Category: Book Radar

Happy Thursday! While I am excited we are “spending” this time together today, I am a little sad we will have to wait until next Thursday to talk again, because Monday is a holiday. It will go by fast, though! I promise to save all the best news I hear about to share with you next week.

As soon as I finish writing this newsletter, I have to record next week’s episode of All the Books! and then I have a four-day weekend. I AM SO EXCITED. It’s supposed to be lovely here in Maine and even hot – possibly 80 on Friday! (“Birds singin’, squirrels makin’ lots of rotten little squirrels, the sun beaming down in a nice non-fatal way. It’s very exciting. I can’t wait to see if I freckle.”) I plan to read a lot of books, watch the last episodes of Steven Universe, and possibly attempt to bleach my hair because I am tired of looking at these red roots.

Now, on to the newsletter! I have a few things to share with you that I am VERY excited about! Remember, whatever you are doing or not doing this week, you are doing a good job! I am sending you virtual hugs. This is hard, but we are doing what is necessary, and I’m so proud of us! I hope you are safe, and please remember to be kind to yourself and others. Thanks for subscribing, and I’ll see you again on Monday! – xoxo, Liberty

Trivia question time! Which Stephen King novel was once offered in a limited edition with an aluminum-coated asbestos cloth cover? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty is being made into a Netflix series!

Here’s the cover reveal for Across the Green Grass Fields, the newest installment of Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children series.

Taika Waititi is leading a star-studded cast of supporting actors in a reading of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach on YouTube.

Edgar Wright is going to adapt Tade Thompson’s The Murders Of Molly Southbourne.

Here’s the first look at Veronica Schanoes’ debut story collection, Burning Girls and Other Stories.

Here’s the first look at Adriana Herrera’s new department store romance Here to Stay.

Charlie Jane Anders announced her first YA novel.

Holly Black announced her upcoming Cardan novella.

HBO Max will adapt L.C. Rosen’s Camp, which is out this coming Tuesday.

These Women, the new Ivy Pochada novel that came out this week, is being made into a series.

Bill Gates shared his summer reading picks.

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:

The Arrest by Jonathan Lethem (Ecco, November 10)

I love, love, love Lethem’s novel As She Climbed Across the Table, and many of his other novels, so I was delighted to learn this week that he has a new novel for us at the end of 2020. (2020 is going to end, right??!) The description says it’s “an utterly original post-apocalyptic yarn about two siblings, the man that came between them, and a nuclear-powered super car.” And it’s set in Maine, which is even more exciting for me!

What I’m reading this week.

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

East of Hounslow by Khurrum Rahman

Weird Al: Seriously by Lily E. Hirsch

Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Song stuck in my head:

Who Needs You by The Orwells

And this is funny:

Oooooooooops.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

• Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.
• Here are livestreams of animals. I particularly enjoy the bat one.
• And more cute animal pictures.
• Music Catch, one of my favorite desktop games. I also still play Lemonade Stand occasionally.
• Disney Emoji Blitz!

And times like these call for a bonus cat picture!

THE CUTE, IT BURNS. Pigeon watching has never been more adorable.

Trivia answer: Firestarter.

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

Hello, and welcome to Monday! I have decided that this is now a Steven Universe fan newsletter. Just kidding! But I did start watching it last week and, OMG, I love it more than I can say. It’s so silly and sweet and wonderful! That is exactly what I needed right now. I am almost done watching the third season, and I think Garnet is my favorite Crystal Gem, and Connie is my favorite character, because she’s bookish. I highly, highly recommend it. (I promise I still read books too, lol.)

I’m afraid there’s not much going on in the book world right now, so I only have a teeny bit of news for you today. And a cat picture, of course. Whatever you are doing or watching or reading this week, I am sending you virtual hugs. Please try and enjoy the rest of your week as best you can, and remember to stay inside and wash your hands. We’re going to be okay, eventually. I’ll see you again on Thursday. – xoxo, Liberty

Here’s Monday’s trivia question:  What woman writer is quoted more than any other woman in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reels, and Squeals! 

