Hello readers, I’m back, with many thanks to Ardo for covering last week’s book news! There’s a couple big announcements in store for you in this column, so let’s get started.
Dominating both the YA and comics scene the last few days is the announcement of four new YA books starring Batman, Wonder Woman, Catwoman, and Superman! Random House will work with DC Entertainment to publish these standalone novels, and the authors they’ve tapped are huge names in the book industry. Leigh Bardugo (The Grisha Trilogy, Six of Crows) will tell Wonder Woman’s story, and Marie Lu (Legend, The Young Elites) helming Batman’s book, joining comics writer Devin Grayson as one of the few women granted creative power for this particular flagship character. Superman’s new story has Matt De La Peña (We Were Here, Last Stop on Market Street) ready to take on Clark Kent’s life, while Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass) gives life to Catwoman.
Bardugo’s Wonder Woman will be first out of the gate in August 2017, just a few weeks after the Wonder Woman film hits theatres, which is sure to settle any fans who crave more of Diana’s story after the movie. It’ll be interesting to see how many YA fans might choose to pick up the comics after reading the books, and the ways in which they ease into that history. Admittedly, Batman stories haven’t really appealed to me before, but with Marie Lu at the helm, I know I’m a little more interested than usual.
Speaking of broody men, Outlander is back for its second season on STARZ this weekend, but fans of the book will have more than enough Jamie Fraser to delight them. This Friday, April 8, Diana Gabaldon will be publishing a novella from Jamie’s point-of-view before the arrival of Claire Randall titled Virgins. The story will shed some light on Jamie’s life pre-Outlander, and provide some additional context to Jamie and Ian Murray’s friendship. It sounds like an excellent pre-game option for fans of the time travel series as season 2 begins on April 9.
But Scottish history isn’t the only thing readers will be eyeing over the next week: Hamilton: The Revolution will be hitting shelves on Tuesday, and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “By The Book” interview on the New York Times beautifully illustrates the composer’s reading life. While YA book lovers may wonder about the series he didn’t enjoy–
A young adult series that I liked at the beginning but that went down in flames as it went on.
Miranda also talks about the books that helped him pen his much-praised musical:
the research continued with many other indispensable books: his collected writings, edited by Joanne Freeman. Her book Affairs of Honor was very helpful in understanding dueling at the time. The Heartbreak of Aaron Burr, by H. W. Brands, helped unlock Burr for me. I found Joseph Ellis invaluable, as well as Jon Meacham’s Jefferson bio. I read until I feel like I can say, “I know how that feels” or “I know that person.” I have to find my way into each person, and the only way I know how is empathy and research.
I don’t know about you, dear readers, but my To-Be-Read pile’s just multiplied because of all the book talk and announcements this week, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
