Articles

It came from the sewers of London: the utterly disgusting (yet fascinating) fatberg

It came from the sewers of London: the utterly disgusting (yet fascinating) fatberg

In The New York Times Magazine's quirky "Letter of Recommendation" column, Nicola Twilley examines the charms of a monstrous subterranean clot formed by the detritus of a genteel city
April 12, 2018
Joanna Scutts

“The Sun specializes in short items unlikely to tax the mental capacities of its target audience: one-paragraph news articles, one-sentence paragraphs, one-word sentences.”

Why is it great? Well, first of all, it comes from the great Sarah Lyall, who was the longtime London correspondent for The New York Times. She has such a…
April 11, 2018
Kari Howard
Sharing a cup of tea with London blogger "The Gentle Author"

Sharing a cup of tea with London blogger “The Gentle Author”

The writer behind the popular Spitalfields Life blog talks about intimacy, forming a community and a deep love for the East End
April 10, 2018
Kari Howard
The New Yorker's "Lost Giant of American Literature" and the prism of race

The New Yorker’s “Lost Giant of American Literature” and the prism of race

In both the first novel by William Melvin Kelley and recent article by Kathryn Schulz, the story of blacks is told by whites
April 5, 2018
Ebonye Gussine Wilkins

“Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.”

Why is it so great? When I was looking for a One Great Sentence dealing with immigration, I was struck by the differences between America’s two presidents named Roosevelt. In…
April 4, 2018
Kari Howard
Newest Americans: stories of immigrants who help make the country great

Newest Americans: stories of immigrants who help make the country great

The collaborative project asks: "What could be more salient at a time when our nation is debating what it means to be American and who deserves to claim that mantle?”
April 3, 2018
Jasmine Bager
The Power of Narrative conference captures the #MeToo zeitgeist

The Power of Narrative conference captures the #MeToo zeitgeist

With writers like Roxane Gay, the Globe's Sacha Pfeiffer and The New York Times' Emily Steel, the yearly gathering focused on the uncomfortable truths of sexual abuse
March 29, 2018
Julia Shipley

“I’d rather go down in history as one lone Negro who dared to tell the government that it had done a dastardly thing than to save my skin by taking back what I said.”

Why is it so great? I found this quote from the absolutely amazing Ida B. Wells after The New York Times righted an old wrong by publishing her obit —…
March 28, 2018
Kari Howard
Amy Padnani on The New York Times' “Overlooked” obituary series

Amy Padnani on The New York Times’ “Overlooked” obituary series

The digital editor of obituaries talks about finally giving women and people of color their due -- and how she's been "blown away" by the reaction
March 27, 2018
Julie Schwietert Collazo
In Sicily, an old oral storytelling tradition tries to renew itself in the 21st century

In Sicily, an old oral storytelling tradition tries to renew itself in the 21st century

The once-popular puppet shows, which showcase the Italian island's rich heritage, hopes to win new audiences with modern themes
March 22, 2018
Stefania D'Ignoti