Paper fiction issue
By Ron Charles
Four short stories show how life is lived by real people in the District.

By Ron Charles  |  07:30 PM ET, 01/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 12/20/2012

Book buyers confront ‘The Myth of Choice’
By Ron Charles
Advice about picking what to read next from Kent Greenfield, the author of “The Myth of Choice”

By Ron Charles  |  11:00 AM ET, 12/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 01:48 PM ET, 12/13/2012

Morgan Hill Bookstore finds new owners
By Ron Charles
Despite the economic collapse of the industry, the dream persists.

By Ron Charles  |  01:48 PM ET, 12/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 01:37 PM ET, 12/12/2012

Ben Fountain wins $10,000 Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize
By Ron Charles
Years of toiling as a writer pay off big in 2012 for the author of “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.”

By Ron Charles  |  01:37 PM ET, 12/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 12:58 PM ET, 11/29/2012

‘Hunger Games’ author Suzanne Collins to publish picture book in 2013
By Caitlin Dewey
The author of best-selling trilogy will publish a children’s book next year.

By Caitlin Dewey  |  12:58 PM ET, 11/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Latest, U.S. Weather | Tags:  books

Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 11/28/2012

Ally Condie, author of ‘Matched’ trilogy to speak at Bethesda library
By Neely Tucker
Author reads at 5 p.m., Nov. 29, at Bethesda Library

By Neely Tucker  |  11:45 AM ET, 11/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 09:34 AM ET, 11/16/2012

‘Anna Karenina’: An insight into Russian culture
By Veronica Toney
The fashion is just one way the film gives audiences a glimpse into Russia’s past and present.

By Veronica Toney  |  09:34 AM ET, 11/16/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  film, movies, celebrities, fashion, books, culture

Posted at 08:11 AM ET, 11/12/2012

Reviewing books on a Kindle
By Ron Charles
After 15 years of weekly reviewing, a book critic tries to read a novel on the Kindle.

By Ron Charles  |  08:11 AM ET, 11/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 09:24 AM ET, 10/20/2012

Frankenstein Madeline Rick Walton Nathan Hale
By Ron Charles
Rick Walton and Nathan Hale have reworked Ludwig Bemelman’s story of the little French girl just in time for Halloween.

By Ron Charles  |  09:24 AM ET, 10/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 01:31 PM ET, 10/11/2012

Mo Yan’s Nobel Prize-winning writing: Political struggle, loneliness, empathy
By Maura Judkis
Read what Washington Post critics have to say about the new Nobel Prize winner’s work.

By Maura Judkis  |  01:31 PM ET, 10/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics | Tags:  books

Posted at 02:17 PM ET, 10/04/2012

Jon Clinch self-publishes ‘The Thief of Auschwitz’
By Ron Charles
After two well-received novels with Random House, Jon Clinch strikes out on his own with Amazon.

By Ron Charles  |  02:17 PM ET, 10/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 09/27/2012

‘Casual Vacancy’ sales, so far, are casual
By Maura Judkis
Booksellers do not expect it to sell as well as “Harry Potter’ novels.

By Maura Judkis  |  02:30 PM ET, 09/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 09/26/2012

‘The Casual Vacancy’: Want an advance copy? Good luck.
By Maura Judkis
Critics who need advance copies of “The Casual Vacancy” must jump through many hoops.

By Maura Judkis  |  09:17 AM ET, 09/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 10:15 AM ET, 09/21/2012

Andrew McCarthy, actor turned travel writer
By Neely Tucker
Talks at National Geographic on Friday, Sept. 21.

By Neely Tucker  |  10:15 AM ET, 09/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 09:06 AM ET, 08/11/2012

Language that lifts and separates
By Ron Charles
What do pandas and otters have to do with women’s breasts?

By Ron Charles  |  09:06 AM ET, 08/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 10:42 AM ET, 08/04/2012

Has Twitter made book reviewers too nice?
By Ron Charles
If we’re all busy “liking” each other, can we really critique each other?

