News Today’s Book News Wednesday, 26th November

[AgentPete]

Today’s Book News Wednesday, 26th November 2025 (London date)

A24 is bringing film culture to Barnes & Noble shops, voters backed librarians in US school board elections, and rights announcements and deals kept publishers busy. Barnes & Noble Education reported delayed results, while Scottish and Brazilian initiatives showcased international fellowship programs and indie bookstore collaborations.

B&N and A24 partner on in‑store film‑themed shops​

Barnes & Noble announced a partnership with independent film company A24 to create A24‑branded shop sections and events within its stores. The curated spaces will sell film‑related books, records and collectibles and host events, including a conversation celebrating filmmaker Eleanor Coppola’s memoir. The partnership aims to draw film fans to bookstores.

School board voters support librarians and equity​

In recent US school board elections, voters largely backed candidates who prioritize equity and oppose book bans. Leaders from teachers’ and library associations said the results show communities support public schools and libraries and want balanced policies, defying attempts at censorship. High turnout was seen as a mandate to protect inclusive curricula and library collections.

Animator Rintaro recalls his early career in memoir excerpt​

An excerpt from animator Rintaro’s memoir *My Life in 24 Frames Per Second* recalls his childhood love of cinema, early work at a film distributor and his time at Osamu Tezuka’s Mushi Productions. He describes working on seminal 1960s anime such as *Astro Boy* and his fascination with storytelling through animation.

Faber unveils Doireann Ní Ghríofa’s boundary‑breaking novel​

Faber & Faber unveiled Doireann Ní Ghríofa’s forthcoming book *Said the Dead*, billing it as an unforgettable blend of history and ghost story. The novel is said to traverse past and present and blur the line between reality and imagination to create a lasting work.

Leith shop questions new Waterstones location​

Independent bookseller Argonaut Books in Leith voiced concern over Waterstones’ plan to open a new branch in the area’s Newkirkgate Centre. The shop said it was baffled by the location choice and worried about the impact on local independent book trade.

Atom buys romantic fantasy Heavensent and Hellbent​

Little, Brown imprint Atom acquired world rights to Sara Jafari’s forthcoming romantic fantasy *Heavensent and Hellbent*. The publisher described the novel as a riveting tale of love and destiny.

Barnes & Noble Education posts delayed year‑end results​

Barnes & Noble Education reported its delayed year‑end financial results after an investigation into unsupported journal entries by a payment processing employee. The company provided preliminary figures for fiscal 2025 and the first half of fiscal 2026, boosting its stock price despite still being lower than earlier in the year.

Powell’s hires new CEO amid union unease​

Powell’s Books announced that David Maquera has joined the company as chief executive, succeeding Patrick Bassett. A workers’ union said Maquera, who started in September, has yet to meet with them, and noted that the company recently laid off more than two dozen employees.

Brimstone tops UK charts with strong debut​

Callie Hart’s novel *Brimstone* debuted atop the Official UK Top 50 chart, selling nearly twice as many copies as the next bestselling title, according to industry data. The strong opening underscores the popularity of the author’s new fantasy series.

Publishing Scotland opens 2026 fellowship applications​

Publishing Scotland opened applications for its 2026 International Fellowship, offering eight international publishers a week‑long programme in Edinburgh next August. The fellowship includes meetings with Scottish publishers and attendance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival to build rights and translation networks. A translation fund is available to support publishers who show both financial need and enthusiasm for bringing contemporary Scottish literature to new languages.

Advocates decry Tennessee library review directive​

A coalition of more than 30 publishers, librarians and free speech advocates sent a letter to Tennessee officials decrying a directive that orders public libraries to review collections for age appropriateness. The signatories argue the mandate, based on a controversial executive order, creates confusion and fear, could be used to justify censorship, and risks violating constitutional protections.

São Paulo’s indies release Street Bookshop Map​

Thirty‑seven independent bookstores in São Paulo launched a Street Bookshop Map showcasing their addresses and illustrated storefronts. With 40,000 copies distributed for free, the initiative aims to encourage local holiday shopping and highlight the resilience of indie booksellers following the collapse of major chains and the pandemic.

Vince Beiser wins Balsillie Prize for Power Metal​

Journalist Vince Beiser won the 2025 Balsillie Prize for Public Policy for *Power Metal: The Race for the Resources That Will Shape the Future*. Judges praised the book for examining the paradox that achieving climate targets depends on extracting critical minerals from the earth. The prize awards C$70,000 to the winner and C$7,500 to each finalist.

Trevor Owens discusses participatory memory and science​

In an interview with digital humanist Trevor Owens, The Scholarly Kitchen discussed how publishing oral histories and memoirs online has made scientific memory more accessible. Owens highlighted how digital infrastructures invite broader participation in preserving scientific stories—allowing scientists to contribute their own photographs and narratives—and shift cultural memory from consumption to co‑creation.

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[Pamela Jo]

I really decry that idea of age appropriateness in libraries for any reason. I've now learned that if you read above the "appropriate" level you are considered "autistic." This idea that educators decide what is appropriate for children would have Pratchett, who was judged a complete dummy in school, up in arms and I would be carrying a pitchfork beside him. Unfortunately this attitude by people who have overseen a drop in literacy that beggars belief now determine what gets published in children's books. Because teachers and parents decide what children SHOULD read.

 

[AgentPete]

I know, I feel the same. Reading is / should be a transgressive experience... read above your age range, for God's sake!

 

[Aethalope]

Amen to all that. A lot of kids are 8 going on 45 anyway.

 

[Hannah Faoileán]

They can do both. One of my 10 year old trampolinists who I coach was reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid one day and Stephen Fry's Mythos another day.

 

[Pamela Jo]

Amen to all that. A lot of kids are 8 going on 45 anyway.

Which is another problem... And then we have the over 50's going on 2 and governing countries.

 

[Pamela Jo]

They can do both. One of my 10 year old trampolinists who I coach was reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid one day and Stephen Fry's Mythos another day.

And different brains react to different interests. My oldest loved fiction, my youngest read the visual science dictionary for fun and gained fluency from Horrible Histories. Indignant grownups gave me hell for letting him study anatomy as it was "age inappropriate" but I remember him age 4 skipping down the hospital corridor on the way to his first X-ray singing "I'm going to get to see my BO OO OOONES." Happy Kid, not afraid of doctors, needles, or skeletons.