Most Popular Books 2016 New York Public Library System

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 New York Public Library, New York City    Photo by and from srg85.wordpress.com

 

Shelf-Awareness.com just posted the post popular books list from the 2016 New York Public Library System.

There are 92 New York Public Libraries in the New York City area. According to the article, 25 million items (books, tapes, etc.) were circulated in 2016.

I am pleased to see that my favorite title, for personal and professional reasons, When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalinthi, M.D., was no. 1 in its non-fiction area. It was followed by high readership of Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters by Atul Gawande. M.D.  (See my comments in previous blog about best-seller book lists for 2016). Both books are about quality of life at the end-of-life.

Here is the NY Public Library list…

https://www.nypl.org/blog/2016/12/22/nypls-most-popular-checkouts-2016

 

 

Best Book Titles of 2016 Per the New York Times and London’s Telegraph

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(Click on 100 Notable Books of 2016 above for link to list)

I work with health and mental health authors as a book shepherd and marketing person. Other than subjects of physical and emotional pain (and how they possibly correlate with one other), I am most interested in the subject of facing end-of-life.

The most meaningful book I read this year, and obviously the most meaningful to others according to the NY Times best-seller list, was Dr. Paul Kalinthi’s intelligent, poetic When Breath Becomes Air.  It is about how he, a young neurosurgeon who receives a diagnosis of terminal lung cancer, chooses to live and share his last days.  I am sorry to say the Spanish translation in Mexico is entitled The Good Doctor which makes it sound egocentric and uninteresting, though translators would argue with me that the original title would never sell in the country.

In any event, I urge all appreciators to discover When Breath Becomes Air if you haven’t already. It makes two important points – we never know when our days in this lifetime might pass, and, if we can, prepare for that day in the most sacred way possible.

When Breath Becomes Air

Below is the link to London Telegraph‘s Best Book List 2016.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/top-50-books-year/

And, an interesting list from 2015 at the link below outline’s Sam Harris’ suggestion for books everyone should read no matter the year.  https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/07/21/sam-harris-reading-list/

Guadalajara International Book Fair 2016, a Mini-Report

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The 30th Guadalajara International Book Fair, also known as FIL (Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara) took place November 26 to December 4, 2016 at the Guadalajara Convention Center in Mexico.

Approximately 650 writers from around the world registered to attend, sign books, or speak. Forty-four countries were represented.

The fair was dedicated to Latin America as opposed to one specific city or country. In 2017, FIL has announced that Madrid (as in Spain) will be the honored guest. No other details offered.

Bookstores and book publisher/distributors filled two huge pavillions, one domestic and one international at FIL, the largest Spanish language book fair in the world.

Norman Manea, born in 1936, won the $150,000 (USD) FIL Literary Award. Manea, who was born in Romania and is considered that country’s premiere writer, was a MacArthur Foundation Fellow. He has been nominated more than once for a Nobel prize. His themes are the Wandering Jew, identity, and isolation. He lives in New York City and you can read more about him at http://www.NormanManea.com.

I especially liked visiting Nirvana Books (Mexico City), which as you may guess from its name focuses on Body, Mind, Spirit books. The main publishers represented were Editorial Kairos, Ediciones Obelisco,  and Editorial Sirio from Spain. A good number of the titles were Spanish translations of books by American authors.

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Wendy Jane Carrel at Nirvana Libros booth Guadalajara Book Fair 2016

Other Body/Mind/Spirit books were found at Ediciones Urano, Grupo Planeta (Paidos), Lectorum (Prana), and Oceano.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross books at Grupo Planeta booth

American end-of-life author Elisabeth Kubler-Ross is still front and center, after many years, at the Grupo Planeta stand

I like the enticing slogan for Grupo Planeta , Creemos en Los Libros, We Believe in Books.

Arte de Mexico always displays fabulous folkloric works from around the country as well as gorgeous coffee table books.

Artes de Mexico stand

Arte de Mexico stand at Guadalajara Book Fair 2016

Gandhi Books is a popular book chain in Mexico. They attend each year and have stores in Guadalajara.

Gandhi Bookstores at GDL Book Fair 2016

Gandhi Bookstore booth at Guadalajara Book Fair 2016

 

In December 2016, the senate of Mexico approved the used of medical marijuana, a controversial subject in the nation for years. Legalization awaits other approvals.

