Backing Down

In a surprise victory, a federal court granted the Trump administration’s request to withdraw its appeal of a judge’s earlier ruling that struck down Trump’s attempt last year to dismantle the IMLS. After an appellate court ruled that Iowa can enforce Senate File 496, author and former bookstore owner Danny Caine writes about the dangers of HR 7761, yet another bill that would slash books with alleged sexual content from school libraries. Maggie Su and Stephanie Wambugu are among the 2026 5 Under 35 Honorees, presented annually by the National Book Foundation in recognition of exemplary works of debut fiction. Meanwhile, Book Riot has rounded up the best historical fiction books of the century—so far. Town & Country wonders whether former mayor Michael Bloomberg could be New York’s ultimate bookfluencer, thanks in no small part to the A-list launch parties he hosts at the Bloomberg Philanthropies townhouse. The New Yorker speaks with author Nancy Lemann, whose spring is already packed with her new novel and two reissues of her early works. In a guest essay for Jane Friedman, writer Linda K. Sienkiewicz argues that three-star book reviews may not be as disheartening as they initially seem. And Vogue sits down with Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour to discuss The Devil Wears Prada 2, the latest movie adaptation inspired by Lauren Weisberger’s popular book series.