Category: Book Radar

LOVE, VICTOR Gets A 3rd Season And More Book Radar!

Post author By Jamie Canaves
Post date August 4, 2021

Sponsored by Flatiron Books, publisher of Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy.

From the author of the beloved national bestseller Migrations, a pulse-pounding new novel set in the wild Scottish Highlands.

Hello Radar readers! I am not Liberty. Thought I should get that out of the way, but don’t worry she’s just on vacation eating books. I’m Jamie Canavés and while I don’t have puns, or naughty cats made out of liquid, I do have an angry goat trapped in a dog at war with a raccoon. Anyhoo, let’s do books!

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

The fourth book in Kalamata’s Kitchen, about culture and cuisine, has published from Random House Books for Young Readers.

Announcing Nona the Ninth, a New Addition to The Locked Tomb Series From Tamsyn Muir!

‘Black Widow’ Legal Battle: Inside the Fallout After Scarlett Johansson Sues Disney

Crime novelist Mo Hayder dies aged 59 from motor neurone disease

In the happiest of news: ‘Love, Victor’ Renewed for Season 3 at Hulu

Margaret Cho joins upcoming film “described as a modern gay take on ‘Pride and Prejudice.'”

Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine to Be Sold to Media Company Backed by Blackstone

Brendan Fraser Joins Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon

Buffy the Vampire Slayer gets a YA sequel trilogy from Disney Books

Read an excerpt from Stephen King’s new thriller Billy Summers

‘Lord of the Rings’ Amazon Series Sets Premiere Date, Drops First-Look Image

The adaptation of the Elena Ferrante’s novel The Days of Abandonment will no longer move forward at HBO after Natalie Portman stepped down.

Book Riot Recommends

I write Book Riot’s Unusual Suspects newsletter and am Tailored Book Recommendations‘ Administrative Coordinator so I am always looking at upcoming books, and generally squealing about them, and getting my hands on galleys when I can.

These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall

I’m currently reading These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall (September 1st) and you may be like “wow, jumping the gun you haven’t even finished yet” but she’s an automatic read author for me and I’m loving it. It is many things I like already: a murder mystery; a great balance between the mystery and the lead’s personal life; an interesting job–think making virtual scrapbooks where you can ask to recall a memory from your life and have it projected for you with the narrated story from that day and the images. There are definitely some “past is gonna come get some people” vibes going on right now and I love it.

While you wait, Rachel Howzell Hall put out a great standalone PI mystery last year, And Now She’s Gone, about a missing woman case where things aren’t adding up right. She also has a procedural series worth marathoning that follows homicide detective Elouise “Lou” Norton out in LA, Land of Shadows.

What I’m reading this week.

A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria

My Sweet Girl by Amanda Jayatissa

Slippery Creatures (The Will Darling Adventures #1) by K.J. Charles

Secret Identity by Alex Segura

And that’s it for me but I’ll leave you with something that made me laugh.

Book Radar

Seanan McGuire’s WAYWARD CHILDREN and More Book Radar!

Post author By Liberty Hardy
Post date July 30, 2021

Sponsored by Evil Eye: A Slasher Story by April A. Taylor, August 3

Bestselling author April A. Taylor returns with this terrifying story! Six diverse strangers get stuck on an island during a roaring hurricane. They have nothing in common, but five of them will have to join forces to survive the night. Meanwhile, the sixth wants nothing more than to kill every single one of them. Join Annette, Chad, Heather, Spencer, and Kate on the worst night of their lives. Can they survive or will the killer maniacally laugh while eviscerating them? Filled with gore, terror, and the little moments between humans that can make or break their budding friendships.

Happy Monday, my little book dragons. And happy August, somehow. I would like July back, please, because THAT WAS SO FAST. As you read this newsletter today, I am on vacation and hopefully reading, or at least relaxing, and most likely talking to my cats. (They never talk back, they’re so rude.) While I am out, the amazing Jamie Canavés will be here to fill in for Book Radar on Thursday—a big thank you to her in advance. If you aren’t already familiar with Jamie, she writes the Book Riot mystery newsletter Unusual Suspects!

Moving on: I have exciting news for you today! I also have a look at a fabulous upcoming fantasy novel, plus LOTS of cover reveals, a terrible pun, a silly upside-down cat, and trivia! Let’s get started, shall we?

Here’s Monday’s trivia question: What sport is the subject of Megan Abbott’s thriller Dare Me? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

cover of Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Paramount Pictures has acquired the rights to Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children series.

A Jaws-themed musical may be opening in 2022.

Here’s the cover reveal of The Blood Trials by N. E. Davenport.

Delroy Lindo will star in the Anansi Boys adaptation.

Here’s the first look at John Le Carré’s final novel.

Here’s the cover reveal of The Two Wrong Halves of Ruby Taylor by Amanda Panitch.

Tracey Ullman will narrate the next David Sedaris book.

Here’s the cover reveal for It Dies with You by Scott Blackburn.

Leslie Odom Jr. and Ellen Burstyn will star in the new Exorcist film trilogy.

The PBS children’s show Arthur is ending with its 25th season.

