Category: Today In Books

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Today In Books

Dolly Parton Receives the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy for Book-Giving Charity: Today in Books

Youngest Witness in Derek Chauvin Trial Writes Book

On Friday, the day George Floyd would have celebrated his 49th birthday, Judeah Reynolds, the youngest witness in Derek Chauvin’s trial, released a book about what she witnessed and ways to help children process traumatic events. In her book A Walk to the Store, Judeah writes, “I keep thinking about it and feeling so sad. It is hard for me to sleep. When I sleep, I have bad dreams. When I wake up from a scary dream, my mom gives me hugs. Hugs help me feel better.” The book includes questions and exercises to help children process their feelings surrounding traumatic events.

French Graphic Novel Series Monstre Set for TV Adaptation

Award-winning French graphic novelist Enki Bilal’s sci-fi Monstre tetralogy is set to be adapted into a premium television series from Trioscope. Bilal, director of sci-fi films like Immortal and Tykho Moon, will serve as executive producer. Greg Jonkajtys, Trioscope’s chief creative officer and co-founder, will serve as executive producer and is attached to direct. Jonkajtys said in a statement, “We’re honored by the opportunity for our tech platform and creative team to help bring Monstre to life as a stylized live-action series that not only will captivate a broad TV audience, but also offer fans of the book an immersive new way to experience Enki’s beloved masterpiece.”

Dolly Parton Receives the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy for Book-Giving Charity

Last Thursday, Dolly Parton accepted the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy for her book-giving charity. Founded in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has sent millions of free books to children around the world. In her acceptance speech at Gotham Hall in New York City Thursday night, Parton said, “I just give from my heart. I never know what I’m going to do or why I’m gonna do it. I just see a need and if I can fill it, then I will…This actually started because my father could not read and write…My dad was a very smart man. And I often wondered what he could have done had he been able to read and write. So that is the inspiration.” Currently, Parton sends out about 2 million free books each month.

“Rogue” Employee Replaces Pro-Choice Book Orders with Christian Books

According to Bookshop.org, a “rogue” Ingram warehouse employee was swapping pro-choice book orders with Christian Focus on the Family books.

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Amazon’s THREE PINES Series Releases First Trailer: Today in Books

SJ Sindu Reveals the Cover of Upcoming Middle Grade Fantasy Graphic Novel Shakti

This week, SJ Sindu took to Twitter to reveal the cover of their upcoming middle grade fantasy graphic novel, Shakti. The cover features an illustration by Nabi H. Ali and was designed by Elaine Lopez-Levine. The graphic novel is described as “a fierce and funny graphic novel about witches, South Asian ancestral magic, and embracing your inner strength!” You can preorder the book now, and it’s out from HarperCollins on May 2nd, 2023.

Amazon’s Three Pines Series Releases First Trailer

Amazon has released the first trailer for its upcoming thriller series, Three Pines, based on the best-selling mystery novel series by Louise Penny. The series focuses on Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, played by Alfred Molina. The cast also includes Rossif Sutherland, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Tantoo Cardinal, Clare Coulter, Sarah Booth, Anna Tierney, Julian Bailey, Frédéric-Antoine Guimond, Pierre Simpson, Tamara Brown, Marie-France Lambert, Frank Schorpion, Marcel Jeannin, Georgina Lynn Lightning, Crystle Lightning, Isabel Deroy-Olson, and Anna Lambe. The new series will be released on Prime Video in December 2022.

Hulu’s Hardy Boys to End After Season 3

Filming for the third season of the Canadian children’s series The Hardy Boys is underway, and Hulu has announced that this third season will be the last. “We’re excited that we’ve been able to produce a compelling and complex conclusion to The Hardy Boys this season,” said executive producer Joan Lambur. “It’s been an honor to work on this iconic title with an amazing cast and crew, alongside our incredibly supportive partners at Nelvana, Corus, and Hulu.” The final Hardy Boys season, which consists of eight hour-long episodes, is expected to premiere on Hulu next year.

