Category: Today In Books

MLB Pitcher Going to Bat for Indies

Sean Doolittle, a player on the Washington Nationals, makes a point of visiting independent bookstores when he travels for work, and he documents his trips on social media. Check out his interview with CBS This Morning.

100 Best Books

The Guardian has put out a list of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. Any such list is bound to be wildly subjective, and this one is definitely premature. But sometimes it feels like the world is going to end any day now, and it’s fun to agree and disagree with these sorts of things.

Nightwing’s Poppin’ Peach

A certain corner of the comics Internet was cackling over a print of iconic Nightwing costumes this week. But many were left scratching their heads. Here’s everything you need to know but were afraid to ask about Dick Grayson’s butt.

Fall Book Events Not To Miss

ELLE has rounded up 9 book events this fall to certainly put on your calendar if you’re near. There’s a book club for The Testatments, a Patti Smith performance, Zadie Smith events and more! Check them out here.

Looking For Alaska Gets New Narrator

John Green’s Looking For Alaska is not only getting a Hulu adaptation (Oct. 18), but also a new audiobook edition (Sept. 24). And the narrator is Wil Wheaton who you probably already know from film and television–or maybe from prior audiobook narrations like Ready Player One.

Nelly Sachs Prize Awarded Then Withdrawn

A German jury awarded the Nelly Sachs prize to Kamila Shamsie but later rescinded their votes and withdrew the award citing Shamsie’s support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. “In May, the German parliament passed a motion labelling the BDS movement as antisemitic, calling it ‘reminiscent of the most terrible chapter in German history.’ The motion was criticised by 60 Jewish and Israeli academics, who said in an open letter that it was part of a trend ‘labelling supporters of Palestinian human rights as antisemitic.'”

Bonnie & Clyde Auction Includes Poems

Bonnie Parker–of the infamous Bonnie & Clyde–wrote poems while in jail inside a bank book. Now that book of poems, along with other items, are being auctioned off at RR Auction in Boston on Saturday. More here.

New Day, New Longlist!

Once again we have another excellent award longlist that your TBR is ready to hug: 2019 National Book Awards Fiction Longlist! I’d highlight our favorites, but Rioters have been loving and shouting about all the books on this list so the whole list is a highlight. It’s an excellent year for book lovers.

More Great Adaptation News!

Rena Barron’s Kingdom of Souls, first in a trilogy, has been acquired by Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society at Warner Bros. Outlier Society has been killing it with adaptations as they also have Just Mercy and Raising Dion under their belt.

Book Fairies To Leave Banned Books Around City

September 22nd through 28th is Banned Books Week and the Book Fairies of Pennsylvania are ready! They’ll be “hiding” banned books around the city for people to take home with them. If you’re in the city you’ll know you’ve found one because it’ll have Book Fairy and ACLU stickers. Petition for more Book Fairies, please!

The DOJ Sues Snowden For Book Profits

Upon the release of Edward Snowden’s memoir, Permanent Record, the Department of Justice has filed a civil lawsuit seeking all proceeds. Snowden is accused of not following required practice that former intelligence agency employees are to submit books prior to publication to the CIA or NSA for review. The book’s publishers–Macmillan, Holtzbrinck, and Henry Holt and Company–are also named in the suit. For reactions and quotes read on here.

“They” Gets New Added Dictionary Definition

Merriam-Webster added a fourth definition under the word ‘they’: “used to refer to a single person whose gender identity is nonbinary.” The evolution of language is a beautiful thing.

The Devil Wears Prada Musical

Lauren Weisberger’s novel The Devil Wears Prada saw success as a film adaptation starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway and now it’s getting the musical play adaptation. With music by Elton John and Shaina Taub! Previews for Devil will be at Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre starting July 14, 2020 and you can get learn more here.

Bookmarks For Sensitive Topics At Carnegie Library

The Carnegie Library Main branch is testing out a new “researching” tool: “bookmarks that list an array of personal subjects, from abusive relationships, to bankruptcy, to puberty, along with the call numbers for the non-fiction section containing materials on the topic.” Essentially patrons who would have difficulty asking for help finding a book on a specific subject could potentially eliminate a barrier that may keep them from seeking helpful information.

Your TBR Is Gonna Be Amazing

Jacqueline Woodson (Brown Girl Dreaming; Red At The Bone) has an “Author’s Bookshelf” at NYC’s The Strand Bookstore and of course it’s a *chef’s kiss* list. The list includes a wide range of topics, genre, and reader age and you can’t go wrong picking up any of these books.

