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...

03 Jun

Posted at 02:47h in Reviews by

Book Review: Escape into Meaning: Essays on Superman, Public Benches… by Evan Puschak When I first stumbled upon Evan Puschak’s YouTube channel, the Nerdwriter, his analysis of The Prisoner of Azkaban captivated me in much the same way a favorite piece of art does. It was during my college days when the channel was rapidly gaining traction, resonating with countless others eager for deeper insights into the media we consume. Fast forward to now, and I find myself picking up Escape into Meaning, hoping for a continuation of that...