#nprbooks

On NPR: 100 Favorite Horror Stories.

Super pumped that I got to illustrate for the #NPR Summer Horror Reader Poll. And I got to be on the home page for a day and a half!

Some sad news. In case you haven’t heard, Petra Mayer has died of a suspected pulmonary embolism. In addition to being NPR Books editor she was curator of the Tumblr @nprbooks.

NPR Books

Petra was a tireless promoter of books and reading. She went out of her way to match readers with books. And during the dysfunctional Verizon/Oath era when news and public service users were abandoning Tumblr in droves, Petra stuck around and continued making excellent posts every two or three days.

Her style at NPR was not different from her style at Tumblr. She was filled with enthusiasm and did not talk down to people. Here is a piece she did for NPR last summer.

The Summer Reader Poll Returns: Tell Us Your Favorite New Sci-Fi And Fantasy Books

It’s not clear what’s going to happen to @nprbooks. There have been no posts since she died. To reach NPR to tell them you’d like to see somebody continue Petra’s work, you could try their online contact page. The closest option to book editor on their contact menu is the podcast NPR’s Book of the Day.

Something I heard or read — Contact an NPR show or podcast

As for Tumblr, it’s about time that they gave recognition to users, like @nprbooks which are mostly text based, reliably accurate, and well maintained.

There has been an upsurge in blogging and newsletters over the past couple of years. Tumblr seems to be missing the boat on this.

At Tumblr there’s been a lopsided emphasis on using the dashbord and operating the platform as a poor sister to Twitter. Instead it should try to compete more with Substack and draw users away from Facebook which is a dysfunctional cesspool of privacy loss and disinformation.

@nprbooks shows us what a lively and substantive blog looks like.

EDIT: Several of Perta Mayer’s colleagues put together this remembrance of her. It’s quite cool. 

Celebrating Petra Mayer's legacy and the joy she brought to NPR

Listen to Ibram X. Kendi talk with Steve Inskeep on Morning Edition. His book recommendations are terrific.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez

NPR released its fabulous Book Concierge featuring their picks for the best books of 2016.  You can filter by many categories, including Eye-Opening Reads, Ladies First, Rather Long & more. Norton, Liveright, Tin House, New Directions and Fantagraphics together have 10 books on the list!

My interview on NPR’s All Things Considered with Arun Rath! We talk about my book (of course), how much I love my husband, diversity, and other things.