Book News You Can Use 9/4/15

As some of you who have followed my Twitter feed know, I was trying very hard to get to the Decatur Book Festival this weekend. Not only because the awesomeness that is Roxane Gay is going to be there, but there will be a lot of authors I haven't seen in person.  But the universe was trying to tell me otherwise.  Got a medical bill that was almost $200.  Hotels were hard to come by (especially with DragonCon and Atlanta Black Pride Weekend going on and being Labor Day weekend).  And then the unthinkable happened: the car I've had for almost 15 years broke down. Just decided to stop in the middle of the street.  So instead of going to the book festival, I will probably be at a car dealership to buy a new car.  And why did I just find out on Tuesday that Roxane was in Savannah last night? *tears*

Relax in Paradise Oliver Sacks, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Wes Craven and Noah Davis.

Unless her unfinished works are in a closet, there are no other works from Harper Lee.

Speaking of To Kill a Mockingbird, a writer gives his thoughts on why so many people were disappointed with Go Set A Watchman.

Another author is writing a Jimmy Carter biography.

The man that wrote the children's book that is suppose to help children sleep got a three-book deal.

In time for the holidays, Mariah Carey is releasing a children's book based on her most famous Christmas song.

The new James Bond author caught the wrath of the Internet when he said that Idris Elba was "too street" to play Bond in a movie.

One of Octavia Butler's books is being developed for a TV show.

Wendell Pierce just released a book about how he got involved in the recovery efforts of New Orleans after Katrina.

Hunger Games star Amandla Stenberg is releasing a comic book about Black feminism.

Leah Dunham wrote a short story to be published on a newsletter she is starting.

Look out for these musical biographies and autobiographies this fall, including one on Beyonce and one on Grace Jones.

Speaking of Grace Jones, here is an excerpt from her autobiography, which is coming out later this month.

Fall is coming in a few weeks, which means that websites and magazines are coming out with their fall reading lists, like this one.

Note to college students: if you want to disagree with what your professor wants you to read, fine. But at least read the book before you speak out against it.

Brad Meltzer was able to find a kidney for one of his high school teachers.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!