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Author

Lauren Alwan

Lauren Alwan

Lauren Alwan’s fiction has appeared in the O. Henry Prize Stories, the Southern Review, the Alaska Quarterly Review, StoryQuarterly, in the Bellevue Literary Review. She is the recipient of a First Pages Prize, the Goldenberg Prize for Fiction, and.a citation of Notable in Best American Essays. Her essays have appeared in ZYZZYVA, Catapult, World Literature Today, The Rumpus, The Millions, Writer's Digest, and others. She is a prose editor at the museum of americana, an online literary review. Follow her on Twitter at @lauren_alwan and learn more at www.laurenalwan.com

  • LitStack Recs

    “The Clothing of Books” A Small Volume with Big Questions

    by Lauren Alwan 19 July, 2025
    by Lauren Alwan 19 July, 2025

    You can find and buy the books we recommend on our Bookshop LitStack Recs.

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  • Litstack NowLitStack Toolkit

    Querying Writers: 14 Indispensable Resources For Success

    by Lauren Alwan 17 May, 2025
    by Lauren Alwan 17 May, 2025

    For querying writers hoping to publish that first book, the challenge of querying for representation …

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  • LitStack RecsAudiobooksLitstack Now

    6 Great Audiobooks You Can Enjoy (On audiobooks.com!)

    by Lauren Alwan 10 May, 2025
    by Lauren Alwan 10 May, 2025

    In this LitStack Rec, we take a look at 6 great audiobooks. The voice performances …

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  • LitStack Recs

    Chasing the Power to Save in “Telephone” by Percival Everett

    by Lauren Alwan 22 February, 2025
    by Lauren Alwan 22 February, 2025

    Telephone is a deeply affecting story about the lengths to which loss and grief will …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “The Lesson of the Master” and “The Master” | 2 Books in Conversation

    by Lauren Alwan 8 February, 2025
    by Lauren Alwan 8 February, 2025

    Colm Tóibín, in his introduction to the 2007 edition of Henry James’ classic novella The …

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  • LitStack ReviewsBanned BooksLiterary Fiction

    Is Sophie’s Choice a True Story? – Revisiting “Sophie’s Choice”

    by Lauren Alwan 1 February, 2025
    by Lauren Alwan 1 February, 2025

    Is Sophie’s Choice a true story? Styron based his novel on his memory of a …

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  • LitStack Recs

    The Push and Pull of Desire in “Far From the Madding Crowd” Plus “The Past is Red”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 25 January, 2025
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 25 January, 2025

    Far From the Madding Crowd, by Thomas Hardy First published in 1874, Hardy’s Far From …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “Werewolves in Their Youth” & “A History of What Comes Next”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 18 January, 2025
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 18 January, 2025

    In this LitStack Rec, we’re recommending Michael Chabon’s irresistible short story collection Werewolves in Their …

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  • LitStack RecsLitstack Now

    Challenges Faced in “Speedbumps” – Remembering The Sublime Teri Garr

    by Lauren Alwan 11 January, 2025
    by Lauren Alwan 11 January, 2025

    In this LitStack Rec, we remember the inimitable actress Teri Garr, and recommend her memoir …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “The Romanovs” by Robert K. Massie and “The Romanoffs” by Matthew Weiner

    by Lauren Alwan 4 January, 2025
    by Lauren Alwan 4 January, 2025

    In this week’s LitStack Rec, we look at the 4-book series The Romanovs by Robert …

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  • LitStack RecsLitstack Now

    “Joseph Anton” by Salman Rushdie | No Memoir Is More Relevant At This Time

    by Lauren Alwan 28 December, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan 28 December, 2024

    Joseph Anton is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a …

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  • LitStack Reviews

    “The Man With Eight Pairs Of Legs” | Stories by Leslie Kirk Campbell

    by Lauren Alwan 21 December, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan 21 December, 2024

    The Man With Eight Pairs Of Legs are brilliant, thematically linked stories that reckon with …

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  • LitStack Recs

    The Addictive Prose of “Light Years” by James Salter

    by Lauren Alwan 12 October, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan 12 October, 2024

    James Salter’s novel Light Years is a stunning testament to his talent, drawing readers into …

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  • LitStack RecsLitstack Now

