Category: Today In Books

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Today In Books

Erika L. Sanchez’s CRYING IN THE BATHROOM Optioned for Television: Today in Books

Here’s the Official Trailer for Lady Chatterly’s Lover

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.

OpenBooks to Launch at FutureBook as a Free Resource of Book Industry Opportunity

The Publishers Association (PA), Booksellers Association (BA) and Association of Authors’ Agents (AAA) are developing a series of free and accessible online events geared towards showcasing book-related career opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds. The program will be launched as part of this year’s FutureBook Conference, which takes place in London on November 18th. It will also be streamed online. Then, OpenBooks will go live in February 2023. It will include a series of virtual live events, panels, and short video content and will primarily be aimed at 14 to 19 year olds from underrepresented backgrounds.

Erika L. Sanchez’s Crying in the Bathroom Optioned for Television

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. “I never in a million years imagined my messy-ass bipolar Mexican life would be TV worthy,” the author tweeted. Sanchez will be an executive producer on the project.

13 New Mystery, Thriller, and True Crime Releases

November is full of exciting stuff for mystery fans, from a new procedural series set in Colorado to vigilante historical fiction.

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Chris Farley’s Life Chronicled in New Graphic Novel Co-Written by His Brother Kevin: Today in Books

Prince Harry Memoir Heavily Discounted at Larger Retailers, Much to the Dismay of Smaller Bookstores

According to booksellers, Prince Harry’s forthcoming memoir, Spare, is being heavily discounted by larger retailers. The recommended retail price in the UK is set at £28. However, Waterstones, Foyles, and Amazon are all offering the book at half price. Amanda Truman from Truman Books in Pudsey said that her bookshop would be stocking it, but “as an independent bookshop it’s hard to get excited about a book when you see chain bookshops advertising it at 50% off within minutes of the publication announcement.” Many other independent booksellers echoed Truman’s sentiment, noting that they’d only carry a few copies but didn’t know how many they would actually sell, due to the fact that it’s so much cheaper at larger retailers.

Chris Farley’s Life Chronicled in New Graphic Novel Co-Written by His Brother Kevin

In 2023, a new graphic novel will be released that chronicles comedian Chris Farley’s life from childhood to Saturday Night Live and beyond. Farley’s brother, actor and comedian Kevin Farley, co-wrote the book with Frank Marraffino and collaborated with artist Ryan Dunlavey for the book Growing Up Farley: A Chris Farley Story. The graphic novel from Z2 Comics will be released in fall of next year.

School Board Denies Request to Ban Books at Bay City Western High

After the appeal of a decision made by a review committee earlier this year, Bay City Public Schools has denied a proposed ban of several books at Bay City Western High. The matter was first brought to the school board in April by Jillian McGee, who claimed a list of books at the school library were offensive and pornographic. A committee judged the books in question, based on whether they were age-appropriate, whether they shared false information, whether they were unique to the library, or if they were being used for in-class purposes. Considering these factors, the committee decided not to ban the books. After an appeal, a unanimous vote approved the findings of the committee.

Biased Online Book Ratings Systems Undermining Professional Review Sources

BookLooks, RatedBooks, and more biased online rating systems getting books banned. That, plus this week’s book censorship news.

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Anna-Marie McLemore’s First Adult Novel to be Published by Dial Press: Today in Books

Kwame Mbalia Heading New Imprint for Disney

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. “Working with Kwame on the Tristan Strong series has been pure joy for the entire team at Disney-Hyperion, and we couldn’t be more excited about broadening our partnership with this incredible talent,” said Kieran Viola, Disney-Hyperion’s editorial director. “Kwame’s mission for Freedom Fire is right in line with our mission to publish unputdownable stories that reflect the diverse world around us, and we can’t wait to amplify his vision of an inclusive and equitable future for readers everywhere.” The imprint is tentatively scheduled to debut in spring 2024.

Kit Steinkellner, Danny Strong, and Darren Aronofsky Score Pilot Order for The Answers

Kit Steinkellner, Danny Strong, and Darren Aronofsky have scored a pilot order for The Answers, an adaptation of Catherine Lacey’s novel of the same name, at FX. Gillian Robespierre (A Teacher, And Just Like That…) is attached to direct and executive produce the pilot. Kit Steinkellner (Sorry for Your Loss) will write and executive produce. Strong and Aronofsky will executive produce with Mandy Safavi with Danny Strong Productions and Ari Handel and Elizabeth Gesas with Aronofsky’s Protozoa Pictures. 

