Leah Rachel von Essen

By day, Leah Rachel von Essen is the editor-in-chief of Chicago Booth Magazine at the University of Chicago. By night, she reviews genre-bending fiction for Booklist, and writes regularly as a senior contributor at Book Riot. Her blog While Reading and Walking has over 10,000 dedicated followers over several social media outlets, including Instagram. She writes passionately about books in translation, chronic illness and bias in healthcare, queer books, twisty SFF, and magical realism and folklore. She was one of a select few bookstagrammers named to NewCity’s Chicago Lit50 in 2022. She is an avid traveler, a passionate fan of women’s basketball and soccer, and a lifelong learner. Twitter: @reading_while

16 French Books Available in English Translation

Check out these must-read French books in translation, including prize-winning books by Négar Djavadi, David Diop, and Virginie Despentes.

How to Start Reading Fiction (When You Only Read Nonfiction)

Are you a nonfiction fan that's having trouble figuring out how to start reading fiction? These tips and books recommendations can help!

15 Argentinian Books Available in English Translation

Check out these must-reads from Argentinian authors, including Mariana Enríquez, Samanta Schweblin, and César Aira.

On Reading Burnout and Not Chewing My Food

I read like I’m running out of time. Because I am. Not to stress you out, but you are too. So I will fill every spare moment with reading.

QUIZ: The Books You Should Read for Women in Translation Month!

Take this quiz to find the perfect book to read for Women in Translation Month, including Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo, translated by Jamie Chang.

Quiz: Where Should You Travel Next?

Go on: give me your perfect, relaxing summer day, and I'll give you a travel destination and a novel that will help transport you there.

Amazing Swag and Gifts for Real Grammar Nerds

If you have a grammar enthusiast in your life (or you're a grammar nerd yourself), check out these gifts that celebrate our weird language.

12 Catalan Books Available in English Translation

Explore the literature of Catalonia through stories from the region and culture through these curated Catalan books in translation.

Who Was Virginia Woolf?

The author is too often reduced to her death—we break past that into who Virginia Woolf really was, as a woman and writer.

Why Anna Karenina Isn’t the Romance People Think It Is

While Anna Karenina isn't romance, it has one of the gentlest, truest romances of classic literature—but only if you know where to look.