Welcome to Today in Books, our daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more.
Is the Decline of Reading Causing Political Dysfunction?
Americans are reading less and scrolling more. Social media erodes critical thinking skills and contributes to polarization. As book people, it can be tempting to think everything would be better if everyone just read more books. Vox‘s Eric Levitz examines the the claim that the decline in reading is poisoning our politics, and while his answer isn’t the straightforward affirmative you might be hoping for, it’s exactly the kind of nuanced analysis the moment calls for. We all need to have our assumptions challenged and to be reminded that reading itself is not resistance.
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Sure, Why Not, Let’s Do Another Jane Austen Adaptation
The studios behind the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice and 2020’s Emma are running back the play one more time. Daisy Edgar Jones will star in a forthcoming adaptation of Sense and Sensibility produced by Focus Features and Working Title Films. From the marsh of Where the Crawdads Sing to Twisters to an adaptation of a an enduringly beloved classic? Hell of a glow-up for Edgar Jones.
NPR Staffers’ Favorite Books of the Year So Far
NPR hosts tend to get all the glory, so it’s fun to see this round-up of their correspondents’, editors’, and other staffers’ favorite books of 2025 so far. A lot of familiar titles—Audition, The Antidote, and The Dream Hotel among them—but some fresh selections, too. I added Liquid and Fair Play to my TBR and got the nudge I’ve been waiting for to pick up Vantage Point.
Summer Releases by Latine Authors
Book Riot’s managing editor Vanessa Diaz is here to crash your TBR with a look at summer releases by Latine authors. Subscribe to our Latine Lit newsletter for regular news, recommendations, and more.
