Can Ryan Murphy Save Bret Easton Ellis’ ‘The Shards’ From HBO Development Hell?

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As the turmoil of apocalyptic fires in Los Angeles and political unrest in Washington unfolded, I found solace in the pages of dystopian novels that mirrored our own troubled times. Books like Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451,” a tale of book burning, soared to become the 8th best-selling book nationwide with a 150% increase in sales. George Orwell’s “1984,” a classic story about manipulative authoritarian regimes, climbed to No. 10 after a 192% surge in sales. Octavia Butler’s “The Parable of the Sower,” Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and Orwell’s “Animal Farm” narrowly missed the top ten list.

Alex Woloch, an Orwell scholar at Stanford, noted that similar trends occurred after Donald Trump’s first inauguration, when Kellyanne Conway’s phrase “alternative facts” catapulted “1984” to No. 1 on Bookscan. He suggests that readers are drawn back to these stories because they offer a “reassuring moral clarity” about the current events. In his words, reading “1984” or “The Handmaid’s Tale” provides a clear, united, and authoritative perspective, which stands in stark contrast to the disorientation of today’s politics.

However, these spikes are often temporary. By the following week, the best-seller list returned to being dominated by Rebecca Yarros’ books, works by Freida McFadden, self-help titles, and the latest installment in the “Dog Man” series.

— Andy Lewis

Berlin: Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe Join Period Epic ‘The Weight’ (Exclusive)

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Hawke portrays Samuel Murphy, a man grieving over the loss of his spouse, who finds himself incarcerated in a cruel labor camp governed by the ruthless Clancy (Crowe). Desperate to break free and reclaim custody of his daughter Penny, Murphy unwillingly gets involved in Clancy’s dangerous gold smuggling operation. He must navigate treacherous wilderness hazards and the risk of being betrayed by those within his own team as he strives for freedom.

Sean “Diddy” Combs Files $100M Defamation Lawsuit Over NBCUniversal Documentary

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As a gamer speaking, In a court filing on Wednesday in New York, I’ve expressed worries about allegations that I’m responsible for the death of Kim Porter, a mother to four of my kids, and charges that I had inappropriate relationships with minors. These claims, if believed by potential jurors, could unfairly influence the outcome of my trial. I’m asking for a minimum of $100 million in damages.

Naya Rivera’s Ex Shares Her Final Moments Recalled By Their Son

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After Rivera’s passing, the actor shared his feelings about their son Josey, now 9 years old, still carrying guilt because he couldn’t prevent the actress from drowning while they were swimming together at Lake Piru, California. He spoke candidly about this in an exclusive interview with People magazine, which is the first time he has spoken publicly since her death.