Octavia Butler’s Fledgling to be adapted for HBO by Issa Rae, Lovecraft Country writers.

Here’s the cover reveal of Chloe Cates Is Missing by Mandy McHugh.

Snowpiercer has been renewed for a fourth season.

And Sweet Tooth has been renewed for a second season.

Here’s the cover reveal for Scorpica by G.R. Macallister.

DeWanda Wise will star in Showtime’s Three Women adaptation with Shailene Woodley.

Here’s the cover reveal of 1,000 Coils of Fear by Olivia Wenzel.

Here’s the cover reveal of The League of Gentlewomen Witches, the sequel to The Wisteria Society for Lady Scoundrels by India Holton.

Book Riot Recommends

At Book Riot, I work on the New Books! email, the All the Books! podcast about new releases, and the Book Riot Insiders New Release Index. I am very fortunate to get to read a lot of upcoming titles, and learn about a lot of upcoming titles, and I’m delighted to share a couple with you each week so you can add them to your TBR! (It will now be books I loved on Mondays and books I’m excited to read on Thursdays. YAY, BOOKS!)

Loved, loved, loved:

cover of Forging a Nightmare by Patricia A. Jackson

Forging a Nightmare by Patricia A. Jackson (Angry Robot, November 23)

There’s one thing I want to tell you about this book right up front. One, I read it without reading the description so I was pleasantly surprised a bunch of times, so if you want to experience that as well, stop reading now.

Still here? Okay! So this is a dark urban fantasy novel about an FBI agent who is sent to investigate a serial killer whose victims all have six fingers and six toes, believed to be Nephalims, or fallen angels. Michael Child’s search for a murderer leads him to a Marine sniper, Anaba Raines, who is not who she first appears to be. And he also uncovers something shocking about himself.

But Michael isn’t going to have much time to process all this new information, because he’s almost constantly fighting with holy and unholy beings. If you ever wondered what it would be like if Good Omens was mashed up with The Black Stallion, with a dash of Loki, then this is the book for you! It’s funny and dark (heads up that the opening scene is super gruesome) and pretty much filled with non-stop action. I loved the characters, especially Anaba, and also all the appearances made by characters from religion and mythology. I hope we get another book in this world!

What I’m reading this week.

Chorus by Rebecca Kauffman

Yonder by Jabari Asim

The Stand by Stephen King

Nuclear Family by Joseph Han

Mercy Street by Jennifer Haigh

Groan-worthy joke of the week:

How does the moon cut his hair? Eclipse it.

And this is funny:

It’s an accurate description.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

Whose Line Is It Anyway? I discovered eight seasons streaming on HBO Max, so I am indulging my lifelong crush on Ryan Styles.
Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring. (Why do I include this every time? Because it’s really that helpful.)

And here’s a cat picture!

orange cat lying upside down on a bookcase full of agatha christie books

Zevon is the most relaxed, possibly boneless, cat I’ve ever met.

Trivia answer: Cheerleading.

Remember that whatever you are doing or watching or reading this week, I am sending you love and hugs. Please be safe, and be mindful of others. It takes no effort to be kind. I’ll see you again on Monday. xoxo, Liberty

Book Radar

The First Trailer for the DEXTER Revival and More Book Radar!

Post author By Liberty Hardy
Post date July 28, 2021

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

cover of parable of the sower by octavia butler

Octavia Butler’s Parable Of The Sower is being adapted as a film.

Here are the new Eisner Award winners!

Here’s the first look at Michaela Coel’s new book Misfits.

A Milne estate-sanctioned Winnie-the-Pooh prequel is on the way.

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon will direct a film adaptation of The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem.

Here’s the cover reveal of Whitesands: A John Dark Case by Johann Thorsson.

Judy Heumann’s memoir Being Heumann is being made into a film.

Here’s the red band (read: NSFW) trailer for the Stephen King-inspired series Chapelwaite.

And speaking of Stephen King, Pam Grier has joined the Pet Sematary prequel.

The 2021 Booker Prize longlist has been announced.

Here’s the first official trailer for the Dexter revival.

And here’s the first trailer for the last season of The Walking Dead.

Here’s the cover reveal of Erika Robuck’s new novel, Sisters of Night and Fog.

Here’s the cover reveal of Only a Monster by Vanessa Len.

Book Riot Recommends

Excited to read:

cover of End of the World House by Adrienne Celt

End of the World House by Adrienne Celt (Simon & Schuster, April 19, 2022)

I don’t think I can properly convey just how excited I am about this upcoming novel! I loved Celt’s last two books, The Daughters and Invitation to a Bonfire. And how can I resist a blurb that calls it “Groundhog Day meets Ling Ma’s Severance“??! It’s about best friends whose friendship has become challenging now that one has moved away. To try and save their friendship, they take a vacation together to Paris. But on a special private tour of the Louvre, they become trapped in the museum and forced to relive the day over and over. SIGN ME UP NOW, PLEASE. I can’t wait to read this!

What I’m reading this week.

