Arts

Surprisingly, Pixar's latest goes without an element that almost every adventure movie for kids is sure to provide: a villain.

The Chilean-American novelist is among 19 people slated to receive the highest civilian honor in the U.S. Also: The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm get a gruesome new translation.

The Bad Sex in Fiction Award honors awful sex scenes in literature, and this year's shortlist boasts plenty of names you might not expect, including a Booker winner and a perennial Nobel favorite.

In the run-up to the Day of the Imprisoned Writer, authors have written open letters to several imperiled authors around the world. Also: A recap of the truce between Amazon and Hachette.

The teen pitcher, who made history at the Little League World Series, will tell her story in a book to be released in March. Also: R.A. Montgomery, an innovator in interactive reading, dies at age 78.

The book, titled Purity, promises an expansive sprawl and familiar themes, but also a few stylistic experiments. Meanwhile, Texas gears up for a hearing and final vote on much-debated textbooks.

With 20 nominees across five categories, it's little surprise that the Costa Book Award shortlists prove eclectic. Also: A remembrance of the late novelist and transgender activist Leslie Feinberg.

In a ceremony that saw both icons and newcomers honored, it was a fiery speech by the science fiction legend that had attendees talking. Also: A Jonathan Safran Foer book gets adapted to ballet.

Handler, better known as Lemony Snicket, hosted Wednesday's ceremony — and made a few racially charged jokes while doing so. He apologized after a backlash Thursday. Also: A Beach Boy plans a memoir.