Books Tell You Why. All About Collecting Rare Books

The National Book Awards: A History of Quality American Literature

By Kristin Wood. Nov 19, 2013. 4:00 PM.

Topics: Awarded Books, American Literature

The literary landscape of America shifted on March 16th, 1950. On this day, the first National Book Awards were presented in New York City at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Although notable authors were already recognized before this day through the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize, the National Book Awards set themselves apart by focusing on literature alone and awarding prizes chosen exclusively by writers. Their mission is to "celebrate the best of American literature, to expand its audience, and to enhance the cultural value of great writing in America."

VS Naipaul: A Controversial Nobel Laureate

By Kristin Masters. Aug 17, 2013. 1:12 PM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, Awarded Books, Nobel Prize Winners

Naipaul has said that "half a writer's work is the discovery of his subject matter. And a problem for me was that my life had been varied, full of upheavals and moves." Yet Naipaul found his authorial voice relatively early; after two failed attempts at writing a novel, Naipaul found inspiration in his childhood neighbor from Port of Spain.

Celebrating Larry McMurtry, Legendary Author and Bookseller

By Kristin Masters. Jun 3, 2013. 1:28 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, Pulitzer Prize, Awarded Books, American Literature, Movie Tie-Ins

On June 3, 1936, Larry McMurtry was born in Archer City, Texas. Famous for his novels about the American West, McMurtry has had a rich career as a writer--and as a bookseller. Though he's since retired from both careers, McMurtry has made an indelible mark on the book collecting world.

Who's Who in the History of Children's Literature (Part 2)

By Kristin Masters. May 18, 2013. 6:32 PM.

Topics: Caldecott Medal, Children's Books, Awarded Books, Book History

Children's Book Week is the perfect time to explore the lives of the authors, illustrators, and publishers who've played a key role in the history of children's literature. In Part 1, we looked at contributors like Noah Webster, Samuel Goodwin, and even John Locke. Today, discover more prominent figures in children's literature...

Celebrate Children's Book Week!

By Kristin Masters. May 15, 2013. 1:58 PM.

Topics: Children's Books, Awarded Books, Book News

This week we celebrate the life-changing power of books and literacy with Children's Book Week. Since 1916, Children's Book Week has taken various forms, but its mission has stayed the same: to promote excellence in children's books.

Political Biographies and Presidential Authors

By Kristin Masters. Apr 28, 2013. 10:55 PM.

Topics: American History, Legendary Authors, Awarded Books, History

Last night's White House Correspondents' Dinner was truly a star studded affair. The event recognized recipients of the White House Correspondents' Association scholarships--and provided an opportunity for framing American politics in a more entertaining light. Since its inception, the correspondents' dinner has offered us a different look at the president and other key figures.

Philip Roth in Photos

By Kristin Masters. Mar 19, 2013. 12:01 PM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, Pulitzer Prize, Awarded Books, American Literature

Born in Newark, New Jersey on March 19, 1933, Philip Roth began publishing short stories in 1956. His first book, Goodbye, Columbus (1959) won the National Book Award, and since then he has published more than 22 books. In the 1990s, Roth won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Patrimony (1991), the PEN/Faulkner Award for Operation Shylock (1993), and the National Book Award for Sabbath's Theater (1995). American Pastoral (1997) and I Married a Communist (1998), the first two volumes of Roth's trilogy, received the Pulitzer Prize and many others.

Louise Erdrich, Katherine Boo among National Book Award Winners

By Kristin Masters. Nov 14, 2012. 6:21 PM.

Topics: Awarded Books, Literature

On Wednesday night the winners of the 2012 National Book Awards were announced at Cipriani's ballroom in New York City. The awards, presented by the National Book Foundation, rank alongside the Pulizter in prestige.

2011 Pulitzer Prize Winners Announced

By Kristin Masters. Apr 18, 2011. 3:17 PM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Awarded Books

Today the winners of the 2011 Pulitzer Prizes were announced at Columbia University. These prizes recognize excellence in newspaper journalism, literature, and musical composition. They are awarded to American writers and artists.