Listen to the Book of My Life podcast, where writers share the book that has inspired or moved them—the book that has shaped their artistic, moral, or intellectual compass. In short, the book they recommend to everyone. This podcast is a re-publication of the live program, part of the annual Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague.
In this first season of the Book of My Life podcast, we’re not only revisiting recent conversations but also diving into the archives. In celebration of 30 years of Writers Unlimited, we’ve selected several memorable episodes from the past—featuring both Book of My Life and Text of My Life—that have stayed with us over the years.
In this (mostly) English spoken episode, Alejandra Ortiz chose as favourite book We the Living by Ayn Rand. First published in 1936, it portrays the impact of the Russian Revolution on three human beings who demand the right to live their own lives and pursue their own happiness. During the 2024 Writers Unlimited Festival, in conversation with Abdelkader Benali, she shared how this book has inspired or moved her.
This podcast is released in the run-up to the annual Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague. Listen to the podcast here or via your favorite podcast platform.
What is Writers Unlimited?
More than one hundred authors, poets, spoken word artists, and musicians perform at the Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival, held annually in the third week of January across The Hague in theaters, libraries, and schools. The festival focuses on live performances of poetry, storytelling, and spoken word. Authors also discuss current topics inspired by recent books. Additionally, Writers Unlimited hosts monthly
Writers Series programs in The Hague, bringing together writers, journalists, thinkers, poets, artists, and audiences to exchange their literary work, experiences, dreams, and ideas across cultural and linguistic boundaries. All information can be found at
http://writersunlimited.nl.
Credits:
Host: Abdelkader Benali
Guest: Alejandra Ortiz
Video- and audio: Ontrack Studio
Artwork design: Eindeloos Ontwerp
Book of My Life is a program by Writers Unlimited.
What is Writers Unlimited?
Schrijvers, dichters en denkers delen hun gedachten over brandende kwesties in de Winternachten festival-tracks. (English below) Writers Unlimited brengt auteurs én hun publiek jaarlijks samen in het Winternachten internationaal literatuurfestival Den Haag (27e editie 16-19 juni 2022), in de Writers Series (gespreksprogramma's op meerdere locaties in Den Haag), en in de Podcast. Tijdens die ontmoetingen wisselen ze hun literaire werk, hun ervaringen, dromen en ideeën uit. Over grenzen van culturen en talen en in een informele sfeer.
Writers, poets and thinkers share their ideas about burning questions in Winternachten festival tracks. Writers Unlimited connects authors with their audiences across cultures and countries: during the annual Winternachten international literature festival The Hague, in the Writers Series - monthly meetings at several The Hague locations and in the Podcast.