Month: September 2017

Categories
Riot Rundown

090317-Copycat-Riot-Rundown

Today’s Riot Rundown is sponsored by Copycat by Alex Lake.

Your stalker is everywhere.
Your stalker knows everything.
But the real problem is that your stalker is you.
Sarah Havenant discovers – when an old friend points it out – that there are two Facebook profiles in her name.
One, she recognizes: it is hers. The other, she has never seen. But everything in it is accurate. Recent photos of her and her friends, her and her husband, her and her kids. Even of her new kitchen. A photo taken inside her house. She is bemused, angry, and worried. Who was able to do this? Any why? But this, it soon turns out, is just the beginning. It is only now – almost as though someone has been watching, waiting for her to find the profile – that her problems really start…

Categories
This Week In Books

Joan Didion Documentary Coming To Netflix: This Week in Books

Joan Didion Documentary Coming To Netflix

Will this documentary teach me how to be as effortlessly cool as Joan Didion? Netflix is producing a Didion documentary, Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold, chronicling the author’s life and work. The film, which will be directed by Didion’s nephew Griffin Dunne, will be available on October 27, so plan to have enough popcorn for the Didion doc and horror movies. The article includes a sneak peek and it’s really good, yo.

100 Books Across America

What do you think of Literary Hub’s list of the non-fiction and fiction books repping every state in America? Do the picks accurately represent your state? The author did admit that it’s an impossible task. And I guess I won’t argue with Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem and Paul Beatty’s The Sellout for California.

Sir Terry Pratchett’s Unfinished Novels Destroyed By Steamroller

The late Terry Pratchett’s wishes were granted when his unfinished works were destroyed by a steamroller. Pratchett’s hard drive was crushed by a vintage steamroller named Lord Jericho (of course) at the Great Dorset Steam Fair. We’ve been seeing a lot of exhumation of late writers’ works–scenarios that force us to imagine authors turning in their graves. Nothing would make me happier than for the Discworld series to continue on eternally, but only if Pratchett of sound mind and body went on eternally (he would’ve been annoyed if my wish had come true).

The New York Times Interviews Jesmyn Ward

Jesmyn Ward talked about her reading life for the Times‘ By the Book section. TBR hazard zone aside, it’s fascinating to learn the titles of the books that influence the great writers of our time. There’s always something surprising in the mix. For instance, the books on Ward’s nightstand at the time of the interview. No spoilers here–grab your bookstore shopping list and start reading.

Thank you to The End Of The World Running Club by Adrian Walker for sponsoring this week’s newsletter.

#1 International Bestseller!

When the world ends and you find yourself stranded on the wrong side of the country, every second counts. No one knows this more than Edgar Hill: over five hundred miles of devastated wasteland stretch between him and his family. To get back to them, he must push himself to the very limit—or risk losing them forever.

His best option is to run. But what if his best isn’t good enough? A powerful postapocalyptic thriller, The End of the World Running Club is an otherworldly yet extremely human story of hope, love, and the endurance of both body and spirit.

Categories
Book Radar

A New Neil Gaiman Television Series is Coming!

Happy Monday and welcome to September! It’s such a lovely time of year. We’re gearing up for some amazing fall news, and as always, there’s lots of exciting stuff going on. I hope you find something below that piques your interest. Be excellent to each other. – xoxo, Liberty

Sponsored by The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Marta McDowell, published by Timber Press.

In this revealing exploration of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s deep connection with the natural world, bestselling author Marta McDowell shares intimate details about the pioneer writer, following the trail of the Little House series—from New York and Wisconsin to the Dakotas and Missouri. Excerpts from Wilder’s books, letters, and diaries bring to light a profound appreciation for the plants, animals, and landscapes at the heart of her world. Featuring the beloved illustrations by Garth Williams and Helen Sewell, The World of Ingalls Wilder is a treasure for anyone enchanted by Laura’s wild and beautiful life.

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

locke & keyIt co-star Jackson Robert Scott to play Bode Locke in the Locke & Key pilot.

Fall television premiere dates are out, including new and returning shows based on books!

There’s an all-female Lord of the Flies remake in the works. Or you could just read this.

New deals: Upcoming books from Justine Bateman, Ally Carter, Jill Mansell, and more.

