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Book Radar

Froot Loops Offers Free Children’s Books Online and More Book Radar!

Dear Book Friends,

Welcome to the final day of November, and as always, it’s a tough one for me. This day marks six years since I lost my brother to cancer. I know reading about grief and loss is uncomfortable, but it’s important for me to remember him on this day and every day and to honor him in some way. So we will go one with Book Radar as usual, but first, I just have to say: I love you, Adam. I’ll miss you forever. Everyone go watch The Lion King today in honor of my brother. He used to listen to that soundtrack every night before bed.

Book Deals and Reveals

love and other conspiracies book cover

Here’s the amazing cover of Mallory Marlowe’s debut romantic comedy, Love and Other Conspiracies, designed by Vikki Chu. It’s out from Berkley Romance on August 20, 2024.

Conservatives are currently boycotting Froot Loops and its parent company, Kellogg’s. And that’s because, in Canada, Froot Loops boxes are including access to an online repository of “free diversity and inclusion content” for children, according to a website dedicated to the initiative.

Rebecca Yarros signed a deal with Montlake to write two standalone contemporary romance novels. The first book is set to publish in 2025.

Ebony LaDelle, author of Love Radio, will be releasing her first adult novel, You’ve Got a Place Here Too, with Ballantine. The book is set for a 2025 release.

The Nerd Daily has shared the cover of M.J. Rose’s upcoming time-travel adventure novel Forgetting to Remember. This one is out on March 26, 2024.

Read an excerpt of Tessa Bailey’s new rom-com The Au Pair Affair, and check out the cover over at Cosmopolitan! It’s out from Avon on July 16, 2024.

Apple Books has launched its 2023 year in review, now available on iPhone and iPad within the Read Now tab under Top Picks.

Matt Smith has signed on to star as the title character in the television adaptation of Nick Cave’s 2009 novel The Death of Bunny Munro.

Meanwhile, Paul Greengrass has been hired to adapt the film adaptation of T.J. Newman’s novel Drowning.

After releasing their 100 Notable Books of 2023, The New York Times has narrowed it down to their top 10 Best Books of 2023.

Here are the sci-fi and fantasy titles getting the most recognition in best-of-the-year lists and award shortlists!

Book Riot Recommends

Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!

Power up your reading life with thoughtful writing on books and publishing, courtesy of The Deep Dive. Over at our Substack publication, you’ll find timely stories, informed takes, and useful advice from our in-house experts. We’re here to share our expertise and perspective, drawing from our backgrounds as booksellers, librarians, educators, authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and then get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox. You can also upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Can’t Wait for This One!

come and get it book cover

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid (January 30, 2024)

It’s time to finally shout out my most anticipated novel of 2024, and I feel so lucky because I don’t have to wait that much longer! This one, being at the end of January, is just almost right around the corner, which means it’s almost time to prepare our shelves. If you read Kiley Reid’s debut novel Such A Fun Age, then you’re probably just as excited about Come and Get It as I am. Such A Fun Age was a wild page-turner, but not in the way you’d expect. I could not put the book down because I was so nervous and weirdly excited to find out what cringey thing the characters would do next. And just like Reid’s first one, Come and Get It is a novel focused on social commentary, dynamic characters, and a story you won’t be able to pull yourself away from.

Set in 2017 at the University of Arkansas, Come and Get It is about senior resident assistant Millie Cousins. Millie is trying to graduate and save up enough money to buy a house. When visiting professor Agatha Paul offers Millie an interesting opportunity to help conduct research about weddings for her new book, Millie thinks it sounds like an easy way to make a little bit more cash. But after a student prank turns sinister, Millie finds herself on the brink of losing everything she’s worked so hard for.

Words of Literary Wisdom

“As I get older I see more and more how fluid a thing time is. There are so many ways to slip in and out of it. The wonder is that we ever stick in the now.”

Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward

What I’m Watching This Weekend

Here’s a fun thing I do every Christmas. I watch twelve new Christmas movies and rate them using my patented (not really) Christmas scale. How Christmassy are this year’s offerings? Time will tell! But here’s a list of some of the new holiday movies coming out this year that I might be watching this weekend.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

calico cat with toy bird

Here’s sweet little Cersei Anne with a toy bird. I know you are probably thinking about booping her cute little pink nose right now. But it’s a trap. You should know with cats it’s always a trap.

And that’s all I have for you today, friends. I hope you have a wonderful day and a beautiful weekend. Sending you all love!

Emily

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Book Radar

You Might Have to Wait A While for Rebecca Yarros’ Next Empyrean Book and More Book Radar!

Hi Book Friends!

I know we haven’t talked since last Monday, and it feels like FOREVER ago! How was your holiday break, if you had one? Did you get the chance to read and take some time for yourself? For me, the weekend was all about finishing up some books and cuddling with cats. Oh, and going full Christmas. Yep, it’s officially time. But before all that, let’s talk books.

Book Deals and Reveals

how to end a love story book cover

Yulin Kuang is a writer and director who has adapted multiple Emily Henry works, but now she’s published a romance novel that’s all her own. How to End A Love Story is out on April 9, but you can read an excerpt from the upcoming novel now.

