Jun 13 Acclaimed novelist Cormac McCarthy dies at 89 By Associated Press McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist who in prose both dense and brittle took readers from the southern Appalachians to the desert Southwest in such novels as “The Road,” “Blood Meridian” and “All the Pretty Horses,” died Tuesday. Continue reading
May 24 GOP lawmakers pass new standards to ban books from Texas schools By Associated Press Critics say the standards set in the Texas bill are too vague, will snag books that are not inappropriate, and that materials dealing with LGBTQ+ subject matter are more likely to be targeted for bans. Continue reading
May 20 Critically acclaimed British novelist Martin Amis dies at 73 By Associated Press British novelist Martin Amis, who brought a rock ‘n’ roll sensibility to his stories and lifestyle, has died. He was 73. Continue reading
Apr 28 Watch 7:51 Judy Blume describes latest wave of book bans and censorship as ‘disgusting’ and ‘fascist’ By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport The new film “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” is shining a spotlight on Judy Blume, author of the original novel. Many of her books deal with issues of sexuality and adolescence rarely found elsewhere when Blume was writing. Continue watching
Apr 27 Watch 7:51 Judy Blume on new film adaptation of her classic ‘Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret’ By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport Just say the title, "Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” and many will respond with a knowing smile and a memory of what was a formative book for young people beginning in the 1970s. Now, the novel by Judy… Continue watching
Apr 24 Watch 6:47 The top library books people tried to ban or censor last year By Jeffrey Brown, Kyle Midura Battles have erupted at schools, school boards and library meetings across the country as parents, lawmakers and advocacy groups are debating books. The American Library Association documented more than 1,200 demands to censor books and resources last year, the highest… Continue watching
Mar 23 Book ban attempts reach record high in 2022, American Library Association report says By Hillel Italie, Associated Press The report released Thursday says more than 1,200 challenges were recorded by the association in 2022, nearly double the then-record total from 2021. Continue reading
Mar 19 Watch 5:27 How #BookTok is giving authors and booksellers a much-needed boost By Geoff Bennett, Andrew Corkery, Michael Boulter The publishing world has a new infusion of enthusiasm and energy, thanks to an online community of book lovers on TikTok. Known as #BookTok, it's not just a place for book recommendations and reviews — it's also helping drive book… Continue watching
Dec 15 12 books to read from 2022 By Jeffrey Brown, Alison Thoet, Anne Azzi Davenport Maureen Corrigan, book critic for NPR's Fresh Air, and New York Times books editor Gilbert Cruz share some of their favorite books of the year. Continue reading
Aug 22 Watch 3:02 Rapper Noname’s Brief But Spectacular take on community learning and solidarity By Melissa Williams, Elizabeth Burton Noname is a rapper and founder of the Noname Book Club, which encourages readers to support local bookstores and books by authors of color. The club now has 14 chapters across the United States. Here's her Brief But Spectacular take… Continue watching