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Book Radar

Paul Tremblay Announces New Short Story Collection and More Book Radar!

Happy Thanksgiving, Book Friends!

Okay, in all honesty, I don’t love Thanksgiving. But I do love mashed potatoes, so that’s what I’m really celebrating today. Other than that, it’s business as usual, so let’s just get straight into the books and forget about everything else for a few moments.

Book Deals and Reveals

the beast you are book cover

Paul Tremblay has announced his next book, a novella and short story collection entitled The Beast You Are. It’s coming out on July 11th, and it’s available for preorder now.

American Book Award-winning author Tananarive Due has revealed the cover of her upcoming novel The Reformatory. The book will be available in June 2023.

Simon & Schuster has decided not to extend the deadline for the deal with Penguin Random House, which prevents PRH from appealing the court’s decision to block the merger.

Marvel’s new Blade adaptation has found a new director with Yann Demange, who directed the pilot of HBO’s horror series Lovecraft Country. The plan is still to go into production in Atlanta in 2023, with a release date set for September 6th, 2024.

Singer and actor Brandy is reprising her role as Cinderella in the upcoming Disney+ film The Pocketwatch.

Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series has added Jay Duplass and Timothy Omundson to its cast. Duplass will play Hades, the god of the Underworld, and Omundson will play Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths.

Walking Dead showrunner Angela Kang has moved her overall deal from AMC to Amazon and has signed on to oversee Marvel’s Silk: Spider Society. This project is the first in an expected slate of Marvel TV series based on the Sony Pictures universe.

Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is publishing a book outlining “a vision of what would be possible if the political revolution took place.” Penguin Random House will publish It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism in February 2023.

The New York Times has released its 100 notable books for 2022.

Book Riot Recommends

I’m a Contributing Editor at Book Riot, I write the Today in Books newsletter, and I’m a Bibliologist for Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations subscription service. I also have a PhD in English, so I’m basically a doctor of books. Books are my life, in other words, so in this section of the newsletter, let me share with you some upcoming books I’m super excited about. And I think you will be too!

Can’t Wait for This One!

sink memoir cover

Sink by Joseph Earl Thomas (Grand Central Publishing, February 21st)

Nonfiction November rages on, and this time, I’ve got another great memoir recommendation for you. This is author Joseph Earl Thomas’ debut. It’s a coming-of-age story about his life growing up in a hazardous home and how he sought out salvation in the world of geek culture.

Joseph Earl Thomas grew up in a household that made him feel as if he were under constant threat. His mother battled crack addiction, and his family showed love by critiquing everything they saw in him as weakness. He was frequently left hungry, and any requests for food were met with anger and hostility. Feeling like an outsider in his family and amongst his peers, Joseph instead escaped into fantasy worlds to find happiness.

Through these unflinchingly honest and self-reflective vignettes, Joseph Earl Thomas looks back on a childhood where toxic masculinity was drilled into him from a very young age and his family life was defined by cycles of violence. And yet in the face of the bleak realities of his home life, Joseph was still able to find joy.

Want to read books from this newsletter? You can, for free! Get three free audiobooks with a trial to Audiobooks.com. Claim your 3 free audiobooks now!

Words of Literary Wisdom

“Embarrassment was so gendered. Magazines for girls have those sections in the beginning where readers shared their humiliations. It was supposed to feel like a sterile slumber party, one where no one got mad. Where no older brothers acted weird. And where you could go home by just shutting the magazine and dropping it in a recycling bin.

The humiliations were always a surprise menstruation someone noticed. A dropped tampon in front of a crush. An unruly bra strap. Someone seeing boobs through an open window. A whale tail when bending over while doing a presentation in government class. A voluminous fart when the school sex hunk was lingering. Everything was meant to reinforce having a typically cis female body was a mortification that must be endured until you were old enough that your body was an aged mush helped into baths and rolled over in beds. And then it was only about the embarrassment of being alive.”

The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings (what can I say? I love this book)

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

tuxedo cat yawning

Well, it’s clear Remy has already had his big Thanksgiving meal, because now he’s sleepy and ready to take his nap. I think I’m ready for a nap too. So I will leave you here, but I look forward to meeting up again on the other side of this weird holiday. See you on Monday!

Have a great weekend!

Emily

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Book Radar

John Green Meets Jordan Peele and More Book Radar!

Hi Book Friends!

I hope you’re doing well. Last week was sort of chaotic for me, for many reasons. I won’t bore you with details but…no, I didn’t get Taylor Swift tickets and yes, someone did smash the windshield of my car. I don’t know what you think happened, but I think it was probably Ticketmaster. Could it be worse? Always. But it was a sad week for me. All the more reason to just celebrate the start of a new week and new opportunities to have a better week this time around. Anyway, enough of my complaining! Let’s talk books.

Book Deals and Reveals

the dark place book cover

YA author Britney S. Lewis announced her next novel, The Dark Place, which is described as having “the emotional resonance of John Green & the surrealist horror imagery of Jordan Peele.” This one’s out in August 2023.

And here’s the cover reveal for Kasie West’s YA contemporary romance Borrow My Heart. It comes out on June 13, 2023.

Crime Reads has got the cover reveal and an excerpt from Samantha Downing’s next novel A Twisted Love Story. The novel is out from Berkley Books in July 2023.

Mary J. Blige has written a new children’s book that is available for preorder today. Mary Can! is illustrated by award-winning illustrator Ashley Corrin Webb. The book comes out on March 28th, preorder it here.

LeVar Burton has announced that he is narrating a new audiobook version of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. You can download the book for free from Apple Books here.

