Author: Liberty Hardy

Happy Monday! Did anyone manage to get in their extra hour of reading time this weekend? I sure did! I have had a heck of a year, but I finally seem to be picking up speed again with my reading. I wish I could stop time and read for months. But then those months would probably turn into years, because who am I kidding, I would never stop! ULTIMATE DREAM.

Moving on: I have a some bookish news for you today. Please enjoy the rest of your week, and remember to be excellent to each other! I’ll see you again on Thursday. – xoxo, Liberty

Here’s Monday’s trivia question: Who directed the 1987 horror classic Hellraiser, based on the novella by Clive Barker? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reels, and Squeals! 

Alex Bledsoe’s The Tufa Series has been optioned for television.

Here’s the first look at The Empire Of Gold, the final book in S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad Trilogy.

Hub City Press announced an upcoming anthology about the new American South by writers of color.

And here’s the first look at Cemetery Boys by Aidan Thomas.

Eve L. Ewing’s Electric Arches is being made into an anthology series.

Karolina Waclawiak shared the cover and release date of her upcoming novel, Life Events.

Netflix released the trailer for The Witcher with Henry Cavill.

Here’s the first look at Zoë Kravitz is Hulu’s High Fidelity reboot.

Lady Gaga will star in a film about the Gucci family fashion dynasty, based on the book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara Gay Forden.

Clive Barker’s Books of Blood will be a feature film on Hulu.

Book Riot Recommends 

At Book Riot, I work on the New Books! email, the All the Books! podcast about new releases, and the Book Riot Insiders New Release Index. I am very fortunate to get to read a lot of upcoming titles, and learn about a lot of upcoming titles, and I’m delighted to share a couple with you each week so you can add them to your TBR!

Excited to read:

These Women by Ivy Pochoda (Ecco, May 19, 2020)

I learned about this upcoming book just last night and I am soooooooo excited because Ivy Pochoda writes amazing crime novels, and this one claims to be “a serial killer story like you’ve never seen before—a literary thriller of female empowerment and social change.” SIGN. ME. UP.

What I’m reading this week:

Kingdomtide by Rye Curtis

The Dark Lord Clementine by Sarah Jean Horwitz

Lobizona: A Novel (Wolves of No World Book) by Romina Garber

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

Queen of the Conquered (Islands of Blood and Storm) by Kacen Callender

Pun of the week: 

R.I.P boiled water. You will be mist.

Here’s a kitten picture:

Zevon was a Weeble for Halloween.

And this is funny.

I feel the same, honestly.

Trivia answer: Clive Barker. 

You made it to the bottom! Thanks for reading! – xo, L

It’s Thursday! Congratulations, you’ve made it halfway through the week. And it’s Halloween!!!! I have no plans to go out, but I may still paint my face like Gideon the Ninth just for sitting around the house. And don’t forget we turn the clocks back an hour this weekend – it’s my favorite day of the year. An extra hour of reading time!

Anyhoo, I have some fun stuff to tell you about today. I hope you’re reading something wonderful right now, and that you get full-size candy bars when you go trick-or-treating. And remember to be kind to yourself and others.  I’ll see you again on Monday! – xoxo, Liberty

Trivia question time! What happens in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens when Peggotty laughs or gets too emotional? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

Patrick Schwarzenegger has received a lead role in Amy Poehler’s adaptation of Moxie.

Marie Kondo has a new book about cleaning up at work coming out next year.

HBO has pulled the plug on the first of its planned Game of Thrones spinoffs.

Here’s the trailer for DC’s new Hill House Comics.

Europa Editions announced the new Elena Ferrante novel, The Lying Life of Adults, which will publish next year and is translated by Ann Goldstein.

This Twitter thread about reading Dracula for the first time is to be applauded. (Head up: NSFW.)

Here’s the star-studded trailer for The Personal History of David Copperfield.

Mackenzi Lee announced a third Montague siblings book: The Nobelman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks.

Mat Johnson is writing a Spider-Man comic.

Book Riot Recommends 

At Book Riot, I work on the New Books! email, the All the Books! podcast about new releases, and the Book Riot Insiders New Release Index. I am very fortunate to get to read a lot of upcoming titles, and learn about a lot of upcoming titles, and I’m delighted to share a couple with you each week so you can add them to your TBR! (It will now be books I loved on Mondays and books I’m excited to read on Thursdays. YAY, BOOKS!)

