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Ibram X. Kendi Shares His Thoughts on Why Books Are Banned: Today in Books

The Time Traveler’s Wife Musical Sets A Date for London’s West End

A musical based on Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveller’s Wife is opening in London’s West End this fall. The musical was first announced in 2021, prompting the author to tweet: “Should I know about this?” The production team “immediately brought her in” and sources say the novelist was a fan of the project, which includes music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Joss Stone. The show will open at the Apollo Theatre on October 7. An original cast recording of the musical will be produced later this year.

Ibram X. Kendi Shares His Thoughts on Why Books Are Banned

Recently, New York Times bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to be an Anti-Racist, sat down with The Root to discuss book bans and how authors are responding to those bans. “You have people who are trying to change the problem from racism to anti-racism and are trying to prevent kids and young people from seeing themselves on the page, which then allows them to better understand themselves and their world,” Kendi said. “So of course it can certainly be a badge of honor [to have your book banned], but at the same time, to me, it’s just deeply tragic. And that’s why so many of us authors are not only fighting against these book bans, but the more you ban books, the more we’re going to produce books.” Ibram X. Kendi is currently on tour with author Nic Stone to promote their new book How to be a (Young) Antiracist, which was published by Kokila on January 31.

Three Women Finds New Home at Starz

Starz is picking up the series Three Women, starring Shailene Woodley. The upcoming series, based on the Lisa Taddeo’s bestselling book, was dropped from Showtime following Chris McCarthy’s arrival at the network. The series was originally set to premiere in 2022.

Quiz: What’s Your Dungeons and Dragons Alignment?

Wondering what your D&D alignment is for your gaming? Take this Dungeons and Dragons alignment quiz to find yours now!

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Kiley Reid Announces New Novel COME AND GET IT: Today in Books

Regina King & Freddie Highmore Executive Producing The Comedown Series Adaptation

Regina King’s Royal Ties Productions and Freddie Highmore’s Alfresco Pictures are producing a series adaptation of The Comedown. The drama series is based on Rafael Frumkin’s book by the same name. The series also comes from TriStar Television, a division of Sony Pictures TV where The Good Doctor star Highmore has had an overall deal. The Comedown will air on Starz.

Kiley Reid Announces New Novel Come and Get It

Kiley Reid has announced the publication of her sophomore novel Come and Get It. Reid’s debut novel, Such A Fun Age, was published in 2019 and longlisted for the Booker Prize. It also won the Goodreads Choice Award for best debut novel in 2020. Come and Get It is set to be published in January 2024.

Lego Reveals Largest Lord of the Rings Set Ever

Lego has shared an early sneak peak of their 6,167-Piece Rivendell set. The Lego set is the largest Lord of the Rings set ever, and eight largest of all time. Lego Rivendell will be available March 5th for Lego VIPs and for everyone else March 8th. The set retails for around $500.

Your Curated Queer TBR for February

Get queer book recs for winter, Black history month, and Valentine’s Day, along with some fantastic LGBTQ new releases out this month.

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Olivia Colman’s Miss Havisham Meets Pip in GREAT EXPECTATIONS Teaser Trailer: Today in Books

Julie Andrews Teams with Daughter on New Picture Book

Abrams Children’s Books announced today that they will be publishing a new collaboration between Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton. The duo’s new picture book, The Enchanted Symphony, will be published September 12. According to the publisher, the picture book is is a “hopeful fairy tale” set in a village “beset by a mysterious fog,” but revived by a “boy’s simple melody.” Andrews and Walton Hamilton said in a statement, “While the fog in our book evokes our pandemic experience, it also symbolizes something larger: the creeping and countless distractions that prevent us from appreciating what truly matters most in life.”

Olivia Colman’s Miss Havisham Meets Pip in New Great Expectations Teaser Trailer

Steven Knight’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic Great Expectations has released its first teaser trailer. The FX/BBC adaptation stars Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham, Fionn Whitehead as Pip, and Tom Sweet as the young Pip. The first teaser trailer shows Colman’s Miss Havisham meeting a young Pip when he comes to Satis House for the first time. The limited series is set to air in the spring on the BBC and on Hulu in the United States.

Penguin Random House Prepares to Rebuild

After Penguin Random House’s bid to buy Simon & Schuster was blocked, PRH is going through some major restructuring. Nihar Malaviya, who is widely expected to become PRH’s permanent global CEO, is currently working as interim global CEO following Madeline McIntosh’s announcement that she would be stepping down. The reorganization will also put in place a new corporate leadership structure that is unlikely to include a new PRH US CEO. If all goes well, sources say the new structure could be in place by the end of February.

