Category: Today In Books

Authors Are Protesting Amazon’s Ebook Policy That Allows Users to Read and Return

Authors are protesting Amazon’s ebook return policy, claiming the system allows readers to “steal” from self-published authors. This policy allows customers to cancel an accidental ebook order within seven days, and it seems readers are taking advantage of that window to finish a book and return it after reading. This means that royalties originally paid to the author at the time of purchase of the ebook are then deducted from their earnings balance.

Bookstores Respond to Demise of Roe v. Wade

Friday’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade left many distraught indie bookstore customers seeking the solace of their local indie bookstore as a comforting safe space. Bookstores such as Left Bank Books in St. Louis, Missouri; Charis Books and More in Decatur, Georgia; Women and Children First in Chicago, Illinois; Zenith Bookstore in Duluth, Minnesota; A Room of One’s Own in Madison, Wisconsin; and Second Star to the Right Books in Denver, Colorado reported busy and emotional days and customers sought books on reproductive justice and abortion rights, some offering a percentage of sales toward women’s health, reproductive rights, and human rights organizations.

Sheffield Hallam University Suspends English Literature Degree

Sheffield Hallam University in Sheffield, England announced that it would be suspending its degree in English literature after a government crackdown on what ministers regard as “low value” courses. These new rules stipulate that universities could face penalties if fewer than 75% of undergraduates complete their courses and fewer than 60% are in professional jobs or studying for a further degree within 15 months of graduating. This adds to a growing concern for job losses and the future of arts and humanities departments in higher education.

Angie Thomas’s On The Come Up Teaser Trailer Is Here

Angie Thomas’s sophomore novel, On The Come Up, was optioned for adaptation upon release and at last night’s BET Awards, the film’s first teaser trailer was released.

2022 Locus Awards Winners

Connie Willis MCed the awards ceremony for The Locus Science Fiction Foundation’s 2022 Locus Awards virtual Locus Awards Weekend on June 25, 2022. Winners of the Locus Awards include Arkady Martine’s A Desolation Called Peace for Science Fiction Novel, Fonda Lee’s Jade Legacy for Fantasy Novel, and P. Djèlí Clark’s A Master of Dijinn for First Novel.

Publishers Discriminate Against Women and Black Authors — but Readers Don’t

An analysis by The New York Times found that only 11% of fiction published in 2018 was written by people of color. Following this analysis in June 2020, the viral Twitter hashtag #PublishingPaidMe demonstrated how many well-known Black authors’ book advances were often less than those of less experienced white authors. A new study published in PLOS One suggests that these numbers don’t reflect market preferences. The study consisted of more than 9,000 people on Amazon’s gig-work site MTurk who were asked to evaluate three made-up books based on their covers and blurbs. The authors’ gender seemed to make no difference in how interested participants were in reading a given book, and it seemed participants were actually willing to pay a premium (about 50 cents more) for books by Black authors.

Roanoke County School Leaders Approve New Book Review Policy

The Roanoke County School Board in Virginia unanimously approved its new media review policy at Thursday night’s meeting with the goal to have more people review books. The policy change was sparked in November when a parent challenged the school’s regulations regarding the book When Aidan Became my Brother, which discusses transgender topics. Upon review of the policy, school leaders found that these decisions rested in the hands of only one person. The new policy leaves it up to a group of librarians who will meet after reading the books and decide which are suitable to be in the school’s library.

Book Club Books to Read This Summer and Fall

It’s about time to start planning your club’s book picks for the fall and the summer. Here’s a list of must-read books for your book club that are out now or that will be out in time for your summer/fall book club meetings.

A New J.R.R. Tolkien Collection Gathers the Author’s Writings on Middle-earth’s Second Age

Ahead of the release of The Rings of Power, Amazon’s TV series prequel to The Lord of the Rings, a new collection of Tolkien’s writings on Middle-earth’s Second Age will be released. The Fall of Númenor, which is edited by Brian Sibley (who picks up where Tolkien’s son Christopher Tolkien left off), collects all of Tolkien’s writings on this age, which will be the setting of the new Amazon show. The events that occur during this time lead directly to unfolding of the plot Tolkien’s best-known trilogy. The book will be illustrated by Alan Lee and releases November 15.

Lionsgate Wins Film Adaptation Rights for Upcoming Young Adult Novel Thieves’ Gambit

Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis won’t be released from Penguin Random House until fall of 2023, but already film rights to the thriller heist novel have sold at auction. The story follows a young young woman, trained by her parents to be an expert thief, who enters a dangerous competition. The book and two other untitled works sold for a reported seven-figures.

