My apologies, fellow readers, for the dearth of book reviews lately. I’ve had so many library research workshops and student meetings this week that I’ve been too worn out in the evenings to write them. Thankfully my calendar had cleared up and I’ll be able to tell you all about the books I’ve been reading. Reviews resume next week and, in the meantime, enjoy your mostly regular helping of bookish news:
- Julia Rittenberg takes a firm stance against book ratings—and other rating systems while she’s at it. (Book Riot)
- Ben Yagoda meanders through the evolution of the word “irony.” (LitHub)
- Michael Dirda would like us all to give old books a chance. (Washington Post)
- While trawling through academic book reviews earlier this week, I came across a biography of George W.M. Reynolds, a best-selling Victorian writer who rivaled Dickens in his day but who I’d never heard of before.
- Alice Henderson argues that writers might be able to do a spot of activism in their novels, if they’re careful about it. (CrimeReads)
- Molly Templeton explores the complicated feelings we have for our to-read piles. (Tor)
- Pair with: Umberto Eco talking about his anti-library of books he has not read. (OpenCulture)
- Leah Rachel von Essen gets lost with books. (Book Riot)
- I very much identify with the woman in Kathleen Radigan’s report from an evening of literary speed-dating, who was really there to get more book recs. (LitHub)
- …and, of course, censorship news, via Book Riot.
