Publishing – like just about every other business in these times of a pandemic – has experienced supply chain issues. Therefore, books for holiday gifts may be more difficult to find this year.
Ironically and also because of COVID-19, many new titles have been delayed from 2020 and given release dates in 2021, so there is more wealth than ever in new fiction and non-fiction titles. . Bookstores have made an effort to place their order forms as early as possible and hope the best – that copies arrive on time for customers shopping for gifts.
“We have received warnings from publishers: place your bets now because this is a supply chain issue,” said Debbie Boggs, buyer and manager of Gramercy Books at Bexley. “There are no printers, no paper, no containers from overseas, no trucks.”
A summer shortage of wood made pulp and cardboard scarce. Additionally, there are only a few physical factories in the United States that print books – (most are made overseas, especially in China) – and some of the American factories have closed during the pandemic.
“The books are sitting in shipping containers at ports halfway around the world,” Boggs said.
Amazon.com will have less trouble than physical stores and e-books should be okay, but statistics from a recent Forbes magazine article show that 65% of adult US readers prefer physical books to e-books and audiobooks.
Children’s titles are mostly produced in physical books.
Brian Loar, director of Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers in Upper Arlington, said many children’s books were also delayed in 2020 and that “we are still seeing titles being pushed back.
“It gets really tough when you buy for the holidays,” he said. “If I see a title coming out on November 30, I can’t guarantee I’ll get it for the holidays.”
Booksellers advise customers to pre-order books slated for release in November or December and to shop early. And if the book they want is not obtainable, be flexible and consider an alternative purchase.
To help you think about what books you might want as a gift this year, we’ve put together a list of new and most anticipated titles in fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books. The ones listed without a release date have already been released and hopefully are in store.
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FICTION
• “Apples never fall” by Liane Moriarty: The bestselling author’s new novel is about the Delaney family whose members adore and sometimes hate each other.
• “Land of the cuckoo clouds” by Anthony Doerr: The universally lauded new novel on the power of storytelling through the centuries is from the author of “All the Light We Cannot See”.
Following:Q&A: Anthony Doerr from Cleveland shares preview of his latest book “Cloud Cuckoo Land”
• “The dark hours” by Michael Connelly: Harry Bosch’s new mystery / thriller stars LAPD sleuth Renee Ballard. (November 9)
• “Harlem Shuffle” by Colson Whitehead: Taking a break from more serious themed books, Whitehead delivers a heist novel about an African-American fence in the 1960s.
• “The Lincoln Highway” Amor Towles: Entirely different from author’s beloved “A Gentleman in Moscow,” this novel follows four boys on a road trip from Nebraska to Manhattan on the title highway.
Following:Book Review: Amor Towles’ novel “The Lincoln Highway” takes readers on a surprising journey
• “The man who died twice” by Richard Osman: This is the second installment in the “Thursday Murder Club Mystery” series and should already be a Steven Spielberg film.
• “Martita, I remember you” by Sandra Cisneros: The author of “The House on Mango Street” returns with a short story in two languages whose plot is fueled by a long forgotten letter.
• “Ah Guillaume! “ by Elizabeth Strout: Minor characters from the author’s famous “My Name is Lucy Barton” take center stage in this story of a couple who are counting on their divorce.
• “The phrase” by Louise Erdrich: The novel, billed as a “wickedly funny ghost story”, takes place in a small bookstore in Minneapolis much like the one owned by Erdrich. (November 9)
• “Silverview” by John le Carré: Even a peaceful English seaside town can harbor spies in this latest novel by the great late author.
• “State of terror” by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny: The former US Secretary of State and presidential candidate and Canadian novelist collaborated on this international thriller.
• “Under the whispered door” By TJ Klune: The author of the popular “House in the Cerulean Sea” tells the story of a ghost who refuses to pass into the afterlife.
NON-FICTION
• “The 1619 project: a new origin story” Edited by Nikole Hannah-Jones: The book is an expanded version of the New York Times Magazine’s project on the people Africans brought as slaves to the Americas. The accompanying children’s volume, “The 1619 Project: Born on Water”, is a picture book in verse. (November 16)
• “Atlas of the Heart: Mapping the Meaningful Connection and Language of Human Experience” By Brene Brown: Best-selling author and TED talk show star investigates the emotions and experiences that define the human being. (November 30)
• “Gastro Obscura: A guide for the gastronomic adventurer” by Cecily Wong and Dylan Thuras: This is an original and expansive look at what people around the world eat and drink.