New York Library Reverses Removal Of Pride Displays From Children’s Sections Following Outrage

The Smithtown Library on Long Island previously announced they’d be removing all Pride displays from children’s sections in all their branches, a decision that caused outcry and protest. Now, they’re reversing their decision after an emergency board meeting in response to backlash, and an apology was issued in which the board acknowledged they acted in haste.

The Subversive Verse of Shel Silverstein

Much of the early history of children’s literature is didactic, and it took a radical nonconformist, Shel Silverstein, to upend the didactic era and scratch the “id” of children everywhere, inviting them to tease out their “inappropriate” inclinations.

Taylor Swift Debuts Folksy Where the Crawdads Sing Soundtrack Song ‘Carolina’

Taylor Swift has just released a new single called “Carolina,” which will make an appearance in the movie adaptation of Where the Crawdads Sing. The folksy, gothic song is available to purchase on most music streaming platforms. Where the Crawdads Sing is based on the 2018 bestselling novel by Delia Owens, and was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick. Witherspoon then optioned it for film and is a producer of the movie, which will be out in theaters on July 15.

Former Chronicle Reporter Signs Deal With Jamie Lee Curtis On Paradise Fire Movie

Lizzie Johnson, the author of Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire, has just signed a deal to adapt her book on the Camp Fire into a film, with Jamie Lee Curtis’s company to produce, along with Blumhouse Productions. Drawn from Johnson’s extensive coverage of the event and aftermath while working for the San Francisco Chronicle, the book has been praised for being extensively researched and respectfully written to honor the victims who lost their lives, homes, and livelihoods.

‘I Felt Very Unsafe’: Parents Speak Out After Proud Boys Show Up At Children’s Library Event

In Wilmington, North Carolina, the hate group known as Proud Boys showed up at the Pine Valley Library during their special Pride story time event to protest what they claimed was tax dollars funding “pornography and drag queens.” While there were peaceful protestors outside of the library, the Proud Boys entered the library and were disruptive and intimidating to staff and patrons. Sheriff deputies had to be dispatched to the library to prevent the Proud Boys from entering the story time room, and one parent said she “felt very unsafe” while attending with her one-year-old child.

Librarian Vandalizes 2 Public Libraries, Spray Painting “Groomer”: Book Censorship News for June 24, 2022

Pride story times and book displays continue to be attacked and dismantled across the country.

ACLU Files Motion To Dismiss Obscenity Proceedings Against Two Books

Today, the ACLU tweeted that it had filed a motion with its clients to have the obscenity proceedings against the books Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe and A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas dismissed by a Virginia court. The dismissal is being made on the grounds that the books are not obscene according to the law, and that baseless claims of obscenity should not tread upon First Amendment rights. The ACLU’s clients are as follows: “local bookstores Prince Books, Read Books, One More Page Books, and bbgb tales for kids, as well as American Booksellers for Free Expression, Association of American Publishers, Inc., Authors Guild, Inc., American Library Association, Virginia Library Association, and Freedom to Read Foundation.”

Long Island Library Bans LBGTQ+ Books from Children’s Section

In Long Island, NY, the Smithtown Library Board of trustees voted 4-2  on Tuesday to have all LGBTQ+ books and Pride displays removed from the children’s section in its four libraries. The vote comes amidst a nationwide push by conservatives to censor books in public libraries— and sometimes even bookstores— that center marginalized narratives. The decision has been met with widespread opposition. Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted “For many LGBTQ+ kids, libraries are one of the few spaces where they can be welcomed and affirmed for who they are. Our public spaces should be accepting our young people — not rejecting them. To LGBTQ+ New Yorkers: We stand with you, we support you, & you are welcome here.”

Blumhouse Producing Film Adaptation of Blind Spot by Paula Hawkins

Blumhouse Television has purchased the rights to Paula Hawkins’ 2022 novella Blind Spot. The production company specializes in thrillers and has produced hits like The Purge, Get Out, Paranormal Activity, and Sharp Objects. Blind Spot follows Edie after one of her lifelong best friends Jake is murdered and their mutual friend Ryan is charged with the homicide. Edie goes on to isolate herself in her grief in the place she and Ryan lived in, but realizes there may be someone after her, too. Casting is currently underway for the film adaptation.

What is Twitterature? An Introduction to the Genre

From one-tweet fiction to serialized short stories and retellings, Twitterature demonstrated the literary possibilities of Twitter.