Excited to read:

Actress by Anne Enright (W. W. Norton & Company, March 3, 2020)

I am a huge fan of Enright’s Man Booker-winning novel The Gathering, even though, GAH, is it sad. And The Green Road is also magnificent! So I am so thrilled to learn this week that she has a new novel on the way next year! It’s about the daughter of a famous Irish stage actress looking to learn the truth about her mother.

What I’m reading this week.

Lobizona: A Novel (Wolves of No World Book 1) by Romina Garber

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

Queen of the Conquered (Islands of Blood and Storm) by Kacen Callender

On Swift Horses: A Novel by Shannon Pufahl

A Rip in Heaven by Jeanine Cummins

And this is funny.

The Cats movie is only following one account on Twitter.

Song stuck in my head:

Frank Sinatra by Cake. (Why, yes, I did just start watching The Sopranos for the first time.)

Trivia answer: Her buttons pop off.

You made it to the bottom! High five. Thanks for reading! – xo, L

Happy Monday, readers! I had a blast doing the Dewey’s Readathon this weekend. (Next one is April 25, 2020 – save the date!) I discovered that the secret to staying up all night to read for a 24-hour marathon is to read scary things all day until you’re too afraid to go to sleep, lol. TOTALLY WORTH IT.

And THIS weekend contains my favorite day of the year: when we turn the clocks back! That’s an extra hour of reading time, which is THE BEST. I can’t wait! Until then, I have a teeny bit of bookish news for you today. Please enjoy the rest of your week, and remember to be excellent to each other! I’ll see you again on Thursday. – xoxo, Liberty

Here’s Monday’s trivia question: When was Encyclopaedia Britannica, the first English-language encyclopedia, first published? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reels, and Squeals! 

Here’s the current news on the adaptation of Adib Khorram’s Darius the Great is Not Okay.

Random House with publish Imbolo Mbue’s second novel, How Beautiful We Were, in June of 2020.

Here’s the cover for Sarah MacLean’s final Bareknuckle Bastards novel, Daring and the Duke. (Avon, June 30, 2020)

Maia and Alex Shibutani, sibling ice dancers and Olympic bronze medalists, have written a middle grade series together. The first book, Kudo Kids: The Mystery of the Masked Medalist, comes out next year.

Here’s the first look at Grace Lin’s middle grade Mulan novel.

Saladin Ahmed will pen the new Conan the Barbarian comic.

Here’s the trailer for the HBO miniseries of Stephen King’s The Outsider, starring Jason Bateman.

Book Riot Recommends 

At Book Riot, I work on the New Books! email, the All the Books! podcast about new releases, and the Book Riot Insiders New Release Index. I am very fortunate to get to read a lot of upcoming titles, and learn about a lot of upcoming titles, and I’m delighted to share a couple with you each week so you can add them to your TBR!

Loved, loved, loved:

Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (Tor.com, June 2, 2020)

I have read this book, and I know this is horrible, but I can’t really tell you anything about it except OMG IT’S SO GOOD. I mean, it mayyyyy even be better than Gideon the Ninth – it’s THAT good. But to tell you anything about it would be a spoilers for people who read the first one, and HUGE spoilers for people who haven’t read it yet. (What are you waiting for????) So let me just say one more time: HOLY CATSSSSSSSSS IT’S SO GOOD. And I’ll leave it at that.

What I’m reading this week:

On Swift Horses: A Novel by Shannon Pufahl

The Only Child: A Novel by Mi-ae Seo

A Rip in Heaven by Jeanine Cummins

The Second Sleep by Robert Harris

The Rosewater Redemption (The Wormwood Trilogy Book 3) by Tade Thompson

Pun of the week: 

I used to be afraid of hurdles, but I got over it.

Here’s a kitten picture:

Zevon is the captain of the S.S. Fruit Bowl.

And this is funny.

Mad that I laughed at this.

