Riot New Media – Page 613

Best Of 2021 So Far Awards!

Post author By Jamie Canaves
Post date July 13, 2021

Sponsored by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

US Marshal Madison James can’t remember the person who shot her, but she’s ready to get back to work. When she and Jonas Quinn go on the hunt for four fugitives wanted in a string of bank robberies, it’s a race to see justice served—and the perpetrators will stop at nothing to avoid getting caught. Can Madison and Jonas bring them to justice before someone else gets hurt or worse? From Seattle to the San Juan Islands, bestselling author Lisa Harris takes you on a nonstop chase where feelings are complicated, and failure isn’t an option.

Hello mystery fans! We’ve passed the halfway mark of 2021 and I decided to take a look at the books that published January through June of this year– plus backlist books I read during those months–to highlight some favorites. And by favorites I mean if I was handing out awards—someone should really give me this power—these are the awards I would give. This list will be standalone books, or the first in a series that just started, but don’t worry: a list of ongoing series that are my favorites will be forthcoming. I’m also thinking of doing a nonfiction list of the year which explains the almost all fiction here. But for now, here’s to finding your next favorite read!

I Should Have Read This Sooner, It’s Fantastic Award

A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom by Brittany K. Barnett

I recently reviewed this true crime memoir, beautifully written with a constant spirit of hope, action, and determination. Brittany K. Barnett shares her experience growing up with a loving family, her first career, and her decision to go to law school. After discovering cases of people imprisoned for lengths of time that were grossly disproportionate to the crimes, Barnett took many of those cases on and examined the laws and systemic flaws that emerged from the war on drugs. This also gets my Must Read Now Award. (Review)

Page-Turner Award

I’ve got two in this category for books that I inhaled–staying up past my bedtime reading–because I was completely absorbed. Coincidentally they both also have fictional serial killers. And if you’re a fan of true crime podcasts in your books the second will deliver that.

The first is None Shall Sleep by Ellie Marney (Review); the second is Girl, 11 by Amy Suiter Clarke (Review).

If I Was Running Reese’s Book Club I would Have Picked It Too Award

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

The voice of this book is fantastic and while I am always here for unlikeable women characters, I also love a character that is a beautiful human who I’m fiercely rooting for. Daunis Fontaine is absolutely the latter. (Review)

Mysteries Based On Classics Award

There were three books this year that were based on classics, all in different subgenres, and widely different from each other that fans of the original source will especially love but remain great reads for anyone.

If you’re a fan of revenge, dark tales, and Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado, you’re going to want to read The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis. (Review)

For Pride and Prejudice fans (I am not particularly a fan of the original source and yet loved this), enjoy Lizzie and Darcy solving a crime and delightfully bickering in this historical mystery series starter which I need the sequel to STAT: Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price. (Review)

If a remote mystery with some Sherlock love, is what you’re always after with your mystery readings, this Japanese ode to Agatha Christie is for you: The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji, Ho-Ling Wong (Translator). (Review)

Fun, Murder, More Fun Award

If you’re a fan of ridiculous entertainment while crimes are committed I have two great voices that will have you laughing out loud.

Wrap a crime novel around a rom-com and sprinkle in Weekend At Bernies and you have this comedy of errors novel about an accidental/self-defense murder and a wedding planner family trying to hide the body at a lavish wedding: Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto. This better be a movie or series! (Review)

For fans of Stephanie Plum-type funny inner monologue, I present you hotmess Finlay Donovan, who accidentally takes on a murder for hire when a coffee house patron mistakes her book proposal to her agent as a real life tale. All this in Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. (Review)

The Character I Love To Pieces Award

Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland

I loved Ophelia (Ophie) Harrison so much that I still find myself many months later thinking about her. She’s smart and thoughtful and can see ghosts, no biggie. Although biggie being that she does not understand how to navigate not only the difficult situations she’s in, but also how to help a ghost figure out how, why, and by who she was murdered. Your next favorite child character may also be Ophie, so go pick up this book! It’s a fantastic standalone but if Ireland ever wanted to turn this into a series, she could have all my money. (Review)

Most Anticipated That Totally Delivered Award

I have two books that I was seriously gimme-gimme-hands over and sometimes being that excited about something starts you from a place that nothing can really live up to. This was not the case with these two books. They’re so good, I wish I could experience reading them for the first time again: The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe (Review) and The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson. I know I said no ongoing series, but this book starts after the trilogy and it is written as a standalone so I’m allowing it. (Review)

Great Book And Audiobook Narration Award

When You Look Like Us by Pamela N. Harris

This is a great coming-of-age meets missing person mystery that did not get the attention it deserved–put this on your TBR immediately–and the audiobook has an excellent narrator. That’s a lot of wins for a book! (Review)

Browse all the books recommended in Unusual Suspects previous newsletters on this shelf. See upcoming 2021 releases. Check out this Unusual Suspects Pinterest board and get Tailored Book Recommendations!

