Category: Today In Books

Categories
Today In Books

Sabba Khan and Maisie Chan Win Jhalak Prizes for Writers of Color: Today in Books

Oprah Daily Reveals the Cover the Cover of Cho Nam-Joo’s Saha

Oprah Daily has another exclusive cover reveal! This time, they’re revealing the cover for Nam-Joo’s Saha, a dystopian novel set amid a run-down housing complex, “charting the fates and foibles of a range of characters as they hold on—barely—in a society devoted to the expansion of inequity.” The novel will be published by Liveright on November 1st.

Sabba Khan and Maisie Chain Win Jhalak Prizes for Writers of Color

Sabba Khan’s debut graphic novel, The Roles We Play, has won the Jhalak prize for best book by a writer of color. This is the first graphic novel to win the award. Meanwhile, the children’s and young adult prize went to Maisie Chan for her children’s novel Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths, illustrated by Anh Cao. The Jhalak Prize was established in 2017, co-founded by authors Nikesh Shukla and Sunny Singh. Singh, who serves as director of the prize, said, “This year, the judges have picked two pioneering books that are courageous, full of heart and break new ground for publishing today and open pathways to writers and creatives of colour who shall follow. These are two books for the new literary canon.”

The Raven Earns Bookstore of the Year Honor from Publishers Weekly

The Raven Book Store in downtown Lawrence, KS, was recognized this week by Publishers Weekly as its “Bookstore of the Year.” Four other stores across the country were in the running for this year’s honor: Books Are Magic, in Brooklyn, N.Y.; Mitchell’s Book Corner, in Nantucket, MA; Two Birds Books, in Santa Cruz, CA; and Madison Books, in Seattle, WA. The Raven’s owner Danny Caine called all nominees “amazing stores.” Caine says the bookstore community really roots for one another. In an interview with the Journal-World about the honor, Caine said, “One of the biggest honors of this whole thing was just being able to be mentioned in the same breath so many times with those other great stores that we look to for inspiration and guidance and solidarity and friendship.”

Business As Usual: This Week’s Book Censorship News

This week’s book censorship news, including a warning about upcoming challenges and protests to Pride displays and events.

Categories
Today In Books

Amazon Starts Monthly Book Club: Today in Books

Gillian Flynn Reveals Cover for First Novel from New Imprint

Earlier today, Gillian Flynn tweeted the cover reveal of the first novel coming out from her new imprint. Margot Douaihy’s Scorched Grace features a colorful stained glass style image introducing the story’s main character, Sister Holiday. Flynn called the cover, art directed by Evan Gaffney, “bold and brilliant.” The novel will be out on February 21, 2023.

“How to Murder Your Husband” Author Found Guilty of Murdering Husband

A Portland, Oregon jury has convicted a self-published romance novelist Nancy Crampton Brophy of fatally shooting her husband. In 2011, Brophy wrote an essay titled “How to Murder Your Husband,” which details various ways one could potentially get away with murder. Because the essay was written several years ago, the circuit judge Christopher Ramras urged the jury members to exclude the contents of the essay in their judgement. After a two-day deliberation, the jury found Brophy guilty of second-degree murder.

Amazon Starts Monthly Book Club

Amazon has started a monthly book club called Sarah Selects, named after Amazon’s editorial director for books Sarah Gelman. The club’s first selection will be Half-Blown Rose by Leesa Cross-Smith. The book club is available on Amazon Book Clubs, a free service that allows readers to join and create book clubs. Sarah Selects book clubbers will receive an email notification for each monthly selection, and can send in questions for Gelman to consider during her live-streamed Amazon Live interviews with the book club authors. The book club will focus on newly released titles and will feature Gelman’s favorite genres, including fiction, romance, mystery/thriller/suspense, biography, memoir, and pop science.

The Worst Covers of Classic Books

Not every edition of a book has a good cover. Feast your eyes on this list of the worst covers of classic books.

Categories
Today In Books

Letitia Wright Gives First Interview About New BLACK PANTHER Film: Today in Books

Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees Votes to Restrict Access to Transgender Children’s Book

The Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees voted to restrict access to the 2016 novel Melissa by Alex Gino. The novel is the story of a transgender fourth grader’s journey coming out as well as her experience being in the school production of Charlotte’s Web. Trustees voted 10 to 2 to remove the book from elementary schools while allowing it to stay in middle schools and high schools. Middle schoolers will need parental permission to access the book.

