Author: Emily Martin

Copper is Building the Instagram for Book Lovers: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date May 7, 2022

Nashville Library Debuts “I Read Banned Books” Cards

The Nashville public library has debuted new library cards that celebrate banned books amid attempts to censor literature throughout the state of Tennessee. The bright yellow library cards say “I Read Banned Books,” and are available to all Nashville public library patrons. In a news release about the campaign, Nashville public library director Kent Oliver said, “This campaign is our way of bringing our community together in our shared Freedom to Read, which is essential to sustaining our democracy.” There are only 5,000 limited-edition cards available, and the Nashville public library hopes to distribute all of them by the end of May.

Copper is Building “the Instagram for Book Lovers”

New phone app Copper wants to build an online community around books, connecting authors and fans through in-app discussions and live events. Copper CEO Allison Trowbridge said, “You have Twitch for the gamers, and Etsy for the crafters, and Spotify and SoundCloud for the musicians. Authors have never had a platform that’s built around their needs, and helping them reach an audience and do it in a way that’s authentic and engaging and can scale, but also creates depth in the relationships.” Copper allows authors to host FaceTime-like discussions with readers and engage in text-based forum discussions with fans. Currently, there is only a free version of the app, but later this year Trowbridge hopes to release a premium version with more features.

Oprah Daily Reveals the Cover of Ian McEwan’s Upcoming Novel

Booker Prize-winning British writer Ian McEwan has a new novel coming out later this year, and Oprah Daily has an exclusive cover reveal. “The boy’s awkward and studious pose, his half-concealed face, his exposed nape, those short pants we were made to wear at school back in the 1950s—all speak to a tender vulnerability,” McEwan said of the cover of his new novel Lessons. “The nonrepresentational color and especially the boy’s formless but unreally brilliant shadow suggest a future self that will be pursued by memories of a piano lesson that profoundly altered the course of his life. Young Roland was 11, at boarding school, 2,000 miles away from home. His teacher, a young woman, touched him physically and mentally and set in motion something wild and mad. All this at a time when the world seemed about to destroy itself.” Knopf will publish Lessons on September 13th of this year.

What is Short Story Month and Why is it in May?

A look at the story behind May becoming short story month and some excellent short reads to celebrate.

Book Radar

ATONEMENT Author Ian McEwan Has a New Novel and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date May 6, 2022

Book Deals and Reveals

Elissa Bassist, essayist and editor of the column “Funny Women” on The Rumpus, has a memoir coming out. It’s called Hysterical, and here’s the cover reveal! You can get this one on September 13th.

Ian McEwan, the critically acclaimed and bestselling author of Atonement, has got a new novel coming out. Oprah Daily has the exclusive cover reveal of Lessons, which also comes out in September.

And here’s the cover reveal for Oceans Echo, a space adventure novel from the author of Winter’s Orbit. This book will be out from Macmillan in November!

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has been cast as the male lead in the Apple limited series The Last Thing He Told Me, based on the novel of the same name by Laura Dave.

America’s Next Top Model fans, check out what Nyle DiMarco has to say about his new memoir Deaf Utopia.

Polity Books will be publishing Serhii Rudenko’s biography of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky this summer.

State Street Pictures has optioned the comic book Assassin & Son for development as a film.

May the 4th was Star Wars day. And Disney celebrated by releasing a full trailer for the new series Obi-Wan Kenobi.

And here’s the latest trailer for the Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon.

The Percy Jackson and the Olympians Disney+ series has announced who is playing its 3 main characters!

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!

Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen (William Morrow & Company, June 7th)

I don’t know about y’all, but around this time of year, I start craving fun, fast-paced contemporary fiction that will keep the pages turning, but is still super smart. And, hello, just like magic, Kirsten Chen’s Counterfeit is serving exactly what I asked for. This one’s out June 7th—that’s less than a month from now!—so make some space on your shelves for this one ASAP.

Asian American lawyer Ava Wong has always played by the rules. She’s got a dream career, a successful surgeon husband, a son, a beautiful home—why would she ever color outside the lines when her strait-laced, rule-abiding life has gotten her everything she could ask for?

