AGP Executive Report

Retail Expansion: Barnes & Noble opened a new 20,000-square-foot store in Chicago’s Loop, with local author Jasmine Warga on hand, while a long-shuttered Gold Coast location is being demolished. Caregiving & Faith Publishing: Dr. Pam Mullarkey Robbins’ dementia memoir, What’s So Funny About Dementia?, and Marion Dunkerley’s Christian nonfiction With All Your Heart: Trusting God Through Every Season both lean into personal stories meant to comfort readers. Libraries Under Strain: North Carolina libraries are seeing surging demand that’s driving massive holds for popular titles, with e-content costing more and worsening waitlists. Legal/Publishing Crossover: The DOJ is defending its prosecution of former FBI chief James Comey, arguing his “86 47” seashell Instagram post and his novel FDR Drive show he understood it as a threat to President Trump. Book Culture & Events: A new “Reading Rainbow” host Mychal Threets says he’s seeking help after posting he’s “not okay,” and a slate of community author talks and library programs runs through Aug. 20–26. AI & Rare Books: Multiple reports claim Amazon is buying rare books and destroying them after scanning for AI training, reigniting copyright and ethics debates.

Rare-Book Scandal: A 404 Media investigation says Amazon bought about 1,000 rare books, cut them apart, and scanned pages for AI training after an AirTag led reporters to a Las Vegas facility. AI & Publishing: The broader debate is back: secondhand sellers in the UK and Ireland report suspicious orders for obscure titles, echoing earlier claims about “Project Panama.” Book-to-TV Buzz: Bestselling medical thriller author Jenny White, a brain-tumor survivor, is set to launch a TV show, “Inside the Story: Confidential,” blending medicine and storytelling. Kids & Community Reading: Erode Book Festival 2026 set a world record with 2,06,760 people reading simultaneously across 519 venues. Libraries on the Move: Montgomery Area Public Library hosts a free Open Air Book Fair Aug. 22 with authors, used books, and family activities. Mental Health Awareness: A new children’s book roundup tackles grief and loss, including “Where Is My Sister?” for ages 5–8.

AI & Rare Books: 404 Media reports Amazon buys rare books in bulk, tracks shipments with an AirTag, then cuts bindings to scan pages and destroys the books to train AI models—raising fresh questions about consent and what happens to truly scarce editions. Publishing Policy: UK/Europe pressure is building on copyright and AI training, while independent booksellers and authors back a push to extend business-rate relief to bookshops. Book Industry Leadership: Manga Mavericks Books names Erica Friedman managing editor as it gears up for a bigger 2027 slate. Community & Events: NecronomiCon returns to Providence with Lovecraft-themed panels, vendors, and screenings, while local libraries keep rolling out storytimes and calendars. Culture & Books: Dave Marsh, the Springsteen biographer and rock critic, dies at 76; and Image Comics faces backlash after alleged abuser Warren Ellis is set to return.

Book Bans & Library Oversight: Sydney’s Waverley Council pulled Adam H. Johnson’s How to Sell a Genocide from library shelves for review after complaints tied to the Bondi Beach massacre, while the title remains reservable in the catalogue. Romantasy Publishing Buzz: Sarah J. Maas revealed covers and titles for A Court of Thorns and Roses books 6 and 7: A Court of Splintered Harmony (Oct. 27) and A Court of Forgotten Melody (Jan. 12), with Koschei the Deathless driving the next arc. AI, Books, and the Reading Culture: A new wave of commentary argues AI writing and algorithmic feeds are shrinking vocabularies and flattening style, while another report warns Amazon is destroying rare books to train AI. Publishing, Tech, and Rights: MIT’s financial records are being used to challenge claims of austerity, as critics point to spending on AI-enabled cameras alongside library closures. Community Reading Events: Friends of the Baxter County Library will run a used book sale Aug. 20–22, with proceeds supporting library programs.