Trivia answer: In 1771 in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

You made it to the bottom! Thanks for reading! – xo, L

It’s Thursday! How the heck are ya? Me, I’m doing pretty shiny. I’ve been reading a lot of spooky books to get in the Halloween mood, and I just learned a couple of my favorite older movies are available to stream. (The Last Seduction and Ghost World, both probably problematic rubbish now, but fingers crossed they hold up.) I have some fun stuff to tell you about today. I hope you’re reading something wonderful right now, and have a great rest of your week. And remember to be kind to yourself and others.  I’ll see you again on Monday! – xoxo, Liberty

Trivia question time! How old was Mary Shelley when she wrote Frankenstein? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

André Holland joins the cast of the adaptation of Nella Larsen’s Passing, which will also star Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga.

Here’s the first look at 10 Things I Hate About Pinky, Sandhya Menon’s follow-up to When Dimple Met Rishi and There’s Something about Sweetie.

There’s going to be a role-playing game based on N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy.

Lee Pace and Jared Harris will star in an adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation for Apple TV+.

Here’s the first look at the cover of Where Dreams Descend: A Novel (Kingdom of Cards) by Janella Angeles. (Wednesday Books, June 2, 2020)

Chelsea Harris has joined the cast of Snowpiercer.

Two reimaginings coming our way: The Brides from Dracula and a Mary Shelley show.

The anonymous author of the 2018 Trump op-ed is publishing a book.

And Katherine Applegate has written a sequel to The One and Only Bob, due on shelves in the spring of 2020.

Book Riot Recommends 

At Book Riot, I work on the New Books! email, the All the Books! podcast about new releases, and the Book Riot Insiders New Release Index. I am very fortunate to get to read a lot of upcoming titles, and learn about a lot of upcoming titles, and I’m delighted to share a couple with you each week so you can add them to your TBR! (It will now be books I loved on Mondays and books I’m excited to read on Thursdays. YAY, BOOKS!)

Excited to read:

Network Effect: A Murderbot Novel by Martha Wells (Tor.com, May 5, 2020)

A WHOLE MURDERBOT NOVEL???? Is it my birthday?!? I love the four Murderbot novellas with the heat of a thousand suns, so I cannot wait to read a whole novel-length adventure with everyone’s favorite sarcastic sentient security bot. I reeeeeeeeally want a Murderbot show. Or movie. Or both. I LOVE THEM.

What I’m reading this week.

Blood Countess (A Lady Slayers Novel) by Lana Popović

Solitary: Unbroken by Four Decades in Solitary Confinement: My Story of Transformation and Hope by Albert Woodfox

Carrie Fisher: A Life on the Edge by Sheila Weller

Godshot: A Novel by Chelsea Bieker

And this is funny.

That’s quite a trick.

Song stuck in my head:

Gorilla, You’re a Desperado by Warren Zevon.

Trivia answer: Only 18!

You made it to the bottom! High five. Thanks for reading! – xo, L

Hello and welcome to another yummy Monday newsletter full of bookish goodies! Be sure not to go swimming for at least an hour after you read this. I hope you’re having a blast, whatever you’re doing. Please enjoy the rest of your week, and remember to be excellent to each other! I’ll see you again on Thursday. – xoxo, Liberty

Here’s Monday’s trivia question: What was Prince’s actual name? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reels, and Squeals! 

Mackenzie Davis and Himesh Patel will star in the series adaptation of Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven.

Check out Lobizona, an upcoming werewolf book by Argentine-American YA author Romina Garber. I WANT THIS SO BAD. (Wednesday Books, May 5, 2020)

Here’s the first look at the cover of Alexis Daria’s You Had Me at Hola. (Avon, July 7, 2020)

Daniel Kraus announced a middle grade fantasy series about teddy bears.

Gabi: A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero is being adapted for HBO Max.

Here’s the first look at book 2 in Hafsah Faizal’s Sands of Arawiya series.

First peeks at the adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal People are ready.

Here’s the first look Inside Prince’s posthumous memoir, The Beautiful Ones.

Two Dollar Radio will publish A History of My Brief Body by Billy-Ray Belcourt. (July 14, 2020)

Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Legacy series has been optioned by Lionsgate.

Here’s the beautiful cover of The Lending Library by Aliza Fogelson. (Lake Union Publishing, June 1, 2020)

And here’s the cover for More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn. (Wednesday Books, May 12, 2020)

Book Riot Recommends 

At Book Riot, I work on the New Books! email, the All the Books! podcast about new releases, and the Book Riot Insiders New Release Index. I am very fortunate to get to read a lot of upcoming titles, and learn about a lot of upcoming titles, and I’m delighted to share a couple with you each week so you can add them to your TBR!

