Folio Prize shortlist, Assia Djebar’s tribute, 50 majestic libraries, and more

News, Reviews, and Interviews

The Israel Prize for Literature might not be granted this year because all of the judges resigned to protest the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Folio Prize announced its 2015 shortlist, which includes Ben Lerner, Miriam Toews, Jenny Offill, Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, Akhil Sharma, Ali Smith, Colm Tóibín, and Rachel Cusk.

1996 Neustadt Prize Laureate Assia Djebar passed away on February 6. She was a gifted Algerian-born novelist, translator, and filmmaker. You can read Mohammed Dib’s tribute here. 

Kirkus released a list of 9 new books that have been receiving a lot of critical praise and are destined to become classics.

Fun Finds and Inspiration

From architectural feats to glorious spaces, this list of the 50 most majestic libraries in the world will be sure to catch any book lover’s eye.

While books are meant to be read, a bar in Tulsa, Oklahoma shows how books can be versatile and meaningful design elements as well. 

The New York Times has two writers discuss what they believe is the best portrayal of a marriage in literature