    “There There” | A Stunning Novel Written By Tommy Orange

    by Lauren Alwan 14 September, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan 14 September, 2024

    In the world of contemporary literature, There There by Tommy Orange stands out as a …

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  • Literary FictionLitStack Recs

    A 1970 Classic Refound | The Greatest Realist Novel “Desperate Characters”

    by Lauren Alwan 7 September, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan 7 September, 2024

    Desperate Characters, by Paula Fox This classic of literary fiction, first published in 1970, is …

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  • LitStack RecsLiterary Fiction

    “The Sheltering Sky” – Tempered Terror and Cruelly Beautiful Prose

    by Lauren Alwan 17 August, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan 17 August, 2024

    An Undeniable Literary Masterpiece This LitStack Rec from Lauren Alwan delves into the haunting allure …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “The Priory of the Orange Tree” & “The Death of the Heart”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 10 August, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 10 August, 2024

    Join us in this LitStack Rec where we recommend two great books, The Priory of …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “An Unnecessary Woman” – A Private And Unforgettable Character

    by Lauren Alwan 20 July, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan 20 July, 2024

    We hope you enjoy this LitStack Review of Rabih Alameddine’s voice-driven novel, An Unnecessary Woman. …

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  • LitStack Reviews

    Immerse Yourself In The Rich World Of “Middlemarch”

    by Lauren Alwan 9 July, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan 9 July, 2024

    Read on below for LitStack’s original review of Middlemarch by contributing author Lauren Alwan. But …

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  • LitStack Recs

    Intense Romance In “The Marriage Plot” & Fascinating World of “The City Inside”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 6 July, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 6 July, 2024

    In this LitStack Rec: Experience the heartbreak and triumphs of romance in The Marriage Plot, …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “The Refugees” & “The Orphan Master’s Son”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 29 June, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 29 June, 2024

    In this LitStack Rec, we recommend two amazing works: The Refugees is a broad look …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “The Postman Always Rings Twice” & “To Rise Again at a Decent Hour”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 22 June, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 22 June, 2024

    This week our LitStack Rec revisits a Noir classic, The Postman Always Rings Twice, by …

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  • LitStack ReviewsLitstack NowLitStack Picks

    In “Life Span,” Molly Giles Goes the Distance

    by Lauren Alwan 18 June, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan 18 June, 2024

    LitStack is excited to bring you Lauren Alwan’s review of Molly Giles’ first nonfiction book, …

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  • LitStack Recs

    Love An Amazing Pairing of “The 400 Blows” & “Hamnet”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 15 June, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 15 June, 2024

    In this LitStack Rec, discover the perfect pairing of cinematic brilliance and literary richness with …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “Orphans: Essays” & “When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 8 June, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 8 June, 2024

    In this LitStack Rec, we’ve got two captivating books just for you. Dive into the …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “William Trevor Selected Stories” & “Before the Ruins”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 1 June, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 1 June, 2024

    In this LitStack Rec, we’re recommending William Trevor Selected Stories and Before The Ruins. Dive …

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  • LitStack RecsAudiobooksLitstack Now

    The Beauty of Book Spines … Or Not

    by Lauren Alwan 25 May, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan 25 May, 2024

    In this LitStack Rec, we look at the beauty of book spines that are collector’s …

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  • LitStack RecsLitstack Now

    “Shout Her Lovely Name” & “10:04”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 18 May, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 18 May, 2024

    This LitStack Rec says it’s time to read Natalie Serber’s collection of voice-driven stories “Shout …

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  • LitStack RecsLitstack Now

    “Manhood for Amateurs” & “Ormeshadow”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 11 May, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 11 May, 2024

    This week’s LitStack Rec says be sure and read this great memoir about a father, …

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  • LitStack RecsLitstack Now

    “Changing My Mind: Occasional Essays” & “Yes, Chef”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 4 May, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 4 May, 2024

    In this LitStack Rec, we are looking at two past gems that you will want …

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  • LitStack ReviewsLitstack Now

    1 Powerful Novel “A Woman is No Man,” by Etaf Rum

    by Lauren Alwan 23 April, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan 23 April, 2024

    This LitStack review takes a look back at the 2019 release of A Woman Is …

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  • LitStack RecsLitstack Now

    “The Custom of the Country” & “Shakespeare in Kabul”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 20 April, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 20 April, 2024