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould

Spirits Abroad: and Other Stories by Zen Cho

Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen

The Shining by Stephen King

Bibliolepsy by Gina Apostol

Song stuck in my head:

After the Curtain by Beirut. I love this song! Thank you to the last episode of season one of Miracle Workers for reminding me. (Also, I’m still really into listening to songs I loved when I was young. You can listen to a lot of them in this playlist I made!)

And this is funny:

Everything is funnier with cats.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

Ted Lasso: I REPEAT: SEASON TWO HAS STARTED!!!!!!
Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring. (Why do I include this every time? Because it’s really that helpful.)

And here’s a cat picture!

orange cat sitting on the shelf of a bookcase

Zevon gets excited whenever there’s an empty bookcase shelf for even a minute. He can sense them from anywhere in the house.

Trivia answer: Shirley Jackson.

You made it to the bottom! High five. Thanks for reading! – xo, L

Book Radar

A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS Sequel and More Book Radar!

Post author By Liberty Hardy
Post date July 23, 2021

Sponsored by Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian, from Park Row Books

It would be easy to underestimate Chloe… She’s a freshman honor student, a legging-wearing hot girl next door, who also happens to be a psychopath. She spends her time on yogalates, frat parties and plotting to kill Will Bachman, a childhood friend who grievously wronged her. Chloe is one of seven students who are part of an unusual clinical study of psychopaths—students like herself who lack empathy and can’t comprehend emotions like fear or guilt. When one of the students in the study is murdered, a dangerous game of cat and mouse begins, and Chloe goes from hunter to prey.

Hooray, it’s Monday! It’s a new week, which means new books and book news. I am busy finishing up a bunch of my work before I take a vacation next week. I am pretty excited! I’m not going anywhere, but I am planning to catch up on a few backlist titles and further my Stephen King re-readathon. Right now, I am on ‘Salem’s Lot, his second novel. Only a few more to go, right? 😝

Moving on: I have exciting news for you today! I also have a look at a wonderful book about the craft of writing, plus LOTS of cover reveals, a terrible pun, my little folded orange monster, and trivia! Let’s get started, shall we?

Here’s Monday’s trivia question: Belmont Academy is the name of the private school in what recent thriller? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

Shailene Woodley will star in Showtime’s series based on Three Women by Lisa Taddeo.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is getting a manga sequel from Disney.

Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen’s podcast will be a book: Renegades: Born in the U.S.A.

Here’s the first look at Michaela Coel’s new book Misfits.

Tochi Onyebuchi is writing a Black Panther series.

Here’s the cover reveal for Chorus by Rebecca Kauffman.

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman will be a limited series.

Here’s the cover reveal of You’ve Changed: Fake Accents, Feminism, and Other Comedies from Myanmar by Pyae Moe Thet War.

There’s a new Dune trailer. And here’s a look at the HBO Max television series Dune: The Sisterhood, which is a prequel to Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming film.

Here’s the cover reveal of And Then I Woke Up by Malcolm Devlin.

The Stephen King short story Strawberry Spring is being adapted into a podcast.

Here’s the cover reveal of Believe Me by Tahereh Mafi, the fifth book in the Shatter Me series.

Here’s the cover reveal for Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur.

Watch the teaser trailer for Y: The Last Man.

Here’s the cover reveal of Runaways by Michael Seidlinger.

Here are the 2021 World Fantasy Award Finalists.

Here’s the cover reveal of In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer.

Here are the winners of the Kitschies.

Here’s the cover reveal for Omar Rising by Aisha Saeed.

Here’s the trailer for the animated series The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.

The Night Agent by Matthew Quirk will be a Netflix series.

Book Riot Recommends

Loved, loved, loved:

cover of never say you can't survive by charlie jane anders

Never Say You Can’t Survive by Charlie Jane Anders (Tordotcom, August 17, 2021)

Despite the fact that I put tens of thousands of words down in posts and newsletters each week, for some reason I still have a hard time thinking of myself as a writer. Still, occasionally I get an urge to write even more words, words about things I made up in my brainpan. But I don’t know how to get them out of my head!

Charlie Jane Anders is a wildly successful writer, with several great books under her belt already, such as All the Birds in the Sky and Victories Greater Than Death. In this splendid book, she talks about writing but without making you feel like you’re reading a book to learn something. Instead, it feels like a cozy chat with a funny, smart, supportive friend, who is telling you stories about their life.

Anders offers anecdotes from her own life and tips to help you get your own writing started or help shape a work in progress. The world is a scary place, and Anders beautifully explains how you can help your heart and your mind get through it by using your imagination. It’s exactly what we need right now.This book was a great big sparkly kick to the gray cells. After reading it, I feel one hundred times more confident that when I am ready, I will be able to wrestle the words from my brain!

What I’m reading this week.

The Love Con by Seressia Glass

Bibliolepsy by Gina Apostol

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

The White Ship: Conquest, Anarchy and the Wrecking of Henry I’s Dream by Charles Spencer

Groan-worthy joke of the week:

I didn’t understand the joke about boxing. I guess I missed the punch line.

