The Corgis had quite the adventure this past weekend as they explored a nearby nature preserve. Since being knocked over by a wave on a beach trip earlier this year, Gwen has avoided the water. So I was delighted that she felt brave enough to try out swimming in a creek. Otherwise, we have been hiding from the Southern heat by staying inside. But it’s Women in Translation month! So I have STACKS of TBR options piled up around my living room. It’s one of my favorite times of the year. To celebrate, all of today’s books are translated and by women.
But first, bookish goods, and a reminder to make sure to check out Book Riot’s New Release Index. Delighting velocireaders since 2017, the Index will keep you in the know about all the latest books. New books for days. Subscribe today — you won’t be able to read them all, but it’s fun to try!
Bookish Goods
Minimalist Open Book Bracelet by Witting Craft
What a cute little bracelet perfect for the minimalist book lover in your life. And, hey, maybe that minimalist book lover is you! $25
New Releases
I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: A Memoir by Baek Sehee, Translated by Anton Hur (Paperback)
Earlier this year, the Korean sensation I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki came out in English. The translation is by Anton Hur, who is one of the best Korean-to-English translators working today.
Translating Myself and Others by Jhumpa Lahiri, Translated by the Author (Paperback, September 12)
Jhumpa Lahiri has been writing in Italian for several years now, and in her most recent book, she writes about her experiences working in different languages. Now, her latest essay collection, which she translates herself, is (almost) out in paperback!
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, Translated from French by Anjali Singh
I remember that I read Persepolis for one of my very first Women in Translation Month celebrations. This graphic memoir follows Marjane Satrapi through the Iranian Revolution and her flight to France. She goes to school in Paris for a few years, but eventually, she returns home to Iran and finds it completely changed. Satrapi’s illustrations capture your attention from the first page, and her memoir is a testament to her love of Persian culture and the grief she experienced as she no longer can live in her home country.
In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri, Translated from Italian by Ann Goldstein
I loved Jhumpa Lahiri’s work in English. The way she writes her characters and delves into their relationships with each other is astounding. But when I read that she was writing essays in Italian and having someone else translate them back into English, I could not get my hands on that book fast enough. In Other Words is her story of learning Italian, living in Italy, and engaging in a whole new literary community there. In my edition, the Italian and English versions sit side by side on the page. I love how this format invites readers to engage with her writing in both languages.
That’s it for this week! You can find me over on my substack Winchester Ave, over on Instagram @kdwinchester, or on my podcast Read Appalachia. As always, feel free to drop me a line at kendra.d.winchester@gmail.com. For even MORE bookish content, you can find my articles over on Book Riot.
Happy Reading, Friends!
~ Kendra