John Updike

Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Updike died Tuesday at the age of 76. Updike was one of America's most prolific and well-respected writers, publishing more than 50 novels and winning numerous literary awards. His last novel, The Widows of Eastwick, was published late last year.

John Updike Biography
NPR's Remembering John Updike

Winter Books Calendar

Check out USA Today's new interactive calendar of new releases for January through April.

Nevermore

This coming Monday, January 19, marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809-October 7, 1849). Poe is best known for his macabre poems and short stories. Celebrations will take place year round in many of the cities that featured prominently in Poe's life, including Richmond, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. In recognition of this milestone, the United States Postal Service recently issued a commemorative stamp honoring Poe.

For more information on Poe, try these links:
Poe's life
Poe's Works (from the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore)
Knowing Poe: The Literature, Life, and Times of Edgar Allan Poe

Free Book Download

Oprah Winfrey is offering a free download of financial expert Suze Orman's newest book: Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan. The book will be available for download until 11:59pm on Thursday, January 15.

Good News--Reading is on the Rise

From the New York Times, Fiction Reading Increases for Adults.

Amazon Author Stores

Amazon recently launched Author Stores. Author Stores offer customers a new way to browse by featuring all of an author's titles, as well as biographical information and related content, on a single page. Check out some of your favorite author pages!

Janet Evanovich
James Patterson
Jodi Picoult
Philip Roth

February Releases

Place your holds now on these upcoming February releases:

Run for Your Life by James Patterson (2/2)
Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs (2/3)
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (2/3)
Murder at the Academy Awards: A Red Carpet Mystery by Joan Rivers (2/3)
True Colors by Kristin Hannah (2/3)
Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani (2/3)
War Child: A Child Soldier's Story by Emmanuel Jal (2/3)
Drood by Dan Simmons (2/9)
Fool by Christopher Moore (2/10)
The Gamble by Thomas E. Ricks (2/10)
Lethal Legacy by Linda Fairstein (2/10)
The Silent Man by Alex Berenson (2/10)
The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann (2/17)
While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky (2/17)
Luke's Story by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins (2/19)
Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy (2/24)
Night and Day by Robert B. Parker (2/24)
One Day at a Time by Danielle Steel (2/24)
Promises in Death by J.D. Robb (2/24)
White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison (2/24)