This week on the bookish internet

• Princess Weekes explains the American Dirt controversy. (The Mary Sue) Natascha Elena Uhlmann writes a deeper exploration of why American Dirt has made so many people angry. (Electric Literature)
  • Pair with: “As a 28-year-old Latino, I’m shocked my new novel, Memoirs of a Middle-Aged White Lady, has been so poorly received,” by Carlos Greaves. (McSweeney’s)
• Julie Beck explores the trials of people who were named for fictional characters. (The Atlantic)
• I’ve never read or seen Timon of Athens but, after reading this piece by Geoffrey O’Brien, I really want to. (New York Review of Books)
• Enobong Essien discusses what should be done when one encounters the n-word in literature. (Book Riot)
• Emily Temple ranks 50 fictional booksellers and I love it so much. (LitHub)
  • Pair with: Temple’s ranked list of 50 fictional librarians. (LitHub)