Critics of Oprah book club title put new novel, ‘American Dirt,’ on trial
When Oprah Winfrey chose the novel “American Dirt” for her book club, she imagined engaging in an impassioned television dialog about the narrative, which follows a Mexican mother and her son fleeing to the United States. Instead, Winfrey ended up organizing a show that put the book, author Jeanine Cummins...
Publisher pushes back release date for John Bolton’s book
NEW YORK — The publisher of John Bolton’s highly anticipated memoir has pushed back the release date from March 17 to mid-May. Simon & Schuster cited the ongoing government security review of the former national security adviser’s “The Room Where It Happened.” The new date is May 12, the publisher...
‘Into the Wild’ lures the unprepared to Alaska wilderness
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — For nearly a quarter-century, the old bus abandoned in Alaska’s punishing wilderness has drawn adventurers seeking to retrace the steps of a young idealist who met a tragic death in the derelict vehicle. For many, Christopher McCandless’ legend was cemented in the 1996 “Into the Wild” book...
Clive Cussler, million-selling adventure writer, dies at 88
NEW YORK — Clive Cussler, the million-selling adventure writer and real-life thrill-seeker who wove personal details and spectacular fantasies into his page-turning novels about underwater explorer Dirk Pitt, has died, his publisher said Wednesday. Cussler died Monday at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, said Alexis Welby, spokeswoman for publisher Penguin...
Former Ukraine diplomat Marie Yovanovitch has book deal
NEW YORK — Former Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, the career diplomat who during the impeachment hearings of President Donald Trump offered a chilling account of alleged threats from Trump and his allies, has a book deal. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt confirmed Friday to The Associated Press that it had acquired Yovanovitch’s...
Pitt-Greensburg will feature readings by pair of Western Pennsylvania authors
Trafford resident Dave Newman and Greene County native Sarah Elaine Smith will read from their works of fiction as part of the Written/Spoken Series on Thursday on the Pitt-Greensburg campus. The program, which is free to the public, begins at 7 p.m. in Powers Hall, Room 100. A book sale...
‘Seculosity’ author to speak on future of American religion, spirituality
Author, editor and podcaster David Zahl will speak at Ligonier Town Hall on March 12 on the decline of organized religion and the rise of “replacement” religions. Zahl is the author of “Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What to Do about...
Former Greensburg lawyer pens political thriller set in Westmoreland
“Settlers’ Cemetery,” a former Greensburg lawyer’s debut novel, may have tongues wagging in Greensburg. The novel, by attorney and political gadfly Gary Fine, is peppered with the kind of scandalous tales I heard as a courthouse reporter in the 1980s, and then some. Fast forward 40 years. Add a political...
Award-winning writers kick off Pitt-Greensburg series
Writers curious about publishing, performing and getting their work into print can learn more on Feb. 4 as the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg opens its Written/Spoken Series. The program at 7 p.m. in the Hempfield Room at the 150 Finoli Drive campus includes several award-winning writers and the editors...
Small home living: Not ‘downsizing’ but ‘right-sizing’
With the current trend toward decluttering and downsizing, there are plenty of books about how to winnow down possessions to the few that are truly necessary and loved. This book shows how you can live well once that’s done. In “Downsize: Living Large in a Small House” (2019, The Taunton...
Stephen King quits Facebook over political ads
Horror writer Stephen King has quit Facebook, saying he is not comfortable with the political advertising on the platform. In a post on Twitter on Friday, King stated, “I’m quitting Facebook. Not comfortable with the flood of false information that’s allowed in its political advertising, nor am I confident in...
Author Mary Higgins Clark, ‘Queen of Suspense,’ dead at 92
NEW YORK — Mary Higgins Clark, the tireless and long-reigning “Queen of Suspense” whose tales of women beating the odds made her one of the world’s most popular writers, died Friday at age 92. Her publisher, Simon & Schuster, announced that she died of natural causes in Naples, Florida. “Nobody...
Salma Hayek apologizes for praising controversial new novel
NEW YORK — Salma Hayek is apologizing for promoting a controversial new novel, Jeanine Cummins’ “American Dirt,” without actually reading it. “American Dirt,” published Tuesday, tells the story of a Mexican woman and her 8-year-old son fleeing to the U.S. border after numerous family members are murdered in drug cartel-related...
