News Today’s Book News Thursday, 20th November

[AgentPete]

Today’s Book News Thursday, 20th November 2025

The National Book Awards ceremony saw winners use their platforms to advocate for change. Amazon honoured Clare Leslie Hall’s Broken Country, and Cambridge Dictionary’s 2025 Word of the Year - parasocial - reflects an online culture shift.

Politics Loom Large at 2025 National Book Awards​

At the 76th National Book Awards in New York, winners including fiction honoree Rabih Alameddine and nonfiction winner Omar El Akkad used their acceptance speeches to address social injustice and call for change. Emcee Jeff Hiller and award recipients Roxane Gay and George Saunders highlighted the power of publishing to tell diverse stories and urged the industry to address inequity. The ceremony underscored how literary awards can spark conversations about representation and activism.

Advent Devotionals Bring Spirit, Story, and Song​

Christian publishers are catering to families and individuals preparing for Advent with a wave of devotional books. Offerings range from Rich Villodas’s illustrated “Waiting for Jesus” and Carol Ghattas’s grief‑focused “When You Don’t Feel Like Celebrating” to Anne Neilson’s art‑rich “Christmas Angels” and Sherri Hughes‑Gragg’s “The Compassionate Christ.” Many include playlists, journal prompts, or QR codes, reflecting a trend toward multimedia devotionals.

Religion Book Deals: Nov. 19, 2025​

Eerdmans, WaterBrook, Herald Press, Zondervan and Revell announced new acquisitions for 2026–27. The deals include Roger Hutchison’s contemplative guide “Into the Woulds” (2027), Alabaster Co.’s Bible‑and‑photography series launching WaterBrook’s “The Bible Beautiful” line (first release summer 2027), Sarah Sanderson’s prayer guide “On Earth” (fall 2026), Emily Morrow’s memoir “Hold Fast” (spring 2027), and Bethany Spencer’s two‑book series on grief starting with “Living Lament” (spring 2027). These purchases illustrate the continued appetite for faith‑driven titles and new imprints.

Clare Leslie Hall wins Amazon's Best Book of the Year UK​

Amazon UK named Clare Leslie Hall’s novel “Broken Country” as its Best Book of the Year for 2025. The prize recognises the John Murray Press debut for its lyrical, evocative storytelling, raising the author’s profile and boosting sales on Amazon’s platforms.

Obsessed? Cambridge Dictionary declares ‘parasocial’ the Word of the Year for 2025​

Cambridge Dictionary chose “parasocial”—a term for one‑sided relationships with celebrities—as its Word of the Year for 2025. The selection highlights growing cultural awareness of online fandom and the blurred boundaries between fans and public figures, reflecting digital‑age social dynamics.

Joffe signs up two self‑published crime authors​

Independent publisher Joffe Books struck two separate 10‑book deals with self‑published crime writers Conrad Jones and Heather Peck. The agreements underscore how successful indie authors are attracting traditional publishing partners and demonstrate publishers’ willingness to invest in prolific genre writers.

Winners of 2025 Saltires revealed​

Scotland’s National Book Awards, the Saltires, announced their 2025 winners. Novelist Kate Atkinson received the lifetime achievement honour, while other categories recognised the breadth of Scottish literature. The awards continue to champion Scottish writers and raise the profile of regional voices.

David Nicholls and Katherine Rundell offer prizes for Creatives4Sudan auction​

Authors David Nicholls, Katherine Rundell, Katherine Webber and Monisha Rajesh have donated unique prizes and experiences to the Creatives4Sudan charity auction. The fundraiser, co‑organised by Louie Stowell, will auction signed books, mentorship sessions and bespoke writing packages, with proceeds supporting humanitarian relief efforts in Sudan. It exemplifies how authors can leverage their platforms for charitable causes.

CanLit from the concierge: Toronto hotel adds lobby bookstore​

Toronto’s Kimpton St. George Hotel has teamed up with Type Books to create a lobby bookstore as part of the Books for a Better Tomorrow initiative. Guests can purchase a rotating selection of Canadian books—from Alex Neve’s human‑rights essays to Michael Ondaatje’s fiction—with 20% of profits donated to a student afterschool program. The partnership promotes Canadian authors and integrates retail and hospitality.

Maria Reva, Kyle Edwards, Éric Chacour among Dublin Literary Award nominees​

Canadian authors Maria Reva (“Endling”), Kyle Edwards (“Small Ceremonies”) and Éric Chacour (“What I Know About You”) were among 69 titles nominated by libraries worldwide for the 2026 Dublin Literary Award. The longlist and shortlist will be announced in 2026; all three novels have previously earned major accolades, underscoring the strength of contemporary Canadian fiction on the global stage.

Guest Post — Science as Story, Memory as Infrastructure: A Conversation with Trevor Owens​

In a guest post for the Scholarly Kitchen, Wendy Queen interviews Trevor Owens about using oral history and storytelling to preserve scientific knowledge. Owens argues that building robust memory infrastructure and including diverse voices are essential to ensuring the narratives of science remain accessible and inclusive. He encourages cross‑disciplinary collaboration between the humanities and sciences to document and communicate scientific progress.

 

[Pamela Jo]

Maybe a category on here for self publishing? Where people could add contests, hacks, publishers, fanfare? Afterall constellations are more likely to start with the non trad writers and publishers.

 

[Sedayne]

The idea of a bookstore in a hotel lobby seems so obvious, yet I never heard of it until now. Maybe it will catch on.

 

[E G Logan]

One summer, way, way back, I ran a tiny kiosk selling magazines, etc, from the lobby of Turnberry Hotel – then owned by British Transport Hotels – and guests did occasionally ask if we had books.
I would refer them to the Head Porter, who usually had one or two paperbacks in the Left Behind box.