The 2022 Harvey Awards Announce the Best Comics of the Year

Here are the winners of the 2022 Harvey Awards, which highlights the best comics, graphic novels, manga, and comic creators.

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Jennette McCurdy Inks Seven-Figure Deal for Debut Novel: Today in Books

Mika Kelly, Dermot Mulroney, and Maggie Grace to Star in Psychological Thriller Blackwater Lane

Minka Kelly, Maggie Grace and Dermot Mulroney are starring in the psychological thriller film Blackwater Lane. The movie is based on B.A. Paris’s bestselling novel The Breakdown. Minka Kelly plays a woman who drives by a stranded motorist who is later murdered. Soon, the woman becomes convinced she is going to be the killer’s next victim. But her husband (Mulroney) and her best friend (Grace) don’t believe her, and they worry for her sanity. The film is being produced by Elizabeth Fowler, Warren Ostergard, and Lucinda Thakrar. Of the project, Fowler said, “Blackwater Lane is an intelligent female driven thriller set in the British countryside with lots of layers and a very modern twist. I am hugely excited to work with Jeff, Minka, Maggie and Dermot on B.A. Paris’s chilling, entertaining and adrenaline fuelled story that I think will engage audiences worldwide.”

Jennette McCurdy Inks Seven-Figure Deal for Debut Novel

Jennette McCurdy — former iCarly star and author of bestselling memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died — has signed a seven-figure two-book deal with Ballantine. The deal will see McCurdy diving into fiction with a debut novel. McCurdy’s agent, Peter McGuigan, at Ultra Literary said in a statement that this deal marks a step McCurdy has long wanted to take. “Jennette wants to write fiction,” McGuigan said. “Being a novelist is her dream job.”

Presente!: Latina Girls Standing Up for Justice

On October 22nd, the César E. Chávez Branch Library in Oakland, CA is hosting a special in-person literary event: Latina Girls Standing Up for Justice. Join author Diana Ho as she hosts a conversation with Aida Salazar and Aya de León and the launch of their new books. The writers will discuss their writing and activism. Books will be available for purchase and checking out, and there will be a book signing and refreshments after the talk.

The Best Black Poets to Read (and Listen to!) Right Now

Celebrate all things Black poetry with the best Black poets to read and to listen to right now, including Morgan Parker.

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Hayley Kiyoko Announces GIRLS LIKE GIRLS Novel: Today in Books

Hulu Orders Interior Chinatown to Series with Jimmy O. Yang to Star and Taika Waititi Directing

Hulu has placed a 10-episode order for Interior Chinatown, a series adaptation based on Charles Yu’s award-winning book of the same name. Jimmy O. Yang is set to star as Willis Wu, “a background character stuck doing work in a police procedural called Black & White who has no idea of his leading man status. When he inadvertently becomes a witness to a crime, Willis begins to unravel a criminal web in Chinatown, revealing certain family secrets and what it feels like to be in the spotlight.” Taika Waititi will direct the pilot and serve as an executive producer alongside Participant’s Jeff Skoll, Miura Kite, and Dive’s Garrett Basch.

Chilliwack Students Shoot Video to Counter “Homophobia and Bigotry” of School Board Election

A group of Chilliwack students have shot a video and are sharing it on social media to counter the “homophobia and bigotry” in the school board election campaign. During the campaign, several of the school board candidates have made negative comments about LGBTQ-inclusive policies or have made comments in favor of book-banning to censor LGBTQ content. The video, titled “We Need Change,” was posted on the Students’ Voice Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. It can be viewed in full here.

Hayley Kiyoko Announces Girls Like Girls Novel

Pop star, actor, and director Hayley Kiyoko is adding “author” to her list of accomplishments. Kiyoko announced on Instagram that she will be publishing a coming-of-age novel based on her hit song “Girls Like Girls” and the viral video that accompanied it. The novel, also entitled Girls Like Girls, is currently available for preorder and will release from Wednesday Books on May 30th, 2023.

