Publishing Industry Disruption: A major cyberattack at Hachette Australia and Aotearoa NZ has disrupted distribution, leaving authors and bookshops scrambling for stock just as Children’s Book Week and the key holiday run-up begin. AI and Books: UK and Ireland booksellers report “irregular” bulk orders of rare, unrelated titles that may be used to train AI systems, with concerns that physical books are being dismantled or destroyed for data. New Fiction & Reviews: Nick Croydon’s The Turing Protocol blends Turing, espionage and time travel, while Rachel Cusk’s Life of M plays with celebrity autobiography and authenticity; critics also weigh in on Tryhard and other fresh releases. Local Book Culture: West Hollywood hosts its Kids Book Festival; Naples opens a pet-friendly balcony bookstore; and Children’s Book Week storytime spotlights award-winning Australian titles. Politics & Books: Ireland’s Sinn Féin urges a Dáil recall over planned fuel tax rises, and debates over “vulgar” school library books continue to flare. Book Launches: Father Luke Doyle’s Priest in the Wild arrives via Ascension Press at month’s end, and Puerto Rican author Maripily Rivera’s autobiography earns international recognition.