Dinners with Neruda, why translate, and more

News, Reviews, and Interviews

Up at Words Without Borders this week, Suzanne Jill Levine remembers all of the times she sat down to dinner with Pablo Neruda over his lifetime.

This year marks the eighth since the bombing of al-Mutanabbi Street, the main bookselling corridor in Baghdad. This week, the Arabic Literature (in English) blog celebrated the street’s rebuilding and recovery. (You can also read more about the “Mutanabbi Street Starts Here” art exhibit, featured in the May 2012 issue.)

We wish congratulations to each of the authors and publishers honored with this year’s youth media awards, including the Newbery and Caldecott medals.

Has one piece of the mystery surrounding Shakespeare’s famous Sonnets finally been solved? An American researcher may have uncovered the identity of “Mr WH,” to whom the poems are dedicated.

Is book reviewing a public service or an art? Two authors debate head-to-head at the New York Times website.

In an unprecedented announcement this week, Harper Lee, author of the beloved children’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, revealed she will be publishing a sequel to her most famous book.

For Your Calendar

If you’re in or around the Paris area, make sure to take time to see the We Love Books! exhibit, celebrating international book covers, now through Sunday, February 8.

Fun Finds and Inspiration

Looking for great new books? To celebrate being voted #1 bookstore in Windsor, all used Biblioasis books are 30% off throughout the month of February.

If it’s not for the fame or fortune, then why do translators choose translation as their line of work? Writing for Books from Finland, Herbert Lomas gives his personal testimony on the love he bears for the art.

If you’re looking for more poetry to read this year, don’t miss these 10 young American poets changing the face of poetry.