Emily Henry is giving fans a sneak peek of her upcoming novel Happy Place. The book will be published by Berkley on April 25, 2023.

Disney is returning to the world of Princess Diaries with a new film written by Aadrita Mukerji.

Psychotherapist Sara Glass has sold Black Skirt, Rainbow Soul to One Signal in a six-figure agreement. The memoir, which follows the author’s “incredible odyssey” from being raised in an Orthodox family and married off at 19 to “eventually coming to terms with being gay and finding a path forward beyond the chains of Hasidism that bound her for years,” is releasing in spring 2024.

Winners of the 2022 National Book Awards were announced in a live awards ceremony on November 16. Check out the winners and the highlights.

Here are the best books of 2022, according to the Washington Post.

Brooklyn Public Library has been celebrating its 125 year anniversary by counting down their 125 most borrowed books of all time. After 125 years, here is the library’s most borrowed book.

The HarperCollins Union’s demands are for better pay, diversity initiatives, and more security for unionized workers. Here’s how to support the HarperCollins Union during their strike.

Book Riot Recommends

I’m a Contributing Editor at Book Riot, I write the Today in Books newsletter, and I’m a Bibliologist for Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations subscription service. I also have a PhD in English, so I’m basically a doctor of books. Books are my life, in other words, so in this section of the newsletter, let me share with you some upcoming books I’m super excited about. And I think you will be too!

Prepare Your Shelves!

con/artist book cover

Con/Artist by Tony Tetro (Hachette, November 22)

Okay, Nonfiction November rages on. And it’s time to make room on your shelves for this one fast because guess what? Yeah, it’s out tomorrow. If you love nonfiction about art, if you love nonfiction about crime, if you love nonfiction that makes you rethink the world around you…then yeah, you’re going to want to read this book.

Con/Artist is a thrilling true crime book coming out that you’re not going to want to put down. The art world is a much grittier business than you might expect. Take it from Tony Tetro, the most renowned art forger in the world. In this book, Tetro exposes an art world more corrupt than anything you could have ever imagined. Read this, and you’ll start questioning every work of art you’ve ever seen in museums and galleries.   

Want to read books from this newsletter? You can, for free! Get three free audiobooks with a trial to Audiobooks.com. Claim your 3 free audiobooks now!

What I’m Reading This Week

whiteout book cover

Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

White Horse by Erika T. Wurth

Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun

A Sliver of Darkness by C.J. Tudor

Monday Memes

Reductress often publishes relatable content. But I feel especially called out by this one. And yeah, the books on my shelf are giving me the side-eye right now.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

Orange tabby cat on a pillow

Cersei posed with this pillow last week, and now it’s Murray’s turn. Check him out. Who wore it best? That’s a trick question. They both did it best. I refuse to choose favorites.

Okay, everyone. Here we go. A new week. New opportunities for cool stuff to happen. I wish you all the best, and we’ll talk again soon!

Emily

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Book Radar

It’s Already Time for the Best Books of the Year and More Book Radar!

Hi Book Friends,

Well, I hope all my Taylor Swift fans were able to get tickets this week. I am sitting here trying to get tickets as I type this, but I hope by the time you read this, I will have tickets. I’m putting that out there into the universe, at the very least. And for all you Radar-ites who don’t care about Taylor Swift, lucky you. My anxiety levels are at an all-time high because of this dang concert. And is any of it worth it? I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Anyway, rant over. Let’s talk about books.

Book Deals and Reveals

Andrea Bartz has shared the cover of her upcoming thriller novel The Spare Room. This one comes out in June 2023.

Here’s the cover reveal of Maureen Goo’s Throwback, a young adult novel that promises “time travel, romance, and mother-daughter issues.” It’s scheduled for release April 11, 2023.

Dutton Books has revealed the cover of Riley Sager’s upcoming Gothic horror novel The Only One Leftwhich will be out in June 2023.

Netflix’s animated adaptation of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol has a new trailer and a release date.

Amazon Prime Video has released the official trailer for their upcoming holiday film Something from Tiffany’s, based on Melissa Hill’s novel of the same name. Something from Tiffany’s arrives on Prime Video on December 9th.

Marvel’s upcoming animated series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur has released a brand new music video, featuring the extended version of the main title song, “Moon Girl Magic.”

Ballast Books, Aaron Carter’s book publisher, has delayed the release of the late pop star’s memoir following backlash from his management and ex-girlfriend Hilary Duff.

Sandra Oh, Kieu Chinh, and Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen are joining HBO’s The Sympathizera series based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen.

Judy Blume’s iconic 1975 young adult novel Forever is set to become a Netflix series. The streaming platform has given a series order to the project, which comes from writer and showrunner Mara Brock Akil.

Universal Pictures has acquired the movie adaptation rights to The Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs’s debut novel This Bird Has Flown.

HarperCollins union workers have gone on indefinite strike over low wages and diversity

Here are Amazon Book Editors’ top 10 books of the year, as well as trends they’ve noticed in publishing in 2022.

And this is the best book of the year, according to Barnes & Noble booksellers.

Book Riot Recommends

I’m a Contributing Editor at Book Riot, I write the Today in Books newsletter, and I’m a Bibliologist for Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations subscription service. I also have a PhD in English, so I’m basically a doctor of books. Books are my life, in other words, so in this section of the newsletter, let me share with you some upcoming books I’m super excited about. And I think you will be too!

