Slow Going

Print book sales fell nearly 1% in the first nine months of the year, thanks in large part to declines in the once high-flying adult category. Penguin Random House kicked off this year’s Banned Books Week with a star-studded gathering of right to read champions in Washington, D.C., followed by a weeklong tour by the publisher’s unmissable Banned Wagon. As more publishers look to tap into the growing religion book market, PRH’s newly formed Christian division is increasing its footprint with a new imprint, Align Insight. Plus, in this week’s magazine we chatted with some of the book-minded bicyclists who are taking a more mobile approach to addressing the nation’s literacy crisis. Former Wyoming library director Terri Lesley, who was fired from her post for refusing to ban books with “sexual content” and LGBTQ+ themes, will receive a $700,000 settlement after suing over her dismissal, reports the AP. The Guardian talked with a number of children’s authors who report their books have been banned, events canceled, and safety threatened over their connections to or support for Palestine. In the U.K., more than 20 independent presses have penned an open letter in the Bookseller calling for the industry to support indie publishing as they face what they call “an existential crisis.” Reese’s Book Club has partnered with WhatsApp, launching an official channel for club members, reports Variety. And the New York Times profiled PBS resident librarian Mychal Threets on the occasion of his new hosting gig on Reading Rainbow.

There will be no PW Daily on Monday in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We’ll return to your inbox on Tuesday, October 14.