Summer has been here for a while, and the sun is shining bright in our faces. It has been a great time to go on a hike, relax on the beach, and generally spend a lot more time outside the house. We’re halfway through it and planning all the things we want to do before it ends. We’re trying to slot in reading on our overflowing to-do list. Short books are here to our rescue. When my days feel too packed with activities, I’m less likely to commit to a book that will require a lot of hours. Short books take less time to get through while still satisfying our yearning of wanting to engage with someone’s mind. They’re less intimidating to begin and help us slow down just the same.

8 of The Best Short Books To Read For the Rest of Summer

This week’s bestsellers include a couple new titles. First is The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness, which is the fifth book in the All Souls series that started with A Discovery of Witches. The other is not a surprise: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance hit the bestseller list after being nominated as Vice President, running alongside Donald Trump. Here at Book Riot, we’ve been writing about the flaws of Hillbilly Elegy for years, especially as a representation of Appalachia. First there was Josh Corman’s Lies, Damn Lies, and Hillbilly Elegy in 2016, then Kendra Winchester’s 15 Books About Appalachia to Read Instead of Hillbilly Elegy in 2020, and even more in years since. Of course, we can’t stop you from reading it, but we can suggest that if you do, you pick up some of these other examples of Appalachian literature to get a more accurate view of the region and the writers who represent it. Now, onto the bestsellers.

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

Tennessee State

First, some news of our own: Book Riot is hiring an ad operations associate. Know somebody who’d be a great fit? Please send them our way. Now, here’s a look at the headlines coming from inside the house:. 🚫 Iowa Book Ban Goes Into Effect. 🎥 We...

All the News Book Riot Covered This Week

I love middle grade mystery books. Stories in this age bracket often have the best of all worlds — high-stakes adventure, well-written and loveable characters, and punchy plots that get your pulse racing as you unravel the clues and solve the mystery alongside the characters. Obviously, YA and adult books have this too — but middle grade books usually have clear resolutions and upbeat endings, while books targeted at older ages can sometimes get ambiguous or bleak. And while downbeat stories have their place, sometimes you need to just be part of a world where you know good will triumph in the end, and that’s where middle grade mystery shines.

9 of the Best New and Recent Middle Grade Mysteries

Los Angeles County, CA

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Herbie J Pilato

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the commentary and quotes in this article are from the author's interview with those mentioned.]. Elizabeth Montgomery was one of the most popular actors from the 1950s to her unfortunate passing from cancer in 1995. Before, during, and after her benchmark Emmy-nominated role as twitch-witch Samantha Stephens on TV's Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), Montgomery made over 200 additional appearances in other weekly shows, TV-movies, and feature films.

'Bewitched' Star Elizabeth Montgomery Received Death Threats for Protesting the Vietnam War

Retired math teacher Grace Winters is shocked when she inherits a run-down house on a Mediterranean island from a long-lost friend. With a one-way ticket in hand, Grace arrives in Ibiza and searches for answers on how her friend lived and died. But what Grace uncovers seems impossible, forcing her to confront her own past in another touching novel from the author of The Midnight Library.

Best Books of Fall 2024

The Guardian

From Covid misinformation to the JFK assassination, these compelling reads explore how conspiracies seduce believers

Five of the best books about conspiracy theories

It's been eight years since former TV child star Sawyer Sweeten, best known from Everybody Loves Raymond, died tragically by suicide at only 19 years old. Sawyer Sweeten, his twin brother Sullivan Sweeten, and their older sister Madylin, played Ray Romano's TV children on Everybody Loves Raymond, the Emmy-winning sitcom that originally aired on CBS 1996 to 2005.

The Tragic Suicide of Former TV Child Star Sawyer Sweeten ('Everybody Loves Raymond'): 9 Years Later

If you learned it at school, it’s natural to assume it’s true. But if you ask historians, you might be surprised to learn the stuff your teacher stated as facts in history lessons is often riddled with inaccuracies. Things we assume are real, like Columbus discovering America or...

19 History Facts Taught in School That Are Actually Wrong

Louisville Public Media

NPR spoke with Appalachian fiction and nonfiction writers about this moment and how they are building a tapestry of what they know as home.

