Author: Emily Martin

Experts Found Chilean Poet Pablo Neruda Was Poisoned

Forensic experts have determined that Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda died of poisoning nearly 50 years ago. For years, the official position was that Neruda died of complications from prostate cancer, but the poet’s driver has argued for decades that Neruda was poisoned. Several years ago, international forensics disregarded the official cause of death as cachexia, or weakness and wasting of the body due to chronic illness (such as cancer). But at the time, they had no answers for what had actually killed the poet.

Tor Publishing Announces New Romantic Imprint, Bramble

Devi Pillai, president and publisher at Tor Publishing, has announced a new romantic imprint for the publishing company, Bramble. The imprint aims to publish a wide range of romantic stories across genres: “From science fiction and fantasy to contemporary and family saga, romance belongs in every genre and every genre belongs in Bramble.” Of the new imprint, Pillai said, “Tor Publishing Group is the gold standard of genre publishing and it’s the perfect time to have an imprint dedicated to romance. Bramble will be the destination for exceptional love stories of all kinds. Expanding into romance gives our team and our readers another chance to do what we do best: get obsessed! Plus, let’s be real, I just want to publish more books I love to read!”

Here are the Finalists for the $50K Gotham Book Prize

The Gotham Book Prize, an annual award that celebrates the best writing about New York City, has announced its eleven 2023 finalists. Here are this year’s finalists: Activities of Daily Living by Lisa Hsiao Chen, An Honest Living by Dwyer Murphy, Big Girl, Mecca by Jamilah Sullivan, Didn’t Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta by James Hannaham, Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez, Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion by Bushra Rehman, The Deceptions by Jill Bialosky, The Sewing Girl’s Tale by John Wood Sweet, Stories from the Tenants Downstairs by Sidik Fofana, Three Muses by Martha Anne Toll, and Trust by Hernan Diaz. The winner will be chosen by a jury of “leading New Yorkers and authors,” including Stephanie Danler, Tom Healy, Melissa Rivero, and Safiya Sinclair. The winner will receive $50,000 at an event this spring.

8 Essential Queer Black History Books

Let these books act as doorways into a yearlong project of reading and exploring Black queer history.

Shelley Parker-Chan Reveals Cover of He Who Drowned the World

Shelley Parker-Chan has revealed the U.S. cover of their upcoming fantasy novel He Who Drowned the World. Chan tweeted of the cover art, “The cover of She Who Became the Sun was masculine — sun, fire, gold, yang — so He Who Drowned the World is feminine: moon, water, darkness, yin. We all know the special contempt the world has for effeminate men, so this is the story of someone who, after a lifetime of being spat upon, is here to slay.” The cover art comes from illustrator Jung Shan. He Who Drowned the World is coming out from Tor Books on August 22.

Penn Badgley Says This Taylor Swift Single is Perfect for His Character Joe in You

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, actor Penn Badgley said that Taylor Swift’s new single “Anti-Hero” is the song that inspired him to start a TikTok account. Badgley, who plays Joe on the Netflix series You, told the magazine, “I thought for years, ‘I’ll get a TikTok when the time is right… And then when Taylor’s record came out, it just seemed the song wouldn’t have worked with anybody else. Me. Joe. Anti-Hero. Taylor Swift? It just was the perfect moment.” Last year, Badgley shared a TikTok of himself lip-synching the song as the character Joe, who is inspired by the character from Caroline Kepnes’ You novels.

Talented Mr. Ripley Series Moving to Netflix from Showtime

A new series based on Patricia Highsmith’s Talented Mr. Ripley novels will no longer air on Showtime. The show, titled Ripley and starring Andrew Scott as the title character, will instead stream on Netflix. Details of the deal are still being finalized, but the show has finished filming and is currently in postproduction.

Welcome to the Grown-Up Scholastic Book Fair

Take a stroll through this grown-up Scholastic Book Fair with nostalgic school supplies, accessories, and decor.

Spider-Man Noir Live Action Series in the Works from Amazon Studios

Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television are developing a Spider-Man Noir live-action series. The project will be written by Oren Uziel, who previously worked on The Lost City and 2021’s Mortal Kombat. Chris Miller and Phil Lord, the producers behind Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, will executive produce the series under their Lord Miller banner.

