Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977), world renowned for two twentieth-century literary showpieces—Lolita and Pale Fire—was also a virtuoso at the short story form. From the time he fled Lenin’s communist Russia to long after his financial success was well established in America, he frequently returned to composing short story pieces that were published in notable magazines like…
International novelist Haruki Murakami’s first novel, Hear the Wind Sing(1979) was an immediate success, and since then, he has developed a fanatic worldwide following that eagerly anticipates each new release. Other critical and commercial bestsellers include Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World (1985), The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (1994-1995), Kafka on the Shore (2002),…
The Breaking Bad pilot laced different types of humor into what essentially could have been a heartrending drama of a man, Walter White (Bryan Cranston), finding out he has a cancerous death sentence—if it weren’t for his unorthodox and decidedly criminal stab at providing for his family. Series creator Vince Gilligan didn’t stop with the…
One of coolest things about the Spinetingler Awards is the recognition that there’s not just one great book a year and that comparing relative newcomers to the field to legends is a tough bet. Thus the categories of “New Voice” (those who have published 1-3 books), “Rising Star” (4-8 books) and “Legend” (9+ books). We…
