Episode 14: On The Nobel Prize in Literature

Each year in early October, the Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded by by the Swedish Academy in Stockholm. For the BXC podcast brothers, this event sparks an annual "Xchange" of reactions and thoughts over who won it, how familiar we are with the writer and whether we think it was warranted. It also reminds us of the work of other Nobel laureates we cherish, read and re-read, and want to recommend to others. In this episode we talk a bit about the prize in general, congratulate American poets Louise Glück on her recent honor, and then discuss the work of some of our favorite Nobel laureates. The work of past Nobel winners present to readers a rich and diverse pool of amazing writing, so we invite all listeners to dive in with us... you may just find some new books to read, learn from and possibly treasure. As always, thank you for listening to our little show!

BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE

What Jude is currently reading/plans to read next:

'Giant,' Edna Farber

'Manual of Painting and Calligraphy,' José Saramago

What John is currently reading/plans to read next:

'Fiskadoro,' Denis Johnson

'Arabia Felix: The Danish Expedition 1761-1767,' Thorkild Hansen

Nobel Laureates Recommended by Jude:

José Saramago

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

William Faulkner

Nobel Laureates Recommended by John:

Seamus Heaney

Halldor Laxness

Rabindranath Tagore

Nobel Laureate "Should Haves" (now deceased) from John:

James Joyce

Leo Tolstoy

Graham Greene

Jorge Luis Borges

Tarjei Vesaas

Richard Wilbur

Nobel Laureate "Recommended Picks" from Jude:

Cormac McCarthy

Joyce Carol Oates

Jane Smiley

Billy Collins

T. C. Boyle

Isabel Allende

Hillary Mantel

Tim Winton

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast:

"100 Years of Reading": The BXC Co-Hosts Discuss A Lifetime of Reading Across 50 Years (Times 2)