-
10 Must-Read Magical Realist Novels
Magical realism is a style of writing that gained cultural currency following the so-called Latin American Boom. Since then, the term has been applied to works by writers from all over the world in which seemingly realist narratives are infused with moments of magic. The reasons individual writers might have to do this vary,…
-
Literary Rashomon: 10 Novels with Rotating Perspectives
When a novel is written from rotating perspectives within a family, it creates a richness and depth in the narrative. As readers, we can see how different people in the same household interpret the same events, which illustrates both how subjective all our perspectives are and how misunderstandings can transpire. How do two children with…
-
Two Irish novels among six books shortlisted for international Dublin Literary Award
TWO IRISH AUTHORS have made it to the 2024 Dublin Literary Award shortlist. In total, six novels have been shortlisted for the award after 70 titles were longlisted in January. Included on the list this year are Irish authors Sebastian Barry and Emma Donoghue. The full list is: Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry Solenoid…
-
Six books shortlisted for the €100k Dublin Literary Award — including two Irish authors
Two Irish authors have made the shortlist for the world’s most valuable fiction prize. Sebastian Barry and Emma Donoghue are among the contenders for the 2024 Dublin Literary Award, which is worth €100,000 to the winner. Authors from America, Australia, and Romania have also been shortlisted. Barry’s Old God’s Time and Donoghue’s Haven are two…
-
Raina Telgemeier Receives Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature
When graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier discovered the comics page as a child (especially the realistic family strip “For Better or Worse” and the funny adventure philosophy strip “Calvin and Hobbes”), she felt like she’d found her happy place. It took her many years of writing and drawing her own independent comics before landing the job…
-
DKate DiCamillo, Harper Lee, Edward P. Jones and others who should be on Atlantic’s “great American novels” list
When the folks at Atlantic magazine recently named the “great American novels” of the last century, they said they expected disagreement on their 136 picks. So, here goes. Obviously, these lists are meant to be debated. They generate controversy and snag clicks — probably one reason the story is now behind a paywall. That’s because…
-
7 Novels About Unconventional Serial Killers
All thrill seekers are different. Some need to bungee jump or chase tornadoes to experience a rush of adrenaline but for me, there is nothing more exciting than opening a book and meeting a brand-new fictional character for the very first time. And the best characters are the ones who make me feel…something. Because they’re…
-
Help Us Choose the Saddest Book of All Time
Forget March Madness—this year, we’ve decided to try something new: March Sadness. That’s right, folks: this literary bracket is full of the most devastating novels we could think of, all with the goal of choosing the saddest of the sad. These are the books that have broken our hearts in the best and worst ways,…
-
Liberating literature: Five powerful books about women by women
Women have played a pivotal role in shaping our history, and their literary works are a testament to that. There aren’t enough words to discuss the many women authors who have given us unforgettable stories and I want to celebrate a small yet diverse range of such authors. Their novels have touched on social issues…
-
The 30 Top Mystery Books Of All Time
People have been captivated by mystery novels for almost two hundred years. Edgar Allan Poe, widely considered to be the inventor of the modern detective novel, enthralled Victorian audiences with a locked room mystery that has remained both popular and unforgettable, and ushered in a love of mysteries that endures today. Mystery novels are books…