Until next time, keep investigating! In the meantime, come talk books with me on Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and Litsy–you can find me under Jamie Canavés.

If a mystery fan forwarded this newsletter to you and you’d like your very own, you can sign up here.

Today In Books

Obamas Producing BLACKOUT Film and TV Event for Netflix: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date July 13, 2021

Sponsored by Devil's Candy, New from VIZ Originals

The Obamas Producing Blackout, A Film and TV Event for Netflix

The Obamas’ production company Higher Ground and Temple Hill (Fatherhood) are teaming up again for a new project on Netflix: Blackout, a film and TV event adapting six love stories from six different authors. Netflix says the project is being developed as a film and a TV series concurrently, so some of the stories will be used in the film while others are in the show. Blackout takes place in New York during a power outage and features stories from Dhonielle Clayton (Tiny Pretty Things), Tiffany D. Jackson (Allegedly), Nic Stone (Dear Martin), Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), Ashley Woodfolk (The Beauty That Remains), and Nicola Yoon (Everything, Everything).

New Smart Bookstore Amplifies Black Authors’ Voices

Blk + Brown, a bookstore in Kansas City, Missouri, is using smart technology to help amplify the voices of Black authors. The bookstore’s set-up is like an art gallery, but for books. “Certain books will come and go like installations but there’s definitely some that will always be around and those are the books I call my ‘Blassics,'” bookstore owner Cori Smith explained. “So like the Toni Morrisons, the James Baldwin, the Richard Wrights.” Each book comes with a QR code so you can hear lectures and talks with the authors, as well as playlists created to go with the books, and more. The bookstore also features a monthly book club and a mentorship program. For more information about the store’s upcoming events, check out their website.

Zack Stentz Will Write Script for Wheel of Time Film Adaptation

Zack Stentz will write the script for Age of Legends, the first of three planned Wheel of Time adaptations, based on Robert Jordan’s best-selling books. Zack Stentz, the co-writer of Thor and X-Men: First Class, said in a statement, “I’ve been a fan of Robert Jordan’s work for many years, and it is especially his allusions to the origins and backstory of The Wheel of Time that I have always found most intriguing. I’m excited to be bringing this era Robert Jordan conceptualized to life.” The project will be produced by Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon of iwot productions and Ted Field and Justin Smith of Radar Pictures.

The Best Manga and Light Novels to Pick Up in 2021

Looking to pick up a new manga this year? Here are some of the best manga and light novels to read in 2021.

Riot Rundown

071321-Bacchanal-RR

Post author By Natalia Heroux
Post date July 13, 2021

071321-ArtinComics-The-Stack

Post author By Natalia Heroux
Post date July 13, 2021

071321-WhiteFeminism-Giveaway

Post author By Natalia Heroux
Post date July 13, 2021

We’re giving away five copies of Against White Feminism to five lucky Riot readers!

Enter here for a chance, or click the cover image below!

Here’s what it’s all about:

Elite white women have branded feminism, promising an apolitical individual empowerment along with sexual liberation and satisfaction, LGBTQ inclusion, and racial solidarity. As Rafia Zakaria expertly argues in Against White Feminism, those promises have been proven empty and white feminists have leant on their racial privilege and sense of cultural superiority. Drawing on her own experiences as an American Muslim woman, and as an attorney working on behalf of immigrant women, Zakaria champions a reconstruction of feminism that forges true solidarity by bringing Black and brown voices and goals to the fore.

The Kids Are All Right

New Children’s Releases for July 13, 2021

Post author By Chelsea Henley
Post date July 13, 2021

El Cucuy Is Scared Too by Donna Barba Higuera and Juliana Perdomo

Ramón and his family have recently moved, and with them has come Ramón’s boogeyman, El Cucuy. But with all the anxieties that come with a new place, new school, and new people Ramón can’t find it in himself to be scared of El Cucuy. But Ramón finds he and El Cucuy actually share a lot of the same fears.

