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By HILLEL ITALIE NEW YORK (AP) — Even through a year of nonstop news about elections, climate change, protests and the price of eggs, there was still time to read books. Related Articles Books | Wonder and joy at the light that breaks the dark: more holiday books for younger readers Books | Right on time for holiday shopping: big names in new bestselling books Books | In bestsellers for young readers, ways to stay occupied on winter break Books | Percival Everett, 2024 National Book Award winner, rereads one book often Books | Gift books for 2024: What to give, and what to receive, for all kinds of readers U.S. sales held steady according to Circana, which tracks around 85% of the print market, with many choosing the relief of romance, fantasy and romantasy. Some picked up Taylor Swift’s tie-in book to her blockbuster tour, while others sought out literary fiction, celebrity memoirs, political exposes and a close and painful look at a generation hooked on smartphones. Here are 10 notable books published in 2024, in no particular order. Asking about the year’s hottest reads would basically yield a list of the biggest hits in romantasy, the blend of fantasy and romance that has proved so irresistible fans were snapping up expensive “special editions” with decorative covers and sprayed edges. Of the 25 top sellers of 2024, as compiled by Circana, six were by romantasy favorite Sarah J. Maas, including “House of Flame and Shadow,” the third of her “Crescent City” series. Millions read her latest installment about Bryce Quinlan and Hunter Athalar and traced the ever-growing ties of “Maasverse,” the overlapping worlds of “Crescent City” and her other series, “Throne of Glass” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses.” If romantasy is for escape, other books demand we confront. In the bestselling “The Anxious Generation,” social psychologist Jonathan Haidt looks into studies finding that the mental health of young people began to deteriorate in the 2010s, after decades of progress. According to Haidt, the main culprit is right before us: digital screens that have drawn kids away from “play-based” to “phone-based” childhoods. Although some critics challenged his findings, “The Anxious Generation” became a talking point and a catchphrase. Admirers ranged from Oprah Winfrey to Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee, who in a letter to state legislators advocated such “commonsense recommendations” from the book as banning phones in schools and keeping kids off social media until age 16. Bob Woodward books have been an election tradition for decades. “War,” the latest of his highly sourced Washington insider accounts, made news with its allegations that Donald Trump had been in frequent contact with Russian leader Vladimir Putin even while out of office and, while president, had sent Putin sophisticated COVID-19 test machines. Among Woodward’s other scoops: Putin seriously considered using nuclear weapons against Ukraine, and President Joe Biden blamed former President Barack Obama, under whom he served as vice president, for some of the problems with Russia. “Barack never took Putin seriously,” Woodward quoted Biden as saying. Former (and future) first lady Melania Trump, who gives few interviews and rarely discusses her private life, unexpectedly announced she was publishing a memoir: “Melania.” The publisher was unlikely for a former first lady — not one of the major New York houses, but Skyhorse, where authors include such controversial public figures as Woody Allen and Trump cabinet nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And its success was at least a minor surprise. Melania Trump did little publicity for the book, and offered few revelations beyond posting a video expressing support for abortion rights — a break from one of the cornerstones of GOP policy. But “Melania” still sold hundreds of thousands of copies, many in the days following her husband’s election. Taylor Swift was more than a music story in 2024. Like “Melania,” the news about Taylor Swift’s self-published tie-in to her global tour isn’t so much the book itself, but that it exists. And how well it sold. As she did with the “Eras” concert film, Swift bypassed the established industry and worked directly with a distributor: Target offered “The Eras Tour Book” exclusively. According to Circana, the “Eras” book sold more than 800,000 copies just in its opening week, an astonishing number for a publication unavailable through Amazon.com and other traditional retailers. No new book in 2024 had a better debut. Midnight book parties are supposed to be for “Harry Potter” and other fantasy series, but this fall, more than 100 stores stayed open late to welcome one of the year’s literary events: Sally Rooney’s “Intermezzo.” The Irish author’s fourth novel centers on two brothers, their grief over the death of their father, their very different career paths and their very unsettled love