Spotify has taken a major step in expanding its global audiobook ambitions by introducing a new subscription tier that includes English-language audiobooks in select Middle Eastern and African markets. The company began testing this model on November 18, marking its first audiobook rollout in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. The move signals Spotify’s wider strategy to evolve from a music-first platform into a comprehensive audio ecosystem serving diverse global audiences.

This week’s bestseller charts reveal a dynamic mix of rising debuts, award-fueled momentum, and seasonal buying patterns that are reshaping reader interest across categories. Fiction continues to surge as word-of-mouth favorites push past early expectations, proving that long-tail discovery is still one of the strongest forces in publishing. At the same time, recognition from major retailers is giving select titles a powerful second life, lifting translated works and niche genres into broader visibility. Romantasy, a genre that has dominated social and indie communities for years, is entering a new phase with traditional houses amplifying previously self-published worlds.

Thanksgiving weekend marked a complicated start to the holiday season for independent bookstores across the country. While some shops saw lively crowds and record-breaking sales, others struggled with harsh weather, economic uncertainty, and the unpredictable rhythms of local foot traffic.

Hello Sunshine is expanding its reach into the next generation of readers with the debut of Sunnie Reads, a new book club created “by and for” Gen Z readers. Announced this week, the initiative marks a strategic move for the Reese Witherspoon–backed media brand as it leans deeper into youth-driven storytelling and community-focused engagement. The club, which will select its first pick in January, aims to give young readers curated experiences that blend literature, culture, and conversation.

The world’s largest trade publisher launches a multi-year, multi-format line of books inspired by Netflix’s record-breaking animated hit, expanding the franchise into a global literary universe.

Penguin Random House has announced a major expansion of the KPop Demon Hunters franchise, partnering with Netflix to launch a multi-year publishing program that brings the animated phenomenon into the global book market. The initiative unites three of PRH’s powerhouse divisions Random House Children’s Books, Random House Worlds, and Penguin Young Readers in a coordinated effort to translate the film’s vibrant universe of music, mythology, and K-pop–infused adventure onto the page. With demand for franchise-driven storytelling at an all-time high, PRH’s move positions KPop Demon Hunters as one of the most closely watched cross-media publishing rollouts of 2026 and beyond.

The 2025 China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair arrived at a pivotal moment for global publishing. With shifting reading habits, cautious rights buying, and a sharper focus on digital-first storytelling, this year’s event offered more than just exhibition halls and new releases. It became a mirror reflecting how children’s publishing is evolving across continents. From market slowdowns to rising creative confidence among Chinese publishers, the fair highlighted both the pressures and the possibilities shaping the next decade of children’s books. For international publishers, Shanghai 2025 served as a reminder that the world’s most dynamic youth market is entering a new phase, more selective, more inventive, and undeniably more influential.

Despite years of conversation around equity in publishing, the industry continues to face deep-rooted diversity challenges. New data shows movement, but not enough and that’s where organizations like Inkluded are stepping in with practical, long-term solutions designed to open doors for new voices. Through partnerships with major publishers and accessible educational programs, Inkluded is helping shape a more inclusive future while encouraging the industry to rethink how talent enters and advances.

London Book Fair has released its first major announcement for the 2026 edition, unveiling a powerful lineup of headline authors, illustrators, and audiobook talent ahead of its March 10–12 event at Olympia London. Under the direction of Emma Lowe, the fair introduces its inaugural “Narrator of the Fair,” alongside internationally acclaimed writers whose work continues to shape global reading culture. Early momentum is building as the industry prepares for one of publishing’s most influential annual gatherings.

Led by the Mellon Foundation, a coalition of major U.S. philanthropies joins forces to sustain and uplift the nation’s nonprofit literary community over the next five years.

In a moment when the literary world faces mounting financial pressures, seven major U.S. foundations have come together to launch an ambitious initiative: the Literary Arts Fund, a new $50 million commitment to sustain and strengthen nonprofit literary organizations across the nation. Led by the Mellon Foundation, the coalition includes the Ford Foundation, Hawthornden Foundation, Lannan Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Poetry Foundation, and an anonymous donor.

The 44th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) has once again transformed the UAE into the beating heart of the global publishing world. Under the evocative theme “Between You and a Book,” this year’s fair celebrates the intimate relationship between readers and stories, bringing together 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries. More than just a marketplace, SIBF has evolved into a cultural crossroads, a space where ideas from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond converge. Positioned strategically after the Frankfurt Book Fair, Sharjah now stands as the most significant literary gathering for the Global South, blending commerce, creativity, and collaboration. As the fair continues through November 16, its message resonates clearly: books remain the most powerful bridge between people, cultures, and generations.

Every October, Frankfurt transforms into the beating heart of the global publishing world, a place where imagination, innovation, and industry converge. From 15 to 19 October 2025, the Frankfurt Book Fair will once again welcome tens of thousands of authors, publishers, agents, and creatives from more than 100 countries. What began in 1949 as a post-war book exhibition has evolved into a global hub where ideas are traded as passionately as stories are told.

