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When the Absolute Universe first kicked off, readers were surprised that Lex Luthor did not immediately appear in Absolute Superman. Indeed, the series set Ra’s Al Ghul up as the archenemy of the Man of Steel. The Absolute Lex Luthor finally made his grand debut in the Absolute Evil special. However, his appearance and attitude are nothing like that of his variant in the main universe. Written by Al Ewing, with art by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Absolute Evil centers around the formation of the Absolute Justice League. Far from being a benevolent organization, this league is made up of rich villains who fear the rise of superpowered heroes will upset the status quo and their financial bottom lines. However, this league is already being manipulated from within by Brainiac, an alien cyborg seemingly under the control of Ra’s Al Ghul. In the comic’s coda, Brainiac discusses his plan and the nature of reflections with Mirror Master. The comic concludes with the first appearance of Lex Luthor, who has a full head of hair and beard. This runs in defiance of his trademark clean-shaven head and face. (Image Source: DC / Giuseppe Camuncoli) What do we know about Absolute Lex Luthor? We know very little about the Absolute Universe Lex Luthor based on his first scene. We do know that he is happily married to a woman named Dora and has children. He apparently lives on a farm somewhere, based on what little we see of his home. He also describes himself as having been “an angry young man” and “envious of others.” This sounds like a fair description of most versions of Lex Luthor, but implies that this Luthor has moved beyond his petty jealousy of others. Indeed, he answers the phone by asking a question more appropriate to Superman – “How can I be of help?” The most interesting aspect of this Lex Luthor is why Brainiac wished to recruit him to the Absolute Justice League. In speaking with Mirror Master, Brainiac describes how they can negate the team’s effectiveness by balancing the various powers with it against each other. Ra’s Al Ghul’s zealot nature, for instance, can be utterly negated by the bored apathy of Hector Hammond. To that end, Brainiac recruits the Absolute Universe Lex Luthor as a counter to the Joker. We know almost as little about the Absolute Joker as we do Absolute Lex Luthor. His name is ironic, for he is famed for his hatred of humor. He is also a corrupt billionaire with fingers in many immoral enterprises, such as the Ark M prison. It is possible Brainiac recruited Lex, thinking a benevolent billionaire could blunt the amoral Joker. In any case, the idea of an emotionally well-adjusted Lex Luthor is an intriguing one. Absolute Evil #1 is now available in comic shops everywhere. Originally reported by Matt Morrison on SuperHeroHype. The post DC’s Lex Luthor Is Unrecognizable in First Absolute Universe Look appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

Photo Credit: DC Studios Little is known about DC’s upcoming The Batman Part II, but a new casting report suggests we might know something about what’s set to happen in the movie. Who is joining The Batman Part II cast? According to a new report from PopFilm (who also broke news like Joel Kinnaman and Kumail Nanjiani joining Peacemaker Season 2), The Crown actor Tobias Menzies is being eyed to play a big role in The Batman Part II. The role, according to the report, is none other than Amadeus Arkham, the founder of the iconic Arkham Asylum, an institution for the criminally insane that becomes home to many of Batman’s foes after they’ve been captured or apprehended. It’s unclear exactly what this report means for the overall story of the film. However, with Arkham Asylum potentially being introduced, it could mean we will see even more of Batman’s villains appear. The name Arkham was briefly teased in 2022’s The Batman, with The Riddler being placed in Arkham State Hospital after being caught by Batman. The development of The Batman Part II has been a long one. The original film was released three years ago in 2022 and was a massive hit. Starring Pattinson as the titular hero, the film made over $770 million at the box office. According to a recent report, The Batman 2 — also known as The Batman Part II or The Batman Part 2 — will begin production at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in London, United Kingdom, on January 1, 2026. Pattinson will reprise his role as Batman in the movie, while the website lists the returning cast as Farrell, Andy Serkis as Alfred, and Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon. It also says Barry Keoghan is “expected” to return as the Joker, though this has not been confirmed by Warner Bros. Pictures as of yet. (Source: PopFilm) Originally reported by Anthony Nash on SuperHeroHype. The post The Batman Part II Cast Eying The Crown Star for DC Movie appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

(Photo Credit: Netflix) Netflix has announced the release date for The Abandons, its newest Western action drama, which hails from Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter. In addition, the streaming platform has also shared the official photos from the show, revealing the first look at its main cast led by Game of Thrones star Lena Headey and The Crown star Gillian Anderson. “Washington Territory — 1854 — The matriarchs of two very different families — one of wealth and privilege bound by blood, the other a found family of orphans and outcasts bound by love and necessity — find their fates linked by two crimes, an awful secret, a star-crossed love, and a piece of land with silver underneath. The collision echoes the American struggle of the haves and have-nots, in a place just beyond the reach of justice,” reads the official synopsis. THE ABANDONS. Lena Headey as Fiona Nolan in Episode 101 of The Abandons. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025THE ABANDONS. Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness. Cr. MATTHIAS CLAMER/Netflix © 2024THE ABANDONS. (L to R) Diana Silvers as Dahlia Teller, Lamar Johnson as Albert Mason, Natalia del Riego as Lilla Belle, and Nick Robinson as Elias Teller in Episode 103 of The Abandons. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025THE ABANDONS. Lena Headey as Fiona Nolan. Cr. MATTHIAS CLAMER/Netflix © 2024THE ABANDONS. Michiel Huisman as Xavier Roache in Episode 101 of The Abandons. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025THE ABANDONS. The Redmask Bandits in Episode 101 of The Abandons. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025THE ABANDONS. Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness in Episode 101 of The Abandons. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025THE ABANDONS. Lucas Till as Garret Van Ness in Episode 101 of The Abandons. Cr. Michelle Faye/Netflix © 2024THE ABANDONS. (L to R) Nick Robinson as Elias Teller and Aisling Franciosi as Trisha Van Ness in Episode 101 of The Abandons. Cr. Michelle Faye/Netflix © 2024THE ABANDONS. (L to R) Diana Silvers as Dahlia Teller, Aisling Franciosi as Trisha Van Ness, and Toby Hemingway as Willem Van Ness in Episode 101 of The Abandons. Cr. Michelle Faye/Netflix © 2024THE ABANDONS. (L to R) Ryan Hurst as Miles Alderton, and Nick Robinson as Elias Teller in Episode 101 of The Abandons. Cr. Michelle Faye/Netflix © 2024THE ABANDONS. Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness in Episode 101 of The Abandons. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025 When is the release date for Netflix’s The Abandons? The Abandons will be available for streaming starting on December 4, 2025, exclusively on Netflix. The ensemble cast also includes Nick Robinson, Diana Silvers, Lamar Johnson, Natalia del Riego, Lucas Till, Aisling Franciosi, Toby Hemingway, Michael Greyeyes, Ryan Hurst, Katelyn Wells, Clayton Cardenas, Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, Brían F. O’Byrne, Marc Menchaca, Patton Oswalt, Michael Ornstein, Jonathan Koensgen, Jack Doolan, Michiel Huisman, Haig Sutherland, and Sarah White. The show is created by Sutter, who’s best known for his work on hit shows like The Shield, Sons of Anarchy, and Mayans M.C. He is also serving as an executive producer along with Chris Keyser, Robert Askins, Stephen Surjik, Otto Bathurst, Emmy Grinwis, and Jon Paré. “This first chapter of The Abandons is a classic American story — the frontier, two families — both at war and in love with each other, a battle over who owns the land and who makes the rules,” Keyser said in a statement (via Tudum). “So, smack in the middle of murder and revenge and a bit of illicit romance, we also get to explore all of these questions we never seem to get away from: What makes a family? How do you stay good in a bad world? And, would you change who you are and what you believe in to protect what you love? But, in this case, we do it all through the eyes of Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson, as two widowed matriarchs battling to survive. And that, as they say, is really something to watch.” The post New Netflix Western TV Show The Abandons Gets Release Date & Photos appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

(Photo Credit: GameMill) I grew up with a lot of love for Nickelodeon cartoons, and it’s great getting to check in with them every few years through video game releases and recent movies. The latest celebration of Nicktoons comes in a surprising form: an action role-playing game in the vein of Diablo with a tabletop game aesthetic. With plenty of charm and some great drop-in/drop-out multiplayer, Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is a refreshing celebration of imagination and some of the most beloved cartoon characters ever made. The Fairly Oddparents’ Timmy Turner sets the story in motion, as his wish brings his favorite game to life and also sucks in a wide array of different cartoon characters. With a surprising amount of voiced dialogue and some nice cutscenes, I was really impressed with the presentation here. You’re given five characters to choose from initially (and unlock a couple more throughout the game): Timmy, SpongeBob, Sandy Cheeks, Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Katara from Avatar. Each maps onto a different character class that is true to their personality, and it’s a great blend of the source material with fantasy tropes. Gameplay is on the relatively simple side of the genre, which is fitting, but you’ll still unlock special attacks and different loot as the game continues. Whether you’re playing with your kids or just looking to relax after a long day of work, Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny winds up being a charming and chill experience. The different maps look great, as you fight your way through enemies in environments based on different Nickelodeon shows. There are a lot of small touches, which means the bigger Nicktoon fan you are, the more you’ll get out of this. There are also a lot of fun side characters that make appearances as sidequest givers. I was shocked at just how many characters I remembered from some of the shows, especially since I haven’t seen Jimmy Neutron or The Fairly Oddparents in well over 15 years. It’s this trip of nostalgia, which is then paired with an enjoyable gameplay loop that is always fun yet never frustrating, that makes Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny just a really good time. My favorite moments in the game came in co-op, though, as it’s really easy for another player to jump in. The characters’ abilities mesh well together, such as Katara being able to heal, so you’re able to really aid any younger player through the experience if they struggle solo. Whether you know all the characters or not, they become inherently likable as you play with them, and that is sure to make children want to check out the shows they’re not familiar with. Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny Review: Final Verdict Developers Fair Play Labs and Petit Fabrik have done a great job with Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny. Not only does it pay proper respect to the cartoons and the characters we love, but it blends it with a clear reverence for tabletop gaming and fantasy tropes. It’s a rewarding combination that makes the game fun for gamers of all ages, especially if you are looking to play with others locally. SCORE: 8/10 As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact. Disclosure: The publisher provided a PlayStation 5 copy for our Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny review. Reviewed on version 1.002.000. The post Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny Review: Fun Co-Op Gaming for All appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