Can’t Wait for This One!

code name blue wren book cover

Code Name Blue Wren by Jim Popkin (Hanover Square Press, June 3)

Nonfiction November continues. And have I got one for you, fans of spy thrillers and espionage. Investigative journalist Jim Popkin’s Code Name Blue Wren is the story of Ana Montes, one of the most damaging spies in U.S. history. As a former American senior analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency in the U.S., Montes spied for the Cuban government for 17 years until she was arrested in 2001.

For 17 years, Montes worked as one of the U.S. government’s top Cuba experts, but by night she worked for Fidel Castro, passing along U.S. secrets and slipping into Havana wearing a disguise. Montes betrayed her country by passing along top secret, classified U.S. documents. But her betrayal was also personal. Her brother and sister-in-law were FBI agents. And her sister worked for the Bureau specifically to help them identify and remove Cuban spies from the United States.

Montes will be freed from federal prison in January 2023, around the same time this book will be released. This is her story of espionage and betrayal, but it’s also the story of her relationship with her sister, who chose a very different path.

Want to read books from this newsletter? You can, for free! Get three free audiobooks with a trial to Audiobooks.com. Claim your 3 free audiobooks now!

Words of Literary Wisdom

“I also kept thinking of every man I had ever known. The ones from high school who were now in jail or had DUIs or posted pictures on social media of their assault rifles. The men I would see at campus parties where at least two women would discreetly point to them and say, ‘Watch your drink when he’s around.’ The men who would walk too close behind me when I was going home alone at night, who made me grip my keys in my hand, made me reach in my purse and pretend I had a canister of pepper spray in my palm. None of them had to sacrifice their privacy like this.”

The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings

What’s Up in the Book Community?

My iPhone is constantly telling me I spend too much time staring at my screen, which is honestly so rude. But this means I spend a lot of time scrolling around the online book community: BookTube, Bookstagram, BookTok, BookLinkedIn (JK. That’s not a thing…I don’t think). You get the idea. Don’t have the time, energy, or the will to do all of that yourself? No problem. I got you. In this weekly section of Book Radar, we’ll take a look at something cool, interesting, and/or newsy that’s going on in the book community.

Somehow, friends, it’s already that time of the year where we start to see “Best of the Year” lists. And while most of these lists are put together by journalists and book critics, the Goodreads Best of the Year is chosen by you, the people.

Okay, yeah, The Goodreads Choice Awards is still a bit of a popularity contest. But there are always a few surprises. And every year, you have a say! So go ahead and vote in the opening round, and let’s see how this shakes out.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

calico cat seated on a couch with pillows and a blanket

Cute girl alert! Cersei and I were chilling on the couch and watching the new season of The Crown this morning. She loves any TV shows about royalty because she is herself a royal. Obviously.

And that is all for today, friends. I hope you have a good weekend, and I am so looking forward to talking to you next week, when I will hopefully be on the other side of this Taylor Swift anxiety spiral.

See you soon!

Emily

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Book Radar

Corgis All Over Book Covers and More Book Radar

Dear Book People,

Welcome to another Monday here in Book Radar land. I wish I could share my view with you right now. I’m writing this at a coffee shop overlooking the lake and a park. The weather is sunny. The leaves are red and golden. The vibes are very autumnal. I’m excited to be here. So let’s do this.

Book Deals and Reveals

I don’t know what’s going on with all of these corgis on book covers lately, but I am here for it. Just look at that little buddy! Anyway, this is about the book. Check out the cover of Fake Dates and Mooncakes, a new YA romcom from Sher Lee that’s being pitched as Heartstopper meets Crazy Rich Asians. Meets a corgi. (I added that last part.)

And coming on August 15th, 2023 is another great queer romcom, New Adult by Timothy Janovsky. This one follows 23 year old stand-up comedian Nolan Baker, who longs to be “thirty, flirty, and thriving.”

Check it out: Jennifer Dugan, one of your favorite queer YA novelists, is now writing adult f/f romance. Love at First Set releases from Avon on May 23rd, 2023, and LGBTQ Reads has the first look!

The official trailer for Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio has been released ahead of the film’s December 9th premiere on Netflix.

New images from the upcoming third season of His Dark Materials reveal a first-look at the mulefa, seed-riding creatures with elephant-like trunks and short horns. Season 3 premieres on December 5th.

Paramount+ has unveiled the cast for the series The Doll Factory, based on the novel of the same name by Elizabeth Macneal.

Vox Media’s Eater is partnering with Abrams on an Eater-branded series of cookbooks and city guides. The books will release starting next year.

St. Martin’s Griffin bought Priyanka Taslim’s adult debut, From Mumbai, with Love in a two-book deal.

The 2022 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction has been awarded to Khadija Abdalla Bajaber for her debut YA novel The House of Rust.

Looking for useful and/or creative ways to keep tabs on your reading life? Check out these fabulous reading journals.

Book Riot Recommends

I’m a Contributing Editor at Book Riot, I write the Today in Books newsletter, and I’m a Bibliologist for Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations subscription service. I also have a PhD in English, so I’m basically a doctor of books. Books are my life, in other words, so in this section of the newsletter, let me share with you some upcoming books I’m super excited about. And I think you will be too!

Prepare Your Shelves!

butts a backstory book cover

Butts: A Backstory by Heather Radke (Avid Reader Press, November 22)

The cover! The title! The general concept of a book about butts! What’s not to love? That’s right, friends, we’re continuing to celebrate nonfiction November here at Book Radar, and the next nonfiction book I’m going to highlight is this fabulous book about butts. And it’s coming out next week, so tell those other books on your shelves to get their butts out of the way to make room for this one.