What’s A Book Sanctuary?: This Week’s Book Censorship News

This week’s book censorship news, plus a look at U.S. public libraries declaring themselves upholders of the First Amendment Rights of all.

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Michelle Obama Launches New Memoir Award for High School Students: Today in Books

Amy Adams Spotted on the Set of Nightbitch

Six-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams has been spotted on the set of her upcoming film Nightbitch, based on the debut novel of the same name by Rachel Yoder. Adams was attached to star in the film adaptation of Yoder’s Nightbitch before the novel was even published. The film will be released on Hulu in the United States, although the streamer has yet to announce a release date. Nightbitch is directed by Marielle Heller and also stars Scoot McNairy, Ella Thomas, and Garrett C. Phillips.

Michelle Obama Launches New Memoir Award for High School Students

Penguin Random House and We Need Diverse Books are teaming up with former first lady Michelle Obama to launch the Michelle Obama Award for Memoir. The new creative writing award will honor “writing with a strong, clear voice by high school seniors who are daring and original.” The award grants one promising young writer a $10,000 college scholarship. This is one of five creative writing awards given by Penguin Random House. Other categories include the Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry and the Maya Angelou Award for Spoken Word. Applications are now open, and you can apply here.

George M. Johnson Shares What Getting Their Book Banned Taught Them About Telling Your Truth

In a new piece for Huffpost, George M. Johnson, author of the memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue, reflects on what their book being banned taught them about “telling your truth.” Before the book was even published, Johnson admitted that they had a feeling the book would be banned and that they might need security at upcoming book events. In fact, according to a report from PEN America, Johnson’s book is the second-most banned in the United States, with bans in 29 school districts. Johnson writes, “Our books (the banned ones, if you will) often tell stories that are uncomfortable and important…But that is why writing and other types of storytelling are such revolutionary rights. Books persist even when oppressors don’t want them to. They change lives, provide community, and serve as a lifeline for those who feel unseen, unheard and alone.”

The Bookish Life of Angela Lansbury

Angela Lansbury had a 75-year career filled with bookish roles, from book and play adaptations to the iconic novelist Jessica Fletcher.

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WATCHMEN Creator Alan Moore Says He’s Done with Comics: Today in Books

People We Meet on Vacation to be Directed by Brett Haley

Brett Haley will be directing 3000 Pictures’ adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation, based on Emily Henry’s New York Times bestseller. Yulin Kuang is adapting the screenplay. Temple Hill’s Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey and Isaac Klausner are producing. Laura Quicksilver is overseeing the project for Temple Hill, and Erin Siminoff and Sophie Kaplan are overseeing for the studio. Haley most recently directed Hearts Beat Loud, starring Nick Offerman and Kiersey Clemons.

Watchmen Creator Alan Moore Says He’s Done with Comics

In a new interview with The Guardian, Watchmen creator Alan Moore says that he’s done with comics. Moore says he’s concerned that “hundreds of thousands of adults” are “lining up to see characters and situations that had been created to entertain the 12-year-old boys — and it was always boys — of 50 years ago.” He also noted that Donald Trump’s rise to presidency came at a time when superhero films topped the box office. Now, Moore is focused on short stories. His collection Illuminations came out this week.

This Liberty Book Club Only Reads Books Parents Want Banned from Schools

The Redacted Readers, a book club in Liberty, Kansas, believes parents need more context before deciding whether or not to ban a book. The book discussion group launched by Liberty Parents for Public Schools meets once a month to discuss works that have been banned or challenged. “If you don’t look holistically at a book, you can attack many, many books,” said Carroll Makemson, a retired school library coordinator with 34 years of experience in Liberty Public Schools. “But when you read them in their entirety, and read anything that might be objectionable in context, you see it differently.” So far, the book club has discussed Looking for Alaska by John Green, Cats vs. Robots by Margaret Stohl, Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez, All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson, and Melissa by Alex Gino. Members register online to be added to the book club’s email list, and you don’t have to live in the Liberty district to participate.

