By Jayni Nielsen, Pace University

By L.R. Staples, Sarah Lawrence College

After lesbophobic BookTokers made their prejudices known, lesbians and allies alike came together to share their love of sapphic romance novels.

By Elizabeth Dewit, University of Pittsburgh

Although some people are claiming that the genre has reached its end, several others counter that it’s simply changing.

By Elliot Jackson-Ontkush, Skidmore College

The rich environmental imagery featured in ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ make them the perfect novels to read outside.

By Mason Cannon, Columbia University

In her debut album, this up-and-coming artist explores themes of heartbreak, love, religion and family through beautiful lyricism and stunning soundscapes.

By Alice Han, Pepperdine University

While it may not be surprising that Todd Phillip’s impactful 2019 film influenced the English singer-songwriter’s latest music video, the similarities between the two are truly uncanny.

By Daniel Reed

If you’re interested in listening to powerful books written by female authors, check out this list.

By Lauren Koop, London School of Economics - Peking University

The 2021 Eurovision winner has won the hearts of young people across the globe, gaining widespread acclaim and popularity.

By Salma Heram, George Washington University

The YA novel by S. K. Ali reflects the realities faced by Muslim teens and embraces culture, identity and love in a new light.

By Kelsi Karpinski, Michigan State University

Teenage detective Stevie Bell returns in Maureen Johnson’s latest young adult murder mystery, which brings a newly diverse voice its classic predecessors lacked.

By Kelsie Westmoreland, Washington and Lee University

Are you an avid YA reader? If so, you can’t miss the top books of this year so far.

By Mason Cannon, Columbia University

In his newest album, Tyler, the Creator describes recurring themes of heartbreak within a wider exploration of social injustice, sexuality and a sense of stagnation.

By Nathan Kolodney, Wesleyan University

As expected, the production on the album is incredible, but the rapping itself leaves something to be desired.

By Mariam Nasief, Columbia University

In her newly released ballad, the rising artist discusses these difficult themes through narrative lyricism and intentional vocal techniques.

By Alexandra Cortez, Trinity University

If you loved the ‘Goosebumps’ series when you were younger, you have reason to be excited for the new, violent editions of Stine’s work.

By Elliot Jackson-Ontkush, Skidmore College

They may be fun, but they are missing an important question: Which house do you think you belong in?

By Mai Senser, Virginia Commonwealth University

In the first half of her sophomore record, the singer-songwriter has taken control of her own narrative, exploring a wide variety of musical genres.

By Anna Hupp, University of Wyoming

The moody soundscape and raw, vulnerable lyrics of the artist’s new LP are impressive, but his blind instinct for self-preservation is less so.

By Daniel Reed

No need to shoot all the film yourself.

By Kelsie Westmoreland, Washington and Lee University

Gillian Pensavalle and Patrick Hinds’ hit podcast dives into documentaries about the most notorious cases with a comedic spin.

By Niall Calvert, Wesleyan University

A new class of artists has been recognized as honorees at a prestigious ceremony that has reworked the traditions of the typical award banquet.

By Karen Lu, Yale University

Although the J-pop group is the biggest idol group in the world, does it have what it takes to be the next big thing?

By Amy Harris, Utah State University

It can be intimidating putting art into the world but Howard Tayler, the creator of this strip, is living proof that you don’t need to be extremely well-versed in the arts to make something that touches the world.

By Darby Williams, University of Michigan

After taking a multi-year break, the singer’s singular foray back into the public eye has left fans both intrigued and confused.

By Julianna Brenner, Michigan State University

With breathtaking lyrics and dark themes, this ‘comedy’ special might make you cry instead of laugh.

By Sydney Smith, University of Pittsburgh

The patronizing criticisms of many female pop stars demonstrate a consistent theme: We really love to loath young women, don’t we?

By Amy Harris, Utah State University

The book is a classic piece of literary history, but perhaps it is best known for killing off its titular canine.

By Anna Hupp, University of Wyoming

The ‘ER’ and ‘The Good Wife’ actress navigates the unstable waters of her childhood from the vantage of her craft, assessing both its beauty and instability — and turning both to her advantage with the tool of gratitude. 

By Michelle Buckley, Chapman University

Through her music and her new Rare Beauty makeup line, this beloved singer and actress has repeatedly made a positive impact on her community.

By Mai Senser, Virginia Commonwealth University

The story of how ‘Castaways,’ a bossa nova-inspired song from a children’s show, became a chart-topping hit.

By Kelsi Karpinski, Michigan State University

The band’s latest album might attempt to follow up on the stories started with past projects, but to many fans’ dismay, it certainly doesn’t sound like them.

By Brunella Tipismana, Smith College

In his latest book, author and YouTuber John Green examines objects and concepts in search for beauty within humanity, making a compelling case for hope in a time of extremes.

By Karen Lu, Yale University

Our society’s interest in certain beasts over others may have interesting social and political implications, according to Jeffrey J. Cohen.

By Julianna Brenner, Michigan State University

Although this ‘Sour’ song is a smash hit, it includes some ableist language that needs to be addressed.

