Today’s Book News Saturday, 20th December 2025
Publishers capped the week with major headlines. HarperCollins dropped bestselling children’s author David Walliams after allegations of inappropriate behaviour, a move reported across multiple outlets, while he publicly denied the allegations. Scholastic posted modest revenue gains and stronger profits, several publishers signed new rights and distribution deals, and market research highlighted audio-first acquisitions and festive sales trends. Industry voices looked back at 2025, calling for multilingual AI voice options in e‑books and noting ongoing issues in libraries. PEN America urged the release of jailed writer Narges Mohammadi.
The Guardian reported that HarperCollins decided it would not publish further titles by David Walliams after an internal investigation into allegations he harassed junior female staff members. The report said the comedian reached a settlement that restricted his contact with staff and that his long‑term publisher chose to sever ties; Walliams denied the allegations and said he was never made aware of specific complaints. BBC coverage noted he has sold more than 60 million books worldwide and that he insisted any claims were untrue, while the publisher stated the decision came under its new chief executive.
Scholastic released its fiscal second‑quarter results showing revenue up 1% year on year to $551 million and operating income up 11%, thanks to strong trade sales and gains at book fairs and clubs. The publisher’s children’s book division performed well, offsetting weaker sales in some education segments, and executives said the results positioned the company for a solid remainder of the fiscal year.
Publishers Weekly reported that the U.S. Senate confirmed Mary Anne Carter as chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. Carter previously led the agency during the Trump administration and said she will continue initiatives to support creative arts programmes, veterans’ therapies and arts education.
A report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, highlighted by Publishers Weekly, found that about 70% of public library buildings require maintenance or repair. Only one‑fifth were rated in good condition, while 38% had at least one building system deemed poor and 61% reported health or safety issues, underscoring a need for increased investment in library infrastructure.
Ingram Publisher Services UK signed an agreement to distribute Archetype Publications, strengthening its art and archaeology list. C&T Publishing announced a partnership with Leisure Arts that brings over 1,150 craft titles under its distribution, adding embroidery and sewing titles to C&T’s portfolio.
The Carnegie Corporation of New York awarded 57 grants totalling over $38 million to support literacy and digital inclusion initiatives. A notable grant gave $2 million to the Association for Rural and Small Libraries to improve broadband access and digital literacy training, illustrating growing concern about the digital divide in rural communities.
BookBrunch’s paywalled bulletin noted that retailer WH Smith’s delayed full‑year results showed profits falling after accounting problems at its U.S. business. Interim chief executive Michael Harding called it “a difficult end to the year,” though the chain said its high street and travel divisions remained resilient.
In BookBrunch’s report on festive bookselling, independent bookshop owners across the UK said 2025 sales were buoyed by early Christmas shopping and strong demand for illustrated gift books. They observed customers returning to physical stores and emphasised the importance of personalised recommendations during the season.
Bea Carvalho, head of books at Waterstones, told BookBrunch that word‑of‑mouth recommendations and staff handselling drove the chain’s biggest successes in 2025. She cited TikTok‑fueled fiction and bold new voices among the year’s standout titles, noting that physical bookshops continue to influence readers’ choices.
A BookBrunch survey asked independent booksellers to name their personal favourite reads of 2025 rather than the biggest sellers. The resulting list showcased a diverse mix of debut novels, translated fiction and narrative nonfiction that resonated with booksellers throughout the year.
Rights deals reported by BookBrunch included Bodley Head’s purchase of a memoir by former UK deputy prime minister Angela Rayner. The book, chronicling her life and political career, is scheduled for publication in the second half of 2026.
Michael O’Mara Books acquired rights to two Formula One titles. One volume will celebrate world champion Lando Norris’s career, while the second will explore the skills and strategies needed to succeed in the sport, appealing to fans of motor racing.
Headline Publishing bought rights to three new saga novels from author Glenda Young. Set among factory workers in early 20th‑century Sunderland, the first book will launch in 2027, extending Young’s popular historical fiction series.
BookBrunch reported on a Financial Times story suggesting that Waterstones and its U.S. sister company Barnes & Noble could be listed on the stock market next year. The article noted speculation that owners Elliott Advisors may explore a sale or public offering amid a buoyant market for booksellers.
Amazon’s annual ranking of bestselling books crowned Freida McFadden’s thriller “The Housemaid” as the overall top seller. McFadden dominated the list with nine titles in the top 20, illustrating the continuing popularity of her domestic suspense novels.
The Bookseller reported that publishers have begun buying books exclusively for audio release, reflecting a growing “audio‑first” strategy. The article noted that Simon & Schuster’s audio‑focused imprint Simon Maverick launched in the UK and that acquisitions aimed specifically at audio listeners are no longer an afterthought for large publishers.
Publishing Perspectives looked back at 2025, highlighting stories about audio’s growth, artificial intelligence and graphic novels. The publication noted the passing of its editor‑in‑chief Porter Anderson, saying a new editor will be announced in January. It signalled plans to continue focusing on global publishing issues in the year ahead.
In a guest post for The Scholarly Kitchen, experts argued that artificial intelligence is reshaping digital platforms. They cited research indicating AI coding capabilities double roughly every four months and said multi‑agent orchestration will increasingly automate complex software tasks, prompting publishers and platform providers to rethink strategy beyond the hype.
PEN America issued a statement demanding the immediate release of Iranian writer and human‑rights activist Narges Mohammadi, who was violently arrested and held in solitary confinement. The organisation urged authorities to provide her with medical care and legal representation and called on the global community to speak out against the crackdown on writers and activists.
A Good e‑Reader commentary argued that advancements in AI‑driven voice synthesis now allow natural‑sounding multilingual narration and that e‑book platforms should offer instant voice options for accessibility and global reach. The author said the technology has matured to the point where publishers can implement high‑quality narration without expensive human recording.
NPR interviewed Nick Harkaway about his novel “Karla’s Choice,” in which he resurrects his father John le Carré’s iconic spymaster George Smiley. Harkaway said he grew up hearing drafts of le Carré’s novels and described the challenge of honouring the character’s legacy while bringing his own perspective to the Cold War–era world of espionage.
Books+Publishing compiled the Christmas shutdown schedules of Australian publishers. Magabala Books, NielsenIQ BookData Australia, Scribe Publications and UWA Publishing were among those closing at midday on 19 December and reopening on 5 January, while other trade publishers and distributors set similar holiday breaks to give staff time off.
The Guardian’s children’s book roundup showcased festive picture books such as “The Great Christmas Tree Race” and holiday‑themed novels like “The Boy Who Grew Dragons: A Christmas Delivery.” The piece recommended titles across age groups, emphasising imaginative stories and inclusive themes to delight young readers.