• “Taste: My life through food » by Stanley Tucci: The actor (“Big Night,” The Devil Wears Prada “and many others) is a lover of food, especially dishes that celebrate his Italian-American family.
POETRY
• “Call us what we wear: Poems” by Amanda Gorman: President Joe Biden’s Inauguration Youth Phenomenon Presents a Breakout Collection of Poems. (December 7)
• warrior poet “ by Joy Harjo: The first Native American to be the United States Poet Laureate writes a memoir that includes segments of her poems.
COFFEE TABLE BOOKS
• “The Beatles: Come Back” by John Harris: The companion book to Peter Jackson’s documentary chronicles the making of the band’s latest album, “Let it Be.”
• “The words: from 1956 to the present day” by Paul McCartney and Paul Muldoon: The two-volume book celebrates the songs and lyrics of McCartney. (November 2)
• “The illustrated edition of The Lord of the Rings” by JRR Tolkien: All books are included in this new hardcover edition with illustrations by Tolkien. (November 2)
• “Renegades: Born in the United States” by Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen: Friends expand on their conversations from their Higher Ground podcast.
• “Underwater Wild: The Amazing World of My Octopus Teacher” by Craig Foster and Ross Frylinck: The creators of the Oscar-winning documentary delve deeper into the underwater world. (November 16)
MEMORIES
• “Go” by Katie Couric: The TV journalist tells all about her professional and personal life.
• “Smile: the story of a face” by Sarah Ruhl: The Broadway actress describes her 10-year journey with facial paralysis and after-effects.
• ” Unprotected “ By Billy Porter: Tony, Emmy & Grammy Winner Writes About Growing Up Black And Gay In America
• “Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty” by Anderson Cooper: Gloria Vanderbilt’s son considers his family.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
• “Gladys the magic chicken” by Adam Rubin and Adam Rex: Back in the old days, a chicken goes on an epic and hilarious journey. (3 to 7 years old)
• “Change song” by Amanda Gorman: The young poet created a picture book, illustrated by Loren Long of Ohio, that celebrates kids who love music and the power they have to make a difference. (4 to 8 years old)
• “Shining star” by Yuyi Morales: The creator of “Dreamers” wrote and illustrated a book about animals in nature that also talks about the strength and resilience of children. (4 to 8 years old)
• “Oceanic planet: sea and shore animals” by Ben Rothery: In this beautiful book, the natural history illustrator explores penguins, seahorses, sharks, squids, polar bears and many more inhabitants of the oceans and coastal waters. (9 to 12 years old)
• “Einstein: A Mouse’s Fantastic Journey Through Space and Time” by Torben Kuhlmann: In this beautifully illustrated episode of the author’s “Mouse Adventure” series, a small rodent grapples with the concepts of space and time with the help of Albert Einstein. (10 to 12 years old)
Medium level books:
• “Beatryce’s Prophecy “ by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall: Set in medieval times, the fantasy tale is about a found girl, a crazy-eyed monk, and a goat.
• “Daughter of the Deep” by Rick Riordan: The bestselling author produces a modern version of “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”.
• “InvestiGators: ants in our PANTS” by John Patrick Green: This is the latest in the author’s hilarious adventure / mystery series.
• “Pony” by RJ Palacio: In this long-awaited novel from the author of “Wonder”, a boy with a ghost as a companion and a pony as a guide goes to the rescue of his father.
Teen books:
• “Black Birds in the Sky: The History and Legacy of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921” by Brandy Colbert: The story of the event is by the award-winning author.
• “Virginia Hamilton: five novels” Edited by Julie K. Rubini: The New Edition of The Ohio Author’s Novels includes “Zeely”, “The House of Dies Drear”, “MC Higgins the Great”, “Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush” and “The Planet of Junior Brown. “
• “Kaleidoscope” by Brian Selznick: The Mystery of Time Travel includes Selznick’s pencil drawings.