Give a Good Read Week!

Goodreads and Little Free Libraries have partnered up for Give a Good Read Week, a global week of book sharing from September 16th through the 22nd. How can you join? Simple: add a great book to a Little Free Library and post a photo on social media with #GiveAGoodRead and #LFL10.

Kingkiller No More At Showtime

Showtime has released the rights back to Lionsgate Television for The Kingkiller Chronicle. The series, based on Patrick Rothfuss’ fantasy series and executive produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is currently being shopped around for a new network.

This Is A Beautiful Longlist

The 2019 longlist for Young People’s Literature has been announced by The National Book Foundation and congrats to all these excellent books and authors. There are a lot of Rioters’ favorites on here and you should definitely read your way through this list.

New USPS Literary Stamp

If you still send snail mail and/or collect stamps you may be interested in this bearded one: Walt Whitman is being honored with a stamp in the Literary Arts series. “The stamp was designed by Art Director Greg Breeding and features a portrait of Whitman by Sam Weber based on a photograph taken by Frank Pearsall in 1869.” Check it out here.

The Hulk In Politics

UK prime minister Boris Johnson used comparisons to the Incredible Hulk recently in regards to Brexit and himself. Mark Ruffalo–who’s been green and in shredded clothes in the Marvel films for over a decade–decided to explain the character: “Boris Johnson forgets that the Hulk only fights for the good of the whole. Mad and strong can also be dense and destructive. The Hulk works best when he is in unison with a team, and is a disaster when he is alone. Plus…he’s always got Dr. Banner with science and reason.”

Rebel Girls + International Rescue Committee

The cultural media engine behind Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls has partnered with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) for twelve months and will donate $100K. “The IRC is committed to addressing the needs of women and girls globally; breaking down the barriers on their path to success; and advancing gender equality.”

Out Of This World Augmented Reality

Space books are mind-blowing to read, and often require heavy use of your own imagination. But there are scientists working on creating books that incorporate augmented reality to help readers visualize the wonders of space and technology.

Phoenix Forgives Fees

Add another library system to the list of institutions eliminating overdue fines! Congrats, Phoenix readers (starting in November).

Rugby Reading

As an American who wheezed her way through physical education class, I had no idea that the Rugby World Cup was happening. But it’s on my radar now, because Rugby World asked what books were keeping players, officials, and journalists entertained during the long tournament. Thanks, Rugby World editor Sarah Mockford (who is reading An American Marriage)!

Cringeworthy Bookmark Meme

Every time I’ve seen this in my Twitter feed I’ve sped up the scrolling because *shudders*. It all started with Chex Mix tweeting “Don’t have a bookmark? Try using Chex Mix instead.” with a picture of a book literally using the snack as a bookmark. And then, because it’s Twitter, other brands joined in, including vitaminwater who just–I’m so sorry!–poured a bottle all inside of a book. Brace yourself and check the tweets out here.

10-Way Bidding War!

Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s Fleishman Is in Trouble continues to be a hot new release as it just went through a 10-way bidding war with ABC Signature Studios winning the adaptation rights for an FX limited series. And the author will executive produce and write the series! Learn more about the novel and upcoming series here.

Amazing Modular Lego Library

And I leave you with this amazing modular Lego Library created by BrickActive which I can’t stop staring at! I mean there’s Lego ivy!

Book Vending Machine Rewards Kindness

Oak Chan Elementary School in Folsom, California has installed a vending machine that contains books instead of snacks and drinks. But to get a book you can’t just put any coins in, you have to be rewarded with a special coin after having been “caught” acting in kindness. Kindness rewarded with a book.

What Is Happening At Book Culture?

I know in a roundup of news I should be giving you answers and not just “whaaaaat?” but I just have more questions after this article where it seems the founder and co-owner of Book Culture aren’t on the same page. Chris Doeblin (founder) recently made news for requesting help in saving the bookstore, but now co-owner “MacArthur believes Doeblin is misleading patrons and potential lenders by using the Columbus store to raise money for a separate business, and he wants to ensure that the public is aware of where lenders are sending their cash.”

The Good House Adaptation!

Last night Tananarive Due tweeted, with permission (so cute!), that she’d made a deal with producer Effie Brown to bring her horror novel The Good House to TV. We’re on the edge of our seat waiting for the official announcement and all the details!