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Book Radar

Ghosts and Ghostwriters in Samantha Allen’s New Novel and More Book Radar!

It’s Monday, Book Friends!

Welcome to it, and welcome to another week of book news, book chat, and all the book things. So grab a cup of coffee, get settled in a comfy chair, and let’s get into all things bookish. There’s a lot to talk about today, and I’m excited to get into it.

Book Deals and Reveals

cover of Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet

Zando has revealed the cover of Samantha Allen’s upcoming novel Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet. It’s the story of ghostwriter Adam Gallagher, who is helping A-list actor Roland Rogers come out of the closet once and for all. The catch? Roland Rogers is a ghost. This one is out on September 10.

I know there are a lot of Annihilation fans out there. So you’ll be excited to know that the fourth book in Jeff VanDerMeer’s Southern Reach series is coming! Check out the cover of Absolution. It’s out on October 22.

Author Melissa Blair is wrapping up her romantasy series, the Halfling Saga, with An Honored Vow, and People has all the details and a cover reveal. An Honored Vow will be published in 2025.

Olivia Wilde is set to direct the Margot Robbie-produced adaptation of Avengelyne, the comic book series created by Deadpool‘s Rob Liefeld and Cathy Christian.

Here’s the trailer for Turtles All the Way Down, the upcoming Max adaptation of John Green’s 2017 YA novel. The film will stream on Max starting on May 2.

The 2024 Pen/Faulkner Award winner has been announced! And, it’s What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jiménez. In addition to the award, Ramirez will be granted $15,000. The other finalists—Jamel Brinkley, Henry Hoke, Alice McDermot, and Colin Winnette— will receive $5,000 each.

Indie Bookstore Day is coming on April 27, and you can celebrate with Libro.fm! From 4/22 to 4/28, there will be a massive audiobook sale on the site, with many titles for $5 or less. Additionally, for the whole month, customers can get TWO free audiobook credits when they sign up for a new membership in support of their bookstore with the code SWITCH. Don’t forget to support your local bookstore! Five hundred Golden Tickets (good for 12 free Libro.fm audiobooks) will be hidden by participating partner bookstores on the 27th. Have fun, friends.

Book Riot Recommends

Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!

Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help with handpicked recommendations. Tell the Bibliologists at Tailored Book Recommendations about what you love and what you don’t. You can get your recommendations via email or receive hardcovers or paperbacks in the mail. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Plans start at just $18! Subscribe today.

Prepare Your Shelves!

all things seen and unseen book

All Things Seen and Unseen by RJ McDaniel

Look, I am a sucker for a good haunted house novel. That’s what first drew me in to RJ McDaniel’s debut queer horror novel, but this book was much more character-driven and introspective than what I was expecting. This really worked for me and made it different from any other haunted house story I’ve ever read. In fact, calling it a haunted house book is boxing it in way too much. There’s a lot going on here. There’s also a magic forest! So like, definitely check this one out when it comes out later this month. You will not be disappointed.

But what is it about, you ask? All Things Seen and Unseen follows Alex Nguyen, a chronically ill college student whose life is quickly unraveling. Following a recent suicide attempt and a long hospitalization, Alex finds herself without a job, without a romantic relationship, without money to pay for school, and without a place to live. Then, she’s offered a lifeline in the form of a job housesitting for the summer at a mansion on a gulf island. But the mansion — surrounded by a mysterious (and possibly magic) forest and an unsettling, insular community — brings back traumatic memories Alex has long repressed.

What I’m Reading This Week

the sun sets in singapore book cover

The Sun Sets in Singapore by Kehinde Fadipe

Immortal Pleasures by V. Castro

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

The Trees Grew Because I Bled There by Eric LaRocca

Crossroads by Laurel Hightower

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

Monday Memes

Yeah, I really love astrology memes. Especially when they’re book-related. I will never not share. Especially when they feature Destiny’s Child. I hope you enjoy.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

Murray, an orange cat, is in a paper bag

Well, the cat is definitely NOT out of the bag today. Sorry, I had to.

Murray loves a good paper bag. They’re pretty much his favorite thing. Are your cats like this?

Friends, that’s the end of Monday’s Book Radar. I hope you have a beautiful week. See you Thursday!

Emily