Daphne du Maurier was known as a legend of atmospheric, unsettling gothic horror. Her magnum opus, Rebecca, is a perfect evolution of Bronte-esque gothic, and her short stories were often chilling nightmare fuel. But for fans of Rebecca who are wanting more, what classic and modern books like Rebecca are out there to enjoy? Fans …
Language and translation are inescapably tied together. Studying one or both can lead wide-eyed and curious linguists deep down historical, cultural, and even philosophical rabbit holes. When we study language and translation, we study anthropology, geography, history, tradition, and more. Books about language in translation can open doors to new ways of thinking and seeing …
The publishing world, wherever in the world you are, is still dominated by men: male writers, editors, and publishers. This is despite the fact that the majority of readers around the world are women, and that so much of the best writing has always come from women authors. Today, the best Japanese novels are all …
Like so many of our reading choices, having access to more diverse short stories (instead of just the stuffy old white men we were forced to read as kids) can really opened your eyes to all the magic that the short story medium can offer. If you already love short story collections, or if you …
Is there anything better than a bookish gift? So many of us grew up as bookworms: living in fantasy worlds, escaping reality through the pages of our books, and much of that was because the real world just doesn’t measure up. But these days we have thousands of creative bookworms out there bringing to life …
Many people are looking how to change their lives in a meaningful way, whether that’s to curb overspending on items we’ve been tempted into, to declutter a home to make for a living space that enhances our lives, or to reduce our carbon footprint and household waste. With this movement, there’s been a wave of …
Some of the best-loved works of literature in the 20th century came from a post-independence India. Works by Salman Rushdie and Arundhati Roy are synonymous with great modern literature, but there are many more Indian books in English for you to discover. And here are just a few of the best. Modern Indian Literature in …
There is so much beauty, mystery, and excitement to Japanese history and culture. The best books on Japan explore the art, theology, architecture, theatre, and food of Japan. To really understand Japan, it’s vital to get a rounded view of the Land of the Rising Sun by reading the best books on Japanese culture and …
As many of the books on this list explore and celebrate, Tokyo is a city that contains multitudes. It is an Edo city of traditional Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. It’s also a pre-war town of narrow yokocho alleyways lined with ramen joints and izakayas. And it’s a modern metropolis of kawaii cafes, shopping districts, …
In times and places of hate, the two most powerful acts that can dispel that hate quickly are talking with people of different backgrounds and, failing that, reading their stories. These books about refugees and migrants, and the experiences they’ve lived, are vital reading for anyone wishing to better understand their fellow humans. 14 Must-Read …
