Every Indian student remembers studying Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Kabuliwala’ in school. The short story, translated from Bengali, was many people’s introduction to Bengali literature. Yet, the region’s literature is diverse, extending beyond Rabindranath Tagore—and has something for readers of all tastes and genres. Below, we round up seven Bengali books—from queer fiction to children’s comics and…

A California Towhee bounced across the deck, its brown feathers tufted like a baby chick’s, proud and naive-looking all at once. I sat very still, fingers poised on my keyboard, silently watching, not wanting to spook it away. I knew its name—towhee—because I had recently become obsessed with birds, despite growing up in New York…

Learning a language starts from the time a little one says “Amma” or “Ma” in the early years of childhood and the process of knowing new words and adding them to one’s vocabulary continues even after the child grows. While India holds its uniqueness in diversified culture and the plenty of languages spoken across distances,…

To suggest that reading and books are having a fashion moment is fast shaping up to be an understatement. This season, Valentino menswear includes suiting, shirts and jeans, emblazoned with texts from Hanya Yanagihara’s bestselling 2015 novel A Little Life. Next season, Anna Sui’s autumn/winter 24 collection — inspired by Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and…

Classic books stand the test of time by capturing readers’ attention generation after generation. They focus on themes that people across continents, religious backgrounds, socioeconomic circumstances and education levels can all relate to, such as love and loss. Many classic novels explore familial relationships and how life circumstances can change on a dime. The best…

The West Virginia legislature is considering a bill that would remove protections for librarians in case minors come across books that contain what the state considers “obscene” material at their facilities. The bill passed the House of Delegates on Feb. 16 and has now been introduced in the Senate. The bill would remove any exemptions…

Despite the emergence of e-books, good old-fashioned physical copies are still a go-to for book worms. And while big box stores and Amazon dominate the market, there are a surprising number of great independent bookstores scattered around metro Detroit. Build up your reading list with a trip to these local favorites. John K. King Used and…

As the days get longer and a hint of spring scents the air, this month’s column is for those of us who are still game for an afternoon under a blanket with a good book. Between Heaven and Hell is Gray For supporters of self-published fiction, this retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray, by…

Translated literature is no longer the forgotten, othered cousin of the Anglo-American literary scene. At Electric Literature, we have long been enamored by international frontiers, the global writers who write in their native (or acquired) tongues, and the translators who coax each word into English.  This year’s crop of forthcoming translations is bountiful. To cease…

South Asian stories are often tales rich in culture and folklore, encapsulating the nuances and intricacies of a long, rich, and complex history. Historical details peppered in with social commentary is often a common thread in many South Asian stories, and this list is no different. We see the impacts of colonialism, social hierarchy, and…