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Michelle Obama Launches New Memoir Award for High School Students: Today in Books

Amy Adams Spotted on the Set of Nightbitch

Six-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams has been spotted on the set of her upcoming film Nightbitch, based on the debut novel of the same name by Rachel Yoder. Adams was attached to star in the film adaptation of Yoder’s Nightbitch before the novel was even published. The film will be released on Hulu in the United States, although the streamer has yet to announce a release date. Nightbitch is directed by Marielle Heller and also stars Scoot McNairy, Ella Thomas, and Garrett C. Phillips.

Michelle Obama Launches New Memoir Award for High School Students

Penguin Random House and We Need Diverse Books are teaming up with former first lady Michelle Obama to launch the Michelle Obama Award for Memoir. The new creative writing award will honor “writing with a strong, clear voice by high school seniors who are daring and original.” The award grants one promising young writer a $10,000 college scholarship. This is one of five creative writing awards given by Penguin Random House. Other categories include the Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry and the Maya Angelou Award for Spoken Word. Applications are now open, and you can apply here.

George M. Johnson Shares What Getting Their Book Banned Taught Them About Telling Your Truth

In a new piece for Huffpost, George M. Johnson, author of the memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue, reflects on what their book being banned taught them about “telling your truth.” Before the book was even published, Johnson admitted that they had a feeling the book would be banned and that they might need security at upcoming book events. In fact, according to a report from PEN America, Johnson’s book is the second-most banned in the United States, with bans in 29 school districts. Johnson writes, “Our books (the banned ones, if you will) often tell stories that are uncomfortable and important…But that is why writing and other types of storytelling are such revolutionary rights. Books persist even when oppressors don’t want them to. They change lives, provide community, and serve as a lifeline for those who feel unseen, unheard and alone.”

The Bookish Life of Angela Lansbury

Angela Lansbury had a 75-year career filled with bookish roles, from book and play adaptations to the iconic novelist Jessica Fletcher.