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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 22 November 2019
Susan Choi, Sarah M. Broom win National Book Awards

By HILLEL ITALIE celebrated the literary life
Associated Press in their own fashion.
NEW YORK (AP) — Susan Teicher, introduced warm-
Choi's novel "Trust Exercise," ly by author-bookseller
in which a high school ro- Ann Patchett, spoke of his
mance is spun out into a ever-renewing joy in help-
web of memories and per- ing bookstores commit a
spectives, has won the Na- sacred, timeless "act of
tional Book Award for fic- magic": placing the "right
tion. book in a reader's hands."
Sarah M. Broom's family Teicher will soon step down
memoir "The Yellow House" after a decade as CEO of
won in nonfiction and Mar- the independent sellers
tin W. Sandler's "1919 The trade group and quoted
Year That Changed Amer- W.B. Yeats: "Think where
ica" for young people's lit- man's glory most begins
erature. The winner for best and ends; and say my glory
translated book was Lasz- was I had such friends."
lo Krasznahorkai's "Baron White was introduced,
Wenckheim's Homecom- mischievously, by the film-
ing," translated from Hun- maker-author John Waters,
garian by Ottilie Mulzet. In who celebrated his long-
poetry, the winner was Ar- time friend with dirty jokes,
thur Sze's "Sight Lines." entendres that mean one
The 70th annual National Susan Choi attends the 70th National Book Awards ceremony and benefit dinner at Cipriani Wall thing only and high praise
Book Awards were pre- Street on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, in New York. for a man who "pissed off"
sented Wednesday night Associated Press both Gore Vidal and Susan
at a dinner benefit gala showed her that the word veled how the change my-winning television writer Sontag.
in downtown Manhattan, was "its own reward." Her from one language to who has written dozens of White's medal is for "Dis-
with winners each receiv- other books include the another could make one books, and vows to write 60 tinguished Contribution to
ing $10,000. Finalists were Pulitzer Prize finalist "Ameri- "feel at home in the United more. Sze called poetry an American Letters," but he
chosen by panels of au- can Woman" and the PEN/ States of America." "essential language," help- was here to dish, joking
thors, critics, booksellers Faulkner finalist "A Person of Broom singled out her ing us all to "slow down, that a writer's typical 8-hour
and others in the literary Interest." mother for awe and grati- see clearly, feel deeply" "work" day was maybe a
community. Other speakers offered tude, remembering how and understand what "truly half hour of actual writing
Publishers submitted more emotional tributes to loved she raised 12 children and matters." and otherwise a well-met
than 1,700 books for con- ones and cited the written absorbed words every- Honorary awards were giv- schedule of gossip, "too
sideration. word as a source of heal- where from the grocery en to Oren Teicher, long- many emails," cooking,
Choi expressed gratitude ing, action and commu- store to package labels, time head of the American pornography and drinking.
not just for the award, but nity in an unsettling world. "always wolfing down Booksellers Association, "So many writers are alco-
for the writing life, saying Kraszahorkai praised his words. Insatiable." and Edmund White, the holic because they can
that writing and teaching translator, Muzlet, and mar- The prolific Sandler is an Em- pioneering gay writer. Each get away with it," he said.q

As a novelty or a favorite, wooden toys can make great gifts

By LEANNE ITALIE Brio. with brass detailing. $1,100. It also
Associated Press KITCHEN TOYS sells a French Solitaire Set that in-
NEW YORK (AP) — Why buy wood- Lots of wooden play kitchens and cludes a circular board crafted in
en toys for children? Chances are toy appliances are out there, but Italy from ashwood, with 33 brass
good you know at least one par- they've got a lot of plastic compe- balls. $2,750. A little too steep
ent who sings their praises for du- tition. Best to check with a parent price-wise? Head to Amazon for a
rability, sustainability or magical first before taking on the big tick- nice looking tic-tac-toe table set
powers to boost creativity. If you et. If you're not confident about in wood for $9.99, or a plywood 4
don't, know that such toys can gifting a full-size kitchen, go for a in a row game for $22.
make great gifts. miniature set. Tender Leaf Toys, MISCELLANEOUS
Some ideas: which makes a beautiful array of Circle stackers for infants and
WOOD ON WHEELS wooden toys, has a kitchen set toddlers are also plentiful, but
Cars, trucks, construction vehicles, intended for a dollhouse but per- one Etsy seller, SouthBendWorks,
emergency vehicles: Wooden fectly suitable as a stand-alone makes a lovely version in multicol-
toys that move are everywhere. This image released by Etsy shows gift. $44.99. Tender Leaf makes ored hardwood. $39.99. Pottery
wooden racing car that can be
Look no further than Melissa & engraved with a child’s name lots of other cool kitchen toys, too, Barn Kids carries a wooden pet
Doug, the mass producer with a and a special date from Etsy seller including a colorful espresso ma- set complete with a rabbit and its
wide variety. The brand is avail- TwentySevenUK. chine complete with coffee pods hutch, a dog and its doghouse,
able everywhere. The company Associated Press that drop and a milk jug. $39.99. and a cat and its cat bed. There
makes construction vehicles for engraved with a child's name TABLE GAMES are also food bowls and food,
ages 3-6 that a child must stack and a special date. The seller of- From tic-tac-toe to backgam- including a carrot for the bunny.
together themselves before play- fers free shipping to the U.S. Each mon, lots of table games come in $29. How about a throwback? A
ing. $19.99 each. On the hand- car is $43.05 and comes in white, wood. Aerin makes a fancy Jenga, company called Novanatural.
made emporium Etsy.com, the yellow or green. Wooden train sets the classic balancing game, with com sells a set of wooden stilts for
shop TwentySevenUK sells a small may not have wheels, but they blocks made of beech, stored in ages 6 and up in oak hardwood.
wooden racing car that can be do move. Check out the world of a cream or brown shagreen box $64.q