Rebecca Yarros says it might be a minute before we get the third book in the Empyrean series. “I have a release date,” Yarros says. “I just can’t tell you yet.” The second novel in the series, Iron Flame, was released earlier this month.

Electric Lit has the exclusive cover reveal for Loose of Earth by Kathleen Dorothy Blackburn. The memoir will be published by University of Texas Press on April 16, 2024.

Cosmopolitan is sharing the cover and an excerpt from Karen McManus’ Such Charming Liars. The novel will be released on July 30, 2024.

And here’s an exclusive cover art reveal and preview of Amy Chu and Soo Lee’s graphic novel Carmilla: the Last Vampire Hunter. This second volume will be available in bookstores on July 9, 2024.

Tor.com is sharing the cover of In the Shadow of Their Dying by Anna Smith Spark and Michael R. Fletcher. This novella will be available from Grimdark Magazine March 19, 2024.

Here’s the cover reveal of Kelly Murashige’s debut novel The Lost Souls of Benzaiten. This is the story of one young girl’s desire to transform into a robot vacuum cleaner. I get it. I’m jealous of my Roomba every day. This one’s out on July 23, 2024.

NPR has released their massive list of the best books of the year, which features a unique interface for book recommendations.

Project Gutenberg’s AI audiobook project is yet another instance of AI encroaching on the book industry. But how do the audiobooks sound?

Who better to know the best books of the year than the librarians at the biggest library system in the country? Here are the best books of 2023, according to the New York Public Library.

Book Riot Recommends

Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!

Power up your reading life with thoughtful writing on books and publishing, courtesy of The Deep Dive. Over at our Substack publication, you’ll find timely stories, informed takes, and useful advice from our in-house experts. We’re here to share our expertise and perspective, drawing from our backgrounds as booksellers, librarians, educators, authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and then get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox. You can also upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Prepare Your Shelves!

flores and miss paula book cover

Flores and Miss Paula by Melissa Rivero (Ecco Press, Dec 5)

I’m so excited about this book because when I was a child, I had a teacher named Miss Paula. And I loved her so much that I asked my mom to name my little brother Miss Paula. True story.

But really, there are so many reasons to prepare your shelves for Melissa Rivero’s Flores and Miss Paula. Maybe you read and loved Rivero’s debut novel The Affairs of the Falcóns. Maybe you love complicated mother/daughter stories. Maybe you want to read more immigrant stories. Or maybe witty and heart-warming contemporary fiction is your thing. For me, I’m checking all of the above.

Flores and her mother, Paula, live together in a tiny apartment in Brooklyn. But just because they live in close proximity to one another doesn’t mean they’re close. Martín, Flores’ father, and Paula’s husband, died three years ago, and the mother-and-daughter duo have never truly recovered from that loss. Then, one day, Flores discovers a hidden note her mother wrote to her father: “Perdóname si te falle. Recuerda que siempre te quise.” (translation: “ Forgive me if I failed you. Remember that I always loved you.”)

With this new discovery, the rift between Paula and Flores grows even larger as suspicions grow and memories come back to them. And on top of that, the two find out that they are going to be forced to move. With everything going on, this mother and daughter will have to learn to talk with each other and confront their complicated past if they ever hope to move forward.

What I’m Reading This Week

codename sailor v comic book cover

Codename: Sailor V by Naoko Takeuchi

Out There Screaming, ed. by Jordan Peele

This Spells Love by Kate Robb

Making it So by Patrick Stewart

Lone Women by Victor LaValle

The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman

Bookish Memes

This meme really resonated with me. I won’t tell you what book it was, but maybe if you know me, you can guess. And I know you probably all have a book (or several) in your past that this meme will remind you of. It’s okay.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

Bowie, a fluffy orange and white cat, at the at café Poescafé in Belgium.

Everyone! I did go to a cat cafe while I was in Leuven, but I haven’t shared pictures yet. So here you go!

This little sweetie is Bowie. He was so cute and fluffy and, as you can see, totally chill. If you ever find yourself in Leuven in Belgium, be sure to go check out Poescafé. Super cute little cat cafe. Friendly cats. Tasty drinks. Etc.

And with that, another Book Radar has ended. I’ll see you on Thursday! Have a wonderful week.

Emily

Categories
Book Radar

Laura Hankin Announces New Book and More Book Radar!

Dear Book Friends,

Happy Monday, and happy Thanksgiving holiday week for those of you in the US. I’m still coming at you from Belgium. I went to Bruges yesterday, which was fun! But I’m heading back soon, so next time you see me, I’ll be back in boring ‘ole America. But for now, let’s chat books.

Book Deals and Reveals

horror movie book cover

Here’s the cover of Paul Tremblay’s upcoming novel Horror Movie! It’s out in June 2024.

What would you do if you had to walk down the aisle with a guy who’d given your book a 1-star review? If you’re author Laura Hankin, you write a new book. One Star Romance is coming June 18, 2024, and is available now for preorder.

