Author: Emily Martin

Peacock Cancels Adaptation of Award-Winning Fantasy Series THE JADE CITY: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date July 5, 2022

Marcus Rashford Book Club to Give Away 50,000 Books This Summer

This summer, British footballer Marcus Rashford is giving away 50,000 copies of his debut children’s book to children in the most economically deprived areas of the UK. This is part of an initiative by The Marcus Rashford Book Club, which is run in partnership with Macmillan Children’s Books, KPMG, and The National Literacy Trust. Rashford’s book The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Beast Beyond the Fence, is co-authored by Alex Falase-Koya and illustrated by Marta Kissi. The book is inspired by Rashford’s own adventures growing up, and is aimed at eight to 12-year-olds. Rashford said that books are “a great source of inspiration and motivation, and much needed for children who struggle to see beyond what is on their doorstep.” Rashford’s book club will give away another yet-to-be-announced book in the fall.

Peacock Cancels Adaptation of Award-Winning Fantasy Series Jade City

After years of development, Peacock has canceled its adaptation of an award-winning fantasy book Jade City by Fonda Lee. Lee announced the news on Twitter, writing, “Sad to share that after years in development, Peacock has decided not to move forward with the TV show of Jade City. It’s a big disappointment. But we’re looking for a new home for the project, and I have faith someone else will share the vision of the Kaul family onscreen.” Peacock has not yet commented on the reason behind the cancelation.

14 Books that the NPR Staff and Critics are Loving So Far This Year

As part of their Books We Love project, NPR staff and contributors are sharing their favorite books of the first half of the year. For the first time this year, NPR is sharing their favorite books in two installments, one mid-year and one at the end of 2022. 167 books made the first cut and then were narrowed down to the 14 most-recommended books so far this year.

A Book Lover’s Guide to Disability Pride Month

Here are the best ways you can celebrate Disability Pride Month in your reading life, from book recommendations to readathons.

Today In Books

Jesmyn Ward Wins the 2022 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date July 4, 2022

Sponsored by “The Island” by Adrian McKinty

The Time Traveler’s Wife Canceled at HBO

HBO has canceled the drama series The Time Traveler’s Wife, based on the novel by Audrey Niffenegger. The series starred Rose Leslie and Theo James and was adapted by Steven Moffatt. “Though HBO will not be moving forward with a second season of The Time Traveler’s Wife, it was our privilege to partner with master storytellers Steven Moffat and [director] David Nutter,” HBO said in a statement. “We are so grateful for their passion, hard work and care for adapting this beloved book. We also thank Theo and Rose, and the rest of our brilliant cast for their heartfelt performances, which completely captivated audiences.”

Jesmyn Ward Wins the 2022 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction

Two-time National Book Award-winning author Jesmyn Ward has just become the youngest-ever winner of the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction. Ward, author of Salvage the Bones and Sing, Unburied, Sing, is 45. The Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction was established in 2008 as a lifetime achievement award and aims to honor “an American literary writer whose body of work is distinguished not only for its mastery of the art but also for its originality of thought and imagination.” The Award is presented annually by the Librarian of Congress at the National Book Festival. “Jesmyn Ward’s literary vision continues to become more expansive and piercing, addressing urgent questions about racism and social injustice being voiced by Americans,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in a statement. “Jesmyn’s writing is precise yet magical, and I am pleased to recognize her contributions to literature with this prize.”

Joseph Coelho Chosen as Britain’s New Children’s Laureate

Poet and children’s author Joseph Coelho has been chosen as Britain’s new Children’s Laureate. Coelho was announced as the new laureate at an event today at the Unicorn theatre in London. The author was given his bespoke laureate medal by Cowell. At the ceremony, Coelho performed a new poem titled “The Power of a Poem,” which he wrote to mark the occasion. Coelho will take over the role, a two-year tenure, following How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell.

July 2022 Horoscopes and Book Recommendations

It’s July! Here’s what book you should read this month, according to your horoscope.

Today In Books

STRANGER THINGS Pop-Up Book Brings Fans into the Upside Down: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date July 2, 2022

Nancy Drew Spinoff Tom Swift Canceled After One Season

The CW has canceled its Nancy Drew spinoff Tom Swift after a single season. The CBS Studios series, which premiered on May 31st, will finish out the remainder of this season but it will not be returning for a second one. Tom Swift is part of a surge of cancellations at The CW. The network has canceled 11 total series in the 2021-2022 season.

