LITERARY ESSENTIALS

10 American Writers That Belong on Every Bookshelf

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America is the cradle of some of the most captivating literary voices in history. With twelve Nobel Prize laureates in literature, there is certainly a long tradition of candid voices, unafraid to explore the deepest aspects of the human condition.

Whether you're a seasoned bookworm or just starting your literary journey, here are 10 American authors you simply can't miss.

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Mark Twain, the pen name of Samuel Clemens, is considered by many to be the true father of American literature. Born in Missouri, he translated his life experiences into a rich body of work full of stories from the American South, tackling themes of racism and freedom with unparalleled wit and insight. Twain's honest humor and keen observations make his works timeless and universal.

If you don’t know where to start, his classic novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," is an indispensable entry point into his literary world.

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One of the most important figures in American poetry, Emily Dickinson’s innovative writing style and lyrical depth inspired countless generations of writers and readers. Despite living an eccentric and reclusive life - at times even reluctant to leave her own bedroom - Dickinson's work explores the universal themes of nature, death, and the human soul with exceptional brilliance.

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Today, F. Scott Fitzgerald is best known for capturing the essence of the Jazz Age in his masterpiece, "The Great Gatsby", but he was a prolific and successful writer in his time. Despite being an outsider for most of his life, he was an insightful observer of society, and many of his novels and short stories explore the most pressing issues of the Roaring Twenties, and the realities behind the American Dream.

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Born in Monroeville, Alabama, Harper Lee was a sharp writer who focused on the complexities of human nature and the pursuit of justice. Her most famous novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird" is considered a seminal work in American literature. Inspired by her observations of family and neighbors during her childhood, Lee tackled themes of racial injustice and moral growth in the Deep South. She received numerous accolades for her literary work, including a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007.

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Ernest Hemingway's concise yet powerful writing style revolutionized modern literature. From the battlefields of World War I in "A Farewell to Arms" to the bullfights of Spain in "The Sun Also Rises," Hemingway's novels are informed by his own tumultuous life experience as well as imbued with themes of masculinity, love, and existentialism. From his short stories to his complex novels, Hemingway’s spare prose continues to be relevant today.

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Sylvia Plath's confessional poetry delves into the depths of the human psyche with raw intensity and honesty. Her only novel, the semi-autobiographical "The Bell Jar" explores issues of mental health, existential despair, and women’s roles in society from the perspective of a young undergraduate student arriving in New York City in the 50s. A life marked by tragedy, Plath was awarded a Pulitzer Prize posthumously in 1982 for her collected poetry, and her poignant prose continues to captivate readers to this day.

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The quintessential American poet, Walt Whitman’s titanic poetic oeuvre, mostly collected in "Leaves of Grass," celebrates from every angle the diversity and vitality of America. Through free verse and beautifully crafted imagery, Whitman captures in his verses the spirit of democracy and freedom. His influence on American poetry is immeasurable, inspiring generations of poets and laying the groundwork for a national narrative.

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Best known for the timeless classic "Little Women," Alcott's portrayal of strong, independent female characters challenged the societal norms of her time and continues to inspire readers of all ages. Her vivid storytelling and universal themes of love, sacrifice, and personal growth make her an essential read for anyone seeking heartwarming tales of courage and camaraderie amidst the hardships of life.

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Focusing on the struggles of the American working class during the Great Depression, Steinbeck’s work explores themes of poverty, injustice, and the pursuit of the American Dream. His most famous novels, "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men," offer windows into the lives of those who built America with their blood, sweat and tears.

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Pulitzer Prize winner and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison is recognized as a trailblazer in her generation, unafraid to delve into the complexities of the lives of African Americans in the United States with powerfully honest prose. "Beloved," one of her most popular novels, is a haunting tale of slavery's legacy during the Reconstruction era. Her exploration of the questions of identity and the human condition resonates deeply with readers worldwide.

UNDER THE RADAR

9 Words That Are Way More Interesting Than They Seem

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Most words we use in everyday life have interesting stories to tell. Behind the facade of triviality, the history of whole languages (and the people who spoke those languages) unfolds like a rich tapestry of meaning and social threads. English is a language with a long history, and over the years, some words have changed in unexpected ways, sometimes even completely reversing their original meaning!

Don’t let the ubiquity of these words deceive you. Here’s a list of our favorite origin stories!

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According to etymologists, nice wasn’t always a good thing to say. The word comes from the Latin nescius, meaning ignorant or foolish. When the word was eventually assimilated into English, it still carried its original meaning, but that didn’t last long. Around the 14th century, its common usage changed completely, as it started to signify something agreeable or pleasant. And by the 18th century, it already carried the more polite meaning we know today.

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Ironically, the etymology of this word is in actual shambles. The leading theory is that the term derives from the Latin word scamillus, meaning a small stool. Then, it began to be used to mean a stool where something is sold. And since more often than not that something turned out to be meat, the word became associated with meat markets and, eventually, with slaughterhouses!

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This one makes a lot more sense than the previous two. Its modern use is tied to the Greek legend of the Minotaur, or more specifically, to the little trick Theseus used to escape the fabled labyrinth: a ball of yarn. Clew, a word of probable Germanic origin, was used to refer to the aforementioned element, but it ultimately lent its meaning to the broader sense of having something to guide your path, a hint, or a little help to avoid getting lost.

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A very popular word today, awkward experienced an interesting shift in meaning, from spatial or physical unease to social discomfort. The term finds its origins in the Old Norse afugr, meaning "turned the wrong way" or "crooked," blending with the suffix -weard in the mid-14th century. Originally signaling an orientational blunder, the word later shifted to describe physical clumsiness and, by the 18th century, extended to convey social discomfort or embarrassment.

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The term checkmate has roots in the Persian phrase shāh māt, meaning "the king is helpless." As chess migrated to Europe through the Arabic world, an alternative interpretation emerged - "the king is dead." However, in the context of chess, the king is never actually killed but rather strategically cornered, defeated by being put into an inescapable position.

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Quiz is a quirky word that has confused etymologists for many years. Some maintain that it originates from the Irish cuisle, meaning "a pulse" or "vein," cleverly alluding to a quick test as if it were checking your pulse. Others think that it might have evolved from the Latin qui es ("who are you?"), the first question asked in oral exams in ancient grammar schools. In any case, by the late 18th century it acquired the meaning we are more familiar with: a form of light entertainment that involves impromptu questions to test general knowledge.

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The almost universal term for self-operating machines was originally coined by a Czech science fiction writer called Karel Čapek in the 1920s. Derived from the Czech word robota, meaning "forced labor" or "drudgery," the term originally described artificial beings tasked with performing menial duties for their human masters.

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Surprisingly, the word hazard is believed to originate from 13th-century Arabic, where al-zahr referred to dice used in gambling games. As with any gamble, these games always posed certain risks, and this connotation was brought back to Europe by the Crusaders who learned it during their military campaigns in the Middle East.

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This very mundane word finds its roots in the Hindi word champna, which, in turn, derives from the Sanskrit capayati. Translating to "pounds" or "kneads," the Sanskrit term suggests a massaging motion. Through the British colonies, the word eventually integrated into the English language, referring to the act of cleansing and massaging the scalp, and later acquiring its modern meaning as a liquid preparation used for washing hair.