Book briefs: Planned Parenthood president is writing memoir
Published 1:30 am Sunday, July 16, 2017
Planned Parenthood president is writing ‘Inspirational’ memoir
Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, is writing an “Inspirational” memoir.
Touchstone told The Associated Press that Richards’ book is currently untitled and scheduled for next spring. The daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, she will combine personal stories with her experiences as an activist, whether as a labor organizer or her time at Planned Parenthood, which she has headed since 2006.
Richards leads the women’s health care organization during a critical time, with President Donald Trump and other Republicans calling for its federal funding to be eliminated.
“I’m excited to share my story, and the lessons I’ve learned over the years from making trouble and organizing for change,” Richards, who turns 60 this week, said in a statement. “In a moment when so much of the progress generations have fought for is on the line, we are witnessing the most exciting outpouring of grassroots organizing many of us have ever seen. Now is not the time to wait for instruction — it’s time to get to work, and be bolder and braver than ever before.”
Ivy League historian returns prize after citations questions
A Columbia University professor who specializes in modern Korean and East Asian history has returned a 2014 prize he received from the American Historical Association after some sources in the winning book were questioned.
Charles K. Armstrong, author of “Tyranny of the Weak: North Korea and the World, 1950-1992,” won the association’s John K. Fairbank Prize, but came under criticism when more than 70 citations were challenged.
In response, Armstrong said he submitted 52 corrections for the book’s next edition. On his website, he defended his work: “The errors did not cause serious damage to any scholarly field or to the validity of the book itself.”
The American Historical Association, the largest professional organization serving historians, said that Armstrong returned the prize “out of respect” for the association.
Dave Eggers writes middle-school novel ‘The Lifters’
Dave Eggers’ next literary adventure will be for a younger crowd.
The author has written a fantasy novel for middle-schoolers, “The Lifters,” the first of a two-book deal with Alfred A. Knopf. “The Lifters” is scheduled for March 27, 2018, the publisher told The Associated Press. Featuring illustrations by brothers Eric and Terry Fan, the book tells of a troubled boy named Granite and a girl named Catalina who through a magic door handle introduces the boy to a strange new world.
“‘The Lifters’ has been on my mind for almost 10 years,” Eggers, who has set his books everywhere from Alaska to Saudi Arabia, said in a statement. “That’s when I had the idea that a simple cupboard handle could open a hillside to a warren of kid-sized tunnels under a town — and that it would be up to these kids to keep everyone living aboveground upright and safe. My goal was to write the book I would have wanted to read when I was a middle-grader, with enough adventure and jokes and mystery to keep even an antsy reader engaged.”
Eggers’ previous books include “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” and “What is the What.” The Fan brothers’ credits include Chris Hadfield’s “The Darkest Dark,” Ali Benjamin’s “The Thing About Jellyfish” and a book they wrote and illustrated, “The Night Gardener.”
Free romance e-sampler highlights 18 new works
A free e-book compilation is offering readers a taste of romance.
“Buzz Books 2017: Romance” includes excerpts from new works by Meredith Wild, Karen Rose and 16 other writers. “Buzz Books 2017” was released this week by the industry newsletter Publishers Lunch in anticipation of the annual Romance Writers of America gathering, which takes place July 26-29 in Orlando, Florida. The e-book can be downloaded through Amazon.com, Barnes &Noble.com, Apple and other outlets.
According to Publishers Lunch, “Buzz Books 2017” will showcase the diversity of contemporary romance stories, incorporating everything from historical fiction to inspirational themes.
— Associated Press
Derek Jeter’s sister is co-authoring a motivational book
An upcoming book from Derek Jeter’s imprint is co-written by someone close to the former Yankees shortstop: His sister Sharlee Jeter.
Jeter Publishing told The Associated Press that Sharlee Jeter and Dr. Sampson Davis were collaborating on “The Stuff: Unlock Your Power to Overcome Challenges, Soar and Succeed.” The book is scheduled for May 2018. Drawing upon the stories of athletes and entertainers, among others, “The Stuff” will “highlight 11 core elements” essential to success.
Sharlee Jeter is president of her brother’s Turn 2 Foundation, which helps young people avoid drugs and alcohol. Davis is a physician, philanthropist and public speaker whose books include “Living and Dying in Brick City.”
Derek Jeter and Simon &Schuster launched his imprint, which publishes for adults and young people, in 2013.
— Associated Press
