It is unsurprising, given my own struggles, that I have always been intrigued by fictional representations of mental illness. As society-at-large attempts to redress some of the taboos surrounding psychological ailments, the publishing industry has been working overtime to fill the gaping chasm in accurate portrayals of mental illness. While there is still an incredible … Continue reading Why We Need More Mental Illness In Fiction
The question of what makes a classic a classic is one that has occupied literary theorists and literature lovers for centuries. From Homer's The Iliad to the entire back-catalogue of Charles Dickens, none of us will escape encounters with the 'classics' of literary canon and the weighty prestige that this label carries. I am a self-proclaimed lover … Continue reading What Makes A Classic A Classic?
It's no secret that I love a good adaptation. I spent much of my teenage years on the verge of an incredibly unhealthy obsession with Colin Firth's portrayal of Mr. Darcy (who am I kidding? It was sufficiently extreme that I performed a pilgrimage to the lake from his infamous diving scene). While I've yet … Continue reading The Best TV And Film Adaptations Of Classic Novels
When I'm not reading or writing about reading, I'm usually to be found scouring the internet for free resources so that I can learn more about reading. Breezing past the fact that I somehow still got a person to marry me, I refuse to accept that this isn't exactly how it was intended that I … Continue reading The 5 Best TED Talks About Books and Reading
"Throughout Bosnia, libraries, archives, museums and cultural institutions have been targeted for destruction, in an attempt to eliminate the material evidence - books, documents and works of art - that could remind future generations that people of different ethnic and religious traditions once shared a common heritage in Bosnia." (Andras Riedlmayer) In 1992, Bosnia's National … Continue reading When Books Burn: Libraries, Looting, And The Destruction Of Culture In Conflict
While on the hunt for some replacement books this week, I had the amazing fortune of coming across a 1946 French edition of Le Petit Prince for just $8. Not only does this prove the eternal wisdom of shopping for books second-hand, it also reacquainted me with one of my all-time favourite books. I first came across The Little … Continue reading The Mysterious Magic Of ‘The Little Prince’
Whether you face Feb 14th with feelings of horror, boredom, or excitement, Valentine's Day is one of those events that cannot be avoided. As soon as the Christmas lights are taken down, we're confronted with visions of stocky cherubs and uncomfortably artificial advertisements at almost every turn of the head. Since meeting my husband, I've … Continue reading 10 Unconventional Reads To Enjoy This Valentine’s Day (Whatever Your Relationship Status)
2018 was a great year for fiction. From powerfully provocative works such as Richard Powers' The Overstory and Tommy Orange's There There to the incredible feminist retelling of classic Greek myth in Madeline Miller's Circe, the diversity was incredible. Fortunately, 2019 promises to be another wonderful year for literature (I mean, any year that features a new release from … Continue reading Books To Watch For In 2019: The Year’s Most Anticipated Releases
Whether or not you're a fan of the New Year's resolution, it's inevitable that the start of each year ushers in a desire to do more and better. The idea of a fresh start can be incredibly appealing, as can the hope of improving on your previous year's achievements. Focusing on your reading habits - whether with a … Continue reading How To Read Successfully In 2019
2018 was a year of relative calm, following the tumult of 2017. It was my first full year in the US and a year in which (following my decision to abandon academia) I made a whole lot of decisions regarding my future. The calm certainly served my reading habits and 2018 ended up being one … Continue reading The Best Books Of 2018
