November 19, 2020—Charlottesville, Va.—A program of Virginia Humanities, the Virginia Festival of the Book announced plans for the 27th annual Festival, which will take place virtually, March 13-26, 2021. In response to COVID-19, the 2021 Festival will take place over an elongated period of time—two weeks—and will continue its commitment to connecting people and ideas … Continue reading
Category Archives: Books
The Latest: Time magazine says Trump’s got it wrong
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times local): 9 p.m. Time magazine is disputing President Donald Trump’s account of how he rejected the magazine’s request for an interview and photo sessions ahead of its “Person of the Year” issue. In a Friday evening tweet, Trump says the magazine informed … Continue reading
US champion Karen Chen now an author, too
By BARRY WILNER, AP Sports Writer Karen Chen’s autobiography just hit the book shelves. Imagine what she can write about if she wins an Olympic medal in February. The defending U.S. women’s figure skating champion authored the book “Finding the Edge” with the help of Natalie England over the past few months. Chen calls it a … Continue reading
Arts & Entertainment / Books / Celebrities / Featured / International News / Movies / National / Theater & Dance / TV / U.S. News
Disney hopes for its next blockbuster in newest ‘Star Wars’
NEW YORK (AP) — Disney’s $4 billion deal for Lucasfilm and “Star Wars” just keeps getting better for the House of Mouse. The company is banking on the latest installments, “The Last Jedi” in December and a Han Solo movie in May, to drive people to theaters. But that’s far from the end of money-making … Continue reading
Black novelist Jesmyn Ward ‘overjoyed’ by MacArthur win
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — An African-American novelist praised for her raw and powerful depictions of poor African-Americans confronting racial and economic inequalities in the rural South said Wednesday that winning a MacArthur fellowship gives her time and freedom. “I think those are the two most important gifts you can give to an artist,” Jesmyn … Continue reading
Black novelist Jesmyn Ward ‘overjoyed’ by MacArthur win
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — An African-American novelist praised for her raw and powerful depictions of poor African-Americans confronting racial and economic inequalities in the rural South said Wednesday that winning a MacArthur fellowship gives her time and freedom. “I think those are the two most important gifts you can give to an artist,” Jesmyn Ward … Continue reading
Books / Celebrities / National / U.S. News
AP Exclusive: Clinton book has sold more than 300,000 copies
NEW YORK (AP) — Hillary Clinton’s “What Happened” had a big debut. Clinton’s book about her stunning loss in 2016 to Donald Trump sold more than 300,000 copies in the combined formats of hardcover, e-book and audio, Simon & Schuster told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The book’s hardcover sales of 168,000 was the highest … Continue reading
Locke takes incisive look at racial issues in new novel
“Bluebird, Bluebird: a Novel” (Mullholland Books), by Attica Locke Attica Locke’s incisive look at racial issues reaches another milestone in the gripping “Bluebird, Bluebird.” Locke unflinchingly illustrates the intersection of race and justice as seen in an insular community in East Texas. The author packs the excellent novel with believable characters whose motives often are … Continue reading
US author George Saunders favorite to win Man Booker Prize
LONDON (AP) — American author George Saunders is favorite to win the prestigious Man Booker Prize for fiction with his novel of the afterlife, “Lincoln in the Bardo.” British bookmakers Ladbrokes and William Hill made Saunders the front-runner among six finalists announced Wednesday for the 50,000-pound ($66,000) prize. The novel is set in a Washington … Continue reading
Scholar who sees race, intelligence ties to speak at Harvard
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Harvard University is hosting a talk by an author who co-wrote a book discussing racial differences in intelligence and touched off a boisterous protest earlier this year in Vermont. Political scientist Charles Murray, co-author of 1994’s “The Bell Curve,” has said his views are misunderstood. He says he hopes Wednesday evening’s … Continue reading
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Ron Howard takes helm of Han Solo ‘Star Wars’ film
NEW YORK (AP) — Ron Howard is taking command of the Han Solo “Star Wars” spinoff after the surprise departure of directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Lucasfilm announced their replacement director Thursday, two days after Lord and Miller left the project over creative differences. Howard gives the reeling production a veteran hand in the … Continue reading
Oh the Places You’ll Go! Dr. Seuss museum opens its doors
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — From the squiggly, pink handrails outside the entrance to the front hall decorated with scenes from “And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street” — a real street just blocks away — the new Amazing World of Dr. Seuss museum says, “You’re off to Great Places!” Walking into the … Continue reading
