literary-diversity

This chapter from Stephen King's "On Writing" presents a curated booklist that influenced his work during the period he wrote several of his novels. King emphasizes the importance of reading widely and frequently as part of the writing process and offers this list as a practical answer to the common question about what he reads. The list includes a diverse range of authors and genres, illustrating the breadth of King's literary influences.

Ken Liu introduces the anthology 'Invisible Planets' as a curated selection of contemporary Chinese speculative fiction translated into English, emphasizing the diversity and complexity of Chinese science fiction. He challenges simplistic or stereotypical comparisons between Chinese and Western science fiction, urging readers to appreciate the individual voices and broader humanistic themes rather than reducing works to political subversion. Liu also reflects on the challenges of translation and the limitations of his own scope, encouraging a nuanced understanding of Chinese science fiction within its cultural and social transformations.