Cover Reveals

Lovely cover for City of Bastards by Andrew Shvarts, the sequel to Royal Bastards. (Hyperion, June 5, 2018)

Gorgeous artwork design for Winterglass by Benjanun Sriduangkaew. (Apex Book Company, December 12)

Paste Magazine has the exclusive look at The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan. (Little, Brown, March 20, 2018)

Sneak Peeks!

Lockjaw-Inhumans-PosterThe trailer for Marvel’s Inhumans is up. (And just look at that dog!)

Check out the trailer for Shudder: Neil Gaiman’s Likely Stories. (I hadn’t heard about this until now!)

 

 

Book Riot Recommends 

At Book Riot, I work on the New Books! email, the All the Books! podcast about new releases, and the Book Riot Insiders New Release Index. I am very fortunate to get to read a lot of upcoming titles, and I’m delighted to share a couple with you each week!

they can't kill usThey Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us by by Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib (Two Dollar Radio, November 14): Poet, writer, and critic Willis-Abdurraqib has written a series of smart essays about music and his thoughts and feelings about it in relation to current events and culture, including the Springsteen concert he attended the day after visiting Michael Brown’s grave and seeing PDA at a Carly Rae Jepsen show. AND THAT COVER. W-o-w!

malagashMalagash by Joey Comeau (ECW Press, Oct. 3): Comeau has written wonderful books about zombies and summer camp blood baths, but his latest release is a touching, sweet novel about a teenage girl who records her dying father’s words in the hopes of giving him immortality by turning his words into a computer virus. It’s both funny and sad, and wholly original.

And this is funny.

Some people are reeeeeeally unhappy that It is coming back. This guy is not down to clown.

Categories
Insiders

Early Access: LIT CHAT by Book Riot!

Good news, Insiders! We’ve been working on this for a while, and you’re getting the first look. Meet LIT CHAT, conversation starter cards for book lovers. Use them with your friends, book club members, students, and even each other!

Preorder yours by 10/3 and get a free READ sticker.

So, what is it?

Each of the 50 cards in this conversation deck is printed with two reading-themed questions (100 questions total). Some invoke books that are tied to memories (name your favorite childhood picture book); others prompt you to choose ideal reading material for a hypothetical situation (if you were stranded on a desert island, what book would you want with you?). Some of them aim to get people comparing their favorite (and not-so-favorite) characters or authors, and others engage in popular debates amongst readers (name a movie adaptation you liked and defend your choice). Created to give readers of all persuasions an excuse to talk about books, ideas, and life itself, this deck is a great addition to any booklover’s shelf.

Preorder your LIT CHAT now!

Categories
What's Up in YA

Leigh Bardugo on Writing Wonder Woman, Inclusive YA SFF Reads, and More YA Talk

Hey YA Fans!

This week’s edition of “What’s Up in YA?” is sponsored by Nothing by Annie Barrows from Epic Reads.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Annie Barrows’s teen debut tells the story of Charlotte and Frankie, two high school students and best friends whose lives are nothing like the lives of the girls they read about in their YA novels. But when Charlotte decides to write down everything that happens during their sophomore year, to prove that nothing happens in real life, she’s surprised to find that being fifteen isn’t as boring as she thought. It’s weird, heartbreaking, silly, and complicated. This funny flip on archetypal YA is a great read for fans of Becky Albertalli and Louise Rennison

It’s really hard for me to believe, but the leaves are starting to change here in ye old upper midwest. As the trees begin their beautiful transformations, it seems only right to use today’s newsletter to catch up on what we’ve been talking about in the YA world at Book Riot this last month.

Snap up some cheap YA reads…

These ebooks are super cheap and you’re going to want to drop your pennies on them. If the ebook doesn’t pop up with the link, you can simply toggle over.

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson is the first book in a series which will end soon, so no better time to jump in, especially for $1.99.

Adam Silvera’s History is All You Left Me is more than worth this $1.99 price point. A moving, aching story. One of my favorite reads from this year.

Shallow Graves by Kali Wallace is pitched as being great for fans of Holly Black and Nova Ren Suma and looks like the deliciously creepy type of read perfect for this time of year. Pick it up for $1.99.

 

Thanks for hanging out. Next week’s newsletter will be written by colleague and YA experthusiast Eric Smith (expert + enthusiast extraordinaire!). The following week we’ll highlight backlist Hispanic YA authors in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. September is shaping up to be a great one!

–Kelly Jensen, @veronikellymars

Currently reading Vincent and Theo by Deborah Hopkinson

 

 

Categories
The Kids Are All Right

KidLit Cares Hurricane Harvey Relief Effort

Hi Kid Lit friends,

This has been a heartbreaking week for Houston, and I know everyone wants to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey in anyway they can.

