‘Twas the day before Christmas, so Shelf Life has decided to give you the greatest present of all: an exclusive cover reveal! How gorgeous is the cover for Melissa de la Cruz’s newest novel, The Ring and the Crown? The book doesn’t hit shelves until April 1, but judging by the cover—which I realize is not what I’m supposed to do—Crown looks really promising. READ FULL STORY
'It's Kind of a Funny Story' author Ned Vizzini dies at 32
Ned Vizzini, the author of YA favorites It’s Kind of a Funny Story and Be More Chill, died Thursday in New York City. According to the Los Angeles Times, Vizzini committed suicide. He was 32.
Vizzini, a Brooklyn native, began writing professionally for New York City newspapers as a teenager in the late ’90s. His first book, a “quasi-autogiobraphy” called Teen Angst? Naaah…, collected several of Vizzini’s columns for the New York Press and shared its title with an essay Vizzini had published in the New York Times Magazine when he was still a junior at Manhattan’s prestigious Stuyvesant High School. The book hit shelves in 2000. His first novel, Be More Chill, was published in 2004.
That same year, Vizzini experienced depression and suicidal thoughts, which prompted him to call a suicide hotline. Vizzini subsequently spent a week in the psychiatric ward of Brooklyn’s Methodist Hospital. Vizzini would later fictionalize this experience in his acclaimed second novel, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, published in 2006. The novel was adapted into a film starring Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, and Emma Roberts in 2010.
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On the Books: Ylvis' 'The Fox' children's book breaks records; 'Harry Potter' prequel headed to the stage
A fox and a boy wizard lead today’s book headlines. Read on for more news: READ FULL STORY
'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen' author Paul Torday dies at 67
British novelist Paul Torday, who had a surprise best-seller with his debut novel Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, has died at age 67, his publisher said Thursday.
Torday died at home in Northumberland a day earlier, surrounded by his family, said publisher Weidenfeld and Nicolson. It did not provide a cause of death.
Torday launched his writing career in his late 50s, publishing Salmon Fishing in the Yemen in 2007 — the story of a rich sheik who dreams of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to his desert country.
The novel was adapted into a 2011 film starring Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt, with Blunt as the sheik’s representative and McGregor as a cynical fisheries expert who begrudgingly accepts the challenge.
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On the Books: New 'Dragon Tattoo' novel to be written by new author; A-Rod reportedly about to sign book deal for tell-all
Lisbeth Salander’s story is set to continue with a fourth book in the Millennium series, while a New York Yankee is allegedly planning a tell-all to take down the MLB. Read on for more of today’s top headlines: READ FULL STORY
On the Books: Hugh Howey to publish Kurt Vonnegut-inspired book
Today’s top headlines include authors adapting from previous works, as well as some e-book related news and notable deaths. Read on for more: READ FULL STORY
'The Illegitimates': Peek into the first issues of 'SNL' star Taran Killam's comic book debut -- EXCLUSIVE
One of comedy’s most exciting rising stars, Saturday Night Live breakout Taran Killam, is venturing into the world of pen and ink with his debut comic book The Illegitimates (which hits stores on Wednesday).
Here’s the hilarious premise (co-penned by Marc Andreyko): After the death of a James Bond-esque super-spy named Jack Steele, a secret organization turns to five of Steele’s bastard children — sired by the women he haphazardly romanced during his adventures – to form a new spy team.
If it seems crazy that no one has told this story before, it is. “It’s such a trope of those spy movies – he’s always left with the lady of the moment on the beach, or in a car wreck,” Killam tells EW. “He was not carrying a condom with him on the island of Dr. No.”
Killam is a self-described fanboy of comics and says he’s never been prouder of anything else creatively in his life. “Christmastime in particular, I got a comic in my stocking and would build my collection through that, or [I’d] at least discover a new title and continue it on through the rest of the year,” says Killam. “The fact that Wednesday I can walk into a comic book store and see my title on a shelf is the most thrilling thing.”
Interest piqued? Intrigue prickled!? Enjoy an exciting preview of Killam, Andreyko, and Kevin Sharpe’s first two issues of The Illegitimates below! (Issue No. 1 is available Wednesday; No. 2 comes out Jan. 8, 2014.)
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On the Books: Amazon unveils best-selling books of 2013; Lindsay Lohan allegedly writing tell-all
We’re starting the week with a round-up of the best-selling books, news on a possible book by “celebrity” Lindsay Lohan, as well as a forthcoming actual celebrity self-help book that’s (gasp!) not by Gwyneth Paltrow. Read on for today’s top headlines: READ FULL STORY
See the cover of Maggie Stiefvater's 'Sinner' -- EXCLUSIVE
YA fans, rejoice! Scholastic has plans to publish a companion book to Maggie Stiefvater’s best-selling Shiver trilogy. Sinner (which is slated to hit shelves on July 1) follows Cole St. Clair, an important Shiver character. From the official description: “Everybody thinks they know Cole’s story. Stardom. Addiction. Downfall. Disappearance. But only a few people know Cole’s darkest secret—his ability to shift into a wolf. One of these people is Isabel. At one point, they may have even loved each other. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now Cole is back. Back in the spotlight. Back in the danger zone. Back in Isabel’s life. Can this sinner be saved?”
On the Books: Guantanamo detainee pens column on censorship after being denied Russell Brand's book; Pearson's non-profit arm reaches $7.7 million settlement
Censorship, a settlement, and self-improvement — all topics in today’s book news. Read on for the top headlines: READ FULL STORY
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