The Best Libraries You Can Get A Card For Out of State

Whether your local library’s inventory is limited or you just want access to more books, an out-of-state library card could level up your reading life.

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Author Paul Tremblay Reviews KNOCK AT THE CABIN: Today in Books

Mayfair Witches Renewed for Season 2 at AMC

The series adaptation of Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches has been renewed for a second season at AMC. This drama is the second series in the Anne Rice Immortal Universe on AMC and AMC+, following Interview with the Vampire. But Mayfair Witches performed even better than its predecessor. It is currently the most-viewed season of any series ever on AMC+, based on the first 30 days of viewership. Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC networks, said in a statement, “We are thrilled with the reaction to this series, especially in the wake of the incredibly strong reception to Interview, and can’t wait to bring the fans second seasons of both series in this rich, vibrant and expanding universe based on the works of Anne Rice.” Production on the second season of Mayfair Witches is expected to begin later this year in New Orleans.

Green Light Given for Huge British Library Extension

A green light has been given for a large extension of the British Library’s St Pancras site. The extension, which will cost £500m according to Construction News, is to include new galleries and event spaces as well as a community garden. The library will also establish a permanent home for the Alan Turing Institute, the national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. The new additions to the library will expand the space by approximately 100,000 square feet.

Author Paul Tremblay Reviews Knock at the Cabin

Knock at the Cabin, director M. Night Shyamalan’s adaptation of Paul Tremblay’s novel The Cabin at the End of the World, is going into its opening weekend with $1.45 million in previews at the domestic box office. Reviews have been generally positive, but how does Tremblay feel about the movie? Following the premiere, the author tweeted, “I have some mulling to do (my head is spinning) but early verdict is that the movie and performances are pretty great.” Knock at the Cabin opens in theaters this weekend.

Kindle Unlimited Pricing: Is it Worth It?

We look at Kindle Unlimited’s pricing, catalog, free trial, and the rest of its elements in order to determine if it’s worth it for you.

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DC Drama PENNYWORTH Canceled at HBO Max: Today in Books

Here’s A Sneak Peek at the Latest Novel from Melissa Broder

Entertainment Weekly is giving readers a sneak peek at the latest novel from Melissa Broder, author of Milk Fed and So Sad Today. Broder says her new novel Death Valley “is a trip through the desert of grief, particularly anticipatory grief, and the rich oases we may find in that arid internal landscape… The novel was born out of my father’s six-month stay in the ICU prior to his death, and my inability to escape the experience of being human on a stretch of Highway 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.” Death Valley will hit shelves on October 24.

Melbourne Author Jessica Au Wins $125K for Novella Cold Enough for Snow

Cold Enough for Snow by Melbourne writer Jessica Au has won the $100,000 Victorian prize for literature. The novella also won the fiction category at the Victorian premier’s literary awards on Thursday night, bringing Au’s total winnings to $125K. Judges called Au’s novella “quietly powerful” and a “deftly woven novel from a writer in command of her craft.” Cold Enough for Snow is Au’s second book. Her first book, Cargo, was published 12 years ago.

DC Drama Pennyworth Canceled at HBO Max

The DC drama Pennyworth has been canceled at HBO Max. The prequel show starring Jack Bannon as Alfred Pennyworth, Batman’s butler, just wrapped its third and now final season on November 24. A spokesperson for HBO Max told The Hollywoord Reporter, “While HBO Max is not moving forward with another season of Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, we are very thankful to creator Bruno Heller and executive producers Matthew Patnick, Danny Cannon and John Stephens, along with Warner Bros. Television, for their brilliant, unique, gripping depiction of the origin of Alfred Pennyworth…An incredible blend of action, drama and humor, for three seasons, Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler has taken fans on a mind-bending ride into Alfred’s eccentric world and the beginnings of cutting-edge super heroes and super villains.”

Talk Wordy to Me: 20 Ways to Celebrate a Bookish Valentine’s Day

Whether you’re in a relationship or not, here are some really fun ways to indulge in a bookish Valentine’s Day this year.

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Amanda Gorman to Present at the Grammys Premiere Ceremony: Today in Books

New Little Mermaid Novel Features Ariel Modeled After Halle Bailey

Teen Vogue has unveiled the cover of a new Little Mermaid novel that features an Ariel modeled after Halle Bailey from the new live-action adaptation. The Little Mermaid: Against the Tide is by bestselling author J. Elle and tells the story of a young Ariel who is preparing to celebrate a coming of age ceremony that will make her the Protector of a territory in the ocean. But the celebrations are put on old when one of her sisters is abducted. The novel is out from Disney Books in May.

Latinx Kidlit Book Festival Holds Auction

The Latinx Kidlit Book Festival is currently holding an auction to help fund the program’s 2023 goals. The LKBF is a free virtual festival that celebrates Latinx KidLit authors, illustrators, and books for students, educators, book lovers around the world. In 2023, the program aims to expand its programming, increase school and library outreach, and hire a full-time staff to fulfill the festival’s mission, among other things. Auctions include virtual cafecitos/meetings with Adam Silvera, Dhonielle Clayton, Zoraida Cordova, and more.

Amanda Gorman to Present at the Grammys Premiere Ceremony

Amanda Gorman announced on Instagram that she will be presenting at the Grammys Premiere Ceremony this year. The poet writes that she is “thrilled” to have the opportunity. You can watch the livestream on Sunday, February 5th at 3:30PM ET/12:30PM PT. The program will stream on live.grammy.com and the Recording Academy YouTube channel.

The State of Diversity in the Publishing Industry

With efforts from both readers and publishers to improve diversity throughout the years, have they affected publishing at all?

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ANT-MAN/Scott Lang Memoir to be Published in Real Life: Today in Books

Annette Bening Starring in Liane Moriarty Series Adaptation Apples Never Fall at Peacock

Annette Bening has signed on to star in the upcoming Peacock limited series adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s novel Apples Never Fall. Author Liane Moriarity is an executive producer along with Albert Page and Jillian Share. Melanie Marnich is adapting the book for the screen and will also serve as executive producer and showrunner. David Heyman will executive produce via Heyday Television. Chris Sweeney will executive produce and direct the first episode and multiple others. The project comes from Universal International Studios, and NBCUniversal Global Distribution will distribute the series.

Ant-Man/Scott Lang Memoir to be Published in Real Life

Fictional character Scott Lang from Marvel Studio’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has written a memoir. Scott Lang (played by Paul Rudd) will be adding “published author” to his super-hero resume in the upcoming Marvel film, but the book will also be available to purchase in real life. Look Out for the Little Guy will be published by Hyperion Avenue on September 5.

Susan Lee Reveals Cover of Upcoming YA Contemporary Romance The Name Drop

Susan Lee, author of Seoulmates, has shared the cover of her upcoming YA contemporary romance The Name Drop. Lee says the book is set in New York and tells the story of “two Korean teens navigating the demands of their futures, their families, and their hearts!” The novel is available for preorder now, and it will be out from Inkyard Press on September 12.

What’s Next for DC Studios: the Good, the Bad and the Bizarre

James Gunn and Peter Safran announced the first 10 projects of the new DC Studios. Here’s the good, bad, and truly weird of the announcement.

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Michelle Obama Announces New Podcast THE LIGHT: Today in Books

Trevor Noah’s Zero Day Productions to Adapt Kiese Laymon’s Long Division

Trevor Noah’s Day Zero Productions is developing a series based on the coming-of-age novel Long Division by Kiese Laymon. The book, which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2021, follows the story of two generations of Citoyen “City” Coldsons, one from 2013 and one from 1985. After the 2013 City is given a strange book called Long Division, the stories of the two City converge. Laymon will write the pilot for the series adaptation and executive produce alongside Noah, Day Zero President Sanaz Yamin, and Mainstay Entertainment’s Norman Aladjem and Derek Van Pelt.

Here is the Teaser Trailer & Release Date from Amazon Prime Video Series The Power

Amazon Prime Video has released the first teaser trailer for the upcoming series The Power, based on Naomi Alderman’s novel of the same name. The series stars Toni Collette, Toheeb Jimoh, John Leguizamo, Auli’i Cravalho, Josh Charles, Eddie Marsan, Ria Zmitrowicz, Zrinka Cvitešić, Halle Bush, and more. Amazon Prime Video also announced that the premiere date will be March 31.

Michelle Obama Announces New Podcast The Light

Former first lady Michelle Obama took to Twitter to announce her new podcast from Higher Ground media, The Light. Obama tweeted, “I can’t wait for you to hear some of the stories and conversations I’ve been having with some of my close friends about so many of the issues we’re all navigating.” The Light podcast will be available on Audible starting on March 7.

