Billionaire MacKenzie Scott—the bulk of whose wealth comes from her ex-husband’s anti-union empire of digital retail nihilism—has given $20 million to the Fresno Unified School District. And while $20 million isn’t actually that much to someone worth $54 billion, it Read more >
This morning, the Swedish Academy awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature to the French author Annie Ernaux “for the courage and clinical acuity with which she uncovers the roots, estrangements and collective restraints of personal memory.” Annie Ernaux is the Read more >
The world’s most valuable novel—a first edition of Jane Austen’s Emma, purchased in 2019 for £375,000, back when the pound had value—is going on display at the former house of Austen’s brother, Edward. The American owner has insisted the three-volume Read more >
As Tony Montana would probably say if he were a literary agent: In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get Read more >
(Please not that because the Discourse is the ultimate zombie, many of my 2021 suggestions (Supply Chain Issues, JCO’s Twitter, Emotional BookTok Teen) still apply.) Literary Non-Hottie The perfect for lazy, not-hot party-goers—wear your normal clothes, hold a book, and Read more >
If you like eerie, 19th-century period pieces about the clash between faith and science, tradition and modernity, superstitious Irish peasants and haughty British interlopers, then you’ll want to check out The Wonder, Sebastián Lelio’s adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s Giller Prize-nominated 2016 Read more >
The winner of the 2022 BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University is Saba Sams, for “Blue 4eva,” “a story about sexual identity and class which celebrates the power and agency of youth.” The story originally appeared in her Read more >
As a fan of Lena Waithe and Joshua Bennett, I’m thrilled at this news: Waithe’s production company, Hillman Grad Productions, is planning to adapt Bennett’s novella “The Book of Mycah” for television. “The Book of Mycah,” which imagines a version Read more >
At Lit Hub, we’ve been lucky enough to publish some excellent writing from some of the finalists for this year’s National Book Awards, the full list of which the National Book Foundation released today. Below, you’ll find links to read Read more >
Autumn is the most literary season. That’s just a fact. No better time to grab a mug, curl up on the couch, and turn on one of these free virtual events. * In Conversation: Celeste Ng and Emma Straub October Read more >
Book not selling? Never fear, there’s hope. After all, not every literary legend started out that way—in fact, plenty of beloved, now-classic works were ignored (or worse) upon their initial release. Here are a few books you may have heard Read more >
Today, the National Book Foundation announced their finalists for the 2022 National Book Awards in five categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. Five winners will be selected from the twenty-five finalists and announced on Wednesday, November Read more >
Literary Hub is pleased to reveal the cover for Gerardo Sámano Córdova’s Monstrilio, a “literary horror debut about a boy who transforms into a monster, a monster who tries to be a man, and the people who love him in Read more >
There’s a lot to look forward to in this week’s book bounty: new titles from Celeste Ng, Elizabeth McCracken, Orhan Pamuk, and more. Happy reading! * Celeste Ng, Our Missing Hearts (Penguin Press) “With a chilling premise and frequently stunning Read more >
German super-discount chain Aldi got called out on Twitter for selling Schindler’s List as a great read for “relaxing” and “unwinding” while on holiday, “a gripping story that will have you hooked as your body soaks in those sun rays.” Read more >
Ah, paperbacks. So soft and comforting. So nice to curl up with. (No hard edges!) This month sees the publication of paperbacks from Jonathan Franzen, Rebecca Solnit, Patrick Radden Keefe, Louise Glück, and more. Get cozy. * Jonathan Franzen, Crossroads Read more >
That’s the same perilous American wilderness that almost killed Leonardo DiCaprio, except 200 years younger, sprier and, one would assume, significantly more bear-ful. Now, I don’t know how many bears feature in three-time National Book Award finalist, Guggenheim fellow, and Read more >
Ah, college. Just a handful of blessèd years in which to wear thrifted cardigans, leave your hair unwashed, carry around an underlined copy of White Noise, and close your eyes in the dance party when “All My Friends” comes on, Read more >
In a predictable—but nevertheless horrifying—extension of the ongoing wave of book bans across the country (not to mention the bomb threats to a children’s hospital for providing gender-affirming healthcare), Motherboard has reported that at least a dozen public libraries across Read more >
The Rumors are true! Yesterday, Lizzo became the first and only person on the planet to play this centuries’ old (!) crystal (!!) flute. It’s About Damn Time. This instrument is from 1813, and it belonged to our fourth President, Read more >
