Coming Soon: Baseball Novel From Grisham; Picture Book from Jill Biden; and More

PublishersLunch

Doubleday announced an April 10 publication date for John Grisham's next novel CALICO JOE, set within the world of major league baseball in 1973.
USA TODAY

Simon & Schuster Children's will release DON'T FORGET NANA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, a picture book by vice president Joe Biden's wife Jill Biden, on June 5. The AP reports the book, illustrated by Raul Colon, is "told from the point of view of granddaughter Natalie Biden and a tribute to soldiers and their families." In a brief interview Biden said: "I really feel that you write your best about what you know best...That's what I teach to my students, so I thought using my own experience would have a little more meaning and a little more heart to it."
AP

The final book of essays from the late Christopher Hitchens, MORTALITY, is now due for world English publication on September 4. UK publisher Atlantic Books previously had the title slated for April (and they say a Guardian story following their first announcement last December was in error when it said the book was moved up to January). US publisher Twelve has still not formally announced the title, but has confirmed the release date. Despite the multiple stories out of the UK, Hitchens' publishers--which also include Allen and Unwin in Australia and McClelland and Stewart in Canada--have always intended a coordinated release, we are told.

In other posthumous releases, Abrams Image will publish Johnny Ramone's COMMANDO: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHNNY RAMONE on April 2, a little more than eight years after the Ramones guitarist died of prostate cancer at the age of 55.
AP