Image: Daily Dot
The Book Booth is a weekly feature at The Political Carnival, relating news, notes, and reflections from the world of books and publishing. It is written by @SeattleDan and SeattleTammy, operators of an on-line bookstore (which you can find here) , who have been in the book business since shortly after the Creation, or close to 6000 years now.
The Book Booth: Little Red Wagon Edition
In the continuing saga of Bob Dylan and the Swedish Academy, there is still silence. Mr. Dylan has not acknowledged the Nobel, nor may any public comment. And the Academy considers his non-communication as arrogance. There is no doubting Dylan's quirky sense of himself and Adam Kirsch at the New York Times opines that perhaps the ghost of Jean-Paul Sartre haunts the whole procedure, bad faith and all.
Adam Kirsch on Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize Silence
In happier news, Paul Beatty was announced to be the first American writer to win the Man-Booker award this past week for his novel, The Sellout.
Paul Beatty First American to Win Man-Booker Award
Beatty has been a well-regarded writer here in the States for some time now. But not so much in the UK. The rules for the Man-Booker changed a few years ago, allowing anyone writing in English and published in Great Britain to be eligible for the prize. And as Charlotte Higgins explains in this interview with the author, it was no easy thing to get his novel published there.
Publishing Paul Beatty in the UK
It may have taken over 400 years, but Christopher Marlowe is getting his due recognition this week. The Oxford University Press will now credit the murdered playwright as a co-author with the Bard on the Henry VI plays. H/T to Lucian for the link.
Oxford University Press Gives Credit Where It's Due
Last week marked the 162nd anniversary of the birth of famed Irish writer Oscar Wilde. Ever Sullivan has written a new biography of the man, Fall of the House of Wilde: Oscar Wilde and His Family. Here the biographer shares ten things you may or may not have known about Oscar for Publishers Weekly.
Oscar Wilde Just Had a Birthday. How Much Do You Know About Him?
And how could we not celebrate Oscar's birthday without sharing some of his bon mots. Here, from a Signature piece published a couple of years ago, are quotes concerning Art with a capital A Wilde essayed.
Oscar Wilde on Art
Good news for J.R.R. Tolkien fans! There will be a new book, unearthed by his son Christopher, published next year entitled Beren and Luthien, detailing the love affair between the eponymous characters. The story has werewolves in it!
Lost 'Lord of the Rings' Book to be Published Next Year!
And speaking of torrid love affairs, you may now be able to own the gun that poet Paul Verlaine attempted to shoot his lover, Arthur Rimbaud, with back in 1873. Christies will be auctioning the piece on November 30th. So if you happen to have a spare $60,000, make a bid!
A Literary Gun for Real Up for Auction
No doubt that Barack Obama is one of the best-read Presidents to have served our nation. Here for Wired, Obama lists his essential reads with a plan to read these works in only 89 hours. Thanks to my friend Naka for sharing this link.
President Obama's Reading List
In the WTF department this week, the head writer for the Daily Show, Daniel Radosh, had to give his permission for his son to read Fahrenheit 451 for school. Mr. Radosh's response has gone viral, and you can read it here:
Literary Irony of the Week: Permission Required to Read Fahrenheit 451
In other social media, Antonio French set off a hilarious twitter hashtag event when he complained that Donald Trump's answers on policy during the last debate sounded like a book report from a student who hadn't read the book.
#TrumpBookReport Hashtag
Remember, we are now a mere eleven days from the election. If your state allows early voting, what's keeping you? Get your votes in, and vote down ticket this year. It is so important. And then kick back, pour yourself a glass of your favorite drink or brew and enjoy a good book. And please let us know what that book is!
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