More exciting cover reveals! Here’s the cover of Cate Baumer’s The Faithful Dark, a new gothic fantasy for fans of The Foxglove King and One Dark Window. It’s out on April 2, 2024.

Erika Robuck’s Prohibition-era novel The Last Twelve Miles releases on June 24, and here’s the gorgeous cover. It’s available for preorder now.

Aimee Nezhukumatathil has a new essay collection coming out! Here’s the cover of Bite by Bite: Nourishment and Jamborees, which features illustrations by Fumi Nakamura. It’s out in May 2024.

Chaotic matchmaking? Childhood friends to lovers? Found family? Check out Swati Hegde’s Match Me if You Can, out on June 4, 2024.

And here’s the official cover reveal of Karmen Lee’s The 7-10 Split, a sapphic romance out from Harlequin Books on May 21, 2024.

Sarah Street’s sapphic “Little Red Riding Hood” retelling A Sea of Wolves is also coming in May 2024, and here’s the cover reveal!

The 2023 National Book Awards were announced during a ceremony hosted by LeVar Burton. Here are the winners.

Here we go, book lovers. Announcing Book Riot’s picks for the best books of 2023!

Book Riot Recommends

Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!

We’re here to enrich your reading life! Get to know the world of books and publishing better with a subscription to The Deep Dive, Book Riot’s staff-written publication delivered directly to your inbox. Find a guide to reading logs and trackers, hear about why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and more from our familiar in-house experts. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Prepare Your Shelves!

Seven Minutes in Candyland book cover

Seven Minutes in Candyland by Brian Wasson (Quill Tree Books, December 12)

December is the perfect month to read a YA rom-com about candy, wouldn’t you agree? Thankfully, we’re getting Brian Wasson’s debut novel Seven Minutes in Candyland in just a few short weeks on December 12.

This adorable rom-com follows sophomore Kalvin Shmelton, who has a little business going, selling candy at school. It’s the perfect way to make a little extra money. His classmates love the candy, and it keeps Kalvin far away from the drama. That is…until his crush, Sterling Glistern, waltzes into his candy supply closet.

Suddenly, Kalvin finds himself running a whole new side hustle: relationship therapist. He only meant to let Sterling know what a jerk she was dating, but when you’re good at something, news travels fast in the world of high school. Soon, Kalvin is supplying way more than sweet treats to broken hearts who are hungry for thoughtful relationship advice. But while on the outside, Kalvin might seem like he has it all together, not everything is as it seems.

What I’m Reading This Week

cover of Making it So by Patrick Stewart

Making it So by Patrick Stewart

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Out There Screaming, ed. Jordan Peele

This Spells Love by Kate Robb

Codename: Sailor V by Naoko Takeuchi

Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata

Bookish Memes

Wuthering Heights is my absolute favorite book of all time, so I was excited to see this excellent collection of Wuthering Heights/Brontë memes. Hope you enjoy!

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

tuxedo cat on blue elephant blanket

I can’t believe this, but I forgot to wish Remy a HAPPY BIRTHDAY. He turned two on November 9. Look at this cute little Scorpio king! Happy belated birthday, Remy! I love you so much!

And that’s all I’ve got for you today, friends. I hope you have an amazing week. I hope you have a wonderful week. Have a wonderful holiday. Be kind to yourself. Remember that you don’t have to earn your food. And I’ll see you soon!

Emily

Categories
Book Radar

Vote for Goodreads’ Best Books of 2023 and More Book Radar!

Dear Book Friends,

Hello from Belgium! I got to check out a bookstore in Leuven yesterday, and I was excited to see all the fun book covers in different languages. And yeah, they had some English-language books as well. I was able to refrain from buying anything, but I always love a bookstore, no matter where I am. I’m sure you, of all people, would understand this.

Book Deals and Reveals

the eyes are the best part book cover

Here’s a cover reveal and excerpt from one of my most anticipated books of 2024, The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim. It’s out on June 25, 2024, from Erewhon Books.

Voting is now open for Goodreads’ Best Books of 2023! You can vote in the opening round from now until November 26. The final round will start on November 28 and last until December 3. Winners will be announced on December 7.

Hugo Award-winning author duo James S.A. Corey—the pen name of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck—has announced a new sci-fi trilogy. The series will start with The Mercy of the Gods, which will be out next summer.

John le Carré’s son Nicholas Cornwell is bringing his father’s beloved spy protagonist, George Smiley, back to the page. Publisher Penguin Random House (PRH) has announced a currently untitled novel by Nicholas Cornwell that’s set in the decade between the end of le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and the beginning of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. It’s set to release next fall.

Here’s an extended excerpt of Erika Johansen’s The Kingdom of Sweets. This reimagining of The Nutcracker is out from Dutton on November 28.

Netflix has unveiled a first look at the Dead Boy Detectives series, based on Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner’s Vertigo comics. The premiere date has yet to be announced.

Time has just posted their 100 Must-Read Books of 2023, including literary fiction, poetry, celebrity memoirs, and more.

Stay in the know. These are the most popular books trending on TikTok right now, including plenty of romantasy reads!

Barnes & Noble has announced their Book of the Year for 2023 — plus the inaugural winner of their Author of the Year award.