Presenting the 2022 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winners

Today, the Horn Book, Inc. announced the 2022 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award winners. First presented in 1967, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards celebrate excellence in children’s and young adult literature. “Young people today are living through history,” said Elissa Gershowitz, Acting Editor in Chief, The Horn Book, Inc. “This selection of winners and honorees so beautifully captures this shared moment and the extraordinary issues young people face. At a time of increased book bans and challenges, it’s vital for readers to have access to thought-provoking, mind-expanding, worldview-questioning titles such as these.” Winners included: Ain’t Burned All the Bright written by Jason Reynolds and illustrated by Jason Griffin for the Picture Book Award; All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir for the Fiction and Poetry Award; and Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert for the Nonfiction Award. You can see the presentation of all the winners and honorees here.

Zoe Kazan Developing East of Eden Limited Series

Actress and screenwriter Zoe Kazan is developing a limited series based on John Steinbeck’s classic novel East of Eden for Netflix. This series comes nearly 70 years after Kazan’s grandfather Elia Kazan directed a film adaptation of the novel starring James Dean. Kazan will write and executive-produce the project, and Florence Pugh is on board to star as Cathy Ames. In a statement to Deadline, Kazan said she “fell in love with East of Eden when I first read it, in my teens. Since then, adapting Steinbeck’s novel — the great, sprawling, three-generational entirety of it — has been my dream. More than anything, I have wanted to give full expression to the novel’s astonishing, singular antiheroine, Cathy Ames.” Kazan also described Florence Pugh as her “dream Cathy.”

New Video Game Based on Poems of Emily Dickinson

A new video game called EmilyBlaster is a new 1980s-style game in which players must shoot words out of the sky to correctly recreate Emily Dickinson’s poetry. This game is a real-life version of the fictional game that a character creates in the forthcoming novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. Zevin describes the EmilyBlaster game as “a little bit addictive and the right amount hard.”

Current Bookish Trends, Observed by a Very Online Bookseller

As in all areas of culture, book trends come and go. Whether it’s genre or cover trends, here are a few current ones.

Léa Seydoux To Play Lady Margot In Upcoming Dune Sequel

Léa Seydoux is set to play Lady Margot in Warner Bros. and Legendary’s Dune: Part Two. Seydoux is joining an all-star ensemble that includes Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya and Josh Brolin, who are all expected to reprise their roles. Also joining the cast are Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken and Austin Butler. Denis Villeneuve is also returning to write, direct, and produce, and Jon Spaihts will return to co-write. Production is expected to start in the fall, and the film is scheduled for an October 20, 2023 release.

Marvel Facing Backlash for Miles Morales Thor Comic Featuring Racist Stereotypes

A new Marvel comic that reimagines Miles Morales as Thor is receiving a huge backlash for its stereotypical portrayal of a Black characters and a Black neighborhood. This comic, written by Yehudi Mercado and with art by Luigi Zagaria, is part of Marvel’s What If? series, which explores what would happen if Morales didn’t have the powers of Spider-Man but instead the powers of other Marvel heroes, including Wolverine, Captain America and Hulk. The Asgard of this comic is portrayed as an inner-city neighborhood, with graffiti adorning many of the buildings and shoes hanging from telephone lines. Morales’ hammer is also covered in graffiti, and Morales shouts “it’s hammer time” every time he goes to use it. These are just a few of the many things in the comic with which fans are taking issue.

Miss Austen Historical Fiction Adaptation Coming to PBS Masterpiece

Gill Hornby’s historical fiction novel Miss Austen is being adapted into a four-part miniseries on PBS Masterpiece. The story is about the revered author Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra Austen. Scottish screenwriter Andrea Gibb will adapt the book for the screen. Christine Langan will produce under her Bonnie Productions banner. Susanne Simpson will serve as executive producer for Masterpiece. Gill Hornby said, “I’m so thrilled Miss Austen has landed with Christine and Masterpiece/PBS the dream team for the project. I can’t wait to see Jane and Cassandra brought back to life.”

Malorie Blackman Wins Pin Pinter Prize for “Unflinching” Writing

This year’s winner of English PEN’s PEN Pinter Award is Malorie Blackman, best known for her YA series Noughts and Crosses.

Ukraine Restricts Russian Books and Music in Latest Step of “Derussification”

Ukraine’s parliament has voted through two laws that will place severe restrictions on Russian books and music in an effort to break remaining cultural ties between Russia and Ukraine. One law will forbid the printing of books by Russian citizens, and it will ban the commercial import of books printed in Russia, Belarus, and occupied Ukrainian territory. The new laws will need to be signed by president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to take effect, but there is no indication that Zelenskiy opposes the laws, which both received broad support from across the chamber on Sunday. 

