Category Archives: Brenna

June 12, 2012   Brenna   Brenna, cookbooks and food writing, food, great books, holidays, reading  
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Books for Dads

In resisting the urge to write about my fantastic (and first!) experience at BEA, I’ll write about another major event, relevant not just to those in the industry.

Father’s Day is less than a week away, and until this morning, I was all out of gift ideas. Fortunately, I happened upon today’s post on the Washington Post’s All We Can Eat blog and found a list of cookbooks specific for those fathers who love to grill (and really, don’t they all?). I never would have chosen a cookbook for my dad, considering I have yet to see him cook inside, but Grillin’ Wild with Rick Browne and The Gardener & The Grill just seem too perfect to pass up.

Then again, if your father is more into cars than cooking, check out these suggestions from the New York Times. Or, take your pick from the Huffington Post’s 10 Books Every American NEEDS To Read.

What about you? What books have you given as gifts for Father’s Day and gotten great feedback on?

May 29, 2012   Brenna   Brenna, fun, independent bookstores, reading  
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Summer Reading List

With this brutal heat wave we’ve had recently, I think it’s safe to say that summer has (un)officially begun! Here at the office, we’re fortunate to have summer Fridays, when the office closes at 1 pm from Memorial Day until Labor Day. For some, it’s a most welcome opportunity for a long weekend away, and for others, a great chance to catch up on some recreational reading.

Over the long weekend, I came across this pretty terrific list of 15 Summer Reads Handpicked by Indie Booksellers, and suffice it to say that more than a few of these titles have since infiltrated my own summer reading list.

What types of books do you prefer to read during the summer? Captivating thrillers that will chill you to your core? Adventure novels set in the Arctic where you can easily imagine yourself when it gets too hot to bear?

May 15, 2012   Brenna   Amazon, Brenna, genre, independent bookstores  
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Did your city make the cut?

The Huffington Post came out with a great article today about Amazon’s second annual list of the most well-read cities in the US. This list is, of course, based on Amazon’s sales, and as the Huffington Post points out, doesn’t properly represent places where a lot of people are still visiting traditional bookstores. Indeed, our own city doesn’t make the top ten, but I’d like to think that’s because you’re never far from an independent bookstore or a Barnes & Noble.

To that end, the lovely folks at Huffington also provide people in the #1 town of Alexandria, VA with a list of alternatives to Amazon. Still, it’s always interesting to see who’s buying what online.

Which leads me to my questions for the day: What are the top genres you tend to buy online? And which ones do you tend to buy in person?

I’m going to investigate my own book buying habits tonight, and I encourage you to do the same!

May 01, 2012   Brenna   Brenna, buzz, censorship, classics, controversy, culture, inspiration  
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Revolution

It’s hard to think about anything else today besides the noise and excitement going on nine stories below. If you’re not in NY (particularly Union Square) or another major city today, Occupy Wall Street is having its May Day protest. Without delving into the politics of all that, let’s talk books.

Books have historically been vehicles for major revolutions, just think about Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Common Sense, and The Communist Manifesto.

So, what do you think the “Bibles” of OWS should be? What books have served to inspire you to make a drastic change?

April 17, 2012   Brenna   Brenna, crafts, guilty pleasures, trends  
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Pinterested

Lately, my life has been a wild ride of work and planning. Planning what, you might ask? In the next four months, I’ll be moving into a new apartment and getting married (yep, I haven’t even sent the invitations yet). I mention this, because I have been hopelessly obsessed with Pinterest, an alarmingly fast growing social media site that I’m pretty sure was made for the bride-to-be. Nothing makes an hour+ commute go by like discovering all the cool stuff you can do with…well, anything. A sponge. An egg. A newspaper. Then, one day, I discovered Random House’s site. Jane Austen nerds rejoice–there’s a whole “board” full of neat Austen related ideas! There’s really no sense in me listing every last board (Literary tattoos! Amazing places to read!), because let’s face it, if you don’t see for yourself, you’ll seriously regret it. My two personal favorites are Literary Wedding (for obvious reasons) and Bookshelf Envy. What are yours? Do you know of another literary inspired board I should follow?

April 03, 2012   Brenna   adaptation, book to film, Brenna, buzz  
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Screenwriter (finally) turns book author

Charlie Kaufman has sold his first novel to Grand Central, with no plot revealed, not even a hint.