Well. Turns out the life she asked for isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be. Her marriage is falling apart. She hasn’t used her law degree in years. Oh, and motherhood? It’s a lot harder than it looks.

That’s where Ava’s Chinese friend Winnie Fang comes in. Winnie was Ava’s college roommate, but she dropped out of college for reasons unknown, and Ava hasn’t seen her since. Now, when she pops back up 20 years later, Winnie is no longer the shy, awkward girl Ava remembers from school. She’s confident, exudes wealth and glamour, and is running a highly successful counterfeit handbag scheme. Now she needs someone with a U.S. passport to manage her business, and Ava seems like the perfect target… ahem, I mean, the perfect person for the job.

Counterfeit is full of funny moments and surprises that make it fun to read. But it’s also got smart and thought-provoking messages to share about women’s roles in society and the myth of the model minority.

What I’m Reading This Week

Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey

Queerly Beloved by Susie Dumond

A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

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

Monday Memes

What type of reader are you? I, sadly, am often this last guy, unless the book is really good. Don’t judge me!

And Here’s A Cat Picture

Ahhh! While I was in D.C., I had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite cat cafes, Crumbs and Whiskers. I got lots of glorious cat pictures, and it was so hard to choose which one to share with you. But this kitten was one of my favorites.

Her name is Raspberry, and she was so, so, so sweet and outgoing. She just ran right up to me, and I got a lot of cute pics of her.

Her sister Gooseberry was a little timid, but still wonderful. In fact, I found Gooseberry hiding under a pile of pillows. Once she came out and warmed up to me, I felt really special. And yeah, I posted a pic of us together over on Instagram, if you want a bonus pic. Gooseberry and I are BFFs.

I also picked up this shirt while I was there. Hey, all the $$ goes back to the kittens, so how could I not? If you wanna help save the kitties, you can buy Crumbs & Whiskers merch online too!

On Thursday, I’m heading to the Pacific Northwest to pop by Seattle and Portland, so next time I write to you will probably be from the airport yet again! More time for travel reading, I guess. And, yes, more cat cafes.

Have a wonderful week!

Emily

Today In Books

Remember Getting Free Pizza When You Read in the Summer? It’s Back: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date May 6, 2022

Zoraida Córdova to Publish Modern Reimagining of The Little Mermaid

Zoraida Córdova has announced that she will be writing the 3rd book in the Meant to Be romance line. The book, entitled Kiss the Girl, is a modern reimagining of The Little Mermaid. Córdova wrote on Instagram, “I can’t say more than it’s a modern LITTLE MERMAID reimagining. This is a DREAM. I remember living in Ecuador and my grandmother, who had left to the US, sent me the VHS for my 3rd birthday. I watched it on repeat. Rewinding, singing, dreaming. I hope I gave her voice justice.” The previous two books in the romance line are If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy (a modern reimagining of Cinderella) and By the Book by Jasmine Guillory (a modern reimagining of Beauty and the Beast).

The Bookshelf is Partnering with Paulie’s Pizza for Summer Reading by the Slice

Remember when you were a kid and you got a free pizza when you read in the summer? Well, it’s back. If you’re a kid in Georgia, that is. The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA, is partnering with Paulie’s Pizza to bring you Summer Reading by the Slice! Each time kids finish a book, they can bring a special tracking bookmark to the bookstore so a staff member can sticker it. Once kids have read three books for the month, they can take their bookmark to Paulie’s for a free slice of pizza. This program is available for kids through the 12th grade.

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s The Blue Castle Film Adaptation in the Works

Cinegryphon Entertainment will be adapting Lucy Maud Montgomery’s The Blue Castle into a feature film. Unlike Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, The Blue Castle, first published in 1926, has never been adapted into a film or TV series. The Blue Castle is the story of a young woman named Valancy Stirling, who lives in the shadow of her overbearing family. After she’s diagnosed with terminal heart disease, giving her only a year to live, she throws caution to the wind and finds the courage to pursue her true desires. In a statement, Cinegryphon founder Scott Aharoni said the novel is “a beautiful reminder of how there is no such thing as wasted time — that no matter how ‘old’ or ‘late’ we may be, we can always start taking ownership of our own lives and live the one we’ve always desired or dreamed of having.”

