The Style Blog: 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