Author: Emily Martin

Celeste Ng Teases New Novel OUR MISSING HEARTS: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date February 26, 2022

Willow Smith Slammed for “Racist” and “Islamophobic” Content in Debut Book

Willow Smith is receiving backlash after excerpts of her debut novel Black Shield Maiden were released to the public. The novel, co-authored with Jess Handel, is the story of a kidnapped African warrior who is forced to live in a community of Vikings. Penguin Books released an excerpt from the book in the hopes of promoting it, but many critics spoke out against the story for including racist and Islamophobic content. Many people took to Twitter to call out the book for misrepresenting Amazigh people and Muslims. You can read the excerpt and people’s responses here. Warning for racist content.

The OC Star Ben McKenzie and Journalist Jacob Silverman Publishing Book About Cryptocurrency

Ben McKenzie, best known as the star of hit shows such as The O.C. and Southland, is teaming up with journalist Jacob Silverman to write a book about cryptocurrency. The book Easy Money will be published through Abrams Press. McKenzie has been an outspoken critic and skeptic of cryptocurrency. The book will focus on McKenzie and Silverman’s ongoing attempts to examine the truths behind cryptocurrency and the people impacted by its spectacular rise and potential fall. “Finally I’ve found a crypto project worth shilling: my book,” McKenzie said in a statement. “Easy Money’is about two things — money and lying — and while I know a little about the former from my econ degree, it’s the latter that fascinates me. Maybe that’s why I do it for a living. In Abrams, Jacob and I have found the perfect partner: a highly respected publisher with global reach who can help two Brooklyn dads unravel the mysteries, and the absurdities, of crypto. We will do our best not to bore you.”

Celeste Ng Teases New Novel Our Missing Hearts

In January, Celeste Ng announced her new novel Our Missing Hearts, and today on Instagram, the author teased a little more information about her highly-anticipated upcoming book. The author shared a photo of a special preview edition of the new novel, which will be available exclusively for booksellers at the Winter Institute conference. Ng wrote, “It’s the first time I’ve seen it in book form!” Ng said that advanced reading copies of the novel with the book’s official cover should be available in the spring. As previously announce, the novel will be available in bookstores in the US, Canada, and the UK on October 4th.

Take One Step Towards Combating Censorship

Can you dedicate 20 minutes this week to helping dismantle censorship in your community? Here’s how.

Book Radar

Hayao Miyazaki’s SHUNA’S JOURNEY Gets an English Translation and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date February 25, 2022

Book Deals and Reveals

Nearly 40 years after Hayao Miyazaki published Shuna’s Journey, the graphic novel is finally getting an English translation.

Here’s the cover reveal for Jo Kaplan’s When the Night Bells Ring, which hits shelves on October 11th.

Apple TV+ has released its first trailer for it’s upcoming series adaptation of Pachinko, based on the critically acclaimed novel by Min Jin Lee.

Bron Studios has acquired the rights to JJ Bola’s The Selfless Act of Breathing. Playwright Keenan Scott II will adapt the book for the screen.

In a recent webinar, speakers said the paper shortage is likely to get worse before it gets better. They also offered up a few ideas for how publishers can cope with the challenge.

Actor Ben McKenzie and journalist Jacob Silverman have teamed up to write a book taking a critical look at the world of cryptocurrency. The book, Easy Money, was acquired by Abrams Press.

The New Yorker is collaborating with Celadon, a division of Macmillan Publishers, on a book edition of the House Select Committee’s planned report on the January 6th siege of the U.S. Capitol.

The Nerd Daily has an exclusive cover reveal for Catherine Arguelles’s debut middle grade novel Flip Turns. This one’s out from Jolly Fish Press on September 13th.

You Are a Star, Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Dean Robbins and illustrated by Sarah Green, is the first book in a new Scholastic children’s picture book biography series. It was released earlier this month.

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!

Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley (Penguin, March 1st)

You’ve probably heard of this author. Sarah Polley is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, director, and actor. Now this triple-threat is gearing up to become a quadruple-threat as she taps into her exquisite storytelling abilities for this collection of essays. Run Towards the Danger is already getting tons of positive reviews (so it’s not just me!) so this is one you’ll definitely want to pick up when it comes out tomorrow!

I know I say this all the time but… where has the time gone. March 1st is tomorrow? Dang, 2022, slow down.