We Need Diverse Books has launched a new website dedicated to Indigenous children’s and YA books called Indigenous Reads Rising.

The New York Times and New York Public Library have announced their best illustrated children’s books of 2023.

Book Riot Recommends

Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!

Indulge your inner book nerd and join a community of like-minded readers looking to expand their knowledge and their TBR. Subscribe to The Deep Dive, where Book Riot’s editorial staff draws from their collective expertise to bring you compelling stories, informed takes, tips, hacks, and more. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and explore the great wide world of books and publishing. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features.

Can’t Wait for This One!

like love book cover

Like Love by Maggie Nelson (Graywolf Press, April 2, 2024)

Maggie Nelson is an award-winning author whose writing defies classification. She writes poetry, essays, art criticism, memoir, queer theory, and much more all in one. Like many others, I have been wowed by her books, especially The Argonauts, and now her latest book, Like Love, collects 20 years of the author’s work into a collection of essays and conversations.

Through these essays, Nelson covers a wide range of topics, but she comes back to a lot of the core topics that interest the author: feminism, queer issues, the nature of art and creativity, and love and friendship. These essays give us insight into Nelson’s life, her way of thinking, and the creative process of writing some of her most beloved works, like The Argonauts and Bluets. This book won’t be out until April 2024, but it’s definitely one worth looking forward to! It’s going to be a must-read in the upcoming year.

Words of Literary Wisdom

“I seized the opportunity and asked him what I needed to learn about film acting. He thought for a moment and then said, ‘You must understand, Patrick, the camera photographs thoughts.’ Simple but profound. No matter what kind of acting you’re doing, you of course have to think. But the camera gets closer to you than any audience member ever will. What might be missed onstage, the camera will absolutely see.”

Making it So by Patrick Stewart

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.

You know I love sharing a readathon, and Gabby Reads’ horror/thriller-themed readathons are some of my favorites. The whole idea is to make Halloween/spooky season a whole year-round affair, and this time, we’re talking Winterween, friends! This one’s starting in January. And we have a theme: Wicked Winterween. Check out all the details here!

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

a photo of a black cat in a doorway meowing

I’m not at home right now, as I’ve mentioned, but my husband sent me this pic of Remy earlier today. I’m sure he’s crying about wanting treats, but I’d like to pretend he’s missing me. I miss him too!

And that’s all I’ve got for you all today, friends. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Get plenty of rest. Read lots of books. Don’t forget to drink water. Eat your fruits and veggies. Do you.

Emily

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Book Radar

Critical Role Announces Prequel Novel by Cassandra Khaw and More Book Radar!

Happy Monday, Book Radar Friends!

And greetings from Belgium. Maybe I’ll find some cute cats here to send you pictures of. We all know that’s the highlight of travel for me. Finding new cats and visiting new bookstores. We’ll see what I can find! In the meantime, let’s talk books.

Book Deals and Reveals

bells hells what doesnt break book cover

Critical Role has announced their latest project with Penguin Random House, Bells Hells: What Doesn’t Break, a prequel novel written by horror author Cassandra Khaw. It’ll be out July 2024!

Here’s the cover reveal of Danez Smith’s upcoming poetry collection Bluff, designed by Mary Austin Speaker, with artwork by Devan Shimoyama. It’s out from Graywolf Press on August 20, 2024.

Netflix is finalizing details of Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia. They are hoping to commence production in 2024.

Oprah Daily has announced their picks for the best books of 2023. Books include Angie Kim’s Happiness Falls and The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis, among others.

These are the books all of the book clubs are reading this month. Grab a copy and learn how to join in.

To celebrate all things nonfiction November, here are some of the best nonfiction audiobooks from 2023 to try.

Spotify now offers audiobooks as part of its premium subscription service and has a catalogue of over 200,000 audiobooks from various genres.

Two major wins for libraries this week. Patmos Public Library is finally being funded after two previous losses and Pella Public Library retains its independence.

Book Riot Recommends

Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!

Indulge your inner book nerd and join a community of like-minded readers looking to expand their knowledge and their TBR. Subscribe to The Deep Dive, where Book Riot’s editorial staff draws from their collective expertise to bring you compelling stories, informed takes, tips, hacks, and more. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and explore the great wide world of books and publishing. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features.

Prepare Your Shelves!

our cursed love book cover

Our Cursed Love by Julie Abe (Wednesday Books, December 12)

Okay. There are a couple of things I love about this book. First, look at this cover. It’s gorgeous. Secondly, I love that this book is giving Fifty First Dates/Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind vibes. But in Japan. It’s also just the perfect cute, sweet, heartbreaking YA romance/fantasy to keep you feeling warm and fuzzy during these cold months. And it’s coming out in December, so prepare your shelves!

Remy and Cam are best friends, but Remy has always felt like their relationship could be something more. And what better place to finally confess her feelings than Japan, on their winter vacation? But in Tokyo, Remy and Cam discover a secret magical apothecary, where they take a love potion…that makes Cam forget who Remy is. Not the outcome Remy was hoping for! Now she has until midnight New Year’s Eve to get Cam to remember her, or they will be forgotten to each other forever.

