literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Review - 'Ruled Britannia'
In 1588, Britain faced the threat of invasion by the Spanish Armada, sent by Catholic King Phillip II against the Protestant Elizabeth I. History records that the Armada failed of course and Britain went more than two centuries before facing the threat of invasion once more. Yet what if the Armada had succeeded and the nation had been occupied by the forces of Catholic Spain? Harry Turtledove, proclaimed as the master of the alternate history genre, imagined just such a scenario with his 2002 novel Ruled Britannia.
By Matthew Kresal8 years ago in Geeks
Do You See What I See: Symbolism in Literature
Every story has a theme. That theme could be love, hate, peace war… the possibilities are endless. It all depends on what the author is trying to convey. Even Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs & Ham, a children's book my 19-year-old daughter can recite in its entirety, has a theme (in case you're wondering, that theme is to try something new before you say you don't like it). While the casual reader may not sit down and analyze the novel they are reading, subconsciously they are recognizing the theme of the story.
By Beth Freely8 years ago in Geeks
Why 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' Is Worth a Read
The books follow the tumultuous lives of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire. After their parents perish in a suspicious fire, the children are placed in the custody of a criminal relative, Count Olaf, who attempts to steal their inheritance and, later, orchestrates numerous disasters with the help of his associates as the children attempt to flee. As the plot proceeds, the Baudelaires gradually dare further enigmas surrounding their family and deep conspiracies involving a secret society known as VFD, with associations to both Olaf and their parents.
By ~ PoisonedPancakes ~8 years ago in Geeks
'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black
I first heard talk of The Cruel Prince in January 2017. You read correctly—I waited a whole year for this book. Everyone loves a hate-turned-to-love story in the young adult book world, and the description of this book sounded like the perfect solution to this need. The fact that it involved faeries was a giant plus after The Court of Thorns and Roses books were so well received for its love story and unique setting.
By Jane O'Leary8 years ago in Geeks
My 2018 TBR
"Just another geek trying to imitate the popular people and failing miserably." —Heather Duke, 1989 Hello! I'm new to Vocal, if you couldn't tell. When seeing the ad for this site, I knew my niche had to be books. The first thing to come up when I searched "books" was someone's TBR (To Be Read) for 2018. I see popular easy thing, I use popular easy thing to get me started. It's simple.
By Angela Clark-Sola8 years ago in Geeks
'Throne Of Glass' Book Series
I received the first book of the series for Christmas and so far, I haven't really put it down, having six books in the series so far with another to be released in the third quarter of 2018! So far I am on the third book with just over sixty pages left to go but I'm pacing myself as I have just ordered the fourth book, Queen of Shadows, but it doesn't come until next week!
By Troy Wilde8 years ago in Geeks
My Life in Books
The first book I remember being in my life is one I was given as a gift before I could even talk, let alone read! It is an encyclopaedia called World Of Wonder Encyclopedia. My dad bought it for me in 1978 when I was only 2 years old—he was always very keen for me to be a good reader and be full of knowledge—I can at least say he got his first wish. This book has been referred to throughout my life for little facts and figures and was always my first point of reference when tackling school homework. Even though it is in a bit of state an quite out of date—there are no references to mobile phones or Xbox—my 13 year old daughter sometimes uses it when she’s doing homework. It’s an item I hope will never be lost or destroyed as it has just always been there for me.
By Michelle Spittle8 years ago in Geeks
Life Story of Books
In Dierk Bentley’s song “I Hold On,” he talks about the moment he had with his father in his truck or the meaning behind his guitar. Like Dierk Bentley, we infuse memories into objects of importance to us. We hold on to pictures, beds, toys, cars, and maybe even tickets or wristbands given to us by dear friends or family. Everything we have has a memory attached to it, giving people a desire to experience more in the world creating new memories to enjoy by themselves or with another person. Books are that unique way for me to express myself and allow me to go on a journey no one else but I can experience. From the moment I picked up my very first book, I’ve been lost in many worlds facing challenges around every corner as I escaped from this reality.
By Camron Purdum8 years ago in Geeks
Why I Never Read Books
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) was something I didn’t know I struggled with my whole life until I was a freshman in high school. Once I was diagnosed, it explained why I disliked and had a difficult time reading. Comprehending a story while reading, it was a skill I dreamt of having, yet I never connected it to having a disorder. Finally getting the treatment and medication I needed was the key to achieving this skill.
By Maddie Dauzat8 years ago in Geeks
Living Queer, Reading Queer
I often find myself while nose deep in a novel, that new book smell and the excitement of the endless possibilities just buzzing under my skin, wondering how reading could get any better. However, more often than not I'm disappointed or rather underwhelmed by the romance aspect. Like looking at the front of a children's book titled John Goes to School I feel as if the eggs are already lined up in front of me. While I briefly consider if John will ever finish his destined journey to school, I know the outcome.
By Damin Grey8 years ago in Geeks
Read like a Professor
Family members do not always look alike despite being related. Likewise, though The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien and How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster do not seem similar at first glance, the two are actually extremely related. The selected readings from Foster’s textbook regarding quests, weather, and symbolism are readily applicable to Tim O’Brien’s novel. O’Brien’s work is full of subsidiary quests related to the main character’s prodigious quest, which is to battle in Vietnam. The weather in the The Things They Carried contributes to the altogether state of confusion, gloominess, and primal nature of the novel, as explained by Foster in his textbook. Symbolism is exceptionally present in O’Brien’s novel, and Foster deposits immense importance on the shoulders of symbolic meaning. The Things They Carried is easily read like a professor.
By Ollyvir Reagan8 years ago in Geeks