February 2023 Horoscopes and Book Recommendations

See which signs have romance in store in our February 2023 horoscopes. And spoiler alert — all signs have new books to check out.

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The TikTok Generation Embraces Jane Austen: Today in Books

Kareena Kapoor Khan Wraps Detective Thriller The Devotion of Suspect X

Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan has wrapped Netflix’s Indian adaptation of Japanese author Higashino Keigo’s bestselling 2005 novel The Devotion of Suspect X. The film is directed by Sujoy Ghosh, director of Kahaani. Khan also recently wrapped a project that was filmed under the working title The Buckingham Murders. For the actress, both projects mark a departure from the films she’s done in the past. “For me, it’s very different because obviously you’re used to seeing me in all the mainstream movies, which has the song, the dance, the gloss, the glamour. Both these films are shockingly different,” Kapoor Khan said. The Devotion of Suspect X is expected to release later this year.

The TikTok Generation Embraces Jane Austen

Jane Austen is finding an audience of younger readers, thanks in no small part to a proliferation of internet memes and TikToks. Alice Hodges, who works at the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, told The Guardian, “We have seen an increasing number of young Janeites visiting.” Julia Golding, who runs the Austen-inspired podcast What Would Jane Do?, has also noticed an uptick on young Janeites. “It may seem unlikely at first – what does this generation with all their social media options and frenetic visual culture find in Austen?” says Golding. “Then you realize that’s the answer. Jane Austen allows everyone to step aside and take a breath in the beautiful worlds she creates. Then we see that we share more with the past than we imagined… Jane Austen might’ve worn a bonnet and muslin but you feel, reading her, that she would’ve been an amazing best friend for us now and help us get out of trouble.”

Julie Otsuka and Ed Yong Win ALA’s 2023 Carnegie Medals

The American Library Association has announced the 2023 Carnegie Medal winners. Julie Otsuka’s The Swimmers took home the 2023 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. Ed Yong’s An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us won the medal for nonfiction. The 2023 fiction finalists also included Greenland by David Santos Donaldson and Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty. Nonfiction finalists included Constructing a Nervous System by Margo Jefferson and Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage by Rachel E. Gross. The winners were announced on Sunday, January 29, at the ALA’s LibLearnX conference in New Orleans.

Sips and Snacks for Book Lovers

Nothing elevates a reading experience like having the perfect snacks and beverages on hand. These bookish snacks and beverages can help.

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Nicole Kidman and Maya Erskine to Lead THE PERFECT NANNY Limited Series for HBO: Today in Books

Marie Kondo Admits She Has “Kind of Given Up” on Tidying

Marie Kondo, the world-renowned Japanese decluttering expert, has a new book about organizing, Kurashi at Home, coming out tomorrow. But with three children to look after, the author admits own home has become a little bit “messy.” Kondo said during an online webinar, “I have kind of given up [keeping my home tidy at all times], in a good way for me…Now I realize what is important to me is enjoying spending time with my children at home.” Kondo now lives in California with her family and says she no longer puts pressure on herself to always keep the house organized. She told the Washington Post she would “keep looking inward to make sure I am leading my own kurashi,” while still making time to prioritize her family and other things that make her happy.

Nicole Kidman and Maya Erskine to Lead The Perfect Nanny Limited Series for HBO

Nicole Kidman and PEN-15 co-creator Maya Erskine have signed on to star in a limited series adaptation of The Perfect Nanny, based on the 2016 novel by Leïla Slimani. Erskine will also write and executive produce the project. The logline for the upcoming HBO series reads, “A seemingly perfect nanny goes to work for a couple with two young children, but her helpful personality eventually deteriorates into something sinister.” The Perfect Nanny is the third HBO limited series for Kidman, who also starred in Big Little Lies and The Undoing.

Hoover Schools Cancel Black History Month Author After Parent Complaint

Just before award-winning author Derrick Barnes’ planned Black History Month appearances at Hoover City Schools this February, the invitation to three elementary schools was abruptly canceled. The cancelation came after a parent complained about Barnes’ “controversial ideas.” It is unclear what controversial ideas the parent was referring to. Derrick Barnes has won Caldecott and Newberry Awards for his children’s books, which include I Am Every Good Thing and The King of Kindergarten. Barnes’ representative Patrick Oliver said this was the first time the author has encountered a cancellation with no explanation.

The Best Books of the 2020s: What Lifted Us Up and Out

We may not want to revisit the beginning years of the 2020s, but these books deserve to be remembered post-pandemic.