And this is funny:

I fee l A T T A C K E D.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

Ted Lasso: SEASON TWO HAS STARTED!!!!!!
Schmigadoon: This is more delightful than I can say.
Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring. (Why do I include this every time? Because it’s really that helpful.)

And here’s a cat picture!

an orange cat sitting in a silver bowl with its tail flipped over its head

Hey, if Zevon is comfortable, then that’s all that matters.

Trivia answer: For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing.

Book Radar

Viola Davis Memoir On the Way and More Book Radar!

Post author By Liberty Hardy
Post date July 21, 2021

Sponsored by Sisters: Better Together by Alice & Doris Lieu, published by Workman.

Tell your sister how you really feel! A sister is . . . A sidekick. An accomplice. A sometime nemesis. And your teammate for life, there to give you peace of mind and believe in you unconditionally (even when you don’t). Sisters: Better Together is the perfect tribute one sister can give to another to say how much she appreciates her. A gift of humor, camaraderie, and love, Sisters is written by a sister duo, Alice and Doris Lieu, who bring all of the bright, bold artwork, funny and engaging text, and attitude of their ILOOTPAPERIE paper products to the idea of sisterhood.

Welcome to the almost-end of the week, book friends. I hope you’ve been having a great one so far. I myself was excited Monday by the announcement of a new Emily St. John Mandel book. But that excitement was nothing compared to how excited I was when I actually got the book a little later that day. I was like “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.” No, really. You probably heard me. 😂

Moving on to today’s newsletter and book talk: I have a lot of fun news, including adaptation deals, a lot more book cover reveals, and a look at an upcoming essay collection I am excited to read. Plus I’ve included a picture of my orange monsters and their Muppet twins, some trivia, and more! I love writing these newsletters and I appreciate your support so much. Whatever you are doing or watching or reading this week, I hope you goodbob and we same place again very now. – xoxo, Liberty, Your Friendly Neighborhood Velocireader™

Trivia question time! What recent YA fantasy novel takes place in Allward? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

Marjan Kamali’s The Stationery Shop is being developed for HBO.

Here’s the cover reveal for The Merciless Ones, the sequel to The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

Viola Davis has written a memoir, which will be released in 2022.

Knopf announced that a new novel is coming in 2022 from Emily St. John Mandel: Sea of Tranquility.

Patricia Highsmith’s diaries will be available to the public for the first time.

Byung-hun Lee will produce and star in Maureen Goo’s I Believe In A Thing Called Love for Netflix.

Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, is publishing a memoir.

Ocean Vuong has a new collection of poetry coming in 2022: Time is a Mother.

Reese Witherspoon’s newest YA pick for her book club is The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee.

Charlize Theron will have a hand in helping develop The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix for HBO Max.

Here’s the cover reveal for Nuclear Family by Joseph Han.

Here’s the first trailer for The Last Duel, based on the book by Eric Jager.

The winner of the Tonight Show Summer Reads is The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz.

Here’s the cover reveal for Heartbroke by Chelsea Bieker.

Here’s the cover reveal for Diamond Park by Phillippe Diederich.

Here’s the cover reveal of Sundial by Catriona Ward.

Book Riot Recommends

Excited to read:

cover image of Bomb Shelter by Mary Laura Philpott

Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives by Mary Laura Philpott (Atria Books, April 12, 2022)

Mary Laura Philpott is one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter, and I loved her last essay collection I Miss You When I Blink. So I was wildly delighted to learn she has a new essay collection on the way. It will deal with events of the last year, plus Frank the Turtle, a turtle who started visiting Philpott’s yard a couple years ago. No lie, he crawls up to her home and knocks on the door. He is a regular visitor now, and even has a lady friend. And that’s really Frank on the front cover! You can read about the cover shoot here. And in the meantime, check her out on Twitter and read her last book. I promise, she is a funny delight.

What I’m reading this week.

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

Mirror Girls by Kelly McWilliams

The White Ship: Conquest, Anarchy and the Wrecking of Henry I’s Dream by Charles Spencer

‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

Far from the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson

Song stuck in my head:

The Greatest by Sia. (Stupid cable commercial.) (Also, I’m still really into listening to songs I loved when I was young. You can listen to a lot of them in this playlist I made!)

And this is funny:

A glimpse of me in the future.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

Schmigadoon: This is more delightful than I can say.
Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring. (Why do I include this every time? Because it’s really that helpful.)

And here’s a cat picture!

image of two cats above an image of the Muppets' Waldorf and Statler

My little furry Waldorf and Statler. It’s funny because it’s true.

Trivia answer: Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard.

You made it to the bottom! High five. Thanks for reading! – xo, L

Book Radar

Animated GAME OF THRONES and More Book Radar!

Post author By Liberty Hardy
Post date July 16, 2021

Sponsored by ThriftBooks. ThriftBooks is for Booklovers. Low Prices, Free Book Rewards.

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Happy Monday, friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend. It was my birthday yesterday, and I had such a nice day. I ended up with a lot of Stephen King books to kick off my SK rereadathon. And I visited a bookstore, which is something I have only done three times in the last sixteen months, so that was amazing. Thank goodness my local indie was doing deliveries this past year!

