Historical Fiction is Getting Banned. A lot.
Welcome to The Best of Book Riot, our daily round-up of what’s on offer across our site, newsletters, podcasts, and social channels. Not everything is for everyone, but there is something for everyone.
Banned Historical Fiction Books
Considering book bans are as much a historical as modern phenomenon, you might not be surprised to learn that historical fiction isn’t exempt from censorship, either. Just because something is historically accurate or important doesn’t mean it’s safe. These four banned historical fiction books tell important stories about the history of this country and others — but there are people out there who don’t want you to read them. Which is, I think, all the more reason you should.
America’s Declining Literacy Rates and the (Alleged) End of Reading
As someone who loves books and has two degrees in reading and writing, America’s declining literacy rates are deeply concerning to me. I’ve read countless pieces on professionals speculating about the reasons behind the decline and what solutions might be helpful. The latest is this episode from Plain English. Host Derek Thompson talks to Atlantic staff writer Rose Horowitch and Nat Malkus of the American Enterprise Institute about America’s declining literacy rates. Their conversations have sparked a number of discussions amongst my English teacher friends.
8 New Mystery, Thriller, and True Crime Adaptations To Watch in March 2025
Hello, mystery fans, welcome to another month of adaptations to watch! Before I dive into this month’s selections, if you missed January and February’s releases — a mix of true crime and mystery novel adaptations including Scam Goddess and Black Warrant— you can catch up here.
I’m going to start with a few adaptations this month that are either a mix of genres, only barely inspired by a book, or are based on a book that has yet to have an English translation.
Must-Read Daredevil Comics If You’re Watching Daredevil: Born Again
With only a few episodes out so far, it remains to be seen if they can reach the heights of Netflix’s Daredevil while avoiding the lows of, uh, Netflix’s Daredevil. But while you’re waiting between episodes, why not pick up some Daredevil comics? I’ve rounded up some of the runs that the show seems to be drawing inspiration from, or that are just fun reads in general.
New YA Book Releases, March 19, 2025
Roll up your sleeves: it’s yet another great week for new YA book releases. I don’t know about you, but I have not only been reading a lot of books this year, but the vast majority of the ones I’ve picked up have just been so dang good.
And to those who celebrate, Welcome to Hunger Games week. The latest in Suzanne Collins’s blockbuster series hits shelves, giving readers a glimpse into the youth of one of the most infamous characters in the series.
Part Ghost Story, Part Love Story, Part Multigenerational Saga
The Echoes is a character-driven novel that examines the ripples of choices made by one generation that impact their descendants for years to come. Wyld’s characters come alive on the page. Their relationships are filled with tiny details that make them seem so real. Every chapter reveals a new layer to Hannah’s story.
Are We Having a Romance Renaissance?
Romance novels cause debate, and they always have. There are regular arguments about if they are the correct books to read, if women are developing unrealistic expectations through reading them, and how the books themselves come into existence. Despite, or maybe because of, ongoing debates, romance novels are unavoidable. Considering this, in addition to recent trends in book buying, we’re living through a major romance renaissance.
