News
Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Visit P.S. 123 Mahalia Jackson School in Harlem
September 27, 2021
Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, joined NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter on a visit to P.S. 123, a community school in Harlem that provides wraparound services to students through their partnership with Graham Windham, a nonprofit in New York City that provides youth and family service programs.
During the visit, which took place on Friday, September 24, they highlighted key initiatives at the school, read THE BENCH to a class of 2nd graders, and were shown a mural painted by 4th and 5th grade students. As part of the City’s commitment to Universal Literacy and through the Department of Education’s Academic Recovery Plan, NYC is investing in universal literacy screeners for K-2 students this school year to measure student progress in reading and writing and address the pandemic’s impact on learning.
Books by Putnam Authors Jeffery Deaver and Nikita Gill Going From Page to Screen
September 27, 2021
Jeffery Deaver’s THE NEVER GAME and Nikita Gill’s THE GIRL AND THE GODDESS: Stories and Poems of Divine Wisdom – both books published by Putnam – are being adapted for television. A series based on Deaver’s 2019 novel is coming to CBS, with This Is Us actor Justin Hartley set to star, and Ken Olin to direct the pilot. Game of Thrones star Lena Headey is producing a series adaptation of Gill’s book with Boat Rocker Studios.
Mary-Louise Parker Narrates Audiobook of John Grisham’s THE JUDGE’S LIST
September 27, 2021
John Grisham’s upcoming legal thriller, THE JUDGE’S LIST, will be narrated by Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe award-winning actress Mary-Louise Parker (Random House Audio; on sale October 19). Grisham also narrates an introduction for listeners, available exclusively on the audiobook.
Celebrating Banned Books Week With the American Bookseller Foundation for Free Expression
September 27, 2021
In honor of Banned Books Week, an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and highlighting the value of free and open access to information, Penguin Random House is partnering with the American Bookseller Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE). For every title purchased via PRH.com from September 26 – October 2, we will donate $1 (up to $15k) to ABFFE. With a mission of promoting and protecting the free exchange of ideas, ABFFE issues statements on significant free expression controversies, participates in legal cases involving First Amendment rights, collaborates with other groups with an interest in free speech, and provides education about the importance of free expression to booksellers, politicians, the press and the public.
Delacorte Press and Listening Library to Publish Brandon Sanderson’s Skyward Flight Novellas This Fall
September 27, 2021
Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, and Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House Audio, in collaboration with Mainframe LLC, will publish three novellas by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson this Fall: SUNREACH (on sale September 28), REDAWN (on sale October 26), and EVERSHORE (on sale December 28). Available simultaneously as ebooks and audiobooks, these new novellas are collectively known as the Skyward Flight series and expand the bestselling Skyward series, which currently consists of two full-length novels, Skyward (November 2018) and Starsight (November 2019). CYTONIC, the third novel, will be released in hardcover on November 23.
Coates, Kendi, Hannah-Jones Among One World Authors to Discuss Banned Books Week
September 24, 2021
The Bluest Eye. To Kill A Mockingbird. The Hate U Give. Stamped. Of Mice and Men. What do these books have in common? Yes, they’re classics—and future classics. But they’re also among the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2020.
Join One World on Wednesday, September 29 at 8:00 p.m. (ET) via Zoom for a special Ideas & Action virtual event to investigate—and celebrate—Banned Books Week (September 26 – October 2), the freedom of ideas, and the necessity and power of even the most discomforting truths. Penguin Random House employees who wish to attend can register here.
Phoebe Robinson and Glennon Doyle Celebrate the Release of Robinson’s New Essay Collection
September 24, 2021
Phoebe Robinson, multitalented stand-up comedian, New York Times bestselling writer, and founder of Tiny Reparations Books, will celebrate the publication of her new essay collection, PLEASE DON’T SIT ON MY BED IN YOUR OUTSIDE CLOTHES, with a special virtual launch event featuring a conversation with New York Times bestselling author and activist Glennon Doyle, on Monday, September 27 at 6:00 pm. To register and for more information about this ticketed event, co-hosted by Loyalty Bookstore, Fulton Street Books, and Café Con Libros, click here.
R.J. Palacio Launching Her New Novel With National Virtual Event Hosted by 24 Bookstores
September 24, 2021
Join R.J. Palacio, #1 bestselling author of WONDER, to celebrate the publication of her new novel, PONY (Knopf Books for Young Readers). She will be in conversation with actor, writer, director, and musician Josh Radnor at a live virtual event hosted by 24 bookstores across the country via Zoom on Thursday, September 30 at 8:00 pm (ET)/7:00 pm (CT)/5:00 pm (PT). To register, go to the event landing page here.
