The Book Review

It's October, which means it's time for scary books and scary movies. There's one person who is well known for both: Stephen King. Since his first novel, "Carrie," was published in 1974 and adapted into a hit film two years later, his novels and short stories have been a reliable source of material for film and TV adaptations. And while he's known as a master of horror, some of the more popular films based on his work are drawn from non-horror material. On this week's episode, Sean Fennessey, co-host of the Ringer podcast "The Big Picture," joins Gilbert Cruz to talk about "Stand By Me," "The Shawshank Redemption" and more.Books and movies discussed in this episode:"Stand by Me," based on the novella "The Body" from 1982's "Different Seasons""The Running Man," based on the 1982 novel of the same name published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman"The Shawshank Redemption," based on the novella "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" from "Different Seasons""Dolores Claiborne," based on the 1992 novel of the same name"The Green Mile," based on the 1996 serial novel of the same name"The Life of Chuck," based on the novella from 2020's "If It Bleeds""The Long Walk," based on the 1979 novel of the same name published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Brandon Taylor, a celebrated novelist and critic known for works like 'Real Life' and 'Filthy Animals,' discusses his new novel, 'Minor Black Figures.' He shares insights into the life of Wyeth, a Black gay painter navigating love, faith, and artistic challenges in New York. Taylor explores how research into the art world shaped his narrative, the balance of humor and melancholy in his writing, and the ethical complexities facing Black artists. With a keen eye on contemporary literary trends, he also hints at his next creative endeavors, including a potential tennis-themed novel.

In this engaging discussion, Sadie Stein, an editor at the New York Times Book Review, shares her love for childhood reading, while Louis Sachar, renowned for his books like 'Holes,' reflects on his own school reading experiences. They explore how to keep young readers engaged, emphasizing the importance of humor and respect in children's literature. Louis suggests titles like 'The Giver,' while Sadie points to spooky stories as great gateways to reading. Both highlight the shift in pleasure reading and offer tips to reconnect kids with books.