How BookCon 2026 Became a Moshpit
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Most Streamed Audiobooks on Spotify
To celebrate Spotify turning 20 this year, they released a list of their Most streamed music, podcasts and audiobooks of all time. It’s a bit strange to see an audiobook list titled “Most Streamed Audiobooks in Premium” of all time” Noting that audiobooks are only part of Spotify Premium from late 2023.
The titles aren’t particularly surprising. Romantasi performed well, taking six positions out of twenty. There are also some self-help books, celebrity memoirs, booktalk hits and romance novels.
Personally, the allure of listening to Spotify Premium audiobooks is not greater than CriticismWhich also includes the campaign to run ICE recruitment advertisement in 2025. If you are looking to change your audiobook listening hours, libro.fm Audible and Spotify have a good alternative that supports indie bookstores.
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BookCon is back, and it’s leaving attendees with bruises
BookCon has been popular and controversial since it began in 2014. While most book conventions are aimed at professionals, BookCon focuses more on fans and bookish influencers. After a gap of seven years, it made a comeback this year and was much talked about. Tamara Fuentes Cosmopolitan Describes some fairly minor criticisms – long lines, not enough food options – as well as a more serious criticism: the chaos around the ARC.
ARCs are Advanced Reader Copies: free, pre-publication versions of books to promote upcoming titles. You’ll find them at most book conventions, and competition for popular conventions can be intense. However, at the 2026 BookCon, it seemed it was out of control, with attendees describing it as a “moshpit” with people pushing and crowding. People working at the booths described being injured or otherwise injured due to the chaos. The videos make it seem like an overwhelming experience – and definitely not a risk worth taking for a free book.
There is some debate about whether this is a new lack of fan etiquette after 2020 or simply the same problems that have existed since BookCon’s inception. Either way, organizers must have better crowd control strategies to keep attendees and staff safe.
Haruki Murakami is presenting his first new novel in 3 years
Haruki Murakami has announced His first novel in three years is coming out July 3, and it’s called tell the story. The novel began as a series of short stories about 26-year-old picture book author Kaho. The upcoming book combines four stories previously published in magazines and “gives them new life”. It is Murakami’s first “lone, female protagonist featured in a full-length novel.”
Most Read Books on Goodreads This Week
Top five titles Most Read Books on Goodreads This Week Same as last week, but the order has changed: rites of starling Perry has climbed up the ranks by Devney, except everything else has been pushed down one spot. Project Hail Mary By Andy Weir, which is still #1. theatrical release of Project Hail Mary happened recently extendedSo I expect Weir to remain at the top spot for some time.
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