Devi S. Laskar joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her third novel, MIDNIGHT, AT THE WAR.
Joseph Moldover, author of TO THE END OF RECKONING, explains the importance of crossing boundaries in fiction and how it may involve writing what you don’t know.
Joseph Moldover, author of TO THE END OF RECKONING, writes about what being a psychologist taught him about crime writing: "There’s no question that learning to be proven wrong made me a better psychologist. It also made me a better writer."
"[A] gripping multigenerational epic of land, home, and inheritance...Sanders poses timely questions of ownership and ancestry, and she packs the novel with indelible imagery...This resonates."
Mary-Frances O’Connor, author of THE GRIEVING BRAIN (HarperOne) and THE GRIEVING BODY (HarperOne), was interviewed for Newsweek’s “How AI Is Bringing Dead Loved Ones Back and Changing the Way We Grieve.”
Brad Stulberg, author of THE WAY OF EXCELLENCE (HarperOne), discussed the biology, philosophy, and psychology behind genuine excellence for Big Think.
"...Hale traverses mountain trails, excavates court records, and reflects on his family’s roots in the region to examine the unexpected connections between the two events. The result is a stark portrait of religion in America and the dark turns that faith can cause people to take."
"Laskar’s prose is timeless and understated...The tumultuous world she depicts is one on the precipice of real and frightening change, which stands in for the change and turmoil her protagonist is feeling as well...Both broadly political and personally intimate, MIDNIGHT, AT THE WAR, is a complex, brave and powerful novel that will not be forgotten any time soon."
"As I wrote Midnight, at the War, I found myself returning to the on-the-ground experiences that shaped me as a journalist in the ’80s and ’90s, when newspapers still dominated and the American public understood civics thanks to robust public education requirements. Some of these moments I gave to my protagonist, Rita Das—both to anchor her in a familiar reality and to give myself a starting point as I explored her fictional world.”
“The novel’s strengths are the truths it surfaces about the meaning of 'news' for those of us born in the so-called American Century. . . While the events and conflicts of the novel are of their period, Laskar makes them resonate in our own violent present, just at the moment when the professional world she describes in lively detail is rapidly slipping away through cowardice, carelessness, and greed. In many ways, it’s already gone.”
"A charming and fresh addition to the canon of mother-child picture books, infused with humor, modern twists, and visual creativity. Perfect for story hours or bedtime, this book celebrates love in imaginative and unexpected ways."
"While there are many things this creative mom will never be able to do, she guarantees she will always find a way to show her love for her daughter and indeed surprises her with a striped banana at the end. Multiple readings are sure to be enjoyed by readers and children as they return for “what if" discussions and to pore over the whimsical details."
The New York Times published a guest essay by Cal Newport, author of DEEP WORK (Grand Central) and SLOW PRODUCTIVITY (Portfolio), titled “Technology Weakens Our Minds. We Can Fix This."
Joshilyn Jackson's MISSING SISTER was included in People Magazine's Best Books roundup for March 2026.
"Anna Hogeland’s wry and searching 'Fictions' contains many layers of fiction. There are the short stories protagonist Catherine Meyer writes for her mentor Anton Andros, the workshopped-to-death novel he orders her to put in a drawer, the 'edgy in a forced way' works of her NYU MFA peers, and Andros’s own novels that have garnered many prestigious awards over the decades. Beneath it all, there are the useful illusions and pretenses that prop up this whole literary establishment, at least in the eyes of a young artist eager to find her place in it."
Joshilyn Jackson was featured in the New Yorker article "The Unlikely Success of a Strange Alabama Bookstore."
"[F]illed with empathy, inspiration, and ultimately hope....Devi S. Laskar's dynamic Midnight, at the War impressively captures a journalist more capable of reporting on global crises than confronting her own personal chaos."
Huda Al-Marashi shared the inspirations for her novel HAIL MARIAM with Publishers Weekly.
"Innovatively structured...The colorful layout and distinct chapter projects make this book one that can be used not only to learn about Asian Americans, but to get readers to see the larger structural issues behind racism and other issues in Asian American communities.”
"Artful, ambitious, and unapologetically participatory."
Peter Brannen’s THE STORY OF CO2 IS THE STORY OF EVERYTHING (Ecco) has been named a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the category of science and technology. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on April 17.
