Hello, book friends!
It’s been a hectic week already and it’s only Monday. Don’t you just love weeks like that? But… I get the feeling that my reading life is sort of leveling out and getting back to normal. I don’t want to jinx it, but I might be in whatever the opposite of a reading slump is. A reading…rise? Anyway, I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that your Monday is going well. Here’s all the book stuff I have for you today.
Book Deals and Reveals
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Tor Nightfire has released the cover of The Spite House, the upcoming Southern Gothic horror novel that’s being described as The Babadook meets Head Full of Ghosts. If that sounds exciting to you (it does to me), you can preorder this book now. It will be out in February 2023.
Here’s the cover reveal for An American Story by Kwame Alexander, which will be out in January 2023.
Star Wars fans, here’s the cover reveal for the upcoming novel Star Wars: The Princess and the Scoundrel by Beth Revis. The novel is set after the events of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. This one is out August 16th.
Several first editions annotated by authors are up for auction to raise funds for English PEN, a human rights organization that champions freedom of expression and defends writers at risk of persecution.
Author Lisa Taddeo has shared a first look at Showtime’s television adaptation of Three Women, based on her bestselling nonfiction book.
The Red, White, & Royal Blue movie has cast its Alex and Prince Henry.
Emerging #LGBTQIA+ writers, SinC is now taking submissions for the annual Pride award, a $2000 grant.
Mindy Kaling has partnered with Amazon Studios to launch her own “story studio,” and here are the first books she’s selected for partnership.
Book Riot Recommends
I’m a Contributing Editor at Book Riot, I write the Today in Books newsletter, and I’m a Bibliologist for Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations subscription service. I also have a PhD in English, so I’m basically a doctor of books. Books are my life, in other words, so in this section of the newsletter, let me share with you some upcoming books I’m super excited about. And I think you will be too!
Prepare Your Shelves!
The Force of Such Beauty by Barbara Bourland (Dutton, July 19)
Okay, this book sounds so incredibly unhinged in the best way, and I’ve been staring at this cover for months now, trying to decide how I feel about it (again, in the best way). And now this one is finally coming out next month, so it is time, friends, for us to collectively prepare our shelves. This seems like one people will be talking about, for sure.
So, here’s the deal. When former marathon runner Caroline meets Finn, the handsome prince of a small European kingdom, she feels like she’s finally fulfilling her destiny. After all, she’s disciplined, accustomed to public attention, and prepared to smile and wave on command. But entering a life of royalty is much more than Caroline bargained for. And it’s a bargain that might be impossible to undo. This novel is in part inspired by the true story of Princess Charlene of Monaco, who tried to escape her marriage to Prince Albert three times before eventually giving in and marrying him.
For some reason, the concept of royalty is still fascinating to me, despite the fact that I fully realize how problematic it is. Maybe it’s because we all privately dream of how nice it would be to be rich and pampered. Or, at least, those of us with Libra placements do. Anyway, it seems like this novel is going for an interesting feminist critique of royalty and many young girls’ dreams of growing up to discover they’ve secretly been a princess all along. I’m excited to read and find out!
What I’m Reading This Week
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Siren Queen by Nghi Vo
Book of Night by Holly Black
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Darling Girl by Liz Michalski
The Perfume Thief by Timothy Schaffert
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Monday Memes
Shameless plug alert: if you haven’t checked out my “Which American Girl Are You?” quiz yet, go do it and let me know who you get.
Why am I telling you this? Because I do really love American Girl dolls. I grew up with the dolls and reading their books. And so I’ve been loving these American Girl Outfit Report Cards on hellicity_merriman‘s Instagram. Check out this one for Molly. Here’s Samantha‘s. And here’s my favorite American Girl doll, Felicity.
Other Things That Make Me Happy
Seriously, I feel like all I’ve been doing is reading this week, so the main thing that’s been making me happy is books. But okay, here’s a random recommendation. If you’re looking for a vegan protein bar, I’ve been loving the No Cow chocolate sprinkled donut bars. You’re welcome.
And Here’s A Cat Picture!
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Look at these two good brothers! Becoming friends! Remy has no fear and is ready to be friends with all of the cats. As you can see, Murray is a little more cautious. As for Cersei? Yeah she’s not interested. Like. At all.
But anyway. To cat friendship!
And on that note, I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day, and I’ll catch you back here on Thursday. Bye, friends!
💙 Emily