Matthew McConaughey Announces Children’s Book Just Because

Matthew McConaughey is set to publish his first children’s book Just Because on September 12. According to a press release from Viking Children’s Books, the book will be a “soulful and irreverent collection of life lessons” that will “explore the contradictions all around us, and how they make us who we are.” The book features illustrations by Renée Kurilla, and an audiobook version narrated by McConaughey will also be released.

Sandhya Menon Reveals Cover of Of Dreams and Destiny

Sandhya Menon has shared the cover of her upcoming novel Of Dreams and Destiny, the third book in the Rosetta Academy series. The YA fantasy romance novel follows Daphne Elizabeth “DE” McKinley, the heiress to the McKinley hotel dynasty, in her senior year at Rosetta Academy. After a difficult break-up, DE is determined to just keep her head down in her final year. But then, she wasn’t planning on meeting new student Xander. Nor was she planning on having to confront a spell that’s putting the whole school into a deep sleep. Of Dreams and Destiny will be out on September 19.

7 Literary Valentine’s Day Crafts for Children

Looking for some great literary Valentine’s Day crafts for kids? Look no further for an array of heart-filled fun ideas.

Christina Lauren Announces Five-Year Anniversary Edition of Love and Other Words

To celebrate the five-year anniversary of Love and Other Words, Christina Lauren has announced a special hardcover edition of the book. The special edition will include hand signed tip-in sheets, exclusive never before seen chapters in Elliot’s POV, and a special edition double-sided dust jacket. 10% of proceeds benefit RAINN, the largest nonprofit anti-sexual assault organization in the US. Copies will ship in May, and you can preorder the book here.

Alice Oseman Says Heartstopper Season 2 Will Explore Isaac’s Asexuality

During an interview with Attitude, Heartstopper author Alice Oseman teased some of the things fans should expect to see in the second season of Netflix’s adaptation. Most notably, Oseman confirmed that the character Isaac (played by Tobie Donovan) is asexual and that this will be explored in season 2. “Netflix will hate me for spilling, but yes, asexuality will be discussed on TV in a big way,” Oseman said, “I’m excited. I hope it’ll change the world. I hope when it happens in Heartstopper it doesn’t feel like a lesson. You know Isaac, you care about him, and now you’re going to learn something new about him.”

Mena Massoud to Produce First Ever Foreign Language Stephen King Adaptation

Aladdin star Mena Massoud will be producing the first-ever foreign language adaptation of Stephen King’s work. The short film The Last King is in Farsi and set in Iran. The film stars Iranian-American actors such as international comedian Maz Jobrani and Sheila Ommi, star of Tehran.

The Risks and Rewards of Giving Annotated Books As Gifts

Gifting an annotated book can be a token of connection…or it can be one full of potential cringe.

Gillian Flynn Talks New Book and Shares Reading Recommendations

Bestselling author Gillian Flynn recently talked with Today about upcoming book projects and book recommendations. The author admitted that after writing a book as successful as Gone Girl, she feels pressure with her next book to write something that isn’t too much like Gone Girl while also worrying about writing something not enough like Gone Girl. “I’m a slow writer,” she said. “I’m never going to be one of those writers who can crank out a book a year.” Flynn has also been hard at work with her new imprint, which will be publishing its first book, Scorched Grace, on February 21st.

HarperCollins Reaches Tentative Deal with Union After Three-Month Strike

HarperCollins Publishers and the union representing around 250 striking employees have reached a tentative agreement, which would provide increases to entry level salaries. The union, which has been on strike since November 10, still has to ratify the contract. If they do, it will run through the end of 2025. HarperCollins released a statement Thursday night, announcing “increases to minimum salaries across levels throughout the term of the agreement, as well as a one time $1,500 lump sum bonus to be paid to bargaining unit employees following ratification.”

Kennedy Ryan Releases Exclusive Audible Original Novella

Romance author Kennedy Ryan has just released a novella, exclusively available as an Audible Original. If you have Audible Plus, the book is free. Ryan writes on Instagram, “I can’t wait for you to listen and hope you enjoy!” Coming Home is narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem and features the musical stylings of Southern University’s marching band, Human Jukebox.

The Best New YA Books Out in February 2023

Whether you’re in the mood for being scared or for swooning, the best new YA books out in February 2023 have got you covered.

Penguin Teen Reveals Cover of New Adam Sass Novel Your Lonely Nights Are Over

Scream meets Clueless in the latest YA horror novel from Adam Sass, Your Lonely Nights Are Over. Penguin Teen is giving readers a sneak peek at the upcoming book, which tells the story of two gay teen best friends whose friendship is tested when a serial killer targets their school’s Queer Club. Your Lonely Nights Are Over is out on September 12.