Listen by Gabi Snyder and Stephanie Graegin

This cute picture book encourages a sensory experience as a girl goes about her day, trying to hear each sound in her busy world.

Vivi Loves Science by Kimberly Derting, Shelli R. Johannes and Joelle Murray

If you’re a fan of the series that started with CeCe Loves Science, you’ll also love this one which is, just in-time for summer, beach themed. On a school trip to the beach, Vivi and her friend/lab partner learn about aquatic creatures, tide pools, and more.

The Verdigris Pawn by Alysa Wishingrad

This charming middle-grade fantasy takes place in the Land, where the heir to the throne learns the Land he calls home isn’t what it seems sets off, alongside two other children, to make things right.

Until next week!

Chelsea

New Books

Hooray, It’s Time for New Books!

Post author By Liberty Hardy
Post date July 12, 2021

Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge, Jeremy Tiang (Translator)

Several months ago I watched one of my favorite authors, Kelly Link, interview another of my favorite authors, Kevin Brockmeier, and he mentioned that this was one of the best books he had read this year. So of course I had to read it! It’s an unusual novel about an unnamed narrator (you know how I love one of those!) in the the fictional city of Yong’an, who is interested in finding the aforementioned strange beasts she has heard about. And I’m not talking bears and squid. I mean like wild cryptid things! It’s almost more a series of interconnected short stories, and as the book goes on, it tells a larger picture about the world, and the narrator herself, a one-time zoologist turned romance writer. It’s a dreamy novel and also an allegory about humanity.

Backlist bump: Descent of Monsters (The Tensorate Series 3) by Neon Ynag

A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan

One of my newish favorite storylines of the last decade are books that involve podcasts somehow. Another is books involving social media in some capacity. This darkly comedic and weird novel is one such book! Remy and Alicia are two people who don’t particularly like each other but they are both obsessed with Jen, Remy’s former coworker turned Instagram influencer. Jen seems to be living the perfect life of globetrotting and glamour, according to her Instagram account, and Remy and Alicia eat it up. So imagine their surprise when the run into Jen, and she invites them on a trip to the Hamptons. It’s one thing to watch behind the scenes, it’s another to try and hide who you are in front of someone you’re trying to impress. And weird things begin to happen, and the story and suspense escalates until it’s out of control. I can’t even tell you what happens, because you need to experience this for yourself. Just know that the book may have a sunny, bright cover, but the story definitely gets dark.

CW for mentions of extreme violence, terminal illness, death, and chemical use and dependency.

Backlist bump: Followers by Megan Angelo

The Letters of Shirley Jackson by Shirley Jackson , Laurence Jackson Hyman

This last pick is not something I have read yet, but I am unbelievably thrilled to get my hands on it. I realize that it has been many years since I read a Shirley Jackson book. (Also, I realize I am at an age where several years can pass since I have done something lolsob.) I discovered her in eighth grade, when I spied a copy of We Have Always Lived in the Castle in my teacher’s bag. WHAT A PLACE TO START. I have since read all her books several times, including The Haunting of Hill House and The Lottery and Other Stories. She was such a fascinating person and a freaking amazing writer. There is not as much Jackson nonfiction out there as fiction, and I don’t usually read the letters of writers, but you bet sweet Christopher Meloni’s forehead scar that I am going to read these.

Backlist bump: Let Me Tell You: New Stories, Essays, and Other Writings by Shirley Jackson

Say it with me now: YAY BOOKS. Thank you, as always, for joining me each week as I rave about books! I am wishing the best for all of you in whatever situation you find yourself in now. – XO, Liberty

Today In Books

Rosamund Pike Narrating Paula Hawkins’ New Audiobook: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date July 12, 2021

Haruki Murakami Adaptation Drive My Car Vies for Cannes Awards

On Sunday, July 11, Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi unveiled his adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s short story “Drive My Car” at the Cannes Film Festival. Hamaguchi says he was drawn to Murakami’s short story because of the potential he saw in a road trip movie leading characters to be stuck together in an enclosed space. “What I found fascinating was how the intimacy is brought into the car through the long conversations between the characters,” Hamaguchi said before the film’s red carpet premiere. The film has received early praise from critics, specifically for the lead actors’ performances.

Rosamund Pike Narrating Paula Hawkins’ New Audiobook

Gone Girl actress Rosamund Pike will be narrating the audiobook version of Paula Hawkins’ highly anticipated third novel. Hawkins’ A Slow Fire Burning will be available in print, ebook, and audiobook on August 31st. Of Pike’s performance, Hawkins says, Of Pike’s performance, “Rosamund Pike is absolutely one of my favorite actresses… Listening to [her] read my words has been a great thrill.” You can get a first listen to chapter 1 of the novel over at Entertainment Weekly.