A Percy Jackson series is coming to Disney+.

Ryan Gosling will star in the adaptation of Andy Weir’s yet-to-be-titled upcoming book.

Here’s the first trailer for the adaptation of James McBride’s The Good Lord Bird.

Here’s the first look at the fifth Murderbot novella, coming in 2021.

Sarah MacLean announced Hell’s Belles, a new series coming in 2021.

Here’s the cover reveal for the reissue of Finding My Voice by Marie Myung-Ok Lee.

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:

The Searcher: A Novel by Tana French (Viking, October 6)

I spent the weekend moving books in my library and alphabetizing, and when I got to the Tana French books, I was overcome with a desperate need for this new book. I think reading a new French novel right now would be excellent, because they’re so great to just sink into. This one is about a retired Chicago police officer living in Ireland who helps search for a missing boy. It sounds like a straight police procedural, but one of the tags for this is ‘witch & wizard mysteries’ which has me VERY intrigued.

What I’m reading this week:

Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Bluebeard’s First Wife by Seong-nan Ha, Janet Hong (translator)

Be Gay, Do Comics by Various Artists

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey

Pun of the week: 

What washes up on tiny beaches? Microwaves.

Here’s a cat picture:

I’ve been rearranging the furniture in our house, and Farrokh has decided to try out all kinds of new places to sleep like Goldilocks.

And this is funny.

Which one are you?

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

• Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.
• Here are livestreams of animals. I particularly enjoy the bat one.
• And more cute animal pictures.
• Music Catch, one of my favorite desktop games. I also still play Lemonade Stand occasionally.
• Disney Emoji Blitz!

Trivia answer: Emily Dickinson.

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

It’s Thursday! That means we’ve successfully made it past the week’s halfway mark. And thank goodness. I had quite the Tuesday this week. It was more like a second Monday, which I then learned is a whole meme and fell down the internet rabbit hole. I rewatched Gravity Falls this past week, too, and now am trying to decide what I will watch next, because it turns out while I am having a good reading streak these last several weeks, I have no patience for television shows that aren’t cartoons. Maybe I will just watch Gravity Falls again, lol.

Now, on to the newsletter! Like the last few weeks, I have a little bit of book news for you today, and a few links to some things that might make you smile during this time.

Remember, whatever you are doing or not doing this week, I am sending you virtual hugs. This is hard, but we are doing what is necessary, and I’m so proud of us! I hope you are safe, and please remember to be kind to yourself and others. Thanks for subscribing, and I’ll see you again on Monday! – xoxo, Liberty

Trivia question time! Who is the only writer to win Pulitzer Prizes for both poetry and fiction? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

Lestatus Update: Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles are headed to AMC.

And speaking of vampires, here’s the cover of the upcoming anthology Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker.

The film of the Broadway Hamilton production is headed to Disney+ in July, a year earlier than originally scheduled.

The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde is getting the adaptation treatment.

Here’s the amazing cover of Fatal Fried Rice, the upcoming sixth book in Vivien Chien’s Noodle Shop Mystery series.

A reimagining of Little Women set in 1942 around Pearl Harbor is coming in 2022.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan will executive produce and star in an adaptation of The Switch by Beth O’Leary.

Here’s the first look at The Project by Courtney Summers.

Sandhya Menon is releasing her first romance novel for adults under the name Lily Menon.

Netflix is making an adaptation based on DC’s Sweet Tooth comic.

And Netflix is also adapting Elena Ferrante’s upcoming novel The Lying Life of Adults.

Haruki Murakami has plans to host a lockdown radio show in Japan.

Sofia Coppola is adapting Edith Wharton’s Custom of the Country.

Jennifer Lopez’s daughter Emme is releasing a children’s book.

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:

The City of Good Death by Priyanka Champaneri (Restless Books, February 23, 2021)

Yes, I am still thinking about books coming next year. Anything to take me out of 2020. This one is the winner of the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing. Set in India, it’s about the manager of a death hostel who caters to dying people seeking a good death. Wow, it sounds so grim when you read that. But it’s supposed to be enchanting and wonderful and I am here for it.