Fantasy Publishing Buzz: Sarah J. Maas has revealed the covers and titles for ACOTAR books 6 and 7—A Court of Splintered Harmony (Oct. 27, 2026) and A Court of Forgotten Melody (Jan. 12, 2027)—kicking off “The Valkyrie Cycle,” with teaser lines promising “what was broken will be remade” and “what was lost will be reclaimed.” AI & Rare Books: A new report says Amazon buys rare out-of-print books, cuts off their spines, and scans them for AI training, raising fresh alarms about what happens to hard-to-find texts. Indie Publishing Launch: Riot House Publishing launched in Los Angeles with a new author-first model built around profit-sharing and a small annual list, starting with a political/tariff-focused nonfiction title. Legal/Books & Authors: A Texas appellate court tossed a defamation case against Peoria author Aaron Warr, ruling that selling his book via Amazon in Texas wasn’t enough for jurisdiction. Community & Events: The Detroit Jewish Book Fair returns with a special Aug. 27 kickoff featuring Rabbi Joseph Krakoff’s memoir The Best Day. Industry Under Fire: Ukrainian publishers BookChef and RM report damage to offices and warehouses from Russian shelling, pausing shipments while they assess losses.

Manga on the move: HarperCollins is launching Kazé, a new U.S. manga imprint, with an initial slate of seven titles planned for later this year. Secondhand booksellers alarmed: In Ireland and the UK, used-book shops report “mystery” bulk orders that look machine-driven, raising fears AI firms are buying books for data. Publishing & culture abroad: Qatar’s Ministry of Culture is taking part in the 11th Istanbul Arabic Book Fair, while Shanghai’s Sinan Literature Month spotlights 65 Lu Xun Prize winners with an immersive exhibition. Book-world business: Aviva says it’s refusing to chase “unprofitable” commercial lines as soft market conditions hit underwriting, and MSIG Singapore publishes its first claims report highlighting faster, more automated payouts. Reading & craft: A new guide, How a Warehouse Really Works, targets educators and workforce programs with end-to-end warehouse operations.

Publishing in a war zone: Kyiv’s “Nash Format” says its office near Pochaina was damaged in a Russian ballistic missile attack; it urged readers to support by buying books. True-crime & books culture: Tupac Shakur’s unsolved murder is back in the spotlight as Duane “Keffe D” Davis goes on trial in Las Vegas. Libraries & local reading: Portlaoise author Helen Cullen credits her childhood library for shaping her path to writing. Self-publishing showdown: MindStir Media vs BookBaby—MindStir positions itself as a fuller-service partner with mentoring and marketing, while BookBaby leans more on production and distribution. Arts funding pressure: New Zealand literature gets a smaller slice of Creative NZ funding than dance, despite strong reader interest. Book market hit in conflict: Ukraine’s drone campaign includes strikes that damaged a famous Kyiv Wildberries-linked book market. Book industry events: Oman joins the Istanbul International Arab Book Fair with a pavilion under “The Story Continues.” Obituary: Rock critic and Bruce Springsteen biographer Dave Marsh dies at 76. AI & publishing: Reports say AI labs are buying old books in bulk and shredding them for training data.

Publishing & Diplomacy: The UP Law Complex launched two new titles in Manila—Philippine Foreign Relations Law and Philippine Treaties in Force 2025—aimed at diplomats, judges, and legal scholars. Arabic Publishing Spotlight: The 11th International Istanbul Arabic Book Fair opened in Türkiye under “The Story Continues,” with 300+ publishers from 30+ countries and Syria as guest of honor. Community & Self-Help Books: Greenwood pediatrician Dr. Robert Saul and former TV anchor Michael Cogdill promoted What Really Matters: Find Meaning Amid Upheaval, with a public discussion and signing set for Aug. 20. Academic Integrity Shock: A Cambridge professor’s death follows a plagiarism and credential controversy, reigniting debate over standards and institutional authority. Libraries Under Pressure: Massachusetts moves to protect local control of school and municipal libraries amid rising book challenges. Book Culture & Events: True-crime author Nicole Morris spotlighted Australia’s missing persons cases with new releases timed to National Missing Persons Week.

