2016 was already a pretty weird year, but last week a few people in Stockholm found a way to take it over the top. As you’ve probably heard by now, the Swedish Academy awarded Bob Dylan the Nobel Prize in Literature, citing him for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” …
The story line is quite simple: Genly Ai has arrived on the planet Winter in an effort to enlist the people in a growing association of intergalactic civilizations. There are many layers to this classic science fiction novel, but foremost is the exploration of gender roles. On this planet, the people are androgynous and sexless …
Oregon Public Broadcasting has launched a new monthly online series called “Greetings From the Northwest.” It explores stories, adventures, and history about this remarkable place we call home. This month, the series showcases books. Stories connect to reading lists, author interviews, book tours and more. It’s a nice stew of literary Northwestiness—features on Ken Kesey, Ursula K. …
“Willy Vlautin is one of the bravest novelists writing. Murderers, cheats, sadists, showy examples of the banality of evil, are easy, but it takes real courage to write a novel about ordinary good people. They don’t fit into the cynic’s little boxes—they’re way too big. The guy working two eight-hour jobs who still can’t meet …
“Another wonderful author—one who fortunately for us lives right here in Portland —with a new collection of poetry is Ursula K. Le Guin. Though internationally known and honored for her imaginative fiction, Le Guin started out as a poet, and since 1959 has never ceased to publish poems. Finding My Elegy spans fifty years of work and …
It’s never been done before. But based on the excellent turnout and warm reception by eight book communities, George Byron Wright, father of the Crazy 8s Author Tour, might just have to plan another. Wright conceived the idea of getting nearly 30 Oregon authors—among them, bestsellers and award-winners—and eight independent bookstores to participate in an …
Who knows where great ideas come from, but the concept for the Crazy Eights Author Tour came to George Byron Wright while he was on a recent road trip. Here’s the idea: “Stimulate more interest in Oregon’s writing and publishing communities by connecting them with readers, booksellers and libraries in an exciting new way.” This …
Nearly 50 years into her publishing career, Ursula K. Le Guin lives in a rare zone where she’s simultaneously iconic and contemporary. She has major literary awards dating back to 1968 and three new releases this fall that are at the forefront of indie bookstore holiday campaigns throughout the Northwest. One of those new titles is …
Editor’s note: We’re republishing this essay from sci-fi legend Ursula K. Le Guin this week. Le Guin wrote ‘Riding the Avalanche’ for us last year, examining e-publishing and the state of the book industry. NWBL will publish a few repeats this month while we work on a re-design of our site. Look for a re-launch in …
We were blown away to read that Portland’s Multnomah County Library system has the second highest circulation in the country, behind only New York City. Almost 20 million items last year! Unfortunately, the red ribbon does nothing to alter the fact that two-thirds of the library’s operating budget is due to expire this spring. There’s …