What I’m reading this week.

Be Gay, Do Comics by Various Artists

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey

What Is Color?: 50 Questions and Answers on the Science of Color by Arielle Eckstut and Joann Eckstut

The Groom Will Keep His Name: And Other Vows I’ve Made About Race, Resistance, and Romance by Matt Ortile

You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat

Song stuck in my head:

Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

• Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.
• Here are livestreams of animals. I particularly enjoy the bat one.
• And more cute animal pictures.
• Music Catch, one of my favorite desktop games. I also still play Lemonade Stand occasionally.
• Disney Emoji Blitz!

And times like these call for a bonus cat picture!

“It’s an illusion, Michael.”

Trivia answer: Robert Penn Warren.

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

Happy Monday, readers! I hope you had another lovely weekend. We had a snowstorm here on Saturday. In May. Yep, that happened. Let’s see, what else? I have been continuing watching Agatha Christie adaptations. I watched Crooked House with Glenn Close and Gillian Anderson, and I thought it was excellent. And I watched the 1974 version of Murder on the Orient Express, which I haven’t seen since I was in high school. It’s…dated. But there can’t be many more films with such a star-studded cast. Unrelated to Christie, I also rewatched all of Gravity Falls for the fourth or fifth time, and I still love it bunches.

There’s not much going on in the book world right now other than delays and cancelations, but I do have a few exciting things to tell you. Whatever you are doing or watching or reading this week, I am sending you virtual hugs. Please try and enjoy the rest of your week as best you can, and remember to stay inside and wash your hands. We’re going to be okay, eventually. I’ll see you again on Thursday. – xoxo, Liberty

Here’s Monday’s trivia question: What did Jonathan Swift call “a sort of glass wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own?” (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reels, and Squeals! 

Melissa Albert will return to the Hazel Wood next year with Tales From the Hinterland.

And here’s the first look at the Star Wars children’s book from former Rioter Preeti Chhibber!

Welcome to the Jungle Gym: Guns N’ Roses have collaborated with James Patterson on a children’s book.

Here’s the first trailer for Shirley, the Shirley Jackson biopic starring Elisabeth Moss.

And here’s the new trailer for Netflix’s adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club.

Here’s the first look at Netflix’s upcoming Arthurian legend adaptation of Cursed.

Stephen King’s Revival to be adapted for the screen.

Here’s the cover reveal of Goblin by Josh Malerman, coming in 2021.

And here’s the cover reveal of Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher, also coming in 2021.

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:

Agatha Christie’s Poirot: The Greatest Detective in the World by Mark Aldridge (William Morrow, October 6)

So as I mentioned above, I have been watching a lot of Agatha Christie adaptations lately. I am eyeballs deep in Christie nostalgia, and plan to reread all the books again soon, which is something I haven’t done in 14 years. It is the 100th anniversary of the publication of her first novel this year, after all. So, of course, I was very excited when I stumbled upon this book in a catalog! Poirot is in my favorite Christie book, The ABC Murders, but I don’t know that he’s my favorite of her characters. Even Christie herself got tired of writing him, calling him a “detestable, bombastic, tiresome, ego-centric little creep.” But I look forward to reading Aldridge’s reasoning for why he thinks Poirot is the greatest detective in the world.

What I’m reading this week:

The Groom Will Keep His Name: And Other Vows I’ve Made About Race, Resistance, and Romance by Matt Ortile

You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat

The Orchard: A Novel by David Hopen

The Book of V by Anna Solomon

Stealing Thunder by Alina Boyden

Pun of the week: 

Waking up this morning was an eye-opening experience.

Here’s a cat picture:

Zevon is super casual.

And this is funny.

Super cute.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

• Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.
• Here are livestreams of animals. I particularly enjoy the bat one.
• And more cute animal pictures.
• Music Catch, one of my favorite desktop games. I also still play Lemonade Stand occasionally.
• Disney Emoji Blitz!

Trivia answer: Satire.