Butts: A Backstory (see what she did there?) is Heather Radke’s debut in which the author explores the history of human butts. Butts are a body part that are specifically unique to humans, and humanity has quite a complicated relationship with them. Women’s butts, in particular, have become symbols of sexuality and are constantly being assessed, critiqued, and objectified. But why? In this book, Radke mixes deep-dive reporting and research with her own personal history to get to the bottom (see what I did there?) of butts.

Want to read books from this newsletter? You can, for free! Get three free audiobooks with a trial to Audiobooks.com. Claim your 3 free audiobooks now!

What I’m Reading This Week

cover of jackal by erin e adams

Jackal by Erin E. Adams

Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

White Horse by Erika T. Wurth

Monday Memes

Okay, this is actually a brilliant idea, and if any of you know of a place like this, please let me know. Immediately.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

tuxedo cat on an office chair

It’s Monday, so have you scheduled your meetings for the week? Remy certainly has, and now he’s sitting in his business chair ready to get to work. “Monday = time to work!” he says.

I wanted to take a moment today to wish Remy a belated birthday. He turned 1 year old on Wednesday, November 9, and I totally forgot to shout him out last week! Poor sweet boy! I’ll be sure to give him extra treats this week to make up for my mistake.

Friends, thanks for hanging out with me this Monday. Have a wonderful week. See you soon.

Emily

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Book Radar

THE FINAL STRIFE by Saara El-Arifi Gets a Sequel and More Book Radar!

Dear Book Friends,

We’re almost through our first week of setting the clocks back an hour. Are we adjusting okay? How’s the weather where you are? This is so weird for me, but there was actual ice on the ground yesterday! In November! Living up north is a wild ride. Anyway, with the weather like this, it’s been the perfect backdrop for getting some work done, getting some writing done, and yes, also reading. All. The. Time. I love it. Let’s chat books.

Book Deals and Reveals

she started it book cover

Sian Gilbert’s debut novel She Started It is being called the perfect read for fans of Liane Moriarty and Lucy Foley. Check out the cover reveal now, and get ready to pick this one up on June 13th, 2023.

The sequel to Saara El-Arifi’s The Final Strife is coming! It’s called The Battle Drum, and here’s the beautiful cover, with an illustration by Adekunle Adeleke. This one’s out in May 2023.

Kindred, FX/Hulu’s upcoming series based on Octavia Butler’s novel of the same name, has dropped its first trailer. The series will air on Hulu starting December 13th.

In 2023, a new graphic novel will be released that chronicles comedian Chris Farley’s life from childhood to Saturday Night Live and beyond.

Saturday Night Live alumna Sasheer Zamata has joined the cast of Agatha: Coven of Chaos, the WandaVision spin-off series for Disney+.

Kit Steinkellner, Danny Strong, and Darren Aronofsky have scored a pilot order for The Answersan adaptation of Catherine Lacey’s novel of the same name, at FX.

Author Erika L. Sanchez announced on Twitter that she has signed an option deal with production companies PATMA and Fifth Season for her memoir Crying in the Bathroom.

BAFTA Award-winning director Sam Miller is set to direct and executive produce the upcoming drama series A Gentleman in Moscow for Paramount+ and Showtime

The official trailer for the upcoming film adaptation of Lady Chatterly’s Lover has been released. The movie, based on the 1929 novel by English author D. H. Lawrence, stars Emma Corrin as Lady Chatterly and Jack O’Connell as Oliver Mellors. Lady Chatterly’s Lover hits Netflix on December 2nd.

Goodreads ratings, which are easily manipulated by “review bombing,” are now being shown on some Amazon listings of books.

The 2022 Kirkus Prize has been awarded for the categories of fiction, nonfiction, and young readers’ literature. Here are the winners.

You could read all the books on the National Book Award longlist, or you could take this quiz and get matched with the one you’ll love.

Book Riot Recommends

I’m a Contributing Editor at Book Riot, I write the Today in Books newsletter, and I’m a Bibliologist for Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations subscription service. I also have a PhD in English, so I’m basically a doctor of books. Books are my life, in other words, so in this section of the newsletter, let me share with you some upcoming books I’m super excited about. And I think you will be too!

Can’t Wait for This One!

the real life murder clubs book cover

The Real-Life Murder Clubs by Nicola Stow (Ad Lib Publishers, February 1, 2023)

Alright, friends. We’re keeping the Nonfiction November party train going with another nonfiction recommendation coming at you in early 2023. I love this book cover, and not just because it’s got a cat on it. This cover immediately makes me think “cozy mystery,” but really what we’re dealing with here is true crime. Specifically, this true crime book’s cover screams, “I am perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman!” And it’s right. This book is perfect for fans of Osman’s series who are also interested in true crime. So it’s really calling to the correct audience here.

Nicola Stow’s The Real-Life Murder Clubs looks at the fascinating stories behind real-life amateur detectives. These ordinary citizens, sometimes in clubs very similar to Osman’s Thursday Murder Club, help to investigate crimes and uncover the truth behind both recent and cold cases. This book includes the cases of Casey Anthony, John Wayne Gacy, JonBenét Ramsey, the Golden State Killer, Boston Marathon bombings, and many more.

Want to read books from this newsletter? You can, for free! Get three free audiobooks with a trial to Audiobooks.com. Claim your 3 free audiobooks now!

Words of Literary Wisdom

“A reminder to remember: just because the sharpness of the sadness has faded does not mean that it was not, once, terrible. It means only that time and space, creatures of infinite girth and tenderness, have stepped between the two of you, and they are keeping you safe as they were once unable to.”

