(I'm still fiddling with this, there may be some duplication with yesterday's list...)
This Week’s Bestsellers: September 15, 2025
New picture books dominate the latest Publisher Weekly bestseller list. A Stephen King and Maurice Sendak retelling of *Hansel and Gretel* tops the picture‑book chart, while Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown’s *Troubling Tonsils!* and blogger Sally McKenney’s cookbook *Sally’s Baking 101* make strong debuts, alongside romantic fiction like Sara Cate’s *The Good Girl Effect*.
What’s Next for PRH’s Intellectual Freedom Taskforce?
Penguin Random House’s intellectual‑freedom taskforce, created in May 2023 to fight book bans, is ramping up its work. Dan Novack and Skip Dye explain how the publisher has pursued legal action, supported freedom‑to‑read legislation and boosted staff morale while preparing to defend challenged books in courts and legislatures.
Books on Trial
Publishers Weekly surveys the growing number of U.S. court cases over book bans in schools and libraries. The article summarises suits such as PEN America v. Escambia County in Florida, Crookshanks v. Elizabeth School District in Colorado and Penguin Random House v. Gibson, underscoring that the outcomes could decide which books remain available to students.
Book Banners Are Everywhere. These Lawyers Are Playing Offense.
This long feature profiles attorneys representing teachers and librarians facing censorship. It recounts the suspension of a teacher after parents objected to LGBTQ+ books, highlights the spiralling legal costs of reviewing challenged books and notes that challenges reached a record 5,813 titles in 2024, prompting lawyers to mount coordinated defences.
Home Field Advantage
Grassroots advocates in Texas and elsewhere are fighting to protect the freedom to read. Laney Hawes’s Texas Freedom to Read Project and Azeemah Sadiq’s student‑led group SEAT organise parents and young people to push back against book bans, arguing that censorship silences marginalised voices and undermines education.
Judge Alsup’s 17 Simple Settlement Questions
Publishers Lunch reports that Judge William Alsup declined to approve a proposed Anthropic copyright settlement and instead issued 17 questions for the parties. The order asks the litigants to address scenarios such as conflicting claims, multiple authors and third‑party rights before a follow‑up hearing on 23 September.
On Appeal, Court Denies Dismantling of IMLS
A U.S. appeals court refused the Trump administration’s request to pause litigation over plans to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The judges upheld a preliminary injunction granted in May and noted that government lawyers had not shown they were likely to win on the merits of the case.
Feature Fun, One More Time
Michael Cader reminds readers of recently launched Publishers Marketplace tools. He notes that the Dealmakers section now lets users browse by publisher size and that a new Top Deals tab helps publicists and marketers benchmark deal values across nearly 100 sub‑categories.
NBA Fiction Longlist
The National Book Foundation announced the 2025 National Book Award longlist for fiction. The ten titles include Rabih Alameddine’s *The True True Story of Raja the Gullible*, Susan Choi’s *Flashlight*, Angela Flournoy’s *The Wilderness*, Megha Majumdar’s *A Guardian and a Thief* and novels by Jonas Hassen Khemiri, Kevin Moffett, Karen Russell, Ethan Rutherford, Bryan Washington and Joy Williams; shortlists will be named on 7 October.
Filming begins on Marian Keyes Netflix adaptation
Netflix has started filming its adaptation of Marian Keyes’ novel *Grown Ups*. The series will star Sarah Greene, Barry Ward and Robert Sheehan as members of the dysfunctional Casey family.
More mischief with Lady Glenconner at Bedford Square
Lady Glenconner will release *Manners & Mischief: An A–Z of a Life Lived Well* in November. The memoir promises more tales from the aristocratic socialite known for her candid storytelling.
Identity of mystery author Evelyn Clarke revealed as VE Schwab and Cat Clarke
The Bookseller unmasked the mystery crime novelist Evelyn Clarke as a collaboration between fantasy author VE Schwab and novelist Cat Clarke. The duo wrote *The Ending Writes Itself*, due for publication in April 2026.
John Boyne ‘has James Joyce Award offer withdrawn’ a month after Polari Prize controversy
Author John Boyne says University College Dublin’s Literary and Historical Society has withdrawn its offer of the James Joyce Award and an honorary fellowship following controversy surrounding the Polari Prize.
Books on BookTok: the rise of reader reviews
BookTok influencers told The Bookseller that reader and blogger reviews are now a major part of book marketing. One creator noted seeing more reviews of proofs and finished copies as well as increased use of outdoor advertising to engage readers.
Mother–daughter duo wins inaugural £15k Sustainable Story Award
Eleanor Thom and Oona Dooks won World of Books’ first Sustainable Story Award for their memoir *Sea Legs*. The prize is worth £15,000 and recognises writing that promotes sustainability.
World Book Day appoints Fiona Hickley as interim executive director
World Book Day has appointed Fiona Hickley as interim executive director. She steps into the role following the departure of Cassie Chadderton at the end of August.
Writers’ Guild of Great Britain names Jack Thorne as new president
The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain has elected playwright and screenwriter Jack Thorne as its new president. He succeeds comedian and presenter Sandi Toksvig in the role.
Ebury launches PRH’s first Christian imprint, Ebury Vine
Penguin Random House UK’s Ebury division has created Ebury Vine, its first Christian imprint. The list will focus on faith‑based titles and is led by editor Charisa Gunasekera.