Manga Market Shift: Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump print circulation slipped below 1 million for the first time, underscoring how e-books and smartphone reading are reshaping magazine demand. New Health Title: J.E. Miller’s The Nutritional Handguide lands with 50 practical health tips aimed at healthy aging, including guidance for people who drink or smoke. Book Culture & Events: Ann Patchett’s Whistler gets a warm spotlight as a family-centered novel about time, accident, and second chances, while local library programming highlights speculative fiction groups and hands-on family activities. AI vs Books: UK and Ireland secondhand booksellers report suspicious bulk orders they suspect are tied to AI firms, echoing broader copyright fights over using books for training. Controversial Display: A London Arabic bookstore removed Mein Kampf from sale after backlash, saying it wants to stay welcoming to the community. Publishing Loss: Rock critic and Springsteen biographer Dave Marsh dies at 76, remembered for Born to Run and decades of music writing.

BookTok Romance Buzz: Readers are pushing back on stereotypes and “taboo” stigma around romance, with TikTok communities helping indie authors and making love stories feel more mainstream. Netflix Adaptation Spotlight: Zimbabwean author Bo Wagner’s “The Polygamist” creator Sue Nyathi says her novel—once dismissed as having “no market”—hit global streaming success after adaptation. Children’s Lit Loss: Co Tyrone author Carrie-Anne Browne, 38, remembered as “gentle beyond measure,” with her children’s book “Bonnie and the Gleam Queen Team” honored after her sudden death. Publishing & Society: A staged reading of “People, Places and Things” tackles addiction triggers through a recovery-step title, while a separate piece revisits how 19th-century antislavery writers used books to counter disbelief. Literary Culture: Cambridge writers share beach reads, and a new biography cover launch spotlights Priyanka Chopra unveiling “Empress,” Sridevi’s definitive biography.

AI & Publishing Integrity: New Book Authors Publishing says it’s “reclaiming its identity” after being targeted by AI-generated misinformation, urging readers to be wary of hallucinated claims. Book Culture & Community: A St. Paul group is pushing an African Diaspora kids’ library in Minnesota, inspired by a Ghana visit and focused on culturally reflective stories. Literary Travel Trend: “Book-cations” are booming, with travel companies offering itineraries tied to popular books and reading-focused group trips. Viral Books & Food History: Mark Kurlansky’s 500-page Salt is surging again after a viral social post, showing how internet buzz can revive older nonfiction. Local Retail Milestone: Barnes & Noble opened in Stillwater, drawing early lines and community excitement. New Releases (Audiobook/Print): Blackstone Publishing will release the audiobook of Adam Nelson’s Huckleberry Jim on Oct. 6, alongside multiple print and digital formats. Author Spotlight: Liane Moriarty is featured in a library-set profile ahead of her sequel, Big Little Truths.

Children’s Publishing & Community: Sandstorm Comics’ Little Storm imprint published an 8-year-old Emirati’s space adventure, spotlighting kids as creators, not just readers. Reading Access Push: UK retailer The Works’ “Find Your Story Book Bus” toured Friars Walk, handing out free books to 300+ children and tying the effort to worries about falling reading habits. Partition in Middle Grade: Penguin Random House India’s children’s team says Partition fiction is rare because it demands nuance, citing Nayanika Mahtani’s “Across the Line” as one of the few examples. New Bookshop Opening: Long Eaton’s “Books on the Bridge” launched with a focus on independent authors and tabletop games, aiming to bridge Derby and Nottingham readers. Local Legal Fight: Clevedon shopkeeper Daniel Adams lost a parking-fee court bid but locals raised £10k+ toward his costs. Religion & Ritual: Elul and Selichot prayers return to the Western Wall, with midnight recitations marking the season of mercy. Publishing Industry Watch: University of Chicago Press union election reportedly landslide—another sign of labor momentum in academic publishing.