By Jenna Amore, Oakland University

The band’s latest song pushes politics and critical thinking to the forefront in the midst of political turmoil.

By Briana Byus, Biola University

By Mariam Nasief, Columbia University

This rising star’s debut album leaves behind a genealogy of all the other artists who influenced it, ranging from Paramore to Taylor Swift.

By Salma Heram, George Washington University

The worldwide pop sensation is once again taking the world by storm with their new summertime anthem, as the band flaunts creative pop references and dance motifs.

By Jayni Nielsen, Pace University

The 2015 hit song brought the artist an unforeseen amount of attention after it went viral as part of a TikTok trend focused on the romanticization of life.

By Lauren Koop, London School of Economics - Peking University

Book lovers from around the world connect with each other and share recommendations through TikTok, but are the books actually any good?

By Alice Han, Pepperdine University

While this collab was by no means expected, ARMY fans everywhere were pleasantly surprised and couldn’t be more proud of their idols.

By Olivia Wisse, Hofstra University

The singer’s recent three releases are stunning and powerful follow-ups to her latest album, yet she cannot evade criticism for her recent actions on social media.

By Alexandra Cortez, Trinity University

Though the biographical drama has mixed reviews from fans of the late singer, it is still an important portrayal of the legend’s legacy.

By Michelle Buckley, Chapman University

The singer roasts a former lover and celebrates the acceptance stage of grief with a group of girlfriends in her most recent track and music video, both worthy precursors to her upcoming album.

By Kelsi Karpinski, Michigan State University

This Disney star and up-and-coming musician has become an inspiration with the release of her debut album, which explores anger, jealousy and heartbreak in a variety of genres.

By Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

Sparking discussions about authors, tropes and book drama, PeaceLoveBooksxo’s livestream connects and provides insight into the book community and those who participate in it.

By Kiera Baity, Kennesaw State University

Tina Seelig’s newest book is a revolutionary manual that teaches everyone how to make their imaginative notions a reality.

By Kieran Benson, Luther College

After a decade behind the scenes of many chart-topping pop hits, the singer-songwriter has debuted her own solo studio album.

By Beth Jordan, Aquinas College

While popular in their home country of Canada, they have long been a niche band in other parts of the world. Thanks to the popular social media platform, they are finding success in the U.S.

By Alexandra Cortez, Trinity University

Despite its familiar premise, the strong chemistry between the main characters is what really holds the young adult series together.

By Justin Spencer, University of Texas at San Antonio

‘That thing was too big to be called a sword. Too big, too thick, too heavy, and too rough, it was more like a large hunk of iron.’ Fans of Kentaro Miura’s beast of a dark fantasy series reflect on 30 years of storytelling and mourn the death of its creator.

By Diamond Sears-Allen, Borough of Manhattan Community College

In a genre that often features straightforward, simple love interests, this series adds subtle characterization to accompany its dating sim setting.

By Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

This romance novel by Mariana Zapata sparks nuanced discussions on women’s fiction, the power of starting over and indie book publishing.

By Alexandra Cortez, Trinity University

Last year, Disney+ announced they would be giving this literary phenomenon a second chance at an adaptation. This new TV series already has the potential to win the hearts of fans and first-time audiences alike.

By Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

This album examines the stages of a relationship … out of order. It explores the journey of romance and what it means in the end.

By Isabelle Juan, Truman State University

Using the lens of the Korean American experience, this essay collection presents a fiery look at the subtle ways that white supremacy manifests itself.

By Kieran Benson, Luther College

The young artist has put out his second single since the release of his hit album ‘Kid Krow,’ and it has gained the admiration of international pop star Taylor Swift.

By Amiri Rivers-David, Pomona College

Several media properties take inspiration from the classic William Golding novel, but too many fail to capture what made it great.

By Kieran Benson, Luther College

The band’s fans were pleasantly delighted when they released two albums, ‘Green Blue + Indigo Violet’ and ‘Rainbow Mixtape,’ which followed shortly after postponing their anticipated tour.

By Beth Jordan, Aquinas College

So, you’ve written your novel. Now what? Getting an agent and publishing deal the traditional way is harder than ever these days. Luckily, there’s a solution for that.

By Alexa Katherine Will, University of Pittsburgh

Glennon Doyle’s recent release has topped bestsellers lists and has inspired fans everywhere to listen to their gut instincts, follow their hearts and, most importantly, overcome anything.

By Alexandra Cortez, Trinity University

Complete with twists and an unexpected ending, this series cannot be passed up by anyone who loves young adult mystery novels.

By Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

With years of artistic experience under her belt, the young musician continues to experiment with her sound on her latest single.

By Karen Lu, Yale University

The English indie pop band embodies a soft musical style that has influenced countless genres and truly was ‘soft bedroom pop’ before it was a thing. So where did they go?

By Isabelle Juan, Truman State University

For anyone who wants to begin reversing environmental degradation but doesn’t know where to start, here are a few accessible sources that will help you learn more.

By Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

When the weather is nice but you don’t want to do anything, pick up a new novel. These anticipated drops will give you all the warm feelings of the season.

By Mai Khou Vang, Michigan State University

With stunning visuals and catchy lyrics, the Hong Kong rapper, singer and dancer uses his music videos and songs as a way to share his culture with the world.

By Alexandra Cortez, Trinity University

Why are teens drawn to the genre and why did its popularity seem to quickly fade out? It might make an unexpected comeback soon.

By Beth Jordan, Aquinas College

The beloved space opera comic is soon moving into its second part, and longtime supporters couldn’t be more ecstatic.

By Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

Diverse representation in romantic fiction can reaffirm how the genre adds value to the literary community.

By Drew Goretzka, Michigan State University

Being a student journalist is a great way to give your peers a voice and make connections that’ll last a lifetime.

By Karen Lu, Yale University

Before his military enlistment, the South Korean star released a sultry, sophisticated EP that signals the start of a new chapter in his career.

By Kieran Benson, Luther College

Teaming up for a track on ‘McCartney III Imagined,’ the two musical artists offer a poignant, evocative statement about living in the moment.

By Benjamin Chen, Columbia University

By Kieran Benson, Luther College

Chloe Noone’s feature on the remix of the song ‘parents’ showcases how crucial TikTok is for the careers of aspiring artists.

By Mai Khou Vang, Michigan State University

You can always count on the iconic boy group to produce hit after hit, and they don’t appear to be stopping anytime soon with the release of their newest album.

By Karen Lu, Yale University

The website, affectionately known as AO3, has redefined the way fan fiction is cataloged and created and has reinvigorated the discourse surrounding the nature of fandom.

By Daniel Reed

With competition at an all-time high, you need to work every advantage.

By Kieran Benson, Luther College

From her debut album to her more recent work, the musical talent and originality of the singer-songwriter remain more than evident.

By Isabelle Juan, Truman State University

This poetry collection by francine j. harris is a challenging work that contends with race, society and loneliness.

By Beth Jordan, Aquinas College

Thanks to markets like Amazon that have made it easier than ever to access books, authors no longer have to wait to be given a green light.

By Sophie N. Munoz, University of Texas at San Antonio

Alicia Cook’s newest poetry collection is blunt, not only about the difficulties of healing from pain and depression, but also about how worthwhile it is to find hope.

By Daniel Buccafusca, East Stroudsburg University

Constantly overshadowed by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the DCEU is in a tough spot. Here is a potential reimagining of what can come next.

By Sophie N. Munoz, University of Texas at San Antonio

The multitalented streamer and creator appeals to a wide audience with diverse content that ranges from lo-fi tracks to art lessons, all of which influence each other.

By Emma Watts, University of Arizona

By Beth Jordan, Aquinas College

Because this type of writing is unlike anything you’d typically find in professional or academic settings, it can be difficult to get the hang of. Here are some tips to help your writing process.

By Kiera Baity, Kennesaw State University

Does Alex Marzano-Lesnevich’s approach to creating fictitious scenarios in a work about a real court case still make their story nonfiction?

By Kieran Benson, Luther College

The new song is another hit from the young artist, who continues to find inspiration from music legends like Lorde and Taylor Swift.

By Mai Khou Vang, Michigan State University

In the second Japanese single from the renowned boy band, they tell the story of how hard it can be to let go of the past and look toward the future.

By Anastasiya Cernei, Missouri State University

Lil Nas X’s latest single and music video have created controversy across social media platforms for its occult and queer overtones.

By Alexandra Cortez, Trinity University

By Daniel Buccafusca, East Stroudsburg University

The American rapper should not be remembered as a troubled musician, but rather as a man that has taught the world how important it is to be vulnerable.

By Alexa Katherine Will, University of Pittsburgh

Since his rise to fame, many fans have drawn parallels between this year’s star Super Bowl performer and the King of Pop, but the artist prefers to highlight his own originality instead.

By Isabelle Juan, Truman State University

The American singer-songwriter’s most recent album perfectly encapsulates the continually escalating peak of her musical prowess.

By Kieran Benson, Luther College

The American singer-songwriter’s latest song is both nostalgic and fresh, reminding listeners of the musical ingenuity that she has always had.

By Alexandra Cortez, Trinity University

Publishers are paying users in the book community on the app, also known as BookTok, to promote their books, leaving some people with mixed feelings.

By Kiera Baity, Kennesaw State University

In his newest hit single, Lil Nas X reignites both satanic panic and the fear of Black rock, while many are questioning why the video is just so controversial in the first place.

By Michael Boland, DePaul University

After a series of delays and controversial nominations, ‘music’s biggest night’ went on, with big wins for industry staples and newcomers alike.

By Drew Goretzka, Michigan State University

The friendly nature and casual language of the late chef’s 2000 memoir allows it to be a book that can be loved and enjoyed by all.

By Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

The Blackpink singer has conquered the world alongside her fellow girl-group members. Now she is ready to shine on her own and pay homage to her past.