Every year, the prestigious MacArthur Foundation chooses individuals from around the world in all types of professions to honor. This year, three very different writers made the list. Their subject matter ranges from agriculture and naturalism to discourse on race. What they all have in common is talent. Ben Lerner is a 36-year-old novelist. His two books, Leaving the Atocha Station and 10:04, have been praised for breaking traditional style and portray humorous and real relationships. The Foundation chose him for his works “that convey the texture of our contemporary moment and explore the relevance of art and the artist in modern culture.” Lerner …
The Harry Potter films brought J.K. Rowling‘s amazing stories to life. Seeing Hogwarts and its Great Hall for the first time was a landmark moment for many young readers, and continues to be something special for book lovers today. Since then, many have wanted to drink butterbeer and eat Christmas pudding with their classmates. Now, Warner Brothers Studio in London is giving aspiring wizards and witches a one-night opportunity. Join us this December as we host our first ever festive feast in the Hogwarts Great Hall! https://t.co/EZWLcnqcKX pic.twitter.com/CUWXBkv3GP — WB Tour London (@wbtourlondon) September 29, 2015 This December, Muggles over the …
“For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?” Ever need 19th century sass like this in your life? The Jane Austen Centre has just released the perfect solution. The new app, the Jane Austen Daily Quote, gives you a classic Austen line every day of the year. What’s more, the delivery can be set for any time of day—in case you have particular moments when you’re in need of a witty line. The app currently comes loaded with 365 beloved lines from the 6 books that comprise Austen’s work: Pride and …
Have you ever corrected a friend for using “then” instead of “than” or a comma instead of a semicolon when writing? If so, you probably identify as a grammar nerd. There are plenty of readers out there with this passion for grammatical correctness, and many sites have sprouted to help people fuel their love of grammar. Grammarly, a community for grammar nerds and an educational source for grammar newbies, has just released an awesome infographic detailing what a typical grammar nerd is like. One of the most interesting facts in the graphic is that most grammar nerds are single U.S. women …
The National Book Foundation is a big deal when it comes to handing out awards. Its annual Literarian Award for Outstanding Service honors one beloved writer who has given the world a lifetime of exceptional work. Previous winners of this esteemed prize include Maya Angelou, Dave Eggers, and Terry Gross. This year, the Foundation is giving this honor to James Patterson. Patterson has been writing acclaimed books for almost 40 years. Some of the 68-year-old author’s most well-known contributions to the literary world include The Thomas Berryman Number, Alex Cross, Maximum Ride, and Zoo, the latter of which was recently adapted …