Credits: Lucasfilm Two years after its theatrical release, the actual budget of Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has finally been revealed for the fifth and final installment to the Harrison Ford-led franchise– and it cost a lot more than what it was previously reported. Since its debut, the movie has received a Tomatometer rating of 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the franchise’s lowest-rated installment and the only one that didn’t maintain a Certified Fresh score. What was Indiana Jones 5’s budget? According to the recent filings released by Disney, the studio actually spent $419 million for the production of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, making it one of the most expensive movies ever made. Before this, it was initially reported that the movie cost around $300 million. This new revelation confirmed that the movie’s box office earnings weren’t able to surpass its total budget. During its theatrical run, the final Indiana Jones movie earned a worldwide gross of $384 million. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was directed by Academy Award nominee James Mangold (Logan), who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jez and John-Henry Butterworth. Joining Harrison Ford in his final adventure as Indiana Jones were Golden Globe winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena Shaw, Antonio Banderas as Renaldo, Mads Mikkelsen as Jürgen Voller, Thomas Kretschmann as Colonel Weber, Boyd Holbrook as Klaber, Shaunette Renée Wilson as Mason, and Toby Jones as Basil Shaw. Franchise vets John Rhys-Davies and Karen Allen also returned as Sallah and Marion Ravenwood, respectively. (Source: Forbes) Originally reported by Maggie Dela Paz for SuperHeroHype. The post Indiana Jones 5’s Actual Budget Reveals Harrison Ford Movie Is Even More of a Bomb appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

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Credits: 20th Century Films In Avatar 3, James Cameron revealed that Fire and Ash will have a major callback to the first movie. In an interview with Variety, Cameron previewed Avatar: Fire and Ash and discussed his creative process. Cameron said he rarely second-guesses his “creative impulses.” However, he did do it once while working on Avatar 3 when he felt the storytelling was “a little off.” “Our Toruk is back [in Fire and Ash], right? You know, the big bird that Jake rides [in Avatar]. I’ve always been waiting for the question, ‘Why doesn’t he just go get the big red bird and kill everybody like he used to do?’ Because that doesn’t exist in The Way of Water at all,” Cameron explained What scene did James Cameron add to reference Avatar? Originally, Toruk was not involved in Fire and Ash. Cameron went back to the drawing board and inserted Toruk back into the story, which meant reshooting some additional scenes. “I went, ‘Oh, he’s got to go get the bird.’ Come on! I was saving it for a later film. I was like, “F*** that! He should get the bird. Get the Toruk.” There’s something in Jake’s destiny that requires it, right?” Cameron said. “So I just rewrote it, and we went back, and we shot two or three scenes around that concept, and I threw some stuff out and stuck that in … it works beautifully, and the actors were super excited about that idea. It’s like, Oh, okay, that feels right, you know?” Avatar: Fire and Ash arrives three years after the second iteration, Avatar: The Way of Water. The first two Avatar films are the first and third highest-grossing movies of all time. If Fire and Ash wants to join the likes of its predecessors, it will need to gross at least $2 billion worldwide. Avatar: Fire and Ash opens in theaters on December 19, 2025. Originally reported by Dan Girolamo on SuperHeroHype. The post James Cameron Changed Avatar: Fire and Ash to Reference Key Scene in Original Movie appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

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Credit: BBC A Peaky Blinders sequel show has been ordered at Netflix and BBC from writer and creator Steven Knight. The sequel series will feature two seasons of six hour-long episodes. The timeline of the new series will take place after the Peaky Blinders movie, which is in post-production. The official logline reads: “Britain, 1953. After being heavily bombed in WWII, Birmingham is building a better future out of concrete and steel. In a new era of Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders, the race to own Birmingham’s massive reconstruction project becomes a brutal contest of mythical dimensions. This is a city of unprecedented opportunity and danger, with the Shelby family right at its blood-soaked heart.” What is Cillian Murphy’s involvement in the Peaky Blinders sequel show? Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy will executive produce the sequel series alongside Knight, Karen Wilson, Martin Haines, Jamie Glazebrook, Jo McClellan, Mona Qureshi, and Toby Bentley. Kudos and Garrison Drama will produce both series. The episodes will be shot at Digbeth Loc. Studios in Birmingham, England. ‘I’m thrilled to be announcing this new chapter in the Peaky Blinders story,” Knight said in a press release. “Once again, it will be rooted in Birmingham and will tell the story of a city rising from the ashes of the Birmingham blitz. The new generation of Shelbys have taken the wheel and it will be a hell of a ride.” Created by Knight, Peaky Blinders starred Murphy as Tommy Shelby, the crime boss of the Peaky Blinders street gang in Birmingham. The show ran for six seasons from 2013 to 2022. Murphy will reprise his character for A Peaky Blinders Film at Netflix. Knight penned the script, while Tom Harper directed. Besides Murphy, the movie stars Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, Stephen Graham, Sophie Rundle, Ned Dennehy, Packy Lee, Ian Peck, Jay Lycurgo, and Barry Keoghan. The film does not have a release date. The post Peaky Blinders Sequel Show Ordered, Cillian Murphy’s Involvement Revealed appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

(Photo Credit: Miramax Films) For the first time, Lionsgate will officially be releasing Quentin Tarantino‘s iconic Kill Bill franchise into one complete movie, more than two decades since the first volume was first released. Titled Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, the rare presentation of Tarantino’s revenge epic will also include a never-before-seen, 7½-minute animated sequence. ​ “I wrote and directed it as one movie—and I’m so glad to give the fans the chance to see it as one movie,” Tarantino said in a statement. “The best way to see Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair is at a movie theater in Glorious 70mm or 35mm. Blood and guts on a big screen in all its glory!” When is the release date for Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair? Originally presented in two volumes, Tarantino’s combined epic action movie Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair will finally arrive in theaters on December 5, 2025. Select presentations of the release will be in 70mm and 35mm. The movie is written and directed by Tarantino, based on the character of “The Bride” created by Q&U. The Whole Bloody Affair stars Uma Thurman as Beatrix/ The Bride, Lucy Liu as O-Ren Ishii, Vivica A. Fox as Vernita Green, Michael Madsen as Budd, Daryl Hannah as Elle Driver, Gordon Liu as Johnny Mo, and Michael Parks as Ranger Earl McGraw, with David Carradine as Bill. It is produced by Lawrence Bender. “The movie unites Volume 1 and Volume 2 into a single, unrated epic—presented exactly as he intended, complete with a new, never-before-seen anime sequence. Uma Thurman stars as The Bride, left for dead after her former boss and lover, Bill, ambushes her wedding rehearsal, shooting her in the head and stealing her unborn child,” reads the official synopsis. “To exact her vengeance, she must first hunt down the four remaining members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad before confronting Bill himself. With its operatic scope, relentless action, and iconic style, The Whole Bloody Affair stands as one of cinema’s definitive revenge sagas—rarely shown in its complete form and now presented with a classic intermission.” The post Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair Sets Release Date, Quentin Tarantino Movie Includes New Scene appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

