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Why Do War Stories Appeal to Writers? War stories have occupied an important place in literature since time immemorial. The purpose that war stories can serve is multifaceted. They can be told to legitimize war – to establish it as a means to achieve heroic status, or to legitimize political violence by turning it into a tale of valor and adventure, as is often seen in romantic epics. Literature can also be used to talk about the unthinkable horrors of war, as epitomized by the deeply moving poetry of the war poets writing during and after the First World War....
Back in June of 2019, we published a truly spectacular prediction list of upcoming Marvel movies. Alas, that was solidly in the Before Times, and many things have been shifted if not been obliterated in the interim. So today we give you an updated list of new Marvel movies and TV shows, based on titles and release dates, hoping that these dates will not be railroaded by an as-yet-unknown dystopian hellscape, god-driven war, or alien invasion....
The Bridgerton Series The Bridgerton Netflix show is based on Quinn’s eight novels about the family. There are eight Bridgerton siblings and each one gets their own book, so season one of the Netflix show is mostly an adaptation of the first book in the series, while season two is the same for the second. We’ve gotten word that the third season will actually portray the events of the fourth book, but will have to wait and see how the show’s creators and writers plan to handle forthcoming seasons—they may blend books together, as some of the storylines happen concurrently even though they’re in different novels....
What is Urban Fantasy? Urban fantasy, as defined, is a sub-genre of fantasy where the story takes place in an urban setting. Ok. Let’s break that down. Essentially, urban fantasy takes place in Our World (either in present day or in the past) but contains fantastical aspects, such as supernatural beings or creatures and the existence of magic/powers. Urban fantasy veers from magical realism in the sense that it is still completely outside the realm of physical possibility, but still exists in the “real world....
Lots of notable books that have cemented themselves as modern classics were published in the ’90s, too: books like The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, Tracy Chevalier’s Girl With a Pearl Earring, Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding. Jazz and Paradise by Toni Morrison were published, and she won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993. My own reading was dominated by Caroline B. Cooney, and, of course, Judy Blume, and just invoking their names makes me want to reach for their books again....
For those who haven’t read the Enola Holmes book series, I highly recommend starting there. If you also have an appetite for other books like Enola Holmes, check out the suggestions below. These include middle grade, young adult, and adult books that encompass aspects of Enola’s story that really captivated me. Some common themes include historical mysteries, lovable detective duos, spirited protagonists, Holmes relations, loyalty to friends, and quests for family....
This got me to thinking about other actors who have leant their voices to poetry that is, sometimes, even more famous than they are. Here are a few of my favorites: Benedict Cumberbatch reads a love letter. Get your Read Harder mug on.
Here is a list of feminist quotes to take inspiration from and take a step towards a future that is more conducive to equality for everyone out there. Want to dig even more deeply into feminism? You’ll want to check out these feminist poems, as well as these best feminist books.
Spy books for teens come in all types: from the covert training programs putting a secret group of teens through combat training, to the more lighthearted versions dealing with spies in love, there’s something for everyone. In this list, you’ll find several schools for spies masquerading as something else, a historical heist set in Victorian London, a boy on the run from his friend’s killers, and a spy falling in love for the first time with the boy next door....
It’s taken me a while to realise that when you’ve been away from an instrument as long as I have, you need to at least start out as if from scratch – but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Going back to the beginning is sometimes the best way to find a new path forward, and, to paraphrase the song, it’s also a very good place to start....
Since the anime adaptation came out, the manga saw a 590% increase, says Anime News Network. So it’s very clear, Jujutsu Kaisen is a powerhouse — a monster of a story that we all love so much. If you’re up to date with the manga, meet these manga like Jujutsu Kaisen to satisfy your needs. Jujutsu Kaisen is about a teenage boy who believes that everyone deserves a proper death....
There’s also an early reader graphic novel starring two questing cats that’s the second book in my daughter’s favorite series. My daughter has embraced her cat lady persona early (Her first word was “cat.” We don’t have cats). For middle grade new releases, there are so many stellar options. For one, there’s a gorgeous new historical fantasy featuring Japanese dragons and a historical adventure starring an asthmatic protagonist. Then, there’s a new queer affirming contemporary by award-winning author Alex Gino and a Nigerian fantasy with Black girl magic and some seriously powerful hair....
10 Eco-Friendly Gifts for A Book Lover You Know Newspaper Earrings These earrings are entirely upcycled, made out of old newspapers and cardboard, and are waterproof as well, to a certain point. Plus, despite being made out of old cardboard and newspapers, they have a versatile look, nice enough that they can be worn to work, or dressed down for going out with friends. Either way, they’ll make all the fellow book lovers jealous....
In some cases, the characters are directly involved with social justice work. In others, the plot revolves around a specific injustice the characters are working to right. All of these novels explore racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and classism—and the many ways queer people fight back against those oppressions—across three centuries and three continents. They’re guaranteed to get you fired up—and bonus, they’re all fabulous queer love stories with happily-ever-afters....
Sometimes the magic permeates the text, jumping out at you from every page, while in other instances the magic is occasional. Regardless of how much magic there is, what counts as “magic” is widely disputed and largely disagreed upon. Some scholars include anything that is not typically the domain of the “real,” the broadness of which can see the label “magical realism” applied to folklore, mythology, fairytales, fantasy, speculative fiction, paranormal literature, and more....
Sounds great, right? Who wouldn’t want to be such an effective and powerful hero? As it turns out, Saitama hates being this strong. If victory is always guaranteed, every fight loses its thrill. And if you live for the thrill, life kind of loses all excitement. Imagine Superman with existential ennui. That is One Punch Man in a nutshell. One Punch Man occupies an interesting space in the manga realm....
10 YA Fairy Books for Fans of Holly Black The Iron King by Julie Kagawa When Meghan learns she is not only the daughter of a faery king, but also in the middle of a war full of magic and danger, her whole life is turned on its head. To save the faery world and those she cares about most, she must do some magic of her own: turn hate to love and diminish the evil that is poisoning the realm....
There are a few caveats here. First, I had trouble finding books about queer pregnancy by, for, or about people of color. While the following recommendations are not queer, they may be good supplements for lack of better options. Definitely check out Black, Pregnant and Loving It: The Comprehensive Pregnancy Guide for Today’s Woman of Color by Yvette Allen-Campbell and Dr. Suzanne Greenidge-Hewitt; The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy by Kimberly Seals-Allers; and Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy by Angela Garbes....
The Night Tiger pulls readers into a world of servants and masters, age-old superstition and modern idealism, sibling rivalry and forbidden love. Ji Lin is a dancehall girl to help pay off her mother’s Mahjong debts. But when one of her dance partners accidentally leaves behind a gruesome souvenir, she may finally get the adventure she’s been longing for. Eleven-year-old houseboy Ren is also on a mission, to fulfill his former master’s dying wish: that Ren find the man’s finger, lost years ago, and bury it with his body....