Austin Public Library Teams with BookPeople to Start Banned Book Camp

The Austin Public Library is partnering with local bookseller BookPeople to organize a summer-long event series called Banned Camp, encouraging engagement with books that have been banned or challenged. The library’s banned camp hosts events for readers of all ages to engage with banned books, including Graphic Novel Bookclub for Adults, Banned Camp for Teens, and Storytime at Pease Park for kids ages 3 to 5. “This is a very multifaceted community, lots of people coming to Austin or who’ve lived in Austin, with lots of different backgrounds and experiences and identities,” Baylor Johnson, a spokesperson for the Austin Public Library, said. “It’s important that we celebrate all stories and that’s why it’s sort of so dangerous and alarming to see that so many of the books that are being challenged and are being removed from library shelves are specifically those about and by marginalized groups or people of color, or immigrants or LGBTQ people.”

Stranger Things Pop-Up Book Brings Fans into the Upside Down

The season finale of Stranger Things season 4 is here, and Insight Editions is releasing a special pop-up book to celebrate. Stranger Things: The Ultimate Pop-Up Book captures iconic moments from all four seasons of the popular Netflix series with intricate, pop-up recreations designed by award-winning paper engineers Matthew Reinhart and Simon Arizpe and featuring illustrations by artist Kyle Lambert. Finished copies of the book will be on display at Comic-Con in San Diego. The book will be released from Insight Editions’ new imprint, Reinhart Pop-Up Studio, on August 30th.

Dubai Opens New Book-Shaped Library

The largest cultural project in Dubai’s history is a book-shaped library.

Today In Books

Adam Silvera Shares Details About THE FIRST TO DIE AT THE END: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date July 1, 2022

The Invisible Girl YA Series Coming to Disney+ Spain

Beta Films in partnership with Disney+ Spain has secured international distribution rights for the YA series The Invisible Girl. The upcoming drama is an adaptation of the YA fantasy series by the same name by Blue Jeans. The Morena Films series will star Daniel Grao and Zoe Stein. The Invisible Girl is directed by Tito López Amado and Aritz Moreno and written by Carmen López-Areal, Marina Efron, Antonio Hernández Centeno, Ramón Tarrés, and Ian de la Rosa. As of now, no premiere date has been set for the show.

Adam Silvera Shares Details About The First to Die at the End Advanced Reader Editions

YA author Adam Silvera took to Instagram this week to post pictures of the newly-arrived advanced reader editions of his highly anticipated novel The First to Die at the End. The novel is a prequel to his bestselling novel They Both Die at the End. Silvera wrote, “Only 100 of these exist in the US (with another 100 arriving soon in the UK), and I’m so happy to be holding this 550-page MONSTER.” Silvera went on to know that while They Both Die at the End was his shortest novel ever at 68,000 words, The First to Die at the End is his longest novel to date, at 105,000 words. And according to the author, “More pages = more dying, more crying.”

The Tale of Outcasts Fantasy Manga Gets Anime Adaptation

Makoto Hoshino’s manga The Tale of the Outcasts—known in Japan as Nokemono-tachi no Yoru—is being adapted into an anime. A twitter account has been created for the upcoming anime series, featuring a teaser image of the show. However, no further details have been announced just yet. Stay tuned!

How to Directly Impact Democracy: Book Censorship News

This week’s book censorship news includes draconian new library collection policies in TX and VA and more.

Book Radar

Get an Annotated Copy of Aiden Thomas’ Latest Book and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 30, 2022

Book Deals and Reveals

Nerd Daily’s got an exclusive cover reveal and excerpt from Maxym M. Martineau’s upcoming novel, Shadows of the Lost. This one comes out on June 6th 2023 from Sourcebooks Casablanca and will be available to pre-order soon.

Barnes & Noble is releasing a special exclusive edition of Aiden Thomas’ new novel The Sunbearer Trials. This version boasts an exclusive cover and one chapter hand-annotated by the author.

Here’s the cover reveal of the US edition of Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung, translated by Anton Hur.

And Reese’s Book Club has the exclusive cover reveal of Lauren Blackwood’s next novel, Wildblood.

Kate Winslet will be starring in and executive producing Trust, a limited series based on Hernan Diaz’s best-selling novel, which was published in May from Riverhead Books.

Pushcart Prize–winning author Sanam Mahloudji has sold the rights to her debut novel, The Persians, to Scribner. The book is scheduled for a spring 2024 release.

Nancy Drew spinoff Tom Swift has been canceled after one season.

Shadow and Act has an exclusive preview of Zawe Ashton and Freida Pinto in the upcoming film Mr. Malcolm’s List.

Paul Tremblay explains how cult band Hüsker Dü inspired his latest horror novel The Pallbearers Club.

