Taiwan Travelogue's International Booker Prize win marks a historic first for a Mandarin-originally written novel, alongside several new book reviews including Zayd Ayers Dohrn's 'Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young', Lois Romano's 'An Inconvenient Widow', and Mary Beard's 'Talking Classics', plus a look at **William Steig's legacy before 'Shrek!' and the impact of 'As a Man Thinketh'**.

• International Booker Prize 2026: ‘Taiwan Travelogue’ is First Winner Originally Written in Mandarin — New York Times Arts -
• Book Review: ‘Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young,’ by Zayd Ayers Dohrn — New York Times Books -
• The Creator of ‘Shrek!’ Never Got to See the Memes — New York Times Arts -

• Book Review: ‘An Inconvenient Widow,’ by Lois Romano — New York Times Books -
• Do You Even Thinketh, Bro? — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘Talking Classics,’ by Mary Beard — New York Times Books -

The world of opera sees new works speaking to contemporary moments and the passing of elegant soprano Felicity Lott, while new songs from Kurt Vile, Nia Archives, and Mike D. hit airwaves, the Royal Opera House gets new curtains, and five countries boycott Eurovision.

• 3 Ways Operas Speak to the Moment, With Success and Failure — New York Times Arts -
• 6 New Songs You Should Hear Now — New York Times Arts -
• Felicity Lott, Elegant Soprano in Opera and Song, Dies at 79 — New York Times Arts -

• Replacing a Royal Hand-Me-Down That Finally Frayed — New York Times Music -
• Why Are Give Countries Boycotting Eurovision, and Does It Matter? — New York Times Arts -

Julie Mehretu and John Jasperse collaborate in a new gallery showing, Frida Kahlo's iconic style is explored through photos, AI re-evaluates historical art suggesting a sketch attributed to Anne Boleyn is her mother, and a **Pollock and a Brancusi piece achieve over $100 million each** at auction.

• Julie Mehretu and John Jasperse Find Common Ground — New York Times Arts -
• Frida Kahlo Photos: What Made the Painter a ‘Living Work of Art’ — New York Times Music -
• A 16th-Century Sketch of Anne Boleyn More Likely Depicted Her Mother, an A.I. Analysis Finds — New York Times Arts -

• Pollock and Brancusi Join the $100 Million Club at Auction — New York Times Arts -

'S.N.L.' Season 51 highlights its satire and cast goodbyes, reality TV conflicts like 'Summer House' are compared to 'Scandoval', Jon Stewart comments on political events, and Cannes Film Festival sees divisive movies and heated arguments.

• The Best of ‘S.N.L.’ Season 51: Sensitive Strippers and Regretful Moms — New York Times Arts -
• How the ‘Summer House’ Betrayal Stacks Up Against ‘Scandoval’ — New York Times Arts -
• Jon Stewart Asks What ‘Daddy’ Brought Back From China — New York Times Arts -

• At Cannes, the Movies Are Divisive and the Arguments Heated — New York Times Arts -

Broadway celebrates 'Giant' turning a profit in just 10 weeks, starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl, contrasting with a review for Thornton Wilder's newly discovered play, 'The Emporium,' which fails to make a strong impression.

• Broadway’s ‘Giant,’ With John Lithgow as Roald Dahl, Turns a Profit in 10 Weeks — New York Times Arts -
• ‘The Emporium’ Review: Thornton Wilder Doesn’t Make the Sale — New York Times Arts -

'Tides of Tomorrow' presents an eco-adventure game where past player actions dynamically shape the world for subsequent players.

• In Tides of Tomorrow, Desperate Times Call for Antediluvian Measures — New York Times Arts -