Posts by author
Ian MacAllen
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Scarlett Johannson Fails to Ban French Novel
A French novel by Grégoire Delacourt featuring a character who looks like Scarlett Johannson will be translated and published in the UK next month. In The First Thing You See, a French mechanic meets a woman who he thinks is Scarlett…
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On Writing Too Much
The works of prolific writers are often viewed as less-than-literary, like the largely forgotten books of mystery novelist John Creasey, author of 564 books. Even serious novelists like Joyce Carol Oates, author of more than fifty novels, can write so much they…
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This Week in Indie Bookstores
Segwick, Maine claims to be home to the world’s smallest bookstore. Pushcart Press Bookstore resides in a 9′ x 12′ building selling used books and Pushcart Press titles. Australia’s capitol city is not known as a cultural center, but that…
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Amazon’s Antitrust Problems
Authors United, a trade guild representing 500 authors, submitted a formal request to the Department of Justice seeking an investigation into Amazon, accusing the online retailer of violating antitrust laws. The guild alleges Amazon is a monopoly responsible for price…
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Notable NYC: 8/29–9/4
Saturday 8/29: Ruby Brunton, Jasmine Gibson, Faith Heyliger, Stephon Lawrence, Melissa McDaniel, and Kayla Classy Morse celebrate Mellow Pages Library with Vapors Vol. 1. Silent Barn, 2 p.m., free. Sunday 8/30: Ugly Duckling Presse, publisher of experimental poetry, hosts a…
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Bechdel Test Gets New Name
The Bechdel Test has a new name: the Bechdel-Wallace Test. Cartoonist Alison Bechdel popularized the test for assessing films on their portrayal of women. To pass, a film must contain a scene with two female characters talking to each about…
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Feminists Under Attack in Mexico
Feminist activists have become the targets of attacks in Mexico. At least 36 women’s rights activists have been killed in the last five years. Marie Claire points to a recent incident where activist Nadia Vera and women convening in her…
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Universal Library Cards
In a plan to boost literacy rates, Scotland is testing a program to give all children automatic library memberships. The pilot program gives library cards out upon birth, reports BBC.
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Macho Literary Culture
Kingsley Amis all but disappeared from the American literary consciousness after his death. Many of his novels were not even available stateside after their initial publication, although a new line of reprints is changing that. However, The New Republic asks…
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Topless Bookclub
The Outdoor Co-ed Topless Pulp Fiction Appreciation Society is a New York-based book club founded five years ago. The club, with dozens of members, meet bare-chested in public places around the city. New York law allows women to be topless…
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This Week in Indie Bookstores
Memphis-area Burke’s Book Store celebrated its 140th year of selling books. The current owners plan to use the milestone reintroduce the store, and that includes investing in a custom bicycle to make book deliveries. Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi started…
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Bicycle Libraries Serve Book Deserts
Libraries on bicycles serve a practice purpose: getting books to places that don’t have any. GOOD Magazine explores some bicycle library projects that are bringing knowledge to book deserts around the world. Books on bikes are another creative solution gaining popularity…