With time running out until Christmas, we thought we'd share some of our favorite reads from the past year, as great books make memorable gifts. These recently-published books stand out for their smart commentary, beautiful language and imagery. They score extra points for not requiring a trip to an overcrowded...

This conversation about Ebonics got me to thinking about Faulkner and James Baldwin, and the way certain dialects in this country get no respect.

I'm teaching undergrad creative writing for the first time, and this summer I spent a good amount of time wondering whether I knew enough...