Books Tell You Why. All About Collecting Rare Books

Collecting Authors' First Books

By Kristin Masters. Dec 13, 2012. 5:05 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, Book Collecting, Literature

In the world of rare books, we talk frequently about firsts. Indeed, the novice collector very quickly learns the terms first edition and first printing. These descriptors often significantly increase the value of a book. But another important, and quite interesting, concept of firsts is that of authors' first works.Often exceedingly rare, an author's first work may cost much more than the later works that actually catapulted the author to greatness.

Banned Books that Revolutionized Literature

By Kristin Masters. Dec 7, 2012. 3:15 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Literature

On December 7, 1933 the United States lifted its ban on James Joyce's Ulysses. Federal Judge John M. Woolsey presided over the Supreme Court case. After taking a month to read the book, Justice Woolsey said that the book was not only not obscene, but was also a work of literary merit.

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.

Mo Yan Walks Fine Line as China's Nobel Laureate for Literature

By Kristin Masters. Oct 12, 2012. 9:08 AM.

Topics: Literature, Nobel Prize Winners

Yesterday the Nobel Committee announced that Chinese author Mo Yan had earned this year's prize for literature. One of China's best known writers, Mo Yan has has been heralded as one of China's preeminent writers. But Mo Yan has not always been so highly regarded by China's government.

Happy Birthday, Anne Rice!

By Kristin Masters. Oct 4, 2012. 4:31 AM.

Topics: Horror, Literature, Movie Tie-Ins, Science Fiction, Rare Book Gift Ideas

October 4th marks the birthday of prolific American author Anne Rice. It seems fitting that this queen of gothic fiction should be born in the same month as Halloween, but Rice has written much more than merely horror. Her oeuvres range from Christian literature to erotica. She often addresses the metaphysical, weaving stories that both challenge and entertain.

Banned Book Week Celebrates 30 Years

By Kristin Masters. Oct 1, 2012. 2:30 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Literature

Yesterday kicked off the 30th annual Banned Books Week, an event that celebrates our freedom to read. Sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA), along with other industry organizations, Banned Books Week is an excellent opportunity to celebrate some of Americas most beloved and exceptional literature.

John Gardner: The (Other) Man behind 007

By Kristin Masters. Sep 13, 2012. 4:54 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Literature, James Bond, Movie Tie-Ins

The character of James Bond has fascinated and entertained generations, and many of our favorite 007 tales come not from Ian Fleming, but from his successor. John Gardner was both ambitious and talented enough to take up Fleming's mantle. Over the course of his authorial career, Gardner would write 14 original James Bond novels and compose the novel versions of two James Bond movies.

Top Five Rivalries of Legendary Authors

By Kristin Masters. Jul 26, 2012. 3:42 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Literature

We all have our favorite--and not-so-favorite authors. The same goes for writers themselves, and through the years many bitter rivalries have sprung up between legendary authors. A look at some of the most famous:

Literature's Unluckiest Characters

By Kristin Masters. Jul 13, 2012. 3:14 AM.

Topics: Literature

Today is Friday the 13th, a day long help to be inauspicious. The superstition began with a fear of the number 13 and is ages old; even the ancient Babylonian Code of Hammurabi (1700 BC) omits 13 in its list of numbered laws.However, we can thank a book for the association with Friday.

Celebrating Salman Rushdie

By Kristin Masters. Jun 19, 2012. 2:22 AM.

Topics: Literature

Today is the birthday of Salman Rushdie, the controversial author whose works explore the connectionsand dissonancesbetween East and West. Rushdies novels, essays, and other works have set him apart as one of the greatest authors of our time.