Today in Bookish and Literary History, November 18
1865 The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain It is an 1865 short story by Mark Twain. It was his first great success as a writer and brought him national attention. 2022 Even As We Breathe by Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle It invokes the elements of bone, blood, and flesh as Cowney navigates difficult social, cultural, and ethnic divides. 2025 The Pelican Child by Joy Williams A razor-sharp new collection of stories of visionary childhood misfits and struggling adult dreamers from this legendary writer of “perfectly indescribable fiction . . . To read Williams is to look into the abyss” (The Atlantic). Longlisted for the National Book Award 2025 On the Calculation of Volume , Book 3 by Solvej Balle In the marvelous third installment of Balle’s “astonishing” ( The Washington Post ) septology, Tara’s November 18th transforms when she discovers that she is no longer alone in her endless autumnal day. Shortlisted for The National Book Award ...