Netflix’s The Chosen One Halts Filming After Crash Kills Two Actors

Redrum has temporarily paused production on the Netflix series The Chosen One, following a van crash that killed actors Raymundo Garduño Cruz and Juan Francisco González Aguilar and left six other cast or crew members injured. Local media reported that the crash occurred on June 16th and that the van flipped over near Mulege on the Baja California Sur peninsula. The crew had been working in the nearby Santa Rosalia area at the time. The series is based on the comic book series The Chosen One by Mark Millar and Peter Gross. “We are investigating the circumstances with local production,” SAG-AFTRA, the union representing film, television and radio workers, said in a statement. “On set safety is always our top priority. We will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that our members and others are safe in their workplace.”

Publishers Defend Sensitivity Readers as Vital Tool Following Author Criticism

UK children’s publishers are defending the use of sensitivity readers following criticism about their supposed interference in the creative process. Bloomsbury, Bonnier and Quarto all told The Bookseller that they think sensitivity readers are an important part of “forward-thinking publishing” and emphasized that authors are not being forced to make changes they don’t want to make. Helen Wicks, managing editor for children’s trade at Bonnier, said, “We have used [sensitivity readers] for many years, picking our partners very carefully and positioning them as peer reviews. Importantly, we believe our teams have both the knowledge and skill required to work with our authors and advisers to bring the best possible stories to the widest possible audience.” Publishers emphasizes that sensitivity readers play a consultative role in the editing process, and that authors are free to accept or reject their suggestions.

15 Cozy Mysteries Coming Out in the Second Half of 2022

Whether you’re in the mood for a mystery at a Hollywood antiques shop or a 20th century hotel, these cozy mysteries will bring out your armchair sleuth.

Netflix’s 4-part Adaptation of Michael Pollan’s Book on Psychedelics, How to Change Your Mind

Netflix has adapted How to Change Your Mind, Michael Pollan’s book about his experiences with psychedelic drug therapy, into a four-part documentary series, hosted and co-produced by Pollan along with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney. Each of the four parts focuses on a different mind-altering substance: LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and mescaline. The series is set to release July 2022.

Book Bullies Attempt to Hide Our Diversity

Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois has been experiencing folks plucking books from their displays and hiding them in the store — specifically books with covers that feature people of color. About 50 books have been found tucked behind other books. This is just one example of what public libraries around the country are experiencing in which efforts as “Hide the Pride” by CatholicVote are encouraging followers to check out or hide books involving gender issues.

In Digital Era, Zine publishers Haven’t Stopped Expressing Themselves by Hand

Zine publishing is alive and well in Asheville, North Carolina’s River Arts District. Thirty zine publishers were at this year’s annual Ashville Zine Fest, which was founded in 2016. Jessica White who founded the festival with her husband says that younger people are drawn into the medium for its relative anonymity in contrast with the tell-all nature of a digital presence.

LGBTQ Book Sales Surge in U.S., Especially in YA

NPD BookScan recently shared a report showing an LGBTQ book sales surge in the U.S. with a 39% increase in 2022 so far.

Publisher Distances Herself from John Hughes Following Plagiarism Claims

Upswell publisher Terri-ann White says her trust has been breached by John Hughes, after his novel The Dogs was found to contain sections that were nearly identical to extracts from the Great Gatsby, Anna Karenina, and Belarusian Nobel prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich’s nonfiction work The Unwomanly Face of War. In a statement posted on the Upswell website Friday, White said while her “impulse is always to stand by my author,” she was “affronted” when John Hughes wrote an article for The Guardian defending his work, claiming, “I wanted the appropriated passages to be seen and recognised as in a collage.” The Dogs has also been withdrawn from the longlist of Australia’s most prestigious literary prize, the Miles Franklin.

Marvel Developing Wonder Man Series

Longtime Marvel character Wonder Man is getting a series treatment. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton is teaming up with writer-producer Andrew Guest (Brooklyn Nine Nine, Community) to create a live-action series featuring the Marvel character. Wonder Man is still in early development stages, but the project could start filming in 2023.

Stephen Graham Jones to Unleash Terrifying New Audiobook Experience with The Babysitter Lives

Stephen Graham Jones, the New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians and My Heart is a Chainsaw, has new terrors planned for fans in the form of a book released exclusively on audio. The Babysitter Lives is a book written with listening audiences in mind, and it will be available from Simon & Schuster on August 9th. Stephen Graham Jones said of his new audiobook, “Some stories work so well out loud. I think The Babysitter Lives is one of those stories. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better person to bring it to life than [audiobook narrator] Isabelle Star LeBlanc. I hope listeners enjoy it — I mean, I hope it makes them leave the lights on.”

“Once The Books Start Coming Off the Shelves, We’ll See You in Court”: This Week’s Book Censorship News

This week’s book censorship news, including white supremacists crashing a Drag Queen Story Hour and a wave of of lawsuits.