Hello UNP blog readers! Posting has been light lately because of a) Winter Break and b) a very busy December here at the University of Nebraska Press headquarters. But it’s a new year, and time to celebrate with a new post.

First things first: Our spring books are just now starting to arrive in stores and assorted book reviewers are already taking notice. Just yesterday, Publishers Weekly reviewed one of this season’s fictional offerings, Lamb Bright Saviors, by Robert Vivian. I was so gripped by Vivian’s beautiful, unique, almost experimental prose that I read this in one sitting. Publishers Weekly agreed, calling the book "brilliantly written." The full review is here and appears about midway through the fiction reviews.

In the larger scheme of things: Mediabistro predicts independent presses will play a vital role in the future of publishing. Goooo independents!

And looking back at 2009: The Blue Tattoo: The Life of Olive Oatman by Margot Mifflin, was on syndicated book reviewer Steve Paul’s Best of 2009 list. The story ran in the Kansas City Star (and many other newspapers).  Lights on a Ground of Darkness by Ted Kooser made LA Times Book Review EditorDavid Ulin’s best-of list (written as for The Millions), too.

Happy 2010, blogosphere! Here’s to more posts in 2010!