Anyway, Run Towards the Danger is a book of six essays in which Polley explores personal memories from her past while also acknowledging and unpacking the fallibility of those memories. Polley tells stories from her life, ranging from moments of stage fright to high-risk childbirth to struggling in the aftermath of a concussion. Furthermore, the author looks at how these moments from her past echo in her adult life. As Polley writes, the past and present are in a “reciprocal pressure dance.”

What I’m Reading This Week

Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho

The Atmospherians by Alex McElroy

Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

Sailor Moon: Eternal Edition 7 by Naoko Takeuchi

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

A Girl is a Body of Water by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

By the way, there’s still time to check out our limited edition Wordle-inspired merchandise!

Monday Memes

If you love mysteries, solve this one. Feel free to send me your theories. Wrong answers only.

Other Things That Make Me Happy

By the time you read this, I will have gone to see Hasan Minhaj’s stand-up show at Radio City Music Hall. I already know it’s going to make me happy because I love him. But because I can’t exactly share that experience with you, here’s the next best thing. His special Homecoming King on Netflix is pretty much my favorite stand-up special ever. If you’ve never seen it, check it out, and I hope you enjoy!

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

Here is an action shot of Murray in mid-meow. Also there are books in this picture, so if for some reason you’re not feeling the cat, I also give you books.

But if you don’t love this cat, don’t tell me about it. Because that would make me sad.

Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful week! Stay safe! Treat yourself to something! Remember you are doing good things.

❤️ Emily

Today In Books

ARTHUR Creators Talk Hopes for Feature Film with John Legend: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date February 25, 2022

Sponsored by A Little Closer to Home from best-selling author Ginger Zee

Mosul’s University Library Reopens

The university library in Mosul, which describes itself as lighthouse of knowledge,” is “once again burning bright.” The library has opened its doors again, after being ransacked and bombarded by missiles during the Islamic State occupation of the city. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 books and manuscripts were destroyed in the bombing. On February 19th, the library reopened with financial support from Germany and book donations from around the world. “This is an extraordinary moment in the history of our city,” said Dr Sayf Al Ashqar, the university’s secretary general of libraries. “The library’s reopening is not just important to the students – but to all of us who lived through that terrible time. It is a symbol of new beginning and we would like to thank everyone who made it possible.”

Arthur Creators Talk Hopes for Feature Film with John Legend

This week, the television series Arthur, based on the books created by Marc Brown, premiered its final episode. Now, Marc Brown and executive producer Carol Greenwald are talking about their hopes for the franchise’s future. In response to the fact that adult Arthur fans have frequently compared the character of Arthur to singer John Legend, Brown teased that a collaboration could be in the future. Brown said, “My son Tolon has been a producer on the show almost since it started… and he had this idea several years ago about wouldn’t it be interesting to do a live-action version of Arthur. I couldn’t wrap my head around it completely, but it’s an intriguing thought. There might be a feature film in the works soon, too, about Arthur. I’m so excited… The subject matter is very timely, and maybe there is even a really interesting person involved… I mean, if I could pick one person I would love to be a part of this project, it might be John Legend.”

Ravi Patel Joins Cast of Harold and the Purple Crayon

Ravi Patel is set to join Sony Pictures’ live-action adaptation of Harold and the Purple Crayon, starring Zachary Levi, Lil Rel Howery, and Zooey Deschanel. Patel recently starred in the docuseries Ravi Patel’s Pursuit of Happiness for HBO Max and Bhaag Beanie Bhaag for Netflix. David Guion and Michael Handelman wrote the screenplay for Harold and the Purple Crayon, based on Crockett Johnson’s 1955 best-selling children’s book of the same name. John Davis is producing the film through Davis Entertainment.

Oklahoma Attorney General Drops Obscenity Investigation of Books

51 books brought to the attention of Oklahoma’s Attorney General are no longer under investigation by that office.

Today In Books

Apple TV+ Releases Trailer for PACHINKO: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date February 24, 2022

New Yorker Teams with Celadon for Book on Jan. 6 Report

The New Yorker is collaborating with Celadon, a division of Macmillan Publishers, on a book edition of the House Select Committee’s planned report on the January 6th siege of the U.S. Capitol. A paperback and ebook, with an introduction by New Yorker editor David Remnick, will come out immediately after the official report’s release. “The New Yorker is proud to partner with Celadon Books in presenting and making sense of what promises to be an important historical document, the first comprehensive portrait of the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol,” Remnick said in a statement.