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

Happy Thursday, readers! How is everyone holding up? I feel a bit more optimistic about things than I did a few weeks ago, but maybe it’s just because the sun is out all the time now. The sun is not my friend, but I am getting Vitamin D by proxy, so that’s something.

I have been watching newer Agatha Christie adaptations these last few days. Loved Ordeal by Innocence, mostly because Bill Nighy is a treasure. I thought The Pale Horse was pretty but kinda disappointing. And I didn’t like The ABC Murders at all, for many reasons, which was sad because it’s my favorite Christie. (John Malkovich didn’t work for me as Poirot at all, and they changed one of the murders that, when I read it as an 8-year-old, scarred me for life. And yet I wanted to see it on the screen, lol.) Now to watch Crooked House!

Now, on to the newsletter! Like the last few weeks, I have a little bit of book news for you today, and a few links to some things that might make you smile during this time.

Remember, whatever you are doing or not doing this week, I am sending you virtual hugs. This is hard, but we are doing what is necessary, and I’m so proud of us! I hope you are safe, and please remember to be kind to yourself and others. Thanks for subscribing, and I’ll see you again on Monday! – xoxo, Liberty

Trivia question time! What punctuation mark’s name is the Greek word for together? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

The Midnight Club by Christopher Pike will be a Netflix series.

Daniel Radcliffe kicks off an all-star reading of the first Harry Potter book.

Jacqueline Woodson and Albertine won the 2020 Hans Christian Andersen awards.

Here are the book-related winners of this year’s Pulitzer Prizes.

Here’s the first trailer for Becoming, Netflix’s documentary based on Michelle Obama’s memoir.

Sit and drink petty royal tea: Prince Harry and Meghan are writing a memoir together about their royal experiences.

Stephenie Meyer did indeed announce the upcoming publication of Midnight Sun, a Twilight saga novel told from Edward’s perspective that was leaked on the internet many years ago, leaving its future in doubt.

Nicole Kidman will produce an adaptation of Kimberly McCreight’s new novel A Good Marriage.

Here’s the first look at Jeff and Ann VanderMeer’s upcoming anthology The Big Book of Modern Fantasy.

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:

A Cat’s Tale: A Journey Through Feline History by Baba the Cat, as told to Dr. Paul Koudounaris (Henry Holt and Co., November 10)

Cats are my favorite things after books, unless we’re talking about my own cats, and then they win. Either way, a serious history book about cats throughout time? YES PLEASE. I hope it will be an epic nerd-purr.

What I’m reading this week.

The Orchard: A Novel by David Hopen

The Book of V by Anna Solomon

Stealing Thunder by Alina Boyden

Latitudes of Longing by Shubhangi Swarup

Boys of Alabama by Genevieve Hudson

And this is funny.

BEEBEE DEER.

Song stuck in my head:

Somebody’s Crying by Chris Isaak

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

• Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.
• Here are livestreams of animals. I particularly enjoy the bat one.
• And more cute animal pictures.
• Music Catch, one of my favorite desktop games. I also still play Lemonade Stand occasionally.
• Disney Emoji Blitz!

And times like these call for a bonus cat picture!

Zevon put his tail on his head.

Trivia answer: Hyphen.

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

Happy Monday, readers! I hope you had a lovely weekend. If all goes according to plan, the Pulitzer prize winners and nominated finalists will be announced today. For the first time, I feel like I really have no idea who will be up for the fiction award, but I am looking forward to learning!

Let’s see, what else? The documentary about the making of The Mandalorian hits Disney+ today, and I will definitely be watching it. Anything to see more Baby Yoda. I also discovered the 31st season of The Simpsons is on Hulu, so of course I have to complete my marathon watching.

There’s not much going on in the book world right now other than delays and cancelations, but I do have a few exciting things to tell you. Whatever you are doing or watching or reading this week, I am sending you virtual hugs. Please try and enjoy the rest of your week as best you can, and remember to stay inside and wash your hands. We’re going to be okay, eventually. I’ll see you again on Thursday. – xoxo, Liberty

Here’s Monday’s trivia question: What is the only word in English with three consecutive double letters? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reels, and Squeals! 

