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 […]
Tag: Literature
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? […]
Books That Should Be Taught in English Class
Every American student who had to sit through English class from Kindergarten to 12th grade knows the usual suspects: “Romeo and Juliet,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Fahrenheit 451” and more. Don’t get me wrong, these novels are extraordinary and have their place as some of the best novels written, but I think […]
Banning Books is Banning Freedom of Speech
People have long banned books because of sexual content, differing ideologies, and critiques of the government or religion. I can get past banning a book from schools because of things like sexual content that may be inappropriate for young children but for having a different ideology than what you believe in. That’s just denying freedom […]
Why I’m Scared to Start Reading “A Little Life”
Hanya Yanagihara’s “A Little Life” has a reputation that precedes it. It is an emotionally devastating novel that leaves readers shattered. Everyone who has read this book seems to issue a warning to those who want to read it. For me, I have been told that everything bad that could happen happens to these characters. […]
Op-Ed: Why I’m On the Fence about Book-to-Movie Adaptations
It’s always fun to watch a movie adaptation of a book you’ve read before and compare it to what you had imagined while originally reading. Sometimes, a movie elevates what I imagined, but not all books need a movie adaptation. A well-done adaptation can bring your vivid imagination to life. Seeing the Harry Potter series […]
Which Modern Books Could Be Considered Classics?
What makes a “classic” novel such as “The Great Gatsby,” “The Catcher in the Rye,” and “To Kill a Mockingbird”? A classic novel must be able to stand the test of time with its complex characters and themes. It must remain relevant across different eras and continue to be read long after publication. Classic novels […]
The Best Dark Academia Books
Dark Academian literature is mysterious and moody, often set in elite academic institutions. This genre often features themes of secret societies, intellectualism, and a gothic aesthetic, with a focus on the dark sides of academia, such as obsession and tragedy. Dark academia has become a beloved genre for readers who appreciate a blend of intrigue, […]
It is impossible to define what is “explicit” in book bans. (Op-Ed)
Everyone has different criteria when defining what is “explicit” in literature. While there are novels that are X-rated with detailed depictions of sex, lawmakers tend to extend the term “explicit” to encompass vulnerable communities, such as minority authors, LGBTQIA+ folks, and non-Christians. While I agree that children should not be reading “explicit” content, I am […]
Stephen King’s “Rage” should never have gone out of publication. (Op-Ed)
One of the most successful authors of all time, Stephen King, is happy that his horror novel Rage has been pulled from shelves and will never be printed again. Rage was published by King under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman. Originally titled Getting It On, the psychological thriller was published in 1977. The story follows […]
Dark romance authors: stop romanticizing abuse. (Op-Ed)
BookTok has devolved into an age where literature is ignored, and “spicy” dark romances are endlessly raved over and given a platform. While there is nothing wrong with romance novels, there is an inherent issue in dark romance books: they often depict abusive relationships in a positive, glorified, romanticized way. There is no literary value […]
Authors should not attack their reviewers. (Op-Ed)
I, like many other book reviewers, have been harassed and attacked by an author. The popular book-centered social media platform GoodReads allows anyone who loves reading to leave a review, and the relationship between authors and their reviewers has become more perilous. This relationship should be one of mutual respect, but authors are responding to […]