    This week, we recommend The Custom of the Country, by Edith Wharton, and Shakespeare in …

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  • LitStack RecsLitstack Now

    “The Dead Fish Museum” & “Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 13 April, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 13 April, 2024

    Stories, stories, stories! This week we are recommending two books of stories. First, we recommend …

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  • LitStack RecsLitstack Now

    “The Coast of Chicago” & “Northernmost”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 6 April, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 6 April, 2024

    Welcome, fellow LitStackers! Let’s dive in and explore two remarkable works: the short story collection …

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  • LitStack RecsLitstack Now

    “As You Wish-Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride” & “The Snow Child”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 30 March, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 30 March, 2024

    We are taking a look back at two notable LitStack Recs. First, we recommend As …

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  • LitStack RecsLitstack Now

    “Light Years” & “The Mists of Avalon”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 23 March, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 23 March, 2024

    Welcome to LitStack Recs! We’ve got two fantastic recommendations that are sure to pique your …

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  • LitStack RecsLitstack NowShort Stories

    3 Great Short Story Collections for Women’s History Month & “Monarca”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 16 March, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 16 March, 2024

    For Women’s History Month, #WomensHistoryMonth, here are three classic story collections by women who are …

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  • LitStack RecsMemoir

    3 Memoirs for Women’s History Month & “The Terraformers”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 9 March, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 9 March, 2024

    For Women’s History Month, #WomensHistoryMonth, here are three memoirs that portray a range of women’s …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “Queen Sugar” & “Life Would be Perfect if I Lived in That House”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 2 March, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 2 March, 2024

    We invite you to join us as we revisit two exceptional books that have captured …

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  • LitStack RecsAudiobooksLitstack Now

    5 Incredible Audiobooks That Ignite Your Imagination

    by Lauren Alwan 24 February, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan 24 February, 2024

    In this LitStack Rec, Lauren Alwan looks at five incredible audiobooks that are guaranteed to …

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  • LitStack RecsCelebrating Shakespeare

    Shakespeare’s Sonnets & Writing Inspiration

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 17 February, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 17 February, 2024

    This week’s LitStack Rec offers a look at Shakespeare’s Sonnets, for poetry lovers and lovers …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “Vivian Maier Street Photographer” & “The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 10 February, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 10 February, 2024

    In this week’s LitStack Rec, we take a look back at two outstanding books we …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “Wonderbook” & “Elsewhere, A Memoir”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 3 February, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 3 February, 2024

    You can find and buy the books we recommend at our bookshop list of LitStack …

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  • LitStack Reviews

    “The Films in My Life” and “Peace Like a River”

    by Lauren Alwan & Tee Tate 20 January, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Tee Tate 20 January, 2024

    You can find and buy the books we recommend at our Bookshop by clicking our …

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  • LitStack Reviews

    “A Writer’s Notebook” and “Dangerous Women”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 13 January, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 13 January, 2024

    You can find and buy the books we recommend at our bookshop list of LitStack …

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  • LitStack Reviews

    “Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman” and “The Grind”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 6 January, 2024
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 6 January, 2024

    The sensibility of this singular actor may have its push and pull, but among the …

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  • LitStack Reviews

    An Ideal Read “Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures” by Emma Straub

    by Lauren Alwan 30 December, 2023
    by Lauren Alwan 30 December, 2023

    A delicious depiction of Hollywood’s golden age. Hey! I Won An Oscar! In 2013, when …

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  • LitStack RecsLitStack List

    Lauren Alwan’s 6 Favorite Reads of 2023

    by Lauren Alwan 16 December, 2023
    by Lauren Alwan 16 December, 2023

    My Wrap-Up and Favorite Reads of 2023 This year was a great one for reading, …

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  • LitStack Recs

    LitStack Recs | “Spielberg Truffaut and Me” & “Glow”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 2 December, 2023
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 2 December, 2023

    Watch “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” on AMAZON PRIME Spielberg Truffaut and Me: An …

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  • LitStack Recs

    “How to Write an Autobiographical Novel: Essays” & “Wintering”

    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 25 November, 2023
    by Lauren Alwan & Sharon Browning 25 November, 2023

    For this LitStack Rec, we are looking at two books we’ve recommended before. “How to …

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