Month: May 2021

Release John Steinbeck’s Werewolf Novel You Cowards

Apparently, deep in the archives at the University of Texas, there is an unpublished John Steinbeck novel about werewolves. Murder at Full Moon (yes that really is the title) was one of three early Steinbeck novels that have never been published (the other two Steinbeck himself destroyed). The Steinbeck estate doesn’t seem interested in publishing it. Still, despair not: we only have to wait 22 more years for it to enter the public domain. Until then, you could always freak yourself out reading horror books set deep in the woods.

Bookselling and White Supremacy

At LitHub, Josh Cook reckons with how bookselling can be complicit in promoting white supremacy. How much political power do bookstores have? And what is the best way to use it?

If You Can’t Find a Book Club, Your Answer Might Be at the Library

At Electric Literature, Christina Simon says that while she wished for a book club to invite her in, eventually she found what she was looking for at the library. How many readers like her are out there who, but for the want of a small group of like-minded readers, would be thrilled to join a book club? Another option would be to join an online book club.

Akwaeke Emezi Is Writing New Possibilities Into Being

Author Akwaeke Emezi graces the cover of Time magazine as a Next Generation Leader, with a powerful cover story about their experiences as a Black, queer, and trans storyteller. Emezi is the author of Freshwater, Pet, The Death of Vivek Oji, and their upcoming memoir, Dear Senthuran. They also recently sold a romance novel, which has already been optioned for screen.

‘Black Panther’ TV Series: Danai Gurira To Reprise Role As Okoye On Disney+

Danai Gurira stole our hearts as Okoye in Black Panther, and now she’s returning to that role in a new Black Panther spin off series, set in Wakanda. The series will stream on Disney+, but not much is known yet about plot details.

Rupert Evans Is Joining The Cast Of Bridgerton Season 2

For those of you who can’t wait for the next season of the Netflix adaptation of the Bridgerton books by Julia Quinn, here’s something fun! Rupert Evans is joining the cast, as Edmund Bridgerton, father of the Bridgerton siblings. Since he’s deceased at the start of the series, it’s likely he’ll appear in flashbacks only, which will be significant to Anthony’s backstory and romance.

One Poem Channels India’s Anger About the Pandemic

Parul Khakhar’s 14-line Gujarati verse has highlighted India’s shocking response to COVID. The poem Shab-vahini Ganga (“A Hearse Called Ganga”) was posted on May 11 on social media, and it expresses the poet’s despair and outrage at her country’s response to the pandemic and the high number of pandemic deaths. While Khakhar does not mention Narendra Modi by name, it’s clear from the poem’s heartfelt words that it reflects India’s anger over Narendra Modi and his administration’s handling of the pandemic.

Netflix’s Contemporary Anna Karenina Series Adaptation Will Be First Russian Original

Netflix is currently working on its first Russian original drama series, a contemporary retelling of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel Anna Karenina, with the working title Anna K. The series will take place in contemporary Russia. Anna Karenina (Svetlana Khodchenkova) is the wife of the soon-to-be governor of St. Petersburg. She has a love affair with Vronsky, the heir of an aluminium empire. Michael Azzolino, the director of the series, said: “We are incredibly proud to announce our first Russian series with 1-2-3 Production. The talented team of writers, directors and producers have crafted an imaginative and immersive series. We are excited to help bring their vision for this much admired story to our members in Russia and the world.”

Telemundo Global Studios Buys Complete Library of Spanish-Language Writer Corín Tellado

In the biggest Spanish-language literary adaptation deal of the year, Telemundo Global Studios has purchased the exclusive rights to the complete library of all time best-selling Spanish-language writer Corín Tellado. The deal covers nearly 4,000 titles and also marks the first time a Spanish-language studio has acquired the rights to a major author’s complete works.

20 Must-Read Queer Books Out in June

There are so many great queer books coming out in June. Here are 20 must-read queer books that you can preorder in time for Pride Month.

Netflix Has Announced More of the Cast for the Upcoming Sandman Adaptation

For its upcoming adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, Neflix had already announced that Tom Sturridge and Gwendoline Christie would star as Dream and Lucifer. In a press release earlier this week, many more roles for the upcoming adaptation were announced: Kirby Howell-Baptiste will play the role of Death, Mason Alexander Park will play Desire, Donna Preston will play Desire’s twin, Despair, Jenna Coleman will play Johanna Constantine, Joely Richardson and Niamh Walsh will play the older and younger versions of Ethel Cripps, Kyo Ra will play Rose Walker, Stephen Fry will play Gilbert, Razane Jammal will play Lyta Hall, Sandra James Young has been cast as Unity Kincaid, Patton Oswalt will lend his voice to Dream’s raven emissary, Matthew the Raven, and David Thewlis has been cast as John Dee. Author Neil Gaiman said in a statement released alongside the casting that he couldn’t wait for people to see the series, and, “Of course, there are more delights and nightmares cast than I’ve listed here, and we have a few more secrets up our sleeves.”

Romancing the Discourse is a New Monthly Online Lecture Series for Fans of Romance

Earlier this week, romance author, editor and academic Ali Williams announced Romancing the Discourse, “A monthly online romance lecture and Q&A series for the romance reader, writer and academic, and the perfect entry point in the genre for the romance-curious.” The series will be 13 sessions that cover a wide range of subjects, from various romance genres to how the promise of a Happily Ever After allows writers to take risks. Each session will have a 40 minute lecture and conclude with a 20 minute Q&A. Sessions cost £5 each and will take place on Saturdays at 9pm GMT (Saturday afternoon for US attendees and Sunday morning for Australian).

Oscar Isaac Confirmed as the Star of Marvel’s Moon Knight

Seven months after Oscar Isaac was first announced as “in talks” to star in Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight, the studio has finally confirmed that Isaac will star in the upcoming series, which will air on Disney Plus. No other members of the cast have been officially announced as of yet, but it’s been rumored that Ethan Hawke is also connected to the project as a villain. May Calamawy is also reportedly attached to the project in an unknown role. The Disney Plus series is based on the Marvel superhero Moon Knight, originally created by Doug Moench and artist Don Perlin. The series is set to release in 2022.

100 Years of the Newberry Medal

The beloved children’s literary prize, the Newberry Medal, will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. This is the history of the prize, and how it has evolved over 100 years.