Moving on: I have exciting news for you today! I also have a look at an excellent YA novel coming in 2022, plus cover reveals, a terrible pun, my precious little orange monster, and trivia! Let’s get started, shall we?

Here’s Monday’s trivia question: Where do the members of the Thursday Murder Club hold their weekly meetings in The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

Robert Downey Jr. will co-star in Park Chan-wook’s adaptation of The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen.

Loki has been renewed for season 2 at Disney+.

Janicza Bravo will direct newcomer Mallori Johnson in a pilot for FX based on Kindred by Octavia E. Butler.

Megan Follows is narrating a new Lucy Maud Montgomery audiobook.

Colin Kaepernick and Scholastic announced a multi-book deal for children’s books.

HBO Max is developing two more Game of Thrones animated shows.

Amber Tamblyn’s new books will feature essays from America Ferrera, Amy Poehler, Jia Tolentino, Samantha Irby, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and more.

Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden is being adapted for the screen.

Here’s the cover reveal of Portrait of an Unknown Lady by Maria Gainza, Thomas Bunstead (translator).

And here are this year’s Tonight Show summer reads nominees.

Book Riot Recommends

Loved, loved, loved:

This Golden State by Marit Weisenberg (Flatiron Books, March 1, 2022)

What does the world look like when you’ve lived your life on the run? Poppy doesn’t know why her family has been running her whole life, never settling down in one place very long, using different names, escaping in the night. It’s the only life she and her little sister have known. The Winslow family only has each other, so they have to trust and protect one another.

But it isn’t easy for Poppy and her sister. They have to leave behind the starts of new friendships over and over, and they have very few possessions. But then her parents take them to California, and things are different. They have a whole house instead of a motel room, and Poppy is allowed to take a summer course about computers. It’s here she meets a young man with secrets of his own—and starts to fall for him. Poppy is tired of running, and tired of not knowing who her parents really are, so she submits an online DNA test, hoping to find their real name. But the consequences of her actions will be much, much bigger. Will Poppy ever get to be a regular kid?

I thought this was a great family on the run story, with the 21st century updates, like the girls not having cell phones or being able to use the internet, and the DNA test. It felt like a very real family in a real situation, and my heart ached for all of them.

(CW for stressful situations, and mentions of violent crime, illness, and death.)

What I’m reading this week.

Far from the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson

Agatha of Little Neon: A Novel by Claire Luchette

Act Like You Got Some Sense: And Other Things My Daughters Taught Me by Jamie Foxx

The King of Infinite Space by Lyndsay Faye

Carrie by Stephen King

Groan-worthy joke of the week:

What did one hat say to the other? “Stay here! I’m going on a head.”

And this is funny:

I’m laugh-crying because it’s true.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring. (Why do I include this every time? Because it’s really that helpful.)
Night Court: We just got cable at my house (I know right?? I feel like I’m in a hotel, lol.) The thing about cable is that there are TOO MANY CHOICES. I scroll through and end up watching old sitcoms instead of any newer offerings. Recently, it has been Night Court, which is not a great show, but it’s fun to see these actors and also laugh at what used to pass for storylines. I’ve also checked out episodes of Barney Miller, and Benson.

And here’s a cat picture!

🎵 Stretchy cat, stretchy cat, what are they feeding you… 🎵

Trivia answer: The Jigsaw Room.

Book Radar

The Wheel of Time Keeps On Turning and More Book Radar!

Post author By Liberty Hardy
Post date July 14, 2021

Sponsored by We Were Liars Author Gets Romantic, Stays Unpredictable

Are you happy with your life? What if you could try again . . . and again? From the New York Times bestselling author of We Were Liars comes Again, Again, a romantic, surprising, and unpredictable love story that will surprise you over and over. Now in paperback! After a near-fatal family catastrophe and an unexpected romantic upheaval, Adelaide Buchwald finds herself catapulted into a summer of wild possibility, during which she will fall in and out of love a thousand times—while finally confronting the secrets she keeps and the weird grandiosity of the human mind.

Happy Thursday, star bits! I am back today to help delightful bookish items make their way through your eyeballs and into your brain. I’ve had a rainy, but great, week so far here in Maine. I’ve read some great books, one of which I will share with you on Monday. And I am contemplating rereading all of Stephen King’s books, because sure, why not, lol? I haven’t read some of the earlier ones since middle school, so it should be interesting. This week, I’ve also made my way to the fourth season of Leverage, and I’m getting ready for my birthday on Sunday. I’m planning on taking the whole day to read and eat delicious food. Yay, birthday week!

Moving on to today’s newsletter and book talk: I have a lot of fun news, including adaptation deals, a lot more book cover reveals, and a look at an upcoming essay collection I am excited to read. Plus I’ve included a picture of my stretchy orange monsters, some trivia, and more! I love writing these newsletters and I appreciate your support so much. Whatever you are doing or watching or reading this week, I hope you goodbob and we same place again very now. – xoxo, Liberty, Your Friendly Neighborhood Velocireader™

Trivia question time! A character named Nella runs a secret shop in eighteenth-century London in what bestselling 2021 novel? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

The Obamas are adapting Blackout for Netflix.

