"It would truly be difficult to explain all the different ways that indie bookstores sustain me.... I just can't tell you how it feels to go to an indie bookstore to do an event, to be hosted with a million guests who are also being hosted, and having this beautiful experience curated by somebody who understands why everyone's there and how everybody feels.

"And I am so aware of the indie booksellers selling the book. I connect on Instagram. I get e-mails. I get to see some of the Indie Next nominations--which are always just completely mind-blowing because that's extra work somebody chose to do on your behalf. But the way I really interact is when I come to these events. It's just magic."

"You can be at an indie bookstore you have never heard of in a town you've never heard of, and there'll be a hundred people there because it's such a personal hand curated experience. That is so special."

Bird Rock Bookshop, a "grandma-owned and -operated" children's bookstore, will host a grand opening celebration on November 15 at 5604 La Jolla Blvd. in  La Jolla, Calif., the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The store had its soft opening last month. 

Owner Jodi Bratch said the store is meant for children and young adults, featuring an inventory that includes classic books alongside book-related gifts: "It's such a perfect age to set the stage for children to be lifelong readers. I feel like children's bookstores are kind of evergreen, where there's always going to be children reading--this is the hope. And also they're reading books and turning pages. It's a very tactile experience."

The bookshop's launch "comes roughly two years after Bratch moved from southwest Florida to La Jolla to spend time with her daughter and young granddaughter. With more time on her hands and a desire to connect more deeply with her new community in Bird Rock, Bratch got to work on establishing Bird Rock Bookshop," the Union-Tribune wrote.

She noted that the Bird Rock neighborhood seemed a proper place for a store: "I felt the community had space for it and it filled a need. There's a charm and an identity that Bird Rock has, and a little children's bookstore seemed like a good fit."

Noting that Bird Rock Bookshop is in a "nookish location," Bratch said she hopes it can become a fixture in the neighborhood. "I think it's tiny but mighty," she added. "That's going to be my goal for it--to have a good selection in such a tiny space."

Selected Stories has opened in Portland, Ore., Axios Portland reported. Located at 3360 SE Division St., the bookstore debuted with a soft opening in August followed by a grand opening in early September. Owner Chris Phillips carries a curated selection of titles emphasizing literary fiction, works in translation, poetry, the arts, nature, and more. His event plans include author readings as well as literary salons. 

Phillips is originally from London, and he told Axios that he was inspired by some of his favorite bookstores in England. In designing the space, he wanted to highlight books as "really beautiful objects" and show them off "to their best advantage."

Prior to opening the bricks-and-mortar store, he held pop-up appearances in Portland beginning in 2024. The reception from his neighborhood, he said, has been "really kind of humbling."

Longtime U.K. publisher Richard Charkin has been named chair of the board of Thames & Hudson, effective January 1.

Richard Charkin at the launch party in London for My Back Pages.

Since 1972, Charkin has held senior executive positions at Oxford University Press (managing director, academic and general divisions), Reed International Books (CEO), Macmillan Publishers (CEO), Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck (executive director), and Bloomsbury Publishing (executive director for 11 years). He has also been chair of Mitchell Beazley, Conran Octopus, Pan Macmillan, Macmillan Australia, Bloomsbury Australia, Bloomsbury China's joint venture with China Youth Press, and at the Whitechapel Gallery.

He has his own publishing house, Mensch Publishing, and in 2023, he wrote a memoir, with Tom Campbell, My Back Pages: An Undeniably Personal History of Publishing, 1972-2022, published by Marble Hill Publishers. In the book, he demonstrated his witty and incisive perspectives on publishing. Last year he was awarded an OBE for his services to publishing and literature.

Thames & Hudson chair Johanna Neurath said, "We are very excited to welcome Richard as the new Chair of T&H Ltd--an important milestone in the company's history that reflects our commitment to innovation whilst remaining true to the values that have shaped us for generations. Richard's exceptional experience, infectious enthusiasm for publishing, and deep knowledge of the industry will help keep T&H stable and flourishing in years to come."

Charkin stated, "I feel immensely privileged to be joining the Thames & Hudson team. It will be a joy to work in a family-owned independent publisher with the highest standards of scholarship, design, integrity, and professionalism. The combination of brilliant books and brilliant publishing is irresistible."

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers has announced changes to its editorial structure, including the launch of a boutique imprint and the establishment of two distinct editorial groups. More news about the imprint name, logo, and launch list will be shared early next year.

Editor Alvina Ling is being promoted to v-p, publisher of the new imprint. Ling has been v-p, editor-in-chief since 2014 and recently celebrated 25 years with LBYR. 

