Books

Orwell’s Classics Reborn: Welsh Translations Reignite Debate on Language and Thought Control

SMGN October 30, 2025

George Orwell’s influential novels, the 1945 political allegory Animal Farm and the bleak dystopian vision of Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), have been published for the first time in the Welsh language. This offers a powerful new perspective on these seminal works with timeless relevance. The George Orwell Welsh translation highlights Newspeak’s

Judge Orders Return of Books on Race and Gender to School Libraries on Military Bases

SMGN October 22, 2025

Court finds book removals were politically motivated rather than educational A federal judge has directed the U.S. Department of Defense to restore books discussing race and gender in five school libraries located on military bases, following a lawsuit filed by students who argued their First Amendment rights had been violated.

Hungarian Author László Krasznahorkai Awarded 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature

SMGN October 9, 2025

Honoring a visionary and deeply philosophical literary legacy Hungarian novelist László Krasznahorkai, aged 71, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature, the Nobel Committee announced on Thursday. The recognition celebrates his visionary and compelling body of work, which captures the tension between human endurance and the transformative power

2025 National Book Awards Finalists Highlight Literary Diversity Across Genres

SMGN October 8, 2025

A celebration of creativity and recognition of achievement The finalists for the 2025 National Book Awards have been announced, showcasing a diverse group of writers from various backgrounds and literary fields. Among the 25 nominees are novelists, poets, translators, and journalists whose works stand out for their innovation and narrative

Kamala Harris shares insights in new memoir about presidential bid

SMGN September 23, 2025

Key themes from 107 Days Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has released her memoir, 107 Days, recounting the brief but intense period of her presidential campaign after Joe Biden stepped aside. The book presents reflections on loyalty, political decisions, personal challenges, and open questions about her future. Loyalty and

Henry Huggins Turns 75: A Childhood Classic That Shaped Generations

SMGN September 10, 2025

A simple boy and his dog In 1950, author Beverly Cleary introduced readers to Henry Huggins, a third grader whose ordinary life changed when he adopted a stray dog named Ribsy. This moment marked the beginning of a friendship that became central to six books and captured the imagination of

NEA ends long-standing Creative Writing Fellowship in the United States

SMGN August 28, 2025

A program with more than 50 years of history comes to a close The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced the cancellation of its long-running Creative Writing Fellowship. This program, for decades, supported influential authors in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Over the years, the fellowship became a vital

From Insult to Identity: The Evolution of the Word “Nerd”

SMGN August 21, 2025

The uncertain origins The term “nerd” has been part of everyday language for more than seventy years, though its exact origins remain unclear. A widely accepted theory suggests it first appeared in the 1950 children’s book If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss, where it was listed among imaginary

Boston Public Library launches AI-assisted project to digitize historic public records

SMGN August 11, 2025

Partnership to expand access to government archives The Boston Public Library, one of the nation’s oldest and largest public library systems, has begun a project with Harvard University researchers and artificial intelligence specialists to expand access to its extensive collection of historic government documents.The archive includes congressional reports, oral histories,

New Book Recounts Life Inside a WWII Japanese American Concentration Camp

SMGN July 22, 2025

A Family’s Journey Through a Difficult Historical Chapter Together in Manzanar: The True Story of a Japanese Jewish Family in an American Concentration Camp, by author Tracy Slater, presents a true account of life inside the Manzanar camp, one of several facilities where the U.S. government confined individuals of Japanese

Expert Tips to Navigate Flight Delays and Cancellations During Crisis

SMGN November 6, 2025

Widespread flight delays and cancellations are impacting major airports nationwide as the government shutdown, now the longest in history, continues to drag on. Air traffic controller shortages have caused issues at numerous airports for more than a month, creating ripple effects across the entire travel network. In response to the

Trump says government shutdown pressures Republicans and suggests ending the filibuster

SMGN November 6, 2025

Former president reflects on election results after record-long shutdown During a meeting with Republican senators, former President Donald Trump said the prolonged federal government shutdown negatively affected recent election results for his party. Trump stated that pollsters identified the shutdown as a major factor influencing voter sentiment against Republicans. “If

U.S. Government Revises SNAP Benefit Cuts, but Millions Still Face Major Reductions

SMGN November 6, 2025

USDA Adjusts Reduction Formula Amid Ongoing Legal and Technical Challenges The U.S. government has revised its plan for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), announcing a smaller reduction in monthly food benefits. According to updated guidance from the Department of Agriculture (USDA), maximum allotments will now be cut by 35%