Man Booker Prize announced - a first, a first, and a first

Winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize for WOLF HALL, Hilary Mantel has won the 2012 Man Booker Prize for its sequel, BRING UP THE BODIES. In so doing she has achieved three firsts:  first British and first woman writer to win the prize twice; and first writer to win the prize for a sequel.  This series on Thomas Cromwell, the commoner who was Henry the Eighth's right-hand man, provides a riveting read about a compelling historical figure. One more book is planned; does Mantel have another first in her literary future?

Dan Stevens, "Downton Abbey" star and a 2012 Booker judge, talks about BRING UP THE BODIES and other titles on the Booker short list here.

By the Book

Here's a new source of ideas for choosing your next book to read: the "By the Book" feature in the  New York Times Book Review.  Authors in the news discuss what they've read lately. (You might be surprised!)

mhd