Hi Book Lovers! I’m back from my vacation and in all honesty, all I did was eat pasta and look at beautiful architecture. I can’t complain. I loved Italy, Barcelona and each city was magnificent in it’s own way. I didn’t get to do much reading though between shuttling around cities, the next vacation will have to be in a nice cabin or on a beach.
While I was away a lot happened! The Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to Bob Dylan. I was surprised when the news finally got to me but I blame it on the generational gap. I love Dylan but I didn’t grow up with him. Dylan seems to be surprised into silence too, he has not mentioned the award since it was given to him. The Academy hasn’t been able to get ahold of him (guess they’ve got to keep knocking on his door, ha). It’s rare for a laureate to decline an award and to not show up to accept it. The announcement has come with heavy praise and criticism. Singer songwriters are ecstatic that one of their idols has been recognized for the poetry of their lyrics. On the other hand, many recognize that there are other artists who were well deserving, POC, and females. You can read more here. Tell me what you think!
Taraji P. Henson’s book, Around the Way Girl: A Memoir, was released this Tuesday and the star of Empire did not hold back. She talks about her experience as a black female in Hollywood an actually dedicates a chapter to this uphill battle she continues to undergo. Candid and brave, she faces the industry and calls them out. I am here for it! You can read more here.
If you’re a hockey fan, you know Wayne Gretzky. If you’re a Canadian hockey fan, he’s one of your idols. You couldn’t be Canadian without learning about Gretzky in school and watching his biopic shows. As he returns to his old team, The Edmonton Oilers as partner and vice-chairman, he takes all of his love for the game and is turning it into a book about the history of the sport. Check out details about his new book here.
It has been announced that Stephen King will be releasing a children’s book in November. I know what you’re thinking: how does perhaps the best horror writer veer into the children’s book lane? The book is to follow the adventures of an engineer and his friend train, the titular character Charlie The Choo-Choo. You can read more here. I’m excited, are you?
To leave you with some rather beautiful and hopeful news, Margaret Atwood has announced Bangladeshi author Ahmedur Rashid Chowdhury (also known as Tutul) as winner of the International Writer of Courage Award. Chowdhury survived a machete attack by Islamic extremists. The author, publisher, and editor encourages writing as a medium in which to combat adversity and promote change. Bangladesh and many other countries have seen journalists and writers killed for their literature. We remember them and celebrate those who continue to fight. You can read more here.
Happy Thursday and Happy Reading!
