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“The art of novel writing isn’t often a family business. The combination of talent and perseverance required, plus the good fortune to be published, are rare indeed. Even rarer are literary generations of mothers and daughters. But there are three notable pairs of mother-daughter novelists throughout literary history who share the gift of language and the same storytelling talent – and suggest that talent can be inherited, either through natural ability or through careful nurturing....

This ultimate skier and snowboarder bucket list, from celebrated runs in Alta, Utah, to the challenge of Switzerland’s 4 Vallees races through 100 energizing snowy experiences for all levels. Filled with beautiful National Geographic photography, wisdom from experts, need-to-know travel information, and practical tips, this inspirational guide offers the planet’s best ski and snowboarding experiences on breathtaking slopes around the world and makes a great gift! From how-to guides about getting started at skiing and snowboarding, to leveling up in the sports, to coffee tables books about the best slopes and the most stylish skiers, to memoirs written by professionals, there is something here covering most of the aspects of these sports!...

All of this to say, I find it difficult to turn off the writer part of my brain, especially while reading. Comics remain a constant in my rotation of literature, and I can’t help but find writerly inspiration in the graphic novels and nonfiction I devour. Here, I share three gleaming lessons from a few recent reads that whispered to the creative in me. Later, Silvia, whose fiction Nina calls “a mix of Lorrie Moore and Ann M....

The Vulva Gallery was created in 2016 by Hilde Atalanta, an Amsterdam-based illustrator, with the goal of improving sexual health education. On Instagram, each post is a lovely illustration of a vulva—sometimes from a person who wanted to share their body and story, sometimes from imagination—and a tidbit of science to normalize the differences in every body. Because the majority of us don’t have the “perfect vulva” shown in porn and biology textbooks....

While I’ll probably never be able to hurl a walnut hard enough to take out a bad guy, learn the secrets of an ancient training regimen, or fight injustice with my deadly fists, I’ll always be able to dream, thanks to creators like these. May we continue to get new martial arts stories, whether they right old wrongs, retell a beloved favorite, or shine new light on the genre! I’ll be here with the popcorn, ready to read and watch....

The prize is not enormous—£3,000—but it is Arabic literary translation’s biggest award. The Society of Authors will award the prize on February 12, 2020, along with several other prizes. Price was the youngest translator on this year’s Banipal Prize shortlist, which was packed with acclaimed translators. Judges chose Man Booker International winner Marilyn Booth for the shortlist for her translation of Jokha Alharthi’s Celestial Bodies. They picked two-time Banipal Translation Prize winner Humphrey Davies for the shortlist for a translation of Elias Khoury’s My Name is Adam: Children of the Ghetto Volume 1....

But it seems what many took away from this post was that it argued for censoring books like Gone With the Wind. Since when is critically assessing what one reads censorship? And when can we fairly point to something — anything — and claim it’s an act of censorship? Perhaps it’s time we look at what censorship really means. Censorship is the act of suppressing speech, books, movies, and so forth, which may be considered “inappropriate” or “unacceptable” or “controversial....

Joy Behar then asked Burton his opinion about an important aspect of the state of kids’ books today: “Over the last few years, there has been an ongoing push to ban important children’s book, especially about race, sexuality, and basically American history.” He replied, “I’ll be absolutely candid and honest, it’s embarrassing that we are banning books in this country, in this culture, in this day and age. We have this aversion in this country to knowing about our past....

Pins, Stickers, and More Literary Gifts for Mystery Lovers Pop this mystery keychain onto your keys and you’ll never be wondering where they went. $15. Keep Agatha Christie close to whatever you’re reading with this magnetic bookmark. $4. Don a mystery reader enamel pin. $11. If you’re more of a true crime reader, never fear. There’s a sweet enamel pin for you, too. $11. Pop on a pair of Nancy Drew earrings and pay homage to one of the best teen sleuths of literature....