And it’s about time! For those of you who have been living under a rock, the super talented screenwriter is best known for Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Being John Malcovich. Frankly, I’m surprised it’s taken him this long to dip his toes into book publishing. His screenplays are some of the most powerful I’ve ever read, and I really can’t wait to see what he does with a new format.

Oh, and check out this clever article from the AV Club!

We’re always talking about books being turned into movies – but what about the other way around? What movies would you like to see turned into books? Or better yet, what screenwriters would you like to see write their first novel?

March 20, 2012   Brenna   author events, book club, book fairs, Brenna, conferences, editor/agent lunches, relationships  
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Literary Socializing

As a newcomer, I’ve recently become more aware of the paradox of how social the publishing industry is and how solitary the act of reading itself is. I’m told that some of the industry’s seasoned professionals express disappointment that the days of gala book parties or hanging out at George Plimpton’s home are long gone. While I can’t imagine how exhilarating that must have been, I’m delighted that the industry is still so social and full of life.

There are few greater feelings in the world than when you connect with someone over a mutual book.

I’m convinced that bibliophiles living in the city are among the luckiest in the world. Not only is the heart of publishing in NYC, but the amount of events you can attend with fellow nerds grows by the second: launches, book clubs, readings, signings, discussions, mixers, benefits. This weekend, the KGB Bar Fiction Reading Series continues not far from our office.

Aside from the beloved book festivals and book weeks, which are a personal favorite, what are your favorite events to attend—either as a writer or as a reader?

March 07, 2012   Brenna   Brenna, children's books, fun, future of publishing, literacy, reading  
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World Read Aloud Day

I really lucked out this week because today is World Read Aloud Day and the main event is happening at Books of Wonder just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the office! World Read Aloud Day, sponsored by LitWorld, is a celebration of the power of words, in an effort to show that the right to read and write belongs to everyone. Books of Wonder will be hosting the nine hour event, chock full of children’s and YA workshops, author signings/Q&A, and read aloud sessions. Ralph Lee will even be there to host “Bookworm Puppet-Making”!

Most of us have had the opportunity to learn in a great education system, and we usually take that for granted. In our younger days, and regretfully still in the present on occasion, we considered reading a chore. This is understandable, as homework and deadlines have been ingrained in us since day one, while television was a privilege you could never get enough of. But, what makes reading really great is the same thing that makes television so mind numbing. We use our imaginations to fill in the blanks. We identify more with the characters because it’s easier to picture yourself as the protagonist, instead of seeing the most attractive actor fill that role. What would cost you an arm and a leg in a college class, you can learn in a book for under $50.

Do you remember the first book you LOVED or if you can’t recall specifics, the first thing you learned about that you LOVED to read about? Today is the perfect time to pay it forward by donating that book! You can choose to do so locally at a homeless shelter, library, school, or hospital OR you can donate to one of the larger organizations, like BetterWorldBooks or LitWorld.

We all know somebody that doesn’t enjoy reading as much as we do: a sibling, a child, a spouse. Whatever the reason may be, even if it’s something as difficult to overcome as a learning disability, find that person a book today. Or an audio book. Something you know they will love to see or hear. It’s likely they have given up on reading by now, but that’s where you come in, you intelligent book enthusiast, you.

February 22, 2012   Brenna   Brenna, what we're looking for, What's New at DGLM, why we are agents  
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Hello!

Thank you, Jane, for the warm introduction. It’s been a whirlwind of instructions and introductions, so please bear with me. I recently moved back to NY after a 6 year stint in Boston, where I had my first job in publishing at a boutique literary agency. Ms. Carolyn Jenks was a terrific mentor for over a year and I’m happy to say that we still keep in touch. I have her to thank for taking a chance on me and opening my eyes to what I now know is my dream job. Books have always fostered my insatiable appetite for learning, and I look forward to that in what I hope will be a lengthy career at DGLM. I’m thrilled to be a part of the team. What a remarkable group of people, as I’m sure you all know by now! For a brief biography and personal essay, please visit Who We Are and What We’re Looking For.

February 21, 2012   Jane   Brenna, changes at DGLM, Jane, What's New at DGLM  
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Welcome, Brenna Barr!

It is always a pleasure to welcome someone new into our company.  Today, Brenna Barr is joining us as our shiny, brand new royalties manager.  In time, we are hopeful that she will build her own list of authors as well.

Brenna graduated from Northeastern University and has financial, marketing and some agenting experience.  We are very excited to have her with us.

I hope you all will join me in welcoming Brenna to the Dystel & Goderich family.

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