Riot Headline Book Riot’s 2024 Read Harder Challenge

Claire Handscombe

Claire Handscombe moved from Europe to DC in 2012, ostensibly to study for an MFA in Creative Writing, but actually – let’s be honest – because of an obsession with The West Wing. She is the author of Unscripted, a novel about a young woman with a celebrity crush and a determined plan, and the editor of Walk With Us: How The West Wing Changed Our Lives. She also hosts the Brit Lit Podcast, a fortnightly show of news and views from British books and publishing. Blog: the Brit Lit Blog. Twitter: @BookishClaire

Current Bookish Trends, as Observed by a Very Online Bookseller

As in all areas of culture, book trends come and go. Whether it's genre or cover trends, here are a few current ones.

10 of the Best Romance Novels Out in June

Fake dating, Hollywood love, reality TV, small towns, historical shenanigans: whatever your jam is, there's a romance novel for you in June, including American Royalty by Tracey Livesay.

The One Line That’s Missing From All the Writing Advice

All the advice I read about writing implied that if you follow certain rules, you will be successful. But what if it's not that simple?

Indie Bookshops and Indie Authors: You Can Be Friends, I Promise!

What do indie authors and indie booksellers need to know about each other to be friends? Can they happily co-exist. Yes! We've got some tips.

Romance Set in the Book World: Is It Just Me, or Is It a Trend?

Books about books have always been super popular, but there are a lot of romance novels set in the publishing world in 2022.

12 BookTok Accounts You Need to Follow in 2022

There's something for everyone on BookTok, the bookish corner of TikTok. Here are 12 of the accounts you should be following right now.

10 of the Best Romance Novels Out This Month

Second chance romance, secret crushes, fake dating, and more! There are lots of excellent romance novels to fall in love with this month, including The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann.

Why Authors Love You When You Leave a Book Review Online

Why do authors always ask for readers to leave reviews? Do reviews really help sell their books? Bottom line: yes.

The (Un)Importance of Book Twitter

What happens on book Twitter usually stays on book Twitter. It's time to stop assuming it's an accurate reflection of a broader conversation.

What If?: Books Like Sliding Doors

Books like Sliding Doors, including Silver Sparrow, where one detail or one decision change the course of somebody's life... maybe.