Barnes & Noble’s biggest books of the fall, a touching library moment from the Obama Presidential Center inauguration ceremony, essential American literature, and more. Welcome to Today in Books, our daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Here are the biggest headlines from last week.
The Greatest Books of Fall, According to Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble has released its lists Most Anticipated Fall Books in Fiction, non-fiction, Fantasy and YAAnd Children‘. Fiction is full of big names in books like Colson Whitehead (great machine), Barbara Kingsolver (Partisia), RF Kuang (taipei story), Emily St. John Mandel (exit party), and Min Jin Lee (American Hagwon). This is just the tip of the iceberg of what is a season of literary excitement. In nonfiction, fantasy, and YA and kids editions, you can find new books by Adam Grant (Vibe: The Secret to Strong Relationships in a Lonely World – Nonfiction), Saba Tahir (Empire – YA & Fantasy), Jon Klassen Adopting Rafi (I wonder if I’m growing – Kids’), and Rick Riordan and Annabelle Oh (wooded area – Children’).
LeVar Burton, Mychal Threats and Obama walk into the library
The inauguration ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center was the talk of the city, and I don’t just mean the South Side of Chicago. From About Every living president was in attendance, from Oprah to Quinta Brunson to Stephen Colbert. But the moment that captured readers’ hearts can be found in Story Time Video Recap for Kids Posted from Bluesky, at the Grand Center Public Library branch reading rainbow The account of host and beloved librarian Mychal Threets. Two reading rainbow Symbol in a story time? What a moment it was. Obama Presidential Center Branch It includes some of President Obama’s favorite reading rooms, a reading room, and a maker space.
in books today
Sign up to In Books today to receive daily news and variety from the world of books.
Essential American literature, according to PW
Publishers Weekly came up with a list of 15 essential works of American literature By polling your employees and identifying the top picks. These are books published in America since 1776 (the year the Declaration of Independence was issued, and the reason for this year’s American sesquicentennial celebration). You’ll find an interesting mix of books on the list, including personal favorites and widely beloved classics their eyes were looking at god by Zora Neale Hurston; The book that my sister and fellow nut read in high school and still talk about, silent spring By Rachel Carson; The book that won Colson Whitehead a Pulitzer and made me a fan forever, underground Railroad; and a best-selling work of queer, trans fiction that became an instant classic, Detransition, baby By Torey Peters. I am included in this list.
What are public libraries for anyway?
Earlier this year, I wrote about how public libraries were redefining YA books, moving them to adult sections of the collection and depriving teens of literature and the public spaces designated for them. 404 media adds to this discussion An article this week explores how public libraries are becoming targets not through direct state-level legislation like their school library counterparts, but through policies and demands to move books for young readers into the library’s adult sections.
Granta will not publish winning literary prize entries due to AI speculation
Granta announces literary magazine is ceasing external publishing partnerships AI controversy surrounding 2026 Commonwealth Prize-winning stories. Granta published entries from this year’s regional winners of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize and allegations of AI use, including the heightened discourse around “The Serpent in the Grove” by Zamir Nazir, abounded on platforms such as X and Bluesky. Meanwhile, most of the shortlisted authors immediately rejected these claims Nazir later emailed reviewer’Erica Wagner About his “unusual” writing process. Hoof. AI remains glitchy.
The comments section is moderated in accordance with our Community Guidelines. Please check them out so we can maintain a safe and supportive community of readers!
