5 Questions with the Big 5: Jonathan Karp, Simon & Schuster By Hallie Rich Representing approximately 80 percent of the trade book market, the Big Five publishing houses—Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster—are key stakeholders in the library value chain. In Five Questions with the Big Five, LJ interviews publishing’s top brass to better understand the issues they’re facing, the trends that have their attention, reading culture, and where they see library and publishing interests aligned. We kick off this series with Jonathan Karp, President and Publisher of Simon & Schuster, as he reflects on the state of publishing and his company's 100th anniversary. | LJ Talks with Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson & Aaron Philip Clark, Authors of The Accomplice By George Lichman Rapper, actor, producer, and entrepreneur Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson makes his thriller debut with The Accomplice, about Nia, the first Black woman to join the Texas Rangers. LJ talked with Jackson and his coauthor, Aaron Philip Clark, about storytelling, genre, and the interior world of their novel. | Magical Realism | Prepub Alert, February 2025 Titles By Melissa DeWild and Neal Wyatt A woman who can bring people back to life, a whispering house, and women who can turn people to stone with a look add a touch of magic to these tales of family, love, and secrets. | Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger Tops Holds Lists | Book Pulse By Kate Merlene Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger leads holds this week. Also getting buzz are titles by Jodi Picoult, Karin Slaughter, P.J. Tracy, and Christine Feehan. Two LibraryReads and six Indie Next picks publish this week. People’s book of the week is We Love the Nightlife by Rachel Koller Croft. Peter Swanson’s Eight Perfect Murders will get an adaptation. And talk show host and author Phil Donahue has died at the age of 88. | “When you look at our legislative sessions, a lot of time is being devoted to banning abortion, banning DEI, banning library books, trans bathroom bills—and many Utahns don’t feel like these are the issues affecting their daily lives. They feel like distractions compared to the real issues here in Utah: saving the Great Salt Lake; funding public education; ensuring affordable housing; and protecting individual liberties.” –From: Librarian Runs for Lieutenant Governor in Utah | Call for Nominations | LJ Movers & Shakers 2025 The editors of Library Journal need your help in identifying emerging talents in the library world—both great leaders and behind-the-scenes contributors who are providing inspiration and model programs for others. Our 23rd annual round of Movers & Shakers will profile up-and-coming individuals from around the world who are innovative, creative, making a difference fighting against censorship, and helping improve their workplace. From librarians and non-degreed library workers to publishers, vendors, coders, entrepreneurs, reviewers, and others who impact the library field—Movers & Shakers 2025 will celebrate those people who are moving all types of libraries ahead! Deadline to submit: October 18, 2024 | British Fantasy Awards Shortlists Are Announced | Book Pulse By Sarah Wolberg The shortlists for the British Fantasy Awards are announced. Poets & Writers selects the best memoirs and essay collections of the year. The National Book Foundation issues $350,000 in new grants. Editor Betty A. Prashker, an advocate for women in publishing, has died at age 99. Plus page to screen and interviews with Louise Erdrich, Jodi Picoult, and Stella Sands. | Shortlists for Wainwright Prize and Dayton Literary Peace Prize | Book Pulse By Sarah Wolberg Shortlists are announced for the Wainwright Prize for nature and conservation writing, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, the Heartland Booksellers Awards, and Australia’s Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. Science fiction author M.J. Engh has died at age 91, and Susan Wojcicki, a key player in convincing publishers to allow Google to scan books into its search engine, has died at age 56. Plus, new title bestsellers and interviews with Yoko Ogawa, Bill Schutt, and Francine Prose. | Call for Nominations | LJ Librarian of the Year 2025 The LJ editors are seeking nominations for the 36th annual Library Journal Librarian of the Year Award, sponsored by Baker & Taylor, to honor a professional librarian for outstanding achievement and accomplishments reflecting the loftiest service goals of the library profession. Deadline to submit: October 23, 2024 | WEB-FIRST REVIEWS OF BOOKS AND MEDIA | Darkside, by Michael Mammay, is a starred SFF selection. "Readers who can’t resist that world-weary voice, enjoy SF/mystery capers such as Suzanne Palmer’s 'Finder Chronicles' and the soldier stories of John Scalzi’s 'Old Man’s War' series, or simply like their military SF with multiple twists will be thrilled by Butler’s latest misbegotten adventure." In mysteries, The Little Lost Library, Ellery Adams's seventh “Secret, Book and Scone Society” novel is a starred selection. "Adams’s fans and devoted readers of this type of novel will not be disappointed, but there is also enough substance and intrigue to satisfy fans of more hardboiled mysteries. Even non-series readers can jump right in as Nora encounters her latest adventure." And The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, by Ally Carter, is a starred romance. "Full of tongue-in-cheek humor, excellent dialogue, and fantastic characters, this expertly crafted story from Carter (The Blonde Identity) is a heart-melting rivals-to-lovers romance combined with a delightful locked-room mystery." See All Reviews››› | Job Zone utilizes unique job matching technology to help you find the perfect job (and employers find the perfect candidate), whether you’re actively seeking or just keeping an eye out for your possibilities. Log on today and check out our newest features, including automated job and candidate matches, and email alerts. JOB OF THE WEEK
The UCSan Diego Library is seeking a candidate for Head of CDL Shared Cataloging Program. | |