lives. “Intermezzo” was also a book about chess: “You have to read a lot of opening theory — that’s the beginning of a game, the first moves,” one of the brothers explains. “And you’re learning all this for what? Just to get an okay position in the middle game and try to play some decent chess. Which most of the time I can’t do anyway.” Lisa Marie Presley had been working on a memoir at the time of her death , in 2023, and daughter Riley Keough had agreed to help her complete it. “From Here to the Great Unknown” is Lisa Marie’s account of her father, Elvis Presley, and the sagas of of her adult life, notably her marriage to Michael Jackson and the death of son Benjamin Keough. To the end, she was haunted by the loss of Elvis, just 42 when he collapsed and died at his Graceland home while young Lisa Marie was asleep. “She would listen to his music alone, if she was drunk, and cry,” Keough, during an interview with Winfrey, said of her mother. Meanwhile, Cher released the first of two planned memoirs titled “Cher” — no further introduction required. Covering her life from birth to the end of the 1970s, she focuses on her ill-fated marriage to Sonny Bono, remembering him as a gifted entertainer and businessman who helped her believe in herself while turning out to be unfaithful, erratic, controlling and so greedy that he kept all the couple’s earnings for himself. Unsure of whether to leave or stay, she consulted a very famous divorcee, Lucille Ball, who reportedly encouraged her: “F— him, you’re the one with the talent.” A trend in recent years is to take famous novels from the past, and remove words or passages that might offend modern readers; an edition of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” cuts the racist language from Mark Twain’s original text. In the most celebrated literary work of 2024, Percival Everett found a different way to take on Twain’s classic — write it from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. “James,” winner of the National Book Award, is a recasting in many ways. Everett suggests to us that the real Jim was nothing like the deferential figure known to millions of readers, but a savvy and learned man who concealed his intelligence from the whites around him, and even from Twain himself. Salman Rushdie’s first National Book Award nomination was for a memoir he wished he had no reason to write. In “Knife,” he recounts in full detail the horrifying attempt on his life in 2022, when an attendee rushed the stage during a literary event in western New York and stabbed him repeatedly, leaving with him a blinded eye and lasting nerve damage, but with a spirit surprisingly intact. “If you had told me that this was going to happen and how would I deal with it, I would not have been very optimistic about my chances,” he told The Associated Press last spring. “I’m still myself, you know, and I don’t feel other than myself. But there’s a little iron in the soul, I think.”sports betting lines 。

10 notable books of 2024, from Sarah J. Maas to Melania Trump

Ahmedabad, Dec 28 (PTI) The increasing use of divisive rhetoric based on religion, caste and ethnicity poses a major challenge to the constitutional ideal of fraternity as well as the sense of unity in the country, Supreme Court judge Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra has said. He was speaking on the theme of `Fraternity: Spirit of the Constitution' at a national council meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad, a lawyers' organisation, at Vadtal in Gujarat's Kheda district. The use of identity politics for votes by politicians can deepen social divisions, he warned. Divisive ideologies, growing economic inequality and social injustice are major threats to the spirit of brotherhood, and upholding fraternity is a "shared responsibility" of common citizens, institutions as well as leaders, Justice Mishra said. Among the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice, fraternity shines as the unifying thread that binds the fabric of our democratic society, and without fraternity, the other ideals remain fragile, "like a tripod missing a crucial leg," he said. "A major challenge to fraternity is the increasing use of divisive rhetoric based on religion, caste and ethnicity. When individuals or groups promote narratives that pit one community against another, it weakens the sense of unity envisioned by the Constitution," Justice Mishra said. Identity politics, while sometimes empowering marginalised groups, can become harmful when it focuses solely on narrow group interests at the expense of common good, often resulting in "exclusion, discrimination, and conflict," he said. "Divisive rhetoric creates mistrust among communities, leading to the spread of stereotypes and misunderstandings. These tensions can escalate into social unrest. Moreover, when political leaders use social identities for electoral gains, it deepens these divisions, making it harder to build a collective sense of belonging," the judge