A Memoir of My Former Self: Hilary Mantel continues to excel – review
Explore Hilary Mantel’s posthumous collection of essays in “A Memoir of My Former Self,” a literary journey through diverse subjects.
US prisons books censorship: thousands banned and restricted
Report reveals extensive books censorship in US prisons as PEN America advocates for reading rights behind bars.
Hiba Kamal Abu Nada: Palestinian poet killed in Gaza
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Hiba Kamal Abu Nada, a celebrated Palestinian poet and writer, has tragically lost her life due to an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. The last words and reflections of Hiba Kamal Abu Nada The Culture Palestine Ministry took to Facebook to express their profound grief over her untimely death. Recognised […]
Britney Spears book: The Woman in Me and age-old misogyny – review
Britney Spears’ highly anticipated book, titled “The Woman in Me,” lays bare a nightmarish tale of relentless public gaslighting, an abusive family dynamic, and the societal role in perpetuating the exploitation of female child stars. While some of these details were known over the years, the book delves deep into the extent of control exerted […]
Viet Thanh Nguyen among writers cancelled over Israel war
As the international cultural scene witnesses a spate of writers cancelled surrounding both topics on Israel and Palestine, PEN America has stepped forward to address the matter. Read: Frankfurt Book Fair: open letter supports cancelled Palestinian author Adania Shibli The literary and cultural advocacy group has strongly urged communities to uphold the free exchange of […]
Generative AI: European publishing bodies call for transparency
In a joint effort to safeguard democracy and protect the integrity of the book chain, leading literary and publishing organisations in Europe are urging the European Union to take immediate action to ensure the transparency of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). The European Writers’ Council (EWC), the Federation of European Publishers (FEP), and the European and […]
Killers of the Flower Moon: book outshines Scorsese film – review
I must confess that I have conflicting emotions regarding Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Despite its critical acclaim for capturing David Grann’s masterful book from 2017, watching the film through the lens of Hollywood’s white perspective is unsettling. Regrettably, it fails to escape its own biases, humanising genocidal murderers while diminishing […]
Margate Bookie 2023: Adam Kay, happiness, and silent storytelling
The seaside town of Margate played host to the much-anticipated return of the 2023 Margate Bookie, a literary festival that bills itself as the first literary festival held in a former funfair. This four-day event featured a diverse lineup of talks and workshops with some of the most prominent figures in literature and philosophy, including […]
Is literature important during times of conflict? Some say it’s life-changing
The significance of literature during periods of conflict has been a topic of contemplation for generations. In a world fraught with violence, wars, and social upheaval, can books, poems, and stories truly make a difference? This question has elicited varied responses, and in the words of Mary Kaldor of the London School of Economics, we […]
Holocaust memoirs among 450 books removed from Iowa schools
In a recent survey conducted by The Des Moines Register, shocking revelations have emerged about the removal of books from school libraries across Iowa, including important memoirs related to the Holocaust. At the start of the school year, at least 450 books, spanning a wide range of genres, were pulled from the shelves, igniting a […]