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The Book Booth is a weekly feature at The Political Carnival, relating news, notes, and reflections from the world of books and publishing. It is written by @SeattleDan and SeattleTammy, operators of an on-line bookstore (which you can find here) , who have been in the book business since shortly after the Creation, or close to 6000 years now.
The Book Booth: Ghost of 'lectricity Edition
Well, that is a surprise. Bob Dylan has long been on the long list of those betting on Nobel Laureates, but usually at very long odds, and below fellow American writers Philip Roth and Joyce Carol Oates. So I cannot say I'm shocked. But it is a surprise. There are those who are complaining that a musician won, but that is nonsense. At his peak, I cannot think of another lyricist that had either his impact or influence. So congrats to our Nobel Laureate in Literature, the first American in many years to win the prize.
Bob Dylan
In case you are wondering about the process involved in nominating and naming a laureate, Christian Lorentzen describes it here for Vulture. Note that Mr. Lorentzen wrote the article before today's announcement.
Who Nominates Writers for the Nobel Prize?
wrote the article before Thursday's announcement.
At age 75 Bob Dylan would qualify as an older man, though his continual touring belies any notion that he feels his age. There is an abundance of literature about old men, even when there is no country for them. Ross King of the Guardian chose his top ten stories about our elderly men here. I would have included the protagonist of Paul Auster's Brooklyn Follies, but the list is good.
Top 10 Books about Old Men
F. Scott Fitzgerald drank himself to death before he got old or won any major literary awards. Still he had some insight into aging and the dreams of youth as Joe Muscolino shows here for Signature-Reads.
FSF on Flappers, Tipplers, and Philosophers
The use of a pseudonym has long been a part of literary history. Charles Dickens used Boz. Samuel Clemens used Mark Twain. Mary Ann Evans used George Eliot. So no big deal, right? Not so fast as the literary world is in a furor over the unmasking of Italian novelist Elena Ferrante.
Book reviewer Adam Kirsch weighed in here at the New York Times on the controversy.
More on 'Elena Ferrante'
Halloween is looming and it is time to start thinking about spooky things. Colin Dickey's new book Ghostland examines some of the more haunted places around our nation and here he lists the top ten for Publishers Weekly, including the Las Vegas Strip where apparently Benny Siegal still lounges at the Flamingo pool.
Where the Ghosts Are
And then there is the epidemic of scary clowns. Who knew that they constituted a whole sub genre in fiction? Tobias Carroll explains here for Literary Hub.
Creepy Clowns in Your Books!
Quiz time! Buzzfeed wonders if you can name the title of these novels from their opening lines.
Put Your Thinking Caps On for the 'Opening Lines' Quiz!
I suppose it is not too early to start thinking about holiday gifts for the book lovers on your list. Bustle has some suggestions here. The Book Rest Lamp looks great, if I happen to be on your list.
Holiday Gifts Are On Your Horizon - Literary Ones Here
As we brace ourselves here in the Pacific Northwest for some weekend wind "events", I hope yours is eventless. Or be sure to invest in some flashlights so you may continue your reading in case your power goes off. And by all means, let us know what books you are treasuring.
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