Author: Emily Martin

7-Year-Old Dresses as Amanda Gorman for His School’s Spirit Day

Seven-year-old Jeremy Rowan was asked to dress as his idol for his school’s spirit day, and he chose to dress as the nation’s first-ever youth poet laureate, Amanda Gorman. In a Tweet, Amanda Gorman expressed her appreciation for Jeremy’s costume, writing, “When I dress up as my idol I have to dress up as him!” Jeremy’s mother Kimberly Rowan said Gorman reached out to her to make sure it was okay to share the photo of Jeremy’s costume. Then Gorman sent a video to Jeremy expressing how great she thought the costume was. Rowan said, “It is really such a special moment for him and I know it will shape who he becomes.”

Richard Wright’s Never-Before-Seen Novel to be Published in April

On April 20, the Library of America will be releasing a never-before-published novel from Native Son author Richard Wright. Wright’s The Man Who Lived Underground is a novel about race and police violence written nearly 80 years ago. The novel is being published for the first time ever after Julia Wright—Wright’s daughter and literary executor—reached out to the Library of America about the significance of the novel’s perspective on police brutality. The novel is also available in eBook from Harper Perennial and as an audiobook from Caedmon, an imprint of HarperAudio.

The Academy of American Poets to Present This Year’s Leadership Award to Jonathan Galassi

On the 25th anniversary of National Poetry Month, the Academy of American Poets will present its Leadership Award to Jonathan Galassi. As former Academy Board Chairman and current President of Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Galassi has published many influential American and international poets, including Louise Glück, winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature. Galassi is also responsible for helping to launch National Poetry Month, which is now the largest literary celebration in the world. Galassi will be honored at the first-ever virtual Poetry & the Creative Mind gala on April 29.

Quiz: Is It Censorship?

It seems like every week, there’s a news story in the book world about censorship. But what really counts as censorship? Take this quiz to find out.

Barack Obama Discusses A PROMISED LAND with Isabel Wilkerson in a Virtual Event

On Monday, March 29, Barnes & Noble is welcoming Barack Obama to a virtual discussion about his book A Promised Land. The #1 New York Times bestselling book A Promised Land is the first volume in former President Obama’s presidential memoirs. Obama will be in conversation with Isabel Wilkerson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. The event will be free to attend, but registration is required.

Hulu to Adapt Margaret Atwood’s Maddaddam Trilogy

Hulu has already adapted Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale into a four-season series, and they’re working on adapting Atwood’s sequel The Testaments. Now, the streaming platform is returning to Atwood to adapt the author’s Maddaddam Trilogy. The first book in the trilogy Oryx and Crake introduces readers to a dystopian world where much of humanity has been killed off in a bioengineered pandemic. Michael Lesslie will write the pilot script and also executive produce the series.

AAPI Authors & Bookstagrammers Organize #StandUpforAAPI Support Campaign

Asian American and Pacific Islander authors, bookstagrammers, and other members of the book community have organized a social media campaign #StandUpforAAPI. The campaign, started by bookstagrammer Michelle Jocson, author Suzanne Park, and bookseller Jhoanna Belfer, is intended to raise awareness of the ongoing violence and hate targeting AAPI communities. Throughout the week, the book community is organizing calls to action, including posting on social media, volunteering, and more.

Winners of the 2021 Audies Awards Announced

Recognizing the best in audiobooks, the 2021 Audie Award winners were announced in a ceremony hosted by John Leguizamo.

Feminist Egyptian Author Nawal El Saadawi Dies at Age 89

Nawal El Saadawi, a famous Egyptian feminist author, physician and psychiatrist, died on Sunday in Cairo at age 89. El Saadawi is the author of many books, including Women at Point Zero and Memoirs from the Women’s Prison. She was also the founder and president of the Arab Women’s Solidarity Association and co-founder of the Arab Association for Human Rights. She founded the feminist magazine Al-Moawgaha in 1981.