http://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/A.J.-Hinch-and-Riley-Greene.jpgKen Blaze-Imagn Images On Wednesday afternoon, I briefly thought that A.J. Hinch had lost his mind. I really don’t know how else to explain it. With runners on the corners and one out in the top of the seventh inning of Game 2 of the Wild Card Series between the Tigers and the Guardians — which Cleveland won, 6-1 — Detroit had Riley Greene, its best hitter, at the plate with a chance to break a 1-1 tie. The Guardians went to the bullpen, bringing in lefty Tim Herrin. Herrin, a 6-foot-6 curveball specialist, figured to be a tough matchup for Greene; he’s been lights out against same-handed batters throughout his career. But then Hinch made a surprising call to the bench. He pulled Greene back and pinch-hit with Jahmai Jones – and now here I am writing this article. Jones had one key thing going for him here: Like Inigo Montoya, he is not left-handed. He’s also hit lefties much better than righties in his brief major league career, and in his minor league career, too. Greene, on the other hand, is a poor left-on-left hitter. So you can at least see where Hinch’s decision was coming from. I want to give this kind of shocking decision the full consideration it deserves before just laughing it out of the building – after all, what if it was the right call? So let’s do all the math to get an idea of what Hinch was giving up, and what he was getting. To model pitcher-against-batter outcomes, I first took projections for both players, the granular ones that consider specific outcomes. I also calculated platoon splits for each player by taking their observed career splits and regressing them toward league average based on sample size. I put those two projections – hitter and pitcher – into a modified log5 formula and used it to predict the likelihood of each possible outcome of a plate appearance. Then I applied those outcomes to the game state when Greene’s spot came up in the lineup. That’s a lot of explanation jammed into one paragraph, so I think an example is in order. Let’s say that the Jones-Herrin confrontation results in a single 25% of the time, a deep fly ball 25% of the time, a strikeout 25% of the time, and a walk 25% of the time. Those are nowhere near reasonable, of course, but just an example. A single would mean runners on first and second (at least) and a 2-1 lead, for a win probability of 73.4%. A deep sacrifice fly? That would get the Tigers to 66.6%. A strikeout? 50.1%. Walk? 65.7%. Average those four probabilities, and the Tigers come out with a 64% chance of winning the game. There are more than four possible outcomes, of course, but this process is how I turn outcomes into win probabilities. Let’s start with the Greene-Herrin confrontation. Greene projects as a more or less 100 wRC+ hitter against lefties, with a bit of a strikeout problem but plenty of power. But few lefties project for a 100 wRC+ (that’s overall league average, all matchups) when they’re facing left-handed pitching. That’s because Greene is a very good baseball player. On the other hand, Herrin projects meaningfully better against lefties than righties. But he’s slightly worse against left-handed batters than the average left-handed pitcher, because he’s got a slightly worse projection than the average lefty pitcher in the first place. Put them together, and Greene projected for the following outcomes against Herrin (the fly out and groundout categories bucket possibilities for RBI and double plays): Riley Greene vs. Tim Herrin, Outcome Likelihood Outcome Likelihood Win Probability Single 11.7% 75.4% Double 4.6% 81.0% Triple 0.2% 85.7% Home Run 3.1% 88.8% Walk/HBP 13.7% 65.7% Strikeout 32.3% 50.1% Fly Out 15.5% 58.4% Groundout 18.9% 51.5% Sum all of that up, and the Tigers projected to win 59.4% of the time, at least by my math, with Greene at the plate. That’s some blend of big leads, little leads, and ties, with enough multi-run leads to make up for the strikeouts. In slash line terms, it’s .250/.332/.431, a perfectly respectable line. Not bad for a lefty-lefty matchup for a guy like Greene with a strikeout problem. But Herrin doesn’t strike many batters out and does walk a ton, so you can see how this method comes to its conclusions. In comparison, switching to Jones meant attacking Herrin with a slightly weaker hitter, but one in a more favorable situation. Jones has been slightly above average overall in his career, and he’s been so good against lefties that even with only a small sample of major league at-bats to his name, he projects as a true lefty killer. And Herrin is no great shakes against righties. My same model thinks that Jones projected to absolutely wallop Herrin, to the tune of a .299/.428/.472 batting line. Herrin is kind of wild, Jones can take a walk, and those tendencies tend to increase when hitters have the platoon advantage. Here’s the grid of Jones-Herrin results: Jahmai Jones vs. Tim Herrin, Outcome Likelihood Outcome Likelihood Win Probability Single 13.10% 75.4% Double 5.10% 81.0% Triple 0.70% 85.7% Home Run 1.9% 88.8% Walk/HBP 22.0% 65.7% Strikeout 28.0% 50.1% Fly Out 16.0% 58.4% Groundout 13.1% 51.5% Add those all up, and the Tigers projected to win 60.9% of the time when Jones batted. That’s a huge advantage over the numbers with Greene. It might even seem a little low of an estimate given that absurd slash line, but many of Jones’ positive results are walks, the least impactful way of reaching base here. But either way, check it out: Hinch’s decision was borne out by the math. He inserted a pinch-hitter because that pinch-hitter projected to give the Tigers a better chance of winning than the guy who was previously batting. Adding 1.5 percentage points of win probability with a pinch-hitter is a meaningful gain, verifiably so. Well, it would be borne out by the math if we treated this plate appearance in isolation. But this is a Ben Clemens article, a FanGraphs postseason decision-making article. We’re not leaving anything in isolation here. The first consideration: the pinch-hitting penalty. Historically, pinch-hitters have produced a batting line of about 24 points of wOBA lower than those same hitters when batting in the starting lineup. Render that into our format, and that would erase around half of the advantage the Tigers got. Not bad, but not great either. My next consideration: Could the Tigers have saved Jones for a better spot? After all, he’s an improvement here, but he’s an improvement from an already-high starting point. Greene isn’t a weak hitter, even in a bad matchup, so pinch-hitting for him doesn’t excite me when there are plenty of other lefties in the Detroit lineup to replace. Parker Meadows, Kerry Carpenter, Zach McKinstry: In a close game, the Guardians could have used the three other lefties in their bullpen to attack those weak-ish links. Sure, this was a high-leverage spot, but the game was unlikely to be short on those in the later innings (foreshadowing level: 1,000). This is a mark against using Jones, in my estimation. An even bigger problem: This spot in the order would bat again fairly often. By either extending the inning with a hit, or perpetuating the tie with an out, this spot in the order was likely to come up again regardless of outcome. And indeed, the Tigers had to first use a defensive substitute for Jones and then pinch-hit for that substitute with Justyn-Henry Malloy. I’d probably rather have Greene bat there, you know? When you pinch-hit for a good hitter, you’re giving up future access to that better hitter, so you better be certain of your advantage. I do think that this was the highest-leverage plate appearance Hinch was likely to get to pinch-hit with Jones. A runner on third and less than two outs in a tie game? That’s about as good as it gets. But why not wait a batter and then pinch-hit for Wenceel Pérez, standing in the on-deck circle, if Greene didn’t blow the game wide open? I’d rather use my best hitters than get the best platoon matchups, and a Jones-Greene pairing greatly outperforms a Jones-Pérez duo in my estimation. Greene’s propensity to hit into double plays might have played into Hinch’s mind, but Jones hit into them nearly as often on a rate basis, and neither had looked particularly GIDP-prone before this year. Hinch essentially said that he did the math differently in his postgame press conference. “We knew what was at the back end of the game,” he said, referring to the elite Cleveland bullpen, “which is why we were aggressive.” I take his point here. In essence, he discarded most of the long-game math and just tried to get his best matchup in the game against the worst reliever he was likely to see, and in a big spot to boot. After walking through the math, I can understand why Hinch made his decision. He had one extremely valuable pinch-hitting chip to play, and he decided that he was going to play it the first time he got the chance. Was it a bummer that it happened to be Greene’s spot? Sure. But he obviously would have done the same with the other lefties. I guess, in the end, I’m surprised to say that I don’t hate the decision to pinch-hit for Greene. I wouldn’t have done it. I’m not willing to discard those long-game numbers, because even if the Guardians bullpen is very good, I think that it can be beaten, and that I’d like to give my best hitters the most possible chances to do so. But the expected gains were certainly there. The move that Hinch made unquestionably increased the Tigers’ chances of getting a good outcome in that plate appearance. They didn’t, of course. Jones struck out. None of it mattered; the Guardians blew the game wide open with five runs in the bottom of the eighth after chewing through Detroit’s best relievers. It all came to nothing in the end. But I still found the decision fascinating. It looked very wrong on the surface. It turned out to be a very good decision within the framework of a single plate appearance after I ran the numbers. A number of other considerations related to the lost opportunity of future at-bats pulled it back to being within the margin of error, all before the opposing team washed away any evidence of the decision with a deluge of runs. Playoff baseball is delightful. Source View the full article

