Willow Smith Slammed for “Racist” and “Islamophobic” Content in Debut Book
Willow Smith is receiving backlash after excerpts of her debut novel Black Shield Maiden were released to the public. The novel, co-authored with Jess Handel, is the story of a kidnapped African warrior who is forced to live in a community of Vikings. Penguin Books released an excerpt from the book in the hopes of promoting it, but many critics spoke out against the story for including racist and Islamophobic content. Many people took to Twitter to call out the book for misrepresenting Amazigh people and Muslims. You can read the excerpt and people’s responses here. Warning for racist content.
The OC Star Ben McKenzie and Journalist Jacob Silverman Publishing Book About Cryptocurrency
Ben McKenzie, best known as the star of hit shows such as The O.C. and Southland, is teaming up with journalist Jacob Silverman to write a book about cryptocurrency. The book Easy Money will be published through Abrams Press. McKenzie has been an outspoken critic and skeptic of cryptocurrency. The book will focus on McKenzie and Silverman’s ongoing attempts to examine the truths behind cryptocurrency and the people impacted by its spectacular rise and potential fall. “Finally I’ve found a crypto project worth shilling: my book,” McKenzie said in a statement. “Easy Money’is about two things — money and lying — and while I know a little about the former from my econ degree, it’s the latter that fascinates me. Maybe that’s why I do it for a living. In Abrams, Jacob and I have found the perfect partner: a highly respected publisher with global reach who can help two Brooklyn dads unravel the mysteries, and the absurdities, of crypto. We will do our best not to bore you.”
Celeste Ng Teases New Novel Our Missing Hearts
In January, Celeste Ng announced her new novel Our Missing Hearts, and today on Instagram, the author teased a little more information about her highly-anticipated upcoming book. The author shared a photo of a special preview edition of the new novel, which will be available exclusively for booksellers at the Winter Institute conference. Ng wrote, “It’s the first time I’ve seen it in book form!” Ng said that advanced reading copies of the novel with the book’s official cover should be available in the spring. As previously announce, the novel will be available in bookstores in the US, Canada, and the UK on October 4th.
Take One Step Towards Combating Censorship
Can you dedicate 20 minutes this week to helping dismantle censorship in your community? Here’s how.