booksThursday, June 25, 2026

Austen adaptation and writer substance use

Today's book news splits between a deep dive on a beloved Austen spin-off and a soul-searching piece on writers and addiction. The former feels like a genuine cultural moment; the latter, a perennial conversation worth revisiting.

Sources

Austen's overlooked sister

The biggest story today is a character study that's been decades in the making.

#01variety.comJun 25

'The Other Bennet Sister': Ella Bruccoleri on Mary, Tom and Season 2

Ella Bruccoleri wasn't a Jane Austen fan before playing Mary Bennet in 'The Other Bennet Sister.' The interview covers her character's relationships and the show's second season, giving fans of the novel a behind-the-scenes look.

by Arushi Jacob12 min readRead original

Writing and addiction

A perennial question gets a historical airing, from Poe to Fitzgerald.

#02lithub.comJun 25

Are Writers Intrinsically Vulnerable to Alcohol and Drugs?

This piece traces the long, fraught link between writers and substance use, from ancient poets to modern novelists, without romanticizing it. Worth reading for the historical sweep alone.