Sometimes, I want to go beyond reading a book and absorb a few opinions and anecdotes from the authors who write the books I’m reading. Other times, I want to listen and learn from my fellow book-lovers: the writers, bloggers, and Instagrammers who make the literary community so vibrant. If you’re in the same boat and you’re looking for some bookish articles to supplement your daily reading habit, I can’t recommend the Publishers Weekly and Shelf Awareness newsletters enough. They’re fun, they’re free, and they’ll send the latest news from the publishing industry right to your inbox!
To get you started, I’d like to share a few of my favorite articles that I’ve picked up from my literary newsletters and general internet browsing over the past few weeks.
Kazuo Ishiguro Interview (The Guardian)
I had to include this interview because I’m a MASSIVE Kazuo Ishiguro fan…whenever he comes out with a new book, I nearly jump out of my skin with excitement. After the release of his most recent sci-fi book, Klara and the Sun, this interview with writer Lisa Allardice just can’t be missed. Allardice provides a very humbling, humanzing portrayal of Ishiguro’s life, from the interior of his house to his daughter Naomi’s status as one of his most trusted editors. For me, the most eye-opening aspects of the interview were his remarks on the meaning behind his new book (how far are we willing to let artificial intelligence go?) and his commentary on getting closer to what he wants to say with each new book. If you’re not an Ishiguro fan, you just might become one after you read through this article. Oh, and be sure to give Klara and the Sun a go. It’s available here.
“The Delicate Art of the English Tea Set: A Historical Mystery Writer’s Appreciation” (CrimeReads)
I had never heard of mystery author Alyssa Maxwell before, but after reading through this highly endearing account of her passion for antique tea sets, I feel as though I know her like an old friend. As someone who loves British history and thriller novels, I enjoyed following along as she describes how her latest novel, A Sinister Service, is inspired by her devotion to seeking out some of the finest kettles, cups, and porcelain patterns in Britain. Did you know that Staffordshire, England was the country’s biggest tea producer in the 19th century and that English “Shelley” China is some of the most translucent china around? I sure didn’t! Many articles like this one seem like they’re solely written to promote the author’s book, but in this case, I could really feel Maxwell’s genuine voice and passion shining through.
Megan Nolan Interview (The Guardian)
Looking for emerging new authors? Megan Nolan is one to keep your eye on. Her new book, Acts of Desperation, is a gut-wrenching and heartbreaking account of a young woman’s entrapment in an abusive relationship, and the author herself is incredibly vulnerable about the process behind writing it in this interview. Earlier in her youth, she struggled with academic achievement, alcoholism, and a generally poor self-image; the book itself is a partial reflection of “how her life was developing, or failing to,” but it’s also a window into the worlds of abuser and abused. Nolan clearly has honesty, bravery and tenacity, and I can’t wait to see what else she comes up with.
One criticism I have of the article is how the author titled it. I understand that it’s important for these articles to have eye-catching headlines, but I’m not thrilled that the author labels it with a quote about Nolan’s previous drinking habit when she has so many other profound insights to share. Be sure to read the whole article to get an idea of who Megan is, and check out some of her journalism as well.
“The Top 10 Most Confusing Books of All Time” (Mental Floss)
This article by Ellen Gutoskey is more of a fun one, but I would really like to know: do you agree with the author and the readers who were polled that these books are confusing? I don’t recall finding Wuthering Heights to be confusing when I read it in high school, but I did find it to be….well, depressing. The author’s findings are based on a UK retailer’s polling, so I’m interested to learn whether readers in the US feel similarly about these classic books or if they have other ones in mind. I’d bet that US readers are more inclined to complain about William Faulkner novels, but who knows?
“The Lie at the Heart of the Western” (The Atlantic)
One of my all-time favorite college classes was on American Western novels, and while I greatly appreciated the selection of classic novels we covered, this article by Anna North covers a few books that are upending the cowboy-centric, “manifest destiny” norms that once dominated the genre. North writes, “While the old Westerns were about claiming land, How Much of These Hills Is Gold is about being ‘claimed by it,’ about how landscape and history combine to shape a human life.” See also: Westerns that feature non-white protagonists and prioritize indigenous voices. You’ll undoubtedly find a new Western read to go adventuring in!
I can’t even cover half of the fantastic literary articles I’ve seen in March in a single blog post, but the moral of this story is: read beyond the book if you can! Authors, journalists, and my fellow book bloggers can add depth and flair to the publishing world that will make your overall reading experience all the more engaging. Check back in soon for more articles I’ve found!