http://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jazz-Chisholm-Jr.-ALWCSG2-2025.jpgBrad Penner-Imagn Images NEW YORK — Jazz Chisholm Jr. was not a happy camper on Tuesday night. Despite a 31-homer, 31-steal season that included a solid showing against left-handed pitching, he spent the first seven innings of the Wild Card Series opener against the Red Sox on the bench instead of facing lefty Garrett Crochet. After the Yankees’ 3-1 loss, he was left muttering almost inaudibly at his locker with his back to reporters — a surreal scene. Back in the lineup on Wednesday night against righty Brayan Bello, Chisholm went 0-for-3 but made huge contributions on both sides of the ball, with two standout defensive plays and an eighth-inning walk that turned into the decisive run when he motored home from first base on Austin Wells’ long go-ahead single. The Yankees’ 4-3 win kept their season alive, pushing the series to Game 3. Despite hitting a respectable .248/.322/.411 (106 wRC+) against lefties this year (compared to .240/.336/.508, 134 wRC+ against righties), Chisholm sat on Tuesday night in favor of righty Amed Rosario — who played just one game at second base after being acquired from the Nationals on July 26 — apparently on the basis of Rosario’s owning a 6-for-9 career line with two extra-base hits against Crochet entering play Tuesday. Rosario went hitless in three plate appearances against the Boston ace before yielding to Chisholm in the eighth inning; Chisholm flied out with the bases loaded in the ninth against Aroldis Chapman. Manager Aaron Boone wasn’t worried that Chisholm’s disappointment at being left out of the lineup would carry over into Game 2. “I don’t need him to put a happy face on,” Boone said Wednesday afternoon. “I need him to go out and play his butt off for us tonight. That’s what I expect to happen.” Chisholm, who lived up to that expectation, assured the media that while he and Boone sometimes had disagreements — including over his being slotted at third base for a chunk of this season — he didn’t have a problem with the manager, saying, “I always stand with Booney because he always understands where I come from. He knows I am a passionate player. He knows I wear my feelings on my sleeve. He knows I am there to compete.” As for how he got over his disappointment, “I played MLB: The Show and mercy-ruled someone. That’s how I get my stress off,” laughed Chisholm. The Yankees jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning against Bello thanks to a two-out single by Cody Bellinger, followed by a two-run homer by first baseman Ben Rice, who despite closing the season on a 10-for-23 tear with three home runs — two on the season’s final day against the Orioles — also sat on Tuesday night in favor of righty Paul Goldschmidt. “I know my role, and yesterday my role was to be ready for a big at-bat off the bench, and today I was starting,” said Rice. “The approach doesn’t change.” Facing a lineup that featured seven righties, Yankees starter Carlos Rodón retired the first six hitters he faced, three by strikeout; he got six whiffs between his slider and changeup in that span. He found trouble in the third, when Jarren Duran, the lineup’s lone lefty, led off with a sharp single and Ceddanne Rafaela worked a walk. Switch-hitter Nick Sogard, one of Tuesday night’s heroes, bunted back to Rodón, who rushed his throw to first; it bounced, forcing Chisholm, who was covering first, to pull his left foot off the base too early, an error. With the bases loaded, nobody out, and the lineup turned over, Rodón struck out Rob Refsnyder chasing at a low changeup, but his slider to Trevor Story caught too much of the plate, and Story dumped it into center field for a two-run single, tying the game. Rodón avoided even worse trouble when he induced Alex Bregman to ground into a 4-6-3 double play, with Chisholm spinning and making an awkward but on-target throw to Volpe for the pivot — a play that not only limited the damage but roused the Yankee Stadium crowd in the wake of their team’s sustaining a gut punch. After riding Crochet for 7 2/3 brilliant innings on Tuesday, Boston manager Alex Cora gave Bello a quick hook in the third. Ryan McMahon led off with a single, was erased in favor of Trent Grisham on a force out, and then Aaron Judge followed with a single. To that point, Bello had retired just six of 11 batters faced, getting just three whiffs from among his 28 pitches. “The at-bats were getting better with the lefties, and we had a bunch of [lefties] in the bullpen,” said Cora. “Felt like at that point kind of like we have to do this. It doesn’t feel good, because you want the kid to go out there and get his experience and pitch deep into the game.” Indeed, the Yankees stacked their lineup with six lefties, so it rated as a bit of a surprise when Cora called upon lefty Justin Wilson to face Bellinger, who hit .353/.415/.601 (180 wRC+) against southpaws this season and therefore was probably the one Yankee lefty who wouldn’t give same-handed pitchers a platoon advantage. On Wilson’s second pitch, Grisham stole third, with catcher Carlos Narváez dropping the ball, allowing Judge to take second. Bellinger lofted a fly ball to left, but it was too shallow to score Grisham, and Rice flied out as well, ending the threat. The Yankees took the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Grisham drew a two-out walk against righty Justin Slaten, advanced to second on a passed ball, and scored when Judge hit a soft liner to left field; Duran, diving, dropped the ball, a tough enough play that the scorer ruled it a hit. That Yankees lead proved even more short-lived than their previous one. Rodón fell behind Story 2-0, and then served him a 95.2-mph meatball, which the shortstop crushed for a 381-foot solo shot to left. Rodón then walked Bregman on four pitches, prompting a mound visit from Boone. “When I saw him cross the line and he didn’t put his arm up, I knew I had a chance at a rebuttal,” said Rodón, who remained in the game. He induced Romy Gonzalez to pop out, then got Narváez to ground into a first-pitch, around-the-horn double play. With light-hitting righty Nate Eaton and then the lefty Duran due up to start the seventh, Boone sent Rodón, whose pitch count was still just at 82, back to the mound. The move backfired when Rodón walked Eaton on four pitches, threw a wild pitch to send him to second, then fell behind Duran 3-0 before grazing him with a pitch. Boone called upon Fernando Cruz, who allowed just two out of 27 inherited runners to score during the regular season. He began his outing by catching a bunt off the bat of Rafaela, then retired Sogard on a fly ball. Cora pulled the righty-swinging Refsnyder in favor of lefty Masataka Yoshida, who hit a scorching groundball to the right of second base. Chisholm dove and made an outstanding backhanded stop, followed by an off-balance two-bounce throw to first that dribbled away from Rice. Eaton nonetheless held up at third. The diving stop prevented what would’ve been the go-ahead run. “It is a 3-2 count, runner on second base, runner on [first] base. They are moving. You see a groundball, you got to stop it,” Chisholm said. “You have to keep it in the infield. You have to stop that run from scoring… I caught the ball, I was like maybe I could make it at first base. At the end of the day, it is stopping that run from scoring.” “I have no idea why he didn’t go,” said McMahon, the third baseman, of Eaton. “As soon as [Chisholm] dove, I started yelling ‘Four!’ because usually in that situation when a guy dives you keep running.” The Yankees weren’t home free. With the bases now loaded, Story got ahead 2-1, then hit a towering fly ball — 102.3 mph off the bat, with a 31-degree launch angle — but to the fat part of the ballpark, where Grisham ran it down at the warning track. The ever-animated Cruz, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 237 pounds, pounded his chest, pumped his fists, flexed, and did just about everything but turn into a cheerleading version of the Incredible Hulk. After the Yankees squandered Grisham’s one-out double off Garrett Whitlock in the seventh, Devin Williams worked a scoreless eighth, punctuated by his starting the Yankees’ third double play of the night. Whitlock struck out Rice and got Giancarlo Stanton to ground out to start the eighth. Up came Chisholm, who to that point had flied out against Bello, popped out foul against Wilson, and struck out against Steven Matz (the Yankees’ first strikeout of the game, for the second out of the sixth). He worked a seven-pitch walk, with ball four coming on Whitlock’s 32nd pitch of what was already his longest outing since June 23. Chapman was looming in the bullpen, stretching but not yet throwing. Whitlock stayed in to face Wells, who worked the count full, then pulled a low changeup down the right field line, the ball landing fair, just inches from chalk. Chisholm, who had run with the pitch a couple of times only for Wells to foul it off, had gotten a great jump and sped home as Eaton chased down the ball, which caromed off the wall in foul territory. Though Eaton made a very good on-line throw, Chisholm just beat the tag. Watching the play spurred me to think back to the end of Rodón’s outing. Had Boone pulled his starter after he gave up the lead in the sixth, he likely would have gone with a righty reliever, which would have triggered Cora to pinch-hit with Wilyer Abreu, not only a better hitter against righties but the majors’ second-best right fielder in terms of both DRS (15) and FRV (8), with 97th-percentile arm strength to boot. Would he have made a better play on the ball than Eaton, or thrown home with just a little more mustard? We can’t know that, and given the Yankees’ bullpen troubles over the past two months (and in Game 1), Boone felt more comfortable riding Rodón and avoiding a less favorable batter-pitcher matchup. It worked out for him. As it was, Boone called upon David Bednar for the ninth, a night after he surrendered a key insurance run. This time he was perfect, striking out the pinch-hitting Abreu and Duran, then inducing Rafaella to fly out to right. With that, the series is even. Much has been made of the fact that since the current best-of-three format was introduced in 2022, all 12 teams that won Game 1 ended up winning the series, either in two or three games. That’s still a small sample, and when we expand the pool to include the best-of-three series from 2020, there’s at least a precedent for a team doing the not-exactly-impossible task of winning back-to-back elimination games to advance. The A’s lost Game 1 but still beat the White Sox to advance to the Division Series. With Lucas Giolito — who coincidentally, along with Rodón and Crochet, was a member of those 2020 White Sox — left off the roster due to elbow trouble, Cora will call upon rookie lefty Connelly Early, who has just four major league starts under his belt. While the Red Sox used six relievers on Wednesday, only Whitlock threw more than 23 pitches. “They are in good shape,” Cora said of bullpen. The Yankees will counter with a rookie of their own, righty Cam Schlittler, who didn’t debut until July 9. While Boone said he has yet to decide whether lefty killer Goldschmidt, who went 2-for-4 in Game 1, will start instead of Rice for what will in all likelihood be another short outing by an opposing starter, the manager has already declared that Chisholm will be in the lineup. After Wednesday night’s performance, with the season on the line, there’s clearly no need to improvise that decision. Source View the full article

Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today: 1. Wild Card Series continues: The Dodgers bested the Reds 8-4 yesterday to complete a two-game sweep of Cincinnati and advance to the NLDS against the Phillies. The other three Wild Card matchups all saw the team facing elimination force a Game 3, leaving us with plenty of baseball to enjoy today. Things will kick off in Cleveland, at 3:08pm local time, when Jack Flaherty and the Tigers face off against Slade Cecconi and the Guardians to decide who will represent the AL Central against the Mariners in the ALDS. In Chicago, at 4:08pm local time, the Cubs take the field at Wrigley behind Jameson Taillon as they try to advance in the playoffs for the first time since 2017 against the Padres and former Cub Yu Darvish. Finally, the Wild Card series will wrap in the Bronx, at 8:08pm local time, when the Red Sox and Yankees conclude the latest chapter in their storied archrivalry. That game will feature two rookies, with Connelly Early taking the ball for Boston in light of Lucas Giolito’s recent injury. The Yankees will turn to right-hander Cam Schlittler. 2. Rockies searching for new leadership: Bill Schmidt is out as Rockies GM after this year’s brutal 119-loss season. He was promoted from within the organization to take over for Jeff Bridich in May of 2021, who himself was promoted to the top job from within in organization back in 2014. For a franchise that has dealt with a lot of struggles and failure over the years, this stands out as a rare opportunity for the club to bring in an outside voice and see what that sort of breath of fresh air could do to rejuvenate the organization. Perhaps that could come in the form of someone with ties to the organization like Thad Levine, who is already rumored to be in the mix for the job. Of course, it’s at least possible that owner Dick Monfort could break with his past tendencies and look for a less familiar partner to help lead the Rockies back to the postseason for the first time since 2018. 3. Managerial vacancies continue to grow: While the Rockies likely won’t have clarity on their managerial situation until they bring in Schmidt’s replacement, there’s still plenty of intrigue surrounding the various managerial vacancies that have been created around the game in the past few days. Yesterday, Atlanta joined the pile of teams searching for a new voice in the dugout after Brian Snitker opted to retire from the dugout, though he’ll remain in the organization for a landmark 50th season in an advisory role. The Braves have a talented core and could very feasibly be back in the playoffs as soon as next year, so they’ll be one of the more attractive managerial vacancies available for candidates to pursue. Elsewhere, the rumor mill is buzzing over the possibility that Hall of Famer Albert Pujols could take a turn as manager. He’s a strong candidate to take over for Ron Washington and Ray Montgomery in Anaheim with the Angels. The Rangers, Giants, Twins, Nationals and Orioles are each in the market for a new manager as well, and there’s always the possibility that a playoff club will look to make a change following an earlier-than-hoped-for exit from the postseason field. View the full article

(Photo Credit: Freestyle Digital Media) ComingSoon is debuting an exclusive trailer for Luderdale, the upcoming mystery crime thriller, which hails from filmmaker Thom Mills. The movie will be distributed by Freestyle Digital Media after recently acquiring its VOD rights. “Luderdale is a story about outsiders trying to find their way in and insiders trying to find their way out,” Mills said in a statement. “Whatever direction they’re going, the story’s characters – a drifter, a lost soul, two mafia exiles, and a killer in pursuit – arrive at a twisting and chilling climax. Ultimately, Luderdale explores themes of fate, loyalty, and loss, and what it means to be family.” Check out the Luderdale trailer below (watch more trailers): When is the release date for Luderdale? Luderdale will be available to rent or own on North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as DVD, starting on October 21, 2025. The movie is written and directed by Mills, who is also producing alongside Wendy Winston and Melissa Vitello. The cast includes John Gargan as Hutch, Austin Valli as Nicky, Christian Shupe as Tommy, Ayden Skye as Candy, Joe Chambrello as Mr. J, Sophie Swiszcz as Lude Girl, and Rachel Lookshin as Violet. The creative team consists of cinematographer Gavin V. Murray, editor Robert Torrance, production designer Yongkai Lin, costume designer Hunter Freedman, and composer P.J. Labinski. “The film tells the story of a young stranger who mysteriously appears at the front door of a shuttered, beachfront hotel in Ft. Lauderdale in 1980. Inhabiting the closed hotel are two cousins who are on the run from gangland enemies who may have discovered their hidden location. They live in paradise but rarely experience it, not daring to venture outside. But boredom and growing stress from being confined cause the shut-ins to allow the new arrival inside their hidden world,” reads the official synopsis. “What starts as a deep mistrust between the trio soon evolves into an unlikely bond as they face threats from local drug dealers and mobsters from New York. Secrets between them threaten to shatter their fragile union as they begin to realize that maybe their chance encounter isn’t as random as it first appears. Living at the other end of the hotel is a damaged but beautiful young woman who holds secrets of her own. Who really are these people, and will their bond survive whoever the next person is to come through the door?” The post Crime Movie Luderdale Gets Trailer & Release Date | Exclusive appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