Crowdfunded Book of Author Douglas Adam’s Notes to be Published Posthumously

A crowdfunded book will soon be published for fans of the late author Douglas Adams, who died in 2001 at the age of 49. Adams was most well-known for his novel The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The new book will include many unseen letters, scripts, jokes, poems, ideas, ID cards and to-do notes. A number of the documents shed light on just how difficult the writing process was for the beloved author. The book, entitled 42, will be edited by Kevin Jon Davies, who first met Adams in 1978. You can still back the project here.

Prince Harry Offers Advice to Grieving Children in New Book

Prince Harry has written the foreword for a new book aimed at children with parents who died in the COVID-19 pandemic. The book is Hospital by the Hill, written by Chris Connaughton. In his foreword, Harry writes that the losing his mother Diana, who died in a car accident when he was only 12, left “a huge hole inside me.” Harry also writes to the children readers, “I know how you feel, and I want to assure you that over time that hole will be filled with so much love and support.”

YA Thrillers Starring Marginalized Teens

If you want a book that will lead you through numerous plot twists and switchbacks, but also explore big concepts like identity, marginalization, and injustice, then YA thrillers starring marginalized teens are your jam. Dive in with these ten excellent YA thriller books!

THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB Adds Kyndra Sanchez to the Cast for Season 2

Production for the second season of Netflix’s Baby-Sitters Club series is underway, and they’ve added a new sitter to the mix: Kyndra Sanchez has been cast as Dawn Schafer. Xochitl Gomez played the role of Dawn in season one, but Dawn had to be recast due to production scheduling conflicts. Gomez is currently filming the upcoming Marvel film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as America Chavez AKA Miss America. Netflix released a video announcing the new casting decision, noting that Gomez will always be an important part of the Baby-Sitters Club family.

New Immersive GOODNIGHT MOON Exhibit Opens in New York

New York collective Fort Makers has just opened a new, immersive exhibit for a limited time. Goodnight House is a collection of furniture and objects inspired by the popular children’s book Goodnight Moon written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd. In a statement about the exhibit, Fort Makers Co-Founder and Creative Director Nana Spears said, “Goodnight Moon allows us to see through the eyes of a child, and instills in us essential tools for innovation. That’s something worth celebrating.”

Phoebe Robinson’s New Book PLEASE DON’T SIT ON MY BED IN YOUR OUTSIDE CLOTHES Comes Out This Fall

Actress, comedian, producer, and best-selling author Phoebe Robinson is publishing her third book Please Don’t Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes. The book of essays expands on the work of her previous two books, telling thought-provoking and humorous stories about her own life. Please Don’t Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes hits shelves on September 28.

Rating the Books Sawyer Reads on LOST

Book Riot’s Courtney Rodgers revisited the TV series Lost, this time paying special attention to the many books and literary references throughout the show. Lost spoilers to follow, but the show came out in 2004, so you’ve had time.

Celeste Ng, Margaret Atwood, and John Grisham Among Contributors for New Pandemic Novel

One of the first novels written about the pandemic is going to be a collaborative effort, featuring Celeste Ng, Margaret Atwood, and John Grisham as contributors. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media will publish Fourteen Days: An Unauthorized Gathering, a story set in Manhattan in 2020 as the virus spreads worldwide and the rich begin to flee the city. Other contributors include Dave Eggers, Ishmael Reed, Monique Truong, Hampton Sides, Mary Pope Osborne and Emma Donoghue.

Dolly Parton to Star in Her Own Comic Book

Iconic singer-songwriter Dolly Parton will be headlining her own Female Force comic book edition. The comic book series highlights women who have made a strong impact in the world. In becoming a part of the Female Force comics, Dolly Parton is joining other icons who have starred in the franchise: Mother Teresa, Kamala Harris, Tina Fey, Betty White, Michelle Obama, Gloria Steinem, Barbara Streisand, and Cher. Dolly’s 22-page comic will be available both digitally and in print on March 31.

THE HATE U GIVE Director George Tillman Jr. Directing THE CROSSOVER for Disney+

George Tillman, Jr., director of 2018’s The Hate You Give, is directing a new series The Crossover for Disney+. The series, which is a coming-of-age story about two basketball prodigy twins, will begin filming this June. The Crossover is based on the young adult novel of the same name by Kwame Alexander. Alexander will write and produce along with Damani Johnson and Dee Johnson. Bob Teitel and Jay Marcus are also producers on this project. No release date has been announced yet.