What I’m Reading This Week

ankle snatcher book cover

Ankle Snatcher by Grady Hendrix

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Out There Screaming, ed. by Jordan Peele

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

Making It So by Patrick Stewart

This Spells Love by Kate Robb

Bookish Memes

Oops, sorry. I have more Taylor Swift bookish memes for you this week. I hope you’re enjoying.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

orange cat in fluffy cat bed in front of book shelf

Alert! Murray has a new cat bed and he loves it. And check out his little Calcifer cat toy. They’re almost the same color.

And that’s all for today, friends. I hope you have the best week. Do at least a few things that are kind. Be kind to yourself. Read books. Drink water. But most importantly, don’t listen to me and do what you want. I’ll see you on Thursday.

Emily

Categories
Book Radar

Publisher’s Weekly Picks the Best Books of 2023 and More Book Radar!

Dear Book Friends,

Happy Thursday! I hope your week is going well and that you’re excited for the weekend. I am because the next time I talk to you, I’ll be communicating from Belgium. It’s been a while since I’ve had a big trip, so I’m pretty excited. Anyway, for now, it’s time to talk books.

Book Deals and Reveals

youthjuice book cover

American Psycho meets The Devil Wears Prada in E.K. Sathue’s horror satire youthjuice, and here is the cover reveal! You’ll never moisturize the same way again, starting on June 6, 2024 (which is when this book will be released).

Here’s the cover reveal of M.K. Pagano’s debut YA thriller, Girls Who Burn. It’s out from Penguin Teen on August 6, 2024.

Tor.com has shared the cover of Kerstin Hall’s Asunder, a standalone dark fantasy novel coming out in August 2024.

Here are Publishers Weekly‘s picks for the best books of 2023. Along with a top 10, PW shares their favorites across many genres, including mystery/thriller, poetry, romance, and more.

As we get closer and closer to the release date of Heartstopper: Vol 2, we’re getting more sneak peeks! Here is the full cover of Alice Oseman’s highly anticipated graphic novel. It’s out in December.

Speaking of sneak peeks! Entertainment Weekly has a sneak peek of the sequel to Stephen King’s Cujo. The sequel, “Rattlesnakes,” is one of 12 new short stories included in King’s new collection You Like It Darker. It’s out from Scribner on May 21, 2024.

HarperCollins has signed an agreement to publish a new book by Pope Francis. Life, My Story Through History is expected to publish next spring.

Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary for the Biden administration, has signed a two-book deal with Scribner. The first book, Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World, will be published in May 2024. No date has been set for the second book.

National Book Award finalist and winner of the 2022 Asian/Pacific American Award in Literature Grace M. Cho has sold North American rights to her novel We Will Go to Jinju to Viking at auction. No publication date has been announced yet.

Book Riot Recommends

Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!

Power up your reading life with thoughtful writing on books and publishing, courtesy of The Deep Dive. Over at our Substack publication, you’ll find timely stories, informed takes, and useful advice from our in-house experts. We’re here to share our expertise and perspective, drawing from our backgrounds as booksellers, librarians, educators, authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and then get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox. You can also upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Can’t Wait for This One!

book cover for anita de monte laughs last

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez (Flatiron Books, March 5, 2024)

Xochitl Gonzalez, the author of Olga Dies Dreaming, is out with a new novel next year! And it’s going to be a good one. Gonzalez’s latest work is a mesmerizing literary mystery that examines the art world, academia, and what it takes to be remembered.

In 1985, Anita de Monte was a rising star in the art world and had all the potential for an exciting career. But all of that was cut short when she was tragically found dead in New York City. Thirteen years later, most people have forgotten her name.

It’s here in 1998 that we are introduced to Raquel, an art history student who feels isolated as one of the few people of color at her school. She knows she will be forced to work twice as hard as her predominantly white cohort, and she’s resentful of that fact. But when she becomes involved with an older, well-connected art student who helps her get a leg up in the art world, she wonders if her fortunes have changed. And stumbling across the tragic story of Anita de Monte, Raquel is struck by how much Anita’s story mirrors her own.

Words of Literary Wisdom

“While musical prodigies are always celebrated, early readers aren’t. And that’s because early readers are only good at something others will eventually be good at, too. So being first isn’t special – it’s just annoying.”

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

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.

Want to spend money on books and support a good cause? Books for Palestine is currently holding an auction that will continue until Saturday, November 11. Auction winners will donate directly to their choice of three organizations: Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, the Adalah Justice Project, and the Palestine Writes Literature Festival. Learn more here. And then participate in the auction here.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

sleepy calico cat on blue blanket

Does the time change have you feeling as sleepy as Cersei Anne has felt this week? I know I’ve been dragging a bit. And you gotta love those 4:30 p.m. sunsets! Right? November’s the worst!

And that’s all for today, friends. Have a wonderful weekend.

Emily

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Book Radar

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2 to Premiere in Summer 2024 and More Book Radar!

