Jan 07 2024
Born on this day January 7, 1891, Zora Neale Hurston, an influential figure of the Harlem Renaissance, continues to inspire modern-day literary and cultural discourse through her enduring literary works. As a pioneering African-American woman writer, Hurston’s work provided a profound insight into the experiences of African Americans, particularly women, during a time when their …
Jan 05 2024
The intellectual odyssey of Umberto Eco is a fascinating exploration of a mind that wove together literature, philosophy, aesthetics, and semiotics into a rich tapestry of ideas. Born on this day January 5, 1932, Eco, an Italian scholar and novelist known for his witty and erudite writings, had an uncanny ability to combine the profound …
Jan 04 2024
Born on this day January 4, 1940, Gao Xingjian stands as a defining figure in the sphere of Asian literature and expression, his work pioneering a new wave of innovative storytelling that has had far-reaching impacts. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2000, Gao Xingjian was recognized not only for his mastery over the …
Jan 03 2024
Born on this day January 3, 1892, J.R.R. Tolkien, a name synonymous with intricate world-building and the epic fantasy genre, has awed the world of literature with his creation of Middle-earth. The world he created is not merely a backdrop for his stories but is a character in itself, filled with its own histories, languages, …
Jan 01 2024
Jerome David Salinger, popularly known as J. D. Salinger, is widely recognized for his seminal work, The Catcher in the Rye. The novel, which is now considered a classic in American literature, has sold over 65 million copies worldwide and continues to sell approximately 250,000 copies annually. However, the man behind this iconic work remains …
Jul 10 2023
Alice Munro, the Nobel Prize-winning writer, is a celebrated figure in the world of literature. Born on this day July 10, 1931 in Wingham, Ontario, her literary journey began at a young age and eventually led her to be one of the most revered short story writers of the 20th century. Munro’s profound understanding of …
Jul 07 2023
I fell in love with Cuba, or at least the idea of Hemingway’s Cuba, in my mid teens. I read an article about the writer and delighted in the romance of a bygone age, salsa and adventure preserved in time. Maybe the idea of vintage cars made the historic more tangible. I determined that one …
May 22 2023
Are you ready to plan ahead for your summer reading in 2023? Look no further because we’ve compiled a list of must-read books that are perfect for the sunny season. Whether you’re lounging on the beach or taking a road trip, these novels will keep you entertained and engrossed. From gripping thrillers to heartwarming romances, …
Aug 17 2022
Illustrator and author Ian Beck was born on this day August 17, 1947 in Brighton, England. “Few sounds were to be heard at that early hour, only the drone of the airship’s engines and the mournful mournful moans of the foghorns, which seemed almost to be searching for one another, somewhere along the silvered and …
Jun 22 2022
This World Rainforest Day I am celebrating novelist, poet, environmentalist, diplomat, and mother of five, Astrid Cabral, who sings the songs of her Amazon home in her exemplary poetry. Some of Cabral’s most well-known books include Through Water (2003), Anteroom (2007), and Cage (2008). In Cage, Cabral explores the real and symbolic animals of the Amazon. She …
