News Today’s Book News Friday, 28th November

[AgentPete]

Today’s Book News Friday, 28th November 2025 (London date)

A European Commission vote removed printed products from the EU Deforestation Regulation, a change welcomed by publishers. Waterstones revealed its 2025 Book of the Year and related winners, Footnote Press launched a prize for refugee writers, and White Rabbit signed a new music history book. The Supreme Court kept Shira Perlmutter in her role, and the Hamilton Review of Books will close.

European Commission vote to amend EUDR welcomed by publishing sector​

The European Commission voted to amend the EU Deforestation Regulation so that books and other printed products are no longer covered. Publishing industry groups welcomed the change because it would spare publishers from complex supply‑chain reporting requirements and remove printed materials from the law’s scope.

Waterstones Book of the Year revealed​

Waterstones named Lucy Steeds’s novel *The Artist* as its 2025 Book of the Year. The bookseller also honoured *The Café at the Edge of the Woods* as Children’s Book of the Year and the cookbook *Padella* as its Gift of the Year.

Refugee writer prize launched​

Footnote Press and Counterpoints Arts have launched the Footnote × Counterpoints Prize for Fiction, a new award open to writers from refugee and migrant backgrounds. The prize aims to celebrate stories and voices from displaced communities.

Famous deal for White Rabbit​

Lee Brackstone at White Rabbit has acquired Matt Thorne’s nonfiction book *Famous: Ego, Envy and Ambition in Pop, Rock and Hip‑Hop*. The forthcoming title explores how ego, jealousy and ambition shape pop, rock and hip‑hop stars and their encounters in popular culture.

Supreme Court allows Perlmutter to stay in Copyright Office, for now​

The US Supreme Court allowed a lower‑court ruling to stand that reinstated Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter, permitting her to remain in office while the justices consider two similar cases about removing officials from federal agencies. The court deferred a final ruling until after it hears the related cases early next year.

Hamilton Review of Books to close​

Dana Hansen, founding publisher of the Hamilton Review of Books, announced that the online literary journal will cease publication at the end of the year because of insufficient resources. The free journal, launched in 2016, will remain online as an archive of its reviews, essays, interviews and podcasts.