‘The City of Falling Angels’ is subject of next One Westmoreland book discussion
A fire that consumed an historic Venetian performance venue sparked the creation of an atmospheric tale featured in the latest edition of the Westmoreland Library Network’s One Book, One Westmoreland book discussion program. Area residents are invited to stop at one of several county libraries to pick up a copy...
Steelers’ James Conner announces autobiography ‘Fear is a Choice’
Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner has a book coming out this year. Conner announced his autobiography “Fear is a Choice: Tackling Life’s Challenges with Dignity, Faith, and Determination” on Thursday. The book will be released June 16 via Harper Collins. pic.twitter.com/hlzlMDfX97— James Conner (@JamesConner_) January 23, 2020 According to...
Everyone invited: ‘Great Gatsby’ copyright to end in 2021
NEW YORK — For decades, Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan and other characters from “The Great Gatsby” have been as real to millions of readers as people in their own lives, exemplars and victims of the American pursuit of wealth and status. Starting next January, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic Jazz Age...
Murrysville author’s book discusses signposts on his journey of grievingVideo
One of the many historical uses of the cairn, a man-made stack of stones, is to mark a trail, as a means for travelers to find their way. For Joe Walko, 53, of Murrysville, the cairn served as a perfect metaphor for the grieving journey he began when his wife...
Author of ‘Indianapolis’ to speak on World War II sinking, aftermath
Most people know the story of the USS Indianapolis from the movie “Jaws.” To them, it’s a story about sharks. But to best-selling author Lynn Vincent, the sinking of the USS Indianapolis is more a story of faith and leadership. On March 10, she will tell that story in Pittsburgh...
Pittsburgh native Bari Weiss wins book award for work on anti-Semitism
Pittsburgh native Bari Weiss won a 2019 National Jewish Book Award for her book “How to Fight Anti-Semitism.” Weiss, who grew up in Squirrel Hill and graduated from Shady Side Academy, won the Myra H. Kraft Memorial Award in the category Contemporary Jewish Life and Practice. Hers was one of...
Chip Bell is an Arnold attorney, but his adventure novels take you to the tropicsVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. People who step into Charles “Chip” Bell Jr.’s office in Arnold are transported to the tropics. Images of palm trees, Key West, the Caribbean and even pirates are scattered...
‘Prozac Nation’ author Elizabeth Wurtzel dies at age 52
NEW YORK — Elizabeth Wurtzel, whose blunt and painful confessions of her struggles with addiction and depression in the best-selling “Prozac Nation” made her a voice and a target for an anxious generation, died Tuesday at age 52. Wurtzel’s husband, Jim Freed, told The Associated Press that she died at...
T.S. Eliot letters show love for muse but poet downplays it
PHILADELPHIA — Recently unveiled letters from T.S. Eliot to his muse Emily Hale show how much he loved his longtime friend, but a statement from beyond the grave by the poet himself dismisses his feelings and shows how Eliot tries to rewrite the narrative of their relationship, scholars say. Hale...
3 female authors will discuss their writing, friendship in Seton Hill program
Three bestselling female authors who hail from the West Coast will discuss their writing and today’s publishing industry during a presentation Tuesday at Seton Hill University in Greensburg. “An Evening with Juliet Blackwell, Rachael Herron and Sophie Littlefield” is set for 7 p.m. in the Carol Reichgut Concert Hall at...
National Science Fiction Day celebrates Asimov, speculative literature
With “The Rise of Skywalker,” the latest “Star Wars” sequel, currently blasting the competition at the box office, science fiction films are enjoying as high a profile as ever since the original movie in the franchise debuted in 1977. Today, fans of the genre are encouraged to take a deeper...
Pitt library digs into its archives to celebrate Science Fiction Day
National Science Fiction Day was the perfect opportunity for Ben Rubin, horror studies collection coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh Library System, to show people that the library offers even more resources than they realize. “People think archives and think it’s inaccessible,” Rubin said. “We want to demystify the collections...
