A prize for women in translation, literary Halloween costumes, and more

News, Reviews, and Interviews

French novelist Patrick Modiano has won this year’s Nobel Prize in Literature. 

Last week, Laila Lalami spoke to NPR about her new novel, The Moor’s Account, which tells the story of a disastrous Spanish expedition in 1528. (You can also read Lalami’s essay “So to Speak” from the September 2009 issue of WLT, which was a finalist in our 350th issue celebration reader’s poll.)

This week, Oklahoma poet Joy Harjo was inducted into the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. Read her thoughts on the honor, plus hear about her brand new memoir, in this recent interview in the Tulsa World.

As the conversation surrounding the role of women in translation grows, a new question emerges: why is there no literary prize honoring female translators?

Crime fiction is making a comeback in the Middle East, perhaps as a result of and a reaction to the political turmoil in the region since 2011.

This week, we note the passing of Scottish poet and translator Alastair Reid, who passed away last weekend at the age of 88.

For Your Calendar

The shortlist for the 2014 National Translation Award was announced this week! The final winner will be announced in November, so be sure to mark your calendar.

Fun Finds and Inspiration

It happens to the best of readers. Use these tips to help boost yourself out of a reading slump.

Looking for a new country to explore? Step into the world of Georgian literature with this literary sampler from Literature Across Frontiers. (And for more Georgian lit, see our May blog post on Georgia’s blossoming translation scene.)

Looking for some Halloween costume inspiration for your family? Try these delightfully literary costume ideas.