This year’s edition celebrates the growing intersection of creativity, copyright, and technology, inviting visitors to explore how books become brands, and stories evolve into cross-media worlds. Between vibrant readings, dazzling pavilions, and debates on digital transformation, the fair reminds us that the power of storytelling still defines culture and continues to shape the future of publishing.

The first week of October 2025 opened with an electric mix of acquisitions that reflect publishing’s constant evolution, a blend of powerhouse imprints, daring debuts, and cross-genre experimentation. From literary fiction to romantic horror, from historical translation to political reportage, the industry seems to be stretching in every direction at once, and readers are here for it.

At the center of attention is Pamela Dorman Books, securing The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson, a sharp and witty exploration of ambition and intimacy that travels from Manhattan’s pulse to the quiet tides of seaside Massachusetts. It’s a high-profile deal that signals how character-driven storytelling still commands major-house energy.

The Hay Festival, long regarded as one of the world’s premier literary gatherings, is entering a new chapter of global influence. From its beginnings in the small town of Hay-on-Wye in Wales, the festival has grown into a cultural force with a presence across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and now war-torn Ukraine. Over the past three years, Hay has expanded its international programming with striking ambition, not only bringing acclaimed writers to new regions but also shaping conversations at critical geopolitical and cultural crossroads.

The way people read has transformed dramatically in just a few short decades. From the smell of ink on paper to the glow of digital screens, the modern reader now stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation. Among the many technologies reshaping this habit, e-readers have emerged as one of the most influential. Once seen as a niche alternative to bookshelves and libraries, they are now positioned as central tools in a digital-first world.

The literary world is abuzz this week as the National Book Foundation begins unveiling the longlists for the 2025 National Book Awards. Spanning five categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature, the awards celebrate the most outstanding works published in the past year. From over 1,800 total submissions, judges will narrow each list down to five finalists by October 1, with winners revealed at the 76th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner in New York City on November 19, 2025.

A Festival at a Crossroads

Tomorrow, September 6, the Library of Congress will open the doors to its 25th annual National Book Festival, a milestone event in the nation’s capital that promises to blend tradition, innovation, and resilience. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center will host thousands of readers, writers, and publishers in a full day of programming from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with free admission for all and livestreams available worldwide. Yet this landmark year unfolds in a Washington under unusual circumstances.

Anthropic, the artificial intelligence company behind the Claude chatbot, has reached a proposed settlement with book authors and publishers who accused it of copyright infringement. The agreement, disclosed in recent court filings, marks the first major resolution of its kind in the growing clash between the publishing industry and AI developers.

The lawsuit, Bartz v. Anthropic, alleged that the company built a digital library of pirated books from shadow sites such as Library Genesis and used those works to train its large language models…

Denmark has announced it will abolish its 25% sales tax on books, a move aimed at addressing what officials are calling a “reading crisis.” The tax, among the highest in Europe, has long been criticized for making books less affordable and discouraging reading. With one in four Danish teenagers struggling to understand basic texts, the government says the measure is urgently needed to make reading more accessible. The decision is part of Denmark’s wider cultural policy to strengthen literacy, and it has already sparked discussion about whether other countries should consider similar reforms.

Every year, thousands of hopeful authors set out to publish their books with dreams of reaching readers worldwide. But in 2025, the sad reality is that the publishing world has also become a hunting ground for scammers who prey on that very dream. Behind professional-looking websites, official-sounding names, and fake reviews, entire networks of fraudulent “publishers” and “literary agencies” are tricking writers into handing over their hard-earned money, only to deliver nothing in return.

These scams are not just frustrating inconveniences, they can devastate an author’s confidence, finances, and even the future of their book.

The education retailer battles compliance deadlines after delayed filings, and an internal audit uncovers a $23 million accounting overstatement.

Barnes & Noble Education (BNED) has been handed a potential lifeline and a warning. Following a delayed annual filing and revelations of a $23 million accounts receivable overstatement, the New York Stock Exchange has given the company until February 1, 2026, to regain compliance or risk delisting. The clock is now ticking as BNED works to resolve governance issues, shore up internal controls, and restore investor confidence.

On August 6, 2025, a powerful new chapter in American literary advocacy began with the official launch of the National Association of Black Bookstores (NAB2). Created to amplify Black voices, support independent Black-owned bookstores, and safeguard the cultural legacy of Black literature, NAB2 represents a unifying force in the book industry. According to the official press release shared on PR Newswire, the launch signals a nationwide call to preserve and empower Black-owned literary spaces.

Jane Austen is having a historic moment again. In the first half of 2025, her novels have outsold the past fifteen years, coinciding with the global celebration of her 250th birthday. From special edition box sets to immersive Regency balls, Austen’s legacy is being embraced not just by readers, but by an entire cultural moment. Her stories have leapt off the page, onto TikTok screens, collector shelves, and into the hearts of new generations.

A Netflix adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, starring Emma Corrin and Olivia Colman, has ignited fresh interest in her work. Meanwhile, bookstores can’t restock fast enough. Some editions, like The Folio Society’s £925 boxed set, sell out within hours, proving that Austen is both timeless and timely.