Book critics org roiled by race controversy; prez, board members resign
The divisions and dissension that have rocked the publishing world over the last two weeks have spread even unto the normally staid world of book reviewers. When a dispute over… Read more »
Jay-Z sues children’s book publisher who is accused of racism and copyright violation
“If you’re having alphabet problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but my ABCs ain’t one.” So reads the quote on the back of children’s book… Read more »
Illustrated kids book about girls’ bodies criticised for avoiding the word vagina
Last month, Ruby Tuesday Books published two illustrated children’s volumes in a new series called Fred and Woody’s Fantastic World. The series aims to initiate honest and realistic conversations about… Read more »
A complaint describing a children’s book on potty training as “filth” helps it become a bestseller
British blogger turned children’s author Simon Harris self-published Little Budgie’s Done A Fudgie back in January 2018. Almost two years later, and it has reached the dizzy heights of bestseller… Read more »
Harold Bloom, (in)famous literary critic, dies at 89
Harold Bloom—literary critic and longtime Yale professor—died on Monday at the age of 89. Bloom was perhaps the bestselling literary critic of all time. He is most known for his rigorous… Read more »
The ‘Cats’ trailer: actually not a-paw-ling?
So, you might have heard that there’s a Cats film coming out in December? Directed by Les Miserables director Tom Hooper? Based on the long-running, wildly successful musical, which was in turn based on T.S… Read more »
Boris Johnson’s novel highlights why he is unfit to be the UK’s next Prime Minister
In true X Factor style, the UK has spent the last few weeks watching ten MPs battle against each other to become the next Prime Minister. Subject to various TV and… Read more »
Will Self, Sally Rooney, and the problem of male-to-female criticism
You’ve heard it before, and probably enough times, an older white male writer chastises a younger white female writer for her success. But is it possible for legitimate criticism to lay… Read more »
The South African apartheid and the burning of books
It’s been twenty-four years since the apartheid reign in South Africa had been put to rest, and since today is a spooky day, we’re going to talk about another chilling… Read more »
Sir Anthony Sher has one of the worst mansplaining takes on Shakespeare ever
A betrayal hasn’t stung so keenly since Mark Rylance offered validation to the Oxford theory. Sir Antony Sher, two-time Laurence Olivier Award winner and member of the Royal Shakespeare Company since 1982… Read more »