'Hillbilly Elegy' is back in the spotlight. These Appalachians write a different tale

Another week, another batch of books for your TBR pile. Happy reading, folks. “[A] palm-sweat-inducing psychological thriller.”. “[The Snap] buzzes with all-too-familiar frustration at injustices. In the doubts and thrills of her story, Staple echoes the moment in a game when a bone-crunching collision has a player carted off the field. Are we allowed to enjoy this? Should the game still go on? An endorphin-fueled, heart-hammering sprint.”

10 New Books Coming Out This Week

Helen Phillips’s Hum, Eliza Griswold’s Circle of Hope, and Jane Alison’s Villa E all feature among the best reviewed books of the week. Brought to you by Book Marks, Lit Hub’s home for book reviews. *. 1. Hum by Helen Phillips. (Mary Sue Rucci Books) 4...

What Should You Read Next? Here Are the Best Reviewed Books of the Week

This post may contains affiliate links. If you click and buy we may make a commission, at no additional charge to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more details. As we step into 2024, the world of writing continues to evolve, presenting new challenges and opportunities for aspiring authors. With the rise of digital publishing, the increasing importance of author branding, and the ever-changing landscape of storytelling, today’s writers need more than just talent—they need the right tools and insights. To help you on your journey, I’ve compiled a list of 10 must-read books for aspiring writers in 2024. These works offer invaluable insights, practical advice, and the inspiration you need to elevate your writing to the next level.

Top 10 Books for Aspiring Writers in 2024

Welcome to Today in Books, our daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Here are the most popular stories from the past week. Tennessee High School Closes Library to Comply with Book Banning Law. Green Hill High School in Wilson County, Tennessee, has...

The Biggest Bookish News of the Week

NewsNinja

"They accidentally gave us 2 washers and a dryer when we only ordered 1 of each". Last month, Lowe’s experienced a glitch that lowered the price of its $2,300 Midea jumbo capacity refrigerator to just $169.

‘Lowe’s messed up’: Shopper says they got $2,300 fridge at Lowe’s for just $169

New Jersey State

The Baroness’ Choices of New Books Publishing This Week. My choices for this week include Cozy Culinary Mysteries, Sweet Romances, Cozy Animal Holiday Mysteries, Cozy Paranormal Culinary Mysteries, Historical Mysteries, Cozy Paranormal Mystery, Young Adult Romance Fantasy, Romantic Suspense, Cozy Craft and Hobby Mysteries, Sweet Royal Romance, Cozy Holiday Mystery, and Middle Grade Fantasy.

New Books Publishing Week 34 of 2024

Hollywood child stardom has taken its toll on many actors through the decades. Lani O'Grady, for one, found fame in the 1970s on the TV family series, Eight is Enough. O'Grady followed in the footsteps of her brother, actor Don Grady, an original Mouseketeer and member of another popular TV family show: My Three Sons. Their mother, Mary B. Grady, was a talent agent who represented several child actors. But Lani, who would also eventually become an agent, died in 2001 just one week before what would have been her 47th birthday.

TV's 'Eight is Enough' Star Lani O'Grady Found Fame Early in Life but Died a Tragic Death

Cooking With Maryann

I love macaroni salads, and this is truly a special one. It's got something for all of the tastebuds and textures. Soft, crunchy, chewy, sweet, savory, tart, creamy, and oh so fresh! Here's what you'll need to make 8-10 side servings:

Amish Macaroni Salad

The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Newspapers across the country have historically made issue of the race of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris since her first days in public office.
                Newspaper stories now more than 20 years old have referenced Harris as an Indian-American and as a Black woman. More recently, they have described the vice president also as "Asian American."
                Race has become an issue because former President Donald Trump said...

Kamala Harris has been identified as Indian, Black and Asian American by newspapers

New week, new stories. Let’s get right to ’em. 8 Backpack Fantasy Recommendations for Heroes On the Go. Backpack fantasy is are for all heroes who travel light. For adventurers campaigning with naught but a rucksack, duffel, or carrier bag, they carry everything they need on their person. They decide to save the world with their just friends, some snacks, and a spare pair of socks and I commend them for their minimalist lifestyle.

Backpack Fantasy Recs for Heroes on the Go

NewsBreak

New YA Books Hitting Shelves This Week, August 19, 2024

One genre is taking the lead when it comes to new releases this week and that’s romance. We definitely have some other genres peppered in, but...

New YA Books Hitting Shelves This Week, August 19, 2024

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