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And that would be the hope, right? That people who belong or identify with that cultural background would have first dibs — that most books would be written from this perspective and thus have a certain layer of authenticity. This is the best case scenario, but I think we all know that this doesn’t always happen. As I started research for this piece, something became alarmingly clear after just a few hours: there are way too few books about Japanese mythology and folklore written by actual Japanese people....

I’m not a monster. I want to be patient and encouraging. I want to help them feel comfortable chatting and learn the cadence of a joke. I was in theater in school. I understand that some performers take a long time to come into their own and there is a lot of awkwardness (mine, okay?) that comes along the way. But this is why we need joke books for kids!...

Historical fiction is a genre I’ve only recently gotten into when it comes to reading, and I’ve come across some amazing new stories that take place during and after World War II. These stories captured me and interest me so much, especially when the books expressively represent such a devastating time in history. I’ve compiled eight historical fiction reads that will surely capture your attention. Set aside some space and immerse yourself in these extremely intriguing stories set during and after World War II, seen through the eyes and background of characters falling in love, finding themselves, and demonstrating all manner of courage and bravery in the face of tragedy....

Leslie Knope is running for class president! She campaigns all around Pawnee Elementary with her friends, Ann and Ben. In order to win over voters, though, Leslie starts to make some big promises . . . ones she’s not sure she can keep. Will Leslie be able to keep her word and become the best president Pawnee Elementary has ever seen? Filled with colorful, detailed illustrations and brimming with Easter eggs and nods to iconic moments from the show, this hilarious reimagining features a pint-sized cast....

Many literary magazines publish their work online, and many offer their work for free. Some magazines wait a bit so paying subscribers can get first dibs, while others publish the issue online right away. In any case, the internet is rife with excellent horror short stories by talented writers. I’ve expounded on my love for horror literary magazines before. The magazines I mentioned there are always a great jumping off point to fill your horror craving....

The Lioness and Her Knight by Gerald Morris So, yes, teenage me did always carefully remove the cover flap off this one after checking it out from the library. However, don’t let the cover dissuade you from a truly hilarious medieval fantasy book set in Arthurian times. I think the real camaraderie and banter between characters kept drawing me back to this one. Luneta, daughter of one of King Arthur’s knights, finds her peaceful life at home growing dull (quite relatable to us social distancers)....

There’s just something about getting to peek into someone else’s life, getting to listen to their thoughts and going with them on a journey of sorts. I find people endlessly fascinating: it’s what initially drew me to psychology, and then public health. Their experiences and stories are something of which I never tire. When I hear about new memoirs coming out, I always get excited — and in the last few months, this summer, and early fall, there are so many great memoirs to look forward to, including some subversive and surprising perspectives....

Great love becomes even greater when readers like us latch onto the relationship. It is easy for us to become emotionally invested in angsty romance books because we feel their pain. I for one will cry and talk to my books, especially if my angsty characters are making varying degrees of bad choices. I am addressing this unconventional love letter to you today to attempt to explain why readers have always loved angsty romance books and offer up some delicious novels for your reading pleasure....

No one has ever quizzed me on which classics I’ve read. No one has thought me a better reader or writer just because I’ve read A Room With a View or My Antonia. We read some classics in my high school classes but I missed a lot of other, perhaps more relevant ones (1984, Brave New World, The Bluest Eye, and Fahrenheit 451 come to mind) and ended up reading them on my own, years later....

Here’s the thing, though: grammar and language are constantly shifting, changing. The Chicago Manual of Style and AP style, among others, announce new rules or shifted rules every few years to acknowledge the way our language is changing. I’m an editor who’s passionate about the English language, and over the years, I’ve abandoned the old “grammar police” idea. My biggest support for this was The Subversive Copy Editor, the simply incredible book by Carol Fisher Saller, who was the editor behind the Chicago Manual of Style blog for many years....

When Greene refused to leave at library staff’s request, police arrived to escort him from the building and relieved him of a concealed weapon. The incident, part of which Greene recorded and shared to YouTube and live-streamed on Facebook, includes Greene’s homophobic remarks and questioning regarding the reason for his removal. Drag Queen Storytime has been a monthly occurrence at the Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library and the staff recently added a second event due to its popularity....

Astro Boy‘s influence on manga goes further than just the big eyes. As a series, it has influenced the way manga storytelling developed, how Japanese youth recovered and rebuilt in a post-war society, and how manga could evolve into anime. Astro Boy was the beginning of the future, and after 70 years, I still don’t think we have caught up. So let’s rocket high, through the sky! We have an anniversary special for Astro Boy and its ever-lasting influence on modern manga....

Revenue growth was highest for nonfiction books across both adult and children’s/YA titles over the past five years, with children’s and young adult nonfiction revenue growing nearly 39% since 2014. Unit sales (the number of products sold) increased in both categories too, with adult nonfiction up nearly 21% and children’s/young adult nonfiction increasing nearly 18%. 2018 saw books like Michelle Obama’s Becoming leading in adult nonfiction sales, selling 10 million copies in its first five months of publication (three of those months outside the parameters of the AAP’s data)....

at Brightly: 12 Nonfiction Books Kids Will Actually Read at BuzzFeed: 46 Books Our Favorite Indie Booksellers Were Grateful For This Year at Crime Reads: Five Books About Women Fighting Their Way Out at Electric Lit: 7 Highly-Anticipated Books to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Feminist Press at Epic Reads: 14 YA Books That Prove All Teens Are Messy in the Best Way at gal-dem: Audiobooks to Soothe You During Lockdown 2....

In the short time that I’ve been interested in homeschooling, I’ve seen things begin to expand: I’m seeing more secular homeschoolers and I’m seeing more homeschoolers of color, especially on social media. The demographics of homeschooling are changing (this article is from 2019, and I think COVID has changed and will change things even more) and I think social media and the available resources are starting to reflect that—although it is still an overwhelmingly white and religious landscape....

For me, a villain needs to have a reason. A reason for them to do what they’re doing. And for you to see it in a different light, it might be the way to change things, yes, but the villain always does it in their own way: not at all caring that they might create chaos. The hero, if you’re in a A+ story, is not at all that good....

We’re giving away $250 to spend at Barnes and Noble! All you have to do is sign-up for our Giveaways newsletter and get notified every time we run a giveaway for free books and bookish stuff! Jane Austen Settings Mug: This is a sweet mug with all of the settings from Jane Austen’s novels! Do you recognize them all? Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum Embroidery Pattern: Need a new hobby? Want to work out some feelings by stabbing something a bunch of times?...

TBR is Book Riot’s subscription service offering Tailored Book Recommendations for readers of all stripes. Been dreaming of a “Stitch Fix for books?” Now it’s here! Tell TBR about your reading preferences and what you’re looking for, and sit back while your Bibliologist handpicks recommendations just for you. TBR offers plans to receive hardcover books in the mail or recommendations by email, so there’s an option for every budget. TBR is also available as a gift to give to the readers in your life!...

It’s ideal for lovers of J.R. R. Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings prequel, of course, but this The Hobbit book phone case would probably make most epic fantasy lovers at least crack a smile. Be aware that it’s iPhone only, I’m afraid (sorry, Android users). Next we’ve got a reproduction of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. He may not look quite like the well-loved BBC adaptation, but this Mr....