20 Sep

Posted at 21:59h in Reviews by

Book Review: Writing Essays About Literature: A Brief Guide for University and College Students - Second Edition As a lifelong lover of literature and an enthusiastic advocate for effective writing, I was intrigued when I stumbled upon Writing Essays About Literature: A Brief Guide for University and College Students - Second Edition by the adept authors at Broadview Press. It looked like a beacon for those often bewildered by the question: “What does my professor want from this essay?” Having navigated the tumultuous waters of academic writing myself, I...

20 Sep

Posted at 18:17h in Reviews by

Reflecting on Life Through Pages: A Review of Kulang na Silya at Iba pang Kuwentong Buhay When I first picked up Kulang na Silya at Iba pang Kuwentong Buhay: Essays on Life and Writing by the brilliant Ricky Lee, I didn’t just see a collection of essays; I felt like I was opening a door into the heart of a kindred spirit. As someone who once dreamt of wielding words to inspire others while sipping coffee in the cozy corners of public school libraries, Lee’s reflections resonated with me...

14 Sep

Posted at 01:50h in Reviews by

A Friend in Words: A Review of Life and Art: Essays by Richard Russo As I dove into Richard Russo's Life and Art: Essays, I felt as though I was settling into a conversation with an old friend over a warm cup of coffee. Russo’s storytelling knack and profound insights had always resonated with me, but this collection of essays felt like a heart-to-heart—a rare glimpse into his creative process and personal reflections. That opening quote, “What’s the best thing about being a storyteller? That’s easy. You get to...

18 Aug

Posted at 07:58h in Reviews by

Why I Love Horror: A Journey Through the Shadows As a longtime lover of storytelling, I’ve always found myself drawn to genres that push boundaries and explore the human psyche. When I stumbled upon Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature edited by the insightful Becky Siegel Spratford, I felt an electric pull. Here was an anthology that promised not just to delve into the mechanics of horror but to unravel the very essence of what makes this genre resonate so deeply with us. And let me tell...

06 Aug

Posted at 18:14h in Reviews by

Exploring the Depths with Ursula K. Le Guin: A Review of The Language of the Night When I first picked up The Language of the Night: Essays on Writing, Science Fiction, and Fantasy, I did so with a twinge of nostalgic curiosity. Ursula K. Le Guin's work has left an indelible mark on my reading life, her stories resonating with a deeply felt magic that invites both wonder and introspection. Returning to her first full-length collection of essays felt like reconnecting with an old friend—one who has much to...

28 Jul

Posted at 19:55h in Reviews by

The World According to Joan Didion: A Complex Reflection Joan Didion has long been a literary beacon for me—a writer whose keen observations of life, grief, and culture resonate deeply with my own experiences. When I heard about The World According to Joan Didion by Evelyn McDonnell, I was excited at the thought of delving even deeper into Didion's fascinating life and work. However, as I turned the pages, I found myself grappling not just with McDonnell’s insights but also with the book's own identity, which felt a bit...

08 Jul

Posted at 07:53h in Reviews by

Taking a Long Look: Essays on Culture, Literature and Feminism – A Journey Through Gornick's Lens When I first picked up Taking a Long Look: Essays on Culture, Literature and Feminism by Vivian Gornick, I was drawn in by the promise of deep reflection paired with sharp cultural criticism. Gornick is an author whose insights linger long after reading; her previous works have challenged me to see the world through a more nuanced feminist lens. This collection, rich with her reflections from decades of engagement with feminist thought, felt...

06 Jul

Posted at 05:42h in Reviews by

Review: Mantel Pieces: Royal Bodies and Other Writing from the … As a longtime admirer of Hilary Mantel’s exquisitely crafted narratives, I found myself irresistibly drawn to Mantel Pieces: Royal Bodies and Other Writing from the …. This collection, rich with her reflections on historical figures and societal constructs, felt like a personal invitation to dive deeper into her world—one brimming with intellectual rigor, clever observations, and a touch of delicious mischief. Spanning nearly three decades from 1988 to 2017, Mantel’s essays offer a fascinating lens through which we...

27 Jun

Posted at 10:36h in Reviews by

A Journey Through the Irrealis: Reflecting on André Aciman’s Homo Irrealis: Essays From the moment I heard about André Aciman's latest collection, Homo Irrealis: Essays, I felt that familiar thrill—the one that sparks when a beloved author unveils their thoughts in a new form. Aciman, known for the poignant masterpiece Call Me By Your Name, has a unique ability to tap into the depths of human longing and memory. However, I was curious to see how he would navigate the more cerebral territory of essay writing. This collection, as...

08 Jun

Posted at 03:36h in Reviews by

As I settled into reading The Hard Crowd: Essays 2000-2020 by Rachel Kushner, I was instantly drawn in by the promise of her incisive, yet beautifully restrained prose. As a reader who relishes the craft of writing, I found myself curious about how an author could capture such a broad spectrum of human experiences with clarity and insight. It’s not every day that you stumble upon an essay collection that feels like both a personal memoir and a larger commentary on society. Kushner manages this intriguing balance beautifully. Kushner’s...