literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
'That Inevitable Victorian Thing' by E K Johnston
I hate to be sanctimonious about it, but it turns out that good conversation solved a great many problems. That Inevitable Victorian Thing, by Canadian novelist E. K. Johnston, tells the story of a world where the British Empire never fell and technology dictates whom the royal heirs may marry based on genetic compatibility. It's a world in a which Queen Victoria I recognized the political advantages of marrying her children to political leaders throughout the empire, not just in Europe, regardless of race and in which the more diverse your genetic makeup, the more desirable you are. Several generations later, the story focuses on the young heir to the thrown, Victoria-Magaret, posing as a commoner for her last summer of freedom before she comes on age and must enter in her adult career as the future Empress. She meets two friends who not only change her future, but may possibly change the world.
By Enobong Tommelleo8 years ago in Geeks
The Real Jane Austen
So, we’ve all heard of the popular "Jane-ites"—women and men who celebrate Austen as much as the famous "Twi-Hard" fans of 2008. They dress in early nineteenth century fashions, they attend regency balls and dances, and some even know all of Jane’s books by heart. Of course, this is a pretty extreme passion for Jane Austen, but it does make a very clear statement about how truly popular our lady is. Although she hasn’t been around for just over 200 years, somehow her quirky satirical writing still resonates with us today.
By Issy Howell8 years ago in Geeks
The Round Table of Writers
Among the well-known and prestigious hotels in New York City is The Algonquin Hotel. It is also famous for The Algonquin Round Table which was a group of writers who had a daily meeting spot at the hotel. WWI was over and Vanity Fair writers and those who frequented the hotel regularly like Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, and Robert E. Sherwood started lunching together. It was 1919 and they came together in the Rose Room along with some literary friends. It was a welcome back lunch for acerbic critic Alexander Woolcott who had served as a war correspondent.
By Rasma Raisters8 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: 'Pestilence' by Laura Thalassa
Let me start off this review by saying this book brought me out of a reading rut. I tried to stick to my posted TBR, I really did. I tried and tried and would get anywhere from two to 100 pages into a book before I'd toss it back on my TBR shelf, knowing it would be months before I finished it if I tried to keep chipping. I just wasn't in "the mood." It was honestly taking a toll on me, I see all these beautiful titles—both on my physical shelf and in my kindle app—being raved about on social media, piquing my interest, and yet they remain on the literal and metaphorical shelf. There are a few tricks in the book world to getting over the slump. Rereading a favorite, simply taking a break from reading, or browsing GoodReads's "if you loved this, you'll like this" section. All of them, quite frankly, made me huff in frustration. Then my lovely best friend said she'd just finished Pestilence, she raved about it, highly recommending it to me. This didn't come as a shock. We're both long-time fans of Laura and her husband Dan's work. I expressed to her my rut, but she still gave it another push, which is unusual.I waited. I did not want this potentially (okay, most likely) amazing book to be stained by the meh-ness of The Slump. But I kept coming back to its Amazon page and thought, "Is this...interest?" So, I swept up the book (along with a Kindle Unlimited trial because your girl is broke) and tentatively started reading.It was
By Angela Clark-Sola8 years ago in Geeks
The Sixth Wife
Katherine Parr had been a widow three times, and this book is written in the point of view of the Queen Dowager's best friend, Catherine, the Duchess Of Suffolk. Katherine Parr is an unusual subject for a novel and the famous rhyme about the fate of Henry's wives ends with her. Katherine is known as the survivor because she outlived Henry, but the marriage was not scandal-free. She was almost executed for heresy.
By Chloe Gilholy8 years ago in Geeks
The Phantom of the Opera
Introduction The Phantom Of The Opera is a story that has been retold many times since it was first published over a century ago by the French writer, Gaston Leroux. It's been the base of countless films, plays and musicals. The most famous being the west-end musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The musical remains one of the most popular musicals in the world. The novel where everything starts off is just as worthy in my opinion.
By Chloe Gilholy8 years ago in Geeks
'Harry Potter & The Cursed Child'
The Book There's a lot about this book that makes it stand out from its seven predecessors. The most obvious one is that Harry isn't at school anymore, and the other big one is in the writing itself: it's the script of the show. Those expecting a long epic novel will be very disappointed indeed. A lot of fans seemed to be alienated by the format, but I was able to take it in quite well, having been able to read the book in one sitting.
By Chloe Gilholy8 years ago in Geeks
Gatsby!
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” I'm sure since you are reading this you have either, read, seen, or heard about The Great Gatsby in someway. Now, I do not fancy myself to be a critic of any kind, especially of such an amazing book, but these are just my thoughts, and comments on my all-time favorite novel.
By Chelsea Winona8 years ago in Geeks
'The Saturday Evening Girls Club' Book Review
The Saturday Evening Girls Club by Jane Healey fulfills every girl's dream of having a close-knit group of friends to continuously depend on. This basic premise has been used for years as a young adult subgenre. From the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series to Pretty Little Liars on TV, people want those close friendships that can overcome anything. Healey gives this group dynamic to any reader willing to flip through her book and immerse themselves in her creation of Boston's North End. As the four girls grow into themselves and their dreams, they all take such different paths that anyone reading is bound to find some form of themselves inside one or more of the girls. Personally, Caprice's big dreams and drive to accomplish them remind me of much of my young life.
By Kristen Barenthaler8 years ago in Geeks
Is It Okay to Leave a Book Unfinished?
There are some books I have bought, read the back of it with a brief description and most likely read the first page or two, and I have not finished reading it once I actually got into it. I would try to force myself to finish reading it because I like a challenge and I have never hated a book so much that I just gave up on it. Instead what I tried to do was keep it on my bookshelf still marked where I left off and attempted to pick it up again but every time I looked at it, I'd think "Meh, I don't want to go down that road again".
By Samantha Popp8 years ago in Geeks
How to Fall in Love with Reading (or at Least Hate It a Little Less)
1. Think about It as an Opportunity to Live a Hundred Lives I used to be an avid reader as a child. I still recall the anticipation I’d felt throughout the day when I didn’t have my book at hand. My family members would pass by me and probably think to themselves, “what a great kid — so studious, always reading.” The truth is, I had packed my bags and ran away from home with my mind. Captivated by the mystery, I had run off with Reynie and George joining the Mysterious Benedict Society where I needed my courage and wits to survive. I recall finding Cathy’s Book and desperately trying to discover her location and what events had transpired prior to her having gone missing (Additionally, she went missing in my hometown which led me to embark on a journey in visiting all of the places her shadow had once lingered). I remember joining Dauntless beside Beatrice in Divergent and discovering the corruption which had taken place within our government.
By Christabelle Contreras8 years ago in Geeks
