The Latest Breaking News on Books

Opinions by Roxane Gay review – the art of argument

A second collection from the author of Bad Feminist is, at its best, effortlessly convincing

The Guardian - UK · Sep 28, 2023

Did Oscar Wilde set back the cause of gay rights? Author Tom Crewe on why the great playwright is no hero

The author of award-winning alternative history novel ‘The New Life’ tells Louis Chilton how Wilde’s trial set back a moment of optimism

The Independent UK · Sep 28, 2023

A journey of discovery and identity formation: The Dictionary of Lost Words makes its wonderful stage debut

The Dictionary of Lost Words follows Esme as she navigates the patriarchal world of Victorian England. While her father and colleagues construct the Oxford English Dictionary, Esme begins to form her own dictionary – particularly the words spoken by women and the working class who have been excluded.

The Conversation · Sep 28, 2023

A history of nurses: They once had the respect they're now trying to win

In Taking Care: The Story of Nursing and its Power to Change the World, author Sarah DiGregorio tells how nurses had great stature centuries ago — and how they got pushed into the background.

WEKU · Sep 27, 2023

Pushing Buttons: Why I’m mourning the death of the true arcade game

In this week’s newsletter: A trip to the Devon coast led me to visit some seaside arcades for the first time in years, and reminded me how much games have changed

The Guardian - UK · Sep 27, 2023

Jared Kushner pressured Washington Post to fire editor over Russia, book says

Marty Baron says Trump’s son-in-law leaned on Post publisher to withdraw support of Russia election interference investigation

The Guardian - US · Sep 27, 2023

Mary Beard says Roman Empire a ‘safe space for being macho’ amid TikTok trend

The historian was speaking amid a trend on social media that highlights how often men ponder the time of togas, swords and emperors.

The Independent UK · Sep 27, 2023

My Weil by Lars Iyer review – a sharp satire on the state of higher education

Corporate academia, a crumbling society and student pretensions are all skewered in this darkly comic novel

The Guardian - UK · Sep 27, 2023

The best recent translated fiction – review roundup

The Living and the Rest by José Eduardo Agualusa; Near Distance by Hanna Stoltenberg; Vengeance Is Mine by Marie NDiaye; The Siren’s Lament: Essential Stories by Jun’ichirō Tanizaki

The Guardian - UK · Sep 27, 2023

5 new books to read this week

This week’s bookcase includes reviews of Land Of Milk And Honey by C Pam Zhang and Absolutely And Forever by Rose Tremain.

The Independent UK · Sep 27, 2023