Megan Tingley, LBYR president and publisher, said: "The opportunity to work with Alvina Ling is a golden ticket for any creator in the children's book universe. She is a brilliant tastemaker who has a remarkable gift for attracting and developing literary and artistic talent, championing underrepresented voices, and bringing life-changing works of literature to young people. I have no doubt this imprint will continue her stellar trajectory."

The editorial team will now be divided into two editorial groups, one focused on young readers (0–12) and the other on older readers and upper nonfiction (12+).

Erin Berger will join LBYR, effective November 10, in the newly created role of v-p, publishing director, overseeing picture book, middle grade, and graphic publishing. A 25-year veteran of the industry, Berger was previously at Scholastic, where she served as senior v-p of trade marketing and publicity for six years, following roles at Penguin Young Readers and Simon & Schuster. 

LBYR noted that Berger "has a proven track record advising on acquisitions and collaborating with editors, authors, and agents to build their brands in the marketplace."

"I have long admired the brilliant editorial vision behind LBYR's highly curated, award-winning, and bestselling list," Berger said. "After more than two decades working on the marketing and publicity side of publishing, I am eager to leverage my expertise into this editorial leadership role and work with my acclaimed colleagues on creative strategies to support our authors and reach our readers."

In other editorial changes, Lisa Yoskowitz, formerly v-p, executive editorial director, has been promoted to v-p, publishing director, overseeing LBYR's titles for older readers, including the young adult, new adult, and upper nonfiction categories. Yoskowitz joined LBYR in 2014 following roles at Dutton and Disney-Hyperion and is the founder of Requited, LBYR's recently launched new adult imprint. 

Regarding the changes, Tingley said, "We are thrilled to welcome Erin Berger, who has a wealth of experience and is energized to strengthen our publishing strategy for picture books, middle grade, and graphic novels. And Lisa Yoskowitz, who will be overseeing young adult, new adult, and nonfiction, has the rare combination of editorial chops and business savvy that has helped us innovate and grow for the past 10 years. I am confident our outstanding team of editors and our authors will thrive under this new leadership structure."

David Young is stepping down as chair of Canongate Books this month, after more than eight years in the role, the Bookseller reported. He will be succeeded by current board member Anna Rafferty, who joined in March 2023.

Anna Rafferty

Young managed Little, Brown UK for 10 years before taking over Hachette Book Group USA from 2007 to 2013, after which he returned to the U.K. as CEO of Orion and deputy CEO of Hachette UK. He joined the Canongate board in October 2016, and succeeded Christopher Bland as chair a few months later.

Rafferty, who was appointed to the Canongate board in March 2023, is currently vice-president at the LEGO Group, where she leads on global digital consumer engagement. She previously worked as global digital director at BBC Studios and global director of product at Pottermore. Rafferty also spent 11 years as managing director for the digital and audio division at Penguin Books.

Canongate CEO Jamie Byng praised Young for his "chairing of the board of directors, a role that he has performed with wisdom, conviction, care, flair and thoughtfulness. His experience and judgement are legendary, as is his generosity of spirit, and I know I speak for the whole company when I say how much he will be missed. The only silver lining of David stepping down is that Anna Rafferty is stepping up. Anna has proved herself to be a huge asset to Canongate since joining the board in 2023 and I am confident her impact on the business is going to be even greater in this expanded role."

--- 

The European and International Booksellers Federation has unveiled its Charter on Artificial Intelligence, setting out its position and guiding principles on the responsible and ethical use of AI in the bookselling and wider book ecosystem. The EIBF Charter on Artificial Intelligence is available here.

EIBF noted that the book sector "stands at a turning point: while AI offers significant potential to improve efficiency and support the bookselling profession, it also raises serious concerns about copyright and IP protection, transparency, and accountability. The EIBF Charter on AI recognizes both the opportunities and the risks of AI, affirming the need for a clear, balanced framework that protects intellectual property and ensures a fair and sustainable market. The Charter stresses that both Generative and Assistive AI must be developed and used responsibly, with safeguards for creative rights and ethical standards."

EIBF president Fabian Paagman said: "With this Charter, EIBF reaffirms its commitment to promoting innovation while safeguarding the rights of creators, ensuring transparency for consumers, and supporting a competitive and sustainable book industry. We look forward to working closely with our colleagues across the book sector to uphold these shared values."

--- 

Italian culture minister Alessandro Giuli has signed a decree allocating €4 million (about $4.6 million) to the opening of bookshops run by young people under 35, with a special focus on inland, disadvantaged areas or those with no book sales outlets. Il Sole 24 ORE reported that "this is one of the flagship measures of the Olivetti Plan for Culture, the strategy with which the government wants to bring culture--and with it the presence of the State--back to the most forgotten territories."

