New Republic for Sale, David Bowie’s Reading List, and More

by
Staff
1.12.16

Every day Poets & Writers Magazine scans the headlines—from publishing reports to academic announcements to literary dispatches—for all the news that creative writers need to know. Here are today's stories:

The New York Public Library lists the one hundred books that David Bowie loved most. The iconic musician passed away Sunday from cancer at age sixty-nine. According to a 1998 Proust questionnaire, when asked, “What is your idea of perfect happiness?” Bowie answered, “Reading.” (Huffington Post)

Chris Hughes, owner of the New Republic, announced Monday that the publication is up for sale again. Hughes bought the magazine in 2012, and by late 2014 the century-old institution had transitioned into a digital media company, which prompted many staff members to leave. In a letter to his staff, Hughes stated, “After investing a great deal of time, energy, and over twenty million, I have come to the conclusion that it is time for new leadership and vision at the New Republic.”

Award-winning poet Brenda Hillman has been named chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. Hillman will serve a six-year term, with duties ranging from programming consulting to judging the Academy’s various prizes. Previous Academy chancellors include Adrienne Rich and John Ashbery. (Business Insider)

At the Oxford American, Pulitzer Prize–winner and former U.S. poet laureate Natasha Trethewey talks about her formative childhood years and how she became a poet, as well as the language of racial classification, ekphrastic poetry, and more.

Actress Emma Watson has launched a feminist book group on Twitter called “Our Shared Shelf.” The first book Watson selected for the group is Gloria Steinem’s latest memoir, My Life on the Road. Watson is also a goodwill ambassador for UN Women. (Guardian)

Get a glimpse into a day in the life of a bookmobile librarian, as Kelvin K. Selders—the librarian for the Northeastern Nevada Regional Bookmobile—guides you through a day of delivering books to readers throughout the state. (Medium)

Over at Vulture, writer Christian Lorentzen looks at several recently published short story anthologies—including New American Stories, edited by Ben Marcus, and Best American Short Stories 2015, edited by T. C. Boyle—and asks the question of whether the short story form still has the ability to shock its readers.