Here’s the first trailer for HBO’s Lovecraft Country, coming from Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams.

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams has been optioned by Netflix.

Here’s the trailer for the adaptation of Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard. Related: today I learned there is a channel called Passionflix.

Fran Wilde is publishing a poetry collection.

Chuck Wendig announced his first middle grade novel.

Stephenie Meyer’s Midnight Sun publication has been announced.

GIMME GIMME GIMME: Jane Harper shared the cover of her next novel.

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:

The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows: Feminine Pursuits by Olivia Waite (Avon Impulse, July 28)

The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics was such a great book, but I feel like I read it so long ago. That’s why I am so excited to learn about the second book in the series, coming this summer. This one is about a women with a printing business and the beautiful beekeeper she hires to remove a colony from her warehouse. I’m already buzzing with excitement! (Sorry not sorry.)

What I’m reading this week:

Latitudes of Longing by Shubhangi Swarup

Boys of Alabama by Genevieve Hudson

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

The Invention of Sound by Chuck Palahniuk

#VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE : The Fat Girl’s Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini by Nicole Byer

Pun of the week: 

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

Here’s a cat picture:

Farrokh is a happy purrito.

And this is funny.

Pride and Prejudice as Schitt’s Creek gifs.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

• Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.
• Here are livestreams of animals. I particularly enjoy the bat one.
• And more cute animal pictures.
• Music Catch, one of my favorite desktop games. I also still play Lemonade Stand occasionally.
• Disney Emoji Blitz!

Trivia answer: Bookkeeping (or some variation, like bookkeeper.)

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

Happy Thursday, readers! I so look forward to our weekly “chats”, more now than ever. I watched Bad Education last night, and it was great! It’s based on the article by Robert Kolker, who also wrote the recent book Hidden Valley Road, which I recommend everyone read. He’s quite a writer! Also, please send me all your recommendations for white collar crime films and series based on true events. I would like to watch more!

And I want to remind you once more that the National Theatre starts live-streaming the versions of Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller today, for free, for one week! I loved, loved, loved this production.

Now, on to the newsletter! Like the last few weeks, I have a little bit of book news for you today, and a few links to some things that might make you smile during this time.

Remember, whatever you are doing or not doing this week, I am sending you virtual hugs. This is hard, but we are doing what is necessary, and I’m so proud of us! I hope you are safe, and please remember to be kind to yourself and others. Thanks for subscribing, and I’ll see you again on Monday! – xoxo, Liberty

Trivia question time! What story begins with “Whoever has made a voyage up the Hudson must remember the Kaatskill mountains?” (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

Netflix is making a documentary from Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming.

Here’s the first look at the upcoming Tana French novel.

YESSSSSSSSSSS: Waubgeshig Rice is writing a sequel to Moon of the Crusted Snow.

Some of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels are being adapted for television.

Register to watch a live conversation online between Samantha Irby and Jia Tolentino.

Lawrence Wright’s pandemic novel The End Of October is being eyed for adaptation.

HBO is bringing a new Hellraiser show to the small screen.

The First Fifteen Lives Of Harry August by Claire North is being made into a film.

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:

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow (Redhook, October 13)

The author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January has a new book coming in the fall! It’s about three witch sisters who join the suffragette movement of the late 1800s. YES PLEASE. I am so excited to get my hands on this one!

 

 

What I’m reading this week.

Boys of Alabama by Genevieve Hudson

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

The Invention of Sound by Chuck Palahniuk

#VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl’s Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini by Nicole Byer

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

And this is funny.

People are so creative!

Song stuck in my head:

Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

• Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.
• Here are livestreams of animals. I particularly enjoy the bat one.
• And more cute animal pictures.
• Music Catch, one of my favorite desktop games. I also still play Lemonade Stand occasionally.
• Disney Emoji Blitz!

And times like these call for a bonus cat picture!

Home.

Trivia answer: Rip Van Winkle.