Speaking of the Obamas, former President Barack Obama released his summer reading list.

Here are Book Riot’s favorite books of the year so far.

Marie Benedict announced her new novel: Her Hidden Genius, about the woman who discovered the double helix of DNA.

Rosamund Pike is narrating Paula Hawkins’ new audiobook.

The Center for Fiction released its 2021 First Novel Prize longlist.

The Wheel of Time series is going to be a movie trilogy now, too.

Check out the cover reveal for Operation Sisterhood by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich.

Here are more additions to the Pet Sematary sequel.

Jennifer Carpenter will return for the Dexter revival.

Here’s the cover reveal of Survive the Dome by Kosoko Jackson.

Hear LeVar Burton read his novel Aftermath for the first time.

Here’s the first look at Stars and Bones by Gareth L. Powell, which features a talking cat.

Here’s the cover reveal for Piñata by Leopoldo Gout.

Here’s the first look at This Rebel Heart by Katherine Locke.

Here’s the cover reveal for End of the World House by Adrienne Celt.

Book Riot Recommends

Excited to read:

cover of The Crane Wife: and Other Essays by CJ Hauser

The Crane Wife: and Other Essays by CJ Hauser (Doubleday, July 12, 2022)

As you can imagine, I spend a lot of time looking up stuff about books on the internet, and I often find something wonderful that I didn’t expect to find while researching something else. That is the case with this book, The Crane Wife, from CJ Hauser. What a delightful surprise!

Hauser is the author of the wonderful novel Family of Origin, which came out a few years ago. After the novel’s release, she wrote an essay called The Crane Wife, which received a lot of buzz, and it is included here in this forthcoming book of essays. The book is being compared to Cheryl Strayed, and is comprised of essays “around which to explore the narratives of romantic love we are taught and which we tell ourselves.” BRING IT ON.

What I’m reading this week.

Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama: A Memoir by Bob Odenkirk

Just Like The Other Girls by Claire Douglas

Forging a Nightmare by Patricia A. Jackson

Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang

How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu

Song stuck in my head:

Rise & Shine by Mr. Gnome. (Also, I’m still really into listening to songs I loved when I was young. You can listen to a lot of them in this playlist I made!)

And this is funny:

Andrew McCarthy for the win.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

Leverage: I am about 13 years behind in starting this show, but I like it! It’s like The Librarians without magic, but also with Christian Kane.
Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.

And here’s a cat picture!

Zevon and Farrokh enjoy calisthenics.

Trivia answer: The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner.

You made it to the bottom! High five. Thanks for reading! – xo, L

Book Radar

Javier Bardem in LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE and More Book Radar!

Post author By Liberty Hardy
Post date July 11, 2021

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

cover of Homeland Elegies: A Novel by Ayad Akhtar

Kumail Nanjiani will star in and executive produce a limited series adaptation of Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar.

Tin House announced that Hanif Abdurraqib has been named a Tin House editor-at-large.

An Ursula K. Le Guin stamp is being issued July 27.

Javier Bardem will star in the adaptation of Bernard Waber’s Lyle, Lyle Crocodile.

Here’s the first look at Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo.

The trailer for the second season of The Witcher has been released.

Peacock announced a reality dating series inspired by Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Jamie Lynn Spears is releasing a memoir in 2022.

Saoirse Ronan will star in the adaptation of Foe by Iain Reid.

Here are the 2021 CWA Dagger Award Winners.

There’s a trailer now for the Stephen King-inspired series Chapelwaite.

Here’s the cover reveal for Heaven Is a Place on Earth: Searching for an American Utopia by Adrian Shirk.

Robert Redford, George R.R. Martin adapting Tony Hillerman crime novels for AMC.

A film adaptation is being made from the short story Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez.

There’s an adaptation of The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware in the works.

Here’s the cover reveal of Mercy Street by Jennifer Haigh.

Andy Serkis is recording the Lord of the Rings audiobooks.

Here’s the cover reveal of Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives by Mary Laura Philpott.

Take a peek at The Woods Are Always Watching by Stephanie Perkins.

Book Riot Recommends

Loved, loved, loved:

Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes (Tor Nightfire, January 25, 2022)

One of my favorite storylines, which happens in almost every sci-fi show eventually, is the abandoned/missing/haunted spacecraft. You know, where the heroes come upon a supposedly unmanned vessel and it’s super creepy, and possible haunted and/or not actually abandoned? I love it when that happens!

Dead Silence is one such story, and it rocked my world! It’s like Event Horizon meets Avenue Five. Claire Kovalik and her beacon repair crew are getting ready to return to Earth when they pick up a strange distress signal. Upon investigation, they find the Aurora, a famous luxury space-liner that has been missing since its first voyage more than twenty years ago. No one knows where it went or what happened aboard the ship. And now here it is.

