Matilda Schulman, University of California, Berkeley

Everyone has a story, even Brothers Grimm villains.

Gabrielle Sheehan, Montclair State University

The award show’s cryptic methodology has led to widespread criticism in recent years.

Jocelyn Campos, University of Texas at San Antonio

It’s no ‘The Fault in Our Stars,’ that’s for sure.

Kelsey Rogers, Susquehanna University

Hilarious, female-run and sex positive, Ellie Schnitt’s pod baby has it all.

Layan Sasa, University of Texas at San Antonio

The real is back, the ville is back.

Bekah Black, Spring Arbor University

The recently discovered short story acts as a pseudo-sequel to ‘The Bell Jar.’

Matilda Schulman, University of California, Berkeley

An ancient theme and a modern style meet in Amanda Lovelace’s newest collection.

Hannah Cullen, St. Cloud State University

The New York City roommates spill raunchy and relatable advice every Wednesday.

Camilla Forte, Columbia College Chicago

Too busy to keep up with current events? Think again.

Casey Breneman, University of Virginia

In it, author M. L. Rio challenges one of Shakespeare’s most famous dictums: ‘A man can die but once.’

Brandon Sasserson, University of New Hampshire

Aside from a few scattered positives, the 13-track project feels like a throwaway.

Maya Butler, Baylor University

Told through the stories of three unknown African Americans, the book explores the all-too-human desire for freedom.

Grace Larson, Ripon College

Who knew a singing, rapping, twerking flautist would be the key to inspiring body positivity?

Ben Garcia, Hope International University

The Grishaverse awaits.

Dorielys Cruz, University of Texas at San Antonio

Nearly half a million Puerto Ricans have emigrated in the last decade, and the stories offer a glimpse into their lives.

Bekah Black, Spring Arbor University

Her upcoming album is taking a dark, macabre turn.

Layan Sasa, University of Texas at San Antonio

It’s a modern album from a modern man.

E.L. Meszaros, Brown University

The author won’t mind, and neither will your REM cycle.

Matilda Schulman, University of California, Berkeley

In her hands, fantasy reads like poetry.

Colin Boyd, Ithaca College

Turn on, tune in, stay in school.

Jenna Benchetrit, McGill University

The Austin-born, LA-based duo chats new cities, career analogies and potion recipes.

Sabrina Bogdan, Messiah College

Lovato’s milestone underscores the importance of perseverance, not perfection.

Meagan Bess, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

The 23-year-old mother of two has spun every opportunity into a break, and now she’s on the verge of mainstream success.

Camilla Forte, Columbia College Chicago

Social media, love, vulnerability: the new release explores all the complexities of modern teendom.

Scott Williamson, Florida Atlantic University

What is it about King’s work that, despite several massive commercial flops, keeps directors coming back for more?

Shannon Robinson, University of Colorado Denver

Just block them and they’re gone … kind of.

Ben Garcia, Hope International University

To stay ahead of the competition, the MCU needs to keep experimenting.

Layan Sasa, University of Texas at San Antonio

Two actors, one spectacular opera.

Dorielys Cruz, University of Texas at San Antonio

Finally, characters like Circe and Medusa get to tell their side of the story.

Bekah Black, Spring Arbor University

The poet’s passing marks the end of one of the world’s most transcendental, plainspoken wordsmiths.

Gabrielle Sheehan, Montclair State University

The hip-hop community is nonplussed, to say the least, with Grande’s latest sampling choices.

Kelsey Rogers, Susquehanna University

The group’s new album, ‘Father of the Bride,’ is set to release later this year.

E.L. Meszaros, Brown University

It’s time to get excited about everyday objects.

Anushna Patel, University of California, Santa Barbara

I saw the best minds of my generation reciting poetry on a YouTube channel.

Sara Perkins, University of Indianapolis

The podcasting family is slated to write for the upcoming ‘War of the Realms’ spinoff.

Jocelyn Campos, University of Texas at San Antonio

The long-awaited novel from the New York Times’ best-selling author comes out Feb. 5.

Allison Kestler, Augustana College

Finally, an adaptation that Rick Riordan fans can be proud of.

Yoni Yardeni, Pierce College

Did someone say six-peat?

Sierra Zareck, Haverford College

Sasha Sloan, Allie McDonald, Willow Smith and Billie Marten will all be household names soon.

Zachary Truesdale, University of Texas at San Antonio

These / right here / are his / receipts.

Candace Baker, University of Texas at Austin

Yes, much of our lives are driven by FOMO, but isn’t that better than materialism?

Lexi Anderson, Pratt Institute

So much for Mr. Brightside.

Michelle Dreyer, Southern New Hampshire University

God bless you, public domain.

Gracie Riley, University of South Carolina-Columbia

Books, just like recycling bins and hybrid cars, are a vital part of the green revolution.

Brandon Sasserson, University of New Hampshire

The Swiss philosopher didn’t actually write about social media, but he might as well have.

Katie Farrell, Queens University of Charlotte

Her Cinderella-esque story is the stuff of fairy tales, but her music is even better.

Michelle Dreyer, Southern New Hampshire University

Today, ideally.

Sarah Brown, University of Florida

The pressure is real.

Sara Perkins, University of Indianapolis

Her methods are (yet another) unattainable standard for millennials to meet.

Lexi Anderson, Pratt Institute

How a soulful Austin pop band makes transcendence feel like dancing.

Michelle Dreyer, Southern New Hampshire University

The ‘America’s Got Talent’ alumni are primed for the spotlight.

