passages

Beverly Cleary, Creator of Ramona Quimby, Dead at 104

March 27, 2021 Linda L. Richards 0

Beloved children’s author and former librarian, Beverly Cleary, died in Carmel, California on March 27th. She was 104. No cause of death has been published. From a press release HarperCollins sent out about Cleary’s death. Beverly Cleary’s first book, Henry Huggins, was published in 1950, immediately setting a standard for realistic children’s fiction. More than forty published books later, Beverly Cleary has become beloved by generations of children. Mrs. Cleary has also inspired authors, including […]

Noted Booklover and Bestseller Larry McMurtry Has Died

March 26, 2021 Linda L. Richards 0

American novelist Larry McMurtry has died. The beloved and prolific novelist, accomplished screenwriter and antiquarian bookseller was 84. McMurtry was the author of more than 30 novels including Lonesome Dove, The Last Picture Show and Terms of Endearment, all of which were adapted for the screen. He was also the co-writer of the screenplay for Brokeback Mountain, based on a short story by Annie Proulx. The 2005 film earned eight Academy Award nominations with three […]

Artist & Futurist Syd Mead Dead at 86

December 31, 2019 admin 0

Artist, futurist, industrial designer and art director Syd Mead has died. From Polygon: Mead is best known as a concept artist on science fiction films like Blade Runner. After working in the motor vehicle industry for some time, Mead worked as a production illustrator on Star Trek: The Motion Picture, on which he famously designed V’ger. One of his most cited work, however, was the futuristic design he employed for Blade Runner — his version […]

MC Beaton Dead at Age 83

December 31, 2019 admin 0

MC Beaton, author of the beloved Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series has died at age 83. From The Bookseller: “Success came to her later in life but she made up for lost time – since 2011 she had been the most borrowed UK adult author in British libraries and her M C Beaton titles have sold in excess of 21 million copies worldwide,” L, B said in a statement. “However, she hated being referred […]

Guru and Author Ram Dass Dies at 88

December 24, 2019 admin 0

Spiritual leader, clinical physiologist and author Ram Dass, born Richard Alpert, has died at aged 88. The guru’s death was announced on his official Instagram account: With tender hearts we share that Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert) died peacefully at home in Maui on December 22, 2019 surrounded by loved ones. • He was a guide for thousands seeking to discover or reclaim their spiritual identity beyond or within institutional religion. • Memorial services will […]

Winfrey, Remnick, Danticat and Ondaatje Among Speakers for Toni Morrison’s Celebration of Life

November 12, 2019 admin 0

Literary giant and modern philosopher Toni Morrison will be remembered by her peers and fans in a celebration of life on November 21st at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Amsterdam Avenue in New York City. Scheduled speakers include Oprah Winfrey, David Remnick, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Kevin Young, Angela Davis, Fran Lebowitz, Jesmyn Ward, Edwidge Danticat and Michael Ondaatje. Best known for her novels The Bluest Eye (1970) and Beloved (1987) Morrison was a […]

Graeme Gibson Dies at 85

September 18, 2019 admin 0

Celebrated Canadian author and conservationist Graeme Gibson has died. Gibson had been a founding member of both the Writers’ Union of Canada and the Writers’ Trust of Canada, had served as president of PEN Canada and been named to the Order of Canada. In April of 2017, The New Yorker reported that Gibson had been diagnosed with early signs of dementia. Margaret Atwood, Gibson’s partner since the 1970s, issued a statement for the family through […]

Toni Morrison Dead at 88

August 6, 2019 admin 2

Novelist, Nobel laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Toni Morrison has died. Morrison’s stunning voice was so special. She wrote with an almost magical clarity and had the ability to touch her readers in all the places that matter. Remembering her today, The Atlantic put it beautifully: Since the publication of her debut novel, The Bluest Eye, in 1970, Morrison has been established as one of the most powerful and distinct voices in literature, a lyrical […]

Benny Cooperman’s Howard Engel Dies at 88

July 18, 2019 admin 3

The Canadian mystery writer Howard Engel has died at age 88. According to the CBC, Engel was recovering from a stroke, but died of pneumonia. Author of the Benny Cooperman series, Engel’s writing included the first mystery novels many Canadian read. The first Benny Cooperman book, The Suicide Murders, was published in 1980 and was later adapted for television with Saul Rubinek in the title role. From CBC: “The great Canadian detective did not exist […]

Judith Krantz Dies at 91

June 24, 2019 Linda L. Richards 0

Bestselling novelist and literary icon Judith Krantz died at home on Los Angeles on Saturday. She was 91. Though her first book was not published until she was 50, Krantz had been one of the bestselling novelists in the world for many decades. From the New York Times: Though she did not publish her first book until she was 50, Ms. Krantz reigned for decades afterward as the international queen of poolside reading. Her 10 […]