— In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

What I’m Watching This Weekend

While the rest of the world is out watching the latest Black Panther movie this weekend, you can catch me at home watching Weird, the Weird Al Yankovic movie starring Daniel Radcliffe and Evan Rachel Wood. One thing you should know about me: I’m a huge Daniel Radcliffe fan. Maybe the biggest Daniel Radcliffe fan. Yes, this is a competition.

Will I be watching Black Panther: Wakanda Forever eventually? For sure. But I’m going to wait and let the crowd die down a bit first. In the meantime, I’ll just be over here listening to the soundtrack on repeat. Especially “Lift Me Up.”

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

orange cat with tuxedo cat paw on his chest

Remember how I said it’s getting cold here? Yeah, that means that cats have been really cuddly lately. I have taken soooo many pictures since the last time we chatted, but I’m sharing this one because I just love Remy’s little paw on Murray’s chest so cute. Snuggle brothers for life.

And that’s all for today, friends! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and if you do go see Black Panther this weekend, no spoilers ok? Thanks!

Emily

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Book Radar

It’s Nonfiction November and More Book Radar!

Hello Book Friends!

First of all, I just want to say I always appreciate hearing from you, and thank you so much for letting me know about your NaNoWriMo plans, if you are participating this year.

Secondly, I want to say that one reader kindly pointed out that I wrote “your” instead of “you’re” in Thursday’s newsletter. It might seem like a small thing, but I just want to say I’m so embarrassed that one slipped by me! As lovers of words, I know we all value preciseness in language, and I messed up. I’m going to chalk this one up to being in speed-writing mode from all that NaNoWriMo’ing. Hopefully you can forgive me, and seriously, thank you for calling me out! Haha!

Shall we talk books?

Book Deals and Reveals

from cold world with love cover

If you loved this year’s Love in the Time of Serial Killers, you’ll be happy to know Alicia Thompson has a new book coming out. Here’s the cover reveal for her upcoming romance novel From Cold World, With Love. It’s out from Berkley in August 2023!

Tor Books revealed the cover of Christopher Paolini’s upcoming novel Fractal Noise. This novel is set in the same world as his bestselling novel To Sleep in A Sea of Stars. Find it in bookstores everywhere on May 16th, 2023.

Kwame Mbalia, the bestselling author of the Tristan Strong trilogy, is heading a new imprint for Disney. Freedom Fire will feature stories of Black resilience and Black joy, written by Black creators. The imprint is tentatively scheduled to debut in spring 2024.

Anna-Marie McLemore’s first adult novel The Influencers will be published by Dial Press.

Netflix has renewed The Sandman, the series based on Neil Gaiman’s comic of the same name, for a second season.

Aubrey Plaza has been cast in the WandaVision spin-off series Agatha: Coven of Chaos at Disney+. Plaza is joining Kathryn Hahn, who will reprise her role of Agatha Harkness in the new show.

Michael Hobbes, the host of podcasts Maintenance Phase and You’re Wrong Abouthas announced a brand new podcast: If Books Could KillThe first episode on the book Freakonomics is out now.

No local indie near you? No problem! These independent bookstores across the U.S. offer online ordering and will ship anywhere.

Need to free up some shelf space? Find out where to donate kids’ books, and how to figure out which books to donate, in this guide.

Book Riot Recommends

I’m a Contributing Editor at Book Riot, I write the Today in Books newsletter, and I’m a Bibliologist for Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations subscription service. I also have a PhD in English, so I’m basically a doctor of books. Books are my life, in other words, so in this section of the newsletter, let me share with you some upcoming books I’m super excited about. And I think you will be too!

Prepare Your Shelves!

the field book cover

The Field by Victoria Garza (JackLeg Press, November 15)

Since this month is Nonfiction November, I thought for the rest of the month we could focus on upcoming nonfiction titles. The first book I want to highlight is a memoir from indie publisher JackLeg Press. From debut author Victoria Garza, The Field is a memoir first and foremost about grief, but of course the author learns so much more about herself and the world around her through exploring her very personal experiences with loss.

In this literary meditation on grief and recovery, Garza recounts her experiences with survivor’s guilt, dissociation, and spirituality following the death of her 9 year old sister Gina. While Garza has now lived most of her life without her sister, she reflects on how the loss of Gina has reverberated throughout her life. The author also draws from many other sources about grief and loss, including Rebecca Solnit, Saint Teresa of Ávila, and the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Through these different lenses, Garza explores humanity’s understanding and relationships with death and how we come to accept it as part of all our lives.

This one is a very personal read for me, as someone who also lost a sibling. But I think anyone who has experienced grief will relate to Garza’s reflections. Ultimately, we all go through loss in our lifetimes, and we all are forced to reflect on death in multiple ways throughout our lives. So really, this book is for everyone.

Get ready for more Nonfiction November picks coming at you for the rest of the month, friends.

Want to read books from this newsletter? You can, for free! Get three free audiobooks with a trial to Audiobooks.com. Claim your 3 free audiobooks now!

What I’m Reading This Week

Heartstopper Book Cover

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

Uzumaki by Junji Ito

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno

White Horse by Erika T. Wurth

Monday Memes

More Our Flag Means Death literary memes? Don’t mind if I do!

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

cat on bathroom tile

It’s getting cold up here in Seattle, and even the cats are feeling it. Yet for some reason, this little guy decided to hang in the bathroom, one of the coldest rooms in the house. At least he found the bathmat? Also hey look how cool the tiles are in our bahtroom.

Anyway, I hope you’re staying warm if it’s also cold where you are. And I hope you have a great week!

Emily

Categories
Book Radar

Court Blocks Merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster and More Book Radar!

