Author Archives: johnupdikesociety

Lorrie Moore to deliver keynote at 2020 John Updike Conference

Posted on August 19, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

Writer Lorrie Moore will travel to Shillington-Reading to deliver the keynote talk at the 6th Biennial John Updike Society Conference at Alvernia University. The conference will take place the first week in October 2020, which coincides with the October 3 … Continue reading →

Posted in 6th Biennial JUS Conference | Leave a comment

Baby Boomer Report Card references Updike

Posted on August 12, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

In his op-ed piece published in the Friday, August 9, 2019 New York Times (A23), David Brooks grades the Baby Boomer generation on Politics (C-), Social Movements (A), Pop Culture (A), High Culture (C-), Technology and Innovation (A-), Lifestyle (A), … Continue reading →

Posted in First Person Singular, Updike in Context | Leave a comment

Golfer’s Journal features a personal consideration of Updike and golf

Posted on August 12, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

A subscription is required, but if you’re high on golf and John Updike, as Matt Chominski is, you can plunk down the cash and read Chominski’s personal essay “Peculiar Bliss: Navigating family, marriage and golf with John Updike” that appears … Continue reading →

Posted in First Person Singular, Updike in Context | Leave a comment

Announcing a Call for Papers for the 6th John Updike Society Conference

Posted on August 10, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

The John Updike Society is now accepting proposals for papers to be presented at the Sixth Biennial John Updike Society Conference at Alvernia University, Reading, Pennsylvania, in fall 2020. The conference will coincide with the October 3 grand opening and … Continue reading →

Posted in 6th Biennial JUS Conference, Calls for Papers | Leave a comment

Updike’s booksigning generosity recalled

Posted on July 29, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

Writer-artist-blogger Tim Lemire just published “Yours, John Updike,” a fun piece about signed books, recalling a time in high school when he visited a friend’s house and saw shelf-upon-shelf of books written by John Updike—all of them signed, though his … Continue reading →

Posted in Collector's Corner, First Person Singular, Updike in Context | Leave a comment

In Memoriam: Derek Parker Royal

Posted on July 23, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

With sadness we report that Derek Parker Royal, who founded the Philip Roth Society in 2002 and also volunteered to serve on the first board of directors for The John Updike Society when it began in 2009, died on July … Continue reading →

Posted in In Memoriam | Leave a comment

Updike among novelists quizzed on writing habits

Posted on July 21, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

Way back in 2012, Mental Floss published a piece by Lucas Reilly titled “Famous Novelists on Symbolism in Their Work and Whether It Was Intentional.”  It’s a fun read, because Reilly gets his material from a 16-year-old boy’s query. “It … Continue reading →

Posted in Updike in Context, Updike Quoted | Leave a comment

Writer describes living in Updike country

Posted on July 21, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

Writing for Literary Hub, Thomas E. Ricks shared what it was like “Growing Up Inside a John Updike Novel” in the “Shadows at the Edge of Updike’s Work.” Ricks said his first word—”boat”—was spoken “about the time that John Updike … Continue reading →

Posted in First Person Singular | Leave a comment

Reading Eagle bankruptcy story cites Updike

Posted on July 21, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

When an important community business and local institution announces its filing for bankruptcy protection, you’d think that would be news enough. But when the Reading Eagle did so in March, The Philadelphia Inquirer headline read, “The Pennsylvania newspaper where novelist … Continue reading →

Posted in Berks County news, Updike in Context | Leave a comment

Blogger picks Rabbit, Run for his pseudo bookclub

Posted on July 21, 2019 by johnupdikesociety

You’ve got to love a blog that’s titled Coming Up Millhouse, especially when the “about” section begins with a Homer J. Simpson quote:  “Maybe, just once, someone will call me ‘sir’ without adding, ‘you’re making a scene’.” And especially when … Continue reading →

Posted in First Person Singular | Leave a comment