In the children’s book community, author Kate Messner is coordinating a KidLit Cares Hurricane Harvey Relief Effort, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort for Hurricane Harvey & related flooding. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. Bidding is open now until Tuesday, September 5th at 8pm EST. For a complete list of items up for auction and more details, please check out Kate’s website.

Sponsored by Thornhill by Pam Smy

Parallel stories set in different times, one told in prose and one in pictures, converge as a girl unravels the mystery of the abandoned Thornhill Institute next door.

1982: Mary is a lonely orphan at the Thornhill Institute. When her few friends are all adopted or re-homed and she’s left to face a volatile bully alone, her revenge will have a lasting effect on the bully, on Mary, and on Thornhill itself.

2017: Ella has just moved to a new town. From her room, she has a perfect view of the dilapidated, abandoned Thornhill Institute, where she glimpses a girl in the window. Determined to befriend the girl, Ella resolves to unravel Thornhill’s shadowy past.

Included below are some of the over two-hundred items up for auction. If there is nothing you can use personally, consider bidding for a teacher or librarian you know, an aspiring writer in your life, or original artwork for a new baby or a birthday gift. If the auction items are beyond your budget, consider donating directly to the Red Cross Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. For everyone who donates at least $10 to the Red Cross using this link today through Monday, September 4th will be entered in a drawing to win a signed class set of Kate Messner’s fantastic new novel for young readers, The Exact Location of Home (36 hardcover copies) and a 30-minute school Skype visit with her this fall.

Auction Items For Schools and Libraries

1. School Skype Gift Package From Author Linda Urban (Weekends with Max and His Dad, A Crooked Kind of Perfect)

2. Skype Visit and Signed Books from Author Josh Funk (The Case of the Stinky Stench)

3. Skype visit and “draw-along” and signed books from author-illustrator Grace Lin (Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Ling and Ting: Not Exactly The Same!)

4. Skype visit & signed books from author Katherine Applegate (The One and Only Ivan, Wishtree)

5. Skype (or in person near Beloit, WI) visit with author-editor Kelly Jensen (Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World)

6. Classroom or library Skype visit from Chelsea Clinton (She Persisted)

7. Skype visit & signed books from author Erin Teagan (The Friendship Experiment)

8. 30-minute Skype visit & signed books from Laurie Halse Anderson (Speak, Chains, Ashes, Forge)

9. Skype visit & signed books from author Kristin Gray (Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge)

Auctions Items For Writers

1. Full novel-in-verse manuscript critique with Laura Shovan (The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary)

2. Picture Book Critique by Agent Holly McGhee

3. One hour of editorial time from editor Cheryl Klein

4. One-hour manuscript review phone call with agent Molly O’Neill

5. Picture book manuscript critique from author Julie Falatko (Snappsy the Alligator)

6. Tuition for a 2017 or 2018 Highlights Foundation Workshop

7. Conference tuition for the SCBWI Mid-South Conference

8. 20-page MG or YA manuscript critique & ”skip-the-slush-pile” pass from editor Mary Kate Castellani

9. Picture book critique from author Liz Garton Scanlon (All The World)

Auction Items: Original Artwork
1. Original art from Debbie Ridpath Ohi (Sea Monkey and Bob, Sam and Eva)

2. Original animal paintings from illustrator Anna Raff (If I Were a Kangaroo, You are Not a Cat!)

3. Original watercolor from illustrator Mika Song (Tea With Oliver)

4. Original art from Leeza Hernandez (Cat Napped)

5. Star Wars Origami made by Tom Angleberger (The Strange Case of Origami Yoda)

6. Original watercolor sketch from Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Stars Wars: Jedi Academy, Lunch Lady)

 

For kids who are interested in reading books about hurricanes or with hurricane events in them, check these out:

A Place Where Hurricanes Happen by Renee Watson, illustrated by Shadra Strickland (picture book)

Over in the Wetlands by Caroline Starr Rose, illustrated by Rob Dunlavey (picture book)

Marvelous Cornelius by Phil Bildner, illustrated by Jon Parra (picture book)

Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods (middle grade)

The Ethan I Was Before by Ali Standish (middle grade)

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson (middle grade)

The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

 

Upcoming Picture Book Releases!

