i wrote about Juli Min's SHANGHAILANDERS and Lai Wen's TIANANMEN SQUARE, two debut novels from this past year that i enjoyed greatly lareviewofbooks.org/article/from...

When it comes to writing a novel, you have to be obsessed with it. Think about the thing you're most into right now. If you aren't at least that locked into thinking about your book, you're not going to make it. It must consume your whole being. Full stop.

A photo I posted of graffiti in Syria in 2014. "One day the war will be over and I will return to my poem" I hope they will return to their poem

Han Kang's Nobel lecture is now online. Please note that this was filmed *before* the events of 12/3 and only *released* now.

"...and I wondered if he worried he would never find his way out, if the world of fiction had lost its protective powers..." Y'all, Katie Kiramura's AUDITION lands in April and every page will transport you to unsettling places deep in your psyche. Yes, it's a real good feeling.

so, hey