Anna-Marie McLemore’s First Adult Novel to be Published by Dial Press

Anna-Marie McLemore, author of YA novels such as Lake Lore and The Mirror Season, will be publishing their first adult novel with Dial Press. According to the announcement from Publisher’s Marketplace, McLemore’s The Influencers is a novel “about two generations of a social media influencer family whose many secrets lurking behind the Instagram veneer come to light when the matriarch’s home mysteriously burns down with her murdered husband inside.”

Prison Memoir Banned from Florida Prisons

A memoir by a reporter who experienced incarceration and rehabilitation may be banned from Florida state prisons.

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Aubrey Plaza Cast in WANDAVISION Spin-Off AGATHA: COVEN OF CHAOS: Today in Books

Netflix Renews The Sandman for a Second Season

Netflix has renewed The Sandman, the series based on Neil Gaiman’s comic of the same name, for a second season. Gaiman said in a statement, “It gives me unbelievable pleasure to say that, working with Netflix and Warner Bros., [fellow executive producers] Allan Heinberg, David Goyer and I will be bringing even more of The Sandman stories to life. There are some astonishing stories waiting for Morpheus and the rest of them (not to mention more members of the Endless Family to meet). Nobody is going to be happier about this than the Sandman cast and crew: they are the biggest Sandman fans there are.” Details about the second season are being kept under wraps for now, but Netflix announced that it will be adapting from multiple The Sandman graphic novels for season two.

Aubrey Plaza Cast in WandaVision Spin-Off Agatha: Coven of Chaos

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. Emma Caulfield Ford is also set to reprise the role of Dottie. Plaza’s specific role and details about the plot have not been announced, but Variety reported that Heartstopper star Joe Locke will also star in the series.

Michael Hobbes Announces New Podcast If Books Could Kill

Michael Hobbes, the host of podcasts Maintenance Phase and You’re Wrong About, has announced a brand new podcast: If Books Could Kill. In a tweet, Hobbes said, “Every week me and @The_Law_Boy are going to talk about one of the worst airport books of the last 50 years.” The first episode on the book Freakonomics is out now.

Indie Bookstores You Can Shop At From Anywhere

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

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HEARTSTOPPER Fans Support Actor Kit Connor After Forced Coming Out: Today in Books

From Scratch Tops Netflix Charts

From Scratch, the limited series based on the memoir by Tembi Locke and starring Zoe Saldaña, was Netflix’s top title between October 24th and 30th, with 72 million hours viewed. This was the series’ first full week of availability on Netflix. Last week, it debuted at #3 with 32.2 million hours viewed over its first three days on the streamer. Author Tembi Locke co-created the series with her sister, showrunner Attica Locke.

Heartstopper Fans Support Actor Kit Connor After Forced Coming Out

After Heartstopper actor Kit Connor was forced to come out as bisexual on October 31st, fans are showing their support. The actor, who plays bisexual rugby player Nick Nelson in Heartstopper, tweeted, “back for a minute. i’m bi. congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself. i think some of you missed the point of the show. bye.” Thirty minutes later, author of the Heartstopper series Alice Oseman responded, “I truly don’t understand how people can watch Heartstopper and then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes…Kit you are amazing.” Many fans of the show and comics, including celebrities Luke Evans and Connor’s co-star Locke, took to Twitter as well to support Connor.

Julie Powell, Food Writer Known for Julie & Julia, Dies at 49

Julie Powell, the food writer known for the book Julie & Julia, has died at the age of 49. The writer’s decision to spend a year cooking every recipe in Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking lead to the Julie/Julia Project, a bestselling book, and a movie starring Meryl Streep. Powell died on October 26th at her home in Olivebridge, in upstate New York. Her husband Eric Powell said the cause of death was cardiac arrest.

School Librarian Continues Defamation Lawsuit: Champions First Amendment Rights of All

Librarian Amanda Jones, who lost her defamation lawsuit in September, is continuing the fight.

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Stephen King Won’t Pay to Keep His Twitter Verification: Today in Books

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in Talks to Star in Marvel Studios Series Wonder Man

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, the actor who has already made a name for himself in DC projects like Aquaman and HBO’s Watchmen, is in talks to star in Wonder Man, Marvel’s latest Disney+ series. Destin Daniel Cretton will executive produce and possibly direct a few episodes. Andrew Guest, a writer-producer on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Community, will be head writer. Abdul-Mateen was last seen opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in Michael Bay’s Ambulance. The actor is also returning as Black Manta in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, opening on December 25th, 2023.

