Hello, book lovers! Just when you think James Patterson can’t write any more books and Dolly Parton can’t bring any more joy to our lives, the two team up to bring us an exciting mash-up of the book and music industries. And speaking of books by music personalities, Britney Spears has landed a giant deal with Simon & Schuster. But if those projects aren’t super enough for you, George R.R. Martin has formed an alliance with none other than Marvel. The power of these collaborations has certainly left our heads spinning. So, without further ado, enjoy this mix of stories from the book world.

Dolly Parton and James Patterson’s Mystery Novel Has a Country Music B-Side: This dynamic new duo’s Run, Rose, Run will hit shelves next month. A mystery about two Nashville singers, Parton has written a new music album to accompany the project. (Listen here!) — Entertainment Weekly

It’s Britney’s Book, B****! After quite the public battle, the singer’s 13-year conservatorship has ended, and Spears just nabbed a 15-million-dollar book deal for her tell-all memoir. — Page Six

George R.R. Martin to Bring His Superhero Series Wild Cards to Marvel: Martin’s “alternate history where Earth is home to super-powered individuals” will gain new life as a comic book series with the industry titan Marvel later this year. — The Guardian

A Comprehensive Reading List for Understanding the Ukraine Crisis: Recommending dozens of authors and titles, Waterstones Gower Street book buyer Henrikas Bliudzius provides a beginner’s guide to the current conflict in Eastern Europe. — LitHub

Awards and Accolades Worthy of Note: Michael Connelly’s The Dark Hours, Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Velvet Was the Night and Megan Abbott’s The Turnout among LA Times Book Prize finalists; Will Smith, Cicely Tyson and The 1619 Project nab NAACP Image Awards; Stephen Graham Jones’ My Heart Is a Chainsaw among the 2021 Bram Stoker Awards finalists; Feathered Quill announces its 2022 award winners; and Southern Environmental Law Center announces the 2022 Reed Environmental Writing Award.

The Shortest Month of the Year Isn’t Short on eBook Deals! Enjoy gripping thrillers, legal dramas, epic fantasy, romance, political science and so much more! — BookTrib

27 Bookish Podcasts to Turn Up When You Put Your Book Down: From classics to YA, literary fiction and other book-loving shenanigans, these podcasts will take your engagement with the book world to the next level. (Also, check out BookTrib’s Top Ten 2022 Podcasts and more short story podcast listens!) — Town & Country

Awkward Love! Enjoy these 5 rom-coms with delightfully mortifying moments. — BookTrib

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