Although the fantasy and science-fiction genres are well known for long tomes and series that encompass multiple volumes of magic and adventure, sometimes readers desire shorter narratives. Packing adequate world building, well-developed characters, and a plot full of quests and battles into 40,000 words or less is a feat not many writers endeavor to undertake. […]
Absurdist fiction is a particular genre of writing that can be thought-provoking and informative as well as confusing and frustrating. In this type of work, authors use specific tools to portray their ideas on grand, existential topics. The result is often strange, surreal, or downright trippy. This post provides a brief exploration of absurdist fiction […]
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, and if you’re looking to add some queer books to your TBR to celebrate, you’re in luck. There are more books by queer authors and featuring characters from across the gender and sexuality spectrums than there ever have been before, which means plenty of books to read for Pride Month. […]
Book collecting is an enjoyable hobby, but it can quickly become an expensive one. Finding where to buy books for cheap can help you grow your personal library on a budget. Amazon is often held up as a source for quick and low-cost access to books. However, its negative impact on the publishing and bookselling […]
The classics have a reputation for being long, tedious, and not at all enjoyable to read. While that can be the case (and opinions are subjective!), these books have stood the test of time for a reason. There are several actually good classic novels that you might want to add to your reading list. To […]
The StoryGraph app has been consistently gaining popularity among readers and book lovers. Its detailed graphs and charts, unique reading challenges, and helpful content warnings have made it a favorite GoodReads alternative for those looking to move away from the Amazon-owned platform. However, there have been a few drawbacks to using StoryGraph. Namely, some users […]
Banned books have been a hot topic in 2022, and it’s safe to say this trend will continue. If you don’t have close ties to your local schools or libraries, you may be wondering why books are being banned, and why this subject has been drawing such intense political attention. Here’s a very brief look […]
Keeping track of the books you’ve read, books you want to add to your personal library’s growing collection, and books that you want to read in the future are important tasks for every reader and book hobbyist. GoodReads has long been the go-to platform for all this and more, but there’s now an alternative website […]
Classic books carry several contradictory reputations. They exude timelessness and prestige, but are also known for being dense and pretentious. Some find them inspiring or nostalgic. Others think they’re boring and overrated. One thing’s for sure – the unofficial list of classics rarely changes. High school and even university-level English classes tend to recycle the […]
Craft books are useful tools to keep on hand. Whether you want to use them as references while writing or revising, or you’re looking for some inspiration from accomplished writers, they’re valuable resources for your writer’s toolbox. Below, I’ve shared my thoughts on my favorite craft books. I’ll keep this list updated and add to […]