Book Bans, New Book Lands and More Books-to-Screen News

That “Old Babe” Margaret Atwood:

At 83, Margaret Atwood has seen more than her fair share of good fortune and tragedy to know a thing or two about the subject. In her first collection of short stories since 2014, Old Babes in the Wood fully embraces the complicated discussion of old age. Her partner of 46 years, novelist Graeme Gibson, died in 2019, making these stories some of her most personal and reflective.

Banned or Band-Aid?

The debate rages on about banned books in Florida schools. In a heated news conference, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the program and claimed schools and teachers felt compelled to remove all such books from classrooms when he said there is in fact a process by which local districts can approve certain titles. The matter continues to be the hottest of topics.

Banned Books, Take Two:

Deadline has reported that The View co-host Joy Behar is launching a new book club focused on titles that have been the targets of challenges and bans. The first selection in “Joy’s Banned Book Club” is And Tango Makes Three, the 2005 children’s book based on the true story of a same-sex penguin couple raising a chick, written by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell and illustrated by Henry Cole.

“Judy Blume Forever” Getting Close:

Judy Blume Forever, an upcoming documentary on Prime Video about renowned author Judy Blume (Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing), has released its first official trailer. The revisits her writing life and what inspired her over the course of more than 50 years. The documentary is expected to be released on April 21.

A “Close” Call:

Glenn Close is reportedly going to star in a film adaptation of Tove Jansson’s novel The Summer Book, according to Deadline. She will star in the movie alongside Anders Danielsen Lie, the Norwegian actor (Reprise and The Worst Person in the World). The film was adapted by Robert Jones and will be produced and directed by Charlie McDowell (The Discovery, Windfall).

Picoult Part of a Dynamic Duo:

The partnership of Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan has created an important book that encourages dialog surrounding relationships, secrets, abuse and gender identity. Mad Honey is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves.

Serious Stuff to Spring Into Spring:

While summer beach reads will be delivering light-hearted escapes to shelves soon, these deeper spring reads will satisfy the intellectual yearnings of any true bibliophile. Featuring titles by Kate Morton, Jeanette Walls, Charlie Frazier and more!

Carol Shields Prize Longlist Revealed:

The 15 nominees for the first-ever Carol Shields Prize for Fiction has been revealed. The prize is given to women and nonbinary writers in the U.S. and Canada. Some notable names and works include Namwali Serpell for her novel The Furrows, Suzette Mayr for The Sleeping Car Porter and Lisa Hsiao Chen for Activities of Daily Living.

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