Christian Science Monitor | Books

Lydia Davis wins 2013 Man Booker International Prize

Lydia Davis is best-known for her very brief short stories and work as a translator.

Amazon's Kindle Worlds will allow writers to sell fan fiction

The digital publishing platform will let fans write, publish, and sell the stories they've written based on popular books, TV shows, and more.

Reader recommendation: The Custom of the Country

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

Never-before-seen Pearl S. Buck novel will be released this fall

An unpublished manuscript by Pearl S. Buck titled 'The Eternal Wonder' was discovered last winter in a storage unit in Texas.

J.K. Rowling's 'Potter' first edition raises $228,000 for charity

The auction benefiting the organization English PEN sold a first-edition copy of Rowling's 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' as well as works by Roald Dahl, Hilary Mantel, and Ian McEwan.

Carol Burnett will receive the 2013 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Carol Burnett, best known for her long-running variety show, will be honored this October at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

Reader recommendation: No Great Mischief

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Does a new J.D. Salinger documentary contain 'revelations' about the author?

Harvey Weinstein, whose company is distributing the documentary 'Salinger,' hinted at great secrets in the new movie, but Salinger's son Matthew is disparaging of the film.

Bernard Waber, author of 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,' dies at 91

Bernard Waber enjoyed a long career in children's books. His works included 'The House on East 88^th Street' and 'Courage.'

Khaled Hosseini's 'And the Mountains Echoed' garners rave reviews

'And the Mountains Echoed,' Hosseini's third novel, is racking up huge pre-sale numbers. The book will be released tomorrow.

'Bates Motel': it all goes back to a brilliant novelist named Robert Bloch

'Bates Motel,' which airs its season finale May 20, owes its origins to the novel "Psycho" by horror writer Robert Bloch.

Stephen King's decision to skip the e-book format gets renewed attention

Stephen King said his new novel, 'Joyland,' will be released in paper format only. 'Let people ... go to an actual bookstore,' said King.

Belle & Sebastian founder Stuart David will write a memoir

Stuart David founded the band with Belle & Sebastian current lead singer Stuart Murdoch and is now the lead singer for the band Looper.

J.K. Rowling, Hilary Mantel, and other British authors auction off annotated first editions

J.K. Rowling and other authors are selling first-edition copies of their books with annotations, written thoughts on the book, and/or illustrations to benefit the writers' organization English PEN.

Reader recommendation: Fatherhood

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

'The Great Gatsby': Why it draws fans in prison

The student-inmates in my prison lit class were attracted to 'Gatsby' by scenes of opulence – and the thought of self-improvement.

Laini Taylor's 'Days of Blood and Starlight' sequel will be released spring 2014 (+video)

The third book in the series, 'Dreams of Gods and Monsters,' will conclude the trilogy that started with Taylor's book 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone.'

'Behind the Beautiful Forevers' will become a London stage play

'Behind the Beautiful Forevers' by Katherine Boo won the 2012 nonfiction National Book Award and received almost universal critical praise.

Dan Brown at Lincoln Center: more about his childhood than 'Inferno'

Dan Brown appeared at Lincoln Center to promote his new novel 'Inferno,' but focused more on his parents and his early years than his Dante-inspired book.

Ultimate Library aims to beef up hotel literary offerings

Ultimate Library helps hotels to offer their guests a better array of reading choices, with a focus on books with a sense of place.