Stephen King Won’t Pay to Keep His Twitter Verification

Author Stephen King has reacted to reports that verified users of the social media platform might have to start paying up to $20 a month to keep their check marks. “$20 a month to keep my blue check?” King tweeted. “F— that, they should pay me. If that gets instituted, I’m gone like Enron.” The report of the possible fee follows the news of Elon Musk’s takeover of the social media company. According to a report from technology journalist Casey Newton, Musk “has not made a final decision” on the plan to start charging verified users and “the project could still be scrapped.”

Here are the 2021 Shirley Jackson Awards Winners

The 2021 Shirley Jackson Awards winners were announced at an in-person event on Saturday, October 29, 2022. The event was part of the Boston Book Festival, in partnership with Readercon. The award ceremony, hosted by Paul Tremblay, honored outstanding achievement in horror, psychological suspense, and dark fantasy fiction. 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. You can see a full list of winners and nominees here.

Court Blocks Merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster

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

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ANT-MAN 3 Adds THE GOOD PLACE Star William Jackson Harper in a Mystery Role: Today in Books

Spotify Pulls Audiobook Purchases from iOS App After Apple Blocks Updates

With the update to Spotify’s iOS app released last week, audiobooks are no longer available to buy in the app. This poses a major roadblock for Spotify’s new audiobook business. Now when you go to make a purchase, the app displays a message that says, “Want to listen? You can’t buy audiobooks in the app. We know, it’s not ideal.” There’s no information about where you can buy the audiobook available in the app. This update comes after Spotify accused Apple of “choking competition” with its app rules for audiobook purchasing. Meanwhile, Apple spokesperson Adam Dema said that Apple gave Spotify guidance on how to bring its app into compliance. Dema said that Apple has no issue with “reader” apps that link users “out to websites to sign up for services, or communicating with customers externally about alternative purchase options.” But Dema did not say why Spotify’s emails to users about audiobook purchase options do not comply with that guidance.

Zoey Deutch and Kendrick Sampson Lead Prime Video’s Holiday Romcom Something from Tiffany’s

Amazon Studios has released the first stills from its upcoming holiday romcom Something from Tiffany’s. The Amazon Original, which stars Zoey Deutch and Kendrick Sampson, is based on Melissa Hill’s novel of the same name. Something from Tiffany’s was directed by Daryl Wein and adapted by Tamara Chestna. Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter produced the project for Hello Sunshine, with Deutch serving as executive producer. Something from Tiffany’s will launch globally on Prime Video on December 9th.

Ant-Man 3 Adds The Good Place Star William Jackson Harper in a Mystery Role

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. We do know that he will be starring alongside Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, and Michelle Pfieffer. This film sees Ant-Man (Rudd) teaming up with The Wasp (Lilly) to explore the Quantum Realm. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania hits theaters on February 17th, 2023.

Love Horror? Summer Scares is Back in 2023!

Here’s this year’s spokesperson for Summer Scares, plus the timeline for when you can expect to learn this year’s horror winners.

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Toni Morrison Will Be on a U.S. Stamp in 2023: Today in Books

FX Released the Official Trailer for Fleishman Is In Trouble

FX has released the official trailer for Fleishman is in Trouble, based on the New York Times bestseller by Taffy Brodesser-Akner. The series stars Jesse Eisenberg, Claire Danes, Lizzy Caplan, and Adam Brody. Fleishman is in Trouble will be streaming only on Hulu starting on November 17th.

Toni Morrison Will Be on a U.S. Stamp in 2023

This week, the United States Postal Service announced their 2023 slate of stamps, including new forever stamps that will honor literary legends Toni Morrison and Ernest J. Gaines. Morrison’s stamp features a photograph of the author taken in 2000. The stamp was designed by art director Ethel Kessler with photography by Deborah Feingold. Gaines’s stamp features an oil painting of the author, based on a 2001 photograph. The stamp was designed by Mike Ryan with art by Robert Peterson. Other 2023 honorees include Ruth Bader Ginsburg, U.S. Women’s Soccer, Chief Standing Bear, and Railroad Stations.

Miami Book Fair is Returning for 2022

After a virtual-only fair in 2020 and a scaled-down fair in 2021, Miami Book Fair is returning to its original size for its 39th year. And while Miami’s annual literary festival will include virtual events for those who cannot attend in person, this year is all about the in-person events. “I’m looking forward to that beautiful experience of being with a crowd of people, all celebrating books and reading and having a great, fun time while doing so,” says program director Lissette Mendez. “Sharing Miami Book Fair with our community is one of the pleasurable things in my life. I love reading and I love Miami, and putting those two things together is magic.” Miami Book Fair will run from November 13th through 20th and will include around 400 writers, including actor Kevin Nealon and director John Waters.

