Alberta’s Librarians Brace for a New Era of ‘Book Bans’

By: Vjosa Isai

6 November 2026 at 14:41

A new provincial law requires public libraries to pull and restrict items with “graphic visual depictions of sexual acts.” Librarians argue the mandate opens the door to censorship.

Sarah Meilleur is the chief executive of Calgary Public Library, the largest of Alberta’s 221 municipal library boards.

Senji Kuroi Has Died. He Interpreted ‘the Salaried Soul.’

NYT - World

By: Jonathan Kandell

4 November 2026 at 18:23

In books and essays, he captured the unease beneath Japan’s economic miracle and wrote about everyday people who might never appear in headlines.

Senji Kuroi in 1972. He published dozens of novels, short-story collections and essays, earning major Japanese literary prizes.

Stage Fright

NYT - World

By: Melissa Kirsch

31 October 2026 at 09:58

Halloween presents an endless parade of ghouls and goblins. Most aren’t actually scary, but can illuminate some things about the nature of fear.

Taking the Saga of a Criminal Gang From Page to Screen to Opera Stage

NYT - World

By: Elisabetta Povoledo

30 October 2026 at 09:02

Italians can’t get enough of “Romanzo Criminale,” a best-selling novel that has been made into a hit film, a bigger hit TV show and now, an opera.

“Romanzo Criminale,” an opera based on the best-selling novel, at the Maggio Musicale theater in Florence, Italy, this month.

China Is Not Happy About Fan-made A.I. Videos of Sun Wukong and Lin Daiyu

NYT - World

By: Tiffany May

29 October 2026 at 09:09

Mash-up videos of beloved characters from Chinese classics — some made with A.I. — have caught the attention of the authorities.

Book Review: ‘Princes and Thieves,’ by Matthew Cole

NYT - World

By: Fintan O’Toole

27 October 2026 at 19:43

The new book by the reporter Matthew Cole connects $2 billion in slush funds from Gulf state leaders to Trump’s son-in-law in an effort to influence U.S. policy.

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