Here's an idea for a new federal law: Before the United States can go to war with any country, all literate Americans must read one book by a writer from that country (poetry, fiction, memoir, and creative nonfiction only--no dry political tretises). This single requirement would go a long way toward ensuring that we see our prospective "enemies" in human terms, and think hard before making the decision to wreak destruction on their homes, families, and communities. While we're at it, let's… Continue

One of the reasons I am so passionate about reading (and publishing) literature in translation is this: I believe it enhances not only our knowledge of other cultures, but our ability to identify and empathize with members of those cultures; it enlarges our souls as well as our minds.



After making a donation to the relief effort in Haiti (which, as Wilson suggested in her earlier post, has to be the first priority), She Writes members might want to take a look at the… Continue

Where are women writers most underrepresented (other than this year's PW Ten Best Books list)? In translation. In fact, international women writers receive a double dose of underrepresentation. To begin with, only about 3 percent of the books published in the United States each year are translated from other languages. And within that 3 percent, a pathetically small portion are works written by women. I've yet to hear a… Continue