10 Non-Book Subscription Boxes That Often Include Books

Here are some cool subscription boxes that are not specifically bookish but do indeed occasionally include books.

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Rihanna Returns to Music with a New Song for BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER: Today in Books

Lost John Steinbeck Essay About American Democracy Published

An article by John Steinbeck about American democracy, written 70 years ago, is being published in English for the first time this week. Steinbeck’s “How About McCarthyism?” was originally published in French in Le Figaro Littéraire in 1954. The essay was originally written in English, but has never before been published in its original language. Now “How About McCarthyism?” is being published in Strand Magazine. Managing editor Andrew Gulli says the piece suggests that American democracy will always face threats from within, but in the end will emerge stronger. In his article, Steinbeck writes, “We have always had a McCarthy. I could list names and movements going back to the beginning of our history. And always the end was the same…It changes its name every few years. It always uses the bait of improvement or safety.”

Paul Attanasio Sets Drama Pilot The Bends at FX

Paul Attanasio has set a one-hour drama pilot at FX titled “The Bends,” based on the Gerald Seymour book Killing Ground. Per the official logline, “the series follows a seemingly perfect American family in Berlin whose secrets come to light when they hire a new nanny, unaware that she is trying to expose the parents’ corrupt financial and familial ties.” Attanasio will write and executive produce the project, with Mike Barker directing and executive producing as well. Warren Littlefield, Ann Johnson, Graham Littlefield, and Lisa Harrison of The Littlefield Company also executive produce, alongside Kathy Ciric.

Rihanna Returns to Music with a New Song for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Rihanna has returned to music with a new song for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The track, “Lift Me Up,” was released on Friday and serves as the lead single for the upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. The song was written as a tribute to the life and legacy of actor Chadwick Boseman. It was co-written by Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna. and Black Panther writer/director Ryan Coogler. The full soundtrack will be available on November 4th from Roc Nation Records/Def Jam Recordings/Hollywood Records.

Book Banners are Weaponizing Legitimate Resources

Book banners are using resources meant to fight racism and promote inclusion for the exact opposite purpose.

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George R.R. Martin Says He’s Three-Quarters of the Way Done with THE WINDS OF WINTER: Today in Books

Ronny Chieng and Chloe Bennet Join Hulu’s Interior Chinatown

Two weeks after being picked up to series, the drama Interior Chinatown, based on the novel by Charles Yu, has added Ronny Chieng and Chloe Bennet to its cast. Chieng and Bennet join previously cast Jimmy O. Yang in the series that counts Taika Waititi as an executive producer and the director of the pilot. Interior Chinatown is the story of background character Willis Wu (Yang). Willis is trapped in a police procedural and trying to find his way into the larger story. Along the way, he discovers secrets about the strange world he inhabits and his family’s buried history. Chieng will play Willis’s best friend Fatty Choi. Bennet will play Detective Lana Lee, a new lead making her debut appearance in the procedural cop show Black & White.

Wiip Options Rights to Adam Sternbergh’s The Eden Test

Independent Studio Wiip has optioned the rights to The Eden Test, a forthcoming novel from Adam Sternbergh. The studio intends to turn the novel into a television series. The Eden Test, which is set to be published in April 2023, is the story of a New York couple who goes on a secretive retreat upstate that offers a unique program to save their marriage. But after a series of unsettling encounters, the couple “uncover more about the ties that bond — and threaten to break — them than they ever thought they could.” Paul Lee, Josh Stern, and Gabe Fisher will executive produce on behalf of Wiip, and Jonah Hill and Matt Dines will serve as executive producers for Hill’s Strong Baby Productions. Sternbergh will also executive produce.

George R.R. Martin Says He’s Three-Quarters of the Way Done with The Winds of Winter

While promoting the new illustrated book The Rise of the Dragon on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert earlier this week, author George R.R. Martin gave fans an update on the A Song of Ice and Fire series. “I am making progress with The Winds of Winter, but it’s still not done yet. I think it’s going to be a very big book,” Martin said. “I think I’m about three-quarters of the way done. The characters all interweave. I’ve actually finished with some of the characters, I’ve got their whole story, but not others. So I have to finish all that weaving. Still gonna take me awhile.” Fans have been eagerly awaiting The Winds of Winter since the last book in the series, A Dance with Dragons, was published back in 2011. The Winds of Winter is set to be the sixth novel in a seven-book series.

The Top 25 TikTok Book Recommendations

Load up your TBR with these top 25 TikTok book recommendations, including everything from historical fiction to thriller, YA, and more.