added. Digital technology and social media have often been misused to spread hate speech, misinformation and divisive content, Justice Mishra observed. "These challenges to safeguarding fraternity highlight the importance of collective efforts in addressing these issues. Overcoming divisive rhetoric, bridging economic disparities, and harnessing technology responsibly require active participation from every segment of society," he noted. "When we live by the principle of fraternity, we ensure that the values of justice, equality and freedom endure for generations to come. However, the responsibility to uphold fraternity does not rest on any single individual or group. It is a shared responsibility that involves every citizen, institution, and leader in society," he said. Justice Mishra also called for a "multi-faceted approach" to promote fraternity effectively, involving collaborative efforts of lawmakers, civil society and technology. "Laws should be crafted not just to protect rights but to ensure social cohesion and address systemic inequalities. By prioritising these values, the legal framework of the nation can provide the foundation for a society built on fraternity," he said. The judiciary must play a proactive role in safeguarding the principles of fraternity, the judge further said. "We can prioritise mediation and reconciliation where appropriate, write judgments that are not only legally sound but also explained in accessible language, and ensure that court procedures themselves reflect fraternal values," he said. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)Global Launch of JETOUR T2 i-DM: Reshaping the Hybrid SUV Market

TORONTO — The injury-ravaged Toronto Maple Leafs placed Matthew Knies on injured reserve Friday and signed fellow forward Alex Nylander to a one-year contract, recalling him from the AHL Marlies. Knies was hurt in a mid-ice check by Las Vegas defenceman Zach Whitecloud in the Toronto's 3-0 home win Wednesday. Knies did not return and has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Wednesday with an upper-body injury. Toronto is already missing captain Auston Matthews, Max Domi, David Kampf, Max Pacioretty and Calle Jarnkrok due to injury, as well as Ryan Reaves, who is one game into his five-game ban for felling Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse with an illegal check to the head. Whitecloud, who stood up as he delivered the hit, was not penalized for the punishing check despite video review, but got a minor roughing penalty for tangling with Simon Benoit, who got a four-minute roughing call for his attempted retribution. "They thought it was a clean hit so it's a clean hit," Leafs coach Craig Berube said after the game, referencing the league. "Really there's nothing to say." Under league rules, a player placed on Injured reserve is ineligible to compete in NHL games for at least seven days. Toronto (12-6-2) hosts Utah on Sunday before heading to Florida to play at the Panthers on Wednesday. Veteran Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson missed practice Friday due to illness. The club recalled defenceman Philippe Myers from a conditioning stint with the Marlies. The 27-year-old from Moncton, who signed as a free agent in July, has appeared in one game with the Leafs this season. Nylander's contract is worth $775,000. The 26-year-old Nylander, the younger brother of Leafs star William Nylander, has eight goals and four assists in 14 games with the Toronto Marlies this season. The six-foot-one 205-pounder has 222 career points (102 goals, 120 assists) in 344 regular-season AHL games split between Toronto, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Rockford and Rochester. The younger Nylander has 49 points (25 goals, 24 assists) in 121 career NHL games split between Columbus, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Buffalo. He won a silver medal with Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championships. Alex Nylander joined the Toronto organization as a free agent, signing a one-year AHL contract in July. He was originally selected by the Sabres in the first round (eight overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. The injuries have promoted a string of call-ups for the Leafs. Fraser Minter scored his first NHL goal Wednesday in his season debut and fifth career NHL game while Russian Nikita Grebenkin made his NHL debut. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024. The Canadian PressCHARLOTTE, NC -- Spectrum joined the Town of Norway and the South Carolina Broadband Office for a holiday event on Dec. 7 to celebrate the launch of gigabit broadband and other Spectrum services to more than 575 homes and small businesses in Norway. Additionally, Spectrum made available a Spectrum WiFi access point, which will be open to all users for one year. Spectrum joined the Town of Norway and the South Carolina Broadband Office for a holiday event on Dec. 7 to celebrate the launch of gigabit br... Combined with the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) grant of $940,500, total project investment for the Main Street grant program, including $1.2 million from Spectrum, is $2.2 million. Local news has never been this personal. Free to download. Subscribers enjoy unlimited access. “The South Carolina Legislature has shown tremendous leadership in embracing public-private partnerships as a vital strategy for connecting unserved communities,” said Marva Johnson, Group Vice President of State Government Affairs, Spectrum. “We also thank the South Carolina Office of Regulatory staff for creating this partnership opportunity to bring broadband service to the Town of Norway which was one of the two last two main streets in the state without service. This vision and commitment to broadband expansion will make a meaningful difference in this community." “Eliminating the South Carolina Main Street digital divide aligns with the Broadband Office’s mission, and we look forward to the possibilities that connectivity will bring to Norway,” said Jim Stritzinger, Director of the SC Broadband Office. At the event, Spectrum awarded a $25,000 Spectrum Digital Education Grant to Palmetto Care Connections to support their digital literacy programs. The grant is part of Spectrum’s six-year, $8 million commitment to promote digital education and broadband technology in communities across the country. Following the formal announcement, a community festival was held highlighting local resources available in the area, as wells as various outdoor activities, and a special lunch was furnished by Outdoor Channel. “Expanding broadband into rural communities is one of the most important things we can do to grow our economy,” said Lynn Garrick, Mayor of Norway. “Spectrum is doing just that in Norway. I applaud Spectrum for their commitment to bridge the digital divide, so everyone has access to the information and tools they need to succeed in today’s environment.” Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

John Healey said that the Government’s “interest” in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is “that they live up to their promises to protect” rights, when he spoke to reporters after a Cobra meeting on Thursday. HTS is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden. But its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, cut ties with al Qaida years ago and has sought to present his group as a more moderate and inclusive organisation, leading some to suggest the group should no longer be proscribed. When asked whether the Government was considering the status of the group, Mr Healey said: “Proscription is not a matter for now. “It doesn’t stop us talking to all the parties, and our interest in HTS is that they live up to their promises to protect the rights of all individuals and all groups, to respect international law and to prevent Syria becoming a base for a fresh terrorist threat.” Mr Healey said that Thursday’s meeting was “about making sure we have, as a Government, a laser focus on the role that we can play with allies to see a stable, peaceful transition. “So that the Syrians get the government they need for the future, and the region can see the stability in the future that it also needs.” Cobra meetings are called when ministers or officials need to respond to urgent matters. Following the toppling of the Bashar Assad regime over the weekend, the UK has paused decisions on asylum applications from Syria. Thousands of Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK but, earlier this week, the Home Office said decisions on applications would be paused while events unfold in Damascus. When asked how long the system would be paused for, and whether the move was fair, Mr Healey said on Thursday: “This is early days. “It’s a measure in response to rapidly changing developments, and the most important thing for us now is that the UK plays and will continue to play a full role with allies to see a stable, peaceful, orderly transition and that requires a political process. “It requires dialogue at the heart of it, and today’s ministerial meeting, the Cobra meeting, was about making sure that we do just that.” Earlier on Thursday, G7 leaders said that they “stand with the people of Syria” and “denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms”. In a statement, Sir Keir Starmer and his counterparts said: “The G7 will work with and fully support a future Syrian government that abides by those standards and results from that process.” It went on: “After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria. We denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms. “We are hopeful that anyone seeking a role in governing Syria will demonstrate a commitment to the rights of all Syrians, prevent the collapse of state institutions, work on the recovery and rehabilitation of the country, and ensure the conditions for safe and dignified voluntary return to Syria of all those who were forced to flee the country.”