Apple TV+ Releases Trailer for Pachinko

Apple TV+ has released its first trailer for it’s upcoming series adaptation of Pachinko, based on the critically acclaimed novel by Min Jin Lee. Pachinko is a sweeping saga that follows a Korean immigrant family through four generations. The series premiers on Apple TV+ on March 25th.

Hayao Miyazaki’s 40-Year-Old Graphic Novel Gets English Translation

Nearly 40 years after Hayao Miyazaki published Shuna’s Journey, the graphic novel is finally getting an English translation. Miyazaki, who is best-known for his Studio Ghibli films, first published Shuna’s Journey in 1983. Now, it’s coming to English-speaking readers on November 1st, 2022. The graphic novel will be translated by Alex Dudok de Wit, who announced the project via Twitter, stating, “It’s just a really beautiful story, strange even by Miyazaki’s standards, sombre and luminous by turns. I can’t wait for this to be out!”

The Best Books You’ve Never Heard of (Winter 2022)

You know about the buzziest books coming out this year, but set those aside and check out our favorite under-the-radar reads that deserve a lot more attention.

Book Radar

Nalini Singh Reveals Cover of New Psy-Changeling Trinity Novel and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date February 23, 2022

Book Deals and Reveals

Nalini Singh has revealed the cover of her new novel in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series, Storm Echo. This book is coming out in July!

If you’ve been eagerly awaiting Grady Hendrix’s new novel How to Sell a Haunted House, you’ll have to wait a bit longer. Hendrix tweeted that the novel has been pushed back to January 2023.

Here’s the cover reveal of Disney’s Prince of Song & Sea, a retelling of The Little Mermaid from the prince’s perspective.

The Conscious Kid has an exclusive cover reveal of New York Times bestselling author Joanna Ho’s debut YA novel The Silence that Binds Us.

Britney Spears has signed a tell-all book deal with Simon and Schuster. The book deal is said to be worth as much as $15 million.

50 Cent’s production company has optioned the rights to Christopher Priest’s Xerø comics, a DC Universe comic series about Trane Walker, a Black assassin who has the ability to disguise himself as a white man, which allows him to get close to his targets and escape unnoticed.

George R.R. Martin’s superhero anthology series Wild Card is becoming a Marvel comic.

Having weathered two trying years, American independent presses are looking past the pandemic and finding themselves hopeful about 2022.

Olivia Colman has been cast in the FX/BBC limited series adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel Great Expectations.

Z2 comics is publishing a sequel to the Tori Amos-inspired Comic Book Tattoo, called Little Earthquakes: The Graphic Album.

Tom Hanks has been cast in the American adaptation of A Man Called Ove, based on the 2012 novel by Fredrik Backman.

Netflix has picked up the rights to Marc Olden’s Black Samurai novels, with the intent of adapting the material into film.

In honor of Black History Month, 10 Black authors—including Angie Thomas, Jason Mott, Alyssa Cole, and Mateo Askaripour—have chosen 10 books written by Black authors that they recommend.

Make sure to get your own Read Harder Book Journal from Book Riot to track your reading for the year!

Book Riot Recommends

Can’t Wait for This One

Upgrade by Blake Crouch (Ballantine Books, July 12)

How is it that none of Blake Crouch’s novels have been made into movies yet? Crouch’s sci-fi stories are action-packed, cinematic page-turners that seem perfect for the big screen. And yet here we are, anticipating another Blake Crouch novel in 2022 and still no Crouch movies in sight. Apparently, Dark Matter is being developed into a series for Apple TV+, but we have very few details right now, so we’ll just have to wait and see. But trust me. If you haven’t read Dark Matter yet, this is going to be an exciting watch.

Well, thankfully we at least have a release date for Crouch’s new novel. Upgrade is coming out in July 12th. Here’s the deal. Logan Ramsay has been infected by a virus. But as Logan starts to feel better and healthier, he realizes something unexpected is happening to him. He’s feeling smarter with each passing day, and he soon realizes that the virus has genetically modified him. He’s becoming something more, something better than human. But what do these new powers mean? And what will happen if these powers get into the wrong hands?

Blake Crouch’s sci-fi stories are inventive and fun, and this one looks like it’s going to be more of what fans of his work already love. This one will probably soon be added to my list of books that should be movies. Mark my words!