Attorney Tim Anderson has filed a lawsuit against Oni Press, publisher of Gender Queer, as well as author Maia Kobabe.

Here are EW’s picks for the best books of the year (so far).

Annually, the The American Institute of Graphic Arts announces the 50 best book covers of the previous year. Here are the 2021 winners.

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!

Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!

Prepare Your Shelves!

Why Didn’t You Tell Me? by Carmen Rita Wong (Crown Publishing Group, July 12)

I think it’s fair to say that a good memoir about a strained mother/daughter relationship is going to hook me every time. Some mother/daughter memoirs that I’ve loved? Adrienne Brodeur’s Wild Game comes to mind. And of course, Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. And yes, let’s go ahead and add Carmen Rita Wong’s Why Didn’t You Tell Me? to the list, because this one hooked me, too.

Carmen Rita Wong grew up searching for a sense of belonging, whether it was her childhood in Harlem surrounded by Latina women like her mother or among the exclusively white people she lived amongst in New Hampshire, after her mother married her stepfather Charlie.

Carmen grew up believing that her father was a Chinese hustler named Peter Wong, whom her mother was forced to marry for a green card. But as her mother was dying of cancer, Charlier confessed to Carmen that he was in fact her real father. In fact, neither of these things were true, as Carmen would find out after taking a DNA test.

With her mother gone, Carmen feels like she’ll never get answers to who she is or where she belongs. And worst of all, she’ll never understand why her mother didn’t tell her the truth. This memoir follows Carmen’s search for understanding as she digs into the hidden side of her mother that she never had the chance to know while her mother was alive.

What I’m Reading This Week

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

This is Not the Real World by Anna Carey

Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda

Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka

Monday Memes

This is often me when I’m trying to tell you all about a book I loved. Why is it so much easier to write about stuff you hate? Is hate truly stronger than love?

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

We’re finishing off Monday strong with an action shot of the two brothers bathing one another. Or I guess Remy is doing most of the bathing in this case. But I think Murray is enjoying it? He seems very relaxed.

And that just about wraps up Book Radar for today. I hope you’re staying safe and you’re doing as well as you can be under our current circumstances. Remember to breathe.

💙 Emily

Today In Books

SG5 is the New Japanese Girl Group Inspired by SAILOR MOON: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 30, 2022

Sponsored by Flatiron Books, publisher of Our Crooked Hearts.

RuPaul Children’s Book Pulled from Colchester, CT Library Shelves

Who is RuPaul?, a children’s biography about RuPaul has been temporarily pulled from the shelves of the Cragin Memorial Library in Colchester, Connecticut after a single parent complaint. Colchester First Selectman Andreas Bisbikos posted on his Facebook page that the book “contains sexually provocative drawings in which the parent found offensive. The book in question was immediately removed from circulation.” The decision has been met with backlash from much of the community. The library’s director Kate Byroade called the move “the exact definition of censorship,” and Colchester resident Lauren Kelly Talanian urged Bisbikos to “leave it to the professional librarians.”

SG5 is the New Japanese Girl Group Inspired by Sailor Moon

SG5 is a new Japanese girl group created in collaboration with the Sailor Moon franchise, and they’re set to make their U.S. debut in an upcoming Los Angeles appearance. Short for “Sailor Guardians 5,” SG5 is described as an “intergalactic pop supergroup that protects the universe from evil, injustice and negativity.” The group is comprised of five members, SAYAKA, RURI, RUI, MIYUU, and KAEDE, who are all J-Pop veterans. RUI made her initial debut with the group iScream in 2021, and the other four members debuted in the girl group Happiness in 2011. The group will make their first U.S. appearance at the Anime Expo in Los Angeles on July 1.

Neil Gaiman Defends Color-Blind Casting for Netflix Adaptation of The Sandman

Speaking with Total Film, Neil Gaiman has once again spoken out in support of the casting decisions made for the upcoming Netflix adaptation of his graphic novel The Sandman. Gaiman said, “We did color-blind casting, because why wouldn’t you? The comics establish that the characters look like whatever we want them to look like.” The Sandman is scheduled to debut on Netflix on August 5.

Virginia Politicians Sue Oni Press and Maya Kobabe Over Gender Queer

Attorney Tim Anderson has filed a lawsuit against Oni Press, publisher of Gender Queer, as well as author Maia Kobabe.

Book Radar

UZUMAKI Anime Adaptation Delayed and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 29, 2022

Book Deals & Reveals

Here’s the cover reveal of Justine Pucella Winans’ Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything, “a campy thriller about an anxious nonbinary lesbian birder who accidentally witnesses a murder most fowl.” This one’s out April 11th, 2023 from Clarion.

