Welcome to Today in Books, where we report on literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. You’re expecting this to be a story about the latest TikTok romantasy hit, aren’t you? The clock app may be hogging headlines with stories about dragon riders who do it, but it’s Freida McFadden’s thrillers that are dominating bestseller lists. McFadden, a physician who writes under a pseudonym to protect her relationship with her patients, self-published for a decade before signing a deal with Sourcebooks’s Poisoned Pen Press. Her 23 (!) books have sold more than 6 million copies, making her the fastest-selling thriller writer in the U.S., outpacing heavy hitters James Patterson, David Baldacci, and John Grisham, who all show up beneath her on current sales charts. The New York Times‘s Alexandra Alter details McFadden’s rise in a new profile, which also hints at fascinating tidbits about Sourcebooks’s strategy. Now, my kingdom for a piece about the enduring appeal of the self-pub-to-traditional-deal pipeline.

The Thriller Writer Outselling James Patterson and John Grisham

Another week, another batch of books for your TBR pile. Happy reading, folks. “Ace Atkins’s killing honesty sets a new standard for Southern crime fiction.”. “As in his spy novels, Kanon demonstrates a mastery of closed-in drama. Such is the jabbing understatement of the dialogue—what’s withheld matters more than what’s said—that it holds you in suspense as much as any action scene. The contrast between his impeccable control and the nightmarish chaos of this time and place gives things a powerful edge. Kanon goes to China with stirring results.”

10 New Books Coming Out This Week

The existential thriller master, Mike Bond, takes on mankind’s greatest threat. From Wall Street to London, Moscow, Italy, Mongolia, Borneo, the search begins to learn who is the mastermind behind the effort to push the US to attack Russia and ignite World War III. This week’s bestseller list looks...

The Bestselling Books of the Week, According to All the Lists

Phew, it’s still hot out there friends. I’m getting to the point where all I want to do is lie in my bed next to my air conditioning unit and listen to audiobooks. I will be seeing Chappell Roan this weekend (omg!!) which is making me wonder if I should do a new Book Radar summer playlist. It’s been a minute since I’ve done one. Maybe on Monday? Let me know if you’re interested! But after Chappell Roan, I hope to spend the rest of the weekend reading. Ready to get amped up for some weekend reads yourself? Let’s talk all things books.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard to Narrate Audiobook for Her New Memoir and More Book News!

This week’s list of the most read books on Goodreads has shifted dramatically from last week! Get ready for a whole new batch of titles you’ve never heard of! I’m kidding. It’s identical, except two books have swapped spots. But which two?? You’ll have to read on to find out!

The Most Read Books on Goodreads This Week

As always, time flies! It’s time to talk about the best books of the year so far now that we are halfway through 2024. (Even though it feels like I just wrote about my most anticipated books of the year.) You’ll find a nice mix of crowd-pleasers below plus some backlist favorites, so let’s get literary!

The Absolute Best Books of the Year (So Far!) 2024

Blanco, TX

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Brigid Pfeifer

There were a number of celebrities who passed away within the past week, including two notable actresses: Shelley Duvall and Shannen Doherty. Shelley Duvall passed away on Thursday July 11th at her home in Blanco, Texas. The cause of death was complications from diabetes and news of her death was confirmed by her partner Dan Gilroy.

Two Beloved Hollywood Actresses Have Passed Away This Week

The late Tom Clancy was the undisputed master of the techno-thriller. For decades, he charmed readers with his intricate plots and deep understanding of military technology and espionage. His passion for all things martial shines through in his work, particularly in his description of geopolitical conflicts and the nuances of intelligence operations. His books can get quite farfetched, and sometimes the descriptions are overbearing, but he certainly knew how to spin a yarn.

The 10 Best Tom Clancy Books, Ranked According to Goodreads

WhatToWatch

From epic sci-fi to the imagination of an aspiring toymaker, these are some of my favorite movies from the first half of 2024.

My five favorite movies of 2024 so far are available to watch at home, here's how

Welcome to Today in Books, our daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower Opens in July 2024. It is wildly prescient. The link of the day is actually a tweet in which Michiko Kakutani sketches the...

Octavia Butler’s PARABLE OF THE SOWER Opens in July 2024. It is wildly prescient.

This giveaway is sponsored by IVP Kids, making faith-filled and fun books for young readers. Encourage the kids in your life to use their voices with a copy of Penny Preaches by Amy and Rob Dixon!. This charming book empowers girls to envision themselves doing anything God calls them to....

Win a Copy of PENNY PREACHES: GOD GIVES GOOD GIFTS TO EVERYONE! by Amy Dixon and Rob Dixon!

Since Hillbilly Elegy came out in 2016, I’ve experienced countless people claiming to now “understand” where I come from and what Appalachian people are like. But they don’t think of my childhood watching my dad lose himself while arranging music on his piano or my grandfather tenderly nurturing plants in his ridiculously large garden. Instead, they imagine the stereotypes of J.D. Vance’s version of Appalachia, where the entire region is made up of poor rural white people consumed with violence who have no one to blame but themselves for their life circumstances.

“15 Books About Appalachia to Read Instead of Hillbilly Elegy”

Woman's World

From family dramas to sweeping romances, we have something for everyone!

12 Best Audiobooks To Keep You Company This Summer, from Thrillers to Romance + More!

Tom's Guide

Here are the five best movies to watch after "Longlegs" on Netflix, Prime Video and more.

5 movies like 'Longlegs' to watch right now

I hate reading slumps. I guess nobody wants to be in one. It’s a frustrating and sometimes very bad place to be, but it is totally normal as well. If you are in one right now and looking for the best books to help you get out of it, here are a few suggestions. These are fast-paced thrillers that are guaranteed to help you break the rut, no matter how bad it is. These books have helped me get out of my own reading slumps. They’re gripping, and perfect for falling in love with reading all over again.

11 Books That Will Make You Fall In Love With Reading All Over Again

I was on the Book Riot Podcast this week, subbing in for Jeff and sitting down with Rebecca to discuss the latest in the wonderful world of books and reading. Among other things, we talked about The New York Times’s list of the 100 Best Books of the Century, which at the time of recording had not yet been released in full. The top 20 titles would be revealed the following day and Rebecca asked me on the spot if there were any names I expected to see there. So, of course, I promptly forgot how time works as well as the details of every book I’ve ever read.

On Feeling Like an Unserious Reader

Whether on film or TV, the crime genre is undeniably one of the most-watched genres. It captivates audiences with its disturbing narratives, often involving real mysteries unfolding before their eyes. When combined with the suspenseful narratives that thrillers provide, this niche category undoubtedly becomes one of the most engaging and is guaranteed to keep audiences glued to their screens.

The 13 Best Crime Thriller Movies of All Time, Ranked

Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

How long do you sleep at night? Do you have a fixed sleeping pattern? Scientists recommend sleeping for at least seven hours per day. But some zodiac signs struggle to catch sleep. Sleep deprivation reduces someone’ concentration, cognitive ability, and performance. However, taking a balanced diet and working out can improve sleep. Still, sleeping well helps in weight management as it reduces appetite. Read on to learn about the best-sleeping zodiac signs.

5 Zodiac Signs Who Get the Best Sleep

It’s time for another Riot Recommendation! This week, I’m sharing an epic Arthurian adventure. Over a decade ago, I picked up The Magicians, a tongue-in-cheek novel about a school of magic that was poking fun at the fantasy genre as much as it was a part of it. From the inside jokes to the strange sense of humor — it was clear there was something about Grossman’s storytelling that drew me in from the first few pages. Now, Lev Grossman is back, but this time, he’s writing about the world of King Arthur.

An Epic Arthurian Adventure That’s Fresh and Delightfully Ridiculous

Erica and Kelly highlight some of the best new YA releases hitting shelves in July. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter!. Make this your most bookish summer yet...

Sus Watering Adventures

NewsBreak

Diverse Authors Like Freida McFadden

First off, in BIPOC book news, a new Zora Neale Hurston book has been announced. It’s titled The Life of Herod the Great, and it’s coming...

Diverse Authors Like Freida McFadden

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