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

Words of Literary Wisdom

“When the people you love are gone, it’s the things they’ve touched that keep them alive in your mind.”

— Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

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.

Have I talked to y’all about “squeecore” yet? Wow, people just love adding “core” to things, don’t they? Well, in case I haven’t brought it up before, “squeecore” is a new “movement” in SFF. And it’s pretty divisive as a term and as a sub-genre. Why? Well, check out this discussion of squeecore, featuring several BookTubers, to find out more.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

Here’s a picture of Phantom and Murray relaxing after a rowdy meeting of the Bad Boys Club. Bad Boys Club meetings usually involve running around, chasing each other, knocking things over, and just generally getting into trouble. Obviously after all of that, the club members get pretty tuckered out and need nap time.

Anyway, that is all for today! I hope you have a pleasant weekend, and I’ll see you next time, friends.

❤️ Emily

Today In Books

Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield Recreate Classic Spider-Man Meme: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date February 23, 2022

Here Are the 2022 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalists

The finalists for the 42nd Los Angeles Times Book Prizes were announced earlier today. Among the nominees are S.A. Cosby, Megan Abbott, Ryka Aoki, Rivers Solomon, and Mariana Enriquez. You can see the full lists of finalists in each category here. The winners will be announced at USC’s Bovard Auditorium on April 22, the day before the 27th Los Angeles Times Festival of Books kicks off its first in-person event since the beginning of the pandemic.

“If You Give A Child A Book” Campaign Encourages Students to Love Reading

“If You Give A Child A Book” is a campaign in Florida working to provide free books to students. Since the campaign started a few years ago, more than 500,000 free books have been given out to at-risk students at Title 1 schools. You can help “If You Give A Child A Book” by donating. A $5 donation will provide one child a brand new book that will set them on a path towards loving reading. You can find out more about the campaign here.

Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield Recreate Spider-Man Meme

Spider-Man actors Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield have teamed up once again to recreate the popular Spider-Man pointing meme. The meme was recreated for the digital and 4K release date announcement of No Way Home. The movie drops on digital platforms March 22nd and on 4K UHD and Blu-ray on April 12th.

10 Queer Books from Indie Publishers You Don’t Want to Miss This Year

Indie presses are publishing great queer works that challenge the status quo. Here are 10 you won’t want to miss this year.

Today In Books

Tom Hanks to Star in US Adaptation of A MAN CALLED OVE: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date February 22, 2022

Z2 Publishing Tori Amos Graphic Novel Sequel Little Earthquakes: The Graphic Album

Z2 comics is publishing a sequel to the Tori Amos-inspired Comic Book Tattoo, called Little Earthquakes: The Graphic Album. The graphic novel will feature 24 stories inspired by the album Little Earthquakes and its accompanying B-sides. “To have some of the most creative graphic artists interpret the songs from Little Earthquakes, is a true honor,” Tori Amos said in a statement. “I enjoyed working with Rantz on Comic Book Tattoo so much that when he contacted me about putting something together for the 30th Anniversary, I had no hesitation. Artwork is such an important part of my musical world and to see these songs come to life in graphic form is such a joy.” Little Earthquakes: The Graphic Album has a release date of September 2022.

Tom Hanks to Star in US Adaptation of A Man Called Ove

Tom Hanks has been cast in the American adaptation of A Man Called Ove, based on the 2012 novel by Fredrik Backman. Hanks will also produce the film, along with Playtone partner Gary Goetzman. Marc Forster (World War Z, The Kite Runner) will direct the film. “When I first read Fredrik Backman’s novel, I fell in love with the notion that friendship has the power to shape a person’s life,” said Forster. “I can’t wait to create a film with so much humor and heart.”

Black Samurai Movie in the Works at Netflix

Netflix has picked up the rights to Marc Olden’s Black Samurai novels, with the intent of adapting the material into film. The movie will be produced by John Schoenfelder and Russell Ackerman, the duo behind the 2021 supernatural horror movie Séance. A writer is not yet attached to the project. Netflix is hoping this series will be its next big action franchise.

Only 27% of Texans Trust Politician’s Judgment of School Books

The Dallas Morning News and University of Texas at Tyler conducted a February 2022 survey about various topics of Texas politics, including book bans. Only 27% of Texans trust politician’s judgment of books. In contrast, 45% had either a “great deal” or “fair amount” of trust in librarians and school officials in this same review process.

