It's right there
Vol. 3, Issue 17
“Every time I walk into a library, I’m reminded what public money is supposed to do. A seat you don’t have to earn. WiFi you don’t have to pay for. Time no one asks you to justify. Someone applying for jobs, someone studying for exams, and another just staying inside for a while and reading books. No gate at the door. If you want to see what it looks like when a system still works, it’s right there.” --Matt Lillywhite
BOOK NEWS & NOTES
No activism allowed: When we think of banned books, novels like “Sold” by Patricia McCormick and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky often come to mind. But according to a new report from PEN America, the number of nonfiction books banned in the U.S. doubled during the 2024-2025 school year. The most common themes of banned nonfiction books: activism and social movements. (The Guardian)
Spurred into action: After fighting book bans, job losses and harassment, some library workers have decided to run for public office. You can find out who they are, where they’re running and what issues they’re passionate about here. (BookRiot).
A rich heritage: Since May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, it’s the perfect time to read great novels and memoirs from AAPI authors. Here are 26 books to get you started. Titles that grabbed my eye: “Julie Chan Is Dead” by Liann Zhang and “Yellowface” by R.F. Kuang. (Katie Couric Media)
Bookish state of mind: What is your favorite book set in Alabama? Let me know here, and I’ll create a list for fellow Society members.
Graduate or die: If you devoured Rebecca Yarros’s bestselling “The Empyrean” romantasy series set inside the brutal world of Basgiath War College, then get ready to see your favorite characters come to life. Amazon has just announced plans to adapt the first book, “Fourth Wing,” into a series on Prime Video. Best of all, Yarros will be involved in developing the show. (Variety)
New achievement!: Last year was all about romantasy. This year’s hit genre? Literary Role-Playing Game – and I’m all for it. LitRPG combines science fiction and fantasy with gaming mechanics (think stats, quests and leveling up). Many of its readers hail from the video game, tabletop game and role-playing game communities, but anyone can enjoy these action-packed tales. (USA Today)
I like big books: Perhaps you do too? If you’re ahead on your annual reading challenge, or just have a passion for a doorstop read, here’s a list of 100 books of more than 500 pages for you to devour. (Goodreads)
Book review guidelines: Our book review guidelines are available on Substack. Although we currently have four members who review books, any Moonlight Reader Society subscriber may participate. Just send an email, and in the body, share your name and home address, the book’s title, the rating and a 25-word review. No AI-written submissions, please. If your review is accepted and published, your subscription will be upgraded to paid status for 1 year. You’ll also be added to our reviewer list to receive advanced review copies and bookish gifts.
My May bookmark for fiction:
This bookmark arrived by snail mail, a gift from a dear friend and fellow Society member, Pam Otis. Isn’t it lovely?
Bookmark love: What's between your pages? Take a photo of your bookmark or placeholder and tell me why you love it. Include your name and city/state/country. I may share the image/thoughts in a future issue.
What I’m reading: “G Is For Gumshoe” by Sue Grafton, “Carl’s Doomsday Scenario” by Matt Dinniman, “The Last Smile in Sunder City” by Luke Arnold, “How to Get Away With Murder” by Rebecca Philipson and “How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay” by Jenny Lawson.
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READER POLL
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HOOKED FROM THE 1ST PAGE
Every summer Lin Kong returned to Goose Village to divorce his wife, Shuyu.
25-WORD REVIEWS
Rating System:
* * * * * One of the best books I've read in a while
* * * * A wonderful book, recommended
* * * Good book, worth the read
* * This book was fine, but not my favorite
* This book wasn’t for me
A humorous adventure that combines reality TV, a terrible apocalypse and a cat named Princess Donut. Highly recommend listening to the audiobook – it’s fantastic. --Jade Walker
Rating: * * * * stars
Steinbeck warps your brain – it’s not the plot but the story that matters. He imbues characters with life that has lasted over 80 years. --Nikki Clark
Rating: * * * * * stars
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
FMI: Click here.
LITERARY HOLIDAYS
May is: National Family Reading Month, National Get Caught Reading Month, National Share a Story Month and Latino Books Month
May 16 is National Biographer’s Day
May 20 is Eliza Doolittle Day
May 21 is International Tea Day and National Notebook Day
May 22 is Sherlock Holmes Day
RECOMMENDED NEWSLETTERS ON SUBSTACK
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to Chris Robert, Unsplash, Matt Lillywhite, Writing Wednesdays, The Guardian, BookRiot, Katie Couric Media, Julie Dreyfuss, TED-Ed, YouTube, Variety, USA Today, Goodreads, The End Files, National Book Foundation, Holidays Calendar, National Today, National Day Calendar, A Wandering Scribbler, Good Good Good, The Reading List, Canva and Deposit Photos for art and story suggestions. Note: Generative AI was not used during the ideation, creation or publication of this newsletter.
Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and Amazon and earn a commission when you click these links and make a purchase. Thank you for being so supportive!
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