Viking plans to release “Silverview,” a spy novel set in an English seaside town, nearly a year after the famed writer’s death. Read more
Author: GR
How Humans Gained an ‘Extra Life’
Starting in the second half of the 19th century, the average life span began to climb rapidly, giving humans not just extra life, but an extra life. In rich countries, life expectancy at birth hit 40 by 1880, 50 by 1900, 60 by 1930, 70 by 1960, and 80 by 2010. The rest of the world is catching up. Global life expectancy in 2019 was 72.6 years, higher than that of any country, rich or poor, in 1950. People in the shortest-lived countries today will, on average, outlive those of your grandparents’ generation. Read more
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A New Brain Implant Translates Thoughts of Writing Into Text
In early experiments, a paralyzed man with implants in his premotor cortex typed 90 characters per minute—by envisioning he was writing by hand. Read more
Poet Carl Phillips wins $75,000 Jackson Prize
On Monday, Poets & Writers announced that the 61-year-old Phillips has won the Jackson Prize, which in previous years has gone to Elizabeth Alexander, Claudia Rankine and current U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo, among others.
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Top author stirs anger with ‘too white’ history
Richard Cohen’s new book, which has reportedly been dropped by his US publisher despite extensive additions, is still set for British release next month. Read more
Goblin by Josh Malerman
Malerman (Bird Box) tantalizes readers with this enigmatic linked collection of horror novellas. . . . The dark, fantastic tone will put readers in mind of Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes. This is must-read horror. Read more
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On the Best Subversive, Genre-Busting Writer You’ve Never Heard Of
Tobias Carroll Rereads M. John Harrison, an Under-Recognized Master. Read more
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Evelyn Waugh’s twelve-bedroom house—complete with party barn—is now for sale
Somerset’s Combe Florey House, once the family home of Brideshead Revisited author Evelyn Waugh and his son Auberon, is finally for sale—and it’s pretty spectacular, looking onto parkland and water. The grounds include a twelve-bedroom home with red sandstone facades; a pool and pool house; a tennis court; several outbuildings; and a party barn, which I’ve just learned is a glamorous barn you throw parties in. … The house is currently on sale for $7.6 million, so consider making the purchase if you’re a Waugh fan with money to spare—or if you have some ideas for barn parties. Read more
Paris Bookstores Are Designated Essential — But These Landmarks Struggle To Survive
Gibert Jeune, which held a prominent place in Parisians hearts, is one of the latest to close. The pandemic is only one pressure on independent bookstores, but some have found ways to survive. Read more
When reading to learn, what works best for students — printed books or digital texts?
A wealth of research comparing print and digital reading points to the same conclusion — print matters. For most students, print is the most effective way to learn and to retain that knowledge long-term. Read more
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