Telling the Story of the National Women’s Football League in “Hail Mary” – Chicago Review of Books

Telling the Story of the National Women’s Football League in “Hail Mary” – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] For as long as sports shape so much of our culture—globally, nationally, and locally—the stories we tell about them will shape us, too. In the United States, football remains the most popular sport, generating billions of dollars in revenue every year. Women and other people of marginalized genders have been systematically shut out of … Read more

Translation as Art and Science in “Translating Myself and Others” – Chicago Review of Books

Translation as Art and Science in “Translating Myself and Others” – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] It is tempting to separate the arc of Jhumpa Lahiri’s career in two distinct eras—her early work, sparse, understated fiction of the Indian diaspora, and her later work, in and out of the Italian language and immersed in Italian culture. Yet, upon reading her collection of essays Translating Myself and Others, which focuses primarily … Read more

Loving, Hating, Living, and Transcending the Canon in “Either/Or” – Chicago Review of Books

Loving, Hating, Living, and Transcending the Canon in “Either/Or” – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] “Generous reading” is an approach to ideas that was in vogue among my friends in college. In brief, its precepts demand that new and even disagreeable arguments be afforded as much credence as possible. One could be critical only after deeply entertaining the worldview presented, suspending disbelief beyond the confines of fiction. But when … Read more

The Mirror Prismatic in Lydia Conklin’s “Rainbow Rainbow” – Chicago Review of Books

The Mirror Prismatic in Lydia Conklin’s “Rainbow Rainbow” – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] Captivating and brimming with love for queer life in all its weird glory, Lydia Conklin’s debut collection is by turns exuberant, tragic, funny, and whisper-quiet. Conklin’s luminescent portrayals open a doorway into the queer universe for readers of all stripes. Walk through, Conklin beckons, make yourself at home. This collection takes its title, Rainbow … Read more

#ReadWithPride with Penguin Teen: YA books to read for Pride this year!

#ReadWithPride with Penguin Teen: YA books to read for Pride this year!

[ad_1] This Pride Month, we’re excited to celebrate extraordinary stories and voices from the LGBTQIA+ community. From contemporary, to sci-fi, to romance, there’s a little something for everyone on this list, so scroll down for a few of our recommendations to #ReadWithPride this month–and every month after that!   Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram A YA novel … Read more

Delving into the Soul of Art in “The Long Corner” – Chicago Review of Books

Delving into the Soul of Art in “The Long Corner” – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] What is art, and maybe more importantly, what isn’t art? It’s a question that only seems to gain relevance, as more and more narratives come to us in the form of franchises, brand tie-ins, and other forms of marketing disguised as story. Thankfully, Alexander Maksik’s latest novel, The Long Corner, is none of those … Read more

Coping with Grief and Reconnecting with Identity in “She Is Haunted” – Chicago Review of Books

Coping with Grief and Reconnecting with Identity in “She Is Haunted” – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] Paige Clark’s debut short story collection, She Is Haunted, considers how we handle loss in the modern world. Whether due to a casual fling mistaken for intimacy, or the death of a loved one, navigating the end of complicated relationships can raise the question of how much control we have over our own identities. … Read more

Escaping Patriarchal Exploitation in ‘Avalon’ – Chicago Review of Books

Escaping Patriarchal Exploitation in ‘Avalon’ – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] Nell Zink’s debut, The Wallcreeper, splashed onto the literary scene eight years ago, a slim volume about a woman trying to find her place in the world despite the patriarchy. Since then, Zink has published four more novels. In her newest, Avalon, she returns to themes found in her debut.   The protagonist and narrator, … Read more

We All Have a Hunger in “You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty” – Chicago Review of Books

We All Have a Hunger in “You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty” – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] Five years after the death of her husband, visual artist Feyi Adekola is starting to come out of her shell, wondering if it’s possible to love again. After some casual dating, she starts a mostly platonic—but possibly more serious—relationship with Nasir Blake, a well-connected consultant. Feyi’s personal and professional lives are suddenly thrown into … Read more