This week, at least 15 colleges and universities throughout the United States have been hit with bomb threats. These threats have referenced explosive devices being set in or near campus libraries. Among the recipients of bomb threats include: Lone Star College (TX) Southern University (LA) Colby College (ME) Southern New Hampshire University (NH) Willamette University (WA) Morgan State University (MD) Alabama A&M University (AL) Prairie View A&M University (TX) Nazareth University (NY) Bowdoin College (ME) University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK) West Chester University (PA) Millersville University (PA) Shippensburg University (PA) Touro University (NY) The University of Florida reported gun shots at the Smathers Library, as did Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Western Washington University reported a “non-specific threat” near their library. Four of the targeted institutions are historically Black colleges and universities. Officials have linked these bomb threats, as well as less location-specific threats received this week, as part of a swatting effort. Swatting is criminal harassment that purposefully deceives law enforcement into believing there is an emergency at a particular address, encouraging a significant response. It can be considered an act of stochastic terrorism. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, closure of such swatting incidents can be difficult if impossible. That’s in large part due to the technology used in the crimes allows callers to be well-disguised. Swatting puts a significant drain on money and resources, and it heightens the level of fear among those who are subjected to them. In a culture immersed in mass shootings, the fake threats take a big toll. Since the new school year started in August, colleges and universities nationwide have been victims of swatting several times. It is the first to see more than a dozen specifically target the library. August’s rash of swatting incidents did, however, include at least one report of a person with a gun at the library, similar to this week’s incidents at the University of Florida and Grove City College. Libraries have seen waves of bomb threats since 2021, when both the institution and the materials housed within them became subject to unrelenting challenges, bans, and complaints. Illinois public libraries saw numerous bomb threats in fall 2023, Minnesota public libraries saw them in early 2024, and many others have been targeted as well. Academic libraries haven’t been immune to attacks related to their materials or practices over the last five years. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) has been at the forefront of those attacks, as have been significant budget cuts leading to staff and hour reduction. In 2025, we’re seeing a significant rise in cuts to these libraries as academia grapples with budget challenges. Unfortunately for students and staff, it always seems to be the library that feels the pain first. So far this year, we’ve seen major cuts at Duke University, Washington University in St. Louis, Princeton University, University of California at Santa Barbara, Utah Valley University, and more. View the full article

If there’s one word for the world of young adult literature in the year 2025 it’s this: quiet. Sure, we’ve had some big book releases and some big adaptations hit screens, but on the whole, there has been little news about the world of YA. This isn’t entirely surprising, though. YA simply isn’t covered by as many verticals as it once was. That’s by choice and by force, as many outlets which once covered teen literature are either much tinier than they once were or they’ve shuttered all together. Of course, we can’t discount where and how entering into the fifth year of book censorship, which targets YA books more than any other category, as part of the quieting. This doesn’t mean books aren’t being promoted. They are. Social media outlets like TikTok have been a boon for spreading the word about books, especially the front-list, bigger budget YA titles. But that kind of buzz and excitement over books isn’t the same as news or criticism or in-depth stories about YA more broadly. All of that is food for thought as we roll into October. We’re a month into the busiest time in publishing, and the YA news roundups continue to stay quiet. There are not as many stories to share. Frankly, it’s a major bummer, given that YA books continue to matter. It’s a bummer there aren’t more spaces highlighting YA books in critical ways and that there isn’t more news about the cool things being done to YA books–and especially inclusive YA books that serve as windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors to our diverse population of teen readers. Here’s what’s been happening in YA over the last month. Let’s hope that we see an uptick in stories as the year slip-slides ever closer to the end. Here is the incredible longlist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. So many great YA (and middle grade!) books included. YA author Diane Hoh–especially well-known for her 90s horror–died at the age of 88. All of the rad YA speculative fiction that hit shelves in September. Alex Brown shares their picks for most anticipated YA speculative fiction for September and October at Reactor. I got to write a great piece over at School Library Journal this month. Dive deep into Jane Austen as she’s been revisited, remixed, and retold in YA literature, in honor of her 250th birthday. What’s there to know about My Life with the Walter Boys, Season 3? Love good YA fantasy and science fiction? Then you’ll want to check out the winners of this year’s Dragon Awards in YA. While we’re in the world of YA prizes, here are the titles on the 2025 Young Adult Prize shortlist. This one honors work that contributes to Australian literature. YA author Britney S. Lewis talks about the problem of missing and poorly treated Black girls in YA fantasy. Everything there is to know about the adaptation of Lauren Roberts’s Powerless romantasy series. Jawbone by Monica Ojeda is getting adapted into a horror film. Publishers Weekly wrote a piece that I’d been hoping to cover at some point, as I’ve alluded to it several times in this newsletter over the last year (and they do a GREAT job of covering it!): the rise of the YA novella in 2025. Jenny Han talks about the ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty. . . and hey, there’s going to be a movie! We Were Liars is officially getting a second season. How Twilight changed young adult literature forever. Sales of YA fiction in paperback and hardcover dropped so far this year. There was a slight uptick in sales of nonfiction in paperback, though. I’ve been wondering when we might see Kody Keplinger release another YA book, and hey, there’s one coming next spring. It’s a cult book! Since you’ve got some bonus time with such a short news roundup, why not add some more books to your TBR? Catch up with some of last month’s new YA fiction releases and new YA comic and nonfiction releases. View the full article

Depending on where you live, it might still be hot outside. Sweatshirts might be the last thing you want to consider putting on your body. But with Halloween around the corner and the cooler winds of fall, you’ll want to start planning for all things spooky, scary, and fun. There is a bumper crop of amazing bookish Halloween sweatshirts to choose from this time of year, and you’ll want to order ASAP to get them in time for sporting all season long. Bonus: If you’re anything like me, Halloween season lasts for 12 months, so these bookish Halloween sweatshirts will keep you warm well after the calendar flips to November. Whether you’re a fan of the ghastly or a fan of all things pasteloween, there is a bookish Halloween sweatshirt for you. I found skeletons and ghosts, kitty cats and bats, haunting everything from bookstores to libraries and even cozy reading nooks. Any options below promise to be the perfect reading uniform as the nights grow longer and days become cooler. Cheers to the season of the witch, book lovers. We know this is the best time of year to read our hearts out beside a crackling candle, open windows, and crunching leaves. Unless otherwise noted, all of the sweatshirts are crewnecks. Not all are especially size-inclusive, even though fat people have money and like clothing, too. Image courtesy of CustomTeePort on Etsy The first sweatshirt in this collection isn’t explicitly Halloween themed, but it better falls under the “autumnal bookish sweatshirts” umbrella. I would sure get cozy on this reading retreat. $34 and up, with crewneck and hoodie options, up to size 2XL. Image courtesy of ChapterCatchers on Etsy Are you booked to the bone? I know I am, and I know I plan on living my best afterlife like the skeleton on this sweatshirt. $38, with a few color options, up to size 5XL. Image courtesy of Tocsxoanw on Etsy. This cute little ghosty wants nothing more than for you to join him in some good reading. $20 and up, with color options and choices on the sweatshirt style you might like, up to size 5XL. Image courtesy of TheLeadersLoft on Etsy Spooky but bookish might describe the everyday lives of many of us, not just our fall seasonal style. This cute sweatshirt has a few color options and goes up to size 5XL for $41+. Image courtesy of ColorfulTeeStation on Etsy Cats and bats and ghosts and pumpkins and spiderwebs and taper candles and books, oh my! Choose your sweatshirt style up to size 3XL, beginning at $22. Image courtesy of KateTeesCollection on Etsy. The simplicity of this bookish Halloween sweatshirt is what makes it so great. $45 in a variety of colors up to size 5XL. Image courtesy of CozyThreadsCustom This looks like a combination of two others already on this list, but because it’s double-sided, I couldn’t resist including it. Get your reading ghost and their haunted library all in one cozy sweatshirt. $44 and up, with several color and style options, up to size 3XL. Image courtesy of fableandloom on Etsy. This might be the sweatshirt I accidentally buy while putting this roundup together because it’s so cute. I love the variety of bookishly haunted stamps. $54+, with a variety of colors up to size 5XL. Image courtesy of BachWaveDesigns on Etsy. Creepy creatures made cute and bookish? Yes, please! $30 and up, with lots of color options and style choices. Image courtesy of ThreadedbySabrina The embroidery trend on sweatshirts takes the apparel up a notch, and this rendering of a tarot card for readers is especially fun. You can wear this one year-round if you’re not already incorporating your Halloween wares in your everyday rotation. $45, up to size 3XL. Image courtesy of GrumpyGooseShop Speaking of cute embroidery, everything about this sweatshirt makes me want to get cozy with a book. $56+ in a variety of colors. Image courtesy of fableandloom on Etsy The perfect sweatshirt for a horror book club or any book club meetings you’re having during fall. The creatures are too cute! $55, up to size 5XL, in a number of colors (but let’s be real: the black looks especially good!). Image courtesy of UniqueGiftsBy001 Here’s another take on the simple word that includes Halloween iconography. $34 and up, with tons of colors, up to size 3XL. Image courtesy of ChloesComfyThreads on Etsy Dream office or DREAM OFFICE? $33 and up, with tons of options, to size 5XL. Image courtesy of ThreadedbySabrina on Etsy Last but not least, let’s end this fun collection of bookish Halloween sweatshirts with a vital message from our friendly neighborhood ghosts: it’s always a good time to read more booooooks. $45, up to size 3XL, with color options. Don’t stop here. Check out these amazing bookish cardigans and if you’re a fan of all things Wednesday, you’ll love these goods, too. View the full article

