The Next Great Read Aloud?
Colby Sharp recounts reading Jasmine Warga’s The Unlikely Tale of Chase & Finnegan aloud to his fifth‑grade class, noting that students were instantly hooked by the alternating perspectives. The teacher observed strong emotional reactions whenever the reading paused, suggesting deep engagement. Sharp compares the book’s potential to established read‑aloud hits like The Wild Robot and Wonder, hoping it joins that elite circle. He concludes with a call for more middle‑grade titles that thrive in classroom read‑aloud settings.
Hating Dostoevsky
Social media has revived interest in Fyodor Dostoevsky, with TikTok star Jack Edwards propelling the novella "White Nights" to bestseller status after a viral review. The Penguin Little Black Classics edition sparked millions of #Dostoevsky posts, turning classic quotes into...
10 Books That Can Raise Your IQ (If You Actually Apply Them)
The article argues that intelligence is malleable, citing neuroplasticity research that shows the brain rewires with sustained mental effort. It highlights ten books that provide concrete, practice‑oriented tools—ranging from Kahneman’s dual‑system thinking to Foer’s memory‑palace method—to boost fluid reasoning, working...
Review: Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
Blood Over Bright Haven, a new fantasy novel by M.L. Wang, follows Sciona, a determined woman aiming to join Tiran’s male‑only High Magistry, and Thomil, a Kwen refugee who survived a deadly crossing. Their partnership uncovers a hidden truth about...
Talisman – Nexus by Aaron Ryan
Science‑fiction author Aaron Ryan releases the second Talisman novel, Talisman: Nexus, set in a frozen Svalbard bunker in 2062. The sequel deepens the original’s themes, dividing the story into Heartbreak, Family, and Truths, and shifts among three narrators to amplify...
The Muppets’ Former Creative Director Made a Kids’ Book with a Hole Punched Through Every Page
Eisner‑winner Craig Yoe, former creative director of Jim Henson’s Muppets, has released a new kids’ graphic novel titled *Captain LOL and Rubber Chicken: Har Har*. The 96‑page paperback follows a superhero whose sole power is making people laugh, accompanied by...
"Love Their Servitude:" Huxley's 1949 Letter to Orwell
In a 1949 letter, Aldous Huxley praised Orwell’s *Nineteen Eighty‑Four* but argued that his own vision in *Brave New World* better predicts future control mechanisms. He claimed governments would shift from overt repression to subtle psychological and biological conditioning, making...
Book Freak #202: Determined
Stanford neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky’s new book, *Determined*, argues that every decision is the inevitable product of biology and experience, not free will. He cites experiments showing brain activity precedes conscious choice by hundreds of milliseconds and emphasizes that childhood environments...
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser (BOOK CLUB April 2026)
Rachel Hochhauser's memoir "Lady Tremaine" has been announced as the next pick for a high‑profile celebrity book club, curated by influencers Colleen Kehoe Powell and Laura Tremaine. The post emphasizes the club’s reputation for surfacing breakout titles before they hit...
The Wealth of Nations Is a Classic of English Literature
Adam Smith’s *The Wealth of Nations* is being re‑examined as a work of English literature, not merely an economic treatise. The Liberty Fund essay highlights Smith’s literary influences—Jonathan Swift, Joseph Addison, and Samuel Johnson—and his humanist style that blends moral...
Stephen Policoff's "A Ribbon For Your Hair"
Stephen Policoff’s new memoir, A Ribbon For Your Hair, chronicles the harrowing loss of his wife to lung cancer and his adopted daughter Anna to the rare Niemann‑Pick type C disease. The narrative intertwines personal grief with the bureaucratic nightmare...
Book Review: “The City and Its Uncertain Walls”
Haruki Murakami’s latest novel, “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” draws a mixed reaction from a seasoned writer‑reviewer. The prose feels choppy—potentially a translation artifact—and the mystical town setting comes across as oppressive rather than enchanting. Character interactions are flat...
Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria Is Delightful Lower MG
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers released *Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria* on March 17, 2026, a lower‑middle‑grade fantasy aimed at ages 7‑10. Written by L. M. Wilkinson and illustrated by Lavanya Naidu, the 190‑page hardcover retails for $13.99....
Goldfinches Is Beautiful Celebration of Poetry, Nature
Viking Books for Young Readers has released *Goldfinches*, a new hardcover picture book that pairs Pulitzer‑winning poet Mary Oliver’s verse with Caldecott‑honored illustrator Melissa Sweet. Priced at $18.99, the volume adapts Oliver’s poem for children ages 4‑8, using mixed‑media artwork...
10 Books Billionaires LOVE
Researchers at MostRecommendedBooks.com compiled public recommendations from hundreds of billionaires and identified the ten titles they cite most often. The list is dominated by works on mental models, leadership, disruptive innovation and big‑picture history, with Ray Dalio’s *Principles* and Yuval...
Author and Publishing Professional Joel Miller on Making an Effort
Joel Miller, author of *The Idea Machine*, discusses how books function as a unique, immersive technology that shapes thought far longer than movies or other media. He explains that his Eastern Orthodox faith acts as a moral lens through which...
Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict
Marie Benedict’s *Daughter of Egypt* weaves two parallel narratives—1920s England‑Egypt archaeology and the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut in 1473 BC—to spotlight women erased from history. The novel follows Lady Evelyn Herbert, who out‑matches male scholars in deciphering artifacts, and juxtaposes her...
The Kinds of Questions We Ask Ourselves
Jami Attenberg announced a May 9 Zoom workshop on why writers write, positioning it as a primer for her 1000 Words of Summer program, which runs May 30 through June 12. She also promoted an in‑person event in Atlanta on April 30 with author Matthew...
The 48 Laws of Power
The post reviews Robert Greene’s bestseller *The 48 Laws of Power*, outlining its amoral approach to gaining and preserving influence through historical case studies. It highlights several flagship laws—such as guarding reputation, acting with boldness, creating dependency, and mastering timing—while...
REVELATIONS OF DIVINE LOVE: The Testament of Julian of Norwich
Caroline Golum’s sophomore feature, *Revelations of Divine Love*, dramatizes the 14th‑century mystic Julian of Norwich, the presumed author of the earliest English‑language book by a woman. The film blends handcrafted medieval‑inspired sets with vivid, psychedelic vision sequences that echo both...
How To Be A Servant Leader
Ken Blanchard and Renee Broadwell’s new anthology, "Servant Leadership in Action," gathers 44 essays from top leaders like Patrick Lencioni, John C. Maxwell, and Marshall Goldsmith. The book is divided into six thematic sections that move from foundational concepts to...
The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm Is Just Plain Fun
Mark Teague’s newest picture book, The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm, hit shelves on March 24, 2026 as a $19.99 hardcover aimed at children ages four to eight. The story follows a light‑hearted farm mystery set on April 1,...
The Chilling True Story Behind Netflix Hit ‘Nuremberg’: Author Jack El-Hai on the Minds of History’s Worst War Criminals
Netflix’s new drama *Nuremberg* dramatizes the first of the post‑World War II trials, focusing on U.S. Army psychiatrist Douglas M. Kelley, who was the first military doctor to interview Nazi war criminals such as Hermann Göring. Author Jack El‑Hai, whose book *22 Cells in...
TCWD Podcast: Taste Will Save Us From AI
The Culture We Deserve marks its 100th episode by tackling the fallout from the novel *Shy Girl*, which was pulled after author Mia Ballard was accused of using AI in its creation. The discussion highlights how major publisher Hachette struggles to...
VIP Club Recording: Selling Books on Amazon Using Notes, Daily Writing Experiments,
The VIP Mastermind session on February 26 covered a series of practical experiments for creators, including daily writing challenges, leveraging Apple Notes to market a new book, and a proven TikTok/YouTube Shorts strategy. Participants shared results from Hakima Tantrika and...
Beneath by Ariel Sullivan
Ariel Sullivan’s prequel _Beneath_ drops readers into Haven, an underground city built after a nuclear apocalypse, and follows trauma medic Sasha Cadell as she grapples with loss while digging for resources. The novel expands the _Conform_ universe, detailing five rigid...
Review: Black Sheep by K.E. Stokes
Black Sheep, the debut novel by K.E. Stokes, follows Gem, a girl scarred by maternal violence and relentless abuse, who flees her rural hometown for a precarious life in London. The story blends stark realism with a mystical guardian who...
Ask Robert Greene a Question!
Renowned author Robert Greene, known for bestsellers like "The 48 Laws of Power" and "The Laws of Human Nature," will sit down with a Los Angeles audience tomorrow to discuss his strategies for influence and success. The event invites readers...
A Book Deal, A Breakdown, A Breakthrough
At 27, the author secured a first book deal and quit a real‑estate job to write full‑time in a remote cabin. The ideal of disciplined, uninterrupted productivity quickly turned into chronic anxiety, sleeplessness, and panic attacks as the memoir forced...
Elisa Batti & Isabel Soto – Portal
Italian label founder Elisa Batti and Venezuelan producer Isabel Soto debut the Segment imprint with *Portal*, a four‑track EP that leans into loopy, stripped‑down techno. The record showcases heavy low‑end thrust on tracks like “Veil of Maya” while offering fleeting...
Matthew Pitt’s Book Notes Music Playlist for His Novel Tear Here
Matthew Pitt contributed to the Largehearted Boy “Book Notes” series by releasing a curated music playlist that accompanies his debut novel Tear Here. The playlist is divided into six phases that parallel the fictional band’s evolution within the story, featuring...
How America Forgot Its First Black Literary Star
Phillis Wheatley, enslaved as a child and raised in Boston, became the first African‑American poet to publish a book in 1773, earning praise from colonial leaders like George Washington. While celebrated in her era, she fell into obscurity and was...
Constantine Cavafy, Inbreeding Neanderthals, and More
The post examines the precarious state of narrative nonfiction, citing Paul Elie’s warning that the genre is both essential and imperiled. It uses Constantine Cavafy’s enigmatic legacy to illustrate how literary figures continue to captivate readers despite shifting cultural tides....
