Can’t travel this summer? No problem. A good book can transport us to another city or country and to places we can only dream of visiting. Even when a story is sad or downright depressing, a memorable depiction of a locale can still trigger our wanderlust.

Organized political groups are driving the book-censorship movement in America, according to a new report by PEN America. Of the 1,648 titles censored over the 2021-2022 school year, the vast majority feature LGBTQ+ characters (41%) and characters of color (40%).

I’ve always wanted to read Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22” and Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five” for their popularity and critical acclaim. When I finally caught up with my to-be-read list, I read them both at the same time. They taught me three important lessons in writing.

Forty-six out of the top 100 novels of the 20th century chosen by the esteemed Radcliffe Publishing Course at Columbia University have been banned or challenged, according to the American Library Association (ALA). Even though these books have been banned or challenged, they remain available. “This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who speak out for the freedom to read,” according to the ALA.

Men decide faster than women about books they like,  according to a study by Jellybooks. The research showed men give up after 20 to 30 pages if they don’t like a book.

There’s an alarming surge in book bans in America, with school libraries in at least seven states removing books at the behest of community members. Twenty-nine states have introduced bills or taken other steps to restrict the teaching or discussion of racism and sexism. What to do? The Authors Guild lists three ways to help counter the trend.

It’s torrid outside. It’s time for a summer fling—make that a literary summer fling. I’m talking about reading something short and sweet: a novella. It’s longer and more satisfying than a short story, without the “commitment” required by a novel.

The global pandemic forced schools and students to switch completely or partly to digital learning. The question remains whether the practice should continue after the pandemic. Is viewing or listening to content just as good as reading the printed word? A new research says no.

What is a multicultural novel? Definitions vary, but the most important element of multicultural fiction is a minority point of view (POV). The novel can be in any genre, including literary fiction, romance, mystery, thriller, and others. Here are 10 of my favorite multicultural novels for adult readers.

You just got home, and your Fitbit band shows you’ve hit 10,000 steps for the day, thanks to your twice-a-day walks. Great! Now it’s time to work out your mind, too.