Dear Reading Community,

Hello! Happy Monday! Guess what? We’re less than a week out from my trip to Belgium, so that means it’s time to start thinking about what books to bring along with me and what I can manage to finish before I go. I place a lot of significance on the books I read while traveling because I always remember that book when I think back on the trip, and vice versa. Like, I don’t know, for instance, when I think about the first time I went to Portland, I will always remember I was reading Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey.

Anyway! We’ll see what happens. In the meantime, let’s talk books.

Book Deals and Reveals

cover of Mouth

Tor.com has revealed the cover of Mouth, an upcoming debut collection from Puloma Ghosh. Tor.com calls the 11 short stories in this collection “eerie, uncanny, and surreal.” This book is out from Astra House on June 11, 2024.

HBO is bringing back House of the Dragon! Season 2 will premiere in “early summer” 2024.

Want to read romance but not sure where to start? Romance bookstore The Ripped Bodice has teamed up with Free Period Press to create a fun checklist of 50 must-read romance novels. You can pick up yours online or in-store!

Heartstopper fans, Alice Oseman has created adorable new Nellie enamel pins. 10% of the proceeds will go to Gendered Intelligence.

Here’s the cover reveal of Marjan Kamali’s The Lion Women of Tehran. According to the author, “This story follows two girls from different stations in life who forge an indestructible friendship through decades. All along, one of them, Homa, fights tirelessly for Iranian women to be free.” It’s out on July 2, 2024.

Britney Spears’ bestselling memoir The Woman in Me might have just hit shelves, but studios are already in a bidding war to adapt the book into a TV series, feature film, or documentary.

Britney Spears’s memoir sold 1.1 million copies in its first week. Here are some other recent celebrity memoir sales numbers.

TikTok star Harley Laroux will be publishing their novel Her Soul to Take with Kensington Books. The book follows “a college student who, while investigating paranormal phenomena, accidentally summons an ancient and seductive demon who helps her solve a string of grisly murders around her college campus, but also leads her to question everything she knows about morality and desire.” The book is scheduled for a February 2024 release.

Goodreads has announced its commitment to ensuring trustworthy and respectful reviews, and has described a plan to prevent review bombing.

This year’s annual Summer Scares spokesperson and timeline are here, and you’re in for a scary good time.

November 2023 horoscopes are also here, along with new book recommendations for each sign.

Book Riot Recommends

Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!

Power up your reading life with thoughtful writing on books and publishing, courtesy of The Deep Dive. Over at our Substack publication, you’ll find timely stories, informed takes, and useful advice from our in-house experts. We’re here to share our expertise and perspective, drawing from our backgrounds as booksellers, librarians, educators, authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and then get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox. You can also upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Prepare Your Shelves!

the fiction writer book cover

The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor (Park Row Books, November 28)

Readers (including myself) just can’t get enough of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. There are so many recent books that have given romantic gothic Rebecca vibes. The Hacienda. Verity. Mexican Gothic. You get the idea. Jillian Cantor’s upcoming book is also going to be one that’s great for fans of Rebecca, but not in the way you’re expecting.

After writer Olivia Fitzgerald’s retelling of Rebecca is a major flop, she finds herself battling a horrible case of writer’s block. So when she’s offered a high-paying ghostwriter job, Olivia is more than happy for the opportunity. All she has to do is interview mega-billionaire Henry “Ash” Asherwood, who is eager to spill all of the secrets about his late grandmother. Ash claims the story of Rebecca is actually his grandmother’s life story, and Daphne du Maurier stole it from her. But the more Olivia digs into Ash’s family’s past, the more horrifying the truth turns out to be.

Intrigued? This one comes out in November, so prepare your shelves!

What I’m Reading This Week

a graphic of the cover of The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Out There Screaming, ed. Jordan Peele

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

Black Paradox by Junji Ito

Monday Memes

I have a confession to make. I’m absolute trash for a Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce meme. Especially when they’re about books.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

calico cat in a cat house that looks like a cat

Look who’s back in her home! I know I’ve mentioned that it’s getting colder here, and as it gets colder, the cats change their habits. As do we all! Well, Cersei used to go into this little cat house all the time, but during the summer months, she stopped doing that. It warmed my heart to see her back. She looks so cute! And she doesn’t even know she’s a cat cuddling inside a house that looks like a cat!

Friends, I hope you have the best week. We’ll talk on Thursday!

Emily

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Book Radar

Paul Tremblay Announces New Horror Novel and More Book Radar!

Welcome to the first Book Radar newsletter of November!

I am still mourning October, and I’m generally not a huge fan of November if I’m totally honest. But I am going to Belgium later this month, so I’m going to try to stay optimistic. Hard to complain when you have something fun to look forward to! We have exciting books on the horizon as well, so let’s chat about them.

Book Deals and Reveals

On Halloween, Paul Tremblay gave fans a teaser video of his upcoming horror novel Horror Movie. It’s out in June 2024 from William Morrow.

Christina Lauren revealed the cover of their latest novel, The Paradise Problem. On Instagram, the authors wrote, “Y’all, if you are fans of The Unhoneymooners and Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, this will be the book FOR YOU!”