The anime adaptation of Junji Ito’s manga Uzumaki has been delayed once again, the creators announced.

Zoe Washington is back! Here’s the cover reveal for Janae Marks’ On Air with Zoe Washington, coming out on February 14th, 2023.

Next up, the cover reveal of the latest novel from LAMDA Award-winning author M-E Girard. Then Everything Happens at Once is releasing from HarperCollins on January 31st, 2023

Strand, the legendary New York City bookstore located near Union Square, has teamed up with Brooklyn Roasting Co. to add an in-shop coffeehouse.

Authors are protesting Amazon’s ebook return policy, claiming the system allows readers to “steal” from self-published authors.

Ahead of the release of The Rings of Power, Amazon’s TV series prequel to The Lord of the Rings, a new collection of Tolkien’s writings on Middle-earth’s Second Age will be released.

Angie Thomas’s sophomore novel, On The Come Up, is getting a film adaptation, and here’s the film’s first teaser trailer.

Book Riot Recommends

Books You Might’ve Missed in 2022 So Far

I shared some of my favorite and most-anticipated books last week. Now this week, let’s take a look back at some of the smaller press books that came out in the first half of 2022 that might be under your radar:

Close-Up by Michelle Herman — If you love a story about complex family relationships and friendships with beautifully drawn characters, pick this one up.

Little Foxes Took Up Matches by Katya Kazbek — A stunning debut novel that reads like a modern folktale. A coming-of-age story told with empathy and humor and just a pinch of magic.

Constellations of Eve by Abbigail Nguyen Rosewood — This novel is one love story, told three different ways. With each life-altering event, this love story fractures and moves in different directions, and we follow each possible path.

When I Sing, Mountains Dance by Irene Solà — One of my personal favorite titles of the year and an unmissable novel in translation told through multiple perspectives. This one is just as much about the setting and the land as it is about the characters.

What’s Up in the Book Community?

My iPhone is constantly telling me I spend too much time staring at my screen, which is honestly so rude. But this means I spend a lot of time scrolling around the online book community: BookTube, Bookstagram, BookTok, BookLinkedIn (JK. That’s not a thing… I don’t think). You get the idea. Don’t have the time, energy, or the will to do all of that yourself? No problem. I got you. In this weekly section of Book Radar, we’ll take a look at something cool, interesting, and/or newsy that’s going on in the book community.

As promised, I’m back with roundup #2 of “Mid Year Book Freakout Tag” videos! These includes some of my fave BookTubers. I hope you enjoy them!

What I’m Watching This Weekend

In times of stress, I return to my forever favorite, Community. If you haven’t watched this gem yet, it’s on Netflix and Hulu. If you have watched it, watch it again with me! It’s the funniest show ever, and it have some of my favorite people in it, including Alison Brie and Donald Glover.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

Well here’s a new one: a cat picture within a cat picture. Here’s Remy and Murray chilling in a cat tree. And above them? That’s a painting I painted of my sweet kitty Josie Monkey Puddingston, who was my cat and best buddy for thirteen wonderful years. Now he watches over the kitty community with wisdom and dignity.

I know. I’m a super talented painter. You don’t have to tell me. I went into the wrong business. I should have become a cat portrait artist.

And on that (sarcastic) note, I will bid you goodbye! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

💙 Emily

Today In Books

Kate Winslet to Produce & Star in TRUST for HBO: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 29, 2022

Reese’s Book Club Reveals Cover for New Lauren Blackwood Novel

Earlier today, Reese’s Book Club tweeted the cover of Lauren Blackwood’s new novel Wildblood, coming out in February 2023. Blackwood’s bestselling novel Within These Wicked Walls was a previous Reese’s Book Club pick. Blackwood follows eighteen-year-old Victoria, who was kidnapped at the age of six and manipulated by the Exotic Lands Touring Company to work as a tour guide. Along with a team of tour guides called the Wildbloods, Victoria wields magic to protect travelers in a Jamaican jungle filled with monsters.You can preorder a copy of Wildblood now.

Kate Winslet to Produce & Star in Trust for HBO

Kate Winslet will be starring in and executive producing Trust, a limited series based on Hernan Diaz’s best-selling novel, which was published in May from Riverhead Books. Diaz will also serve as executive producer on the HBO project. Should the project go to series, Trust will be the third collaboration between Winslet and HBO.

