Schwob's digital recommendations
An exploration of blogs and websites focusing on world literature, forgotten works and literature in translation
Are you interested in books like our Schwob-titles, but don’t know where to begin? In this article, we will be presenting some interesting platforms that will help you keep up to date to the world of world literature.
World Literature Today
World Literature Today is a bimonthly American magazine that specializes in international literature and culture. Once started in 1927 as Books Abroad and published by the University of Oklahoma, it has extended beyond academic realms and is now an influential source for many around the world through their several social channels. Their magazine is available through their website, which also carries a blog.
We recommend: “Translation Is the Opposite of War”: A Tribute to Sarah Maguire
Asymptote
_Asymptote _is another literary journal, one whose mission is to “unlock the literary treasures of the world”. They publish works of literature as well as interviews with writers and translators such as J. M. Coetzee, Patrick Modiano, Herta Müller, Can Xue, Junot Díaz, Ismail Kadare, David Mitchell, Anne Carson, Haruki Murakami, Lydia Davis, Ann Goldstein, and Deborah Smith.
We recommend: On Translators in Translation: Spanish Novels About Translators Available in English Translation
Words without Borders
Founded in 2003, Words without Borders is an organization and online magazine that promotes international literature and translation with the aim of an increased intercultural understanding through reading.
Our recommendation: Interviews with Publishers of Children’s Literature in Translation
Publishing Perspectives
Highlighting more the business-side of book publishing, Publishing Perspectives keeps us up to date on recent developments in the international trade of books. Not only do they report on recent events, but they also analyze trends and often feature interesting interviews, such as the following.
Our recommendation: Why Independent Publishers are an Essential Public Service
On World Literature
On World Literature is the personal blog of Grant Hamilton, a professor of English literature in China. On his blog, Hamilton shares his thoughts on texts that he is reading, while he also devotes time to the study of literature in itself.
We recommend: “Love Marriage” by V.V. Ganeshananthan
A Year of Reading the World
In 2012, journalist Ann Morgan set out to read one book from every country in the world. On her blog, she writes about her thoughts and struggles during the process and the books she is currently reading. Her TED-talk is also an interesting watch.
We recommend: Tuvalu: how to make it rain
A footnote:
Because of the widespread usage of English as lingua franca for book-enthousiasts on the internet and because it is one of the languages we at the Schwob-headquarters are able to read, these websites are all written in this language. However, we would love to hear from you about recommendations from around the world. Please do write us at write@schwob.nl and we will continue to add to this list.
