My Books Have Been Banned or Challenged in 16 States
Since 2021, there has been an extremely disturbing surge in book bans in school districts and libraries in the United States. The most frequently targeted books are about people of color, LGBTQ+ people, racism, and history.
In the last two years, my books have been banned, challenged, or restricted in 44 cases in 40 communities across 16 states. Last Night at the Telegraph Club receives the most attention, but Ash, Huntress, A Line in the Dark and A Scatter of Light have also been targeted by book banners.
An Update on Book Bans in the US
If you follow me on Twitter or if you remember my National Book Award acceptance speech, you’ll know that for several months now, right-wing efforts to remove books about people of color and LGBTQ people from schools and libraries (including public libraries) have been ramping up across the U.S.
A belated annual review: 2018 to 2019
For many years I've posted an annual review at the end of each year in which I wrap up the previous year and give a preview of what's coming up. I didn't do that at the end of 2018, but as the weeks of 2019 roll by (slowly, filled with way too much news) I realized that I don't want to skip my annual review. So, even though this is a little late, here we go!
I had several short stories published last year, and it's not too late to read them!
"New Year" (published in Feb. 2018 in the anthology All Out) is about a Chinese American girl in 1950s San Francisco who discovers that there's a lesbian community right next door to her Chinatown home. If you're a regular reader of my blog or a follower on social media, you'll know that "New Year" is turning into a full-length novel (I'm working on it right now), so you can get a sneak peek at it in the story!
A LINE IN THE DARK is now available in paperback
My latest novel, A Line in the Dark, is now available in paperback with this glorious review from Teen Vogue on the cover:
"A twisty, dark psychological thriller ... impressive storytelling, a chilling plot, and mean girls aplenty."
I might argue with "mean girls" in its most stereotypical sense, but to be honest, there are some mean girls in A Line in the Dark. What I mean, of course, is that this book contains anger, obsession, jealousy, and complicated shifting identities that sometimes are expressed by meanness.
From 2017 to 2018
Every year I write up a review of what I did in the past year and what I'm looking forward to in the next.
The last month has been a whirlwind, so let me update you
What a month! For the past four weeks I've been criss-crossing the United States promoting my new novel, A Line in the Dark. I went to Minneapolis, MN; Portland, OR; Salisbury, MD; and Austin, TX. I spoke at the Twin Cities Book Festival, the Boston Book Festival, and the Texas Book Festival. ...
A LINE IN THE DARK is out today!
Today's the day! My fifth novel, A Line in the Dark, is officially on sale at all retailers.
Preorder A LINE IN THE DARK (and other news)
Now you can preorder signed copies of A Line in the Dark from Porter Square Books! Plus reviews, events and more.
Building a character's world
I've been purposely quieter on the internet this summer because I've felt like I needed a break from the noise. I probably follow too many political pundits and not enough calming voices. But I'm also sort of defensively taking some space for myself as I approach two things: the publication of A Line in the Dark in October, and the start of drafting my next novel.