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.