NYPL Offers Free Book Kits to Help Keep Kids Engaged

The New York Public Library is making book kits available to at least 60,000 children and teens to help them stay engaged over the summer season. The kits will be available at all NYPL branch locations starting today, Monday, July 12th. There will be six different kits available for different age groups: babies and toddlers; pre-k through grade 1; grades 2-3; grades 4-5; middle school (grades 6-8); and high school (grades (9-12).

Barack Obama Releases His Summer Reading List

Former President Barack Obama has released his summer 2021 reading list. And as usual, it’s packed with some outstanding must-read titles.

Swords and Spaceships

IKEA Assembly Manuals for Aliens

Post author By Alex Acks
Post date July 12, 2021

New Releases

Hollywood Heroine by Sarah Kuhn

After years of being legends in the real world, superheroines Aveda Jupiter and Evie Tanaka are about to take the world by storm in their own TV show. But Aveda has a hard time getting excited; there’s Otherworld activity outside the Bay Area, and she still has to worry about the fate of the world. When on-set drama goes supernatural, Aveda and Evie must swing in to save the day again.

The Freedom Race by Lucinda Roy

The second Civil War left behind an America that’s no longer the United States, riven with sickness and radiation and divided into factions. One of these factions, the Homestead Territories, has restarted the slave trade, and the other factions let it. Ji-ji was born enslaved in one of the plantations in the Homestead Territories; her possible way out is the annual Freedom Race. She also unknowingly holds the key to breaking the power of the Homestead Territories. To do so, she must unravel the voices of the dead.

The Justice in Revenge by Ryan Van Loan

Partners in crime-solving Buc and Eld have taken a place on the board of the Kanados Trading Company with the intention of destroying the nobility from within and trying to force a little more equality into the island nation of Servenza. But boardroom politics and mages keep progress slow, and the two reach out to a potential patron — the Doga who rules the nation. If they figure out who is trying to assassinate her, they’ll gain her support; if they fail their deadline, they’ll be exiled to to the ends of the world. (Full disclosure: Ryan and I have the same agent.)

In Beta by Prescott Harvey

In 1993, small-town high school seniors (and total geeks) Jay and Colin discover a disk that contains a computer program that’s a pixel-perfect replica of their entire town. And then they discover that if they alter the program, they alter reality. They react to this knowledge with all the calm thoughtfulness one can expect from two teenage boys. But someone is watching what they do, and that someone has their own way of warping reality.

The Fallen by Ada Hoffman

The planet Jai has now become a chaotic, galactic no-go zone; its laws of physics are forever altered and its inhabitants have all changed. The AI gods that once ruled the galaxy have become Jai’s jailers, and Tiv, who once believed utterly in these gods, turns to helping the survivors and fighting for freedom. Her girlfriend, Yasira, debilitatingly ill, cannot lead the necessary revolution. But somehow together, they must solve the mysteries that fractured their planet — and save it.

News and Views

If you’re quick, you can sign up for a flash science fiction reading courtesy of Space Cowboy Books tonight.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Aurealis Awards!

Video interview with Farah Mendelsohn.

Interview with Cat Rambo.

Interview with Sheree Renée Thomas.

Fantasy Hive has a selection of SFF cover art done by women cover artists.

How to create fantasy villains.

Daario Naharis and The Death of Khans: From the Mongol Empire to Game of Thrones.

Future Lord of the Rings films should acknowledge the book’s queer leanings.

Writing with an emotional landscape.

IKEA made assembly manuals for aliens.

Bezos and Branson are going to space! Or maybe not. If you have paid much attention, you can already guess my opinion of the “billionaire space race.” But this is an interesting article that’s about the definition of space itself — particularly where it actually begins.

On Book Riot

8 female authors like Sarah J. Maas

Everything we know about the Ursula K. Le Guin stamp the USPS is releasing

This month you can enter to win a $250 Barnes & Noble gift card, a Kindle Paperwhite, and a Kindle Oasis.

See you, space pirates. If you’d like to know more about my secret plans to dominate the seas and skies, you can catch me over at my personal site.

Check Your Shelf

Are Email Newsletters a New Literary Genre? Is THIS Newsletter a Literary Genre?