This is the epic salvage score of their dreams for Claire and the crew, but once they board the Aurora, it quickly becomes a nightmare. I’m not going to spoil what it is that they find. I’ll just say it’s soooooo creepy. The book is action-packed, and I liked how things shook out in the end. It has a present-day story line that went places I wasn’t expecting while detailing what Claire and her crew faced while exploring the ship. Hooray for scary space boats!

(CW for violence, murder, and gore.)

What I’m reading this week.

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor

Pay Dirt Road by Samantha Jayne Allen

Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang

How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Groan-worthy joke of the week:

How do you row a canoe filled with puppies? With a doggy paddle.

And this is funny:

This dog is hilarious.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

Leverage: I am about 13 years behind in starting this show, but I like it! It’s like The Librarians without magic, but also with Christian Kane.
Phineas and Ferb: I am finally getting around to watching this! I like Perry the Platypus the best, although I also enjoy Ferb’s Silent Bob vibes.
Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.

And here’s a cat picture!

Sometimes Farrokh can sit still and behave, but not very often.

Trivia answer: The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Book Radar

A New Rebecca Roanhorse Novel and More Book Radar!

Post author By Liberty Hardy
Post date July 7, 2021

Sponsored by Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

From the author of the beloved national bestseller Migrations, a #1 IndieNext pick, a gorgeous and pulse-pounding new novel set in the wild Scottish Highlands.

Happy Thursday, my bookish friends! I hope you have had a great week so far. I have been reading lots of books, a couple of which are rereads, and watching the Stanley Cup finals and the NBA finals, and also watching a lot of cartoons. Why no, I don’t really sleep, why do you ask? 😂

Moving on to today’s newsletter and book talk: I have a lot of fun news, including adaptation deals, a LOT of book cover reveals, and a look at a darkly comedic upcoming indie press novel. Plus I’ve included a picture of my sticker-stealing orange monster, some trivia, and more! I love writing these newsletters and I appreciate your support so much. Whatever you are doing or watching or reading this week, I hope you goodbob and we same place again very now. – xoxo, Liberty, Your Friendly Neighborhood Velocireader™

Trivia question time! What novel set during the Reconstruction period of the southern states after the Civil War is the latest Oprah Book Club pick? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

Get your first look at Fevered Star, the sequel to Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse.

Michelle Yeoh has been cast in the six-episode Witcher prequel, Blood Origin.

Here’s the cover reveal of Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore.

A new Jennifer Egan book, the sequel to A Visit from the Goon Squad, is coming in 2022.

Lovecraft Country will not get a second season.

Here’s the first peek at Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron.

Here are the Good Sex Awards winners and runners up.

Here’s the cover reveal to the sequel to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano: Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead.

Read an excerpt from Sword Stone Table, the upcoming new anthology of Arthurian retellings.

Here’s the cover reveal of Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence by Sonja Thomas.

More cast additions to the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon.

Here’s the cover reveal of The Turning Pointe by Vanessa L. Torres.

Check out the first look at Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram.

Here’s the cover reveal of Secret Identity by Alex Segura.

Book Riot Recommends

Excited to read:

New Animal by Ella Baxter (Two Dollar Radio, February 15, 2022)

I am a huge fan of small press Two Dollar Radio, and I’m not going to lie, I get excited about pretty much everything they put out. But this darkly comedic novel sounds like something I am really going to enjoy and I can’t wait to get my hands on it!

It’s about a young woman named Amelia who is trying to find her place in the world. She works at the family mortuary business as a cosmetic mortician, and is shocked by her mother’s sudden passing. So she turns to her birth-father in Tasmania for comfort and ends up stumbling into the local BDSM community, where she learns a lot about herself and who she wants to be. This one has ‘will make an amazing indie film’ written all over it. GIVE IT TO ME NOW.

What I’m reading this week.

cover of I came all this way to meet you by jami attenberg

I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home by Jami Attenberg

A Song Everlasting by Ha Jin

Wish It Lasted Forever: Life With the Larry Bird Celtics by Dan Shaughnessy

Afterparties: Stories by Anthony Veasna So

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Song stuck in my head:

Song 2 by Blur. This song is never not fun. And you can listen to it almost 30 times in an hour. (Also, I’m still really into listening to songs I loved when I was young. You can listen to a lot of them in this playlist I made!)

And this is funny:

OH NO.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

Phineas and Ferb: I am finally getting around to watching this! I like Perry the Platypus the best, although I also enjoy Ferb’s Silent Bob vibes.
The Owl House: This is scratching a lot of my Gravity Falls itch, which is helped by the fact that Alex Hirsch does some of the voices.
Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.

And here’s a cat picture!

“This is my sticker now.” —Farrokh

Trivia answer: The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris.

You made it to the bottom! High five. Thanks for reading! – xo, L

Book Radar

Janelle Monáe’s Upcoming Story Collection and More Book Radar!

Post author By Liberty Hardy
Post date June 30, 2021

Sponsored by Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn, published by Athena.

