Lit Happens

Cracking the immigration impasse: Author-educator weaves tales of humanity to expose the real “crisis” at the U.S.-Mexico border

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

“We all deserve a narrative with clarity, and Towle’s has delivered. Spectacular!”  –Ken Burns, renowned filmmaker It was family separation and “kids in cages” that drove Sarah Towle to the U.S. southern border. On discovering the many-headed hydra that is the U.S. immigration system–and the heroic determination of those caught under its knee–she could never […]

An Interview with Max Bowen, host and founder of Citywide Blackout

Posted on | by Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

For our 2024 blog series, we’re highlighting industry professionals to find out more about their time in the book world. Follow along for insight on what catches a reviewer’s interest, things to avoid when pitching a media outlet, what librarians are searching for and more.  Today, we’re chatting with Max Bowen, a podcast/radio host, public […]

Books Forward Authors in the Media: March 2024

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

What can we say, Books Forward authors are always going, going, going! We’re excited to feature some of our authors and their recent media wins. The New York Times Modern Love section featured an excerpt from Anna Monardo’s new book. Yecenia Currie was featured on the podcast It’s All About Food. Bookshop at the End […]

Reading list for Disability Awareness Month

Posted on | by Layne Mandros

When I first moved to New Orleans I was fresh out of college and fumbling my way through becoming a special education teacher. I knew I wanted to do right by my students and that meant leaning in and learning more than I ever could have imagined about disability, more specifically, disability justice.  I turned […]

Beyond tolerance: Dalai Lama-approved book encourages peace, understanding, and love across faith traditions

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

“In ‘Raging Fire of Love,’ Dr. Kelly James Clark delves into the teachings of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and concludes that kindness and compassion lie at the heart of them all.”   –His Holiness, the Dalai Lama  GRAND RAPIDS, MI–In his accessible and inspirational collection of religious insights, “Raging Fire of Love” (May 14, 2024), acclaimed […]