Weekly Words about New Books in
Independent Bookstores
November 28, 2021
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Rise of Graphic Novels Offers New Opportunities For a Wider Range of Readers
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One of the interesting trends in book publishing has been the surge of popularity for graphic novels. They've been a staple of children's books for some time now - authors like Dog Man creator Dav Pilkey and Raina Telgemeier are rock stars to young readers - and Japanese manga/anime books continue to be sought after. On the adult side, illustrators like Art Spiegelman (Maus), Roz Chast, and Alison Bechdel have also made their mark with memoir-themed volumes geared to grown-ups.
More recently, we are seeing an increasing number of graphic novel adaptations of classics. In the Graphic section of the bookstore where I work, you can find The Diary of Anne Frank, The Iliad and The Odyssey, Animal Farm, The Heart of Darkness, Octavia Butler's Kindred, and several others.
The visual format of graphic novels appeals to a wider range of readers, including teenagers and reluctant readers. Given that, it has not surprised me that three new graphic renditions of longtime bestselling nonfiction titles have made a big splash this Fall - one is even on the national independent bookstore Nonfiction Paperback Bestseller list. They provide a less overwhelming and, for many, more inviting format for reading while still presenting the crux of the information from the original book.
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Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 1: The Birth of Humankind and Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 2: The Pillars of Civilization by Yuval Noah Harari. Sapiens is one of the top-selling science books in recent years - a dense but fascinating look at the whole of human history, from the very first humans to walk the earth to the monumental breakthroughs of the cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions. From examining the role that evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, noted historian Harari integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives and connect past developments with contemporary concerns. He also looks ahead, asserting that over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become?
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The book is so comprehensive that it took two graphic adaptations to cover the material that the author and publisher chose to include. The first volume tells the story of humankind's creation and evolution, exploring the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be "human." In the second, Harari looks at how we took over the world; how an unlikely marriage between a god and a bureaucrat created the first empires; and how war, famine, disease, and inequality became a part of the human condition.
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On Tyranny Graphic Edition: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder, illustrated by Nora Krug. On Tyranny highlights some of the darkest moments in 20th century history, from Nazism to Communism, to teach 20 lessons on resisting modern-day authoritarianism. Among the lessons: a warning to be aware of how symbols used today could affect tomorrow ("4: Take responsibility for the face of the world"), an urgent reminder to research everything for yourself and to the fullest extent ("11: Investigate"), and a call to use personalized and individualized speech rather than clichéd phrases for the sake of mass appeal ("9: Be kind to our language").
The inventive art style of Krug (author of the graphic memoir Belonging) breathes new life, color, and power into Snyder's thesis that American society is leaning toward despotism and totalitarianism, turning a quick-read pocket guide of lessons into a visually striking rumination - emphasizing the importance of being active, conscious, and deliberate participants in resistance. And it's celebrating seven weeks on the indie bestseller list with no signs of lessening interest as the holidays approach.
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Grohl's New Memoir - From Nirvana to the Foo Fighters and More
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The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl. Among the top new autobiographies of the Fall, and perhaps the best of all in the Music category, is this from the 16-time Grammy-winning musician. Already a bestseller, and a book that may be in short supply by Christmas (shop early!), The Storyteller is a must for Grohl fans. It also provides an engaging perspective on the last 30 years of rock music.
Here's a description of the book in the author's own words: "The joy that I have felt from chronicling these tales is not unlike listening back to a song that I've recorded and can't wait to share with the world, or reading a primitive journal entry from a stained notebook, or even hearing my voice bounce between the Kiss posters on my wall as a child.
"This certainly doesn't mean that I'm quitting my day job, but it does give me a place to shed a little light on what it's like to be a kid from Springfield, Virginia, walking through life while living out the crazy dreams I had as young musician. From hitting the road with Scream at 18 years old, to my time in Nirvana and the Foo Fighters, jamming with Iggy Pop or playing at the Academy Awards or dancing with AC/DC and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, drumming for Tom Petty or meeting Sir Paul McCartney at Royal Albert Hall, bedtime stories with Joan Jett or a chance meeting with Little Richard, to flying halfway around the world for one epic night with my daughters...the list goes on. I look forward to focusing the lens through which I see these memories a little sharper for you with much excitement."
In reviewing the book, Publishers Weekly wrote in part: "Reflecting on his fame, Grohl writes, 'I have never taken a single moment of it for granted.' Paired with his sparkling wit, this humility is what makes Grohl's soulful story a cut above typical rock memoirs. There isn't a dull moment here."
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WHY THE COLUMN?
Hi, I'm Hut Landon, and I'm a bookseller in an independent bookstore in BerkeIey, CA.
My goal here is to keep readers up to date about new books hitting the shelves, share what indie booksellers are recommending in their stores, and pass on occasional news about the book world.
I'm not into long, wordy reviews or literary criticism; HUT'S PLACE is meant to be a quick, fun read for book buyers. If you have any friends who you think might like receiving this column, simply click on "Forward this email" below and enter their email address. There is also a box to add a short message.
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WHERE TO FIND AN INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE
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