Oprah Daily Reveals the Cover of Eleanor Catton’s Birnam Wood

Oprah Daily has an exclusive cover reveal of Eleanor Catton’s new novel Birnam Wood. In 2013, Eleanor Catton made history by becoming the youngest winner of the Booker Prize for her novel The Luminaries. The author’s new novel Birnam Wood has been a decade in the making and will be out from FSG on March 7, 2023. Speaking about her new novel, Catton said, “I wanted it to be a thriller, a book of action and seduction and surprise and possibility, a book where people make choices and mistakes that have deadly consequences, not just for themselves but for other people, too. I hope that it’s a gripping book, a book that confides in you and makes you laugh and—crucially, in a time of global existential threat—that makes you want to know what happens next.”

Letitia Wright Gives First Interview About Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

For the first time, Black Panther star Letitia Wright is talking about the upcoming Marvel film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and how it will honor Chadwick Boseman’s legacy. “We honored him by committing ourselves to the story that he started, the legacy that he started with this franchise,” Wright said to Variety when they interviewed her at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. “And we just committed every day to working hard, no matter what circumstances we faced — and we faced a lot of circumstances, a lot of difficult situations — but we came together as a team, and we poured everything into this movie, so I’m excited for you to see it.” Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be released in the U.S. on November 11th.

Party to Celebrate Bookstore Cat’s Retirement

After a decade of enjoying his presence, an Ohio bookstore is hosting a party to celebrate Otis the Cat’s retirement.

Categories
Today In Books

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER Trailer Introduces Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher: Today in Books

England Footballer Marcus Rashford Wins Top Prize at British Book Awards

England footballer Marcus Rashford has won Book of the Year at the British Book Awards for his non-fiction debut You Are A Champion. Rashford’s book, written with journalist Carl Anka, is intended to inspire young people and offers advice on how to achieve your goals. In a pre-recorded message, Rashford said: “Every child should pick up the book and believe that I wrote it for them.”

Rita Collins Drives Cross-Country in a Bookstore on Wheels

70 year-old Rita Collins has been driving around the country in a fully-functional used bookstore since 2015. So far, Collins has visited 30 states, parking her mobile bookstore outside of coffee shops, farmer’s markets, and book festivals. “You look at it, and it’s a van. But I say, way too many times, ‘You need to go in.’ People go inside and say, ‘It’s a bookstore!'” Collins said. “Of course it’s a bookstore! But it’s such a surprise. It doesn’t look like that from the outside.”

Thor: Love and Thunder Trailer Introduces Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher

The first full-length official trailer for Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder debuted last night during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on ESPN. This trailer gives fans their first look at Christian Bale’s much-anticipated turn as villain Gorr the God Butcher. Directed by Taika Waititi and produced by Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum, Thor: Love and Thunder opens in theaters on July 8th.

The Hypocrisy of Disney+ Content Ratings and its Treatment of Love, Victor

Disney+ had no problem placing Marvel shows with adult content on their streamer, but the TV-14 rated Love, Victor was labeled too mature.

Categories
Today In Books

Idina Menzel Says She’s Open to Appearing in WICKED Film Adaptation: Today in Books

People of Color in Publishing Addresses Book Biz Burnout

In a panel held on May 20th, the organization People of Color in Publishing hosted a discussion about burnout among publishing professionals. The panel took place over Zoom and was moderated by Leila Siddiqui, senior manager of digital strategy at DQ. The speakers on the panel were Faye Bi, director of publicity at Bloomsbury Children’s Books; Shelly Romero, lead editor at the book packager Cake Creative; and Ely Mellet, designer at Lee and Low. Bi called burnout a “structural problem,” and Siddiqui noted that burnout was an issue “especially for marginalized people in publishing.” Bi also noted that she felt frustrated hearing about publishers’ recent “record profits and seven-figure advances” while many publishing employees are struggle to earn a living wage. “Everyone’s jobs are connected,” Romero added. “We all rely on each other to make a book successful.”

Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Reveals One Year Anniversary Edition of Ace of Spades

Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé announced on Twitter that there will be an Ace of Spades one year anniversary summer edition. This edition will have a brand new exclusive cover, a short story set during Pride, and more. This limited printing comes out on June 9th, and you can preorder it here!