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman revealed that he has not received any formal message from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan regarding a meeting, ARY News reported. In an informal conversation, Fazlur Rehman discussed various political matters, including his stance on the (PTI) founder Imran Khan, elections, and governance. He further added that if Imran Khan wishes to meet him, he would decide after careful consideration. On the relationship with Imran Khan’s PTI, the JUI-F leader clarified that there was a working relationship at the federal level but expressed differing views on provincial matters. Read More: Fazlur Rehman ‘advised bed rest ‘amid health concerns Maulana Fazlur Rehman highlighted the ongoing terrorism concerns in Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, and Tank, stating that the situation in these areas was deeply troubling. He pointed out that courts and government offices had been moved from Tank to Dera Ismail Khan. Regarding governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticized the lack of government authority, noting that the government’s influence was hardly visible in the region. The JUI-F chief expressed dissatisfaction with the level playing field during the general elections, stating that their concerns about being sidelined were valid. Fazlur Rehman mentioned that while some individuals were used in the elections, his party had refused to be used. Regarding the 26th Amendment, Maulana Fazlur Rehman emphasised that it prioritised strengthening institutions over personalities. He also spoke on the issue of the seminary registration bill, claiming that unnecessary complications had been introduced, though the matter was now being resolved amicably. Earlier on December 27, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, halted all political activities due to health concerns. According to details, doctors have advised Fazlur Rehman a complete bed rest and avoid walking due to ‘swelling in his left foot’, the sources said. They further say upon returning from the meeting with the prime minister last week, Maulana Fazlur Rehman experienced swelling in his left foot. It is to be noted that on December 20, Maulana Fazlur Rehman called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss concerns related to the Seminary Registration Bill. JUI chief led a JUI-F delegation comprising Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri and Senator Kamran Murtaza.

KUWAIT: The 696th Lord Mayor of the City of London concluded his visit to Kuwait as the final leg of his first overseas trip in office. Elected annually from the City of London’s Court of Aldermen, the Lord Mayor represents the UK’s financial, professional, legal, and maritime sectors while leading the City of London Corporation, the governing body of the Square Mile. During his two-day visit, Lord Mayor Alastair King met with senior Kuwaiti officials, including His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Minister of Finance Noura Al-Fassam, Managing Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority Sheikh Saoud Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, and Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait Basel Al-Haroon. He also engaged with representatives from private investors, commercial banks, businesses, and prominent trading families to explore opportunities for expanding UK-Kuwait trade and investment ties. The lord mayor explained his focus on the Gulf as he highlighted the strong trade and investment relations between the UK and GCC countries. Specifically, UK-Kuwait trade reached £5.9 billion between July 2023 and June 2024, a 14.8 percent increase from the previous year. He also emphasized the long-standing investment relationship, exemplified by the Kuwait Investment Office’s 71-year presence in the City of London and the Sovereign Investment Partnership signed during His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s visit to the UK. Regarding Brexit and the UK’s recent political changes, Lord Mayor King affirmed London’s continued strength as a global financial hub. “Over 100,000 additional professionals now work in the city’s financial and professional services sector compared to 2016. In comparisons to other European hubs, London’s financial services workforce exceeds the entire population of Frankfurt,” he said. Lord Mayor King assured Kuwaiti investors that the City of London and the UK remain open for business. The UK’s stable political and fiscal environment, strong financial returns, robust legal system, and international workforce, with nearly 40 percent of London’s financial services professionals coming from abroad. Outlining his vision for enhanced collaboration, the lord mayor identified insurance, legal services, asset management, and banking as key sectors with growth potential. He emphasized the UK’s expertise in adapting to specific needs, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations and Sharia compliance. He also encouraged more British companies to explore opportunities in Kuwait, where over 100 UK firms are already active. Lord Mayor King concluded by expressing gratitude for Kuwait’s hospitality and reaffirming his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. He expressed hope that the enduring relationship between the UK and Kuwait would continue to thrive as the two nations celebrate the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations.None

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