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One of several books at the fair on the possible use and outcomes of marijuana for pain management and improved health

Antiquarian book store at GDL Book Fair 2016

An “antiquarian” book stand at GDL Book Fair 2016

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Miniature book stand at GDL Book Fair 2016

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Daniel Stevens Leon, Head of Acquisitions and Editorial Innovation for Buena Prensa, a Catholic publisher

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Daily crowds at entrance to Guadalajara International Book Fair 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Book Gardenista!! Gardens for Healing, Gardens with Style

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For all you garden lovers… a new book, released in October, with a charming title… Gardenista.

In my work with health and wellness authors I have come to find gardens more healing than ever before – other than being in a beautiful place to walk and sit, one can meditate, restore oneself, feel oneself, and remember those who are alive and who have passed. Sacred gardens, and every other day gardens are especially important at hospitals, palliative care centers, and around hospice buildings, yoga shalas, and our homes.  See the revolving photos of client Carol Cumes’ Chakra Gardens at https://www.willkatika.com/7-chakra-gardens .

See review of Gardenista from Alan of Diesel Bookstores, California, below…

 Product Details

Gardenista: The Definitive Guide to Stylish Outdoor Spaces

by Brian Evenson
From the team who gave us the bestselling book of carefully considered interiors, Remodelista, comes its logical extension to the home’s exterior Gardenista. “Carefully considered” does not mean formal or stuffy, think more of classically-casual instead. Think of it as both inspiration and expert advice in a book which can serve both as a starting point, and later on a reference manual. – Alan

The book can be purchased at Amazon.com, $25 hardcover, $12 e-edition. There is also a web site for the book, http://www.gardenista.com .

 

How Much Do Successful Authors Earn?

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Today’s Publisher’s Lunch made mention of the Forbes study on the amount successful authors earn yearly. The listed authors write fiction and are primarily from the U.S. or the U.K.

The highest earner is thriller and young adult author James Patterson, $95 million last year. He has important promotional backing from the Hachette Group (worldwide publishing). You can read his bio and learn more about his prolific writing life at http://www.JamesPatterson.com .

  James Patterson, author. Photo from his web site.

Non-fiction authors earn considerably less. There is a consensus among my colleagues that you need about three books in your non-fiction genre to start generating income. You’ll probably earn more if you self-publish. If it’s a topic in the minds of many, you might earn up to $10,000/year, if you are fortunate. If you are writing non-fiction you’ll likely need back-up work to support your passions and your life.

The PL blurb below outlines how well popular fiction authors earn a living. Big difference!

“Forbes has their annual guesses on the earnings of the some of the most successful authors, estimating that 14 authors together earned $269 million. (Though they don’t underscore it, that’s their lowest total for top authors in the past 5 years: $399 million in 2012; $476 million in 2013; $325 million in 2014; and $355 million in 2015.)”

James Patterson $95 million
Jeff Kinney $19.5 million
JK Rowling $19 million
John Grisham $18 million
Stephen King $15 million
Danielle Steel $15 million
Nora Roberts $15 million
EL James $14 million
Veronica Roth $10 million
John Green $10 million
Paula Hawkins $10 million
George RR Martin $9.5 million
Rick Riordan $9.5 million
Dan Brown $9.5 million

Favorite Indie Bookstores in Los Angeles

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I have been based in West Hollywood, CA and Palm Springs, CA, including forays to other continents, since graduate school. Like most of you, I am a book reader, collector, and appreciator.

LAist magazine recently created a list of favorite bookstores in the City of the Angels. See http://laist.com/2016/07/20/best_indie_bookstores_in_la.php   Photos are included.

Even though I am a faithful visitor to some of the wonderful retailers on the list, I’d like to add my own favorites which went missing on LAist:

  1. The Bodhi Tree where one can find innumerable healing, self-growth, and philosophical works. The store, established in 1970, closed for a short while. It has re-opened on-line and is looking for a new retail space at present. See https://visit.bodhitree.com/about-bodhi-tree/
  2. Hennessey and Ingalls for outstanding art, architecture, and coffee table books.  Two locations.  See http://www.HennesseyIngalls.com    Photo below from LA Weekly
  3. The Travelers Bookstore at 8375 W.3rd Street near the Beverly Center. tel. (323)655-0575. See http://www.travelbooks.com.  There are 11 other travel bookstores in the southland. Another notable bookstore is Distant Lands in Pasadena.