Sponsored by Baen Books
The only bridge between past and future is a leap of faith. Pursued by enemies, exiled Liaden clan Korval is settling into a new base but moving is as expensive as war. Dutiful Passage is targeted by Korval’s enemies, denied docking at respectable ports.. Korval must design and implement new trade routes quickly, but time and options are running out. Facing the prospect of failure they accept the assistance of risky allies and turn the Passage toward a new port awash with strange energies. Without trade, Clan Korval will starve. Will a trader’s leap of faith save everything—or doom all?
Welcome to Check Your Shelf. Somehow, in the midst of all *waves vaguely* THIS, we still have our annual Winter Reading Program happening. Maybe this is what people need to keep them occupied right now. Although there’s something innately maddening about trying to figure out the best way to distribute regular prizes via curbside pickup.
Libraries & Librarians
News Updates
Why are Chicago Public Libraries still open amid soaring COVID rates?
Amazon is under pressure to lift its ban on library sales for in-house eBooks.
Cool Library Updates
King’s University College in Ontario receives a one million dollar donation from one of its former librarians, making it one of the largest individual gifts in the college’s history!
Worth Reading
Can a patron who gets sick sue the library?
College libraries once again have to adjust to shutdowns during this second pandemic wave.
This reader misses libraries, especially the browsing part.
Peep this 2020 holiday gift guide for librarians and book lovers!
Book Adaptations in the News
Adam Conover, host of Adam Ruins Everything, has teamed up with the Obama’s production company to transform Michael Lewis’ book The Fifth Risk into a Netflix sketch comedy series about the government.
First trailer for the adaptation of Cherry by Nico Walker.
Here’s your first (adorable) look at Clifford the Big Red Dog, which will be made into a movie in 2021!
Books & Authors in the News
The Romancing the Runoff fundraiser has raised almost $400,000 for the runoff Senate elections in Georgia!
Legendary science fiction author Ben Bova has passed away at 88.
Numbers & Trends
Over 118 million people attended library programs in 2017!
Award News
Mystery Writers of America announced its 2021 Grand Master and Raven Award recipients.
The 2021 Hugo Awards will include a special category for Best Video Game.
The winners and finalists of the Brooklyn Public Library literary awards have been announced.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell is named as the Waterstones book of the year.
The shortlist for the Costa Book Awards has been released.
Bookish Curiosities & Miscellaneous
Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster both chose the word “pandemic” for their word of the year.
In 2010, Edie Vonnegut, daughter of Kurt Vonnegut, found 226 love letters from Vonnegut to his wife, Jane. The love letters are now being published in a book called Love, Kurt: The Vonnegut Love Letters, 1941-1945.
What do you get when you cross Where’s Waldo, cats, and Hong Kong markets? You get this adorable photo book!
On the Riot
50+ alternative careers for librarians.
“Is that all you do?” Self-promotion as a school librarian.
5 indie bookstores that started book subscriptions or personalized care packages to survive the pandemic.
6 places to buy books online that aren’t Amazon.
We’ve only got a few more weekends before we’re done with 2020, and I know that it’s not like the world’s going to reset on January 1st, but I’m starting a little countdown…let’s tick one more weekend off our lists.
—Katie McLain Horner, @kt_librarylady on Twitter.