Cape Carnage is a seaside town of colorful houses, quirky shops, and an unusually high body count. With tourists comes trouble, and Harper Starling won’t let anyone ruin her picture-perfect home. A skilled gardener with killer instincts, Harper protects her sanctuary—and her aging mentor with a fading memory—at any cost. Troublesome tourists don’t check out of Carnage. They compost beneath Harper’s award-winning flowerbeds. There are a ton of new titles on the bestseller lists this week, which makes for a nice change! Laurie Gilmore made a name for herself in seasonal romance with the Dream Harbor series, starting with The Pumpkin Spice Café. The newest Christmas romance in the series, The Gingerbread Bakery, is appearing on this list a little early for the holiday. Other new titles this week include The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham, Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love by Samin Nosrat, and The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros. Unfortunately, right-wing pundit Bill O’Reilly is also on the bestseller list this week. He was fired from Fox News after a series of sexual harassment lawsuits and an exposé by the New York Times, and that’s just one of many controversies, so it’s disappointing that he still has an audience. This list continues to lack of diversity on many levels, including being disproportionately by white authors. Some Indie Bestsellers you should know about are Katabasis by R. F. Kuang, The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy, and One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad. To get these numbers, we look at the New York Times, both Combined Print & E-Book Fiction and Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction lists; Amazon Charts, both Fiction and Nonfiction; Publishers Weekly; USA Today; and Indie Bestsellers, Fiction and Nonfiction, both Paperback and Hardcover. Books On All Five Bestseller Lists: The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown Books On Four Bestseller Lists: Poems & Prayers by Matthew McConaughey (Publishers Weekly, USA Today, NYT, Amazon, Indie Bestsellers) The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (Publishers Weekly, NYT, Amazon, Indie Bestsellers) Books On Three Bestseller Lists: The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham (Publishers Weekly, NYT, Indie Bestsellers) Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love by Samin Nosrat (Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Indie Bestsellers) All the Way to the River: Love, Loss, and Liberation by Elizabeth Gilbert (USA Today, NYT, Indie Bestsellers) The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins (Publishers Weekly, Amazon, Indie Bestsellers) The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore (Publishers Weekly, NYT, Indie Bestsellers) The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros (Publishers Weekly, USA Today, NYT) Confronting Evil by Bill O’Reilly (Publishers Weekly, NYT, Amazon) Go beyond the bestseller lists with made-for-you book recommendations from TBR, our book recommendation service! Find more news and stories of interest from the book world in Breaking in Books. View the full article

October is LGBTQ History Month, and it’s a reminder that learning our history is crucial. In many countries around the world, it feels like progress is moving backwards in terms of LGBTQIA+ rights and acceptance. The fight is far from over. Learning about how the generations before us fought oppression while finding love, joy, and community can help us to build better strategies today. Here at Book Riot, we’ve been recommending queer books from day one. So instead of writing a list of 5-10 queer history books to read, I’ve gathered together 31 of our recommendations for LGBTQ History Month, from nonfiction to historical fiction to children’s books. This is far from a complete list! Check out our LGBTQ archives for many years of queer book recommendations in every conceivable category. And if you haven’t already, sign up for the Our Queerest Shelves newsletter to get recs in your inbox every week. LGBTQ History Books How To Survive a Plague by David France Centered around the AIDS epidemic, How To Survive A Plague tells the story of the activists and organizations that fought to turn AIDS from a deadly infection to a manageable disease. This is a story of loss and triumph that looks at the lives lost to HIV and those who are still fighting today. This is a wonderful history of queer activism, even in the midst of devastation, that looks specifically at the organizations ACT UP and TAG. —Mara Franzen Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments by Saidiya Hartman In this illuminating history, Hartman explores the radical lives of young Black women in New York and Philadelphia during the early 20th century. She shares stories of women who broke away from expected racial and gender norms, creating queer and creative networks of kinship and support. It’s a hefty, thoughtfully researched, and moving work of scholarship that reexamines the prevalent, simple story about early 20th-century Black life and tells a much more nuanced and complicated one. —Laura Sackton The Stonewall Reader by The New York Public Library In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riot, The New York Public Library collected an anthology reflecting on the momentous occasion. The Stone Wall Reader is full of essays, articles, poems, short stories, and first-person accounts. Though the pieces differ in style, each one rings with stories of triumph, loss, dedication, and resilience. It’s a beautiful collection of history. —Mara Franzen Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity by C. Riley Snorton Black on Both Sides is a wonderful history of Black trans folks in the postwar era and into today. This discusses the erasure of people like Lucy Hicks Anderson, James McHarris, and others lost to time. It’s a deep dive into the historical reconstruction of voices often left out of the queer experience in the United States. C. Riley Snorton has created a stunning look at an often forgotten part of queer history, pulling from well-known stories, narratives of enslaved peoples, Afro-modernist literature, and so much more. —Mara Franzen And the Category Is… Inside New York’s Vogue, House, and Ballroom Community by Ricky Tucker Despite the history of drag in the U.S. being based in Harlem with Black and Latine drag artists, there are unfortunately very few books that are by or about drag artists of color. Luckily, there’s And the Category Is… This is a history of New York’s Ballroom community, including interviews with some of the biggest names in that space. —Danika Ellis Hermaphrodite Logic: A History of Intersex Liberation by Juliana Gleeson Intersex people are some of the least represented in LGBTQIA+ literature, so I’m excited to see a new work about the history of the intersex liberation movement. In this history, Gleeson explains how the movement began in protest against medical abuses. She blends personal insight with theory to demonstrate how intersex liberation is tied to liberation from sexed oppression for all. —Danika Ellis So Many Stars: An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Color by Caro De Robertis In this essential oral history, queer elders of color share stories of self-discovery, activism, resistance, and survival. Their testimonies are a necessary record of lived experience and hard-won progress, a love letter to queer history, and gorgeous reminder to treasure the wisdom of those who’ve witnessed history, helped shape it, and allowed us to imagine brighter futures. There is so much beautiful humanity in these pages, so much laughter and joy even in periods of profound struggle and loss. That joy is resistance, that joy is protest, that joy is unshakable. I need everyone to read this book. —Vanessa Diaz Mouths of Rain: An Anthology of Black Lesbian Thought Edited by Briona Simone Jones For anyone looking for a history-adjacent book, and anyone interested in delving more deeply into the intersections of Blackness, queerness, and feminism, this volume of writing by and about Black lesbians is a must-read. It includes the work of some of the most prominent 20th century Black queer and lesbian writers, including Audre Lorde and Alice Dunbar-Nelson, as well as work from some lesser-known but equally important writers. —Laura Sackton Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson by Tourmaline I’m having trouble trying to summarize Tourmaline’s accomplishments: TIME 100 Most Influential Person in the World awardee, Guggenheim Fellow, award-winning filmmaker, a permanent art installation in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and so much more. Now, she’s written the “first definitive biography” of one of the most prominent figures in LGBTQ history: Marsha P. Johnson. Published simultaneously is a picture book version: One Day in June: A Story Inspired by the Life and Activism of Marsha P. Johnson by Tourmaline and illustrated by Charlot Kristensen. —Danika Ellis Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs (August 19) This isn’t just another biography about James Baldwin, acclaimed writer and civil rights activist. In Baldwin: A Love Story, Nicholas Boggs set out to explore James Baldwin’s life and works through his intimate relationships: his mentor, the painter Beauford Delaney; Lucien Happersberger, a Swiss painter who was Baldwin’s lover and muse; and his collaborators, actor Engin Cezzar and the French artist Yoran Cazac. “From the very beginning,” Boggs writes that he knew this book was “a love story.” —Emily Martin Miss Major Speaks by Miss Major with Toshio Meronek Trans elder Miss Major has played a major role in Black and queer social justice movements. Her involvement in the Stonewall Riots is legendary, but she has also been instrumental in fighting for sex workers’ rights and AIDS activism. In this book, she shares all the wisdom she’s gained over the years, with warmth, humor, and generosity. —Laura Sackton Our Work is Everywhere by Syan Rose Reading this beautiful collection of oral histories and interviews feels likes sitting down with a bunch of rad queer and trans artists, healers, and activists, and listening to them talk about what inspires them, angers them, fuels them. The art is truly unique — each page feels like its own work of art. Here you’ll find stories about ancestral wisdom, the power of queer tarot, mutual aid organizations, community gardening initiatives, radical wealth redistribution, and so much more more. It’s an inspiring book spilling over with LGBTQ+ brilliance and creativity. —Laura Sackton Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett This is an excellent introduction to trans history in comic format, from ancient history to interviews with trans people today. It’s a broad yet thorough glimpse into the myriad ways gender has been expressed throughout time, and the ways trans people have been oppressed and erased from history. The beautiful illustrations enhanced and made the details more accessible. While listed as young adult, I would recommend it for anyone who wants to better understand the history of gender expression and transness, no matter their age. My only complaint is that I wanted an entire book for each chapter! I didn’t want it to end! —Margaret Kingsbury LGBTQ Historical Fiction The Lilac People by Milo Todd When Hitler rises to power in 1930s Germany, the Institute of Sexual Science is raided, queer clubs are closed, and LGBTQ people begin disappearing. Bertie, a young trans man, barely manages to escape Berlin with his girlfriend, Sofie. In the countryside, they take on the identities of an elderly couple and manage to live under the radar for over a decade. But just when the end of the war is in sight, a young trans man wearing the distinctive clothes of a prison camp collapses on their farm. Despite the danger, Bertie and Sofie vow to protect him—not from the Nazis who imprisoned him, but from the Allied Forces who are now arresting queer prisoners even as they liberate the rest of the concentration camps. —Rachel Brittain These Heathens by Mia McKenzie One weekend in 1960s Atlanta is enough to open the eyes and change the life of one small town girl. When pious, 17-year-old Doris finds herself pregnant, she knows there’s only one person she can turn to: her beloved teacher, Mrs. Lucas. Mrs. Lucas calls on her childhood friend to help find a doctor who can take care of Doris’s problem, but while they’re waiting for a call back, they fill their time rubbing shoulders with celebrities and with activities that Doris finds as intriguing as she does shocking. Doris knows she doesn’t want to have a baby, but will one weekend be enough time to figure out what she does want? —Rachel Brittain Next Time Will Be Our Turn by Jesse Q. Sutanto (out November 11, 2025) Izzy Chen has always felt like the black sheep of her family. But when her grandmother brings a stunning woman as her date to their Chinese New Year celebration, Izzy realizes she and her Nainai may have more in common than she ever realized. When Magnolia Chen sees her teenage self in her granddaughter’s struggles, she tells the story of how she was sent from Jakarta to Los Angeles for school—only to fall in love. —Rachel Brittain Confessions of the Fox by Jordy Rosenberg A notorious thief by the name of Jack Sheppard and a modern-day trans professor’s obsessive search to discover his last confessions drive this propulsive story about identity, love, and liberation. When Dr. Voth uncovers a manuscript about an orphan sold into servitude in the eighteenth century, an orphan who desires to be called “Jack,” he’s certain he’s found the writings of Jack Sheppard. But even as he learns Jack’s tale and feverishly works to authenticate it, other powers are hard at work to steal it away. —Rachel Brittain Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta Inspired by both folklore and war, Under the Udala Tree tells the story of a woman coming of age alongside her nation. Ijeoma is born before independence; she’s only 11 when civil war breaks out in Nigeria. Sent away for her protection, Ijeoma meets another young refugee and falls in love. But not only are they from different ethnic communities, they’re both girls. And when their feelings are discovered, Ijeoma learns that there are parts of herself that will never be accepted and that you can never truly be at peace when forced to live a lie. —Rachel Brittain Cantoras by Carolina de Robertis Five wildly different women find each other in the midst of a Uruguayan military dictatorship that crushes dissent in the 1970s where homosexuality is a crime to be punished. But Romina, Flaca, Anita, Paz, and Malena find each other nonetheless, the five cantoras discovering a reprieve from the harsh realities of life on a nearby uninhibited cape. At Cabo Polonio, the women can be themselves. And over the next 35 years they will return, together and alone, in pairs and with lovers in tow, to this one place where they can finally stop pretending. —Rachel Brittain Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters When it comes to sapphic historical fiction, you just can’t make a complete list without mentioning Sarah Waters. And in Tipping the Velvet, a male impersonator transfixes a young oyster girl in the music halls of Leicester Square in Victorian London, before bringing her on as part of a singing and dancing double act. On stage, they dazzle audiences. But behind closed doors, Nan and Kitty can openly admit their feelings for each other. And so a love affair begins. —Rachel Brittain LGBTQ Historical Romance Books An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera Like the oft-quoted Audrey Hepburn, Manuela del Carmen Caceres Galvan decides, “Paris is always a good idea,” and goes there for one last summer of freedom in 1889 before getting married to a man she doesn’t love. She’s there to take in all the art of the city, but soon gets caught up in a steamy romance with Cora Kempf Bristol. Initially, they’re tied together for business reasons, but their connection is clearly meant to last longer than one summer. —Julia Rittenberg You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian Baseball is not Mark Bailey’s chosen writing subject, but he’s forced to go where the newspaper sends him. The shortstop he’s covering, Eddie O’Leary, is having a deeply unpleasant first season with his new team. Though Mark and Eddie initially butt heads, they have the deep, important fact of their sexuality in common. They get inevitably closer while stuck together, but Mark’s grief over being his last partner’s secret (before his partner died) means he doesn’t want to be Eddie’s hidden lover. —Julia Rittenberg A Lady For A Duke by Alexis Hall Need a book that will smash you to pieces and put you back together again? This sweeping, tender romance with a trans woman main character does just that. After faking her own death, Viola is free to live as herself, but without title or her best friend, Justin de Vere, Duke of Gracewood, at her side. When they reconnect years later, Gracewood is a shadow of himself. As Viola and Gracewood get reacquainted, their care and respect for each other blooms again. Filled with beautiful friendships, hope, and heart-aching yearning, this book is one you won’t want to put down. —Courtney Rodgers The Pursuit Of… by Courtney Milan Though they attempted to kill each other the first time they met and are fighting on opposite sides of a war, John and Henry find themselves making the same 500-mile journey together. And they’re definitely not falling in love. After all, what would a Black American soldier, invalided out at Yorktown, and a British deserter have in common? It soon becomes clear that they share more than either of them initially think. —Rachel Brittain LGBTQ YA Historical Fiction Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo For much of history, queer bars had to exist underground, with word of mouth as the only way of finding out about their existence. This historical fiction novel set in 1950s Chinatown in San Francisco centers around a secretive lesbian bar for queer women that becomes a safe haven for 17-year-old Chinese American Lily Hu and her white love interest Kathleen. As racism stoked by the Red Scare threatens to pull them apart, they find community and hope for a life together at the Telegraph Club. As we worry about the future of queer bars, it’s a good reminder that they’ve survived more hostile times in the past and will continue to survive whatever society throws at them. —Susie Dumond The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee Monty is supposed to be an 18th century gentleman, but so far his family has not tamed him of his rougeish passions: gambling, drinking, and bisexuality. But now that he’s gotten to the age where he’s supposed to settle down and be a Lord, he’s got one last hurrah with his BFF (and crush) Percy as they go on a Grand Tour of Europe. At first the trip is the adventure full of vice and pleasure Monty is expecting; but one bad decision sends them on a cross-continent manhunt that makes Monty rethink everything in his life. —Casey Stepaniuk All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages edited by Saundra Mitchell This YA anthology is made up of historical fiction short stories with a range of queer identities represented, and they all have happy endings. They’re a reminder that queer people have existed and found joy in so many places and time periods. These stories are a way for queer people to reclaim the past, because so much of our history has been erased. Also check out Out Now: Queer We Go Again! and Out There: Into Queer New Yonder. —Danika Ellis LGBTQ Children’s History Books Queer and Fearless by Rob Sanders and Harry Woodgate Look, there is basically nothing I love more than children’s poetry. Poems + gorgeous illustrations = the best thing ever. And when those poems celebrate the lives of LGBTQ+ activists, writers, artists, scientists, politicians, and more — even better! The book features 17 queer heroes, from Marsha P. Johnson to Richard Blanco. There’s a poem about each person’s life, accompanied by a short biography. Back matter includes notes on the different styles of poetry and why they were chosen. This is a bright and vivid book that’s full of information, but always centers beauty and emotion. —Laura Sackton ‘Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick, illustrated by Juana Medina ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, but make it gay! This delightful picture book features a family preparing for the next day’s Pride celebration. An older sibling explains to their younger sibling what Pride means to them and the history of Pride parades. While this book has a lovely rhyming story and vibrant illustrations, it also features real history like the Stonewall and AIDS marches, presented in an age-appropriate way. —Susie Dumond It’s Pride, Baby! by Allen R. Wells, illustrated by Dia Valle Join one family as they get ready to participate in a D.C. Black Pride March in It’s Pride, Baby! With vibrant illustrations and beautiful writing, this book teaches kids to take pride in everything that makes them unique. It’s a joyful book with an excellent message, and even better, it comes with special back material to teach you and your kids about the history of Black Pride. —Susie Dumond Glenn Burke, Game Changer by Phil Bildner and Daniel J. O’Brien When I discovered picture book biographies, it was like stepping into a new world. I’m never going to have time to read biographies of every interesting person in the world. But picture book biographies? Sign me up! This book tells the story of professional baseball player Glenn Burke, the first MLB player to come out as gay, and the inventor of the high-five. His spontaneous gesture during a game in 1977 has now become a universally recognizable symbol of celebration and achievement. This book tells the story of that day, the challenges Burke faced as a gay Black player, and his many achievements. —Laura Sackton For even more recommendations: The 100 Most Influential Queer Books of All Time The Best Queer Books From Every Decade 1970–2020 8 New LGBTQ Historical Fiction Books Out in 2025 8 Books to Read for Transgender History Month View the full article

