小马老师

memoir：n.实录, 传略；论文, 报告；[pl.]自传, 回忆录；[pl.]学会纪要; (向学会提出的)学术论文集

doctorate：博士学位，博士头衔

She earned the doctorate in writing.

unrest：n.不安的状态, 动荡的局面

political unrest：政治动荡

social unrest：社会动荡

monetary unrest：货币动荡

genius grants：天才基金

displaced people：战争下的难民（DP）

commentary(评论，解说) on the American culture on national public radio

essay：随笔，散文

She says a beautiful story or a good poem can affect a reader more than any speech.

He says telling stories is one way to record the old life that is lost, perhaps in war.

The book has also been nominated for international honors including the commonwealth writer's prize and the orange prize.

commonwealth：公民（社会）； 团体； 国家； 共和国； 联邦

commonwealth of learning：学术界， 文化界
commonwealth [republic] of letters：文学界， 文坛
the commonwealth of artists：艺术家协会