Over 100 Books Have Been Challenged in Eanes, Texas, Since March 20

Over 100 books have been challenged in the small central Texas school district of Eanes.

Today In Books

First Major Biography of Volodymyr Zelensky in English Will Be Published in July: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date May 5, 2022

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Joins Jennifer Garner in Apple’s The Last Thing He Told Me

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has been cast as the male lead in the Apple limited series The Last Thing He Told Me, based on the novel of the same name by Laura Dave. Coster-Waldau will be starring opposite Jennifer Garner in the drama from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. Author Laura Dave is adapting her book and serves as co-creator on the series alongside her husband Josh Singer, who won an Oscar for Spotlight.

First Major Biography of Volodymyr Zelensky in English Will Be Published in July

Polity Books will be publishing Serhii Rudenko’s biography of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky this summer. Zelensky: A Biography is the first major biography of the leader to appear in English. The book, translated from Ukrainian by Michael Naydan and Alla Parminova, will be published in the UK on July 1st and in the US on July 25th.

State Street Pictures Developing Film Based On Comic Book Assassin & Son

State Street Pictures has optioned the comic book Assassin & Son for development as a film. The comic, created and written by the late Shad Gaspard and Marc Copani and illustrated by Eder Messiah, follows the story of Donovan Braddock, a one-man killing unit who works with a team of covert assassins known as “The Horsemen.” After Braddock finds love, he tries to leave the assassin life behind, but his old life still torments him.

Obi-Wan Kenobi Trailer Released on Star Wars Day

May the 4th was Star Wars day. And Disney celebrated by releasing a full trailer for the new series Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Today In Books

An Unofficial BRIDGERTON Ball is Popping Up in Melbourne: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date May 4, 2022

Sponsored by Tor Books, publisher of Book of Night by Holly Black

Bella Thorne to Star in Thriller Saint Clare

Actress, model, and singer Bella Thorne is set to star in thriller Saint Clare, based on the novel Clare At Sixteen by Don Roff. Rebecca DeMornay (Jessica Jones) is also in negotiations to join the cast, with additional casting of other key roles underway. The film will be directed by Mitzi Peirone, who also scripted the adaptation alongside Guinevere Turner (who co-wrote the screenplay for Bret Easton Ellis adaptation American Psycho).

An Unofficial Bridgerton Ball is Popping Up in Melbourne

On September 17th, for one day and night only, Melbourne’s Plaza Ballroom is playing host to an unofficial Bridgerton Ball. There will be music played by a string quartet, food and drinks, games, live drawing, and more. Sessions take place from 12–4pm and 7–11pm, and tickets cost $209 per person. For more information and to buy your tickets, head over to the event website.

This Site Helps You Find Books Set Where You Live

If you live in the United States, Books Around America is an interactive tool that can help you find books set where you live in the US. Just enter your zip code or city to search for books that take place (more or less) near you. The site, created by by Crossword-Solver.com, said that (surprise!) they discovered that New York City is the most common literary setting in the US, appearing prominently in 2,609 books. Perhaps more surprisingly, every novel set in Pearl Harbor is listed as “historical” on Goodreads. And 92.59% of all books set in Bloomington, Indiana, are listed as romance.

Rapid City Area Schools Withheld 350+ New Books and Attempted to Destroy Them

350+ brand new books intended for high school seniors in Rapid City Area schools never made it to them. They might be destroyed instead.

Book Radar

Maureen Johnson’s Got a New YA Murder Mystery Heading Our Way and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date May 4, 2022

Book Deals and Reveals

Maureen Johnson, author of the Truly Devious series, has a new YA murder mystery novel coming out in December of this year. It’s called Nine Liars, and here’s the cover reveal and an excerpt.

Here’s the cover reveal of Do I Know You? by Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka. This romance novel follows married couple Graham and Eliza, who find themselves pretending to be strangers. It’ll be out from Penguin Random House on January 24, 2023.

LGBTQ Reads has an exclusive cover reveal of When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb. It releases October 18th.

Blake Lively will make her feature directorial debut with an upcoming film adaptation of the graphic novel Seconds, created by Bryan Lee O’Mally.

