Love takes many forms — epic, messy, timeless, and a little bit chaotic 💘📚
From sweeping fantasy to nostalgic on-screen favorites, from queer historical romance to the classics causing quite the stir… whatever tugs at your heartstrings, there’s a story here to fall for.
Celebrate Black History Month and read from literary legacies that have left a mark on culture.
📘 New from Toni Morrison, LANGUAGE AS LIBERATION
📘William Demby, a sometimes forgotten literary light: THE CATACOMBS
📘 A 101 to James Baldwin: GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
The El, by Chicago novelist Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr. (Vintage, August 2025), winner of the Chicago Review of Books' 2025 CHIRBy Fiction Award, is one of the “Chicagoest” books I have ever read."
We are thrilled to see our repackage program with Na Kim for Vladimir Nabokov made @literaryhub.bsky.social's: The 50 Biggest Literary Stories of the Year list.
lithub.com/the-50-bigge...
The modern classics you love, redesigned for another generation of readers and all-the-time Toni Morrison readers alike.
A repackaged collection of principal Toni Morrison novels with new introductions are available now.
#ReadMoreMorrison
Learn more: sites.prh.com/toni-morrison
We love you Cliff Notes, but a full and proper read of our new edition is a must for an Austen classic--but maybe that's just us🌞 @todayshow.com #RWJ #JaneAusten250
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669031...
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Alice Wong, 2024 MacArthur Fellow, Founder of the Disability Visibility Project, editor of 'Disability Visibility' and 'Disability Intimacy,' and author of 'Year of the Tiger.' Alice was a true luminary and she will be dearly missed.
We’re thrilled to see SHADY HOLLOW by Juneau Black on
@bookriot.bsky.social’s list of Whimsical Whodunits: Cozy Fantasy Mystery Books! 🦊🕯️✨
Check out the full list here 👉 bookriot.com/cozy-fantasy...
Thrilled to see MOCKINGBIRD COURT by Juneau Black named “the best of the bunch” in @nytimes.com! Read Sarah Weinman’s review here: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/b...
Books We've Loved, a new limited series from Book of The Day, will discuss titles by authors like James Baldwin and Jane Austen, and hosts will ask their guests questions like — why can’t they get this book out of their head?
via @npr.org
www.npr.org/2025/10/11/n...
This #IndigenousPeoplesDay, celebrate the brilliance of Indigenous storytelling.
👻 NEVER WHISTLE AT NIGHT — a bold, bestselling anthology that reclaims horror through Indigenous voices.
🚊 THE EL — a gripping novel of loyalty, identity & spirit in 1979 Chicago by @tvayyyy.bsky.social
Indigenous Peoples' Day (10/13) is approaching quickly, and the Indigenous Alliance on Twitch is coming together for an Indigenous Peoples' Day Raid Train and raising money!
During my slot, my stream will focus on discussing Indigenous horror with Shane Hawk and playing games!
"The 34-year-old Yogurt Shop murder case is solved - insights from the author of a book on the case."
www.pbs.org/video/yogurt...
Our pick of the week is “The El” by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr..
Get a feel for one day in the life of Chicago’s gangland circa 1979.
The story is relayed from multiple points of view.
The dialogue snaps, crackles, and pops.
It's an absolutely explosive novel.
We can't praise it enough.
🎉 Congratulations to Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. on his nomination in the Fiction category at the 10th Annual CHIRBy Awards!
The El continues to move readers and represent the heart of Chicago storytelling.
Ted is represented by Rachel Letofsky.
Congratulations, Ted!
"The View" honors the work of acclaimed Mexican-American author Sandra Cisneros this Hispanic and Latin Heritage Month
www.instagram.com/theviewabc/?...
"Don’t miss this gathering of Nabokov experts and writers whose own novels offer profound meditations on power and sex as they reflect on Lolita’s legacy, why it continues to shock us, the startling force of Nabokov’s incantatory prose..."
🔗 www.92ny.org/event/naboko...
Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Robert Redford—actor, director, environmentalist, and champion of independent film.
Explore his remarkable journey in "Robert Redford: The Biography" by Michael Feeney Callan.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/23035/...
"A new edition of ‘Lolita,’ including an introduction by novelist Claire Messud, examines the book’s place in modern times." via @peoplemag.bsky.social
people.com/lolita-70th-...
"World renowned author, Sandra Cisneros is being honored with the prestigious Harold Washington Literary Award. She’s also headlining the 40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest happening this weekend." via Daytime Chicago
wgntv.com/daytime-chic...
Book 56: The El by Theodore Van Alst, Jr.
A must-read for any Chicagoan, or anyone who loves Chicago, lumps and all.
#books
#booksky
substack.com/profile/3501...
If you loved The Warriors, you’ll ride hard for THE EL.
🚇 A day in the life of a Chicago gang—raw, real, and impossible to put down.
Check it out in New City Lit: lit.newcity.com/2025/08/21/t...
@tvayyyy.bsky.social
All aboard THE EL! 🚋 Theodore Van Alst Jr. (@tvayyyy.bsky.social) talks about his novel, inspiration, and writing process on LumpenRadio
🎧 Listen here:
www.mixcloud.com/lumpenradio/...
Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr. on “The El,” About One 1979 Day in the Life of A Chicago Street Gang
https://www.europesays.com/us/163889/
The plot of Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.’s debut novel “The El” is simple—it’s one August, 1979 day…#Chicago #ChicagoNews #us #news #usnews
“Bro, you ain’t the only one who picks up the newspaper, knows where the library is, likes the big humbug in Beowulf, moving out on Grendel and whatnot, or fighting orcs and shit.” - Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr., ‘The El’
This year marks the 70th anniversary of LOLITA by Vladimir Nabokov, the controversial novel about a man's relationship with a 12-year-old girl. Kaveh Akbar, author of MARTYR! discusses the complex literary legacy of Lolita, and listeners share their thoughts.
www.wnyc.org/story/the-70...
@wnyc.org
Twenty prizewinning stories. One unforgettable anthology.
THE BEST SHORT STORIES 2025: THE O. HENRY PRIZE WINNERS is almost here!
Pre-order now:
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/771515...
🚇 THE EL is here! 🚇
From Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. @tvayyyy.bsky.social, co-editor of NEVER WHISTLE AT NIGHT—a gritty, pulse-pounding ride through 1979 Chicago.
“Cool and real as hell.” —Tommy Orange
Hop on—this train waits for no one. Grab your copy today.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738830...
“I just wanted to write a story about taking the el and what it felt like, what it smelled like, what it sounded and looked like.” – Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. on his latest novel The El. | ✍️ Emily McClanathan
Messy never looked so good— @raxkingisdead.bsky.social’s SLOPPY is in the @nytimes.com 💋📚
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/b...
