The knack: Jesse Q. Sutanto has a knack for writing stories brimming with humor, but her greatest strength is her versatility. (Courtesy of Donny Wu)

Jesse Q. Sutanto returns with cozy murder mystery

Slowly but surely building a reputation as one of the most prolific and versatile writers in the industry, Jesse Q. Sutanto’s new book Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers will be released on March 14.

2 years ago

Books

'Mountains More Ancient' sheds light on Indonesian slavery in South Africa

Author Isna Marifa discusses her time with the Cape Malay people and how it influenced her novel Mountains More Ancient. ...

2 years ago

Books

Understanding the impact of Pramoedya’s 'Buru Quartet'

Leading Australian expert on Indonesia Max Lane recounts late Indonesian literary giant Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s role in inspiring the downfall of former president Soeharto’s New Order regime through his Buru Quartet tetralogy ...

2 years ago

The Latest

International literary superstars coming to UWRF this year include Hanif Kureishi, a British-Pakistani playwright, filmmaker and novelist; Kim Scott, an Australian writer whose debut work “Benang" (1999) received the Miles Franklin Award; and Geoff Dyer, a British novelist and essayist whose works have been translated into 24 languages.

Books

Literary heroes confirm attendance at Ubud Writers and Readers Festival 2018

In its 15th year, the festival has confirmed the attendance of more than 160 national and international speakers encompassing writers, journalists, enthusiasts, academics, artists, musicians and nature conservationists hailing from 30 countries.

7 years ago

In his much-awaited first novel titled Lincoln in the Bardo, George Saunders has written a historical tale on what feels like a diorama of a cemetery coming to life.

Books

Book Review: ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ is moving account of death, afterlife

Through his immense storytelling, George Saunders has managed to capture the pathos of everyday life in Lincoln in the Bardo.

7 years ago

Carl Hoffman’s latest book The Last Wild Men of Borneo is touted as “a true story of death and treasure”.

Books

Book Review: 'The Last Wild Men of Borneo' by Carl Hoffman

Carl Hoffman’s latest book The Last Wild Men of Borneo is touted as “a true story of death and treasure”.

7 years ago

Japanese writer Haruki Murakami is pictured outside Hans Christian Andersen's house in Odense, on October 30, 2016.

Books

Murakami delights fans with radio show debut

Bestselling author Haruki Murakami, who rarely appears in public, delighted fans on Sunday as he made his radio debut with a one-off music show.

7 years ago

Exiled Turkish writer and human rights activist Asli Erdogan answers AFP journalists' questions during an interview on July 23, 2018 in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany.

Books

For exiled novelist, Turkey 'like 1930s Germany'

Turkish novelist Asli Erdogan, living in exile in Germany as she risks a life sentence on terror charges at home, thinks her country is sliding into fascism.

7 years ago

Written by Amato Assegaf, the book highlights acting guidance and life philosophies of the actor.

Books

Book on late actor Didi Petet's acting legacy set for launch

Book on Didi Petet shares the late actor's acting legacy.

7 years ago

Books

In 'Asian Waters', Humphrey Hawksley sees Beijing with China’s eyes

"The most common mistake is the failure to see things through Chinese eyes, or indeed Asian eyes."

7 years ago

Books

Holiday reads: Beachgoers check out French seaside libraries

If you need a break from all the grueling swimming and sunbathing this summer, a trip to one of France's pop-up seaside libraries could be just the thing.

7 years ago

Books

Why literature needs more minority authors

Criticism that favoring minority authors because of their heritage is biased is missing the point.

7 years ago

In 'Outnumbered', author David Sumpter argues that artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms are more than what meets the eye.

Books

Book Review: ‘Outnumbered’, an exploration of mathematics' dark side

In Outnumbered, author David Sumpter argues that artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms are more than what meets the eye.

7 years ago

Copies of Japanese writer Haruki Murakami's latest novel 'Killing Commendatore' are displayed sealed in wrappers with yellow warning notices in a bookstore in Hong Kong on July 26, 2018.

Books

New Murakami novel ruled 'indecent' by Hong Kong censors

Bestselling Japanese writer Haruki Murakami's latest novel has been deemed "indecent" by Hong Kong censors, triggering backlash in the city where concern is growing that freedom of expression is increasingly under threat.

7 years ago

'Hand of God' Pablo Castaldi's graphic novel on legendary Argentinian footballer Diego Maradona is displayed at the XXXI International Book Fair of Bogota, Colombia on April 18

Books

Graphic novel longlisted for Booker Prize

A graphic novel was longlisted for the Booker Prize for Fiction for the first time on Tuesday, with Nick Drnaso's novel "Sabrina" in contention for the prestigious award.

