June 4, 2025
Author Jason Reynolds talks to NPR about his books that meet kids where they are, not where they think they should be. Plus, a new history of gay culture at the dawn of the AIDS health crisis, and an exhaustive look at homelessness in America from a longtime advocate.
A new book by the journalist who uncovered sexual harassment at Business Insider has led to an investigation of the company’s values and motivations. The company has also been accused of promoting a list of books that are “reader favorites” even though some of them are not available.
J.K. Rowling is giving away a free Harry Potter book this holiday weekend. The son of the officer who investigated the murders central to Truman Capote’s true-crime classic In Cold Blood has won a bid in court to publish his findings, which contradict Capote’s account.
Publishers fight back against a growing number of book bans. A broad coalition of groups, including PEN America and ALA, is helping librarians, parents, students, authors and others challenge book bans. And Penguin Random House has created a position dedicated to fighting book bans.
The e-book market continues to grow, with print sales flat and digital sales up. But the industry still struggles with digital rights management, as illustrated by a lawsuit filed against Amazon by a publishing house over a failed project. Factorial Books, a new science fiction imprint, promises to answer submissions in five days and share 50/50 revenue with authors.