That’s All, for Now
Asimov Press announced a temporary hiatus beginning in April, after expanding from 7,000 to roughly 42,000 subscribers and publishing 149 original articles that attract about half‑a‑million readers each month. The press has released two sold‑out anthologies and a groundbreaking DNA‑encoded...
New Children’s Imprint at Sourcebooks
Sourcebooks has announced a new children’s imprint, Joyful Pen Books, in partnership with author‑educator Lavaille Lavette. The imprint will publish inclusive stories that emphasize empowerment and diverse perspectives. Lavette will serve as editorial lead, guiding the acquisition of titles for...
Now That's Friendship ...
Coffee & Crumbs announces "You’re In Good Company," a new book that serves as a collective love letter to female friendship. The title is positioned as a celebration of women’s bonds, featuring personal essays and reflections. It is being marketed...
The Geopolitical Reading List: “We Never Expected That: A Comparative Study of Failures in National and Business Intelligence”
Colin Reed reviews Avner Barnea’s "We Never Expected That," which links national‑security intelligence failures with corporate competitive‑intelligence lapses. Barnea introduces a two‑part taxonomy—diffused surprise, where threats are ambiguous, and concentrated surprise, where known adversaries are mis‑read. The book applies this...
Theo of Golden – Allen Levi
Allen Levi’s novel *Theo of Golden* follows a mysterious elderly stranger who purchases 92 pencil portraits from a Southern Georgia coffeehouse and returns each to its subject in exchange for their life story. The narrative weaves Christian‑inspired themes of love,...
The Rushford Times - A Weekly Newsletter From Jodi Taylor
Jodi Taylor’s weekly Rushford Times newsletter, co‑authored with Hazel Cushion, delivers new fiction snippets and community contests to both paid and free subscribers. Paid members receive the edition on Wednesdays, while free readers get it on Fridays. The latest issue...
Why Adam Smith Embraced Commercial Society: The Wealth of Nations, Book 3 at Econlib
Econlib and Liberty Matters are marking the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s *Wealth of Nations* with a six‑essay series. The third installment, authored by Dennis C. Rasmussen, delves into Book III, where Smith famously claims that commerce and manufacturing bring order,...
Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher
Wolf Worm, T. Kingfisher’s 2024 gothic novel, follows Sonia Wilson, a 33‑year‑old scientific illustrator stranded in 1899 North Carolina, as she documents parasitic insects for a cruel entomologist. The narrative intertwines meticulous entomological detail with Southern folk lore, creating a body‑based...
Quality
Robert Pirsig’s "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" survived 121 rejections before J.D. Landis offered a modest $3,000 advance, eventually selling five million copies. The book’s core concept—Quality— is presented as something we recognize before we can define, bridging...
Howard French: The Second Emancipation
Veteran journalist Howard French, now a Columbia Journalism School professor, releases "The Second Emancipation," a sweeping study of pan‑Africanism that traces its roots from early Atlantic trade to Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghanaian independence. The book argues that Africa was a prime...
Demi Winters’ Ashen Series Is Getting Attention—And Book One Isn’t Why
Demi Winters’ Ashen series is gaining attention, but the buzz centers on its structural pacing rather than the first book alone. *The Road of Bones* attracted readers yet received mixed reviews for its deliberate, slow‑burn approach. Subsequent volumes see ratings...
She’s Faking Her Amnesia to Fool a Very Real Killer
Meli Raine is promoting the boxed set of her romantic‑suspense "The False Series," which follows Lily waking from a year‑long coma only to discover her assassin‑killer standing beside her bodyguard. Lily pretends to have amnesia, turning the encounter into a high‑stakes...
Spring Reading
The author reflects on the arrival of spring in New England, noting how the vernal equinox and subtle weather changes inspire a shift in reading habits. After a winter of introspective, literary titles, the new season prompts a move toward...
Three for #ReadingWales26: Tishani Doshi, Gwyneth Lewis & Jan Morris
Reading Wales Month, organized by BookerTalk and Nut Press, featured a curated trio of women‑written works—a novella by Tishani Doshi, a poetry collection by former poet‑laureate Gwyneth Lewis, and a memoir by travel writer Jan Morris. Each book offers a...
From First Draft to Finished Book: The Self-Publisher’s Editorial Roadmap
Self‑publishing authors must navigate a multi‑stage editorial roadmap that begins with rigorous self‑editing, moves through beta‑reader feedback, and culminates in professional developmental, line, copy editing, and proofreading. The article outlines realistic timelines—three to four months for an 80,000‑word novel—and stresses...
Beatrice and the Nightingale Tells True Story of Groundbreaking Cellist
"Beatrice and the Nightingale" is a new hardcover biography by Patricia Newman and illustrator Isabelle Follath that chronicles the life of British cellist Beatrice Harrison. It details her prodigious start, a landmark 1924 BBC garden broadcast where she duetted with...
10 Books for Apprentices
The post curates a short reading list for woodworking apprentices, emphasizing classic, often out‑of‑print titles that cover terminology, joinery, antique furniture styles, cabinetmaking, and comprehensive hand‑tool techniques. It points readers to the used‑book market where copies can be found for...