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

Holy cats, it’s Monday again! Time is flying by for me. Which is good, I think? I have been keeping myself busy with work and reading. I haven’t been sleeping much again, so I managed to watch the first 30 seasons of The Simpsons over the last couple months. (“Well, I’ve only read it in books” is still my favorite bit.) It’s bananas to me that I originally watched the premiere in 8th grade.

I think I’m in the mood now for some literary murdery-type stuff. I’m planning on catching up on a few Agatha Christie adaptations. It is, after all, the 100th anniversary of the publication of her first book in October. I’ll let you know how that goes.

There’s not much going on in the book world right now other than delays and cancelations, but I do have a few exciting things to tell you. Whatever you are doing or watching or reading this week, I am sending you virtual hugs. Please try and enjoy the rest of your week as best you can, and remember to stay inside and wash your hands. We’re going to be okay, eventually. I’ll see you again on Thursday. – xoxo, Liberty

Here’s Monday’s trivia question:  What 1908 novel is the bestselling book ever written by a Canadian author? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reels, and Squeals! 

The National Theatre will stream both versions of 2011’s Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller next week. (I’ve watched both before and love them equally.)

AMC is making a series from The Burying Place by Brian Freeman.

Sandhya Menon announced a Dimpleverse novella called Love at First Fight.

Here’s the gorgeous cover for C.L. Polk’s The Midnight Bargain.

Former Rioter Kit Steinkellner is penning the adaptation of If Cats Disappeared From The World!

Tank Girl is returning with a new publisher in the fall.

Author Patrick Ness is writing the new Lord of the Flies adaptation.

Venita Blackburn announced two upcoming books with MCD.

Bunny author Mona Awad announced her next novel.

A modern day Romeo and Juliet adaptation is in the works.

Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renée Russel is being turned into a free podcast.

Neil Gaiman and N.K. Jemisin will be in conversation in a live webcast next week.

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:

The Swallowed Man by Edward Carey (Riverhead Books, October 27)

I am SOOOOOOOOOOO excited that we are getting a new Edward Carey novel this year! If you remember, I talked about his last novel, Little, like eighty million times. This one is about the woodcarver Geppetto, and the time he spent in the belly of a great beast after getting swallowed up while looking for Pinocchio. It will also include Carey’s amazing illustrations. GIMME GIMME GIMME.

What I’m reading this week:

#VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl’s Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini by Nicole Byer

Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang, Gurihiru (Illustrator)

The Hilarious World of Depression by John Moe

The Plague Stones by James Brodgen

The Eighth Life: for Brilka by Nino Haratischvili

Pun of the week: 

What did the grape say when it got crushed? Nothing, it just let out a little wine.

Here’s a cat picture:

Zevon likes to sit like a person.

And this is funny.

REALLY funny. But only if you’ve seen Parasite.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

• Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.
• Here are livestreams of animals. I particularly enjoy the bat one.
• And more cute animal pictures.
• Music Catch, one of my favorite desktop games. I also still play Lemonade Stand occasionally.
• Disney Emoji Blitz!

Trivia answer: Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.

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

Happy Thursday, readers! Today I am going to be serious for a minute: What is happening right now, it monumentally sucks. I want you to know that it’s okay if you don’t feel okay. We’re all struggling right now. I myself am great some days and struggling the next, but I am trying my best, and my amazing friends are helping. So I want to pay it forward and tell you, hey, be extra nice to yourself and others right now. I see you trying, and you’re doing great. And extra hugs to all the workers out there who are working hard to keep us safe.

Okay, now that I got the serious part out of the way, let’s get back to cat pictures and book talk! Like the last few weeks, I have a little bit of book news for you today, and a few links to some things that might make you smile during this time.

Remember, whatever you are doing or not doing this week, I am sending you virtual hugs. This is hard, but we are doing what is necessary, and I’m so proud of us! I hope you are safe, and please remember to be kind to yourself and others. Thanks for subscribing, and I’ll see you again on Monday! – xoxo, Liberty

Trivia question time! In 1908, Ernest Henry Shackleton printed the first book on what continent? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reals, and Squeals!

All the Single Ladies by Rebecca Traister is being developed into a documentary by Connie Britton.

