books

Newly unsealed court filings in the Authors Guild's copyright lawsuit against Microsoft and OpenAI indicate top executives were aware that large-scale use of pirated books to train AI models was legally questionable. The documents suggest internal knowledge that training data included copyrighted works without permission. The revelations are drawing attention because they could strengthen claims of willful infringement, which carry higher damages, in one of the most closely watched AI copyright cases.

Piers Morgan, speaking on Good Morning Britain, claims to have insider knowledge of how the Royal Family privately reacted to a bombshell new book about Princess Diana. His comments have drawn wide attention as royal watchers debate the palace's response to the revelations and what they say about the monarchy's relationship with Diana's legacy.

A new installment of the KHW series, episode 394 titled 'Bapak' (Father), has been released alongside a promotional campaign for KHW books. The release is drawing large attention from readers, with the episode's promotion reaching an audience in the millions. Fans of the series appear to be responding strongly to both the new episode and the accompanying book offer.

Word&Way has published a review of 'Live Each Season As It Passes'. The piece offers an appraisal of the work for the publication's readers, but no further details about the book's content, author, or reception are available at this time.

The Wall Street Journal has published an opinion piece titled 'Balancing the Campus Books', addressing the financial state of higher education institutions. The article examines budget pressures facing colleges and universities, weighing how campuses manage costs amid enrollment and funding challenges. It is drawing attention among readers following debates over the sustainability of higher education finance.

Writing advice is circulating urging travel memoirists to abandon the itinerary structure in their books. The argument, put forward by publishing commentator Jane Friedman, is that a day-by-day route makes a memoir read like a journal rather than a story, and that writers should instead build the book around a central theme or transformation. The piece is being discussed among aspiring travel writers looking to make their manuscripts more publishable.

BMW has opened US order books for the new 3 Series, offered in both gasoline and fully electric versions. Customers in the United States can now place orders for the updated sedan, which combines combustion and electric variants in one lineup. The dual offering gives buyers a choice between traditional and electric powertrains in BMW's core compact executive model.

Sylvester Stallone is out with a new book, featured in an entertainment news roundup. Details about the title, publisher and release date were not provided in the coverage. Stallone, the star of the Rocky and Rambo franchises, has previously published works about his life and career, and fans are discussing the new release.

Utah has removed seven additional novels from all public school libraries and classrooms statewide, in one of the latest mass removals under the state's book-ban law. The Salt Lake Tribune reports on the content of the banned titles, which officials have deemed to contain objectionable material. The move is part of an ongoing wave of school book restrictions in Utah that has drawn criticism from free-speech advocates and librarians.

Airbnb has introduced a travel map and social connection features aimed at helping travelers discover destinations and places to stay. The update lets users explore locations visually and tap into connections for recommendations, as the company pushes further into travel inspiration and discovery beyond simple accommodation booking.

A new analysis from consultancy Bain & Company warns travel operators that artificial intelligence is rerouting how customers plan and book trips, and that standing on the sidelines is not an option. The piece argues operators must adapt their distribution and service strategies to stay relevant as AI tools increasingly mediate the customer journey.

Utah has added seven books to its list of titles banned from schools and public institutions, bringing the statewide total to 44 prohibited works. The move comes as Utah continues to enforce some of the strictest book restriction laws in the United States, a policy that has drawn both support from proponents of content limits and criticism from free-speech advocates who argue the bans are overly broad.

A review in the Wall Street Journal covers 'Collection and Translation: Thomas Jefferson in Southern France', a book exploring how Jefferson's travels through southern France shaped his thinking. The review frames the journey as part of the founding father's broader education abroad, drawing fresh attention to a lesser-studied chapter of his life.

Amazon has sharply reduced the number of titles independent authors can upload to its Kindle self-publishing platform, a move widely read as a crackdown on AI-generated spam books. The change is prompting debate about why streaming services have not taken similar steps against the flood of AI-generated music flooding platforms like Spotify. Publishing's ability to restrict volume contrasts with music licensing structures that make equivalent limits difficult.

Americans planning trips around Halloween are facing higher airfares if they fly on October 31 itself. Reports point to strong demand around the holiday weekend, with travelers extending trips or flying on the day for convenience, pushing up prices on that date. Coverage highlights popular destinations for the spooky season and advice on when to book to avoid peak pricing.

A new book titled 'Man in the Mirror' examines the life and death of Jordan Neely, the homeless street performer killed on a New York subway by Marine veteran Daniel Penny in 2023. Penny was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide in December 2024, a verdict that sharply divided public opinion. The book revisits Neely's life, his struggles with mental illness, and the case that became a national flashpoint.

Choice Hotels has announced an agreement to acquire Harvest Hosts, a membership-based RV travel company that connects travelers with farms, wineries, breweries and other unique overnight stops. The deal signals the hotel group's push into the fast-growing road trip and outdoor lodging market, extending its reach beyond traditional hotels and adding a new audience of RV travelers to its loyalty and booking ecosystem.

The production team behind the Alice Feeney adaptation ‘His & Hers’ is developing her next novel ‘Twist’ as a television series, working alongside Fifth Season. The move signals continued confidence in Feeney’s thrillers as source material for screen adaptations, following the high-profile treatment of ‘His & Hers’.

Noah Hawley, the Emmy-winning creator of Fargo and Legion, is making his Marvel Comics debut writing Amazing Spider-Man #1000. The milestone issue marks a rare move from a prominent screenwriter into mainstream comics, and Hawley discussed his approach to the iconic character in an interview with Deadline. Details of the story remain limited ahead of the book's release.