Let's Get Reading: Newsletter 69

“I want a readership that wants to read things because the work is difficult, not because it's only fun. I want the fun to be in figuring it out. That's what reading is all about.” – Percival Everett

Mario Vargas Llosa

Giant of Latin American literature, Mario Vargas Llosa died on Sunday, at age 89. By all accounts, he went peacefully, surrounded by friends and family. This article by The Guardian does a great job at summarising the writer’s life, death, and achievements, so I’d recommend reading that one if you’d like to know a little more. And there is one story that is probably going to appear in every obit in the world, namely the infamous fist fight between him and Gabriel García Márquez. Definitely one of the funniest author feuds out there – read it and enjoy. Rest in peace to another literary icon.

Hemingway and Stein – history’s most confusing situationship?

This newsletter is not a scandal rag but when there are some juicy anecdotes to remember, I can stoop pretty low. So here we go, Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein.