Category: Today In Books

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Today In Books

Read the First 50 Pages of Meg Cabot’s ENCHANTED TO MEET YOU: Today in Books

Barnes & Noble Hosts Virtual Event with Ali Hazelwood

Barnes & Noble Union Square’s ticketed event with Ali Hazelwood in conversation with Adriana Herrera and Sarah MacLean is sold out. But no worries! You can attend the event virtually by purchasing a ticket from Eventbrite. The conversation with Ali Hazelwood, author of Love, Theoretically, will take place on Tuesday, June 13 at 6 p.m. Eastern time.

A Hemingway Film Adaptation Starring Liev Schrieber and Josh Hutcherson is Coming Soon

A film adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s 1950 novel Across the River and Into the Trees has found a distributor in Bleeker Street and will be released soon. The film stars Liev Schreiber and Josh Hutcherson. It is directed by Paula Ortiz (The Bride), was adapted by Peter Flannery (The Devil’s Mistress), and was produced by Tribune Pictures. Stay tuned for more details about the film’s release date.

Read the First 50 Pages of Meg Cabot’s Enchanted to Meet You

Looking for a sneak peek at Meg Cabot’s latest novel Enchanted to Meet You? The author is sharing the first 50 pages of her new novel, the next in her Witches of West Harbor series. Dive into the novel now, and get ready for the book to be released on September 5 of this year!

8 Picture Books to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month

Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month and share these picture books with the youngest readers in your life.

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Fans React to First Photos of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni on the Set of IT ENDS WITH US: Today in Books

Ms. Marvel Will Die in an Upcoming Marvel Comic

The beloved Marvel character Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan) will be dying in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man #26, which is releasing later this month. Kamala has played an important role in the current Amazing Spider-Man comic series. She interns at Oscorp to keep an eye on Norman Osborn (the Green Goblin) and she helps Spider-Man protect the city. Following the death of the beloved character, Marvel intends to release Fallen Friend: The Death of Ms. Marvel, which will focus on the impact of the hero’s death. Look for that issue to hit shelves on July 12.

Fans React to First Photos of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni on the Set of It Ends With Us

The first photos from the set of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends with Us have been released, and fans are less than impressed. Now TikTok (where the book has a huge following) is filled with videos of fans responding to the images. “I love Blake Lively. I love her so much,” said TikToker Nique Coleman. “But this is just not Lily Bloom… We will see, but so for this is not looking that promising.” In another TikTok, Chloe Breana says, “Whoever is in charge of making this movie has not read the book.” Representatives for Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Colleen Hoover have yet to respond to the backlash online. 

Johnny Cash Lyrics to be Collected in a Book for the First Time

The lyrics of Johnny Cash will be collected for the first time in a new book. The book, entitled Johnny Cash: The Life in Lyrics, will include rare and never-before-seen visuals and stories/commentary from Cash’s son, John Carter Cash, Stielper, the Cash and Carter family historian, and many others. This book marks the first time the Cash estate has opened up its archive to share stories about the creation of his music with fans. The book will be published on November 14.

8 Classics that Should Be Adapted into Gritty K-Dramas

Now that we’ve fallen in love with Little Women as a K-Drama, here are eight more classics that would be perfect for a gritty K-Drama adaptation.

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Penguin Random House and Florida Parents Sue School District Over Book Bans: Today in Books

Bestselling Fantasy Novel Uses AI Art On Its Cover

The cover of Sarah J. Maas’ House of Earth and Blood has sparked controversy after readers noted that the back of the UK edition of the book credits Adobe Stock for the illustration of a wolf on its cover. The image is marked as AI-generated on Adobe’s site. Bloomsbury’s cover has put both Maas and the publishing house under fire and has sparked concerns that publishers could replace artists with text-to-image generators like Midjourney and Stable Diffusion. “Bloomsbury is one of the major publishing houses,” freelance artist Kala Elizabeth tweeted. “They CAN afford to hire real illustrators instead of purchasing Adobe stock, which is where this AI content is from.” Maas has yet to speak out about the AI-generated image, but she did praise the cover design on her Instagram page.

New Leaf Literary & Media Faces Backlash After Dropping Authors

On May 12, New Leaf Literary & Media split with agent Jordan Hamessley, and several clients were told they would no longer be represented. The authors and illustrators immediately took to Twitter to express their frustration. “I definitely was surprised at the sheer number of clients who were dropped,” said one author on Hamessley’s roster who wished to remain anonymous. “There were some authors who really seemed to be finding success, and I never would have imagined wouldn’t be taken on by another agent.” Hamessley managed a roster of 45 clients, 19 of which were offered continued representation under other New Leaf literary agents. In a statement posted Twitter account on May 16, Hamessley said that she “would not characterize my departure from New Leaf as amicable.” 

Penguin Random House and Florida Parents Sue School District Over Book Bans

Earlier today, Penguin Random House, authors, parents and an advocacy group filed a lawsuit against the Escambia County School District and the Escambia County School Board in Pensacola, Florida, for removing 10 books related to race and the LGBTQ community. The plaintiffs say the district and the board violated the First Amendment by “depriving students of access to a wide range of viewpoints, and depriving the authors of the removed and restricted books of the opportunity to engage with readers and disseminate their ideas to their intended audiences.” The lawsuit also argues that the removals violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. Neither the district nor the school has returned requests for comment.

Overused Words in Book Blurbs

There are only so many ways to say “Read this, it’s good,” but these words are so overused in book blurbs, they no longer mean anything.

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Amazon Announces New LORD OF THE RINGS MMO: Today in Books

Salman Rushdie Sends Message to Book Banners in a Speech at the British Book Awards

Speaking in a video message delivered to the British Book Awards in London on Monday, Salman Rushdie had a message for those calling for book bans in America. “We live in a moment, I think, at which freedom of expression, freedom to publish has not in my lifetime been under such threat in the countries of the West,” the novelist said. Rushdie went on to argue that books should be allowed to “come to us from their time and be of their time…And if that’s difficult to take, don’t read it, read another book.” Salman Rushdie was awarded the Freedom to Publish award as part of the British Book Awards ceremony on Monday evening.

Tor Books Acquires Four Books From Hugo Award-Winning Author Amal El-Mohtar

Tor Books has acquired four books from Hugo Award-winning author Amal El-Mohtar. In a statement, Tor Books Executive Editor Ali Fisher said, “Amal El-Mohtar has a voice from another, better world. Her writing is an irresistible glowing doorway—you know whatever’s on the other side will change you, but there’s no hesitation in turning the handle and passing through. I’m overjoyed to be working with Amal on these projects!” The books include two novels, one novella, and one short story collection. El-Mohtar’s new novella is slated for a fall 2024 release. The remaining projects will follow.

Amazon Announces New Lord of the Rings MMO

Amazon has announced plans to create a new Lord of the Rings massively multiplayer online game (MMO). The as-yet-untitled game will be developed by Amazon Games Studio, the same team behind Amazon’s MMO New World. With this new game, Amazon says it intends to “deliver something that feels distinct from New World and fitting for the world of Middle-earth. The team has some big plans for the next generation of New World’s Azoth Engine that will unlock exciting new possibilities for its take on Middle-earth.” This is not the first time Amazon has announced a LOTR MMO. Amazon had previously announced that it would team with the Chinese developer Leyou Technologies to develop the game, but the deal ultimately fell through.

Weird Queer: An Introduction to the Genre

Take a dive into the Weird Queer genre, where traditional genres and binaries of all kinds disappear, merge, and mutate delightfully.

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DC Comics is Giving Wonder Woman a Daughter: Today in Books

LeVar Burton Takes on the State of Banned Books

On May 24, the LA Times is hosting a special LA Times Book Club evening discussing books and censorship, with author and literacy champion LeVar Burton in conversation with Times editor Steve Padilla about the State of Banned Books. The in-person event at the historic Herald Examiner Building is currently sold out; however, you can join online for the livestreaming discussion, which starts at 7 p.m. PT. Tickets are available here.

McKenna Grace and Asher Angel to Star in Adaptation of Katie Cotugno’s 99 Days

McKenna Grace and Asher Angel are set to star in Alloy Entertainment’s 99 Days, based on the New York Times bestselling teen romance novel by Katie Cotugno. Martha Stephens will direct the film from a script she co-wrote with Shannon Bradley-Colleary. Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton will produce through Alloy Entertainment. Dutton said in a statement, “We are so excited to see Mckenna, Asher and Martha bring this incredible screenplay to life.”

DC Comics is Giving Wonder Woman a Daughter

DC Comics is giving Wonder Woman a daughter named Trinity in the upcoming anniversary issue Wonder Woman #800. The character was created by writer Tom King and artist Daniel Sampere, who will also be taking over the monthly Wonder Woman comic when it relaunches this September. Wonder Woman #800 hits stores in June.

New & Upcoming Nonfiction & Poetry by AAPI Authors

Nonfiction lovers, you’re in luck, because there’s so much great new nonfiction and poetry by AAPI authors to pick up right now.

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Rachel Hawkins Introduces Her New Thriller THE HEIRESS: Today in Books

Stacey Abrams Reveals the Books That Changed Her Life

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, politician, activist, and author Stacey Abrams talked about her new novel Rogue Justice and discussed the books that changed her life. “It’s not in a genre that I write in, but the first time I read Richard Wright, just the ability to wring emotion out of a reader in that way was revelatory,” Abrams told EW. “Native Son was transformative for me.” Check out the interview to see what other books Abrams mentioned. Rogue Justice is out May 23.

Here’s the New Trailer for Isaac Asimov’s Foundation Season 2

The second season of Apple TV+’s adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation is coming soon, and here’s the new trailer! Season 2 will be set more than a century after the finale of the first season. The series stars Jared Harris as Dr. Hari Seldon; Lee Pace as Brother Day; Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick; Leah Harvey as Salvor Hardin; Laura Birn as Demerzel; Terrence Mann as Brother Dusk; Cassian Bilton as Brother Dawn; and Alfred Enoch as Raych. Foundation is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on July 14.

Rachel Hawkins Introduces Her New Thriller The Heiress

Rachel Hawkins, the author of bestselling thrillers The Wife Upstairs and Reckless Girls, is back with a new novel, The Heiress, and PASTE has the cover reveal! This Gothic thriller is set in the aftermath of a notorious socialite’s death. It’s a book full of dark family secrets and the kind of twists and turns we’ve come to expect from Hawkins’s work. The Heiress will be out on January 9, 2024.

Your Guide to Kazuo Ishiguro’s Books

Want to start reading this best-selling author? This is where to start with Kazuo Ishiguro books, in order.

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XO, KITTY Showrunners Skip Premiere of Netflix Series Amid WGA Strike: Today in Books

New Book by Late Country Legend Loretta Lynn Announced

A new book from late country legend Loretta Lynn will be published later this month. Before her death last year, Lynn wrote A Song and a Prayer: 30 Devotions Inspired by My Favorite Songs alongside artist and ordained minister Dr. Kim McLean. The book is a collection of prayers and song lyrics. “My writing sessions with Loretta were inspired by our friendship and faith,” McLean said in a press release. “It is a capstone project, and a culmination of her wholehearted, unapologetic love of God, of people, and of life…Loretta said this project was special to her, and I’m honored to be her collaborator and friend. She was such an inspiration.” The book will be published by Worthy Books on May 23.

XO, Kitty Showrunners Skip Premiere of Netflix Series Amid WGA Strike

The premiere of XO, Kitty took place at the Netflix Tudum theater in Hollywood on May 11. But showrunners Jenny Han, Sascha Rothchild, and the rest of the writers were not in attendance. In solidarity with the WGA strike efforts, they chose to support their guild by not participating in any activities related to their series during the work stoppage. In a video to her fans, Han explained, “This moment is bigger than me, It’s bigger than the shows. And what’s at stake is the future of writers and our ability to keep telling stories and we are asking for fair compensation.”

Crazy Wisdom Bookstore Reopening in Ann Arbor

After closing its door a year ago, Crazy Wisdom Bookstore in Ann Arbor is planning on reopening its doors. Currently, the bookstore is looking for a full-time manager “to spearhead the re-opening of the brick-and-mortar Crazy Wisdom Bookstore.” According to the job posting, the iconic Ann Arbor bookstore that has spent 40 years serving the city is hoping to reopen in the fall of 2023 or the first part of 2024.

25 Must-Read Morbid Nonfiction Books

Morbid nonfiction isn’t just for true crime fans. These creepy true stories are for everyone with a bit of morbid curiosity in their hearts.

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Elena Ferrante and Alice Oseman Among Authors Competing in Eurovision Book Contest: Today in Books

Taylor Swift Isn’t Writing a Memoir, but BTS Is

Sorry, Swifties. Taylor Swift isn’t publishing a memoir this summer, but BTS is! The book previously listed as “4C Untitled Flatiron Nonfiction Summer 2023” has now been given a title: Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS, written by K-pop superstars BTS. The band — RM, Jin, V, J-Hope, Suga, Jimin and Jungkook — wrote the book with journalist Myeongseok Kang. The book will publish on July 9 from Flatiron Books.

Morgan Jerkins to be a Guest Lecturer at Princeton

Morgan Jerkins — author of This Will Be My Undoing and Caul Baby — will be a lecturer in Princeton’s creative writing department for the 2023-2024 academic year. Jerkins tweeted the news on May 11, writing, “I’m so excited and thankful and honored that I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Elena Ferrante and Marian Keyes Among Authors Competing in Eurovision Book Contest

Elena Ferrante, Alice Oseman, Marian Keyes, and Javier Marias have all been chosen to represent their countries in the first-ever Eurovision book contest. The book contest is a special project from the Eurovision song contest in partnership with the Hay Festival, marking the UK’s hosting of the annual music event on behalf of Ukraine. Hay will host a special event on June 2 to allow audience members to discuss each nominated work and an overall winner will be chosen.

11 Terrifying Works of Horror by AAPI Authors

These works of horror from AAPI Authors, ranging from novels to short story collections, will scare you good.

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Read an Excerpt from R.F. Kuang’s YELLOWFACE: Today in Books

Outlander Drops New Trailer for Season 7

Outlander has released the first full trailer for season 7. This season of the hit Starz series will be based on the seventh book of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, An Echo in the Bone. This season will also include some material from her sixth book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, because season 6 was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Season 7 is Outlander‘s penultimate season. Earlier this year, Starz announced the series would end with season 8. The first half of Outlander season seven premieres June 16.

Feminist Press Supports Publication of Queer and Trans Authors with New T-Shirt

Feminist Press has created a T-shirt to raise funds to support continued publishing of queer and trans authors. The shirt features an image of a rainbow stack of books and the words “I read queer and trans books.” On their Bonfire fundraising page, Feminist Press writes, “Queer and trans artists need platforms for their work. In a moment when trans rights and trans lives are threatened by hateful, violent legislation, we must support queer and trans writers and designers whose livelihoods depend on their art.” You can purchase the shirt for $27-29 on Bonfire now.

Read an Excerpt from R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface

R.F. Kuang, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Poppy War trilogy and Babel, is publishing her novel Yellowface later this month. But you can read an excerpt of the novel today! Entertainment Weekly calls Yellowface a “biting satirical thriller that grapples with racism, appropriation, and exploitation.” Check out the excerpt from chapter 3. The novel is out from William Morrow on May 16.

25 Books Being Made into Movies and Series in 2023 and 2024

Watch what you read. Find the most exciting books being made into movies through the rest of 2023 and early 2024!

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Woman Who Wrote Children’s Book About Grief is Now Charged with Murder: Today in Books

Stephen King’s “The Monkey” is Being Adapted for the Big Screen

The next Stephen King story to get adapted for the big screen is going to be the short story “The Monkey,” first published in 1980 and then included in King’s 1985 collection Skeleton Crew. The film will star Theo James (The Time Traveler’s Wife), will be produced by The Conjuring‘s James Wan, and will be written and directed by Osgood Perkins (The Blackcoat’s Daughter, I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House). No release date for the project has been announced yet.

A Video Game Adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is Coming Soon

French publisher Microids has announced a video game adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. The publisher describes the game as a “faithful, but augmented” version of Christie’s classic mystery. Microids state that players will lead the investigation by entering detective Hercule Poirot’s head to “discover mind maps and make deductions.” The game also introduces a new character, Joanna Locke, who will help players “regularly exit the train environment during playable flashbacks.” The game is also set in 2023. Microids expects the game to launch by the end of this year.

Woman Who Wrote Children’s Book About Grief is Now Charged with Murder

A year after her husband’s death, Kouri Richins published a children’s book about grief, entitled Are You With Me? Now investigators allege Richins killed her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl. Richins has been charged with aggravated murder and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Kouri Richins was arrested Monday and is currently in custody. 

33 Must-Read Books of Nonfiction by AAPI Authors

Nonfiction is where things get really juicy! Get a firsthand look at the truth of AAPI experiences with nonfiction by AAPI authors.