Angela Waterfield

Public libraries have long been sanctuaries of knowledge and community engagement. In recent years, however, these locations and their staff have increasingly become frontline responders to societal challenges such as homelessness, drug use, mental health crises, and associated violence. During the pandemic, seeing a security guard at the library became a common sight, but somehow, this presence has now become a staple of book-browsing experience and a symbol of the shifting demands placed on these public spaces and their wokers. A recent New York Times piece looked at the crisis facing U.S. public libraries as they increasingly handle these complex

Taylor Swift is making waves in the publishing world with the release of The Eras Tour Book , a 256-page coffee table book featuring over 500 images from her record-breaking tour. The book offers fans an intimate keepsake of this iconic moment in Swift's career. It includes performance shots, behind-the-scenes glimpses and personal reflections.

The National Book Awards, established in 1950, celebrate the finest achievements in American literature. Managed by the National Book Foundation, these prestigious awards recognize exceptional works across categories like Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Young People's Literature, and Translation. Each year, the winners are chosen by panels of distinguished authors, critics, and literary experts. The awards aim to showcase diverse voices which are shaping the contemporary literature landscape. The 2024 winners were announced on November 21 in New York City.

Ameican author Colleen Hoover has become a literary sensation. Known for her ability to weave raw emotions and suspense into compelling narratives, her books have sold millions of copies. Now, Hoover's stories are captivating a new audience on the big screen. With It Ends With Us making waves in 2024 and Verity already generating attention, the recent news that Anne Hathaway and director Michael Showalter are teaming up on this project, has added a lot of buzz.

Goodreads, once the top online community for book lovers, has become a story of missed opportunities and decline. Since Amazon bought the platform in 2013, it has faced criticism for its outdated design, poor moderation, and growing user frustration. Scandals like the Cait Corrain incident have only added to its problems, leaving both authors and readers unhappy with the platform.

Lately, I've been watching the Goodreads-to-StoryGraph migration unfold, and I have to admit—it's my new guilty pleasure. On the surface, it seems noble: readers leaving behind a clunky, Amazon-owned platform to support an independent one led by a Black woman, Nadia Odunayo. But I'm starting to wonder: are we actually making a difference here, or are we just hopping on the latest “look how good I am” bandwagon?

I don't often find myself reviewing cookbooks (due to my love of take-out), but Crumbs by Ben Mims caught my attention in a way few books do. With a background in anthropology, I've always been intrigued by the origins of things—how they're made, why they matter, and the stories they tell about our shared humanity. This fascination reminds me of the hours I spent as a kid watching How It's Made with my dad. I'm fascinated at the craftsmanship behind the everyday items we often take for granted.

Bob Dylan has always been an enigmatic figure, carefully controlling the narrative around his life and work. Recently Dylan broke that silent streak to not only approve but praise the upcoming biopic A Complete Unknown. Directed by James Mangold and starring Timothée Chalamet, the film delves into Dylan’s early rise to fame and his controversial decision to go electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Chalamet’s performance has already generated buzz, with some calling it “the performance of the year.” Dylan himself remarked on X, “Timmy’s a brilliant actor, so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me.

Sarah Jessica Parker is stepping into the literary spotlight as a judge for the 2025 Booker Prize. Much like her iconic Sex and the City character, Carrie Bradshaw—who was often seen running around New York City in Manolo Blahniks with a book in hand—Parker is a book lover. Beyond her work in Hollywood, she has built a reputation as an advocate for independent bookstores and storytelling.

As the holiday season approaches, Anastasia Shanu, head librarian at the Kettle and Stony Point First Nations Library, has turned a cherished Christmas tradition into a powerful tool for cultural revitalization. The library's innovative Letters to Santa program, disrupted by the Canada Post strike, invites children to write to Santa Claus in Anishinaabemowin, their native language. Bridging Holiday Joy and Heritage This initiative not only preserves a sense of festive joy but also deepens cultural pride and connection. It’s a gateway for children to learn key phrases and words in Anishinaabemowin, fostering a deeper understanding of their heritage. “Everybody should