AI in the browser: Anthropic’s Claude Cowork is now moving into Chrome, letting side-panel sessions carry across Claude desktop, web, and mobile—though enterprise admins can restrict it, and the company says Cowork activity isn’t captured in some compliance tools. Privacy pushback: A new op-ed argues surveillance cameras are changing the state-citizen relationship by recording and tracking people who haven’t committed crimes. Health-care risk: A patient says an AI medical scribe falsely claimed she used psychedelic mushrooms, raising fresh concerns about hallucinations in clinical documentation. Book culture & community: A new children’s faith biography series (“Here I Am!”) is expanding with more titles; and a Lomé Youth Book Fair adds professional meetings and workshops for West African publishing. Big-name publishing buzz: Barack Obama is launching an Audible-only podcast about books that shaped him. Local reading life: Shelburne Public Library’s late-summer challenge and events include a romance-novel “bedazzle” session and author talks.

Publishing & Culture: A children’s Ibanag-language book, “Papa Teyo,” by Tuguegarao City’s Mielmia Marie Baquiran was selected for IBBY’s “Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages” collection in Ottawa, with the title released in English and Filipino. Book World & Community: Great Western Railway is rolling out free Short-Story Dispensers at major stations to fight summer reading drop-offs, printing folklore tales for kids. Reading Habits & Parenting: A new piece on “summer slide” links weaker reading and math skills to the break from school routines, while another argues for social-emotional learning strategies to keep students engaged. Publishing Industry: Simon & Schuster/Atria is set to republish Susan Abulhawa’s novels despite backlash over antisemitic rhetoric, drawing fresh scrutiny of publisher responsibility. Libraries & Access: Waterloo-Grant Township Public Library hosts the Indiana Historical Society’s “Auto Indiana” exhibit through Aug. 31. Tech & Learning: Afghan universities are divided after a smartphone ban, with students saying it either boosts focus or disrupts study.

AI & Authorship Scams: A new wave of AI-generated fraud emails is tricking authors with fake “publishing” praise and deal offers, with one Australian novelist spotting the scam via copied synopsis lines and an AOL sender address. Author Safety & Transparency: A separate industry take argues authors need clear, transparent AI policies so agents, editors, and publishers know where tools are used and where red lines are. School Book Challenges: North Carolina lawmakers expanded who can challenge public school books and made districtwide decisions binding, replacing school-level committees with a single district team. Local Book Culture: An Estevan councillor is selling his own novel to fund library programming, while the Whitby Lit Fest lineup adds Si King and major crime and fantasy voices. Publishing & Events: Saddleback Educational Publishing rolls out decodable phonics libraries for older students, and the Living Now Book Awards named 2026 lifestyle and wellness medalists. Book Bans in Kashmir: A report describes enforcement actions that led to books being removed and treated as criminal in Srinagar markets.

Publishing & Books in the Spotlight: Oratia Books says its bestselling “I need a NEW BUM!” series is back with number 13, “Dad needs a NEW BUM!,” timed for Father’s Day 2026. Local Author Events: Woodford County’s Friends of Metamora Courthouse will host Lincoln historian Guy Fraker on Aug. 15, and Roanoke’s “Star City” guide highlights local reading-and-leisure stops for August. Big Franchise, Big Casting: HBO’s “Harry Potter” reboot for Season 2 adds Nicholas Hoult as Gilderoy Lockhart, with the show continuing to draw major attention from book fans. Children’s Reading & Belonging: Jacqueline Woodson’s “The Day You Begin” is being promoted as a back-to-school pick about courage and fitting in. Community Libraries: Barrow County libraries list August storytimes, clubs, and craft events, while one council moves to address library material challenges. Controversy Watch: A UK tribunal struck off a Zimbabwean-born solicitor over a property-investment scam involving £31,000 from nurses.