Book Riot Will Match Your Donation to Taller Salud for Hurricane Relief in Puerto Rico

From October 12-18, Book Riot will match donations to Taller Salud for hurricane relief to Puerto Rico up to $2500. Join us in donating!

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Octavia Butler’s KINDRED Series Gets A Release Date on FX: Today in Books

Devil in the White City Loses TÁR Director Todd Field

Just a week after Keanu Reeves exited the project, TÁR director Todd Field has exited Hulu’s Devil in the White City adaptation. Hulu representatives have confirmed that Field has left the project, but declined further comment at this time. Producers are now searching for a new director to helm the series. Field’s reps could not immediately be reached for comment.

Jessica Simpson’s Memoir Open Book to be Adapted for Television

Jessica Simpson’s memoir Open Book is being adapted for television. Freevee, an ad-supported streamer backed by Amazon, handed out a pilot order for Open Book, which will be a half-hour scripted comedy inspired by the memoir. The series will star singer, songwriter, and actress Katelyn Tarver and John Stamos. Open Book is described as a coming-of-age story that follows pop star Sadie Sparrow (Tarver) on her rise to stardom. Stamos will play Butch Thorn, a divorced singer-songwriter who forms an immediate connection with Sadie.

Octavia Butler’s Kindred Series Gets a Release Date on FX

On Sunday at the New York Comic Con, it was announced that the series adaptation of Octavia Butler’s Kindred will be released this December. All eight episodes of the series will be available to stream exclusively on Hulu starting on Tuesday, December 13th. Kindred stars Mallori Johnson as “Dana James,” Micah Stock as “Kevin Franklin,” Ryan Kwanten as “Thomas Weylin,” Gayle Rankin as “Margaret Weylin,” Austin Smith as “Luke,” David Alexander Kaplan as “Rufus Weylin,” Sophina Brown as “Sarah” and Sheria Irving as “Olivia.” Kindred was adapted for television by writer and showrunner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, who also executive produces alongside Joe Weisberg, Joel Fields, Darren Aronofsky, and Ari Handel of Protozoa Pictures, Courtney Lee-Mitchell, Jules Jackson, and Ernestine Walker. Janicza Bravo directed and served as an executive producer on the pilot. The series is produced by FX Productions.

10 NaNoWriMo Treats to Motivate You Through 50,000 Words

NaNoWriMo is quickly approaching (in November)! Completing NaNoWriMo is no easy feat. Celebrate the milestones along the way with these bookish treats and writing accessories.

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Fiona Apple Writes New Song for THE RINGS OF POWER: Today in Books

Keanu Reeves Will No Longer Star in Devil in the White City Series

Keanu Reeves has exited the Hulu series adaptation of Devil in the White City. The series, based on the book of the same name by Erik Larson, “tells the true story of Daniel H. Burnham, a demanding but visionary architect who races to make his mark on history with the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, and Dr. H. H. Holmes, America’s first modern serial killer and the man behind the notorious ‘Murder Castle’ built in the Fair’s shadow.” Reeves was to play Burnham, but now the search is on for a replacement. Holmes has yet to be cast.

Fiona Apple Writes New Song for The Rings of Power

Acclaimed songwriter Fiona Apple is back with a new song, which was written for the upcoming season 1 finale of The Rings of Power. The song, titled “Where the Shadows Lie,” was inspired by one of Tolkien’s most iconic poems, the “one ring to rule them all” verse that’s inscribed on the ring itself. To write the song, Apple teamed up with The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power composer Bear McCreary. “To embody these story elements into one voice is no small task, and so I am especially grateful to have collaborated with legendary singer Fiona Apple,” McCreary said. “Inarguably one of the definitive musical voices of her generation, Fiona brought new depths and narrative intention to the song.” The Rings of Power finale premieres on October 14th, but you can stream the song exclusively on Amazon Music now.