By Ron Charles  |  10:42 AM ET, 08/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 12:03 PM ET, 07/28/2012

How to save an indie bookstore: Day 2
By Ron Charles
Volunteers from around the country try to imagine a bookstore of the future.

By Ron Charles  |  12:03 PM ET, 07/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 12:41 PM ET, 07/27/2012

How to save an indie bookstore: Day 1
By Ron Charles
With a little help from its friends, Kepler’s Books hopes to transform itself for the future.

By Ron Charles  |  12:41 PM ET, 07/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 01:52 PM ET, 07/03/2012

J.K. Rowling book cover revealed: ‘The Casual Vacancy’ rather vacant
By Melissa Bell
The new book by the “Harry Potter”’ author strikes a more adult pose.

By Melissa Bell  |  01:52 PM ET, 07/03/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 07/02/2012

Books hitting the bestseller lists this week include Maraniss's “Barack Obama,” a zany new novel from Janet Evanovich and a memoir that is also the first book in the Oprah Book Club 2.0
By Christopher Schoppa
Just what the Metro area is reading.

By Christopher Schoppa  |  09:17 AM ET, 07/02/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Arts Post | Tags:  books; authors; reading

Posted at 08:38 AM ET, 06/25/2012

Alan Furst’s new WWII thriller, Glenn Beck’s latest crusade and Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne all pop up on this week’s bestseller lists ...
By Christopher Schoppa

By Christopher Schoppa  |  08:38 AM ET, 06/25/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Arts Post | Tags:  books; authors; publishing

Posted at 11:39 AM ET, 06/22/2012

Library of Congress’s book list highlights #booksthatshapedme
By Marie Elizabeth Oliver
The Library of Congress’s new list of “Books That Shaped America” highlight #booksthatshapedme.

By Marie Elizabeth Oliver  |  11:39 AM ET, 06/22/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 08:47 AM ET, 06/18/2012

Bestselling books this time around include Joan Rivers, Anita Blake (vampire hunter) and proud son Mark Shriver
By Christopher Schoppa

By Christopher Schoppa  |  08:47 AM ET, 06/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Arts Post | Tags:  books; authors; readings; publishing

Posted at 11:07 AM ET, 06/17/2012

Bloomsday at the Irish Embassy
By Ron Charles
Fans of James Joyce’s “Ulysses” celebrated Bloomsday at the Irish Embassy in Washington.

By Ron Charles  |  11:07 AM ET, 06/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:28 AM ET, 06/14/2012

Paper-cut artist from Washington illustrates striking new edition of Shakespeare
By Ron Charles
Pratt Institute graduate from DC takes a razor to “Macbeth.”

By Ron Charles  |  10:28 AM ET, 06/14/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 01:14 PM ET, 06/11/2012

‘Big Day Coming’ traces indie-rock roots of Jersey band, Yo La Tengo
By Aaron Leitko
Jesse Jarnow tells the band’s story, following the long-running indie-pop group from its early years to its unlikely brush with mainstream success during the mid ‘90s.

By Aaron Leitko  |  01:14 PM ET, 06/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  music, books

Posted at 12:28 PM ET, 06/11/2012

700,000 books later, she finally has a ‘bestseller’
By Neely Tucker
Bella Andre has sold more than 700,000 novels and made about $2 million during the past 18 months.

By Neely Tucker  |  12:28 PM ET, 06/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 08:50 AM ET, 06/11/2012

Bestselling books this weekend include the First Lady, an adrenaline rush with Clive Cussler and the Battle of Shiloh
By Christopher Schoppa

By Christopher Schoppa  |  08:50 AM ET, 06/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Arts Post | Tags:  books; authors; reading

Posted at 02:38 PM ET, 06/06/2012

Ray Bradbury dies: Appreciation for an author who will ‘live forever’
By Michael Dirda
Not only was he one of the greatest of all writers of science fiction and fantasy, he also was one of the most beloved.