Melanie Iglesias Perez at Atria has bought world English and Spanish rights to The Fall of Rebel Angels by Zoraida Córdova. The book is set for a fall 2023 release.

Comics legend Frank Miller is starting a publishing company called Frank Miller Presents.

Former NFL player Steve Gleason has sold his memoir Live Impossible to Knopf. Written with Jeff Duncan, the memoir tells a story of “a life-affirming story about disability and recovery, fatherhood and faith, self-transformation and the power of possibility.” Gleason’s debut memoir is slated for 2024.

Here are the most anticipated YA novels on BookTok.

Wondering what to read next? We’ve got your May horoscopes here, including book recommendations based on your sign.

Book Riot Recommends

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

Can’t Wait for This One

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix (Berkley, January 17, 2023)

So full disclosure. I listed this book as one of my most-anticipated books of 2022. But here we are. The book has been pushed back to 2023, and I’m just sitting here twiddling my thumbs, wondering what’s even the point of a year without a new Grady Hendrix release. But hey. At least it’s coming, and as I mentioned recently, at least we got a cover reveal.

So why am I so excited about this book in particular? Well. As you might have realized by this point, I love horror fiction, and Grady Hendrix is one of the best horror authors writing right now. What’s more, this author keeps writing hit after hit. What I love most about his books are the fast-paced propulsive narratives, the vivid descriptions that bring the horror to life, and maybe most remarkably, that little touch of humor that will make you laugh but not enough to totally defuse the feelings of dread and fear. Really, what more could you ask for in horror fiction?

Grady Hendrix has taken on vampires, possession, slashers, devil worship, and more, but for this novel, he’s focusing on my personal favorite horror trope: ghosts and haunted houses. So yeah, this book might just scare the heck out of me, and I can’t wait.

How to Sell a Haunted House is the story of siblings Louise and Mark Joyner. The two are totally different from each other and basically never speak. But when their parents die at the end of the coronavirus pandemic, Louise and Mark are forced back together to get their childhood home on the market. Guess what though? Yeah, something is weird about the house. Before their parents dies, they taped newspaper over the mirrors and nailed the attic door shut. And that’s just the beginning of the disturbing events Mark and Louise will experience in that house.

Words of Literary Wisdom

“No matter what men think, abortion is a fact of life. Women have always had them; they always have and they always will. Are they going to have good ones or bad ones? Will the good ones be reserved for the rich, while the poor women go to quacks?”

— Unbought and Unbossed by Shirley Chisholm

A Call to Action

On that note, I want to interrupt our regularly scheduled Book Radar Thursday programming to ask for your help. The fight to regulate and ban abortions affects everyone and it threatens basic human rights. It’s easy to feel helpless and defeated in times like these, and I get it. But there are still many things we can do. Aside from voting, you can donate or volunteer. The Cut has compiled a list of abortion funds you can donate to right now, sorted by state.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

Since I’m still out of town for work, my husband sent me this picture of Murray buddying up to him in my absence. I’ll admit I’m super jealous! I love to travel, but I hate missing my cats.

I know I’ve said this a bajillion times before, but cherish every moment with your pets! I miss this little dude so much! Can’t wait to see him tomorrow.

And that’s all for today. Thanks for stopping by. Be well, and have a wonderful weekend.

Emily

Today In Books

Alycia Debnam-Carey Set As Lead in SAINT X Recasting: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date May 3, 2022

Rare “Wicked” Bible that Encourages Adultery Discovered in New Zealand

A rare bible, infamous for its error that encourages adultery, has been discovered in New Zealand. The 1631 bible, known as the “Wicked” Bible, omits the word “not” from its seventh commandment, informing readers “thou shalt commit adultery.” One thousand copies of the text were printed before the error was discovered a year later. Upon discovery of the mistake, printers Robert Barker and Martin Lucas were stripped of their printing license and most of the texts were destroyed. Only about 20 remain in circulation. These rare bibles have resurfaced mostly in Britain or the US, but this is the first time one has been discovered in the southern hemisphere.

Alycia Debnam-Cary Set As Lead in Saint X Recasting

Hulu’s upcoming series Saint X is going through major recasting changes, including recasting the lead role. Victoria Pedretti was originally set to play the lead, but she has been replaced by Fear the Walking Dead‘s Alycia Debnam-Carey. The series, based on the novel of the same name by Alexis Schaitkin, is produced by ABC Signature and is shooting in the Dominican Republic.

