Citizen Reader

A weekly selection of reading and book news, sometimes with completely inappropriate commentary.

Sisters in Crime turns 30.

Do romance novels have a diversity problem?

On the "allure of self-help books."

And...here's the next installment of the Fifty Shades novels, as told from Christian Grey's point of view.

Gordon Burn Prize winner: Denise Mina.

"OverDrive is enabling Google to display library ebooks prominently in open web search results."

"Let's commit to making library webinars better." If you do any web presenting at all, do check this article out; it's very straightforward and helpful.

The Weinstein Company's publishing imprint has been shut down.

Huh...they're still publishing Jeeves and Wooster novels (new ones). Not sure how I feel about that.

The New York Times lists some of the latest crime novels.

OOOoooh...now there's a 90-minute documentary about Joan Didion out, directed by Griffin Dunne (her nephew by marriage).

New trailers are out for a whole bunch of adaptations!

Stephen King's Castle Rock: Trailer.

Ooh, here's balm for my nerdy librarian soul: there's a new documentary out about the New York Public Library, "Ex Libris."

This year's MacArthur's "genius grant" winners.

Whiting Creative Nonfiction grant winners. I am so excited to see Philip Gourevitch and George Packer on this list, and that Gourevitch title? You Hide That You Hate Me And I Hide That I Know? I can't WAIT for that book.

NONFICTION BOOK NEWS

Hey, Victoria Sweet (author of the fantastic God's Hotel) has a new book out, about "slow medicine."

Mortician/author Caitlin Doughty "explores cultures' many paths" toward death rituals.

A new history of medical "quackery."

What was it like to be Che Guevara's kid brother?

Heard about this book on the radio: The Year I was Peter the Great.

Roz Chast has a new graphic novel/nonfiction book out...on New York City!

This book just in from a Fox News host: Women, use your good looks to your advantage!

New York Times: A new biography of Ulysses S. Grant, written by Ron Chernow, and reviewed by Bill Clinton; is globalization bringing us together or driving us apart?; where do the super-rich go to play?; a history of Biltmore House; on the importance of sleep; a history of New York City in the first days of the twentieth century; here's the Times review of the memoir Cuz (an NPR story about which I linked to a while back).

BOOK LISTS

IndieBound: Bestselling books the week of Oct. 12.

LibraryReads November 2017. Thank God, there's a nonfiction title on it, in addition to the regular Elizabeth Bergesque fare. And the nonfiction title is about Laura Ingalls Wilder. Double score!

Bustle: 11 new essay collections for fall. Here's that Tales of Two Americas book again.

25 terrifying horror novels for kids and teens.

How to be lonely: a booklist.

Wisconsin Public Radio: New Fall Books (audio).

AND NOW, YOUR OBLIGATORY NEIL GAIMAN LINK

"Eight unusual books to read before Halloween." Neil Gaiman is all over this list.