Today In Books

Britney Spears to Write Tell-All Book: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date February 21, 2022

Sponsored by Bookshop.org's sweeps: you could win FREE BOOKS FOR LIFE!

John Oliver Addresses Debate Over Teaching Critical Race Theory in Schools

On Sunday, John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight returned for its ninth season premiere. The episode focused on the debate over teaching critical race theory in schools. “When it comes to CRT, think of it like Rihanna’s pregnancy: Even if you think it has nothing to do with you, believe me, you’re going to be hearing a lot about it this year,” Oliver said. The host went on to note that while teachers are trying to find ways to discuss race in school, “the panic over CRT threatens to shut those conversations down.” Oliver noted that as of June 2021, 37 states have taken steps to restrict the teaching of critical race theory in schools or limit how teachers can talk about racism in classrooms. Oliver ended the episode by saying, “The debate around critical race theory is both very loud and very, very dumb, but unfortunately it is important to engage with it because if we don’t, the end point that we are heading toward is that honest discussions of race will be shut out of public schools.” You can watch the full episode on HBO.

Some Banned Queer Books See A Sales Bump While Others Start to Disappear

Many of the queer books currently at the center of the book banning debate are seeing a boost in sales. For instance, George M. Johnson’s young adult memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue is once again a New York Times bestseller for the first time since its publication nearly two years ago. But while banned book lists are driving sales for some authors, others say challenges and bans simply make their titles quietly disappear. “People were seeing me on list after list and congratulating me and being like, ‘Oh, my God, you must be so happy. This must be such a badge of honor. Your sales must be so great,’” said Mark Oshiro, author the currently-challenged queer fantasy novel Each of Us a Desert. “That’s not how it actually works.” Banned books don’t immediately translate to book sales and popularity for the majority of authors. Since Oshiro’s book was included in a list of 850 books to be pulled from Texas schools, the author has had multiple teachers cancel class visits, which leads to an immediate and significant loss of income.

Britney Spears to Write Tell-All Book in $15 Million Deal

Britney Spears has signed a tell-all book deal with Simon and Schuster. The book deal is said to be worth as much as $15 million. Since Spears’ conservatorship ended in November 2021, the pop star has dropped hints that she would be interested in writing a tell-all book. Spears previously posted on Instagram, “It’s no secret that I’ve been through it in the past… so I might have to do things a little differently from now on!!! Lord have mercy on my family’s souls if I ever do an interview!!!”

The Strange History of the Oddest Title of the Year

While there are many literary prizes out there, The Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year might be one of the most unusual. Since 1978, the Diagram Prize has been given out to the oddest book title of the year. Here’s a brief look at the prize with interviews of winners from 2021 and 2020.

Today In Books

Elliot Page’s Memoir PAGE BOY to be Published in 2023: Today in Books

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date February 19, 2022

Sponsored by Bloom Books, an imprint of Sourcebooks

Help Frugal Bookstore Restore Their Children’s Corner

People are rallying behind Boston’s Black-owned bookshop Frugal Bookstore to help restore its children’s corner. A fire broke out last week in an apartment above the shop, and when firefighters arrived to put out the flames, the water from dousing the fire trickled down to Frugal, soaking shelves, ruining books, and bringing down ceiling tiles. A GoFundMe page was created on Thursday to help raise funds for the restoration.

Elliot Page’s Memoir Page Boy to be Published in 2023

Elliot Page is currently working on a memoir entitled Page Boy, in which the famous actor will cover everything from his Oscar-nominated film career to becoming a prominent transgender person. Flatiron Books announced that the memoir would be published in 2023. According to the publisher, “The memoir will delve into Page’s relationship with his body, his experiences as one of the most famous trans people in the world, and will cover mental health, assault, love, relationships, sex, and the cesspool that Hollywood can be.”

Peacemaker Renewed for Season 2 on HBO Max

HBO Max has renewed James Gunn’s DC Extended Universe action-comedy Peacemaker for a second season. The Suicide Squad spinoff series stars John Cena, and since its launch in January of this year, it has received strong positive reviews. Cena said in a statement, “I am incredibly honored and humbled by the response to Peacemaker and the experience of playing this character.” Gunn has said he also has ideas for more Suicide Squad spinoffs, so keep your eyes peeled for more content coming soon.

