Books

30 articles

A cinematic autumn library scene with new fantasy books, symbolizing the top releases for Fall 2026.
Books

Top 2 Best New Book Releases for Fall 2026

The Knave and the Moon, Rachel Gillig's fantasy sequel, has already amassed 158,000 'shelvings' on Goodreads for its September 2026 release.

Claire Donovan·September 1, 2026
A diverse group of people browsing and reading in a cozy, well-lit independent bookstore filled with shelves of books.
Books

Why Physical Books Are Experiencing a Resurgence

The number of independent bookstores in the U.

Claire Donovan·August 29, 2026
Children of various backgrounds joyfully receiving and reading colorful books, symbolizing the widespread impact of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
Books

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library boosts childhood literacy with 300M books

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has just surpassed 300 million books gifted worldwide, mailing over 3 million free books directly to children's homes every single month, according to Dolly Parton's

Claire Donovan·August 26, 2026
A cozy independent bookstore interior filled with books, showcasing a vibrant community space for readers and book lovers.
Books

What is the role of independent bookstores in local communities?

Despite a common belief that they are dying out, independent bookstores are multiplying across the country, fostering vibrant local literary communities.

Claire Donovan·August 26, 2026
Diverse group of Malaysians of all ages reading intently in a sunlit, modern library, symbolizing a renewed focus on literacy.
Culture

Malaysia Launches Initiative to Rebuild Reading Culture for Literacy

The average Malaysian reads less than two books a year, a stark contrast to the government's ambitious target of ten by 2030, revealing a deep-seated challenge in cultivating a national reading cultur

Matteo Ricci·August 21, 2026
A diverse group of people quietly reading together in a warm, inviting space, finding connection through shared silence.
Books

Silent book clubs offer digital age antidote to loneliness, growing fast.

The number of silent book clubs organized in the UK in early 2025 surged by 460% compared to the previous year, according to BBC .

Claire Donovan·August 18, 2026
A diverse group of readers marveling at a holographic display of a futuristic city and a distant nebula, symbolizing the expansive nature of science fiction.
Books

Top 5 Best Sci-Fi Books for Beginners

From the smartphone in your pocket to rockets bound for Mars, humanity's greatest innovations often spring from science fiction.

Claire Donovan·August 17, 2026
A solitary person surveys a post-apocalyptic landscape with a submerged city skyline under a stormy sky, symbolizing climate change impacts.
Books

What Is Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi) and Why Does It Matter?

In his novel 'Leave the World Behind', author Rumaan Alam uses climate fiction to plunge readers into a world of information uncertainty and feeling trapped, mirroring the real-world anxieties of envi

Claire Donovan·August 16, 2026
Commuters on a train reading various books, bathed in sunlight, finding personal escape and engagement during their daily journey.
Books

7 Engaging Books for Your Commute

For one avid reader, the thought of commuting without a book is so unsettling they carry one daily as a precaution.

Claire Donovan·August 12, 2026
Former President Barack Obama in a study, surrounded by books, holding an open book and appearing engaged in thought.
Books

Barack Obama launches 'A Great Book' podcast celebrating literature

Former President Barack Obama, a figure known for his broad public appeal, will debut a new podcast on September 24 exclusively on Audible, focusing on six books that shaped his worldview.

Claire Donovan·August 11, 2026
A person sitting in a comfortable armchair in a library, reading a book, with a sense of peace and recovery.
Books

What is Bibliotherapy and How Does It Aid Mental Health Recovery?

Since 2013, the UK's Reading Well programme has facilitated over 3.

Claire Donovan·August 9, 2026
Two individuals from distinct cultural backgrounds extending hands across a symbolic divide, with elements of literature and script connecting them, representing the power of translation.
Books

What is the role of literary translation in bridging cultural divides?

Translators often find cultural differences a more formidable barrier than linguistic structures, revealing that true understanding goes far beyond words.

Claire Donovan·August 5, 2026
A split image showing futuristic AI interfaces on one side and a vibrant, flowing river on the other, representing the clash between technology and nature.
Books

Top 4 Books on Technology and Society Impact

While Silicon Valley races to build artificial general intelligence, Robert Macfarlane's book 'Is a River Alive?

Claire Donovan·August 2, 2026
A distorted reflection in a cracked mirror within a dimly lit library, symbolizing the unreliability of narrators in literature.
Books

11 Notable Books With Unreliable Narrators Challenging Perception

In 11 notable literary works, the very voice telling the story cannot be trusted, forcing readers to become detectives of truth.

Claire Donovan·July 31, 2026
A diverse group of people browsing books in a cozy, sunlit independent bookstore, highlighting community and literary engagement.
Books

How Do Independent Bookstores Foster Local Literary Communities in 2026?

Between 2009 and 2018, the number of independent booksellers in the U.

Claire Donovan·July 31, 2026
An inviting library nook with an open classic book, symbolizing the calm escape literature offers from the busy digital world.
Books

What is the appeal of classic literature in the digital age?

Just six minutes of reading can slash stress levels by 68%, offering a remarkably potent psychological benefit, according to The Conversation .

Claire Donovan·July 30, 2026
A mysterious attic room with a barred window, a worn book open on a table, evoking a sense of historical secrets and compelling narratives.
Books

Top 2 Historical Fiction Books With Compelling Narratives

In Heather Parry's Carrion Crow , a heroine is kept in an attic—a chilling detail based on an infamous French case.

Claire Donovan·July 20, 2026
A tradwife influencer from the present day is unexpectedly transported into a busy 1855 historical street, highlighting the clash of eras and social commentary.
Books

Top 7 Diverse Literary Fiction Books of 2026 Exploring New Themes

In 2026, a satirical thriller will transport a tradwife influencer from her curated online world directly into the year 1855, forcing her to confront a past she never imagined, according to BBC Cultur

Claire Donovan·July 18, 2026
Diverse individuals interacting with advanced AI interfaces, conveying a mix of curiosity and apprehension about technology's societal impact.
Books

Key Books Exploring Technology and Society

A majority of US voters now believe AI will negatively impact jobs, creativity, and human relationships, marking a significant shift in public sentiment, according to The Guardian .

Claire Donovan·July 15, 2026
A modern woman in contemporary clothes stands confused in a bustling 1855 marketplace, symbolizing a clash of centuries and cultural landscapes.
Books

6 Best Novels Set in Unique Cultural Landscapes

In Caro Claire Burke's 'Yesteryear', a modern tradwife influencer finds herself inexplicably stranded in 1855, forcing a satirical clash of centuries and social norms, as detailed by BBC .

Claire Donovan·July 12, 2026
Diverse crowd browsing books at the Community Book Center during ESSENCE Fest, highlighting a vibrant literary culture.
Books

Community Book Center Fuels Literary Culture at ESSENCE Fest

During the first two days of ESSENCE Fest 2026, sales at the Community Book Center surged by 30% compared to last year's opening weekend.

Claire Donovan·July 8, 2026
A small, weathered fishing boat adrift on a vast, stormy Pacific Ocean, symbolizing extreme human endurance against nature's power.
Books

Best Survival at Sea Books for a Real-Life Alvarenga

Fisherman Salvador Alvarenga survived 438 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean, a feat of endurance that defies belief.

Claire Donovan·July 7, 2026
A dimly lit library with ancient books, a single beam of light highlighting a classic novel, symbolizing timeless knowledge and discovery.
Books

Why Do Literary Classics Still Matter in Modern Society?

A Twitter thread writer with 1.

Claire Donovan·July 6, 2026
A spotlight shines on an open, antique book in a dimly lit library, surrounded by stacks of other old books, symbolizing hidden literary gems.
Books

Top 4 Underrated Books Recommended by Literary Experts

Carmen Maria Machado, a National Book Award winner, believes author Bennett Sims should be a household name in horror.

Claire Donovan·June 24, 2026
Ann Patchett, acclaimed author, receives the 2026 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction in a celebratory literary setting.
Books

Ann Patchett Named Recipient of 2026 Library of Congress Prize

Ann Patchett, a writer whose ten novels have been translated into over 30 languages, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction, an announcement made three

Claire Donovan·June 24, 2026
A diverse individual looking small and isolated amidst a sea of white professionals in a sterile publishing office setting.
Books

Publishing Remains 72.5% White, Slowing Impact of Diverse Voices

In 2023, 72.5% of staff across US publishing houses, review journals, and literary agencies identified as White/Caucasian, a figure that has shown only marginal alteration over nearly half a decade, a

Claire Donovan·June 21, 2026
Diverse teenagers engrossed in reading Judy Blume books in a sunlit library, symbolizing the enduring power of her stories against censorship.
Books

Judy Blume's 80 Million Books Changed YA, Her Fight Continues

In 2023, the beloved novel 'Are You There God?

Claire Donovan·June 20, 2026
An open book subscription box on a table, surrounded by books, suggesting a curated literary experience for avid readers.
Books

Top Book Subscription Boxes for Avid Readers in 2026

For just $30 a month, a new hardcover novel can arrive directly at your door, bypassing endless browsing and relying on expert curation.

Claire Donovan·June 20, 2026
An inviting LGBTQ cafe in Orlando where patrons discuss banned books like '1984' and 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' in a welcoming atmosphere.
Books

Orlando LGBTQ cafe hosts banned books discussion

In Orlando, Florida, an LGBTQ-focused cafe openly stocks and promotes discussions around books like George Orwell's '1984' and Maya Angelou's 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'.

Claire Donovan·June 19, 2026
Enslaved people on a ship's deck exhibit defiance and hope against a stormy, sunlit horizon, symbolizing resistance.
Books

Top Nonfiction Book on Caribbean History, Culture & Identity

The book 'The Great Resistance' shatters centuries of historical framing, focusing not on the violence inflicted upon enslaved people, but on their defiant acts of freedom—jumping off ships, organizin

Claire Donovan·June 17, 2026