Every once in a while, a book comes along that is so darkly comedic, with such a defined sense of place and filled with characters that range from the fascinating to the bizarre to the earnest, that partway through reading, it hits you: This has got to become a Coen brothers movie. Read More ⇒

LOS ANGELES — Author Rumaan Alam kept his expectations low, even as the film rights to his upcoming book “Leave the World Behind” became the center of a bidding contest among Hollywood studios this summer. Read More ⇒

In Mariah Carey’s new memoir, the Grammy-winning artist makes one thing clear: She sees “no benefit to protect people who didn’t protect me.” Read More ⇒

Two new novels, one for young adults and one part of a series, are set in the Adirondacks. Read More ⇒

Sam McBratney, the Irish author of the bestselling children’s book “Guess How Much I Love You,” died last week. Read More ⇒

OSWEGO — Tommy Orange, author of this year’s Oswego Reading Initiative selection for SUNY Oswego, the novel “There There,” will connect with the campus and community for a virtual event at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Read More ⇒

“My larger fear: that all my efforts will prove futile, and Gilead will last for a thousand years. Most of the time, that is what it feels like here, far away from the war, in the still heart of the tornado. So peaceful, the streets; so tranquil, so orderly; yet underneath the deceptively pl… Read More ⇒

CHICAGO — John Updike was visiting family in Brooklyn on Sept. 11, 2001. He wrote later about watching Manhattan explode and crumble that day as if it were episodic TV, a perfect day with perfect reception, though every time he tuned in, hoping for the finale, “The nightmare is still on.” Th… Read More ⇒

KNOWLTON, Quebec — Louise Penny adores her adopted village of Knowlton in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. And she’s delighted that her Three Pines mystery series has inspired fans to make the trek southeast from Montreal, searching for sites mentioned in her books and hoping, magically, to stumb… Read More ⇒

PARISHVILLE — Situated under canopy cover east of Parkhurst Brook and the West Parishville State Forest, BirchBark Book Shop draws book lovers each weekend from across the north country. Read More ⇒

The man who built a business empire encouraging Americans to visit Europe is embracing a new concept: Stay at home. The continent remains on his mind, though, especially while recording the audio version of his recently released book, filled with favorite travel moments, “For the Love of Eur… Read More ⇒

When public libraries closed statewide in mid-March, patrons were barred from browsing shelves, using computers and nodding off in the quiet community spaces avid readers and researchers love. Read More ⇒

CHICAGO — Some years ago, a not-so-young and close-to-penniless journalist named Mike Comerford took a trip. It was not his first trip, but it was a long trip, taking him across this country and into Mexico. He traveled by bus (5,740 miles), train (2,130 miles) and by that vanishing means of… Read More ⇒

BUFFALO — The state’s response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic have been all consuming of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s time the past five months. Read More ⇒

WATERTOWN — Ellen Marie Wiseman, whose historical fiction novels have been published in 19 foreign languages, has literally hit the Target with her latest accolades. Read More ⇒

As this very strange summer ticks on, why not lose yourself in a book? (Preferably in front of a very large fan, and with cool drink nearby.) Here are a half-dozen new paperbacks, of various genres; all look to provide ample diversion. Read More ⇒

So the hype got to you, you finally checked out “Hamilton” on Disney Plus and now you want to learn everything you can about the influential figures in American history. (You also have all of King George’s songs stuck in your head for which there is no cure.) Read More ⇒

The mystery “Six Spies in Saranac,” by Jack Heinz has been published by Deeds Publishing, Athens, Ga. Read More ⇒

Looking for a silver lining, we seized on how the stay-at-home mandates of living through a pandemic (and other dire things) would give us more time — hopefully, more time to read. Read More ⇒

DETROIT — Like the title character of his new book, “Malorie” — the sequel to his bestselling “Bird Box” — Josh Malerman has a strong viewpoint on face coverings. Read More ⇒

Flower Memorial Library will offer a bag sale starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday until sold out. Read More ⇒

In the earliest days of the pandemic, I heard a lot of people say they couldn’t focus on a book. I felt the same. When yet another media organization would issue a jolly “Pandemic Reading List” I would think, “Are you crazy? Who can read anything but the news?” Read More ⇒

WATERTOWN — A Nov. 24 fire at the 129 N. Orchard St. duplex owned by Holly Gaskin left three people hospitalized. It also left seven people temporarily homeless, including Ms. Gaskin. Read More ⇒

“Yogi: A Life Behind the Mask” by Jon Pessah; Little, Brown and Company (576 pages, $30) Read More ⇒

Ask Ronald J. Ditch about his “favorite place on Earth” and he’ll reel in his answer leisurely but firmly, as if he’s hooked onto a prized lunker, savoring the moment, letting out the line at proper length for some play before landing the big reveal. Read More ⇒

“Night. Sleep. Death. The Stars” by Joyce Carol Oates; Ecco (800 pages, $35) Read More ⇒

“Enemy of All Mankind: A True Story of Piracy, Power, and History’s First Global Manhunt” by Steven Johnson; Riverhead Books (304 pages, $28) Read More ⇒

A locked-room mystery set in the Thousand Islands and reminiscent of the works authored by Agatha Christie has been so well received that its major publisher has fast-tracked its sequel for release in December. Read More ⇒

TextbookRush, an online campus bookstore, has compiled data that shows New York state residents are spending the most time reading during quarantine downtime associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More ⇒

Libraries have been approved to partially reopen by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo under guidelines similar to that of retailers, allowing patrons to get their library materials through curbside pickup. Read More ⇒

No summer movie blockbusters this year. The lakefront is closed, and music festivals are canceled. Pools likely won’t open, either. Baseball? Who knows. So what’s left? Books. Read More ⇒

Pierre Nzuah approached the challenge of writing his memoir like an engineer. The recently published book, “Persist and Pursue, Breaking Barriers to Achieve a Dream,” tells the unlikely story of a boy raised in a mud brick hut in Cameroon who becomes an electrical engineer designing substati… Read More ⇒

I was in my favorite bookstore back when that was a thing to do, when I came face to face with my past. Read More ⇒

In “Becoming Mrs. Lewis,” bestselling author Patti Callahan Henry explores the turbulent life of Joy Davidman, wife of renowned writer C.S. Lewis. Read More ⇒

THREE MILE BAY — International bestselling author Ellen Marie Wiseman creates novels that are praised for their compassion, authenticity and depth as they explore difficult experiences and historical events. Read More ⇒

Canceled plans and stay-at-home orders have many (especially teenagers) singing the latest TikTok anthem: “Bored in the House.” Read More ⇒

DULUTH, Minn. — So we aren’t supposed to travel to wild places now, or anywhere far from home for that matter, so maybe the next best thing is to sit in a comfy chair and read about the outdoors. Read More ⇒