By Michael Dirda  |  02:38 PM ET, 06/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 02:10 PM ET, 06/03/2012

Book World bestsellers — June 3, 2012
By Christopher Schoppa

By Christopher Schoppa  |  02:10 PM ET, 06/03/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Arts Post | Tags:  books; authors

Posted at 02:04 PM ET, 05/29/2012

American Institute of Architecture publishes fifth edition of its indispensible guide to Washington, D.C.
By Philip Kennicott
The American Institute of Architecture new guide to Washington, D.C is “essential carry-along reading,” says critic Phil Kennicott.

By Philip Kennicott  |  02:04 PM ET, 05/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 05/29/2012

Henry Crumpton’s CIA and Edward Klein on Obama join the nonfiction bestsellers, while John Sandford’s latest thriller tops the fiction chart
By Christopher Schoppa

By Christopher Schoppa  |  12:30 PM ET, 05/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Arts Post | Tags:  books

Posted at 08:55 AM ET, 05/25/2012

Charles Lindbergh’s youngest child visits Washington
By Ron Charles
Reeve Lindbergh visited Washington to celebrate the publication of a new collection of letters and diary entries by her late mother.

By Ron Charles  |  08:55 AM ET, 05/25/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 12:18 PM ET, 05/20/2012

Stephen Colbert tops nonfiction bestsellers, while a trio of literary fiction — Hilary Mantel, John Irving & Toni Morrison — hit the fiction list
By Christopher Schoppa

By Christopher Schoppa  |  12:18 PM ET, 05/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Arts Post | Tags:  books

Posted at 11:37 AM ET, 05/12/2012

Robert A. Caro’s next Lyndon Johnson bio and a new round of headaches for Sookie Stackhouse top the bestseller lists this weekend ...
By Christopher Schoppa

By Christopher Schoppa  |  11:37 AM ET, 05/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Arts Post | Tags:  books

Posted at 10:24 AM ET, 05/09/2012

Colbert’s Maurice Sendak tribute: ‘I Am a Pole’ released, coincidentally, on day of author’s death
By Maura Judkis
The late children’s author endorsed the book on “The Colbert Report.”

By Maura Judkis  |  10:24 AM ET, 05/09/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books, Maurice Sendak

Posted at 10:13 AM ET, 05/08/2012

Maurice Sendak dies: Obama, others read “Where the Wild Things Are”
By Melissa Bell
Sendak imprinted children’s literature with a mischevious acknowledgement that childhood is rife with tension and angst, and filled with wonder.

By Melissa Bell  |  10:13 AM ET, 05/08/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 10:30 AM ET, 05/06/2012

Julie Otsuka wins PEN/Faulkner Prize for ‘The Buddha in the Attic’
By Ron Charles
Julie Otsuka accepted the $15,000 PEN/Faulkner Prize for Fiction on Saturday, beating out some of the biggest names in American letters.

By Ron Charles  |  10:30 AM ET, 05/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 05:39 AM ET, 05/05/2012

‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ author E L James spreads the love in Washington
By Ron Charles
The author waves to the D.C. crowd and smiles, looking like she could be selling cookies rather than a mega-selling erotic trilogy.

By Ron Charles  |  05:39 AM ET, 05/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 11:02 AM ET, 05/04/2012

Philip Levine delivers last lecture as U.S. poet laureate
By Ron Charles
In his final address as U.S. poet laureate, Philip Levine described the writers and fellow students who shaped his early experience of poetry.

By Ron Charles  |  11:02 AM ET, 05/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 05:26 PM ET, 05/03/2012

Joy M. Kiser on ‘America’s Other Audubon’
By John Pancake
Audubon focused on birds. Genevieve Jones focused on bird nests. A new book captures her remarkable lithographs.