PEN America included Devi S. Laskar's MIDNIGHT, AT THE WAR in their list of the 100 Most Anticipated Books of 2026.
Cal Newport, author of SLOW PRODUCTIVITY (Portfolio) has created “Rebuild Your Focus & Reclaim Your Time,” available from MasterClass.
Jennifer Keishin Armstrong appeared on Really? No, Really? with Jason Alexander and Peter Tilden to talk about SEINFELDIA (Simon & Schuster).
"It’s got all the “forbidden love” yearning you crave, mixed with incredible historical detail and a heroine you’ll actually root for."
Book Trib highlighted Liana De la Rosa's MUTUAL DISCORD in their partnership with independent bookstore Montgomery & Taggert.
Book Riot named LIana De la Rosa's MUTUAL DISCORD as one of the most anticipated Latine reads of 2026.
"This book and series are a refreshing entry in historical romance, highlighting a lesser-known piece of history and diversifying a genre that is still so overwhelmingly white. It's hard to say what's better: the chemistry between the couple or the dynamic between the sisters. Good thing we don't actually have to choose."
THROUGH THE TELESCOPE by Charles R. Smith was named a Notable Children's Book for 2026 by the Association for Library Service to Children: "A picture book about groundbreaking astronaut Mae Jemison, highlighting the start of her fascination and curiosity about space. Awe-inspiring intergalactic illustrations convey the light and wonder of the universe."
"Moldover makes an auspicious adult debut with this humane mystery about a stage actor investigating a murder alongside his ailing father...[He] draws even minor supporting characters in three dimensions, making the elegant core mystery much more satisfying than the average whodunit. Fans of character-driven crime fiction will eagerly await Moldover’s next move."
Brad Stulberg’s THE WAY OF EXCELLENCE (HarperOne) debuts at #6 on The New York Times Advice, How-To & Misc. Best Sellers List for the week of February 15.
Brad Stulberg’s THE WAY OF EXCELLENCE (HarperOne) debuted at #36 on USA Today's Best-Selling Booklist.
Debbie Tung’s MY PERFECTLY IMPERFECT BODY (Andrews McMeel) was honored by the American Library Association’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table in their inaugural Outstanding Comics Award for Young Adults in the category of nonfiction. The GNCRT’s Outstanding Comics Awards "aim to increase awareness of the graphic novel medium, raise voices of comic creators, and aid library staff in the development of graphic novel collections.”
Esquire included Shannon Sanders's THE GREAT WHEREVER in their list of the 22 Most Anticipated books of 2026, saying: "I loved Company, Shannon Sanders’s 2023 short story collection, so I’m excited to read her debut novel, The Great Wherever. The cover is gorgeous, and it’s about a Washington, D.C. gig worker who inherits her father’s stake in a Tennessee farm that’s home to the ghosts of four of her ancestors."
Simran Jeet Singh received a picture book honor from Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) for A VAISAKHI TO REMEMBER (illustrated by Japneet Kaur) at the 2026 Youth Media Awards.
"Marilyn emerges as a highly relatable character with high levels of inquisitiveness and courage, offering young readers a kindred spirit and a role model of perseverance...[She] embodies the soul of a reporter who will stop at nothing to get the scoop of a lifetime...This kind of historical fiction is essential for providing easier connections to knowledge; this title is recommended for all library shelves."
"Jackson’s mystery is tight and breathless, but it’s the characters who shine... A finely wrought, character-driven thriller with a propulsive and satisfying climax."
"Jackson’s distinctive voice and signature flawed characters make this novel a sure bet, with a fast pace and plenty of twists to hook readers from page one... Stock multiple copies; this book will fly off the shelves. Perfect for fans of Jackson’s previous work and anyone who loves psychological thrillers full of heart-pounding suspense."
The Los Angeles Times featured Paul Leonardi’s DIGITAL EXHAUSTION (Riverhead), saying: “Digital Exhaustion focuses on reshaping our relationship with technology in the long-term, helping readers develop healthier tech use habits so that breaking up with your phone isn’t necessary in the first place.”
"Through the Telescope, both a celebration of wonder and a tribute to perseverance, invites readers to look up at the night sky, dream big, and remember that exploration begins with imagination."