Learn to capture the present, reduce anxiety, achieve inner peace, and enrich your life with this practical guide to incorporating mindful meditation into your life. The book is about living and enjoying each moment in the present. The practice puts you in touch with where you already are and brings a peaceful yet connected stillness that ultimately enriches your life. Wherever You Go, There You Are was first published in 1994, nobody could have predicted that the book would launch itself onto bestseller lists nationwide, selling over 750 000 copies to date. Ten years later, the book continues to change lives.

Happy Thursday, my bookish friends! I hope you are managing to stay cool in this heat. I have been reading lots of books, watching the Stanley Cup finals, and playing with my growing rock collection. I am super into the sparkly ones. I’m even thinking of asking for a gift certificate to the local rock and mineral store for my birthday this year, instead of my usual bookstore trip. *GASP* WHO AM I?!? I know, I know, but I just need a few more! You know how well I do with moderation, lollllll.

Moving on to today’s newsletter and book talk: I have a lot of fun news, including adaptation deals, book cover reveals, and a look at the latest Dan Chaon novel. (*Muppet arms*) Plus I’ve included a picture of my orange monsters trying to work out quantum physics, some trivia, and more! I love writing these newsletters and I appreciate your support so much. Whatever you are doing or watching or reading this week, I hope you good bob and we same place again very now. I’ll see you again on Thursday because of the holiday. Have a safe Fourth of July, if you’re celebrating! – xoxo, Liberty, Your Friendly Neighborhood Velocireader™

Trivia question time! The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson is about what Nobel Prize-winning scientist? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

John Lithgow will return for the Dexter revival.

Here’s the first look at I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson.

HarperVoyager bought Janelle Monáe’s upcoming collection of Afrofuturistic short stories.

Kyla Zhao’s first novel was announced.

Here’s the cover reveal of Maud Newton’s Ancestor Trouble: A Reckoning and a Reconciliation.

Here’s the cast of the adaptation of No Exit by Taylor Adams so far.

Justine Ireland and Tessa Gratton are coauthoring a YA fantasy duology.

The release date of the new Dune movie has been moved again.

Morgan Jerkins announced a new novel.

Valerie Perrin’s Fresh Water for Flowers is going to be a TV series.

Asante Blackk is joining Tiffany Haddish in Landscape With Invisible Hand, based on the book by M.T. Anderson.

Antonio Banderas has joined the series adaptation of The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi.

Here are the 2021 Locus Awards winners.

The Ivy and Bean series is getting a Netflix adaptation.

Michael Gray Bulla’s upcoming novel has a new title.

Here’s the trailer for Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Here’s the first look at Chef’s Kiss by Jarrett Melendez.

Stephen King’s ‘Salem’s Lot series, Chapelwaite, has a release date.

Good Omens is getting a second season. I don’t really care what happens next, as long as there is more Michael McKean.

Here’s the cover reveal for The Moth Girl by Heather Kamins.

Matt Bell shared the cover reveal for his craft book Refuse To Be Done.

Penguin Teen announced Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto.

Here’s the new trailer and release date for Apple’s adaptation of Foundation by Isaac Asimov. I don’t care what it’s about, I will watch Lee Pace in anything. #PieGuy4life

A new Exorcist sequel is in the works.

Book Riot Recommends

Excited to read:

Sleepwalk by Dan Chaon (Henry Holt and Co., April 5, 2022)

HOLY CATSSSSSSSS. I cannot tell you enough how much I love Dan Chaon’s books. This one was just announced a few days ago and I am over the moon about it! It’s about a big-hearted mercenary in future America who gets a call from a woman who says she’s his biological daughter. He thinks it’s suspicious, but agrees to help her anyway. I can’t wait to find out what happens!

If you’ve never read Chaon before, he has incredible story collections, like You Remind Me of Me and Stay Awake, and I also recommend his novels, such as Await Your Reply and Ill Will. He’s one of those authors that all the other authors admire. His writing has a sad, beautiful quality, with a small side of the supernatural. If you like Emily St. John Mandel’s writing, you’ll like Dan Chaon!

What I’m reading this week.

Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith

Devil House by John Darnielle

My Annihilation by Fuminori Nakamura, Sam Bett (translator)

The Icepick Surgeon: Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science by Sam Kean

Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

Song stuck in my head:

Happy Birthday by Concrete Blonde. I fell down the Concrete Blonde rabbit hole and haven’t been listening to much else this past week. (Also, I’m still really into listening to songs I loved when I was young. You can listen to a lot of them in this playlist I made!)

And this is funny:

Every. Single. Week.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

The Owl House: This is scratching a lot of my Gravity Falls itch, which is helped by the fact that Alex Hirsch does some of the voices.
Rocks and crystals: I have discovered one of the new things I find relaxing is looking at pictures of rocks and crystals. I bought a guide book but I also go on etsy and look at all the pictures of crystals for sale. They’re so shiny and pretty! I have bought a beautiful celestine rock last week and it’s so cool.
Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.

And here’s a cat picture!

two orange cats, one sitting in a box, one sitting outside the box

Farrokh and Zevon are cheating at Schrödinger’s thought experiment.

Trivia answer: Jennifer Doudna.

You made it to the bottom! High five. Thanks for reading! – xo, L