Lexi Anderson, Pratt Institute

Kelly’s past seems to have finally caught up to him.

Brandon Sasserson, University of New Hampshire

The timing isn’t the only thing off.

Gracie Riley, University of South Carolina-Columbia

The best bookshelves have to offer.

Sarah Brown, University of Florida

The film version of David Levithan’s book is a pared-down, emotionally stunted misfire.

Sara Perkins, University of Indianapolis

The podcast explores celebrities’ teenage years and proves that adolescence was awkward for everyone.

Marianne Quijano, Texas A&M University

The rapidly popularizing genre is plagued by the same sexism that permeates American music.

Brandon Sasserson, University of New Hampshire

On his new album, the 26-year-old finally leaves the gimmicks behind.

Allison Kestler, Augustana College

Reading slumps happen, but these podcasts can help.

Allison Kestler, Augustana College

The characters might be juvenile, but the themes aren’t.

Nicole Andrasko, University of Pittsburgh

The YouTube-famous duo have returned with another pop-culture-bashing album.

Lexi Anderson, Pratt Institute

The photo does so much more than normalize breast-feeding.

Sierra Zareck, Haverford College

Rife with magic, nuance and creativity, fantasy gets to completely reimagine what’s possible.

Zachary Truesdale, University of Texas at San Antonio

Yes, it’s possible.

Gracie Riley, University of South Carolina-Columbia

Three essay-writing tips from your friendly college writing tutor.

Brandon Sasserson, University of New Hampshire

The album has head-banging potential, but the 22-year-old’s work still needs some polishing.

Sarah Brown, University of Florida

It’s going to be a banner year for graphic novels.

Sarah Mease, Columbia College Chicago

What a time to be a hip-hop fan.

Brandon Sasserson, University of New Hampshire

The MC’s sophomore project, ‘NOIR,’ is brimming with promise.

Nicole Andrasko, University of Pittsburgh

I’m convinced the writers use my life for source material.

Michelle Dreyer, Southern New Hampshire University

And it sounds marvelous.

Allison Kestler, Augustana College

Neil Postman’s 1985 work so presciently captured the dangers of the post-truth era that it still feels eerily modern.

Marianne Quijano, Texas A&M University

Donna Tartt’s cult novel shows how life-changing college can be, for better or for worse.

Lexi Anderson, Pratt Institute

It’s about time the man who embodies jazz makes his own mark on the genre.

Gracie Riley, University of South Carolina-Columbia

You’ll find that the lovely singer only gets sweet[en]er.

Becca Blyn, Harvey Mudd College

Hardcore female characters, an amazingly well-built fantasy world and a beautiful writing style — need I say more?

Lily Harrington, University of Georgia

Gun violence, racism, mass consumption and more have the country headed toward catastrophe, according to Rocky.

Katie Farrell, Queens University of Charlotte

Beauty pageants have always been, and will always be, backdrops for soaring human drama.

Anastasia Cottone, St. Bonaventure University

Though the album is overflowing with sadness, its encouragement is just as evident.

Kaitlyn Quinn, Seton Hall University

Her music is amazing, but it’s her life story that will leave your jaw hanging.

Daisy Orozco, Cal State University, Northridge

The best books of the year, as voted by you. Did your favorites make the cut?

Michelle Dreyer, Southern New Hampshire University

Must love reading about dogs.

Moiz Rizvi, University of Texas at Austin

‘Why ain’t nobody tell me I was bleedin?’ he asks on ‘Shattered Dreams.’

Zachary Truesdale, University of Texas at San Antonio

Honestly, why hasn’t someone made this yet?

Nicole Andrasko, University of Pittsburgh

‘A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships’ does what few much-ballyhooed albums do: it lives up to the hype.

Brandon Sasserson, University of New Hampshire

Overshadowed and under-played, each of these projects deserves way more attention than they received.

Anushna Patel, University of California, Santa Barbara

She’s gone from locals to Lollapalooza in less than a year.

Katie Farrell, Queens University of Charlotte

For a ‘love yourself as you are’ video, why wear makeup and shoot in monochrome?

Michael Wu, Case Western Reserve University

Head-bobbing background noise has never been so in.

Yoni Yardeni, Pierce College

Charlie Brown and his friends have nothing on Nate Dogg.

Michelle Dreyer, Southern New Hampshire University

Who said a dead writer can’t publish new books?

Michael Wu, Case Western Reserve University

From pop purgatory to sold-out stadiums, the English superstar has created a musical niche that has fans obsessed.

Michelle Dreyer, Southern New Hampshire University

Her latest novel, ‘Time Bomb,’ is the latest in a string of works that will have your heart beating out of your chest.

Allison Kestler, Augustana College

No matter how packed your schedule is, each of these books can find a place in it.

Brandon Sasserson, University of New Hampshire

‘A Love Letter to You 3’ flounders in the shadow of its predecessors.

Kaitlyn Quinn, Seton Hall University

The musical will bring a lot more to the island than dance numbers.

Lily Harrington, University of Georgia

She was the most powerful woman in the world for eight years, and she did a lot to earn it.

Sarah Mease, Columbia College Chicago

You love watching, so why not listen?

Anushna Patel, University of California, Santa Barbara

Nyge Turner and Merk Nguyen, both 22, break down relationships, finances, Netflix and much more.

Jocelyn Campos, University of Texas at San Antonio

YouTube Music might be the dark horse of streaming services, but it’s only getting better.