Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
J.K. Rowling posts new story online
J.K. Rowling is publishing a new story called “The Ickabog,” which will be free to read online to help entertain children and families stuck at home.
The “Harry Potter” author said Tuesday she wrote the fairy tale for her children as a bedtime story over a decade ago. Set in an imaginary land, it is a stand-alone story “about truth and the abuse of power” for children from 7 to 9 years old and is unrelated to Rowling’s other books.
Rowling said the draft of the story had stayed in her attic while she focused on writing books for adults. She said her children, now teenagers, were “touchingly enthusiastic” when she recently suggested retrieving the story and publishing it for free.
“For the last few weeks, I’ve been immersed in a fictional world I thought I’d never enter again. As I worked to finish the book, I started reading chapters nightly to the family again,” she said.
“‘The Ickabog’s’ first two readers told me what they remember from when they were tiny and demanded the reinstatement of bits they’d particularly liked (I obeyed).”
The first two chapters were posted online Tuesday, with daily installments to follow until July 10. The book will be published in print later this year, and Rowling said she will pledge royalties from its sales to projects helping those particularly affected by the pandemic.
The Doobie Brothers reschedule tour:
The Doobie Brothers’ 50th anniversary tour will be rescheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees announced Tuesday that the tour, which was to begin in June, will now kick off in July 2021. “This decision has been made with the health and safety of The Doobie Brothers’ fans, crew and local employees in mind,” the band said in a statement. Singer and songwriter Michael McDonald, who sang with the band before starting a solo career, will also be joining the tour.
Brian May reveals recent heart attack:
Queen guitarist Brian May, 72, says he recently had three stents put in after experiencing “a small heart attack.” May said Monday in an Instagram video that the stents were put in after his doctor drove him to a hospital when he starting feeling the symptoms of a heart attack. He said he found the experience shocking, because “I thought I was a very healthy guy.” May says he feels fine and the procedure was a success. “I’m incredibly grateful that I now have a life to lead again,” he said.
Lana Del Rey defends herself yet again:
Singersongwriter Lana Del Rey doubled down Monday on a controversial Instagram post that name-checked several other female artists in the form of a six-minute Instagram video rant expanding on her thoughts. She also compared herself to FKA Twigs and unveiled her forthcoming album’s title, “Chemtrails Over the Country Club.” She also revealed that “a couple of the girls that I’ve talked to who are mentioned in that post have a super different opinion of my insight.”
May 27 birthdays:
Actress Lee Meriwether is 85. Actor Louis Gossett Jr. is 84. Actor Bruce Weitz is 77. Jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater is 70. Actor Richard Schiff is 65. Comedian Adam Carolla is 56. Actor Dondre’ Whitfield is 51. Actor Paul Bettany is 49. Actor Jack McBrayer is 47. Chef Jamie Oliver is 45. Actor Chris Colfer is 30.