Hi Book Friends!

Well, it’s November, and while I’m sad October has come to an end, there are a few good things happening this month. First of all, NaNoWriMo is in full swing and I’m off to a good start. If your participating, let me know about it. Accountability buddies are key to getting this done, people! Also, Taylor Swift just announced she’s going on tour and I am DETERMINED to go. Exciting things! And there’s exciting book news too, so let’s talk about it.

Book Deals and Reveals

a guide to the dark book cover

Well, this book just sounds amazing, and I’m excited to share it with you. Here’s the cover reveal for A Guide to the Dark, which according to author Meriam Metoui’s tweet, is a “YA debut about two best friends in love and the motel room that wants to kill them.” It’s coming at you in July 2023.

A Federal Court has blocked Penguin Random House’s acquisition of one of its main rivals, Simon & Schuster.

The 2021 Shirley Jackson Awards winners were announced at an in-person event on Saturday, October 29, 2022. Winners included Stephen Graham Jones’ My Heart is a Chainsaw for best novel and Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn for best novella.

Next up, here’s the cover reveal of Jane Wong’s debut memoir Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City, out from Tin House this spring.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, the actor who has already made a name for himself in DC projects like Aquaman and HBO’s Watchmenis in talks to star in Wonder Man, Marvel’s latest Disney+ series.

More Marvel news! Marvel’s third Ant-Man film, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, has cast The Good Place‘s William Jackson Harper. The actor’s exact role in the upcoming film is being kept tightly under wraps.

Amazon Studios has released the first stills from its upcoming holiday romcom Something from Tiffany’s, starring Zoey Deutch and Kendrick Sampson.

The estate sale for Joan Didion is running until November 15th and includes her writing desk, artwork, and her book collection.

Wondering what to read in November? Look to the stars! Here’s your November 2022 horoscope and book recommendation.

Are you celebrating Nonfiction November? Here’s what it is and how to celebrate.

Book Riot Recommends

I’m a Contributing Editor at Book Riot, I write the Today in Books newsletter, and I’m a Bibliologist for Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations subscription service. I also have a PhD in English, so I’m basically a doctor of books. Books are my life, in other words, so in this section of the newsletter, let me share with you some upcoming books I’m super excited about. And I think you will be too!

Can’t Wait for This One!

lone women book cover

Lone Women by Victor LaValle (One World, March 21st)

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I feel like it’s been a minute since we got a good, creepy Western/Horror genre mash-up. And this one is from Victor LaValle, author of The Changeling, The Ballad of Black Tom, The Devil in Silver…you get the idea. This is a big deal. We are excited.

Lone Women takes readers into the American West, where the expanse of land is wide enough to hold a big secret…or is it? The year is 1915. Adelaide Henry is on the run after her secret sin killed her parents and forced her to leave her hometown of Redondo, California. Her journey will take her to Montana to be one of the “lone women” who will take advantage of the government’s offer of free land for those who can cultivate it.

But Adelaide isn’t alone. With her, she carries an enormous steamer trunk that must always stay locked. Because when the trunk gets unlocked, people around her start disappearing. The locked trunk holds the secrets to Adelaide’s past. And that secret she’s keeping locked away might also be the only thing keeping her alive.

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Words of Literary Wisdom

“A part of me always dreamed of this, never having to work again, moving far away from everyone I knew. In the mountains no one was trying to gauge themselves against me. It was just snow, trees, the mountain sky, and the whipped disks of clouds above the peaks. The town below me, well within view. And full of strangers, which was what I wanted. If I was left alone then there was no one for me to hate.”

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno

What I’m Watching This Weekend

Y’all I just finished watching From Scratch and I cried my eyes out. Even though I read the memoir by Tembi Locke and I was prepared, I was not prepared. It hit me like a ton of bricks and then it was over and I am not okay.

So while I’m emotionally recovering from that, I figured I would watch The Midnight Club, a horror series about terminally ill people. So far, I’m still sad! But I’m committed.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

black cat curled upon an office chair

So this is how it works. If I get up from my chair to do something, Remy takes over the chair. So here I am working on the edge of my seat. All so I don’t disturb this little boo. My cat people get it. You don’t disturb a cat. Period.

Anyway, that’s all for today. I hope your November is off to a good start. I wish you the best of luck in all of your weekend endeavors. See you soon.

Emily

Categories
Book Radar

HAPPY HALLOWEEN and More Book Radar!

It’s finally here, Book Friends!

Halloween has arrived, and it’s the best time of the year. You’re getting one more round of Book Radar, Scary Style before we get back to our regular programming, so strap in! I have so much to share with you today.

Book Deals and Reveals

crook manifesto book cover

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead is back with a second novel in a planned trilogy. Crook Manifesto will be out on July 18th, 2023, and you can see the cover for the upcoming novel on Oprah Daily.

Prince Harry’s memoir, which will be entitled Spare, will be out on January 10th, and here’s the cover reveal!

Big YA cover reveal time! Here are all the exciting cover reveals for Harper Teen’s Summer 2023 YA lineup. Which one are you most excited about? Personally, I can’t wait for Becky Albertalli’s Imogen, Obviously.

International Literary Properties has acquired the literary estate of poet, social activist, novelist, and playwright Langston Hughes. ILP will manage Hughes’s work in collaboration with the Langston Hughes estate. 

FX has greenlit a new drama series based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s acclaimed novel Never Let Me Go. Never Let Me Go will air on Hulu in the U.S.

David Pomerico at Harper Voyager has paid six figures for the North American rights to Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz: Stories of the Witch Knight and the Puppet Sorcerer by Garth Nix, the internationally bestselling author known for his children’s and YA fantasy novels.

