Books Behind Bars

The reading bans you haven't heard about. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( [Wake-Up Call] [by Katie Couric Media] January 18, 2024 Good morning. Today we're looking into [an unexpected place where books are being banned](, then we'll tell you about [why two members of the royal family are being hospitalized](. And in my latest podcast episode, I'm [diving deeper into the fall of Roe v. Wade](. All that, plus a guide to [the winter's top fashion trends](, coming right up...   In the News [A stack of books in a prison window]( Getty Images Books Behind Bars As America's culture wars have heated up, we've heard plenty about book bans in schools and libraries. But there's another place where literature is being censored: In prisons. Here's more on [these complicated reading restrictions](. Off limits: It makes sense that inmates might be prohibited from reading, say, a novel about planning a jailbreak. But according to a report from PEN America, some titles are barred for less obvious reasons, such as not being printed in English or being shipped from an unapproved mail vendor. In one case, an issue of The New Yorker was banned for containing a story about mass incarceration. Why it's harmful: A lack of education and prep for reintegration after prison can fuel high recidivism. According to Ezekiel Caligiuri, a former inmate who's since become an author, reading helped him envision a life after his release: "Literature and books were my starting point with just about everything. They allowed me to think creatively and critically while in prison." We've got the scoop on [prisons' peculiar rules about reading material]( — and why you should care even if you've never been incarcerated yourself. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fnews%2Fsocial-impact%2Fbook-banning-censorship-in-prison%2F   More Stories [E Jean Carroll in a pale blue coat]( Getty Images Clashing in court: Donald Trump was back in a New York court yesterday as E. Jean Carroll testified in the trial to determine how much he owes her in damages. He could be heard muttering complaints during the hearing, and when the judge threatened to kick him out if he didn’t quiet down, Trump replied: “I would love it.” One of Trump’s lawyers asked the judge to recuse himself for “general hostility,” and another was reprimanded for reading messages that weren’t officially submitted into evidence. The trial continues today. Israel-Hamas war: The U.S. labeled the Houthis "specially designated global terrorists" and struck the group in Yemen for the fourth time in a week. Tehran's top diplomat warned that attacks by Iran-backed groups in the Middle East will continue until Israel ends its war on Hamas. Pakistan carried out a retaliatory strike against what it described as terrorists in Iran, and Israel's military chief said that a war on the border with Lebanon has become far more likely. Meanwhile, medicine will be delivered to Gaza today thanks to a deal brokered by Qatar and France. Election watch: Vice President Kamala Harris told ABC News that she's "scared as heck" Donald Trump could win the presidency again. NBC News reports that Trump is eyeing New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik as his potential VP pick, and told dinner companions last month: "She's a killer." Trump has reiterated false claims that his GOP rival Nikki Haley is ineligible to run for president because her parents weren't U.S. citizens when she was born. Time for answers: The Department of Justice's review of the [Uvalde school shooting police response]( will be released today. Victims’ families met with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in Texas on Wednesday and were briefed about its contents. Brett Cross, the legal guardian of Uziyah Garcia, who was killed in the massacre, told CNN: “We still have to process it emotionally, and hopefully this will bring some changes and some accountability that we’ve been fighting and asking for since the very beginning."   Listen Up [The cover art for ''Next Question with Katie Couric'']( KCM/iHeart It's been a year and a half since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, but we're still unpacking the effects of this huge decision. This week on Next Question, New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor [explains the mechanics of the court]( and the potential reasoning for the infamous leak. Then I'll talk with two women about how abortion bans in Idaho and Texas affected their lives. [LEARN MORE](   Must-Reads [Kate Middleton and King Charles]( Royal Pains Buckingham Palace officials say both Kate Middleton and King Charles are dealing with ailments that require surgery. Here's what we know. [Read More »]( [A woman holding pink barbells]( Show of Strength Menopause can wreak havoc on our bones, but we spoke to a doctor about the best exercise routine for lessening the effects. [Read More »]( [A purse, hair ribbons, and a striped shirt]( Totally on Trend Wondering what to wear this winter? We'll show you how to turn the season's hottest designs into approachable outfits that work for anyone. [Read More »](   On the Rise [Illustration of an alarm clock holding a megaphone with the text ''Wake-Up Call at Work'']( KCM Looking for a career boost this year? Some positions are more promising than others these days, and a new report from LinkedIn has identified which jobs are expected to grow the fastest in 2024. Want to see what roles made the cut? [Sign up here for Wake-Up Call at Work](, our LinkedIn newsletter, and we'll share the list in today's issue, which is publishing in just a few hours! [SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE](   Best Face Forward [Dermalogica skin serum]( Dermalogica, one of our favorite skincare brands, just launched [a new collagen-supporting serum](, which glides onto your skin and helps replenish its barrier, visibly plumping you up for a firmer appearance. [TRY IT FOR YOURSELF](   One More Thing Feeling burned out lately? You're far from alone. The intense pace of today's world can affect even the most buoyant of us. That's why we were so thrilled to find Dr. Aditi Nerurkar's new book, [The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience](. If you're looking for the roadmap to a healthier and happier life, this is a must-read.   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. 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