Book Bans, Medieval Scriptoriums, and a Lexicography Whodunnit: August Books Roundup
The Medieval Scriptorium: Making Books in the Middle Ages by Sara J. Charles
Our regular look at the new books that have recently caught the eye of our print and online editors this month.
That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America by Amanda Jones
Louisiana librarian Amanda Jones's personal look at how the culture wars have invaded schools and libraries, and how she faced death threats in her bid to defend collections of books with diverse perspectives. It's also a call to action, as she also focuses on book banning campaigns across the U.S. From Bloomsbury Publishing.
Et Cetera: An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases by Maia Lee-Chin, illustrated by Marta Bertello
Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing, this is a beautifully illustrated guide to Latin phrases about all aspects of life, both those still in use and ones which are no longer commonly used. Omnia vincit amor. Labor ipse voluptas.
The Medieval Scriptorium: Making Books in the Middle Ages by Sara J. Charles
A lively and very readable illustrated survey by University of London book historian Sara J. Charles of all aspects of medieval manuscript production in the Latin Christian world, charting the decline and fall of the scriptorium and its makers over more than a millennium. Published by Reaktion Books.
Old Delhi's Parallel Book Bazaar by Kanupriya Dhingra
An intriguing look at the city's Daryaganj Sunday Book Market, its location, sellers, buyers, and its relation with the civic authorities, with biographies of the booksellers to show the networks supporting the market. The latest in the excellent Cambridge University Press series Elements in Publishing and Book Culture.
Libraries and the Academic Book by Matthew J. Shaw
In the same CUP series is the latest from the librarian of the Queen's College, University of Oxford, and formerly the lead curator of the Americas Collections at the British Library. It focuses on the relationship between libraries and academic book from the birth of the academic book to the present day.
The Routledge Handbook of Literary Geographies edited By Neal Alexander and David Cooper
A detailed look at literary geography, recent research and key current areas of discussion with essays from a wide range of international experts and taking in topics such as migration and climate change.
Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent
Britain's favourite lexicographer Susie Dent, best known for her roll in Dictionary Corner on the hugely popular television series Countdown, debuts with her first novel. Unsurprisingly, books and dictionaries play a key part in this whodunnit. Published by Zaffre.
Collecting Memories: Treasures from the Library of Congress
An exploration of how people guard their history and culture through books, photographs, maps and other media, featuring the first Italian cookbook (Libro de arte coquinaria) from the 15th century, Sigmund Freud's pocketbook, and illustrations from a 39ft 19th century Japanese scroll.
Loving Sylvia Plath: A Reclamation by Emily Van Duyne
Associate professor at Stockton University Van Duyne delves into Sylvia Plath's life and work, as well as her legacy. Published by WW Norton & Co.
The Literature of Japanese American Incarceration
From Penguin, this anthology centres on the targeting and imprisoning of 125,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry in American concentration camps during World War II. Around 70 examples from those incarcerated and their families of poetry, memoir, fiction and letters are included, among them previously unpublished and untranslated into English works.
