Claire Donovan
Books Editor
Claire Donovan is the Books Editor at The Cultural Review, where she covers everything from literary fiction to the evolving landscape of publishing. Before joining The Cultural Review, she was a contributing editor at a small literary journal and wrote book reviews for several online publications. Claire is particularly interested in championing emerging voices and exploring the intersection of literature and contemporary culture. She was shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle's Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing and is a sought-after commentator on literary trends.
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Latest Articles
Refik Anadol's AI art museum Dataland opens in Los Angeles
Visitors to Refik Anadol's new Dataland museum in Los Angeles might find themselves wearing biometric wristbands and experiencing 12 unique scents formulated by an AI.
Jun 26, 2026 · 2 min read
Literary Festivals Celebrate Authors and Cultural Impact
The National Book Festival saw its attendance rise from 25,000 in 2001 to over 200,000 in 2019, demonstrating a significant surge in public interest for literary events.
Jun 24, 2026 · 5 min read
Top 4 Underrated Books Recommended by Literary Experts
Carmen Maria Machado, a National Book Award winner, believes author Bennett Sims should be a household name in horror.
Jun 24, 2026 · 3 min read
Ann Patchett Named Recipient of 2026 Library of Congress Prize
Ann Patchett, a writer whose ten novels have been translated into over 30 languages, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction, an announcement made three
Jun 24, 2026 · 3 min read
What Makes Korean Literature So Popular Globally?
In the last decade, international requests for translation support for Korean literature have skyrocketed 20-fold, a dramatic increase that reflects a broadening global appetite for diverse...
Jun 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Ballerina Animated Universe Expands With Sequel, New TV Series
Good Hero is expanding the 'Ballerina' animated feature universe, with plans for both a sequel film and a television series.
Jun 22, 2026 · 4 min read
How Independent Bookstores Innovate to Compete Online
Between 1995 and 2000, the number of independent bookstores in the United States plummeted by 43 percent, a decline that once seemed irreversible.
Jun 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Best Book to TV Adaptations Capturing Literary Spirit
A recent adaptation of Wuthering Heights , directed by Emerald Fennell, ignited fierce debate over its faithfulness to Emily Brontë's novel, underscoring the high stakes of literary adaptations (Brit
Jun 21, 2026 · 4 min read
Publishing Remains 72.5% White, Slowing Impact of Diverse Voices
In 2023, 72.5% of staff across US publishing houses, review journals, and literary agencies identified as White/Caucasian, a figure that has shown only marginal alteration over nearly half a decade, a
Jun 21, 2026 · 6 min read
Judy Blume's 80 Million Books Changed YA, Her Fight Continues
In 2023, the beloved novel 'Are You There God?
Jun 20, 2026 · 6 min read
What Is the Cultural Significance of Pop-Up Books Today?
Many pop-up book titles have only a single print run.
Jun 20, 2026 · 4 min read
Top Book Subscription Boxes for Avid Readers in 2026
For just $30 a month, a new hardcover novel can arrive directly at your door, bypassing endless browsing and relying on expert curation.
Jun 20, 2026 · 4 min read
TIFF's Talent Programs: Impact Amidst Diversity Crisis
While film festivals like TIFF cultivate emerging talent, a crisis in programming diversity among gatekeepers limits the reach of diverse narratives, undermining these efforts.
Jun 20, 2026 · 2 min read
How Do Literary Awards Shape Book Publishing and Reading?
In 2020, the Newbery Medal, long tied to traditional children's literature, honored a middle grade graphic novel by a Black author.
Jun 20, 2026 · 4 min read
Orlando LGBTQ cafe hosts banned books discussion
In Orlando, Florida, an LGBTQ-focused cafe openly stocks and promotes discussions around books like George Orwell's '1984' and Maya Angelou's 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'.
Jun 19, 2026 · 2 min read
3 Best LGBTQ+ Books Exploring Contemporary Themes
In the past year alone, major publishers released over 400 new LGBTQ+ titles, a 45% jump from five years ago, with a notable shift towards narratives exploring intersectional identities beyond traditi
Jun 19, 2026 · 4 min read
Ryan Coogler's Proximity Media inks multi-year Netflix TV deal
Ryan Coogler's Proximity Media, fresh off its film 'Sinners' earning over $365 million globally and winning four Academy Awards, has signed a multi-year overall deal with Netflix to develop new series
Jun 18, 2026 · 3 min read
Spain's Book Industry Eyes Global Screen Adaptations in 2026
A recent adaptation of the popular Spanish novel 'My Fault' was slammed by critics.
Jun 18, 2026 · 3 min read
UK Proposes Social Media Ban for Under 16s
By early 2027, the UK government plans to legally prohibit social media platforms from offering services to anyone under the age of 16, a move that could reshape digital childhood, according to BBC an
Jun 18, 2026 · 3 min read
Top Nonfiction Book on Caribbean History, Culture & Identity
The book 'The Great Resistance' shatters centuries of historical framing, focusing not on the violence inflicted upon enslaved people, but on their defiant acts of freedom—jumping off ships, organizin
Jun 17, 2026 · 3 min read