You know, I generally aim to give you something that engages you in my weekly posts, something that captures your attention and perhaps distracts you from the everyday. That seems especially important right now, so I hope the following links help you out amid all the uncertainty right now. Canadian Publishers Offer Isolation Discounts A number of our fellow publishers are offering discounts on their titles to help out readers who seek entertainment during self-isolation. Buying books right now helps publishers and authors who may be losing opportunities and income with all the festival and event cancellations. Little Free Libraries Become Pantries Image: Street Library Australia And here’s a

Welcome back, everyone! I hope you’re all doing well—mentally and physically—amid all the coronavirus woes. This week, I spent my internet time trying to avoid the news in favour of lighter fare, so now I’ll share my findings with you! This week’s bookish content includes some thoughts on review culture, a look at how Milman Parry changed how we thought of epic poetry, an argument for college-age young adult literature, and the list of finalists for the 2020 Lamda Literary Awards. Against Assessment Having worked in and studied publishing, I’ve always understood that reviewing is important. I’ve even written a few reviews myself. So when I came across Aaron Boothby’s arguments against assess

Welcome back, everyone! This week, I’m sharing a look at a trend in kidlit, an examination on author obligations, a story about a teen bookstagrammer, and an update on the London Book Fair. Kid’s Books on the Environment Image: Greta and the Giants, inspired by Greta Thunberg, by Zoe Tucker (author) and Zoe Persico (illustrator) and published by White Lion Publishing. Photograph: Courtesy of White Lion Publishing The Greta Thunberg effect has hit children’s publishing; more children’s books with environmental themes are hitting bookshelves. But what do kids actually think of these books? And are they too moralistic or anxiety inducing for young readers? Patrick Bartram considers these questi