Bookmark Marks the Closing of Landmark Bookstore in Kanda-Jinbocho District

A landmark building in the Kanda-Jinbocho District in Tokyo is set to undergo reconstruction soon, which has prompted the long-standing Sanseido Bookstore to close its doors on May 8th. The bookstore will be back after construction is finished in 2025, but that is a long time for the Tokyo book community to go without this beloved bookstore. In commemoration of the closing, a fair dedicated to the bookstore is currently being held. In front of the bookstore’s location, there is now a large, suspended sign in the shape of a bookmark that reads, “We’re putting the bookmark in for a moment.”

Why Should We Care About Freedom of the Press?

While the internet has made information more accessible than ever, we’re facing new threats to freedom of the press.

Today In Books

Oprah Defends Keeping AMERICAN DIRT in Book Club After Controversy: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date May 2, 2022

Pablo Neruda’s Question Poems, Now Translated and Illustrated for Children

A new bilingual, illustrated selection of Neruda’s question poems from Libro de las Preguntas (Book of Questions) has been published by Enchanted Lion Books for children. Compiled throughout the poet’s life and published a year after his death in 1973, Neruda’s question poems ask things like, “Who shouted for joy at the birth of the color blue? When I look once more at the sea, does the sea see me or not see me? Why do the waves ask me the same questions I ask them?” Now children will have the opportunity to explore these questions along with the Chilean poet. “Children are constantly asking things because in their eyes, everything is new. So they ask questions to structure the world they’re coming into,” said Paloma Valdivia, the book’s illustrator. This selection of the poet’s work is a curated collection of 70 questions of the 300+ ones Neruda asked. Valdivia’s illustrations accompany the poems in large fold-out pages.

Blake Lively to Direct Adaptation of Graphic Novel Seconds

Blake Lively will make her feature directorial debut with an upcoming film adaptation of the graphic novel Seconds, created by Bryan Lee O’Mally. The script for Seconds was written by Edgar Wright, who previously helmed the first adaptation of an O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Wright will also produce the film, alongside Marc Platt.

Oprah Defends Keeping American Dirt in Book Club After Controversy

Oprah Winfrey says she has no regrets about choosing the controversial novel American Dirt as an official Oprah’s Book Club pick. In the inaugural episode of ABC News’ literary podcast The Book Case, which released today, Winfrey explained why she chose to stick with the title despite criticisms and calls to reconsider. “I had chosen that book and stood by that book because the truth of the matter is, I really loved the book,” Winfrey said. “And that was the only reason I was choosing the book, because I really loved the book. And even though lots of people were asking me now to disown that, I’d already owned it, so I wasn’t going to go back on my word and now say, ‘Well, because you think she shouldn’t have written the book, I no longer liked the book.'” The novel in question received criticism from the Latine community, who argued that it perpetuated harmful stereotypes and read as “trauma porn.” 82 diverse writers wrote a letter to Winfrey asking her to reconsider her pick. Those writers, which included Carmen Maria Machado, Daniel José Older, and R.O. Kwon, called the book “exploitative, oversimplified, and ill-informed” and cited accusations that the story stole from other Latine writers’ works.

Comic Book Legend Neal Adams Has Died at 80

From creating iconic superheroes and groundbreaking storylines to fighting for creator rights, Neal Adams was a legendary comic book artist.

Book Radar

Ernest Owens Makes a Case for Cancel Culture and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date May 2, 2022

Book Deals and Reveals

Journalist Ernest Owens’ debut novel The Case for Cancel Culture will be out from St. Martins Press on February 21st, 2023, and here is the cover reveal.

LAIKA, the studio behind Coraline and ParaNorman, have announced that their next stop-animation project currently in production is based on the book Wildwood by the Decemberists lead singer and songwriter Colin Meloy.

Starscape has acquired, at auction, P. Djèlí Clark’s middle grade debut Abeni’s Song. Publication is planned for summer 2023.

HBO Max has handed a straight-to-series order for Noonan’s, a spinoff of its animated Harley Quinn series.

