Photo credit: www.publishersweekly.com
She’s That Girl
Elphie, authored by Gregory Maguire, has made an impressive entrance at #3 on the hardcover fiction chart. This captivating prequel to Wicked serves as the author’s first major release since the hit movie adaptation. In its initial week, the book witnessed remarkable print sales, significantly outpacing those from the accompanying sequel series, Another Day—though it’s clear that sales figures aren’t solely about popularity.
Urban Legend
Alex Aster rose to prominence as a novelist with her 2022 BookTok phenomenon, Lightlark, which initiated a darker young adult romantasy series. She has now transitioned into the adult genre with Summer in the City, a romantic comedy centered around a fabricated relationship. This title has skyrocketed to the top of the hardcover fiction list. The leading characters navigate New York’s most iconic sites on their staged dates, providing an engaging experience for readers who enjoy urban explorations. Critics praise Aster’s skill in portraying contemporary environments as adeptly as she does in creating fantasy realms.
All Is Vanity
Veteran journalist Graydon Carter’s memoir, When the Going Was Good, debuts at #11 on the hardcover nonfiction list. This work is characterized as a keen examination of storytelling, enriched with lively anecdotes from the magazine industry, alongside Carter’s reflections on transforming Vanity Fair to mirror his vision. Approximately 40% of the book’s first-week print sales occurred in the Middle Atlantic region, which aligns with the presence of Condé Nast’s headquarters in New York City. This suggests that the memoir resonates particularly with those nostalgic for a time described as “the last golden age of magazines.”
Queen of the Underground
Making its debut at #14 on the hardcover fiction list, Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen, the winner of season eight of RuPaul’s Drag Race, is recognized for its dynamic storytelling. The narrative imagines a modern-day revival of Harriet Tubman, along with other historical icons, such as a reimagined Cleopatra who has taken to Instagram. Tubman collaborates with Darnell Williams, a hip-hop producer, to explore Black history through music as they create an album together. As Darnell confronts his own struggles with identity after facing public rejection, Tubman assists him in his journey toward self-acceptance. Critics acclaim the novel as an impressive achievement.
Source
www.publishersweekly.com