Category: Today In Books

This edition of Today in Books is sponsored by Inspirational Books Publishing.

According To Vox:

People’s need to share their life and love of books is helping independent book stores thrive. So, while they don’t have actual data proving this, they make a compelling case that the hashtags we all use on Instagram–like #bookstagram–are at least part of the reason that physical book sales have increased every year since 2013. I guess keep up those selfie picks inside indie book stores.

Watch Now

SYFY has gifted us this holiday season with the ability to watch the first episode of Deadly Class ahead of its January 16th premiere. I am certainly excited to watch Lara Jean–er, Lana Condor kick some ass in this graphic novel adaptation about a teen recruited to a high school for assassins.

House Passes Library Funding

And we all cheer! It was a bit close but the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) passed with a 331-28 margin. What does this mean exactly? The Institute of Museum and Library Services will be able to continue distributing federal funding to library programs through grants to states through 2025.

This edition of Today in Books is sponsored by MIRA Books and HUNTING ANNABELLE by Wendy Heard.

It’s Been 21 Years Since A Mass Of Copyrighted Work Entered The Public Domain

There’s a whole history as to why “the public domain has been frozen in time for 20 years” and of course it involved Disney. The good news is that at midnight on December 31st, tons of work–including books, films, paintings, music, photographs, and poems–from 1923 will be in the public domain. Click that link above for more on the why and which.

The Scottish Granny Does It Again

Janice Clark, The Scottish Granny, not only became a viral hit when a video of her reading her grandson The Wonky Donkey hit the internet but it also propelled the book’s sales. And she’s done it again with a new video of her reading I Need A New Bum! which has been viewed more than a million times and has once again boosted the book’s sales.

Ben Affleck Adapting Again

This time he’s starring in and looking to produce the adaptation of the YA novel I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall. Universal Pictures bought the rights in a bidding war of the novel described as “Wild meets The Revenant, infused with ferocious girl power.” Ya know we’re already making the popcorn.

This edition of Today in Books is sponsored by P Is for Pterodactyl by Raj Haldar and Chris Carpenter.

The Ebooks And Audiobooks Most Checked Out From Overdrive

Overdrive, a digital distributor used by many libraries in the U.S., released the books most read in 2018 in eBook and audiobook. Unsurprising were some novels that had been adapted to film recently and, of course, Harry Potter. Big congrats to Celeste Ng for the win, though! Check out the lists here.

Netflix Gets Witchy-er

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina has been renewed for season 3 with an order of 16 more episodes. Don’t worry about how long you’ll have to wait for that season because the 2nd will be dropping April 5, 2019.

Don’t Be This Guy

Darin Webb was sentenced to two years in prison for embezzling over $3.4 million from the literary agency Donadio & Olson. “Somehow running undetected for years, Webb’s actions nearly bankrupted bestselling author Chuck Palahniuk, and ultimately destroyed Donadio & Olson, which officially filed for Chapter 7 protections on December 3.”

This edition of Today in Books is sponsored by Waterhouse Press.

Apple Book Users Listen Up!

You can download 6 classic audiobooks narrated by celebrities for free, including Pride & Prejudice narrated by Kate Beckinsale. Sounds like someone has decided to compete with Audible. *grabs popcorn*

The New York Times Book Review And Alice Walker Criticized

In her By the Book interview Walker mentioned having the book And the Truth Shall Set You Free by David Icke on her nightstand. “Ideas in the book in question and much of his other work revolve around concepts expressed in the fraudulent antisemitic propaganda text The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.” You can read more about people’s reactions, why Icke is problematic, and NYT’s statement here.

We’re Getting a Glow Comic!

In March, before the still unscheduled third season of Netflix’s Glow, we’ll be treated to a four-issue comic series. The show’s co-creators will be working with IDW Publishing to create a new story that has the ladies “accidentally scheduled for a charity wrestling match with real lady wrestlers.” Fun!

Sponsored by Book Riot’s 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2018 Giveaway

And It’s Totally Edible!

This took some serious time–3 days–and it was totally worth it because look at this 60lb Hogwarts replica made of gingerbread! Point me to the parts made of crispy rice treats, please.

Fourth-Grader Publishes Anti-Bullying Book

After being prescribed glasses Marcayah Carter began being teased at school. Her response? To write a story about a friendship that ends when one friend begins to bully the other. As a surprise from her mom Don’t be a Bully: Love Always got illustrated and printed and began selling, including on Amazon. I’ll just be over here singing Whitney Houston NOT crying–you’re crying!

Canadian Public Libraries Want Better Prices From Publishers

Public Canadian Libraries say that the big publishers are not only not pricing fairly but are also restricting e-books and audiobooks. While this has always been a problem, it seems it’s only gotten worse in the last two years. “Libraries are about freedom to access and information, and we need to maintain relevance going into the future if we’re going to continue to be a valuable service for the public.” Read here for more detail.