The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros, beginning with Fourth Wing, is being adapted into a TV show for Prime Video.

Here’s the cover reveal of the thriller Home is Where the Bodies Are, the latest from Jeneva Rose. The cover design comes from Sarah Riedlinger. The book will be out on April 30, 2024.

Author Nicole Chung has started a new newsletter! You can sign up here to get notes about Chung’s writing, updates about projects, pictures of dogs, and much more.

AMC has nabbed the rights to Nautilus, a new series that reimagines the story of Captain Nemo from Jules Verne’s classic novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. The series is set to air in 2024.

Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi is being adapted into a Netflix documentary, and you can watch the trailer now.

Two new reading surveys of Americans show how many books they own, how often they’re reading each year and other reading trends.

Publishers Weekly has selected 150 books across a wide range of categories for their best books of 2023.

Book Riot Recommends

Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!

We’re here to enrich your reading life! Get to know the world of books and publishing better with a subscription to The Deep Dive, Book Riot’s staff-written publication delivered directly to your inbox. Find a guide to reading logs and trackers, hear about why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and more from our familiar in-house experts. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Can’t Wait for This One

to gaze upon wicked gods by molly x chang book cover

To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang (Del Ray, April 16, 2024)

Looking for a new fantasy series to dive into in 2024? Be on the lookout for To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang. This is the first book in a new epic fantasy series following Ruying, a young woman who has the power to pull life out of human bodies. Is her gift a blessing or a curse? When an enemy prince discovers her powers, he certainly sees it as a blessing, and he asks her to help him. She will become his private assassin, taking out all of his rivals. And if she does this, he promises her family will never want for anything ever again.

Accepting the prince’s bargain would mean Ruying would never have to worry about her family’s well-being ever again. But it would also mean betraying her country to use the death powers she has always feared, especially because these powers take years off of her life every time she uses them. The prince promises he’s asking her to do something that would be for the greater good of the world, but can he be trusted?

This fantasy novel has a promising enemies-to-lovers romance, and it’s based on Chinese history and mythology. It features complex main characters that you won’t be sure if you hate or you love. What more could you want from your epic fantasies?

Words of Literary Wisdom

“Love can’t cure a mental illness. There are lots of ways to help him, you can just be there. To listen. To talk. To cheer him up if he’s having a bad day. And on the bad days you can ask what to could do to make things easier. Stand by his side, even when things are hard. But also knowing that sometimes people need more support than just one person can give. That’s love, darling.”

Heartstopper: Volume 4 by Alice Oseman

What I’m Watching This Weekend

I know I’m late to the game, but I’m finally watching Fall of the House of Usher. I’ve heard so many great things about this show, but will it live up to the hype? I will report back. Have you watched it? Did you love it? Let me know!

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

tuxedo cat on a bed

That feeling when you wake up and see a cat on your legs, just staring at you. Early in the morning, and he’s already giving me the “give me treats” face. But how can you say no to this face?

Okay, friends! This is all I have for you today. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to chatting on Monday! Thanks for hanging out with me.

Emily

Categories
Book Radar

Michelle Obama to Narrate Audio Edition of WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE and More Book Radar!

Dear Book Friends,

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? I’m just here chilling with my cat, soaking in the last few days of October. It’s been a great month, but there’s really nothing that could make October feel long enough. It’s the best time of the year, and I’m a little sad it’s almost over. Thankfully, we do have some book stuff to look forward to!

Autumn is here, which means it’s time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it’s romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes.

Book Deals and Reveals

You Never Know memoir cover

Here’s the cover reveal of Tom Selleck’s upcoming memoir You Never Know. The book hits shelves on May 7, 2024.

Michelle Obama will be narrating the audiobook edition of the classic children’s story Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. The audiobook will be available starting tomorrow, October 31.

A new series adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is in the works at Amazon MGM Studios. Veena Sud has just been announced as the showrunner.

Here’s the cover for the sapphic horror comedy thriller The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington. It’s out on July 30, 2024.

Vajra Chandrasekera has just announced his second novel, Rakesfall, which will be out in June 2024. The author tweeted, “Since the book is after all about the connectedness of all struggle against oppression, let me use this small platform for clarity: Palestine must be and will be free.” Read the full thread for more.

Here are Bookshop.org’s best books of the year — they include everything from nonfiction collections to out-there science fiction.

Scholastic Book Fairs will no longer offer a separate diverse voices book case. But they still fail to address many questions.

TikTok can be a haven for lovers of different genres, nonfiction included. Here are 20 of the best nonfiction books on TikTok.

Book Riot Recommends

Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!

Prepare Your Shelves!

heartstopper volume 5 book

Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman (Graphix, December 19)

October may be on its way out, but there is still plenty to look forward to in 2023. Namely, the fifth volume of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper is finally hitting shelves. And while this series needs no introduction for most, it’s still worth noting that this is a very exciting new release! And yes, I selfishly want to talk about it because I am deep in my Heartstopper era, love this series with all my heart, and can’t wait for this graphic novel to come out already.

