Lucie Rico, a finalist for the 2026 Deux Magots Prize with her book Mais que fait ce sang sur le pull de Jennifer ?, recently participated in a Proust-style questionnaire, a set of personal questions designed to reveal a person's character and preferences. Rico revealed that her favorite film to rewatch is Profondo Rosso, a 1975 Italian horror film directed by Dario Argento, known for its striking visuals and suspenseful storytelling. She expressed a desire to forget Sixième Sens (The Sixth Sense), a 1999 supernatural thriller, in order to rediscover the emotional impact it once had on her. Rico also mentioned that her necklace is essential to her, offering her a sense of reassurance when she is out in public. She emphasized the importance of truth, stating that it should always be told, though the way it is conveyed can greatly influence its reception. Rico recalled that she would finish the sentence "Je t'aime. Je ne vais pas faire mieux" ("I love you. I won't do better") and mentioned that she would like to respond to messages she has not yet replied to. In other literary news, Mustafa Khaled Alwan in Syria retrieved hundreds of books he had hidden in 2011 during the conflict, preserving them despite the challenges of war. The two statues at the Deux Magots restaurant, a historic Parisian establishment, observed and commented on the selection of the 2026 prize finalists, adding a whimsical touch to the literary event. Singer Marguerite launched a book club with Fnac, a major French retail chain, to encourage reading and discussion among the public. In Mantua, the 19th-century novel Storia filosofica dei secoli futuri by Ippolito Nievo was read aloud on a city bus, blending literature with public transportation. The Romain Gary Library in Nice will store a text in synthetic DNA, an innovative method for preserving information. Artist Maurizio Cattelan signed copies of his book with banana bread at a Berlin event, a quirky gesture that drew attention to both the artist and his work. In Vietnam, librarians sculpted monuments from books, creating art that celebrates the written word. In Melbourne, a silent "rave-party" for readers took place, bringing together book lovers in a unique and creative setting. In Saint-Nazaire, a "bibliobus" addressed "book illnesses," a playful initiative to encourage reading and book care. Other notable events included the release of a pirate manifesto as an anti-promotion, the visit of nearly 200,000 people to a library in a cave in China, and the collaboration between Star Wars and Marvel on a new comic series. In Sacramento, children read to therapy dogs, and in Wales, a Harry Potter-themed infrastructure adjustment was made. A statue of Herman Melville was unveiled in New Bedford, and Paris will install a plaque where George Orwell lived in poverty. A book made of fabric was displayed in Galicia, and a book tour replaced pub crawls with library visits. These events reflect the ongoing creativity and innovation within the literary world.