January 25, 2012

What We’re Reading: Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

What We’re Reading: Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

When I was a kid, my dad–a doctor–worked insane hours, as doctors are wont to do. When he was home, our time together primarily consisted of his reading to me and my …

January 23, 2012

What We’re Reading: The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson

What We’re Reading: The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson

North Koreans have only seven options of government-approved hair cuts. They have loudspeakers in their homes that relay government propaganda 24/7 (“The Inuit people are a tribe of isolated savages that live …

January 20, 2012

Caroline Leavitt Attends Pulpwood Queens Weekend

Caroline Leavitt Attends Pulpwood Queens Weekend

What would make fifty authors hightail it down to the tiny town of Jefferson, Texas for the chance to dress like clowns, 80’s prom queens, fortunetellers, circus animals and big haired divas …

January 17, 2012

On Writing: Martha Southgate and Elissa Schappell

On Writing: Martha Southgate and Elissa Schappell

Martha Southgate and Elissa Schappell talk marine biologists, mom stereotypes, sluts, and being labeled as “Women Writers.” Martha Southgate is the author of The Taste of Salt, as well as Third Girl …

January 11, 2012

Sneak Peek: <i>Broadway Baby</i> by Alan Shapiro

Sneak Peek: Broadway Baby by Alan Shapiro

Today we have an early peek at Alan Shapiro’s forthcoming novel, Broadway Baby, landing in bookstores on January 24th. We have five autographed copies to give away to our readers. For a …

December 22, 2011

A Toast to You: Happy Holidays from Algonquin

A Toast to You: Happy Holidays from Algonquin

Today marks our last blog post until we return on January 3. Until then, we leave you with the recipe for the perfect holiday drink, courtesy of our editorial assistant/resident mixologist, Daniel …

December 20, 2011

What the Dormouse Said: Wit and Wisdom from Childrens’ Books, Part 3

What the Dormouse Said: Wit and Wisdom from Childrens’ Books, Part 3

Today we have another batch of quotes from What the Dormouse Said: Lessons for Grown-Ups from Children’s Books, which makes a great stocking stuffer for just about everyone on your list–the young, …

December 14, 2011

Algonquin’s Guide to Gift Giving, Winter 2011

Algonquin’s Guide to Gift Giving, Winter 2011

I always wait until the last minute to buy Christmas and Chanukah presents for my family. It’s not because shopping slips my mind, or because I forget about the holidays or my …