Books Back on Shelves in Walla Walla, Washington

Despite an appeal of the Library Materials Committee decision to keep The Bluest Eye, All Boys Aren’t Blue, Gender Queer, and The Hate U Give, the books remain on shelves.

Book Radar

Taylor Jenkins Reid Announces New Novel and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date February 18, 2022

Book Deals and Reveals

Goodreads has revealed the cover of Lore Olympus: Volume 3. Rachel Smythe’s graphic novel, which is a contemporary re-imagining of Greek mythology, is hitting U.S. shelves on October 11th.

There’s still time to check out our limited edition Wordle-inspired merchandise!

Surprise! Carrie Soto is back in Taylor Jenkins Reid’s next novel, which she announced on Instagram last week. Reid’s latest novel will be out in August. In the meantime, you can read more about the book and preorder it here.

Young adult literature lovers: here’s the official list of Harper’s Fall 2022 YA Cover Reveals. Lots of great books to add to your TBR!

James Gunn’s DC action comedy Peacemaker is coming back for a second season on HBO Max.

Here’s the cover reveal for The Dragon’s Promise, Elizabeth Lim’s sequel to the New York Times bestseller Six Crimson Cranes. Lim teases, “Be ready for more dragons and magic and adventure!” This book comes out on August 30th.

From Olivia Abtahi, the author of Perfectly Parvin, comes a new YA novel entitled Azar on Fire. It’s the story of Azar Rossi, who sets out to win her local Battle of the Bands contest. Get a sneak peek and see the cover reveal here.

Here’s the cover reveal for contemporary thriller JACKAL by Erin E. Adams. This one’s out in October from Bantam Dell.

Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny are producing an upcoming movie adaptation of their novel State of Terror. Clinton and Penny will serve as executive producers on the project in collaboration with Hell or High Water producer Gigi Pritzker’s independent media company Madison Wells.

Mindy Kaling, Amazon Publishing, and Amazon Studios are launching Mindy’s Book Studio, a boutique story studio that will publish books selected by Kaling from emerging and established diverse voices.

Entertainment Weekly has a first look at Maggie O’Farrell’s upcoming novel novel The Marriage Portrait, including an exclusive cover reveal and a peek at the first page of the book.

Book Riot Recommends

Prepare Your Shelves!

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield (Picador, March 3)

Recently, I read Cherie Dimaline’s Empire of Wild. And I’m always thinking about Annihilation, specifically the film directed by my dude Alex Garland, but also the book by Jeff VanderMeer is great as well. I know, it’s blasphemy to say I like a movie better than a book, but I’m living my truth. Anyway, what’s my point? I think Empire of Wild, the film version of Annihilation, and this book Our Wives Under the Sea fall under my new favorite book genre. And that genre is: Romantic partner returns after mysteriously disappearing, but is not the same as they were before. Chilling!

In Julia Armfield’s debut novel Our Wives Under the Sea, Leah finally returns to her wife Miri after a deep-sea mission that ended in disaster. Miri is relieved she finally has her wife back, but it soon becomes clear that (you guessed it) Leah is not the same person she was before the mission. Whatever happened to Leah on that deep sea vessel, and whatever it was that she was doing down on the ocean floor, some part of that has come back with her. Miri desperately wants to return to the life they had before, but she can feel her wife slowly slipping away from her.

What I’m Reading This Week

Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon

Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow

Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

Sailor Moon: Eternal Edition 7 by Naoko Takeuchi

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

Monday Memes

I do yoga in my office where I keep all the books. So most of the time when I’m on my mat, I’m looking at all the books on my shelves and thinking about what I’m going to read next. I have so many books on my shelves I haven’t yet “discovered,” but I enjoy having them there. I wonder if my favorite book is hidden somewhere in those shelves. So this comic really resonated with me.

Other Things That Make Me Happy

Atlanta Season 3 is coming back on March 25, so I’ve been rewatching the show this week. It makes me very, very happy. And since they just announced Season 4 is going to be the last season, I’m trying to really soak it in. If you haven’t watched Atlanta yet, please please watch it! This is one of the best shows on right now.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

I don’t know if you can see this, but Murray has freckles on his nose. I’m completely obsessed with them. I took this close up of his face so I could just marvel at his cute little freckles. I hope you like them too! He’s worked very hard on them.

Anyway, that is all for today, everyone. Thanks for stopping by Book Radar on this fine Monday. I will see you soon. Have a wonderful week.

❤️ Emily