When’s My Birthday by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Christian Robinson (MacMillan, 9/5)
This book is filled with energetic rhythms that perfectly capture the excitement of a birthday. Paired with Christian Robinson’s amazing illustrations, this book vibrates with energy, humor, and love. I’m a big fan of the tall and skinny picture book format, which makes it feel like the best, oversized birthday card! A wonderful book to read on any day, birthday or not.

Come With Me by Holly McGhee, illustrated by Pascal Lemaître (Penguin Random House, 9/5)
A heartfelt story about a family finding courage after the events of September 11th, and how each one of us have the power to make the world a more beautiful place.

 

Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by John Rocco (HMH Books for Young Readers, 9/5)
I loved this amazing biography of Virginia Lee Burton, author of The Little House (a favorite in my household), Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, and Maybelle the Cable Car, and Katy and the Big Snow. A wonderful and inspiring picture book addition to all kids who want to know about the author/illustrator behind those awesome books.

Upcoming Middle Grade Book Releases!

Podkin One-Ear by Kieran Larwood (HMH Books for Young Readers, 9/5)
A charming tale about rabbit siblings who are forced to flee their warren in order to save their lives and protect a magic dagger. Full of danger and suspense and… rabbits! How could I not love this one?

 

 

Howard Wallace, P.I.: Shadow of a Pug by Casey Lyall (Sterling, 9/5)
This is my all-time favorite detective series, and this book is especially dear to my heart because it’s about a stolen PUG! Will Howard Wallace and Ivy Mason solve the case? Although this can be read alone, I suggest you also read the first book in the series, Howard Wallace, P.I.! You won’t regret it!

Missy Piggle-Wiggle and the Won’t-Walk-the-Dog Cure by Ann M. Martin with Annie Parnell (MacMillan, 9/5)
The second in a series about Missy, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s niece, who is charged with maintaining the upside-down house while Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is off in search of her pirate husband.

 

 

Brave Red, Smart Frog by Emily Jenkins (Candlewick, 9/5)
A charming collection of retold fairy tales that are the perfect length for young readers. Fans of fairy tales won’t be disappointed, especially with the updated language, vivid imagery, plus hints of humor throughout.

 

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling (Sterling, 9/5)
A wonderful debut book by author Dusti Bowling about Aven, a girl born without arms, who moves with her family to operate the Stagecoach Pass, a rundown western theme park in Arizona.

 

All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson (Penguin Random House, 9/5)
This highly anticipated graphic novel following author Victoria Jamieson’s Newbery Honor winning book Roller Girl is sure to please all fans and win over new ones. This book is filled with funny moments as Imogene goes from homeschool to middle school while also living and working with her family at the Renaissance Faire. I loved this book!

Glass Town Game by Catherynne M. Valente (Simon & Schuster, 9/5)
A fictional tale about the Bronte sisters who have invented a game called Glass Town Game, where their toy soldiers fight Napoleon and no one ever dies. But when they go to the train station, the train takes them to a real Glass Town, but not the peaceful place they had envisioned in their imagination.

 

EBook Deals

Pete the Cat: Wheels on the Bus by James Dean is only 1.99!

Rooftoppers, a wonderful middle grade book by Katherine Rundell and illustrated by Terry Fan, is only $1.99!

This week I’m reading The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood, Martin Luther King: The Peaceful Warrior by Ed Clayton and illustrated by Donald Bermudez (Candlewick, 12/12), and The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole (Dial Books, 9/12) by Michelle Cuevas. I’d love to know what you’re reading! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at karina@bookriot.com.

Until next time,
Karina

Even though Izzy was unsure about the whole rabbit warrior thing, I still loved this book.

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Categories
Giveaways

Win a John Green Backlist Prize Pack!

 

 

We have 10 John Green backlist prize packs to give away to 10 Riot readers! The prize pack includes:

Looking for Alaska
An Abundance of Katherines
Paper Towns
The Fault in Our Stars

John Green is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with David Levithan), and The Fault in Our Stars. His many accolades include the Printz Medal, a Printz Honor, and the Edgar Award. John has twice been a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize and was selected by TIME magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. With his brother, Hank, John is one half of the Vlogbrothers (youtube.com/vlogbrothers) and co-created the online educational series CrashCourse (youtube.com/crashcourse). You can join the millions who follow him on Twitter @johngreen and Instagram @johngreenwritesbooks or visit him online at johngreenbooks.com. John lives with his family in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ok, go here to enter the giveaway, or just click the image below: