First Look at A24s MARGOS GOT MONEY TROUBLES Adaptation

SCOTUS Declines to Hear Critical Texas Book Banning Petition

In a blow to activist groups working against book bans, the Supreme Court has denied a petition to consider a Texas case on the removal of books in public libraries. Because of this, a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in favor of the defendants, dismissing free speech claims, will stand. The Appeals court ruling reversed a district court’s preliminary injunction and its own three-judge panel upholding of that decision. “Are we to the point where a library gets to write a policy that reads ‘this library will now have no books that have gay characters’? This could open the door to what we call acquisitions censorship,” Texas Freedom to Read Project cofounder Laney Hawes told Publishers Weekly. The decision applies across the Fifth Circuit’s jurisdiction, which includes Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. VP and associate general counsel at Penguin Random House Dan Novack described the Supreme Court’s decision as “a setback in timing, but not in justice,” and expressed certainty that the issue would return to the court through other pending lawsuits. Fingers all the way crossed that it does.

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Prolific Romance Novelist, Fern Michaels, Dies

Fern Michaels authored more than 200 novels in the romance and thriller genres, leaving behind a sweeping legacy before she died at 92 years old. Michaels is perhaps best known for the Sisterhood series, romantic thrillers that began with Weekend Warriors. “My husband told me to get off my ass and get a job,” Michaels wrote of her start in writing. “Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more.” Bravo, and rest in peace.