This Week’s Bestsellers: September 15, 2025
New picture books dominate the latest Publisher Weekly bestseller list. A Stephen King and Maurice Sendak retelling of *Hansel and Gretel* tops the picture‑book chart, while Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown’s *Troubling Tonsils!* and blogger Sally McKenney’s cookbook *Sally’s Baking 101* make strong debuts, alongside romantic fiction like Sara Cate’s *The Good Girl Effect*.
What’s Next for PRH’s Intellectual Freedom Taskforce?
Penguin Random House’s intellectual‑freedom taskforce, created in May 2023 to fight book bans, is ramping up its work. Dan Novack and Skip Dye explain how the publisher has pursued legal action, supported freedom‑to‑read legislation and boosted staff morale while preparing to defend challenged books in courts and legislatures.
Books on Trial
Publishers Weekly surveys the growing number of U.S. court cases over book bans in schools and libraries. The article summarises suits such as PEN America v. Escambia County in Florida, Crookshanks v. Elizabeth School District in Colorado and Penguin Random House v. Gibson, underscoring that the outcomes could decide which books remain available to students.
Book Banners Are Everywhere. These Lawyers Are Playing Offense.
This long feature profiles attorneys representing teachers and librarians facing censorship. It recounts the suspension of a teacher after parents objected to LGBTQ+ books, highlights the spiralling legal costs of reviewing challenged books and notes that challenges reached a record 5,813 titles in 2024, prompting lawyers to mount coordinated defences.
Home Field Advantage
Grassroots advocates in Texas and elsewhere are fighting to protect the freedom to read. Laney Hawes’s Texas Freedom to Read Project and Azeemah Sadiq’s student‑led group SEAT organise parents and young people to push back against book bans, arguing that censorship silences marginalised voices and undermines education.
Judge Alsup’s 17 Simple Settlement Questions
Publishers Lunch reports that Judge William Alsup declined to approve a proposed Anthropic copyright settlement and instead issued 17 questions for the parties. The order asks the litigants to address scenarios such as conflicting claims, multiple authors and third‑party rights before a follow‑up hearing on 23 September.
On Appeal, Court Denies Dismantling of IMLS
A U.S. appeals court refused the Trump administration’s request to pause litigation over plans to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The judges upheld a preliminary injunction granted in May and noted that government lawyers had not shown they were likely to win on the merits of the case.
Feature Fun, One More Time
Michael Cader reminds readers of recently launched Publishers Marketplace tools. He notes that the Dealmakers section now lets users browse by publisher size and that a new Top Deals tab helps publicists and marketers benchmark deal values across nearly 100 sub‑categories.
NBA Fiction Longlist
The National Book Foundation announced the 2025 National Book Award longlist for fiction. The ten titles include Rabih Alameddine’s *The True True Story of Raja the Gullible*, Susan Choi’s *Flashlight*, Angela Flournoy’s *The Wilderness*, Megha Majumdar’s *A Guardian and a Thief* and novels by Jonas Hassen Khemiri, Kevin Moffett, Karen Russell, Ethan Rutherford, Bryan Washington and Joy Williams; shortlists will be named on 7 October.
Filming begins on Marian Keyes Netflix adaptation
Netflix has started filming its adaptation of Marian Keyes’ novel *Grown Ups*. The series will star Sarah Greene, Barry Ward and Robert Sheehan as members of the dysfunctional Casey family.
More mischief with Lady Glenconner at Bedford Square
Lady Glenconner will release *Manners & Mischief: An A–Z of a Life Lived Well* in November. The memoir promises more tales from the aristocratic socialite known for her candid storytelling.
Identity of mystery author Evelyn Clarke revealed as VE Schwab and Cat Clarke
The Bookseller unmasked the mystery crime novelist Evelyn Clarke as a collaboration between fantasy author VE Schwab and novelist Cat Clarke. The duo wrote *The Ending Writes Itself*, due for publication in April 2026.
John Boyne ‘has James Joyce Award offer withdrawn’ a month after Polari Prize controversy
Author John Boyne says University College Dublin’s Literary and Historical Society has withdrawn its offer of the James Joyce Award and an honorary fellowship following controversy surrounding the Polari Prize.
Books on BookTok: the rise of reader reviews
BookTok influencers told The Bookseller that reader and blogger reviews are now a major part of book marketing. One creator noted seeing more reviews of proofs and finished copies as well as increased use of outdoor advertising to engage readers.
Mother–daughter duo wins inaugural £15k Sustainable Story Award
Eleanor Thom and Oona Dooks won World of Books’ first Sustainable Story Award for their memoir *Sea Legs*. The prize is worth £15,000 and recognises writing that promotes sustainability.
World Book Day appoints Fiona Hickley as interim executive director
World Book Day has appointed Fiona Hickley as interim executive director. She steps into the role following the departure of Cassie Chadderton at the end of August.
Writers’ Guild of Great Britain names Jack Thorne as new president
The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain has elected playwright and screenwriter Jack Thorne as its new president. He succeeds comedian and presenter Sandi Toksvig in the role.
Ebury launches PRH’s first Christian imprint, Ebury Vine
Penguin Random House UK’s Ebury division has created Ebury Vine, its first Christian imprint. The list will focus on faith‑based titles and is led by editor Charisa Gunasekera.
