Author: Karli Cude

We’ve all heard that you should never judge a book by its cover, but we also know that packaging and design are important to consumers.  For book buyers, cover design is often the first step to engaging a potential reader. After all, aren’t you more likely to pick up a book if the cover appeals to you, or if you recognize that cover from somewhere else – like from an ad campaign that you’ve been noticing on all your favorite sites? Plus, in the age of “bookstagrammers,” a photo-worthy cover can turn one purchase into many by inspiring social media friends and followers to pick up a copy as well. There’s a lot to cover on this subject (pun most definitely intended!), so this edition of Literary Links is dedicated to the not so subtle art of judging a book by its cover.

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Ushering in a new year can be refreshing, but it can also be stressful.  Between resolutions, readjusting to work/school schedules, and the post-holiday blues, January can be a bit of a rollercoaster.  But one thing we always look forward to in the new year is the annual lists of “most anticipated” books!  Here’s a roundup of such lists to help you get a jump start on your 2019 TBR stack. So cheers to a new year and new books!

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There are a lot of great things about the holiday season, but one tradition we especially look forward to is the annual release of literary “best of” lists.  If you’re like us and always looking to add to your TBR stack and/or shopping for some bookish gift ideas for the holidays, please enjoy the below roundup of “Best Books of 2018” lists from around the web!  We hope you find your next great read!

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Ahhhh BEA…the time of year when thousands of book lovers converge at the NYC Javits Center to ooh and ahhh over the latest literary releases and upcoming publications.  Essentially, it’s a bibliophile’s dream, so of course we had a fabulous time catching up with clients, meeting new friends and hoarding ALL THE BOOKS!  Here are a few highlights from the trip:

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There’s nothing like being a part of a great book club! It’s a wonderful way to socialize with fellow book lovers, and (let’s be honest) a great excuse to binge on wine and cheese!  There’s no question that 2016 has been a fabulous year for books and book clubs, and if you haven’t joined a local or online reading group yet, there’s no time like the present!

From library and bookstore clubs to celebrity recommendations, we’ve rounded up some of the top selections for 2016 book clubs.  Here are 10 MORE titles to keep your group’s reading momentum strong and well-balanced (click here to read Part 1):

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There’s nothing like being a part of a great book club! It’s a wonderful way to socialize with fellow book lovers, and (let’s be honest) a great excuse to binge on wine and cheese!  There’s no question that 2016 has been a fabulous year for books and book clubs, and if you haven’t joined a local or online reading group yet, there’s no time like the present!

From library and bookstore clubs to celebrity recommendations, we’ve rounded up some of the top selections for 2016 book clubs.  Here are 10 titles to keep your group’s reading momentum strong and well-balanced:

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What’s the best way to counteract “reluctant reader” traits?  Make reading something kids and teens genuinely look forward to!  Of course, curating a love for reading starts at home and in the classroom, but some kids need a little extra push. We all know that kids love opening gifts, so monthly subscription “book boxes” might be the perfect way to keep kids reading all year long!

With these book boxes, kids can experience the joy of opening presents along with the joy of discovering a great new book.  If you have a reluctant (or avid) reader in your life, here are a few children’s and YA book subscription services you may want to try:

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Eleanor Herman’s new YA Fantasy novel, Legacy of Kings, is the first in a new series, and also the first book to ever incorporate the “Digital Oracle” via Twitter. According to Publishers Weekly, the Oracle is actually a “bot,” which is pre-programmed to respond to Twitter questions/comments posted to @HarlequinTeen, using the hashtag #asklegacyofkings.

With 100 potential responses, the Digital Oracle is essentially a literary Magic 8 Ball devised to increase reader engagement. Since the bot’s responses are written by Herman herself, the “premonitions” provide continuity between the text and social media. As the story incorporates elements of Greek Mythology and History, the Oracle aptly includes wisdom from well-known literary figures like Poseidon, Apollo and Athena.

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Last week, Amazon’s new “Prime Now” 1-hour delivery services became available to all Manhattan residents after a two month test in select Manhattan neighborhoods.

On Twitter, customers are calling Prime Now “Awesome,” “Great,” “Amazing” and a “game changer.”

Prime Now includes book delivery and some members of the literary and retail community worry that this new service will hurt local and independent bookstores.

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If you’re a writer who’s been discouraged by the competitive publishing industry, don’t despair! For inspiration, here are some bestselling titles that were initially rejected by publishers:

According to The Huffington Post, the following books “almost never saw the light of day:”

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