We’re about halfway into Latine Heritage Month, and while the mess continues, so does the celebration — and not just because one Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio is bringing sazón to the Super Bowl. I’m so sorry if I startled any of y’all with my screams when the news broke—I heard those seagulls and I blacked out. But we’re not here to talk (too much) about el conejo malo. We’re here to keep the bookish Latine Heritage Month party going. As promised earlier this month in my adult Latine debut roundup, I’m bringing you some Latine YA debuts to add to your reading lists. And since this is the last edition of Latine Lit during Latine Heritage Month, I also gathered a few links of interest for even more book recs, plus discounts, a personal curriculum, and a big, beautiful list of bookish creators to follow. Latine Heritage Month Links Check out these audiobooks by Latine authors from Libro.fm Browse the Latine Heritage Month collection at Bookshop.org and get 20% off your purchase using code LHM25! Build up your Latine library with this LHM personal curriculum, courtesy of Carmen of @TomesAndTextiles Peruse Latinx in Publishing’s 2025 picks for Latine Heritage Month For a whole bola de recomendaciones, check out the #LHMBookstaTour on Instagram. A whopping 59 creators are participating, each offering book recs and personal reflections on their scheduled tour dates. I’ve linked the hub post where you can see the list of participants and tour schedule, and follow the hashtag. Now let’s get to these YA debuts. From a Zorro remix and romantasy on the high seas to a tarot-inspired coming-of-age story, the authors of these debut YA novels are ones you’ll want to watch. 7 Latine YA Debut Novels to Read in 2025 Build a Girlfriend by Elba Luz Amelia Hernandez is single again, and it’s all thanks to the family curse: all of the Hernandez women’s relationships are doomed to fail, whether due to heartbreak, scandal, or (yikes) accidental death. Good news, though: Amelia’s sisters and tias have a plan to rid Amelia of the curse. They will put her through a bootcamp of their creation called the Ex Retrospective, a look back at every failed relationship to determine precisely where Amelia went wrong. When “the ex to end all exes” comes back into Amelia’s life, she sees it as an opportunity to put her higher learning to use for a little bit of revenge. But feelings! aren’t! logical! and revenge gives way to something sweeter. I do love a family curse romance! Camila Núñez’s Year of Disasters by Miriam Zoila Pérez If you like contemporary stories about family, mental health, living in diaspora, queerness, and coming of age, write this one down. Camila Nuñez is a Cuban American teen trying her very best to cope with her anxieties, but between her first queer love experience, learning to drive, her mom’s constant body shaming, her workaholic dad, and troubles at work, a worrier gon’ worry. For her 16th birthday, Camila’s bestie gifts her a tarot reading that, of course, predicts nothing but disaster. As her year of desmadre unfolds, Camila is forced to confront her fears about the future and how they might be holding her back. Capitana by Cassandra James In this swashbuckling duology opener, Ximena Reale has trained for years at La Academia to join an elite group of seafaring pirate hunters known as the Cazadores. But her family’s reputation makes her an outcast: her own parents were pirates who were executed for treason when Ximena and her sister were kids. When a notorious pirate kidnaps the Luzan Empire’s queen, Ximena offers to track down the pirate and bring back the queen in exchange for a spot among the Cazador ranks. One minor complication: there’s only one Cazador cloak available, and she’ll be competing with her very talented–and very nice-looking—rival for the job. An Embroidery of Souls by Ruby Martinez I’m as big a fan of a good spell casting as the next girl, but I love it when magic systems take more tactile forms. In this Mexican and German-inspired romantasy, thread speakers’ magic is in their needlework. Jade is a thread speaker in the queendom of Mérecal, where her mother is the master thread speaker and where their unique talent can only be used in service to the crown. When Jade’s mother goes missing, the queen demands that Jade track her down, or else be doomed to a life of servitude. If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal This author got a spot in the adult debut list, too: a round of applause for having an adult and YA debut in the same year! If We Were a Movie is a sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance set against the backdrop of a historic Black-owned movie theater. The enemies and lovers in question are an overachiever with her sights set on Wharton and her nemesis, who not only works at the theater she just got a job at—she’s her boss. I cannot wait to get to this. Salvación by Sandra Proudman I’ve been looking forward to Sandra Proudman’s debut since reading Relit anthology last year, and that was before I knew we were getting a magical Zorro remix! In the town of Coloma in 19th-century Mexico, Lola de La Peña is the ideal of a proper Mexican lady, assisting her mother in caring for the sick and injured using a magical black salt that heals all wounds. Or at least she is by day; by night, she is Salvación, a masked vigilante defending her family and town from a deadly magic threat. Taking down the terrible man who wields this magic through a dangerous red salt is a dangerous pursuit, but Salvacion will stop at nothing to protect her people. If only this Alejandro dude in the bad guy’s company wasn’t so… distracting. If you like swords, smoochin’, and vigilante justice stories, get into some Salvación. This is the Year by Gloria Muñoz Climate fiction tends to stress me the @%*# out (I wonder why?), but this YA cli-fi story sounds like a balm for the climate anxious. Julieta Villareal is a writer and self-proclaimed Goth grieving the death of her sister and watching her Florida home be destroyed by climate change. When she’s at her lowest, a private space program called Cometa offers her a life-changing opportunity: they want her to join a group of New American teens in establishing an extraterrestrial settlement. She agrees to join the mission, hoping this will be her chance to do something meaningful with her life and give back to her adopted country. Told in prose and verse with poems from Julieta’s journal entries, this tender story touches on climate justice, grief, the immigrant experience, and the healing power of community. What other Latine YA debut novels are you looking forward to? View the full article