Best Books on Grief

In times of loss, turn to literature. Here are some of the best books on grief.

Tiffany Haddish Teams Up with McG for Adaptation of MYSTERY GIRL

Tiffany Haddish is set to produce and star in the upcoming adaptation of Paul Tobin and Alberto Alburquerque’s Dark Horse comic book series Mystery Girl. The Netflix feature film adaptation will be directed by McG, who also directed The Babysitter.

Marvel Introduces First Gay Captain America

Marvel Comics is introducing the very first LGBTQ-identifying person to be Captain America in the upcoming The United States of Captain America. The comic, written by Christopher Cantwell and drawn by Dale Eaglesham, will follow Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes, and John Walker as they search for Steve’s missing shield. Along the way, they’ll meet Aaron Fischer, the “Captain America of the Railways” who protects runaways and homeless youth. Aaron is openly gay. Issue #1 will go on sale June 2, just in time for Pride Month.

Candice Carty-Williams, Author of QUEENIE, is Writing a YA Book

Candice Carty-Williams’ debut novel Queenie was an instant best-seller. Now for her sophomore effort, the author is releasing a YA novel, Empress and Aniya. The coming-of-age story will follow two characters with drastically different upbringings (Empress and Aniya) who cast a body-swap spell on the day of their shared 16th birthday. Indie Publisher Knights Of will release the book as a small-format novella on October 7th.

20 Must-Read Stories You Can Read Online for Free

Want to read some truly spectacular stories… for free? Here’s a collection of 20 free stories from FictionPress, a website for reading stories online.

Book About the Making of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights Coming in June

Fans of In the Heights: June is going to be a great month for you! The film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical coming to theaters and HBO Max on June 18. But that’s not all. Lin-Manuel Miranda announced on Twitter yesterday that In the Heights: Finding Home, a book about the making of the musical, is coming out on June 22. The book is written by Miranda and Jeremy McCarter, who also helped write Hamilton: The Revolution. In the Heights: Finding Home will include lyrical annotations and essays from Quiara Alegría Hudes, who wrote the musical’s book and the screenplay for the film.

Wiip Developing a TV Series Based on Author Agatha Christie’s Teenage Years

Wiip, an independent studio run by former ABC chief Paul Lee, is developing a television series based on British mystery author Agatha Christie’s teenage years. UK writers Rebecca Pollock and Kas Graham have been tapped to write the series, entitled Young Agatha, which will tell a coming-of-age story about how Christie became one of the most beloved mystery authors of all time.

Tom Hiddleston to Star Opposite Claire Danes in The Essex Serpent TV Series

Tom Hiddleston has been cast as the male lead opposite Claire Danes in the upcoming Apple TV+ adaptation of Sarah Perry’s novel The Essex Serpent. The series, written by Anna Symon and directed by Clio Barnard, tells the story of newly-widowed Cora (Danes) who moves to the small village of Aldwinter in Essex and becomes intrigued by a local superstition about a creature called The Essex Serpent. Hiddleston plays Will Ransome, the local vicar.

Gamify Your Reading with this Readathon Board Game!

Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon is coming up in April. For now, you can gear up for the readathon with this board game.

John Green’s Debut Essay Collection Cover Reveal

Best-selling YA author John Green is releasing his nonfiction debut on May 18th of this year, and now you can take a look at the cover, designed by Grace Han. Green’s essay collection The Anthropocene Reviewed will be personal essays that examine “different facets of the human-centered planet — from the QWERTY keyboard to Staphylococcus aureus — on a five-star scale.” Some of the essays will be adapted from Green’s podcast of the same name, and some will be original works.

Idris Elba Writing Children’s Book Collection Inspired by His Daughter

Actor Idris Elba has just announced that he will be moving into the literary world. He has just signed a multi-book deal with HarperCollins to publish a collection of children’s books. The book series will be written by Elba with the help of Robyn Charteris. Elba says he can’t wait “to bring stories inspired by my daughter to life.” You can expect to see these books hit shelves in 2022.

