Books - Page 2

Read Between the Lines: The Problem With the Goodreads Challenge

Havilah Sciabbarrasi, Florida State University

Does Goodreads make reading more work than fun? How to approach the reading challenge without sacrificing the joy of literature. …

January 14, 2024

The Pressure Surrounding Female Writers and Romance

Palmer Strubhar, Emory University

Authors Defy Social and Historical Pressure as they Navigate a New-Age Romance Plot or Avoid It Entirely…

January 9, 2024

In sepia colors, a teenage girl and boy stand against the blowing wind in renaissance clothing while dragons fly in the background.

2023 Winter Book Releases You Need To Read

Beatriz Barros Felice, California State University, Northridge

Here are six books to immerse yourself into during winter break.…

November 18, 2023

a Netflix sci-fi/fantasy adaptations - an illustration of two characters from The Witcher

Making Successful Sci-Fi/Fantasy Adaptations Is Not Always an Easy Task for Filmmakers

Elliot Jackson-Ontkush, Skidmore College

Reworking popular novels into visual media has become a phenomenon in recent years, but many readers find the filmed versions to be unsatisfactory in comparison.…

June 12, 2021

Book Competitions Can Help Writers Gain Recognition

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.…

May 23, 2021

Disappearing Act cover in an article about upcoming book releases

Breeze Into Summer With These New Book Releases

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.…

May 16, 2021

Illustration of dystopian novels disappearing

What Happened to Young Adult Dystopian Novels?

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.…

May 13, 2021

5 Women of Color That Are Pushing Boundaries in Romance Literature

Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

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

May 10, 2021

In an article about the TikTok book community, a person holding three books

TikTok Is Changing the Way Publishers Market New Books

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.…

April 11, 2021

multiple copies of the Bromance Book Club

‘The Bromance Book Club’ Is a Subversive New Kind of Romance Novel

Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

From battling toxic masculinity to teaching about the power of Pinterest, Lisa Kay Adams strives to critique gender norms and the limits of the romance genre.…

February 28, 2021

In an article about upcoming young adult film adaptations, a screenshot from Chaos Walking

5 Young Adult Books To Read Before Their Upcoming Screen Adaptations

Alexandra Cortez, Trinity University

Check out these novels before their film versions hit the theaters and streaming services.…

February 21, 2021

Illustration of a white collared shirt and black tie, splattered with blood, from an article about The Guest List

Is ‘The Guest List’ Just Another Modern Retelling of ‘And Then There Were None’?

Emma Watts, University of Arizona

The premise of Lucy Foley’s latest thriller novel is pretty similar to Agatha Christie’s most famous mystery book.…

January 15, 2021

Illustration by Marlowe Pody for an article on A Court of Thorns and Roses

Why ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ Is an Iconic YA Fantasy Series

Samantha Havela, University of Michigan

As readers await the release of 'A Court of Silver Flames,' it's a good time to revisit the series' unbelievably intricate worldbuilding, strong women and realistic character development.…

January 11, 2021

Illustration by Melchisedech Quagrainie for an article on Say Nothing

‘Say Nothing’ Examines a Real-Life Tale of Political Violence

Alice Murphy, University of Maryland, College Park

In Patrick Radden Keefe's book, a reporter dives deep into the murky depths of the history of Northern Ireland's 30-year conflict.…

January 3, 2021

The Goodreads Choice Awards Needs To Stop Being a Popularity Contest

Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

In recent years, the platform has seemingly chosen to reward books with a lot of hype instead of judging solely by quality.…

December 31, 2020

An illustration of a girl reading for an article on the Goodreads Reading Challenge.

The Curse of the Goodreads Reading Challenge

Eva McCarthy Mínguez, Stony Brook University

The annual challenge allows users to set reading goals for themselves. However, does it pressure us, or actually motivate us to read?…

December 19, 2020

An illustration of someone listening to an audiobook while reading, for an article on audiobooks.

Audiobooks Can Let Authors Tell Their Stories More Creatively

Eva McCarthy Mínguez, Stony Brook University

Beyond just using the format to have their books read aloud, some writers are starting to use the medium to narrate their work in new, innovative ways.…

December 13, 2020

‘The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes’ Explores the Tragic Side of Entertainment Culture

Eva McCarthy Mínguez, Stony Brook University

The novel fills our early 2000s musical hole while also showing a scary portrait of the times.…

December 3, 2020

Little Free Libraries Connect People Through the Written Word

Alexa Katherine Will, University of Pittsburgh

Take a book, leave a book. These book exchanges allow for both self-enlightenment and an interconnected community, all while showing that following your passions can lead to real change.…

November 10, 2020

An illustration of a girl among the stars for an article on "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue"

‘The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue’ Shows What It Would Be Like To Live Forever

Eva McCarthy Mínguez, Stony Brook University

More well-known for her young adult work, V.E. Schwab has penned a novel about a protagonist who has acquired immortality — but at an incredible cost.…

November 1, 2020

‘The Meaning of Mariah Carey’ Redefines the Superstar

Nnekakwo Adibe, Lesley University

The R&B icon's memoir is a story chronicled by a woman who has known brokenness and imprisonment, but has found her light at the end of the tunnel.…

October 21, 2020

An image of a book on top of fall leaves for an article on Halloween book recommendations.

4 Spooky Halloween Reads for Not-So-Spooky Readers

Eva McCarthy Mínguez, Stony Brook University

Not everyone can handle hardcore horror, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some creepy fall reads. If you’re a scaredy-cat, like me, this list is for you.…

October 18, 2020

Illustration by Marlowe Pody for an article on Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week Asks You To Discover Your Right to Read

Samantha Havela, University of Michigan

This special time highlights the power of language to challenge our social, political and cultural assumptions.…

October 17, 2020

Baker Bryan Ford Encourages You To Pursue Your Passion

Renee Cantor, University of Pittsburgh

Not only will the food blogger help you make a mouthwatering loaf of sourdough bread, but he’ll also inspire you to chase your dreams while you’re at it.…

October 7, 2020

How Historical Fiction Can Be a Quarantine Lifeline

Juliana Fujii, Biola University

The genre provides the perfect mix of escapism and grounding insight when 'normal' feels far off.…

October 5, 2020

How To Organize Your Books When Your Space Is Already Cluttered

Gabrielle Pascal, Hofstra University

If you find yourself short on room, here are some ways to organize your literature collection without shelling out more money for extra bookcases.…

October 3, 2020

Print vs. Screens: What’s the Best Way To Read?

Daniel Reed

There is nothing more furious than an argument between the book lover and tablet user. Where we read has become a badge of honor! What do you choose?…

September 24, 2020

Beth O’Leary’s ‘The Switch’ Lacks What Made Her Debut so Impactful

Julia Greene, Columbia College Chicago

The author’s second novel, which follows a grandmother and granddaughter, puts family and community at the forefront but lacks balance in its storytelling.…

September 7, 2020

In an article about Haruki Murakami, an artistic depiction of main character from the film, 'Burning'

‘Burning’ Perfectly Captures the Ambiguity in Haruki Murakami’s ‘Barn Burning’

Cathleen Luo, Columbia University

The Lee Chang-dong film adaptation of the critically acclaimed author's short story may have changed a few details, but it maintains the spirit of the work.…

August 23, 2020