If you’ve somehow missed Heartstopper up to this point, here’s what you need to know. The series follows the relationship between British teens Nick and Charlie. The story is sweet, like so sweet it feels like you’re being wrapped up in the warmest hug you’ve ever received. But Oseman’s work also doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects like homophobia, mental health, and eating disorders (just to name a few). Every topic is delicately handled, and the predicaments the characters find themselves in feel very authentic to the teen experience. Not sensationalized. As I was reading, these characters quickly began to feel like real people I deeply cared about. And if you’ve read these books, then I would guess you feel the same.

In the latest installment, Nick and Charlie are very much in love and have told each other so. Unfortunately, love doesn’t fix everything. And with Nick getting ready to head off to university next year, what does this mean for Nick and Charlie’s future?

What I’m Reading This Week

out there screaming book cover

Out There Screaming, edited by Jordan Peele

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Black Paradox by Junji Ito

Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen

People Collide by Isle McElroy

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

Monday Memes

Tweets about libraries? Don’t mind if we do!

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

a black and a ginger cat lying in bed

We recently got a new bed, and the cats are really loving it, especially as it starts to get cold outside. They’re ditching the window for the bed. Please ignore my disorganized shelf behind Remy. It’s a work in progress!

And that’s all for this Monday’s Book Radar, friends. I hope you have a great rest of your week!

Emily

Categories
Book Radar

Oprah Announces Her 103rd Book Pick and More Book Radar!

Hello Book Friends!

Happy The Woman in Me release week to all who are celebrating. I’m listening to the audiobook, and I’m really excited about it. What are you listening to and/or reading right now? Let me know! In the meantime, let’s talk about all the news and buzz around books.

Autumn is here, which means it’s time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it’s romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes.

Book Deals and Reveals

cover of Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

Oprah has chosen her 103rd book club pick, and it’s Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward! A book we’ve talked about in this very newsletter. Wow, we really do have our finger on the pulse of the bookish world, don’t we? (Look, Libra season is over, October is almost gone, and I’m in my feels, so let me have this.)

A television adaptation of Lucy Foley’s bestselling mystery novel The Guest List is in development at Hulu. The series comes from Liz Tigelaar, the creator of Little Fires Everywhere and Tiny Beautiful Things.

Here are the winners of the 2023 Hugo Awards! The announcement was made live via the Chengdu Worldcon website on October 21st.

Black queer author Leah Johnson, author of You Should See Me in a Crown, is sharing the “inspiration and rage” behind her opening of Loudmouth Books, an Indianapolis-based indie bookstore dedicated to banned books and marginalized authors. Find out more about the store and upcoming events at loudmouthindy.com.

Cover reveal time! Check out the cover of Sarah T. Dubb’s Birding with Benefits. It’s out from Gallery Books on June 4, 2024.

Cosmopolitan is sharing a preview of Adalyn Grace’s Wisteria, the third and final book in the Belladonna trilogy. It’s out on August 20, 2024.

Tor Publishing Group has acquired three more books from Seanan McGuire to continue and complete the Alchemical Journeys series.

Penguin Random House is launching the Freedom of Expression Prize, a $10,000 prize to be awarded to high school students to combat book bans.

Although Divergent never got a final movie, author Veronica Roth tells Entertainment Weekly that she’s made peace with it.

Book Riot Recommends

Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!

Book Riot has podcasts to keep your ears listening for days! Check them out and subscribe.

Can’t Wait for This One

one in a millennial book cover

One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy (St. Martin’s Press, January 23)

Fellow millennials, we are reaching an age where our nostalgia for our better days is being sold back to us. And you know what? I’m buying it. I see this burned mixed CD on this book cover, and all the feels come rolling back. Tell me more about me, book. Tell me more.

Are you feeling that too? If so, then get ready for Kate Kennedy’s One in a Millennial, out in January 2024. From AOL instant messenger to American Girl Dolls to Spice Girls and every pop culture millennial moment in between, this book tackles what it meant to grow up during these important cultural moments. Moreover, Kennedy looks at how millennial culture has shaped who we are as adults (and as parents).

While you wait for this one to come out, check out Kate Kennedy’s podcast Be There in Five, a solo-hosted podcast where the pop culture commentator chats about all kinds of popular culture. This informative and funny podcast will give you a good sense of Kate Kennedy and what you can expect from her exciting new book.

Words of Literary Wisdom

“There have been so many times when I was scared to speak up because I was afraid somebody would think I was crazy. But I’ve learned that lesson now, the hard way. You have to speak the thing that you’re feeling, even if it scares you. You have to tell your story. You have to raise your voice.”

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

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.

Is reading the thirstiest thing a man can do? Yes, according to Bustle! According to a recent study, both men and women see reading as the biggest “green flag” in dating. And apparently men are using this statistic and posting lots of pics and selfies with books these days. Read the full article here, or check out what these books tell us about the men who read them.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

How is this a full-grown cat? He’s such a lil bit. We’re almost to November, which means it’s almost this little guy’s birthday. That’s right, everyone. Remy turns 2 next month! What the heck!

OK, and…that’s all for Thursday’s Book Radar! Have an amazing weekend. I’ll see you soon!

Emily