Idina Menzel Says She’s Open to Appearing in Wicked Film Adaptation

Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba in the Broadway version of Wicked, told PEOPLE that she wouldn’t be opposed to a return to Oz. “If they asked me to do it at the age of 51, I would say, sure — just put a little Vaseline on the lens, throw some green makeup on me, use a little CGI and I’ll look gorgeous,” Menzel said with a laugh. However, she went on to say “that ship has sailed,” so Wicked fans, don’t hold your breath.

Pride is Nearly Here: New LGBTQ+ Picture Books

New LGBTQ+ picture books to put on your shelves, because it’s essential to show children various ways to be happy and true to themselves.

Categories
Today In Books

Republicans try to restrict minors’ access to two books after judge’s obscenity finding: Today in Books

Va. Republicans try to restrict minors’ access to two books after judge’s obscenity finding

Republican congressional candidate, Tommy Altman, is pursing restraining orders against Barnes & Noble that would make two books unavailable to minors due to explicit sexual content. The books in question are A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas and Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe.

A Four-Story Bookstore Is Coming to Beacon Hill This Summer

Beacon Hill Books and Cafe, a four-story bookstore and cafe, is set to open in Boston this August. The shop will will occupy one of the original Greek Revival buildings on Beacon Hill and will feature general interest books, two rooms dedicated to travel and aesthetics, books for young readers of all ages, a room for community events, a courtyard garden, a salon for intimate readings, and cookbooks in the cafe which will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea.

This New Legal Drama Based on a Popular Book Series Has Overtaken ‘Ozark’ as the Top Show on Netflix

Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer, adapted from the 2005 book of the same name by Michael Connelly, moved into the number one spot on the streaming service’s list of most-watched shows. The show is actually based on the second book in the series, The Brass Verdict. The series stars Garcia-Rulfo, Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Angus Sampson and Christopher Gorham, and all 10 episodes are currently available to stream.

Join the Romance for Reproductive Justice Auction This Weekend

The romance world is fighting back against the U.S. Supreme Court threats to overturn Roe v. Wade with The Romance for Reproductive Justice auction, which is offering over 200 packages in exchange for donations to National Network of Abortion Funds’ Collective Power Fund. The auction starts on May 21 and runs through May 23.

Categories
Today In Books

HEARTSTOPPER Has Been Renewed for Two More Seasons: Today in Books

Amy Adams and Marielle Heller Team Up for Adaptation of Rachel Yoder’s Nightbitch

Six-time Academy Award nominee Amy Adams will star in Annapurna’s dark comedy adaptation of Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder. Marielle Heller (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) will direct the film, with a script written by Yoder herself. Heller said in a statement, “Rachel’s darkly hilarious tale of motherhood and rage made me feel seen. And adapting it with Amy Adams in mind has been the thing that has kept me going through the pandemic.”

Heartstopper Has Been Renewed for Two More Seasons

Netflix’s Heartstopper has been renewed for not one, but two more seasons! The show creator and writer Alice Oseman said in a special announcement, “We were overjoyed with the global reaction to Heartstopper and can’t wait to continue the story with two more seasons.” Check out the official announcement here.

Katsumoto Saotome, Who Preserved Stories of Tokyo Firebombing, Dies at 90

Novelist Katsumoto Saotome died on Tuesday in Saitama, Japan, a suburb of Tokyo. He was 90. Saotome was 12 years old during the American firebombing of Tokyo during World War II. He spent much of his adult life working to preserve the memories of survivors through published accounts and a museum he founded. The author’s daughter Ai Saotome confirmed her father’s death. She said he was hospitalized with pneumonia last fall.

New Freckle Survey Shows Where Americans Get Their Books

A new Freckle survey asked American adults about reading habits and how they sourced reading materials and here are the results.

Categories
Today In Books

LOVE, VICTOR Season Three Trailer Released: Today in Books

Crush Your 2022 Reading Goals with Read Receipts

Want to read more? Maybe all you need is a reminder. Penguin Random House has created Read Receipts, which will send text reminders to help kickstart your reading habit. Sign up to receive voice notes from authors, habit building tips, reading challenges, and more.