Julie C. Dao is writing a fairy tale series for Disney.

The new streaming service HBO Max has a release date, and a few book-related offerings, including Kayley Cuoco’s adaptation of The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian.

Here’s the gorgeous cover of Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor, coming in 2021.

Here’s Kathryn Hahn and her family performing a scene from Glengarry Glen Ross with American Girl dolls. (Heads up: This is NSFW or children.)

Becky Albertalli announced a Simonverse novella, coming in June.

Penguin Random House is having a virtual day of author events tomorrow.

Sony is developing a film based on the One Punch Man manga series.

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:

Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore (HarperTeen,September 22) Two, two amazing authors, ah-ah-ah! It’s a YA about a young woman who wants to win the Miss Meteor pageant, even though winners are historically white and blonde, and her ex-best friend who decides to help her out. Sounds like a bit of a Dumplin’ tale, and I am here for it! (That reminds me, I still have to watch the Dumplin’ adaptation on Netflix.)

What I’m reading this week.

The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

The Hilarious World of Depression by John Moe

The Plague Stones by James Brodgen

Coyote Rage by Owl Goingback

The Eighth Life: for Brilka by Nino Haratischvili

And this is funny.

This hits home for me.

Song stuck in my head:

The Fight is Over by The Blasting Company

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

• Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.
• Here are livestreams of animals. I particularly enjoy the bat one.
• And more cute animal pictures.
• Music Catch, one of my favorite desktop games. I also still play Lemonade Stand occasionally.
• Disney Emoji Blitz!

And times like these call for a bonus cat picture!

Trivia answer: Antarctica.

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

It’s Monday again, like it has been every seven days for a zillion weeks now. That means it’s time to talk books! It was a beautiful sunny Sunday here in Maine this past weekend, so I read several horror stories while swinging in my hammock. I like to read scary books on beautiful days, because for some reason, things seem less scary when it’s sunny out. (No, I haven’t seen Midsommer.) I hope it was at least lovely where you were too. And once again, there’s not much going on in the book world right now other than delays and cancelations, but I do have a few exciting things to tell you.

Whatever you are doing or watching or reading this week, I am sending you virtual hugs. Please try and enjoy the rest of your week as best you can, and remember to stay inside and wash your hands. We’re going to be okay, eventually. I’ll see you again on Thursday. – xoxo, Liberty

Here’s Monday’s trivia question: What poem starts with “For all averred, I had killed the bird that made the breeze to blow?” (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

Deals, Reels, and Squeals! 

Kasi Lemmons will direct the adaptation of Maaza Mengiste’s Shadow King.

Michelle Obama will be reading stories on Mondays that will be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.

Here’s the first trailer for NBC’s Brave New World adaptation.

Artemis Fowl is coming to Disney+ in June.

Author medina announced her upcoming middle grade novel.

The graphic novel Dan and Sam by Mark Watson and Oliver Harud is getting the adaptation treatment.

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:

The Cold Millions by Jess Walter (Harper, October 6)

I wasn’t expecting to learn about a new Jess Walter novel when I checked the catalogs the other day, but here we are! The author of Beautiful Ruins and many other amazing books returns this fall with a novel set at the turn of the 20th century about two adventure-seeking brothers. I look forward to checking it out!

What I’m reading this week:

Take Me Apart by Sara Sligar

Coyote Rage by Owl Goingback

Sea Wife: A Novel by Amity Gaige

The Swamp by Yoshiharu Tsuge

The Plague Stones by James Brodgen

Pun of the week: 

Why did Adele cross the road? To say hello from the other side.

Here’s a cat picture:

And this is funny.

Oh, silly bird.

Happy things:

Here are a few things I enjoy that I thought you might like as well:

• Purrli: This website makes the relaxing sounds of a cat purring.
• Here are livestreams of animals. I particularly enjoy the bat one.
• And more cute animal pictures.
• Music Catch, one of my favorite desktop games. I also still play Lemonade Stand occasionally.
• Disney Emoji Blitz!

Trivia answer: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

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