Kindred by Octavia Butler has been adapted into a series and will be premiering on Hulu. Here are the details.

Publishers in the UK say that books prices will likely rise. The increase is due to a number of factors, including material costs.

It’s Halloween, so take this quiz to figure out what horror novel you should read today.

Book Riot Recommends

I’m a Contributing Editor at Book Riot, I write the Today in Books newsletter, and I’m a Bibliologist for Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations subscription service. I also have a PhD in English, so I’m basically a doctor of books. Books are my life, in other words, so in this section of the newsletter, let me share with you some upcoming books I’m super excited about. And I think you will be too!

Prepare Your Shelves!

the wilderwomen book cover

The Wilderwomen by Ruth Emmie Lang (St. Martin’s Press, November 15)

Wow, it’s Halloween and I’m not hyping up an upcoming horror novel? This better be good. Well, it is.

Ruth Emmie Lang’s 2017 novel Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance was such a phenomenal read, and although it’s only been, like, five years since that book came out, it really does feel like ages, doesn’t it? So much has happened since 2017 and a lot of it wasn’t good. As we near the end of 2022, we deserve a beautiful, magical, mysterious new story from this author, don’t we? Haven’t we earned it? Well, this one delivers, and I can’t wait for you all to read it when it comes out in mid-November. So prepare your shelves!

This book follows the story of the Wilder family. Zadie Wilder can see what’s coming before it happens, which means she should have known her mother Nora was going to disappear. But not even her psychic abilities could save Nora Wilder. Meanwhile, Zadie’s estranged sister Finn can’t see the future, but she has an uncannily good memory, and is even able to remember the memories of others. One day, Zadie gets a memory of a woman singing a song she recognizes. It’s a song about a bird. Zadie knows this memory must belong to her mother, which means she must still be alive somewhere.

Want to read books from this newsletter? You can, for free! Get three free audiobooks with a trial to Audiobooks.com. Claim your 3 free audiobooks now!

What I’m Reading This Week

cover of The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings

The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

Uzumaki by Junji Ito

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno

Halloween Memes

This Spirit Halloween costume meme that’s going around is great and everything, but why not just go as what you truly are this Halloween?

Stuff That Makes Me Happy

Okay, I don’t know what you’re doing for Halloween, but I have the coolest plans. Yeah, I’m staying home and getting online with my friends and playing Monster Prom Roadtrip. I’m so excited! Monster Prom games are so fun, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting this one.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

Here’s Remy in his favorite little part of the cat tree. I love him. And he’s sort of a black cat, so I figure a picture of Remy is perfect for Halloween, right?

What do you think? Do tuxedo cats count as black cats? Let me know.

And I guess I’ll see y’all in November. I’m sad.

Emily

Categories
Book Radar

GOSSIP GIRL Meets HUNGER GAMES and More Book Radar!

Hi Book Friends!

How are we doing? It’s Thursday and it’s almost Halloween. What are your Halloween plans? I’m going to watch some scary movies and read some scary books this weekend, and then on Monday, I’m thinking I might hit up a NaNoWriMo kickoff party. Because if October is all about everything Halloween, November is all about getting some serious writing done. Anyone else participating in NaNoWriMo in November? Let’s hold each other accountable! Anyway, let’s talk books.

Book Deals and Reveals

Gossip Girl meets Hunger Games in Joelle Wellington’s debut novel Their Vicious Games, and just check out the cover! This YA mystery thriller is out in summer 2023.

Nikki May’s Wahala will be out in paperback soon! And here is the cover reveal for the upcoming paperback, which will be out from Doubleday Books in February 2023.

Literary Hub‘s got the exclusive cover reveal of Stephen Buoro’s debut novel The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa, which will be published by Bloomsbury in April 2023.

And check out the gorgeous cover for Ann Aguirre’s The Only Purple House in Town! This book is set for release on July 11th, 2023.

Peloton instructor Emma Lovewell’s memoir Live Learn Love Well: Lessons from a Life of Progress Not Perfection, will be out on May 2, 2023, and here is the cover reveal.

Last week when Roxane Gay spoke at Lesbians Who Tech, the author announced that her podcast, The Roxane Gay Agenda, will be returning in November. You can subscribe to the podcast on Luminary to hear the first new episode as soon as it comes out.

Netflix has revealed the streaming date for the upcoming adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s The Lying GameThe six-episode show debuts on Netflix globally on January 4, 2023.

Image Comics‘ bestselling series Geiger, created by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, is being adapted for television by Justin Simien alongside Johns for Paramount Television Studios.

The Young Adult Library Services Association has announced their Teens’ Top Ten YA Books of 2022, voted on by teenagers in 16 book groups.

And Barnes & Noble Booksellers chose the 11 books that they have “felt the most pride in recommending to readers of all interests through the year.”

Book Riot Recommends

I’m a Contributing Editor at Book Riot, I write the Today in Books newsletter, and I’m a Bibliologist for Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations subscription service. I also have a PhD in English, so I’m basically a doctor of books. Books are my life, in other words, so in this section of the newsletter, let me share with you some upcoming books I’m super excited about. And I think you will be too!

Can’t Wait for This One!

a house with good bones book cover

A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher (Tor Nightfire, March 28 2023)

You know it’s almost Halloween. We’ve talked about it. So you know I had to tell you about one of my most highly anticipated horror novels of 2023. Seriously. Can’t. Wait. Especially because I just read (and really enjoyed) this author’s 2022 horror novella What Moves the Dead.