October is upon us, and so are some of the most highly anticipated adaptations of the year! And just in time. As the weather gets cooler, all we want to do is be inside cozying up to watch a good book adaptation. ‘Tis the season to Netflix and chill, but if you’re still in the mood for going out, there are quite a few big theatrical releases coming out this month as well. Time to clear your calendar for lots and lots of movie dates, book lovers. Let’s get into it! The Woman in Cabin 10 (Netflix, October 10) If you loved Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10, then you’ve probably marked your calendar for this adaptation of the psychological thriller. Keira Knightley stars as Laura “Lo” Blacklock, a journalist covering the maiden voyage of a luxury cruise ship. But what happens when a woman is thrown overboard, and everyone else denies she ever existed? This film was directed by Simon Stone and also stars Guy Pearce, Art Malik, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, and Hannah Waddingham. Kiss of the Spider Woman (Theatrical Release, October 10) Think you have to wait for Wicked: Part 2 for your next movie musical? Think again. This musical adaptation of the 1976 novel by Argentine author Manuel Puig got a lot of buzz at the Sundance Film Festival this year. And now it’s finally hitting theaters everywhere on October 10. The project was written and directed by Bill Condon (who won an Academy Award for his Chicago screenplay). Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, and Tonatiuh star. Frankenstein (Theatrical Release, October 17) If you can’t wait for Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein to hit Netflix in November, then don’t fret! The movie is coming to select theaters in October. Everyone knows Mary Shelley’s classic story, but writer/director Del Toro is sure to bring his own perspective to the project. Oscar Isaac stars as Victor Frankenstein. Jacob Elordi plays the Creature. The film also stars Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Lauren Collins, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz. Regretting You (Theatrical Release, October 27) Colleen Hoover has quite a few film adaptations heading to theaters, but the next one coming our way is Regretting You. Allison Williams plays Morgan Grant, a young mother who struggles to raise her daughter Clara (McKenna Grace) after a tragic accident tears their family apart, destroying everything Morgan thought she knew about love. Dave Franco and Mason Thames also star. Josh Boone (The Fault in Our Stars) directed the project, with a script from Susan McMartin (After). IT: Welcome to Derry (HBO, October 26) More of a TV show person than a film adaptation aficionado? You’re getting a few of those this month, too. And what’s more appropriate for spooky season than a return to Derry in HBO’s IT: Welcome to Derry, a new series prequel to Stephen King’s IT. The series was developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs. The first season is slated for nine episodes, starting on October 26 and releasing weekly. Talamasca: The Secret Order (AMC, October 26) Here’s another must-watch adaptation from one of the world’s most iconic horror authors. AMC’s latest series adaptation pulls the worlds of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and The Mayfair Witches together. Talamasca tells the story of a secret society that tracks witches, vampires, and other supernatural creatures. The series was created by John Lee Hancock. Nicholas Denton, William Fichtner, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Elizabeth McGovern, and Celine Buckens star. Hedda (Prime Video, October 29) Rounding out the month is a new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, heading to theaters and streaming. Tessa Thompson stars as the titular Hedda Gabler, a recently married woman who is bored with her life and so begins messing with the lives of others. Nia DaCosta (Candyman) directed and wrote the adaptation. Imogen Poots, Tom Bateman, Nicholas Pinnock, and Nina Hoss also star. The film will have a limited theatrical release earlier in the month before heading to Prime Video. Looking for more film adaptations by authors of color? Us too. Here are some of our favorites of the year so far: The Man in My Basement, Washington Black, and, of course, how could we forget The Summer I Turned Pretty? What have been your favorites this year? View the full article

It’s time to put down your pumpkin spice whatever and pick up some of October’s exciting new releases of the sci-fi and fantasy flavor. The leaves are turning and the pages are turning, too! Below, you’ll find a wonderful selection of exciting new sci-fi and fantasy reads out in October that will have your TBR begging for mercy. There’s a retelling of The Great Gatsby set in 2075; a retelling of Cinderella but this time she’s a ghost; a novice mage with little skill who befriends an overachiever outcast; two young lovers in a magical hotel in the Swiss Alps; an unidentified object headed for the United States; a contract with a devil that promises revenge; and much more. Now get a fork and napkin, grab that comfy corner booth, and get ready to eat these great SFF books all up! Win a shiny library cart for your home! Let the good reads roll on its durable build and lockable wheels. Easily roll your current reads, favorite literary journals, or your entire TBR list from room to room. The Best New Science Fiction and Fantasy Books Out in October 2025 This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. If you want to learn about more sci-fi and fantasy books, check out Smells Like Screen Spirit: 5 Fantasy Series That Should Be Adapted for TV, 8 Books Marrying Climate Fiction with Technology, and 7 More Exciting SFF Books Coming in 2026. And be sure to sign up for our SFF newsletter, Swords and Spaceships! Finally, you can also find a full list of new releases in the magical New Release Index, carefully curated by your favorite Book Riot editors, organized by genre and release date. View the full article

There’s something about October that makes the world feel a little more dramatic. The air is crisper, the nights stretch longer, and everything seems touched with a little extra intensity—whether it’s the leaves blazing into color or the way we reach for comfort in a favorite blanket and a mug of something warm. It’s a season that practically begs for stories full of longing, sparks, and a touch of magic. Luckily, romance is right on cue. This month’s lineup of new romance books brings everything from spellbinding witchy slow burns to laugh-out-loud contemporary hijinks, heart-tugging rom-coms, and adventures that play with genre itself. Whether you’re looking for heat, humor, or happily-ever-afters with a twist, October’s new releases deliver love stories that match the mood of the season—rich, layered, and impossible to resist. I’ve rounded up new romance books hitting shelves in October—books that bring heat, heart, and just the right amount of drama. Grab a blanket, brew something warm, and get ready to fall in love with your next favorite romance. All Access members, read on for seven must-read new romance books out in October 2025. This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. As always, you can find a full list of new releases in the magical New Release Index, carefully curated by your favorite Book Riot editors, organized by genre and release date. View the full article

Autumn is the ideal time to take little ones to your local library or bookstore and pick out a book to cozy up with on chilly days. There’s always the classics, like The Chronicles of Narnia (an annual re-read for me). But if you only pick up familiar children’s books, you risk missing out on the wonderful books being written by contemporary authors. To catch you up, here are 12 of the most anticipated children’s books coming out this October. You’ll find a mix of picture and chapter books, so, depending on the desired reading level, you have a few options. Plus, for some thematic October reading, try these 21 Must-Read Halloween Children’s Books, like Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago and The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste. This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. Also check out these new children’s books out in September and August! View the full article

Photo Credit: Netflix Considering how the show ended, many fans are eager to know whether Wayward Season 2 is in the works or not. While the series was created as a miniseries, there are signs that a second season might happen. During an interview, the show creator spoke about the possibility of exploring a story beyond what the viewers have currently seen. Did Wayward get canceled or renewed for Season 2? Netflix has neither renewed nor canceled Wayward Season 2. Given that it was a miniseries, the chances are low. However, the showmaker believes that there’s more to the story. During an interview with TV Insider, Mae Martin, the show’s creator, shared a possibility for a second season. “I was told it was a miniseries, but there’s definitely more story to tell, I think,” Martin shared. “We left all those characters in crisis, basically. Hopefully it’s tied up enough that it’s satisfying to watch as a series.” According to the same report, Toni Collette, who plays Evelyn Wade, also shared the prospect of exploring the story further. She said, “It’s endlessly intriguing. Endlessly. So many places it could go, for sure.” Furthermore, Sydney Topliffe and Alyvia Alyn Lind, who play students Abbie and Leila, respectively, also expressed their intent to come back if Netflix decides to renew the show. “I would love to come back,” Topliffe expressed. “Mae, if you’re listening, we’re here. We’re ready,” Lind added. (via Yahoo) On the other hand, during an interview with Variety, Martin had stated that, realistically, it would be difficult to return to the series. “I feel like the FBI would be in there pretty fast. There are so many dead people now,” Martin shared. While Netflix has yet to make an official announcement about the fate of the show, fans are expecting to return to Tall Pine sometime in the future. All episodes of Wayward are currently streaming on Netflix. The post Has Wayward Season 2 Been Canceled or Renewed? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article