Books on the Wall blog posts covering contemporary literature, contemporary authors, and everything in between.
This quote comes from Cormac McCarthy’s 2006 novel, The Road, a post-apocalyptic tale that follows a father and son’s struggle for survival. The idea first came to McCarthy in El Paso, Texas, as he imagined what the city might be like in a bleak future. The novel is dedicated to his son, John Francis McCarthy. “Keep a little fire burning; however small, however hidden.” Cormac McCarthy, The Road
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Authors Behind Bars What do Fyodor Dostoevsky, Miguel de Cervantes, Oscar Wilde, and Jack London have in common? Besides being among most famous authors in Western literature, each of these writers also served time in prison. Dostoevsky was imprisoned for participating in outlawed political activity, de Cervantes for questionable tax practices, Wilde for “gross indecency” (a legal term interpreted as condemnation of his homosexuality), London for “vagrancy,” and Thoreau for refusal to pay a poll tax. In one way or another, it is clear that many imprisoned authors were able to gain inspiration in spite of, or perhaps because of, their […]
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This quote comes from the poem, “All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter,” written by J.R.R. Tolkien for his Lord of the Rings trilogy. All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king. J.R.R. Tolkein, “All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter”
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Have you ever read a book by a famous author (or a not-yet-famous one) and been able to instantly identify another author’s influence? All artists, including writers, are influenced by their peers and forebears, knowingly or not. We love the literary “circle of life” that results; in creating his or her own work, every author expresses something that connects with and inspires someone one else to create something new. Literary influences among 29 famous authors To explore this idea of literary influence, we chose a random assortment of 29 of our favorite famous authors and did some research into how they are […]
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We’ve all seen the supermarket flowers, the balloons, the heart-shaped chocolate boxes and giant overfluffed plush animals. Yep, it’s almost Valentine’s Day! We thought we’d celebrate the upcoming holiday with a fitting title from one of America’s most renowned short story writers, Raymond Carver’s “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.” “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” Though the title makes this story sound like an obvious choice for Valentine’s Day, the reality of the text is a little more complex. The prose is clean and direct (like most of Carver’s work) and its setting and characters […]
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Chilean-American author and journalist Isabel Allende has written many popular novels, including The House of the Spirits, City of the Beasts and Eva Luna. Born in Peru, Allende’s father was the cousin of Salvador Allende, the Chilean president from 1970 to 1973. After a coup overthrew Allende and installed Augusto Pinochet as head of the military junta, Isabel Allende fled for her life to Venezuela, where she lived for 13 years. In Venezuela, Allende worked as a journalist for a prominent national newspaper. Allende’s most well-regarded novel is probably The House of the Spirits, which has been compared with Gabriel Garcia […]
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Stuck wondering what your next book should be? We’ve all been there! But instead of asking yourself what you should read next, try asking yourself: Where do I want to go? Check out our infographic for a few recommendations for your next book, based on where each novel or play takes place. We chose a random assortment of novels and plays set around the world; this is definitely not a comprehensive or “best of” list. Just some ideas for your next reading adventure! For those viewing on mobile, you can find the text contents of the infographic below along with […]
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This quote comes from Murakami’s best-selling novel Kafka on the Shore. One of Murakami’s most beloved works, Kafka on the Shore follows 15-year-old Kafka and 60-something Nakata, two men whose lives become tied together by dreamlike blackouts, a mythical stone, an infamous murder, a reclusive library manager and an old song entitled “Kafka on the Shore.” “If you remember me, then I don’t care if everyone else forgets.” Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore
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Happy 2016! For so many of us, the new year represents the start of a new chapter, the perfect time to acknowledge the past and consider the future. As our celebratory spirit recedes and 2016 creeps on, we’ve been reflecting on the symbolism of this time of year, basking in the mix of nostalgia and forward motion that January evokes. And what better way to capture these feelings than by reading a perfectly suited book? We’ve made a list of books that embody just a few of our many feelings about the new year—books about change and determination, about setting off on […]
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Today, celebrated American author Ernest Gaines turns 83. To celebrate, let’s take a look at Gaines’ life, his writing, and his many achievements and awards. Life of Ernest Gaines The oldest of 12 children, Ernest James Gaines was born on January 15, 1933, on a sugar plantation in rural Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. Gaines was raised primarily by his great-aunt Augusteen Jefferson on the same land where his ancestors were once held as slaves. From the age of 9, Gaines worked in the fields with his family, only attending school for half the year in a one-room schoolhouse at the local […]
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