Friday Reads: Yoga Month
September 24, 2021
Can we hear a collective “om” for National Yoga Month? September was designated as National Yoga Month through the Department of Health and Human Services in 2008. Yoga is an ancient practice that’s been well-integrated into contemporary culture and universally acknowledged for its overall health benefits. Studies show yoga does everything from fighting anxiety and depression, to reducing inflammation in the body. In a time where we are focused on mental and physical health more than ever, the following titles are here to enlighten and help:
Susan Cain’s BITTERSWEET Coming From Crown in April 2022
September 22, 2021
Crown, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, has announced that it will publish BITTERSWEET: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain on April 5, 2022. The news was first shared by Susan Cain on social media (on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook), where she also revealed the book’s cover. BITTERSWEET will be published in hardcover and digital formats by Crown, and an audio edition, read by the author, will be simultaneously released by Penguin Random House Audio. The book is edited by Crown SVP and Publisher Gillian Blake.
There's a Book for That: Climate Week
September 22, 2021
Climate Week NYC continues through Sunday, September 26. Hosted annually by international non-profit the Climate Group in conjunction with the United Nations: “It is the time and place where the world gathers to showcase leading climate action and discuss how to do more, fast.” To complement this important event, the following books are some of the best, most recent on climate change and climate action:
Our NBA Fiction Semi-Finalists: Groff, Jones, Jr., Kitamura, Mott & Powers Audio
September 17, 2021
The rolling revelations of the 2021 National Book Award long lists in each of its five categories were completed September 17 with the presentation of the ten Fiction semi-finalists, five of which are published by Penguin Random House imprints.
Eight PRH Authors on TIME 100 List, Cathy Park Hong on the Cover
September 17, 2021
Eight authors published by Penguin Random House imprints are on the 18th annual TIME 100 Most Influential People List. One World’s Cathy Park Hong, recognized as an Icon, is featured on the cover (one of seven versions) of the TIME print edition on newsstands now.
Friday Reads: Nuns
September 17, 2021
“Love is not honourable, unless it is based on equality.”
― The Lais of Marie de France
Inspired by the popularity of Lauren Groff’s new novel MATRIX, about Marie de France, the lives of nuns have piqued our interest. Whether contemporary or historical, fiction or nonfiction, the following recommended reading may surprise you:
Our PRH 2021 Booker Shortlist 6: Arudpragasam, Lockwood, Shipstead, Mohamed, Powers, Galgut
September 15, 2021
On September 14, the judges for the 2021 Booker Prize took a major step to determine this year’s winner. Their short list of six titles has four published by Penguin Random House U.S., five published or distributed by Penguin Random House Canada, and four from Penguin Random House UK.
RH’s Late Editorial Giant Bob Loomis Celebrated
September 15, 2021
The life of Robert Loomis, the revered Random House editor for more than a half-century, whom we lost in April 2020 at 93, was celebrated on Sunday, September 5, at the Long Island Sag Harbor home he shared with his wife, Hilary, with an audience of friends and peers.
As Gina Centrello recalled in her staff-memo tribute to him, Loomis edited hundreds of Random House books, by such authors as William Styron, Edmund Morris, Neil Sheehan, Calvin Trillin, and thirty by Maya Angelou, beginning with “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.” He is one of the rare editors who had two books he published win National Book Awards the same year.
Ellen DeGeneres's Picture Book LITTLE ELLEN Coming From RHCB in May 2022
September 15, 2021
Emmy Award–winning talk show host, comedian, actress, and entertainment pioneer Ellen DeGeneres will publish a picture book based on the animated TV series of the same name, it was announced by Barbara Marcus, President and Publisher, Random House Children’s Books.
LITTLE ELLEN is inspired by the author’s childhood adventures as a little girl destined for big things and will be released with a print run of 250,000 on May 3, 2022, from Random House Books for Young Readers. Eleanor Michalka will illustrate. Marcus acquired World Rights from Esther Newberg at ICM for the author. Sara Sargent, Senior Executive Editor, will edit the project.
There's a Book for That: Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15, 2021
Welcome to Hispanic Heritage Month which runs from September 15 through October 15. Hispanic Heritage Month, whose roots go back to 1968, begins each year on the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Enjoy the following array of titles for all ages – biography, memoir, cooking, history and fiction – to honor the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans to the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture.
Whitehead, Williams, Enríquez Among Our 2021 Kirkus Prize Finalists
September 14, 2021
Kirkus Reviews has announced the finalists for its eighth annual Kirkus Prize in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, and young readers literature, including seven books published by Penguin Random House imprints and one title by a Penguin Random House Publisher Services client publisher.
RHCB President & Publisher Barbara Marcus Shares “3 Things You Can Do To Make Literacy More Accessible”
September 13, 2021
On the occasion of last week’s International Literacy Day, Barbara Marcus, President & Publisher, Random House Children's Books and Women's Forum of New York member, responded to a question posed to her by the International Women's Forum: “What are the 3 most important things IWF members can do individually to make literacy more accessible to all?”