Uzumaki Anime Adaptation Gets Another Delay

The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Junji Ito’s manga Uzumaki is struggling with more delays, the creators have announced. In a tweet, director Hiroshi Nagahama confirmed that the series, which was set to premiere in October 2022, will be pushed back again. Nagahama says the delays are necessary “in order to replicate the quality of the intricate designs and detailed line work” of Ito’s manga. Nagahama apologized for the delay and said they would return with a firm release date soon.

A “That Girl” Reading List for Your Hot Girl Summer

That Girl knows what her goals are and is working to achieve them. Here are nine books that can help guide us to becoming our best selves.

Today In Books

THE HUNGER GAMES Prequel Adds Jason Schwartzman to its Cast: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 28, 2022

Sponsored by Sponsored by Godslayers by Zoe Hana Mikuta.

NYC’s Iconic Strand Bookstore Adds In-Shop Coffeehouse

Strand, the legendary New York City bookstore located near Union Square, has teamed up with Brooklyn Roasting Co. to add an in-shop coffeehouse. “Bringing coffee to our customers has been a long-time dream for The Strand,” said Laura Ravo, the COO of Strand Books. “When we made the decision to add it to our store, we sought to bring customers the most authentic coffee experience and Brooklyn Roasting Company fit that vision perfectly.” The new coffee counter located within the bookstore offers a menu including hot coffee, espresso drinks, chai, and matcha. For summer, seasonal iced blueberry or iced lemon espresso spritzers are also available.

Here Are Harper Teen’s Winter 2023 Cover Reveals

It might be summer now, but winter is coming, and Harper Teen is getting readers ready with their official list of Winter 2023 Cover Reveals. Books to look forward to in early 2023 include These Infinite Threads by Tahereh Mafi, A Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis, While You Were Dreaming by Alisha Rai, and many more.

The Hunger Games Prequel Adds Jason Schwartzman to its Cast

Jason Schwartzman is the latest addition to the cast of Lionsgate’s Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Schwartzman is set to play Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman, the host of the 10th Hunger Games and ancestor to Caesar Flickerman. The actor joins a previously-announced ensemble cast led by Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler. Also included in the cast are Josh Andrés Rivera, Hunter Schafer, Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, Knox Gibson, Mackenzie Lansing, Aamer Husain, Nick Benson, Laurel Marsden, Lilly Cooper, Luna Steeples, and Hiroki Berrecloth.

22 More Great Books to Read in 2022

Get your TBRs ready, because it’s time for more upcoming books! Here are 22 great books to read in 2022 (plus more because we love you).

Today In Books

New Video Game Based on Poems of Emily Dickinson: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 22, 2022

Sponsored by The Petting Zoos - On Sale Now!

Presenting the 2022 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winners

Today, the Horn Book, Inc. announced the 2022 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award winners. First presented in 1967, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards celebrate excellence in children’s and young adult literature. “Young people today are living through history,” said Elissa Gershowitz, Acting Editor in Chief, The Horn Book, Inc. “This selection of winners and honorees so beautifully captures this shared moment and the extraordinary issues young people face. At a time of increased book bans and challenges, it’s vital for readers to have access to thought-provoking, mind-expanding, worldview-questioning titles such as these.” Winners included: Ain’t Burned All the Bright written by Jason Reynolds and illustrated by Jason Griffin for the Picture Book Award; All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir for the Fiction and Poetry Award; and Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert for the Nonfiction Award. You can see the presentation of all the winners and honorees here.

Zoe Kazan Developing East of Eden Limited Series

Actress and screenwriter Zoe Kazan is developing a limited series based on John Steinbeck’s classic novel East of Eden for Netflix. This series comes nearly 70 years after Kazan’s grandfather Elia Kazan directed a film adaptation of the novel starring James Dean. Kazan will write and executive-produce the project, and Florence Pugh is on board to star as Cathy Ames. In a statement to Deadline, Kazan said she “fell in love with East of Eden when I first read it, in my teens. Since then, adapting Steinbeck’s novel — the great, sprawling, three-generational entirety of it — has been my dream. More than anything, I have wanted to give full expression to the novel’s astonishing, singular antiheroine, Cathy Ames.” Kazan also described Florence Pugh as her “dream Cathy.”

New Video Game Based on Poems of Emily Dickinson

A new video game called EmilyBlaster is a new 1980s-style game in which players must shoot words out of the sky to correctly recreate Emily Dickinson’s poetry. This game is a real-life version of the fictional game that a character creates in the forthcoming novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. Zevin describes the EmilyBlaster game as “a little bit addictive and the right amount hard.”

Current Bookish Trends, Observed by a Very Online Bookseller

As in all areas of culture, book trends come and go. Whether it’s genre or cover trends, here are a few current ones.