News/Print

Two big awards for Texas Book Festival alumni, plus a new bookstore and a book fair.

• Hearty congratulations are in order for James McBride, who this week won the National Book Award for fiction for his novel The Good Lord Bird. McBride brought a full band to the TBF music tent when he came through town last month; check out the pictures here.

• We're also proud to say "we told you so" about Claire Vaye Watkins and her short story collection Battleborn; Watkins was awarded the £30,000 (almost $50,000) prize for new writers earlier this month.

• Malvern Books is celebrating its grand opening this weekend, with readings, music, food, and special offers. If you want to know when to catch Charlotte Gullick, Joshua Edwards, Kurt Heinzelman, Matt Hart, or Faux Paws and Friends, keep an eye on the store's Facebook page.

• Assuming you don't have enough books in your life already (spoiler alert, you never have enough books in your life), the nonprofit org Humanities Texas is hosting a book fair in their restored Downtown home at 15th and Rio Grande on Saturday, Dec. 6. Twenty authors are taking part in the event, including Bill Minutaglio, Stephen Harrigan, Jeffrey Kerr, Diana Lopez, and more, and proceeds from the event (and accompanying bake sale) will benefit the victims of Austin's recent flooding. Visit www.humanitiestexas.org for complete details.