Derrick Barnes Receives Overwhelming Support After Alabama Schools Cancel Appearances

An Alabama community is rallying behind Derrick Barnes, award-winning children’s book author and National Book Award finalist, after Alabama schools canceled three of the author’s appearances scheduled for Black History Month. Barnes was scheduled to appear at Bluff Park, Deer Valley, and Gwin Elementary Schools, but the visits were abruptly canceled following complaints from a parent that Barnes was posting “controversial ideas” on social media.

Last Wednesday, Ashley Dorough, a parent of a 7-year-old at one of the schools, started a fundraiser to help cover the payments Barnes would have received from the planned visits. Any money collected that goes above the payment Barnes was owed will be donated to an organization that aims to help prevent the “school-to-prison pipeline” by increasing child literacy within the Black community.

In addition, Kristen Berthiaume launched a “Derrick Barnes Book Drive” to buy and donate books written by Barnes to kids in the surrounding areas. So far, $1,200 of Barnes books have been purchased. Barnes says he is overwhelmed by the support and thanks the Alabama community for supporting him.

Books for Syria and Turkiye Auction Runs Until February 16

A book auction for Syria and Turkiye is currently running until February 16 to raise money to help with earthquake relief efforts. Email booksforturkiyeandsyria@gmail.com to donate items for auction. Items will be added to the auction until February 13.

Read These New Romance Releases Out in February 2023

It’s time for new romance novels! February is bringing love and joy with these new romance releases that’ll make you instantly swoon.

The Time Traveler’s Wife Musical Sets A Date for London’s West End

A musical based on Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveller’s Wife is opening in London’s West End this fall. The musical was first announced in 2021, prompting the author to tweet: “Should I know about this?” The production team “immediately brought her in” and sources say the novelist was a fan of the project, which includes music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Joss Stone. The show will open at the Apollo Theatre on October 7. An original cast recording of the musical will be produced later this year.

Ibram X. Kendi Shares His Thoughts on Why Books Are Banned

Recently, New York Times bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to be an Anti-Racist, sat down with The Root to discuss book bans and how authors are responding to those bans. “You have people who are trying to change the problem from racism to anti-racism and are trying to prevent kids and young people from seeing themselves on the page, which then allows them to better understand themselves and their world,” Kendi said. “So of course it can certainly be a badge of honor [to have your book banned], but at the same time, to me, it’s just deeply tragic. And that’s why so many of us authors are not only fighting against these book bans, but the more you ban books, the more we’re going to produce books.” Ibram X. Kendi is currently on tour with author Nic Stone to promote their new book How to be a (Young) Antiracist, which was published by Kokila on January 31.

Three Women Finds New Home at Starz

Starz is picking up the series Three Women, starring Shailene Woodley. The upcoming series, based on the Lisa Taddeo’s bestselling book, was dropped from Showtime following Chris McCarthy’s arrival at the network. The series was originally set to premiere in 2022.

Quiz: What’s Your Dungeons and Dragons Alignment?

Wondering what your D&D alignment is for your gaming? Take this Dungeons and Dragons alignment quiz to find yours now!

Regina King & Freddie Highmore Executive Producing The Comedown Series Adaptation

Regina King’s Royal Ties Productions and Freddie Highmore’s Alfresco Pictures are producing a series adaptation of The Comedown. The drama series is based on Rafael Frumkin’s book by the same name. The series also comes from TriStar Television, a division of Sony Pictures TV where The Good Doctor star Highmore has had an overall deal. The Comedown will air on Starz.

Kiley Reid Announces New Novel Come and Get It

Kiley Reid has announced the publication of her sophomore novel Come and Get It. Reid’s debut novel, Such A Fun Age, was published in 2019 and longlisted for the Booker Prize. It also won the Goodreads Choice Award for best debut novel in 2020. Come and Get It is set to be published in January 2024.

Lego Reveals Largest Lord of the Rings Set Ever

Lego has shared an early sneak peak of their 6,167-Piece Rivendell set. The Lego set is the largest Lord of the Rings set ever, and eight largest of all time. Lego Rivendell will be available March 5th for Lego VIPs and for everyone else March 8th. The set retails for around $500.

Your Curated Queer TBR for February

Get queer book recs for winter, Black history month, and Valentine’s Day, along with some fantastic LGBTQ new releases out this month.