A House with Good Bones is about Sam Montgomery, who is really worried about her mother. Out of nowhere, Sam’s mom is acting jumpy and nervous, and she’s starting to make strange changes to the family home on Lammergeier Lane. Sam wonders if her mother’s behavior has anything to do with her late grandmother. And as shocking family secrets are revealed, Sam will discover that she’s not wrong. Now Sam struggles to uncover the truths behind their family home before Lammergeier Lane completely consumes her.

Want to read books from this newsletter? You can, for free! Get three free audiobooks with a trial to Audiobooks.com. Claim your 3 free audiobooks now!

Fave Horror Books & Movies

As I said, Halloween is almost here, and I’m going to be participating in the Weekend-Ween Readathon this weekend. I’ll also be watching some scary movies. Just to share my excitement with you a bit more, I thought I’d share some of my favorite horror novels and horror movies. Because seriously this is the best time of the year, and we have to savor these last moments.

My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

My favorite horror novels:

My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

The Shining by Stephen King

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

My fave from this year: Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey

My favorite horror movies:

Us (Jordan Peele)

Hereditary (Ari Aster)

The Witch (Robert Eggers)

Jennifer’s Body (Karyn Kusama)

Evil Dead 2 (Sam Raimi)

Some big faves from this year:

Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (Halina Reijn)

Barbarian (Zach Cregger)

And one more people need to watch: His House (Remi Weekes) — it’s on Netflix! Do it this weekend!

Disclaimer: I’m not saying these are THE BEST, but these are my own personal faves. And there are a ton I love that aren’t listed here. So if you don’t agree, make your own list. Respectfully.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

calico cat on lap

I was playing some JackBox Games with friends last night, and this sweet calico girl jumped up on my leg. I just wanted to share Cersei’s cute face with you all today.

Anyway, I hope your weekend in amazing. And I will talk to you again on HALLOWEEN! OooooOOOooOooooooooOOO.

Emily

Categories
Book Radar

Rick Riordan Returns to the PERCY JACKSON Series Next Fall and More Book Radar!

Dear Book Friends,

It’s Monday, and it’s BOOK TIME! For some reason, October is nearly gone, so we’re going to try to keep things extra scary for this week’s Book Radar. Let’s take advantage of the Halloween season while we can, am I right? OK. Let’s do this.

Book Deals and Reveals

a man called otto movie poster

Here’s the trailer for A Man Called Otto, based on the book A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. The film is scheduled for a wide release in theaters in early 2023.

Nearly a decade after the release of The Blood of OlympusRick Riordan is returning to the popular Percy Jackson series next fall. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Chalice of the Gods will go on sale on September 26, 2023.

Loved Tirzah Price’s Pride & Premeditation and wanted more from Lizzie and Darcy? You’re in luck! Tirzah Price has signed a two-book deal for a new Lizzie and Darcy series, which will follow the couple as they investigate murder cases in 19th century London and navigate their complicated romantic relationship.

Crown will be publishing A Message from Ukraine by president Volodymyr Zelensky. The book will be released globally by Penguin Random House on December 6th.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu has been cast in the series adaptation of Ben Mezrich’s novel Seven Wonders at Prime Video

Oprah Daily has the exclusive book cover reveal of The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, the New York Times bestselling author of Cutting for Stone. The Covenant of Water is expected to release on May 2, 2023.

What’s going on with Kindle? See what changes are coming to return policies, file formats, and ebook lending at Amazon.

Since we’re trying to make sure we catch every single moment of Halloween season this October, here’s a roundup of all the new horror novels that came out this month.

And if you love YA, here are three new YA horror books to add to your TBR.

Book Riot Recommends

I’m a Contributing Editor at Book Riot, I write the Today in Books newsletter, and I’m a Bibliologist for Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations subscription service. I also have a PhD in English, so I’m basically a doctor of books. Books are my life, in other words, so in this section of the newsletter, let me share with you some upcoming books I’m super excited about. And I think you will be too!

Prepare Your Shelves!

white horse book cover

White Horse by Erika T. Wurth (Flatiron Books, November 1)

Okay, y’all. Yeah, we’re in the last week of October. And yeah, it’s sad. But I’m going to keep reading horror well into November, and I hope you will too. White Horse is one of my most anticipated horror novels of the year, and I think you’ll be excited about it too. And November 1st is right around the corner. So you know what that means. It’s time to prepare your shelves for this amazing book.

Thirty-five year old Kari James is an Indigenous woman living in Denver, CO. She’s spent most of her life willfully ignorant of her past, but everything changes when Kari’s cousin Debby finds an old family bracelet that once belonged to Kari’s mother. The bracelet calls up the ghost of Kari’s dead mother, but that’s not all. Something else more sinister and monstrous is awakened as well. Now Kari must dig up her past to discover what happened to her mother all those years ago, even if no one else is able (or willing) to help her.

Want to read books from this newsletter? You can, for free! Get three free audiobooks with a trial to Audiobooks.com. Claim your 3 free audiobooks now!

What I’m Reading This Week

the family game book cover

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

The Getaway by Lamar Giles

Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Monday Memes

This is for everyone who loves Halloween, loves Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and hates when men tell them to smile.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

orange cat cuddling

Today was my first day back home, and I think Murray, my little orange boy missed me. This is him cuddling me while I worked today. I enjoyed Hawaii, but I’ll take cuddling with my cat any day. That’s how much I love my cats!

Anyway, that’s all for Monday. Let’s make the rest of October THE BEST EVER, okay? See you on Thursday for more thrills, chills, pumpkins, and book things.

Emily