ACLU Files Motion To Dismiss Obscenity Proceedings Against Two Books
Today, the ACLU tweeted that it had filed a motion with its clients to have the obscenity proceedings against the books Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe and A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas dismissed by a Virginia court. The dismissal is being made on the grounds that the books are not obscene according to the law, and that baseless claims of obscenity should not tread upon First Amendment rights. The ACLU’s clients are as follows: “local bookstores Prince Books, Read Books, One More Page Books, and bbgb tales for kids, as well as American Booksellers for Free Expression, Association of American Publishers, Inc., Authors Guild, Inc., American Library Association, Virginia Library Association, and Freedom to Read Foundation.”
Long Island Library Bans LBGTQ+ Books from Children’s Section
In Long Island, NY, the Smithtown Library Board of trustees voted 4-2 on Tuesday to have all LGBTQ+ books and Pride displays removed from the children’s section in its four libraries. The vote comes amidst a nationwide push by conservatives to censor books in public libraries— and sometimes even bookstores— that center marginalized narratives. The decision has been met with widespread opposition. Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted “For many LGBTQ+ kids, libraries are one of the few spaces where they can be welcomed and affirmed for who they are. Our public spaces should be accepting our young people — not rejecting them. To LGBTQ+ New Yorkers: We stand with you, we support you, & you are welcome here.”
Blumhouse Producing Film Adaptation of Blind Spot by Paula Hawkins
Blumhouse Television has purchased the rights to Paula Hawkins’ 2022 novella Blind Spot. The production company specializes in thrillers and has produced hits like The Purge, Get Out, Paranormal Activity, and Sharp Objects. Blind Spot follows Edie after one of her lifelong best friends Jake is murdered and their mutual friend Ryan is charged with the homicide. Edie goes on to isolate herself in her grief in the place she and Ryan lived in, but realizes there may be someone after her, too. Casting is currently underway for the film adaptation.
What is Twitterature? An Introduction to the Genre
From one-tweet fiction to serialized short stories and retellings, Twitterature demonstrated the literary possibilities of Twitter.