Behavioral Scientist has selected Mary-Frances O’Connor’s THE GRIEVING BODY (HarperOne) as a Notable Book of 2025. From the magazine: "We select books that expand our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world; that deepen our knowledge of the events shaping our lives; that sharpen the way we do behavioral science and design; that help us navigate life more effectively.”
Morning Brew featured Cal Newport’s DEEP WORK (Grand Central) as one of their “best resources for creating the distraction-free environment.”
The New York Times featured Cal Newport’s DEEP WORK (Grand Central) in their piece, “Want to Accomplish More This Year? These Books Can Help. The four featured books “provide evidence-based tools you can use on your path to healthy productivity.”
Director Steven Soderbergh released his “Seen, Read 2025” list, and it features Anika Burgess’s FLASHES OF BRILLIANCE (W.W. Norton).
Literary Hub included Shannon Sanders's THE GREAT WHEREVER in their list of most anticipated books of 2026, saying: "This book circles one of my favorite riddles for fiction: how do we carry ancestral expectations? When Audrey Lamb, an underpaid gig worker in D.C., inherits family farmland in Tennessee, she goes to claim her birthright—only to discover the property is ruled by four familial ghosts. An epic with supernatural and epigenetic overtones, this debut novel looks like a feast of a story."
Debutiful included Shannon Sanders's THE GREAT WHEREVER in their list of most anticipated books of 2026, saying: "Sanders’s debut story collection, Company, was one of my absolute favorites. The moment the galley for her debut novel was available I made sure it was on its way to me. The Great Wherever is an ambitious multigenerational novel where the past (ghosts) is ever present. Sanders is an sublime writer with unparalleled talent. I could read her writing all day, every day."
BookPage included Shannon Sanders's THE GREAT WHEREVER in their list of most anticipated fiction books of the year.
BookPage included Shannon Sanders's THE GREAT WHEREVER in their list of the 21 most anticipated books of the year, saying: "It’s not often that a debut novel has our attention this far out, but for Shannon Sanders, author of the critically acclaimed short story collection Company, our interest is piqued. It helps that The Great Wherever has such an intriguing premise: a family saga narrated in part by a chorus of ghosts, in which the dead and the living are bound not only by blood but also by shared stakes in a family homestead in Tennessee, purchased by their patriarch, Thomas, who was one of the first Black landowners in the area."
“Exemplary, tension-filled...The hallmarks of this absorbing novel are embedded in two literary achievements—an unerring examination of terrorism at home and abroad and a gripping exploration of the damage done by unhealed trauma. Laskar, a former reporter, thrusts us into scenes of horrific violence and suffering while expertly capturing the lives of seasoned journalists committed to bringing truth to their readers and listeners. [Midnight, at the War is] a dynamic novel about one woman’s struggle to understand the world and her own emotional chaos.”
Literary Hub included Benjamin Hale's CAVE MOUNTAIN in their list of the "Most Anticipated Books of 2026."
The New York Times included Benjamin Hale's CAVE MOUNTAIN in their list of "The Nonfiction Everyone Will Be Talking About in 2026."
Debutiful has selected Freda Epum's memoir THE GLOOMY GIRL VARIETY SHOW as one of their Best Debut Books of 2025.
Barnes & Noble has selected Matthew McConaughey's POEMS & PRAYERS (Crown) as one of their Best Memoirs of the Year.
The Next Big Idea Club selected Paul Leonardi’s DIGITAL EXHAUSTION (Riverhead) as one of its twelve best productivity books of 2025, calling it "A revelatory examination of why you’re feeling so worn out—and practical daily strategies to change your relationship with your devices."
The Globe and Mail selected Paul Leonardi’s DIGITAL EXHAUSTION (Riverhead) as one of its ten best management books of 2025.
The New York Public Library librarians selected their best books of 2025, and Nathalia Holt’s THE BEAST IN THE CLOUDS (One Signal) is on their Best Books for Adults list.
The New York Times featured five books, including Cal Newport’s DIGITAL MINIMALISM (Portfolio), that are recommended by therapists and researchers to help people disconnect from tech. “These five titles—some considered classics—have consistently proven helpful, even as technology keeps evolving.”
