A Nabokov obscure vocabulary quiz, an interview with Hang Kang’s translator, and more

March 11, 2016
by WLT
Library bookshelf with sunlight on book spines. Photo by Lubos Huska/Pixabay.
Photo by Lubos Huska/Pixabay

News, Reviews, and Interviews 

The Quietus interviews Deborah Smith on her work translating Korean author Han Kang and her progress on launching a new publishing house.

This infographic displays interesting moments from the history of the NSK Neustadt Prize featuring Mildred D. Taylor, Katherine Paterson, and more.

For International Women’s Day, PEN America launched its March feature that will focus on the cases of courageous women writers. 

In this interview, recent WLT contributor Porochista Khakpour shares about her critically lauded novels and her forthcoming memoir about Lyme disease. 

The schedule for the 2016 Puterbaugh Festival has been announced! The literary festival featuring Alain Mabanckou will be April 6–8. 

The Native Crossroads Film Festival is occurring the same week as the Puterbaugh literary festival this year! Take advantage of this opportunity to attend a combination of film and literary events on the OU campus in Norman, Oklahoma.

Vogue featured Valeria Luiselli and her husband Álvaro Enrigue in this article about their “buzzy” new novels and life in New York City.

A short-story collection smuggled out of North Korea will be published in English in 2017.

J.K. Rowling released part one of her new Magic in North America series.

 

Fun Finds and Inspiration

How familiar are you with Vladimir Nabokov’s unfamiliar vocabulary? This Nabokov quiz by Merriam-Webster digs through his lexis of obscure words. 

This “tales of dependency” reading list by Literary Hub features books where the characters’ lives are in someone else’s hands.

Looking for a literary way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Barnes and Noble lists seven contemporary Irish authors to read.

Flavorwire showcases 10 stunning bookshelf designs where the shelves cover entire walls.