Post author By Katie McLain
Post date July 12, 2021

Sponsored by Peachtree Publishing Company

It’s going to be another busy day for Stanley at his library!
Starring the lovable hamster and his circle of rodent friends, this newest book in William Bee’s beloved Stanley picture book series models a day in the life of hardworking librarians and highlights the feel-good community they create. Young readers will love Stanley’s library van, and grownups will appreciate Stanley’s community-minded approach to his work. Stanley’s Library is a wonderful first introduction to libraries, librarians, and the joy of reading.

Welcome to Check Your Shelf. I’m gearing up for a hectic week on my end that surprisingly doesn’t have anything to do with work! I’m getting dolled up as one of the bridesmaids in my sister-in-law’s wedding this week, so hopefully I’ll remember how to walk in heels by the time Thursday rolls around.

But for now, let’s library.

Collection Development Corner

Publishing News

High costs and service disruptions plague the book business’s supply chain. (Or, in other words: Why my Baker & Taylor orders are perpetually delayed).

Hanif Abdurraqib has been named a Tin House Editor-at-Large.

New & Upcoming Titles

Here’s a first look at the cover for Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano.

Take a gander at Rebecca Roanhorse’s upcoming novel, Fevered Star.

LitHub’s most anticipated books of 2021, part 2.

9 irresistible gay romances coming in July.

Weekly book picks from Bustle, Crime Reads, New York Times, and USA Today.

What Your Patrons Are Hearing About

Razorblade Tears – S.A. Cosby (NPR, Washington Post)

An Ugly Truth: Inside Facebook’s Battle for Domination – Sheera Frenkel & Cecilia Kang (New York Times, Washington Post)

Wayward – Dana Spiotta (LA Times, New York Times)

The Personal Librarian – Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray (NPR)

Dear Miss Metropolitan – Carolyn Ferrell (USA Today)

RA/Genre Resources

Are email newsletters a new literary genre?

Did Twitter break YA?

What is Africanjujuism?

On the Riot

Black bookstores a year after a summer of protests.

Publishing jobs: 4 hard truths about working in the book business.

An ode to the mass max paperback.

Under-the-radar Spring 2021 books you may have missed.

A 2021 summer reading list for adults.

Books out this week that you need to have on your TBR.

Why is Twitter so bad at book recommendations?

8 female authors like Sarah J. Maas.

What is queerbaiting vs. queer coding in books?

What is digital literature?

A guide to pastoral poetry.

All Things Comics

Disney trademarked Loki, the Marvel movie character, sparking controversy and backlash over whether or not you can copyright a deity.

Here’s a preview of this year’s San Diego Comic Con, which will once again be virtual.

Manga sales soar to an all-time high in 2020.

Batman: The Long Halloween is getting a new follow-up comic just in time for Halloween.

On the Riot

LGBTQIA+ comics and characters you should know.

Which came first, the anime or the manga?

Audiophilia

Andy Serkis is recording the Lord of the Rings audiobooks.

Audio royalties come under scrutiny as audiobook sales continue to soar.

On the Riot

7 more of the best audiobooks to celebrate Disability Pride Month.

Book Lists, Book Lists, Book Lists

Children/Teens

Classic literature board books for babies.

12 books for kids who only want to read Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Adults

Barack Obama’s summer reading list.

9 novels about being a queer person of color in the UK.

4 books to remind you that immigration doesn’t just mean coming to America.

15 must-read books with biracial and multiracial characters.

10 of the best American history books.

12 books that break the rules of point of view.

11 essay collections for when a novel just feels like too much.

On the Riot

12 of the best camping books for kids.

9 drawing books for kids.

3 YA books about love and dance.

Critical race theory books to help you make sense of all the hubbub.

10 books on the history and legacy of slavery.

9 essential books about healthy masculinities.

10 humorous murder mysteries like Knives Out.

8 books about Broadway and theater history.

11 books like Beach Read for beach reading and beyond.

Books with a quirky cast of characters.

12 Catalan books available in English translation.

Level Up (Library Reads)

Do you take part in Library Reads, the monthly list of best books selected by librarians only? We’ve made it easy for you to find eligible diverse titles to nominate. Kelly Jensen created a database of upcoming diverse books that anyone can edit, and Nora Rawlins of Early Word is doing the same, as well as including information about series, vendors, and publisher buzz.

Catch you on Friday. Have a good week, everyone!

—Katie McLain Horner, @kt_librarylady on Twitter.