TikTok Creators Call Penguin Random House’s New Promotion Feature A Cash Grab

In September, Penguin Random House announced a collaboration with TikTok that allowed users to link to their books directly in the app. But BookTok creators are concerned about the new feature and what it might mean for the future of BookTok. Namely, how publishing companies might try to use BookTok creators without paying them for content. “Initially, I thought this new [feature] could have some utility,” says TikTok creator Hailey Thomas. “But then it felt scummy, like, not only is this giant trying to gobble up every other publisher, but now they want BookTok?”

Bookish Halloween Decorations for Your Fright and Reading Delight

Check out these bookish Halloween decorations perfect for spooky bibliophiles.

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Books for Pakistan Auction Raising Money for Those Affected by Flooding: Today in Books

See a First Look at The People We Hate at the Wedding

Here’s a first look at the film The People We Hate at the Wedding, based on the 2016 Grant Ginder novel of the same name. “Grant Ginder created such a fun and relatable family — with very unique, comedic ways of avoiding adult responsibility,” says Claire Scanlon, who directed the upcoming movie. “The vulnerability of his characters, so flawed yet desperately looking for human connection, very much spoke to me.” The film, co-written by Wendy and Lizzie Molyneux, follows adult siblings Paul (Ben Platt) and Alice (Kristen Bell) who reluctantly agree to join their mother Donna (Allison Janney) in England for the wedding of their half-sister Eloise (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). The People We Hate at the Wedding hits Prime Video on November 18th.

Most Expensive Jane Austen Novel Sells for £375,000

A unique first edition of Jane Austen’s Emma has become the most expensive of the author’s works ever sold after being bought for £375,000. The three-volume edition of the novel includes handwritten messages from the author. Peter Harrington, the London rare book dealers, say it is the only presentation copy of an Austen novel with a written inscription known to exist. The American buyer insisted the book remain in the UK, and so it’s now located at Chawton House, Hampshire, the former home of the author’s brother Edward.

Books for Pakistan Auction Raising Money for Those Affected by Flooding

The Books for Pakistan Auction is raising money to help those affected by the flooding in Pakistan. All of the lots — including signed books, exclusive artwork, restaurant meals, and manuscript feedback sessions — were donated by members of the publishing industry. Money raised from this auction will go to the DEC’s fundraising appeal for Pakistan.

Book Banners Insist They Don’t Ban Books

When asked to define the difference between book removal and book banning, censors simply can’t do it.

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John Waters Returns to Filmmaking to Direct Adaptation of His Novel LIARMOUTH: Today in Books

Tor Nightfire Reveals Cover of Cassandra Khaw’s The Salt Grows Heavy

Cassandra Khaw, author of the horror novella Nothing But Blackened Teeth, has another novella coming out in 2023, and Tor Nightfire is sharing the cover. The novella The Salt Grows Heavy features art from Morgan Sorensen and a design by Esther Sarah Kim. On Twitter, Nightfire wrote, “This dark and deliciously twisted mermaid novella slithers onto shelves 05.02.23.”

John Waters Returns to Filmmaking After Nearly 20 Years to Direct Adaptation of His Novel Liarmouth

Filmmaker John Waters is returning to directing for the first time in 18 years for an adaptation of his 2022 novel Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance. “Liarmouth is the craziest thing I’ve written in a while so maybe it’s fitting that my novel was shocking enough to jumpstart the engine of my film career,” Waters said in a statement. “Thrilled to be back in the movie business, hopefully to spread demented joy to adventuresome moviegoers around the world.” Liarmouth is Waters’s debut novel.

Crime Writer Peter Robinson Dies at Age 72

Crime writer Peter Robinson has died at age 72, his publisher Hodder & Stoughton has announced. Robinson wrote poetry and short stories, but the author was best known for his crime novels starring Inspector Banks, the first of which was published 35 years ago. His editor at Hodder, Carolyn Mays, said, “Peter was a combination of all the best bits of his detective Alan Banks – thoughtful and passionate about justice, he had fine taste and a totally down to earth view of the world.”

Get Paid $2K to Rewrite the Ending of Game of Thrones

Fans of fantasy adaptations, listen up! USDish is offering the chance to win $2k for watching a few popular fantasy shows. Here’s how.