Want to win a $100 gift card? Participate in USA TODAY's Winter Book Challenge!
Now that the year's resolutions have been set and the first month is almost over, are you ready to up the ante on your 2025 reading goals? As a booklover, this time of year always stirs up a certain ambition in me – with the whole year ahead, the reading possibilities are endless. Will I beat last year’s tally of 50 titles? (Signs point to yes, given my new title as USA TODAY’s Books reporter.) Will I finally get to some of the books collecting dust on my bookshelf? Can I better utilize my local library?
Miss America says she's following the Lord in world that's 'broken, polarized and divided'
Abbie Stockard believes her new title was heaven-sent. In early January, the nursing student representing Alabama was crowned Miss America in Orlando, Florida. The 22-year-old is the fourth Miss Alabama to earn the coveted title. "I am very driven by my faith," Stockard told Fox News Digital. "Based on the morals and the values that my family taught me, I believe that every single person is called to make a difference.
King Charles set to give Kate Middleton power to put $1 billion 'Kate Effect' into action
Kate Middleton could likely become an official influencer. Prince William’s wife is expected to be the first Princess of Wales in 115 years who will be granted the power to give royal warrants. According to the royal family’s website, a "Royal Warrant of Appointment" is a seal of approval given by senior members of the British royal family to brands or people they support.
Trump pardons all Jan. 6 insurrectionists | Opinion
Earlier this month on Jan. 6, members of Congress of both political parties gathered at the U.S. Capitol to certify that Republican Donald J. Trump won the Electoral College 312-226. Presiding over this process was Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost last November.
Morgan Wallen fans left disappointed over country star's 'I'm the Problem' tour
Country fans were upset Morgan Wallen seemingly missed a few stops on his upcoming tour to support his fourth studio album. Wallen, 31, revealed he'll hit the road this summer on the "I'm the Problem" tour, but devoted followers were disappointed the "Last Night" singer only had a handful of dates slated around the country, as opposed to his last two-year "One Night At a Time" tour. Set to launch in Houston, Texas, in June, Wallen will have a rotating lineup of guests for the tour, including Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett and Koe Wetzel.
Sabrina Brier dishes on her viral TikTok videos, funny new audiobook 'That Friend'
Sabrina Brier is that friend. The one who's a little too invested in your friendship, a little too mad at your ex, a little too ... everything. At least that's her persona on TikTok and her new audiobook, "That Friend" (Simon & Schuster), out Tuesday. Brier's audiobook, a fictional story that she also narrates, tells the story of Sabrina, a woman navigating that postgrad, amorphous life in New York with her three best friends, all of whom seem to have it more together than she does. As she chases success as a podcaster, she clashes with friends and emotional chaos ensues.
'Wheel of Fortune' star Vanna White confused by son being called 'thirst trap'
"Wheel of Fortune" star Vanna White was left puzzled after social media users called her son Nikko Santo Pietro a "thirst trap." Last month, White, 67, shared an Instagram video in which she and Santo Pietro were seen in the kitchen as they cooked a chicken dish. After fans used the slang phrase to describe the 30-year-old real estate agent, White appeared to be unfamiliar with the meaning of the term during Thursday's episode of the long-running game show. "I recently posted a video of me and my son, Nikko, cooking and it got a lot of response," the TV personality told her co-host Ryan Seacrest as the audience cheered.
Benedict Cumberbatch explains how a near-death experience changed his outlook on life
Benedict Cumberbatch has played a superhero involved in some precarious situations, but it turns out the actor has also experienced an actual life-threatening situation in his past. In an interview with Variety published this week, the “Doctor Strange” star revealed that in 2004, he was with friends in South Africa while shooting the BBC miniseries “To the Ends of the Earth,” when they were robbed and abducted by six men after their tire blew out on the side of a road. Eventually, Cumberbatch and his friends were tied up and made to sit execution-style before the men finally fled.
Come to the Taleless Dog Booksellers for cute animals, stay for great books
Local, independent bookstores have never been more important. With fair access to literature under political attack, bookstores are a bulwark against censorship and an asset to the communities they serve. Each week we profile an independent bookstore, discovering what makes each one special and getting their expert book recommendations.
Rebecca Yarros has a playlist for 'Fourth Wing' book four, but no release date
NEW YORK – “Onyx Storm,” the third book in Rebecca Yarros’ “Empyrean” series, hasn’t even been out for a week and fans already have eyes on the series’ next novel. Yarros, on the other hand, isn’t ready to mark the calendar with a release date for Book 4 just yet. In a largely spoiler-free conversation with Olympic gymnast (and “Fourth Wing” fan) Laurie Hernandez, Yarros told fans she wants to write in a more “healthy manner” than "Onyx Storm" and its predecessors, which means more time between publication.