Star Books Report

Embracing the bizarre and ‘An Eye and a Leg’

The Asia regional winner of the 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, Faria Basher, in an interview with The Daily Star, opens up about her journey from lifelong reader to emerging writer.

1m ago

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, renowned Kenyan author and literary icon, dies at 87

The revolutionary novelist, playwright, and fierce advocate, passed away on May 28 in Bedford, Georgia

1m ago

Faria Basher named Asia Regional Winner of Commonwealth Short Story Prize

She is the first writer of Bangladeshi origin to win the regional prize

1m ago

‘Let it be a tale’: Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha wins Pulitzer Prize

Other Pulitzer Prize winners in the arts included Percival Everett in the Fiction category for his novel 'James', Branden Jacobs-Jenkins in the Drama category for his play 'Purpose', and Marie Howe in the Poetry category for her collection, 'New and Selected Poems'

1m ago

Bangladeshi writer Faria Basher shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2025

“An Eye and a Leg” has been described as "a darkly humorous and surreal take on the trope of the ‘expiring’ South Asian woman"

2m ago

Whose language matters: On inclusion, identity, and silence

The panel supplied a critical as well as emotional commentary on the issues of linguistic hegemonisation, power imbalances, the marginalisation of non-Bangali languages and identities, and the aftermath of the revolutionary spirit of July 2024

3m ago

Books about female rage

With International Women’s Day being celebrated across the world tomorrow, we here at Star Books and Literature decided to take a moment to read and reflect on the many expressions of female rage in both ancient and contemporary literature

3m ago

'Bhasha Andoloner Itihash' by Bashir Al Helal

Tracing back the events before the Language Movement of 1952, Al Helal presents a detailed account of the events that unfolded during February 1952.

4m ago
September 25, 2022
September 25, 2022

'Bangladesh is divided along cultural fault lines', Professor Mohammad Azam discusses at Gyantaposh Abdur Razzak Foundation

The culture and traditions of the country have been colonised. Thoughts which originate in Kolkata are being accepted in Dhaka’s society without due consideration. 

September 23, 2022
September 23, 2022

Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall trilogy, no more

Hilary Mantel, British author of the Tudor series of books known as the Wolf Hall trilogy, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 22, Reuters reports. The twice Booker Prize-winning author was 70. 

September 17, 2022
September 17, 2022

ULAB Literary Salon to discuss freedom of speech today

Writers of both fiction and non-fiction have come under increasing pressure and censorship across South Asia. To discuss these issues, the fifth ULAB Lit Salon brings together a diverse group of experts drawn from policy and its practice, publishing, and media.

September 15, 2022
September 15, 2022

SHOUTxDS Books presents ‘Slam Poetry Nights’ — Episode 1

The poems ranged from mental health issues to individual freedom of expression and every musing in between.

September 9, 2022
September 9, 2022

Economics, literature, history: Akbar Ali Khan in books

Dr Khan focused on Bangladesh’s historical roots as “the last major nation-state to proclaim its identity” —a country that changed its statehood twice in less than 25 years. 

September 7, 2022
September 7, 2022

South Asia Speaks creative writing mentorship open for applications

The free, year-long fellowship for creative writers from South Asia, is accepting applications until September 30, 2022. 

August 28, 2022
August 28, 2022

‘Beshya O Bidhushir Golpo’ questions a gender-biassed society

The book contains important research on the type of language used by mainstream media in reporting news of rape, torture, and abuse of women.

August 27, 2022
August 27, 2022

What to read if you liked watching ‘Hawa’

The film is a deep dive into Bangladesh’s rivers and the fishermen who hold up the country’s underbelly, along with the revelry, the mythologies that run across the folk culture of majhis and Bede communities. 

August 16, 2022
August 16, 2022

Mashiul Alam joins prestigious Iowa International Writing Program

Journalist and author Mashiul Alam has been selected as a resident of the 2022 Iowa International Writing Program (IWP), among the world’s most prestigious creative writing residencies.

August 12, 2022
August 12, 2022

ULAB Lit Salon to host discussion on Partition and its aftermath on August 13

The event will discuss the Bengal Partition of 1905, a second Partition of Bengal—and the Indian subcontinent in 1947—and the birth of Bangladesh in 1971. The Salon will showcase aspects of these partitions, living histories that bind India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.