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Bookish Events in New York City: February 2nd – 6th

It’s going to be another icy week in New York City, but there are plenty of bookish events going on to warm your spirits. The Moth and Women of Letters – two great story telling programs – are on again this week. Learn about science at WORD, celebrate a debut novelist at McNally Jackson, or board the Staten Island ferry to hear from a punk rock legend. The weather looks to be a bit better this week, but double check events before you head out just in case.

Posted by Jennifer Morell

Six Books for Women Who Love Football. Yes, We Exist.

I just won my Fantasy Football League. First time ever, though I’ve played for five years. (Thank you, Andrew Luck and DeMarco Murray!) I watch football every Sunday; I go to at least one Philadelphia Eagles game per year; I think the NFL RedZone Channel is amazing; and when I have a babysitter, I head to a bar for Monday Night Football. Yes, I’m a woman. And it turns out I’m not alone.

According to recent articles in The Washington Post and Bloomberg Businessweek, women make up 45 percent of the NFL’s more than 150 million American fans.

Between 2009 and 2013, female NFL viewership grew 26 percent. And in just 2013, fantasy football leagues included 6.4 million women, a 10 percent jump from 2012.

Yet, it is surprisingly hard to find football books geared toward women. Seriously. When I started writing this blog, I immediately thought of two books: Catching Jordan and Dairy Queen. But I write YA, so I figured that explained why teen books were front and center in my mind. There must be tons of adult novels featuring female characters who love football, right? Wrong.

So if you’re a chick and you love football, please take a glance at the list below. I hope I save you some time digging through the bookshelves. And if you’re a football-loving writer looking for the concept of a new book—well, I think I’ve found an untapped niche.

Posted by Diana R. Wallach

NFL Reads: An Infographic

When it comes to reading during the Superbowl, we are pros here at the Quirk HQ. Our own Blair Thornburgh dished out some handy tips last year

But what if you actually want to get into football, like all your pals at the Superbowl party you've been dragged to? The crew over at Ninja Essays whipped up this great NFL Reads Infographic, which we've embeded below. Lots of great books worth checking out! 

Posted by Eric Smith

Quirk Books @ ALA Midwinter 2015: Come Say Hi, Enter Our Giveaway!

Hello from sunny Chicago! Really, it's sunny in Chicago! I just arrived and am excited to see all of the fabulous librarians that will are joining me in the Windy City for ALA Midwinter 2015.

There is a lot going on at ALA Midwinter and Quirk is certainly well-represented at the Penguin Random House booth.

Posted by Nicole De Jackmo

Five Literary Winters Way Worse Than Ours

Winter is… here, actually. For better or worse (probably worse). My Michigan-bred, winter-loving roommate is all smiles at the prospect of snow while I sink further back into my anti-winter blanket cocoon of denial. I’d much prefer to read about winter than actually, you know, experience it. Though I have to admit, literary characters have it way worse—most often their winters are horrible snowmageddons that would make short work of weaker individuals (i.e. me) or really anyone who isn’t Elsa or Jon Snow.

Everyone knows about the nasty snowpocalypse that is George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire—the books, people, the books!—but what about other literary polar vortexes? As bad as winter may be this year, I suppose this group of unfortunate characters endured a much worse one.

Posted by Emeli Kemmerer

Worst-Case Wednesday: How To Survive When You Get Caught Sleeping or Surfing the Net at Work

The holidays are over, you’re back to work, and it’s freezing out. No matter how hard you try, you can’t find your mojo.

Don’t stress. The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Work offers tips on how to make it out alive when your boss catches you nodding or slacking off.

Posted by Christina Schillaci