This news comes to us after Hulu’s adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale has already run for two seasons, and is now off book, with a third season in the works. I’m excited to know if the two timelines will now overlap and create a complex story, since the TV show already uses flashbacks in its narrative. The novel will be published worldwide by Penguin Random House in September 2019, and is already up for pre-orders here....

Of note for all signs is the total lunar eclipse on May 26. Lunar eclipses tend to mark a moment of emotional epiphany, a metaphorical (and literal) alignment that may lead to big life changes. So strap in for that fun time toward the end of the month! Aries (March 21–April 19) Taurus (April 20–May 20) Gemini (May 21–June 20) Cancer (June 21–July 22) Leo (July 23–August 22) Virgo (August 23–September 22) Libra (September 23–October 22) Scorpio (October 23–November 21) Sagittarius (November 22–December 21) Capricorn (December 22–January 19) Aquarius (January 20–February 18) Pisces (February 19–March 20) Looking for more?...

The Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing Maureen Corrigan Author, scholar, and literary critic. Corrigan has three decades of work as a critic, reviewer, and columnist for publications including NPR, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, amongst many more.

Netflix has partnered with Jesse Collins Entertainment, First Book, and several Black entertainers for an upcoming live-action series where race and identity take center stage. The show will be hosted by 15-year-old #1000BlackGirlBooks founder, author, and social activist Marley Dias, who also serves as executive producer. It is set to premiere on September 1, 2020. — Marley Emerson Dias (@iammarleydias) August 25, 2020 The series will be made available on Netflix and Netflix Jr....

Other Book Riot New Releases Resources This is only scratching the surface of the books out this week! If you want to keep up with all the latest new releases, check out: Twenty-four years later, Ruth returns to the suffocating, once grand house she grew up in, the mother of young twins and seventeen-year-old Maeve. Joining the family in the country is Stuart, Ruth’s childhood friend, who is quietly insinuating himself into their lives and gives Maeve the attention she longs for....

Now, like Eileen, I’m only focusing on Dick’s civilian fashion sense, as his early sartorial efforts as Nightwing have already been thoroughly dunked on (including by me). Like Tony, Dick has enough money to afford to dress well. And yet he reaches into his closet every morning and chooses violence. Dick spent most of the Golden and Silver Age wearing pretty much the same red sweater over a white collared shirt, and I have no complaints there....

These books are perfect for your cozy winter reading, and a couple are even holiday themed, so make sure you get them on your library reserve lists and holiday wish lists! Then grab a hot beverage, your coziest PJs, and a comfy blanket and get ready for the perfect November reading experience. Looking for more great new YA releases? Don’t miss last month’s round up of October YA releases and the rest of our young adult literature archives....

But first, a bit of scary October news: Mercury is in retrograde through October 17. You know what that means! Trouble lies ahead in anything relating to communication. This can have wide-reaching implications, including tricky problems with travel plans, technological difficulties, and frustrating misunderstandings. As I always say, the best way to avoid Mercury retrograde chaos is staying home with a good book. And with Halloween around the corner, you may be in search of a good costume....

I appreciated J.K. Rowling’s attempts at including diverse characters in the Harry Potter books, although her character descriptions were somewhat clunky and stereotypical, and have paid attention every time a character is said to have dark skin and “unruly curls” in their hair. I think I read The Color Purple for the first time at 14 or 15, always seeking out representations of black people when I would feel a lack....

I Am Sovereign by Nicola Barker (William Heinemann) A 40-year-old boutique teddy bear maker, an eccentric real estate agent, and a house viewing that doesn’t quite go as planned. This is subversive literature at its best, which is crisp, hilarious, and will keep readers on their toes. You won’t be able to guess where this story is going, so just sit back and enjoy the madcap ride. Miracle Creek by Angie Kim (Hodder & Stoughton) Fans of Liane Moriarty and Celeste Ng will relish this impeccable novel about family and the immigrant experience....

The auction comes after the Ginsburgs’ paperbacks were donated to prison libraries, their music books were donated to Washington National Opera, and family members claimed the books they were interested in. Find more news and stories of interest from the book world in Breaking in Books.