Benedict Cumberbatch Narrating Audiobook Version of Edward St. Aubyn’s DOUBLE BLIND

Benedict Cumberbatch will be narrating the audiobook version of Edward St. Aubyn’s latest novel Double Blind, which comes out on June 1st. This is not the first time Cumberbatch has worked with St. Aubyn. The actor also starred in the 2018 miniseries Patrick Melrose, based on the Patrick Melrose series by Edward St. Aubyn. On having Cumberbatch narrate his new novel, St. Aubyn said, “I was thrilled when Benedict Cumberbatch offered to record the audiobook of Double Blind. To have such a brilliant actor reading my new novel is an immense privilege. It also means a lot to me…to be collaborating again with someone who has become a great friend.”

Here are the Finalists for the 56th Annual Nebula Awards

Sci-fi and fantasy fans: the finalists for the 56th annual Nebula Awards have been announced and they are out of this world!

Lambda Announces 2021 Finalists

The finalists for the 33rd Annual Lambda Literary Awards have been announced. The Lambdas, also known as the “Lammys” celebrate LGBTQ+ literature. Finalists and winners will be honored in a virtual award ceremony on Tuesday, June 1. The event is open to the public, with a suggested donation of $25. Proceeds will go towards supporting Lambda Literary’s educational programs.

Penguin Press Signs Yomi Sode

Penguin Press has signed a poetry debut by Yomi Ṣode that the publisher is calling “thrillingly original.” The poetry collection, entitled Manorism, is set for publication by Penguin Poetry in spring 2022. Ṣode’s poems explore the Nigerian-British diaspora experience and touch on issues of “family, survival, generational trauma and the complexities of belonging.”

Trans Superhero Dreamer Makes Comic Book Debut in DC PRIDE Anthology

Dreamer, television’s first trans superhero, will be making her comic book debut in the upcoming DC Pride Anthology. Nia Nal, known by the codename Dreamer, first appeared in season 4 of the the TV Show Supergirl, making history as the first trans superhero in a live-action adaptation. Now, Dreamer will make history again as one of nine stories to be featured in the 80-page DC Pride anthology. The anthology, which celebrates “a parade of LGBTQIA+ characters and creators” from across the DC Universe, will be released on June 8 to coincide with LGBTQIA+ Pride Month.

5 Poets of Color to Follow on Instagram in 2021

There are lots of poets posting engaging, uplifting content on the Instagram platform. Here are five poets of color you’ll want to follow on Instagram now.

Breaking Bad Costars Aaron Paul and Krysten Ritter Reunite for New Audio Drama by James Patterson

Breaking Bad costars Aaron Paul and Krysten Ritter are reuniting for a new audio drama project. The actors will both star in Audible’s The Coldest Case, written by bestselling author James Patterson. Ritter and Paul will play siblings Patti and Billy Harney, both detectives who are investigating a Chicago drug ring. The Coldest Case also stars Nathalie Emmanuel, Beau Bridges, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar, and is available on Audible now.

Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon to be Adapted as a Limited Series

George C. Wolfe, director of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, is in talks to adapt Toni Morrison’s award-winning novel Song of Solomon as a limited series. Wolfe will direct and write the series, which will be going out to broadcasters and platforms soon. The project will be produced by American Gods producer Fremantle and Wolf Hall producer Playground Entertainment.

Game of Thrones Spinoff House of the Dragon Will Avoid Needless Graphic Violence Towards Women

Actress Olivia Cooke, who will star as Alicent Hightower in the upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff series House of the Dragon, has shared that the upcoming series will not include any needless graphic violence towards women. Many viewers have criticized Game of Thrones for its excessive scenes of graphic violence towards its female characters, like Sansa, Ros, and many others. Olivia Cooke wants to assure fans that won’t be the case with this new series. In an interview with The Telegraph, Olivia Cooke said, “I wouldn’t feel comfortable in being a part of anything that has just egregious graphic violence towards women for no reason whatsoever… I was lucky enough to read the [prequel] script before, and it has changed a lot from the first few seasons [of Game of Thrones].”

7 NYT Fiction and Nonfiction Bestsellers from 2011

A lot has changed in the past ten years. Here’s a look back at the fiction and nonfiction bestsellers from 2011.