What Would You Do If You Knew You’d Die Today? Silvera’s Novel Isn’t About Death—It’s About Permission to Live
Okay, I’ll be honest. I picked up “They Both Die at the End” because the title shocked me. Like, seriously? You’re just gonna tell me that up front? No mystery, no plot twist? Just boom: they die. I almost didn’t read it with that kind of spoiler, but I’m really glad I did. The story […]
Politics Is Everywhere — Even in What We Watch
I don’t watch the news unless it’s by accident or my grandparents have it on the TV. I don’t argue in comment sections on Facebook. And I don’t keep up with what’s going on. I can barely keep up with my laundry. Honestly, I’d prefer to talk about movies or what book I’ve been reading […]
The Bionicle: A Masterclass in Storytelling for Children’s Books
A plastic Kanohi mask clicking into place probably isn’t the first thing you think of as a literary awakening. But for kids in the early 2000s, LEGO’s “Bionicle” was exactly that — a secret gateway to sophisticated storytelling and the giants of sci-fi and fantasy. “Bionicle” was more than just a toy line. It was […]
The Trope I’ll Never Get Tired of (and Neither Should You)
I’ve read a lot of books over the years. I’ve rooted for heroines, cried over chosen ones, and lived dozens of lives through the pages. Some stories change your life. Honestly, I’d say quite a few have changed mine in one way or another. Still, there will always be one trope I’ll never shut up […]
eBooks VS Real Books: Which is Better?
Even in this modern world of technology, it is still surprising to see how certain forms of media and entertainment evolve into alternative forms. Literature is no exception, as there are now even more options available to find and read various texts. With electronic books now available, one must wonder if actual books have anything […]
What the New “Hunger Games” Prequel Teaches Us About History Erasure
“Sunrise on the Reaping” is the newest addition to the “Hunger Games” series, offering insight into the untold stories of resistance long before the rebellion familiar from the original trilogy. As we know, author Suzanne Collins writes nothing unintentionally, as her novels always offer commentary on real-world issues. This prequel is no different. We live […]
BookTok As the New (But Worse) Book Club
BookTok is a community on TikTok that centers around, well, books. It’s an online place for readers to share recommendations, share commentary and connect with other people through their love of books. It has increasingly become more popular, influencing reading trends and boosting sales of specific books. In some ways, it’s the modern book club. […]
Kamala Harris to Release “107 Days,” a Memoir of the Shortest Campaign in Modern History
Kamala Harris announced today she will release a book titled, “107 Days,” detailing her journey as a presidential candidate in the 2024 election. The announcement comes just one day after she published a statement saying she will not run for governor of California, which is a move many view as an opening for a potential […]
“Little Women” Is a Story All Sisters Understand
Sisterhood is complex. You scream and fight one day, just to share your deepest secrets the next. You argue over clothes, just to spend your paycheck buying them that one thing they really want. It can be a rivalry and a best friendship all tied into one. For anyone who has a sister, or someone […]
Book Awards Influence What We Read and It Matters
Every author’s dream is for their book to receive an award – but not for the reasons you might think. Yes, it is nice to know that your book is being honored for great writing, but these awards hold much more power. They’re gatekeepers of the literary world, deciding what books get shelf space, classroom […]
What “Everything I Know About Love” Taught Me About Being a Young Woman
A few months ago, I was in my college apartment, halfheartedly doing homework while my roommate sat nearby, completely absorbed in a book. Bored, I asked her what it was about, and she was shocked I’d never heard of it. It was her second time reading, so she tossed the book to me and told […]
Why “Beach Reads” Don’t Deserve the Hate
Every summer, it feels like the literary snobs are reawakened to criticize our beloved beach reads. You know, those breezy, feel good books we toss into our beach bags. Critics write them off as playful, formulaic and even a bit embarrassing. But, why is it that a book’s worthiness depends on how serious it is? […]