Love, Victor Season Three Trailer Released

Hulu has released the first trailer for the third and final season of Love, Victor, the streaming service’s series spin-off of Love, Simon. The series stars Michael Cimino as Victor, and this season will see Victor contemplating his post-high school plans and who he wants to be. The cast also includes Rachel Hilson, Anthony Turpel, Bebe Wood, Mason Gooding, George Sear, Isabella Ferreira, Mateo Fernandez, James Martinez, Ana Ortiz, Anthony Keyvan and Ava Capri. Season 3 of Love, Victor premieres June 15 on Hulu and Disney+.

Student Helps Reveal Anne Brontë’s Geology Skills

Sally Jaspars, a PhD student studying Anne Brontë at the University of Aberdeen, has helped reveal that the famous Victorian author was a skilled rock collector with an active interest in geology. Before the youngest Brontë sister’s death at 29 in 1849, the author had built up a large and impressive rock collection. While it was previously thought the Agnes Grey author collected items because of their aesthetic value, researchers have now revealed that Brontë was actually very informed and skilled in geology. Jaspars noted, “Her interest in geology is mentioned in her literary works – indeed in The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall she references the science and a book by Sir Humphry Davy directly.” Jaspar’s research, with the help of Stephen Bowden, has now been published in the journal Brontë Studies.

You Need to Talk About the Sex Parts in Banned Books: This Week’s Book Censorship News

This week’s book censorship news from across the US, as well as why it’s vital to talk about sex and gender in banned books.

Categories
Today In Books

Colin Kaepernick to Publish Memoir Aimed at Young Adults: Today in Books

Riverdale Will End with Season 7 on The CW

The CW announced today that its series Riverdale will end with its seventh season. The show is set for a midseason premiere in early 2023. “I’m a big believer in giving series that have long runs an appropriate sendoff,” The CW chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz said. “We want to make sure it goes out the right way.” The show first debuted in 2017 and is a dark take on Archie comics.

Colin Kaepernick to Publish Memoir Aimed at Young Adults

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick announced on Wednesday that he plans to publish a memoir aimed at young adult audiences. Kaepernick’s publisher Scholastic described the memoir Colin Kaepernick: Change the Game as “young adult graphic novel memoir,” which will explore how “a young change-maker learned to find himself, make his own way, and never compromise.” The release date is tentatively set for March 7th.

David Sedaris Opening Publishers Weekly‘s US Book Show

Humorist David Sedaris will be opening the U.S. Book Show on May 23, livestreaming from the Publishers Weekly office in Manhattan. The half-hour livestream will begin at 2PM, Eastern time. Sedaris will be interviewed by Little Brown’s Katharine Myers about his latest essay collection, Happy-Go-Lucky, which will be out from Little Brown on May 31st.

The AAPI Reading Challenge for May and Beyond

The AAPI Reading Challenge is committing to read at least two books from AAPI perspectives we’ve never before considered.

Categories
Today In Books

New Look at Tessa Thompson and Natalie Portman in THOR LOVE AND THUNDER: Today in Books

She-Hulk Disney Series to Premiere in August

Disney+’s She-Hulk series is officially set to premiere in August. The 10-episode show, which is now officially titled She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, premieres on the streaming platform on August 17th. Kevin Feige and series star Tatiana Maslany confirmed the news at the Disney upfront presentation in New York on Tuesday, and they also debuted a trailer for the series. She-Hulk Attorney at Law will be the third Marvel Studios series released on Disney+ this year, following Moon Knight in March and Ms. Marvel, which premieres June 8th.

Jane Harper’s Force of Nature to be Adapted as a Film

Author Jane Harper has shared on on Instagram that Eric Bana will be returning to play Aaron Falk in the follow up adaptation to Jane Harper’s The Dry, entitled Force of Nature. “It’s happening!” Harper wrote. The Dry was released in 2020 and directed by Robert Connolly. Variety confirms Connolly will also return for the sequel. Production is now underway.

New Look at Tessa Thompson and Natalie Portman in Thor: Love and Thunder

Earlier this week, Culture Crave tweeted a new look at actors Tessa Thompson and Natalie Portman in the highly anticipated Marvel film Thor: Love and Thunder. This film will mark Portman’s first return to the Marvel cinematic universe in almost a decade. The was last seen as Jane Foster in 2013’s Thor: The Dark World. Thor: Love and Thunder releases on July 8th, 2022.

House to Hold Hearing on Classroom Censorship Thursday

House subcommittee to continue their discussions of free speech attacks with a meeting Thursday, May 19.