By combining self-help and literature, the School of Life’s first novel does both a disservice | Alice Kemp-Habib

Billed as ‘a therapeutic novel’, the publisher’s first foray into fiction follows 29-year-old Anna’s mental health journey – with a view to helping the reader. But how useful can such clunky writing be?At 29 years old, Anna is full of self-loathing. She hates her job, her boyfriend is having an affair and her parents’ response to her troubles is indifferent at best. This is the starting point for A Voice of One’s Own, the first novel to be published by The School of Life. In its pages, fiction and self-help make for uneasy bedfellows.Co-founded by philosopher Alain de Botton in 2008, The School of Life broadly aims to teach its “students” how to lead calmer, more fulfilling lives. Its publishing arm, launched in 2016, disseminates self-help literature with pithy titles such as Reasons to be Hopeful and A Simpler Life, which purport to blend philosophical wisdom with practical advice. Like De Botton himself, the books are Marmite; while many critique the school for peddling watered-down pop philosophy, its teachings have clearly found a market. The organisation has branches in seven major cities, and its most popular title, Big Ideas for Curious Minds, has sold over 120,000 copies globally, while its workshops on playfulness, confidence and self-awareness regularly sell out. The new book represents a departure, however. Through A Voice of One’s Own, The School of Life is showing, rather than telling, its readers how to live better. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2023-07-07 15:45:50 UTC ]
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How brands are combining audio and video formats to boost digital campaign success

Rachel Brooks, associate director of business marketing, global, Spotify Digital media consumers seamlessly transition from audio to video throughout their day — listening to a favorite playlist during a workout or commute, then tuning into video content when relaxing in front of screens at the... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2023-12-14 15:56:06 UTC ]
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China Literature Buys Tencent Animation and Comics

Pursuing its strategy of seeking to further leverage IP, China Literature, China's dominant online publishing and e-book company, has bought Tencent Animation and Comics for 600 million yuan (US$83.6 million). Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-12-13 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Congress Introduces New Bill to Fight Book Bans in Schools

Amid a historic surge in book challenges in schools and school libraries, the Fight Book Bans Act would offer federal funding to support school districts fighting challenges to books and educational materials. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-12-06 05:00:00 UTC ]
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José Donoso Saw the Future of Latin American Literature

American readers have largely forgotten the single greatest writer to come from the Latin American Boom: Chilean novelist José Donoso. The post José Donoso Saw the Future of Latin American Literature appeared first on The Millions. Continue reading at The Millions

[ The Millions | 2023-11-21 12:00:00 UTC ]
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ACLU, Parents, and Students Sue Alaska School District Over Book Bans

The suit, filed on behalf of six parents of minor children and two students who are over the age of 18 in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough school district, seeks the return of 56 books said to be improperly banned from school shelves. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-21 05:00:00 UTC ]
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From high schools to prison: Why California's poet laureate is always on the road

California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick, who celebrates the state in "My California," joins the L.A. Times Book Club on Dec. 12. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-11-16 18:48:29 UTC ]
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David Ferry, Poet and Translator Who Won Acclaim Late in Life, Dies at 99

After nearly 40 years as a professor, he began a new career writing poems and translating classics. He won a National Book Award when he was 86. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-11-11 18:29:17 UTC ]
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The 16 Books Most Commonly Stolen from High School Libraries

The most commonly stolen books from high school libraries follow a pattern: they're usually mystery, poetry, or graphic novel titles. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-11-07 11:32:00 UTC ]
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Stephanie Land's new memoir takes 'Maid' readers to school — not always in a good way

Stephanie Land's second memoir, 'Class,' a sequel to her blockbuster debut, 'Maid,' follows her journey to get an education — and holds readers at a distance. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-10-31 10:00:21 UTC ]
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World Literature Today to Co-host Online “RESISTIR Latin America” Poetry Event

World Literature Today to Co-host Online “RESISTIR Latin America” Poetry Event News and Events [email protected] Mon, 10/30/2023 - 15:47 On Saturday, November 18 at 10am cst, the “RESISTIR Groupe” of Latin American PEN Centers, World Literature... Continue reading at World Literature Today

[ World Literature Today | 2023-10-30 20:47:30 UTC ]
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World Literature Today to Co-host Online “RESISTIR Latin America” Poetry Event and Call for Peace

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Scholastic will drop policy that makes it easier for school fairs to exclude diverse books

Scholastic Inc. will end a widely criticized policy that made it easier for school book fairs not to sell works with racial, disability and LGBTQ+ themes Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2023-10-25 19:50:33 UTC ]
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A new $25,000 book prize will recognize the best new literature about the arts.

Attention all writers who write about writing (or painting, or dancing, or music…): the Interlochen Center for the Arts and The Pattis Family Foundation have established a new annual award that seeks to recognize “outstanding works of fiction or nonfiction” that “inspire, illuminate, or... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-10-19 16:06:19 UTC ]
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Serena Williams to publish memoir about life ‘on and off the court’

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[ The Guardian | 2023-10-18 14:56:05 UTC ]
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When Innocent Black People Die, I Mourn The Life, The Potential, And The Art

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[ Electric Literature | 2023-10-13 11:15:00 UTC ]
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When Innocent Black People Die, I Mourn The Life, The Potential, And The Art

Salman Rushdie’s memoir of the attempt on his life will be published next year.

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[ Literrary Hub | 2023-10-11 15:03:03 UTC ]
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[ Book Riot | 2023-10-10 10:32:00 UTC ]
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Literary magazines can be life-changing – but they need more support

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[ The Guardian | 2023-10-10 10:30:07 UTC ]
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No Book Left Behind, by Alice-Catherine Carls

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[ World Literature Today | 2023-10-09 20:35:50 UTC ]
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