Art / Books / Celebrities / Movies / Theater & Dance / TV
Review: ‘Wonder Woman’ film and star live up to the name
“Wonder Woman ” has been the subject of so much superfluous fuss, it’d be easy to forget that behind all of the hand-wringing and both symbolic and real pressure to succeed there’s actually a movie meant to entertain. Yet, like the heroine at its center, “Wonder Woman” the movie rises with powerful grace above the … Continue reading
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The Latest: Trump denies asking Comey to shelve Flynn probe
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times local): 4:40 p.m. President Donald Trump has responded with a direct “no, no” to a question about whether he asked former FBI Director James Comey to shelve an investigation into his former national security adviser. Trump also was questioned Thursday over revelations that he … Continue reading
Caitlyn Jenner talks of suicide, secrets in new book
NEW YORK (AP) — Caitlyn Jenner opened up Monday about her frank new memoir detailing her now 2-year-old transition and the bumps along the way, including her three failed marriages, thoughts of suicide while she was relentlessly pursued by paparazzi and, finally, freedom to be her true self. And, yes, contrary to the thoughts of … Continue reading
Jeff Kinney marks 10th anniversary of ‘Wimpy Kid’ series
NEW YORK (AP) — Jeff Kinney remembers when his goal was to write a book, one big book, for grown-ups. “I thought I’d write about a year in the life of a typical kid,” says the children’s author known to millions for his “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series. “I’d write one book that was … Continue reading
MCJR students bring awareness to HIV and AIDS in minorities
Students enrolled in a Norfolk State University public relations course have decided to host an HIV/AIDS awareness panel discussion in honor of Project Choices’ ibook release. The event will take place on the campus of Norfolk State University in the Student Center, room 138B from 2:30 until 4:00 p.m. The student body will be able to receive … Continue reading
USA TODAY BEST-SELLERS
1. “The Black Book” by James Patterson and David Ellis (Little, Brown) 2. “Old School” by Bill O’Reilly and Bruce Feirstein (Henry Holt & Co.) 3. “The Shack” by William Paul Young (Windblown Media) 4. “The Zookeeper’s Wife: A War Story” by Diane Ackerman (W.W. Norton) 5. “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarity (Amy Einhorn … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — The latest on sexual-harassment allegations at Fox News (all times local): 12:20 p.m. Bill O’Reilly’s latest book has a few words on how men should treat women. “Old School,” published last week and in the top 10 on Amazon.com’s best-seller list, includes a section titled “No means no” and urged those … Continue reading
Why leaders need to be great salespeople to succeed
Whether it’s a CEO, a coach or someone else whose job it is to motivate others, a great leader is at heart a good salesperson. That’s because if an organization’s leadership isn’t constantly persuading the rest of the team to buy into an idea or a philosophy, the team is likely to splinter, with everyone … Continue reading
Chuck Berry’s influence on rock ‘n roll was incalculable
Rock n’ roll was more than a new kind of music, but a new story to tell, one for kids with transistor radios in their hands and money in their pockets, beginning to raise questions their parents never had the luxury to ask. Along with James Dean and J.D. Salinger and a handful of others … Continue reading
Album with rare 1860s Harriet Tubman photo sells for $161K
NEW YORK (AP) — An album containing a rare photograph of 19th century abolitionist and Underground Railroad hero Harriet Tubman was sold Thursday at a New York City auction for $161,000 — far exceeding presale estimates. Swann Galleries said the circa late 1860s image and other items in the album sold for a hammer price … Continue reading
WALL STREET JOURNAL-BEST SELLERS
Best-Selling Books Week Ended March 26th. FICTION 1. “Mississippi Blood” by Greg Iles (William Morrow) 2. “If Not for You” by Debbie Macomber (Ballantine) 3. “Too Many Carrots” by Katy Hudson (Capstone Young Readers) 4. “Vicious Circle” by C.J. Box (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) 5. “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss (Random House Children’s Books) … Continue reading
Chelsea Clinton writes children’s book, ‘She Persisted’
NEW YORK (AP) — Chelsea Clinton has written a children’s book, with a sharply worded title. The book is called “She Persisted” and comes out May 30, Penguin Young Readers announced Thursday. Clinton will honor 13 American women “who never take no for an answer,” including Harriet Tubman, Sonia Sotomayor and Oprah Winfrey. “She Persisted” … Continue reading
WALL STREET JOURNAL-BEST SELLERS
Best-Selling Books Week Ended March 12th. FICTION 1. “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss (Random House Children’s Books) 2. “Dangerous Games” by Danielle Steeel (Delacorte) 3. “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish” by Dr. Seuss (Random House Children’s Books) 4. “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss (Random House Children’s Books) … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 