7 years ago

“The most difficult task for anyone wandering through a foreign land with the hope of gaining some insight into it is the profound need to come to terms with the lives and thoughts of strangers.” – Simon Winchester

Books

Simon Winchester: A curious writer, scientist and adventurer

“People forget that the beauty was created by geological forces.”

7 years ago

Books

Indie bookstores emphasize curation

Aksara bookstore in Kemang celebrated its recent collaboration with Post Santa Bookshop.

7 years ago

Yuval Noah Harari, author of 'Sapiens' and 'Homo Deus', with his third book '21 Lessons for the 21st Century' out in September 2018.

Books

5 books Yuval Noah Harari wants you to read

Aside from Sapiens, Homo Deus, and his upcoming book, of course.

7 years ago

Yuval Noah Harari, author of "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" and "Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow", will release his third book "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" in September.

Books

Yuval Noah Harari: '21 Lessons' from data, meditation to AI and 'Black Mirror'

In his upcoming third book, Harari talks about the here and now.

7 years ago

Books

Collective labor of love for literacy

Pustaka Bergerak distributes books across the corners of the country to boost literacy.

7 years ago

'Kura-kura Berjanggut' (The bearded turtle) by Azhari Aiyub.

Books

Azhari Aiyub's tale of the bearded turtle

Despite its intimidating appearance, Kura-kura Berjanggut is an absorbing read that will grip you from beginning to end.

7 years ago

Author RL Stine, in collaboration with Boom Studios, will release graphic novels aimed at young teens.

Books

Horror novelist RL Stine to pen graphic novels

Author RL Stine, in collaboration with Boom Studios, will release graphic novels aimed at young teens.

7 years ago

The statue of French philosopher Voltaire stands in front of his tomb in Pantheon, Paris.

Books

Voltaire's 'Candide': Questioning our blind worldviews in the political context

Voltaire's canonical work is as relevant today as it was in the 17th century.

7 years ago

A picture shows the headquarters of publishers Random House in Central London on October 29, 2012.

Books

Random House axes Islam book by disputed German author: Report

Publishing giant Random House has declined to release a new book by controversial German author Thilo Sarrazin over fears it could whip up anti-Muslim hatred, Bild daily reported Friday.

7 years ago

The widow of Portuguese novelist Jose Saramago, Pilar del Rio, at the International Book Fair in Guadalajara, Mexico, on November 29, 2014.

Books

Lost Saramago journal retrieved from his computer

Eight years after his death, a previously unknown volume of journal by late Portuguese author Jose Saramago will come to light after being retrieved from his computer.

7 years ago

Seth Stephens-Davidowitz offers a tour of the modern world, where our Google searches can reveal our deepest truths.

Books

Book Review: ‘Everybody Lies’ a fascinating look into our Google searches

Seth Stephens-Davidowitz offers a tour of the modern world, where our Google searches can reveal our deepest truths.

7 years ago

Many journalists have tried and failed to unearth the true identity of Nakamoto, yet it’s still a secret within the cryptoworld.

Books

Bitcoin creator, whoever it is, hints at telling all in book

Is the unknown creator of Bitcoin writing a book about it?

7 years ago

Here are five book recommendations for times spent lounging in your room or on the beach:

Books

Five new books to devour

Our recommendation for new books to read.

7 years ago

Anthony Bourdain at the 2016 SXSW event in Austin, Texas.

Books

Anthony Bourdain’s biography to be published in 2019

The biography of the late cook Anthony Bourdain will be released in 2019, and edited by Laurie Woolever, his longtime assistant and collaborator.

7 years ago

This file photograph provided February 2, 2015 by the South Dakota Historical Society in Pierre, South Dakota, shows author Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Books

Ingalls Wilder dropped from US book prize over racism

The name of best-selling author Laura Ingalls Wilder has been dropped from an American children's literature award because of racist content in her books based on 19th century settler childhood in the Midwest.

7 years ago

Learning from history: Ayu Utami speaks about the root of intolerance during a lecture hosted by the Indonesian Heritage Society at Erasmus Huis, Kuningan, South Jakarta.

Books

Ayu Utami: On the Reform era, 20th anniversary of 'Saman'

With religious intolerance on the rise, is Indonesia progressing or regressing 20 years after the start of the Reform Era? Author Ayu Utami, whose groundbreaking novel Saman was the zeitgeist of that era, reflects upon this issue.

7 years ago