Each new bookshop will receive a non-repayable grant of up to €24,000 (about $27,700), "plus a small but symbolic bonus of €1,000 (about $1,155) for training and tutoring courses. The objective: to support those who decide to bet on a profession that is both a business and a civil mission," Il Sole 24 ORE wrote, adding that the measure "comes at a crucial time: the Italian publishing industry is having to deal with a contraction in sales and a generational change that is struggling to take off. Many young booksellers are entering the market without networks or capital, often with projects that mix culture, literary cafés and neighborhood socializing."

Rainy Day Books in Fairway, Kan., welcomed a full house for author Eli Frankel and a discussion of his book Sisters in Death: The Black Dahlia, The Prairie Heiress, and Their Hunter (Citadel). Pictured: (l.-r.) moderators Jamie Green of the podcast Killing City and Chris Wolff from the University of Missouri/Kansas City, Eli Frankel.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (‎‎Flatiron) is the November pick for Reese's Book Club, which described the book this way: "Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore."

Reese said: "I'm so excited for our November Reese's Book Club pick, Wild Dark Shore. I am still thinking about the ending!"

Kris Kleindienst, owner of Left Bank Books in St. Louis, Mo., shared her recent TEDxTalk, "Bookselling Is a Conversation with Its Community," noting in a Facebook post: "I am so grateful I had this opportunity. The two month process of creating this 12-minute talk led to an unexpectedly profound excavation of my 50 years of bookselling and what was underneath my stubborn determination to keep our little bookstore going, often, well always, against impossible odds. No surprise, it has always been the ongoing conversation with our community."

"It's soooo beautiful this time of year. Come through. We're open 7 days a week," Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books, Philadelphia, Pa., posted on Facebook.

Bree Martinez has joined Bloomsbury Children's as a senior publicist. She previously worked at Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Playbill featured a first look photo gallery of the world premiere stage adaptation of The Hunger Games: On Stage, the ambitious production based on Suzanne Collins's book series that began performances October 20 at the purpose-built Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre in London. The play opens on November 12, with an extended run scheduled through October 18, 2026.

Adapted by Conor McPherson and directed by Matthew Dunster, the play stars Mia Carragher as Katniss Everdeen, Euan Garrett as Peeta Mellark, and Joshua Lacey as Haymitch Abernathy.

Sony Pictures has pre-emptively acquired rights to Oscar-nominated writer Eric Heisserer's (Arrival) debut novel, Simultaneous. Published last week by Flatiron Books, the novel "is a suspenseful psychological thriller revolving around a past-life regression therapist and an agent from the Predictive Analytics department of Homeland Security who become unlikely partners when they discover a phenomenon tied to reincarnation, uncovering a supernatural killer exploiting his own past lives," Deadline reported.

Producers on a planned film adaptation will include Heisserer and Carmen Lewis under Heisserer's Chronology banner. Heisserer most recently served as showrunner, executive producer, and writer for the Netflix series Shadow and Bone, based on the works of Leigh Bardugo.

The Canada Council for the Arts revealed the 2025 winners of the Governor General's Literary Awards, which celebrate literature and inspire people to read books by creators from Canada, in both official languages, across seven categories. Check out this year's winning titles here.

The writers, translators, and illustrators whose books are selected as the winner in each category receive C$25,000 (about US$17,715), with the publisher getting C$3,000 (about US$2,125) to promote the winning book; finalists receive C$1,000 (about US$710) each. 

Michelle Chawla, Canada Council for the Arts director and CEO, said the winning books "exemplify the richness and vitality of Canadian literature. Through powerful storytelling, poetic insight and bold creativity, these 14 unique works offer distinct Canadian perspectives with the power to deepen connections between people, build communities and imagine a better future for all. The Canada Council for the Arts is proud to honor these outstanding literary achievements that reflect Canada today and will continue to shape its cultural fabric for years to come."

photo: Lewis Jefferies

Philip Marsden is the award-winning British author of The Crossing Place: A Journey Among the Armenians, The Bronski House, The Chains of Heaven, and The Spirit-Wrestlers. More recently he has concentrated on subjects closer to home--burrowing into Falmouth's story and the sea's influence for The Levelling Sea, exploring the mythology of landscape through Cornish sites in Rising Ground, and sailing single-handedly up the Irish and Scottish coasts for The Summer Isles. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and is involved in conservation and nature restoration projects. His latest book is Under a Metal Sky: a Journey Through Minerals, Greed and Wonder (Counterpoint Press, November 4, 2025), which explores the wonders and perils of the earth's precious metals.

Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less:

Under a Metal Sky examines our relationship with the natural world through rocks and metals--how they have shaped our imaginations for better and worse.

On your nightstand now:

I'm not really a night reader. When I get into bed, I tend to fall asleep pretty swiftly. Reading is too important to confine to the dozy interzone at the end of the day. That said, a quick glance upstairs, and several books lie stacked on the bedside table: short stories by Lorrie Moore and Raymond Carver, poems by Don Paterson and Alice Oswald and--that's where I put it--an instruction booklet for my boat's new chart plotter.

Favorite book when you were a child:

I loved the work of Willard Price. The adventures of Hal and Roger Hunt in Africa, the South Seas, the Arctic, and the Amazon--wherever there were wild creatures and wild landscapes--stirred in me the idea that beyond the school gates lay a thrilling and diverse world.

Your top five authors:

Leo Tolstoy, W.B. Yeats, Isaac Babel, Flann O'Brien, W.G. Sebald (on another day, it could well be an entirely different five).

Book you're an evangelist for:

The poems and prose of Zbigniew Herbert are not as well-known as they should be. His life spanned the decades of the 20th century, and as a native Pole, he was privy to some of its worst horrors. His work is direct and timeless and imbued with that tell-tale elegance that comes only from a searing commitment to truth.

Book that changed your life:

Jack Kerouac's On the Road, read at the right time, when I was 18. I returned to it recently (after foisting it successfully on my 18-year-old son) and rediscovered its energy--but noted too the shadowy place its women occupy, the doomed idealism, the underlying sadness.

Favorite line from a book:

During the writing of Under a Metal Sky I heard the constant echo of John Muir's dictum "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe," from his My First Summer in the Sierra. The invisible connections between the elements of the natural world are becoming more and more apparent. Muir had an instinctive understanding of those connections--their urgency and beauty.

Book you most want to read again for the first time:

So many... that unrepeatable pleasure at reading the first few chapters and finding the texture of the world around you somehow altered and enhanced. A few that spring to mind are Nadezhda Mandelstam's Hope Against Hope, Robert Macfarlane's The Wild Places, and Richard Mabey's Nature Cure, which helped shift the entire focus of my own work from "travel" to "nature."

Your desert island book:

One to save if shipwrecked? That would have to be Tolstoy's War and Peace, not just because of its size but because of the core of its perennial appeal--here is life, here is the still world made animate. That constitutes for me the magic of reading and why Tolstoy's two great novels (the other being Anna Karenina) endure. By creating a living tableau from words, he delivers something close to the flow of our own experience--with all its complexity, its patterns, and paradoxes.

Rosie Storey's debut, Dandelion Is Dead: A Novel About Life, is a glittering riot of grief, laughter, missed connections, absurdities, and the joys and pains of life's many facets. From one unexpected turn to the next, this story will keep readers emotionally engaged and yearning alongside its protagonist.

Poppy Greene is 37 years old and deep in mourning. It has been 231 days since her older sister, Dandelion, died "and, somehow, it was spring again." Dandelion had been wild, irrepressible, author of all the sisters' adventures; without her, Poppy (a professional photographer, ever the observer) is unmoored. Going through her sister's phone, she clicks on a dating app and, on a whim, answers a message from a year-old match. When Jake asks for a date on Dandelion's 40th birthday, it feels like fate, or magic, or Dandelion's mischievous hand from beyond the grave. Poppy does not set out with the purposeful intention of impersonating a dead woman (nor of cheating on her longtime boyfriend, Sam), but she finds Jake incredibly magnetic, and soon begins a romantic relationship in her sister's name. Dandelion Is Dead alternates between Poppy's close third-person point of view and Jake's, revealing his own intense attraction to the woman he knows as Dandelion, and his own past traumas. Poppy and Jake are both awkward, ungraceful, and heartfelt in their romance; both commit dishonesties that threaten everything they value.

The aptly named Storey excels at whimsy, delightful comedy, and pathos. Her plot is composed of debilitating losses, madcap adventures, treacheries, secrets, love, and striving. The profound charm and appeal of Poppy and Jake lie in their contradictions. They suffer terrible losses and make poor choices; they are capable of both sweetness and betrayal. The cast is enriched by Poppy and Dandelion's lifelong friend Jetta (and her loyal husband); the young son Jake is devoted to, and his masterfully nuanced ex-wife; Poppy's unsympathetic boyfriend; and of course, the mythic Dandelion herself. While its subtitle feels accurate, this debut is also clearly a novel about grief. Poppy learns that if she is going to find a fulfilling life after losing her sister, she must grapple with her own mistakes and those of her loved ones, even those she's lost. Dandelion Is Dead is a scintillating achievement in emotional range, humor, and wisdom. Poppy Greene thinks she is the less magnetic sister, but no one who meets her will easily forget her. --Julia Kastner, blogger at pagesofjulia

Shelf Talker: A grieving sister finds that hope, silliness, angst, and even love may be possible amid loss in this astonishing first novel.