There’s a lot of negativity floating around the book world this week. People are saying that no one buys books. But we know differently! This community is one of readers and writers, people passionate about the making, selling, and reading of books. Keep being awesome, Readers. Stick it to the man! Buy extra books just to show them who’s boss!
PEN Cancels Award Ceremony: On the heels of weeks worth of controversy, PEN America has canceled its 2024 Literary Awards Ceremony. The issue stems from PEN’s perceived lack of condemnation for the war in Gaza after the October 7th attacks by Hamas. Many authors began calling out PEN after they hosted a book event on February 1st where pro-Palestian authors demonstrated during a conversation with author Moshe Kasher and actress Mayim Bialik. Bialik was a specific point of contention as she had actively supported Israel on social media. Palestinian-American author Randa Jarrar was removed from the event by security when she refused to stop her protest. PEN is an organization committed to the free expression of thought and supports writers across the world with their “big tent” philosophy. After months of open letters volleying back and forth, the latest drama is that almost half of the PEN nominated authors have withdrawn their books from consideration for the 2024 awards. PEN has been forced to cancel the ceremony, although it will still present awards to authors who did not withdraw their names, as well as allocate the prize funds for the others on a case by case basis. Some funds have already been committed to Palestinian relief. We have to say that PEN continues to be stuck between a rock and a hard place–clinging to their mission of free expression for all, while also acknowledging the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire, and advocating for the release of all hostages. PEN is working hard to maintain its mission, vision, and values as tensions run high and protesting authors dig deeper into their positions. However, PEN doesn’t stand alone and is backed by renowned authors such as Salman Rushdie who urged protestors to not lose faith in the organization. Now the question is whether PEN will move forward with its World Voices Festival of International Literature, which is slated to take place next month. We hope they do and we hope they stand firm in their position as a place where dissent can exist and civil discourse can be had, where writers of all opinions have a safe place to be heard.
The Idea of You: The breakaway romantic hit of the pandemic era (remember those horrible, no good, terrible 20 years when we were locked at home with masks?) was Robinne Lee’s The Idea Of You. Long rumored to be Harry Styles fanfiction, the book has been adapted to film for Prime video and just released last month. Lee talked with The Guardian about the inspiration for the book which, yes, had a little to do with Harry Styles but was mostly about how Hollywood and culture put women out to pasture once they reach their forties. Lee wanted to write something where a middle aged woman was not seen as old and tired but instead still vibrant and sexy. Well, it seems like she succeeded as her book really took off and now we get to enjoy it on screen as well, Harry Styles fanfic or no. Also, I realize that Anne Hathaway (the lead actress) is 41, but she does not look like the rest of us middle aged ladies. She is–as I aspire to be–well preserved.
Literary FanFic: Talking about fanfiction, The New York Times weighed in on the topic with its support of reimagining the classics. Specifically talking about Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead (Dickens’ David Copperfield) and Percival Everett’s James (Twain’s Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn) they discussed how retellings of classic stories are necessary steps up the literary ladder. In taking a classic off the shelf and dusting it off, authors can reinvigorate an old story but also explore the untapped depths of the original. We at The Book Tide fully agree in all areas but one: if anyone attempts to rewrite The Princess Bride, we will revolt. There is a shortage of perfect books (and movies) in this world, it would be a pity to damage that one.
Are We Lucky Or What?: Julie Andrews most famous for her roles on stage and in films is also an author. Thirty years ago a surgery went wrong and she lost her famous singing voice. She turned that energy to writing children’s books with her daughter. This week they released Waiting In The Wings, a picture book about a theatrical duck. It is the 35th book for the pair. They sat down with CBS Sunday Morning to discuss the book and Andrews’ incredible career, ending with her personal mantra of “Are we lucky, or what?” Well, all I know is that we are indeed lucky for 88 years of Julie Andrews.
Full Cast Audio Of Harry Potter: Pottermore Publishing and Audible announced a new iteration of the Harry Potter books. They will be producing a new audio version of the stories with a full cast of actors, and set to a score. This is my absolute favorite way to experience an audiobook and I can’t think of a better story than this. I simply cannot wait and 2025 seems a long way away but in the meantime Audible released this tiny snippet to tide us over:
Brother Austin’s Bad Handwriting: Jane Austen left so few clues about her life that historians and fans are left with more questions than answers about the famous author. Recently the Jane Austen Museum acquired a memoir written by Jane’s older brother, Francis. The trouble is that his handwriting is nearly impossible to decipher. So the museum sent out a cry for help to the general public to apply to help read the text. The response was so overwhelming, receiving thousands of applications within 24 hours that they are no longer processing applications. Here’s to hoping that internet sleuths will save the day once more and glean a little more knowledge of one of our beloved authors from her brother’s chicken scratch. Note to self, when choosing which of my siblings gets to memorialize me, I will pick the one with the best handwriting. Actually, on second thought, I will pick the one who loves me most. The one who has forgotten that having siblings means you have been subjected to hand-to-hand combat and psychological warfare from birth. So many siblings, so few to choose from.
Only The Brave: Danielle Steele’s new novel Only The Brave, releases next week. Ironically bravery is not the emotion Danielle Steele feels when publishing a book. You would think that having published an astounding 210 books, Danielle Steele might feel like she can write on cruise control. However, she spoke with People Magazine about how fear of failing is what drives her with every single book. Well, if Danielle Steele still feels like that, then there is no hope for me. As a bonus here she is talking with Robin Roberts of GMA about that fear as well as joy and humility in writing. This newsletter will now become a Danielle Steele stan account:
From Game Design To Bestselling Novel: Debut novelist Holly Gramazio has a day job as a video game designer. Several years ago she came upon an idea that stuck with her but wouldn’t work in a video game format so she set it aside. But when she circled back to the idea, she decided that maybe it was a novel. And so, The Husbands was born. It’s a novel about a woman who comes home from a party to find her husband at the door–only she’s not married. When her husband disappears into the attic and an altogether different husband appears she realizes that her attic is creating new husbands. The Husbands was a Read With Jenna Book Club pick and an instant bestseller. Gramazio talked with People magazine about the differences between writing novels and creating video games. All we can say is that Gramazio is now on our auto-buy list. And also, I too would like a magical attic. But not for husbands (one is enough, thank you very much). I want an attic that will help me write books. I don’t even need a new one every day. Once a quarter would suffice.
Geriatric Sleuths To The Big Screen: We are so excited to see that Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club will be made into a movie starring big names like Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley! We love this series and can’t wait to see how Hollywood adapts it. We also love mature characters who have seen some sh*t and are not afraid to bring the drama. Yes to all of this!
Badass Librarians: Atlas Obscura compiled a list of librarians who changed history. From catching thieves, to documenting Rock & Roll’s greatest hits, to supporting civil rights and social justice, librarians have always been in the thick of it. We maintain that librarians are heroes. And if you ever get the chance to attend the American Library Association’s yearly conference, you will learn rather quickly that no one can party like a gal wearing horn rimmed glasses and a sweater set.
Deep Dive: See below for all the extra deep cuts of this week’s book news.
Apple TV dropped the trailer for Dark Matter, based on Blake Crouch’s novel of the same name.
CBS News interviewed Abraham Verghese, author of The Covenant of Water.
Kathyrn Hughes details the rise of the domesticated cat in Britain in Catland.
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