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Book news and notes, Nov. 21

Sunday, November 21, 2010

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Tina Fineberg / Associated Press

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News and notes from the world of books

Patti Smith

has come full circle. Before becoming an acclaimed musician, Smith worked as a bookstore clerk in New York. Today the 63-year-old is a National Book Award winner. Smith won the award for nonfiction Wednesday for her memoir "Just Kids," about her friendship with the late photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. In her acceptance speech, Smith said, "There is nothing more beautiful in our material world than the book. Please never abandon the book." In the fiction category, Jaimy Gordon won (unexpectedly) for her comic novel "Lord of Misrule." Other winners included Terrance Hayes ("Lighthead") for poetry and Kathryn Erskine ("Mockingbird") for young people's literature.

Lynne Joiner

of San Francisco has been named the recipient of the 2010 Douglas Dillon Award for "Honorable Survivor: Mao's China, McCarthy's America, and the Persecution of John S. Service" (Naval Institute Press). Given by the American Academy of Diplomacy, the award carries a $5,000 cash prize. Joiner is the first woman to receive the award, which she will be presented at a State Department ceremony on Nov. 30. Service, a U.S. Foreign Service officer in wartime China - he predicted the rise of the Communists - was fired after coming under attack by Sen. Joseph McCarthy. In his review of "Honorable Survivor" for The Chronicle, Ross Terrill called it an "engaging biography" and "an important book."

"Wilson,"

the graphic novel by Daniel Clowes of Oakland, is set to be adapted by Alexander Payne. Many, no doubt, will picture Paul Giamatti in the title role - the actor also played a cuddly, bearded and lonely misanthrope in Payne's "Sideways." Deadline.com reported the deal.

Dan Rather

is working on a memoir, "Summing Up," that is tentatively scheduled to be published in early 2012 by Grand Central Publishing.

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library

needs a friendly hand. The nonprofit group that supports the library is looking for volunteers to help sort and pack books at its Donation Center, 438 Treat Ave. in the Mission District. To volunteer, contact Andrea Blum at andrea.blum@friendssfpl.org or (415) 522-9606.

This article appeared on page FE - 8 of the San Francisco Chronicle

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