By John Pancake  |  05:26 PM ET, 05/03/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 08:34 AM ET, 05/03/2012

20 Minute Tales debuts on Washington Metro
By Ron Charles

By Ron Charles  |  08:34 AM ET, 05/03/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 05:03 PM ET, 04/30/2012

National Poetry Month: Poetry Madness bracket showdown
By Fiona Zublin
Which poem rules them all? Vote on the best poem for National Poetry Month.

By Fiona Zublin  |  05:03 PM ET, 04/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books, Poetry

Posted at 01:34 PM ET, 04/30/2012

Robert Caro’s new biography: LBJ’s vice presidential years
By Maura Judkis
The famed biographer has released the fourth installment of his series on Lyndon Baines Johnson.

By Maura Judkis  |  01:34 PM ET, 04/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 12:24 PM ET, 04/26/2012

“Fifty Shades of Grey” author E.L. James to speak in D.C. next week
By Maura Judkis
The author of the bestselling romance novel is expected to draw a crowd.

By Maura Judkis  |  12:24 PM ET, 04/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 10:05 AM ET, 04/21/2012

Gary Shteyngart’s super, sad, true comedy
By Ron Charles
The Russian immigrant novelist cracks up the crowd Friday night at the Folger Library.

By Ron Charles  |  10:05 AM ET, 04/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 02:53 PM ET, 04/18/2012

Dickens and Tolkien descendants will collaborate on books
By Maura Judkis
It won’t be a literary mash-up of their ancestors’ works, though.

By Maura Judkis  |  02:53 PM ET, 04/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 11:53 AM ET, 04/18/2012

Author Darin Strauss recalls a deadly tragedy
By Ron Charles
Brooklyn writer Darin Strauss was in D.C. to help raise money for 826DC.

By Ron Charles  |  11:53 AM ET, 04/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 12:19 PM ET, 04/13/2012

James Bond: Never say die
By Ron Charles
British novelist William Boyd has been chosen to write a new James Bond novel for release in 2013.

By Ron Charles  |  12:19 PM ET, 04/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 11:12 AM ET, 04/13/2012

Emily Dickinson comes alive at the Folger Library
By Ron Charles
Jim Lehrer and his wife, Kate Lehrer, read from the letters of Emily Dickinson at a special exhibit in the Folger Library.

By Ron Charles  |  11:12 AM ET, 04/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 04/12/2012

The Book Doctors offer cures for book proposals
By Ron Charles
At Pitchapalooza, would-be writers have 60 seconds to impress the Book Doctors.

By Ron Charles  |  09:17 AM ET, 04/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books

Posted at 09:12 AM ET, 04/11/2012

Sarah Pekkanen: Local author moves from her boys to ‘These Girls’
By Ron Charles
In just three years, Chevy Chase writer Sarah Pekkanen, author of “These Girls,” has shot from unknown to bestselling novelist.

By Ron Charles  |  09:12 AM ET, 04/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Books | Tags:  books, Sarah Pekkanen

Posted at 10:55 PM ET, 04/09/2012

Must reads: Coaching Tiger Woods, Rachel Maddow, ‘Weeknights with Giada’
By Christopher Schoppa
The Washington area decides ...

By Christopher Schoppa  |  10:55 PM ET, 04/09/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Arts Post | Tags:  books

Posted at 02:16 PM ET, 04/04/2012

Behind-the-scenes bookbinding: A captivating look at how a book is made (video)
By Maura Judkis
A short film takes a captivating look at the process of traditional bookbinding.

By Maura Judkis  |  02:16 PM ET, 04/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  books

Posted at 01:49 PM ET, 03/23/2012

Arthur Krystal: The excuses of a mean book critic
By Ron Charles
Arthur Krystal claims that snotty book reviews are cruel and unnecessary. But a good fight gets the blood moving.

By Ron Charles  |  01:49 PM ET, 03/23/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Books