Sponsored by Book Riot’s 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2018 Giveaway

Amy Poehler’s Paper Kites Production Has Been Busy

It just optioned the rights to The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. The novel was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and a finalist for this year’s National Book Award. Learn more about the adaptation and Makkai’s novel here.

#ReadTheOnePercent Shop Crowdfunding Campaign

Aimée Felone and David Stevens opened a children’s pop-up bookstore in Brixton as a “response to a damning report from the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), which found that of more than 9,000 children’s books published in the UK in 2017, just 1% had a BAME main character.” Their pop-up only sells books with protagonists who are black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) and now they’ve started a crowdfunding campaign to open more around the UK and Ireland.

YALSA’s Award For Excellence In Nonfiction

The Young Adult Library Services Association has announced its five finalist for YALSA’s Award for Excellence in Nonfiction. The winner will be announced Jan. 28, 2019 at the ALA Youth Media Awards, giving you plenty of time to read the five finalist if you haven’t already. Here they are!

Sponsored by Book Riot’s 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2018 Giveaway

And Now The Shortlist, Judges, And Zombie Poll!

So the shortlist was released for the 2019 Tournament of Books along with the judges but also, my favorite, the zombie poll! Not just because I like saying “zombie poll” but because it “brings back two books that were eliminated previously during gameplay. As to which books return, it’s determined by a popular vote, i.e., you.” Learn more about the 2019 Tournament of Books, the books, judges, and vote in the zombie poll here.

Alyssa Milano’s Book Deal

The actress and activist will have a children’s book publish in October 2019 by Scholastic titled Hope. It will be first in a series about a spunky 11-year-old girl who is looking to start social change in her community. You had me at “spunky.”

And In Sad News

Tin House magazine announced that its 20th Anniversary Issue will be its last issue: “Given the current costs of producing a literary magazine, I have decided to shift resources to Tin House’s other two divisions: Tin House Books and the Tin House Workshop.” You can read the publisher’s letter here.

This edition of Today in Books is sponsored by Book Riot’s 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2018 Giveaway.

Cher Tweets And We Listen

If you’ve been anticipating Cher “writing her life story” you only have to wait until 2020! She tweeted that not only is that when the memoir will release but there’s a biopic film to follow. No, YOU now have Believe stuck in your head for the day.

Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up On Netflix

The author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing is bringing the KonMari method to Netflix and here’s the trailer. It’s like the Supernanny but for clutter!

The Aquaman Red Carpet Is Awesome

Jason Momoa led a haka, a Māori traditional dance, on the red carpet of the Aquaman premiere. Oh, and did I mention he stripped down to his tank top? Add some awesome to your day and watch here.

This edition of Today in Books is sponsored by A.A. Knopf, publisher of Blood Communion, the latest in the Vampire Chronicles, by Anne Rice.

Highest Paid Authors In The World

Forbes listed the world’s highest-paid authors in 2018, and while I guessed fewer women would be on the list I did guess correctly in what they’d all have in common. You can check out the list here.

If Your TBR Isn’t So Big It’s Trying To Kill You

Here’s a great list to use to add more to your TBR: PEN America announced the longlists for the 2019 PEN America Literary Awards. So many genres and so many beautiful covers! The finalists will be announced in January.

Well Hello To This Cast!

An upcoming biopic of Gloria Steinem, based on her memoir My Life on the Road, just added Janelle Monáe to “play Dorothy Pitman Hughes, the civil rights activist who co-founded Ms. magazine with Steinem.” The amazing Monáe joins an already amazing cast: Julianne Moore, Alicia Vikander, Bette Midler. I’m making all the popcorn.

This edition of Today in Books is sponsored by Book Riot’s 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2018 Giveaway.

And We All Cheer!

Since Michelle Obama started her book tour, and all these great conversations have been coming out, I’ve been saying she should be on a permanent book tour. Obviously she listened to me–that’s my story and I’m sticking to it–because she just announced she’s extended her book tour with new dates and places in 2019!

Publishing And Booksellers Struggling In Brazil

Blamed on the recession and increase in book prices, large book chains are filing for bankruptcy and leading publishers have warned, “These are dark days for the book in Brazil.” Companhia das Letras co-founder Luiz Schwarcz is pleading for people to buy books as gifts this holiday season.

Wondering What The Best Selling Book Of 2018 In Japan Was?

The book wholesaler Nippan named Kimitachi wa dō ikiru ka (How Do You Live?) by Yoshino Genzaburō Japan’s best-selling book of 2018. The manga is an adaptation of a children’s book originally published in 1937. Read more about the book and other best Japanese sellers here.