Loved, loved, loved:

Bent Heavens by Daniel Kraus (Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), February 25, 2020)

OOOOOOOOOO. I am so excited about this dark (darkdarkdark) alien horror YA novel! Kraus is always wonderful, but this is SUBLIME. It’s about a teen named Liv Fleming whose life is turned upside down when her father reappears after being gone several day, claiming to have been abducted by aliens. Over the next several months, his behavior is radically changed. He sets traps in the woods behind their house. And then one day – he vanishes. Liv never believed her father was really abducted, but she continues to check the traps after he’s gone out of loyalty. And then one day, there’s something in one… SO GOOD! SO GOOD! SO GOOD!

What I’m reading this week:

The Revisioners: A Novel by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Still Here: The Madcap, Nervy, Singular Life of Elaine Stritch by Alexandra Jacobs

The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Pun of the week: 

A scarecrow says, “This job isn’t for everyone, but hay, it’s in my jeans.”

Here’s a kitten picture:

It’s just a look to the left…

And this is funny.

It’s never too late.

Trivia answer: Prince Rogers Nelson.

You made it to the bottom! Thanks for reading! – xo, L

It’s Thursday, it’s Thursday, it’s… well, I can’t think of anything that rhymes with “Thursday” so just pretend I said something clever here. There are some pretty fun things in the newsletter today, including exciting adaptation news, cover reveals, and upcoming releases. ALSO: It’s almost Take Candy from Strangers Day! Are you dressing up? I would, but that would require putting my book down and leaving the house, lol. Nothankyou. I hope you’re reading something wonderful right now, and have a great rest of your week. And remember to be kind to yourself and others.  I’ll see you again on Monday! – xoxo, Liberty

Trivia question time! What is the alternate title of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

Amy Adams and Laura Dern will produce an HBO adaptation of Claire Lombardo’s The Most Fun We Ever Had.

Here’s the cover reveal for The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon. (Forever, June 9, 2020)

FINALLY: Netflix will be an animated series of Jeff Smith’s Bone comic.

Here’s the cover reveal for Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson. (Berkley, May 19, 2020)

There’s a grammar game coming from Dreyer’s English author Benjamin Dreyer.

Penguin Teen had another cover reveal bonanza.

Hulu will air the Margaret Atwood documentary.

Here’s the cover reveal of Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender. (Balzer + Bray, May 12, 2020)

Netflix is adapting Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares.

Here’s the cover reveal of Braver Than You Think: Around the World on the Trip of My (Mother’s) Lifetime by Maggie Downs. (Counterpoint, May 12, 2020)

Michael Caine and Lena Headey will star in a modern-day version of Oliver Twist.

Jandy Nelson’s The Sky is Everywhere is being adapted into a film.

Drew Barrymore will produce adaptations of Howard Wallace, PI by Casey Lyall and Anne Ursu’s The Lost Girl.

Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber by Mike Isaac is being adapted for Showtime.

Book Riot Recommends 

At Book Riot, I work on the New Books! email, the All the Books! podcast about new releases, and the Book Riot Insiders New Release Index. I am very fortunate to get to read a lot of upcoming titles, and learn about a lot of upcoming titles, and I’m delighted to share a couple with you each week so you can add them to your TBR! (It will now be books I loved on Mondays and books I’m excited to read on Thursdays. YAY, BOOKS!)

Excited to read:

Wow, No Thank You.: Essays by Samantha Irby (Vintage, March 31, 2020)

You’ve heard me say it before, but I’ll say it again: No one makes me laugh as much as Samantha Irby. She is a national treasure. I know many of you feel the same way. And if you’ve never read her before, check out her amazing essay collections Meaty and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life while you wait for this one.

What I’m reading this week.

Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Bent Heavens by Daniel Kraus

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy

The Revisioners: A Novel by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton

And this is funny.

I love this video. I don’t even care if it’s fake. (NSFW: swearing.)

Trivia answer: The Parish Boy’s Progress.

You made it to the bottom! High five. Thanks for reading! – xo, L