Netflix has canceled its superhero series Raising Dion after two seasons.

Here’s the cover reveal of Rafael Frumkin’s CONfidence, which will be available for preorder in June!

Andy Serkis will be directing a film adaptation of Elizabeth McCracken’s literary romance The Giant’s House.

Check out Stephen King’s unsettling new story “Finn” on Scribd.

There’s a woman-owned, exclusively romance bookstore opening up in Canada! The bookstore is called Happily Ever After, and while they’re online only for now, their tweet promises that “we will be popping up all over Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area throughout the year!”

Book Riot Recommends

Prepare Your Shelves!

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo (May 10th, Tordotcom)

I know talked this one up a little bit when the cover was first revealed way, way back. But now Nghi Vo’s new novel is coming out next week, and so it seemed like high time to sing this author’s praises once again. If you’ve never read a Nghi Vo novel before, you’re in for a treat. The worlds she creates in her fiction—whether fantasy or more closely connected to home—are wildly inventive. And her prose is stunning. What more could you ask for?

Set during the golden age of Hollywood, Nghi Vo’s latest novel Siren Queen is the story of Luli Wei, a beautiful and talented young actress who is hungry for stardom. But roles for Chinese American women in Hollywood are limited. And Luli lives in a world where the monsters of Hollywood are not figurative. They are very, very real. The movie business runs on a system that sacrifices young starlets like Luli. It’s a system that deals in blood bargains and ancient magic. But Luli doesn’t care. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to see her face on movie screens—even if it means becoming a monster herself.

See what I mean about her worlds being inventive? I promise you’ve never read a story about old Hollywood like this one. Honestly, there’s no story about anything that’s quite like this one, but you get the idea.

What I’m Reading This Week

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey

Queerly Beloved by Susie Dumond

Sundial by Catriona Ward

A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

Monday Memes

Love Sex and the City? Love reviewing books? Me too. You get me. So like me, you’ll love this series of memes “Things I’ve Said in Book Reviews: SATC edition.”

And Here’s A Cat Picture

It’s been a whole week since y’all have gotten a Murray pic, so here he is!

This a look at my typical work day, folks. Me, sitting at my computer, and Murray snuggling in my lap, requiring me to hold him with both arms which means… this newsletter is written with my pinky so as not to disturb the kitty. Y’all get it.

Alright, well… I’m going to go. You can hang here a little longer, but… I’m leaving. See you next time! Thanks for hanging with me on a Monday!

Emily

Today In Books

Nicola Yoon to Publish First Novel for Adults: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date April 30, 2022

2022 Edgar Allan Poe Award Winners Announced

Mystery Writers of America has announced the Winners for the 2022 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, honoring the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction, and television published or produced in 2021. Winners included Five Decembers by James Kestrel for Best Novel, Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York by Elon Green for Best Fact Crime, and Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley for best Young Adult. You can see the full list of winners here. The winners were announced in a ceremony at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square and livestreamed on YouTube.

Nicola Yoon to Publish First Novel for Adults

Young adult author Nicola Yoon is writing for adult audiences for her next novel One of Our Kind, which will be out from Anchor in 2024. Yoon, author of The Sun is Also a Star and Everything, Everything, describes her next book as “The Stepford Wives meets Get Out.” One of Our Kind will follow the story of a family who moves to a Black community in California, only to uncover a frightening secret about the town’s history. Yoon’s agent, Jodi Reamer, says the novel “takes the Nicola Yoon canon to a brilliant new level.”

Wake School Board Rejects Book Challenge

The Wake County school board in North Carolina has rejected a parent’s request to remove young adult novel Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez from Cary High School’s library. The parent argued that the book contains profanity and sexually explicit content. On Thursday, a school board panel voted 3-0 on to allow the book to remain in Cary High’s library, citing a “full reading” of the book and the fact that students aren’t required to read the novel as part of the school’s curriculum. “This isn’t anything assigned to any child,” vice chairman Chris Heagarty said during the open-session discussion. “It’s only available in the media center.”

Is Romance Set in the Book World Trending?

Books about books have always been super popular, but there are a lot of romance novels set in the publishing world in 2022.