Chuck Klosterman once said, “Art and love are the same things: it’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you.” Perhaps that is sufficient to describe what we feel when we look at a magnificent painting, read heart-warming poetry, or listen to music that moves us; we feel as though we are […]Read More
Passion for the Arts is a feeling many have, especially at the moment, when the Arts can feel so distant. Thus, I recently revisited one of my favourite literary characters, and most willing of souls: Jo March. The ambitious and passionate girl who was never ashamed into admitting she was different, but also how she […]Read More
Any Literature student worth their salt will have Roland Barthes’ ‘The Death of the Author’ tucked into their back pocket, waiting for it to be pulled out at any moment: midway through an exam, when picked on in a seminar, or during a spell of writer’s block. For those of you who studied a more […]Read More
This is itI’m not coming after youI’m going to lie down for half an hourThis is itI’m not going downOn your memoryI’m not rubbing my face in it anymoreI’m going to yawnI’m going to stretchI’m going to put a knitting needleUp my noseAnd poke out my brainI don’t want to love youFor the rest of […]Read More
The traditional methods of book browsing and book recommendations are being swapped for online libraries, pdf downloads and even Facebook groups - all remote ways book lovers are discovering to quench their bookish thirst during the pandemic.Read More
With September just around the corner, chances are you are ready to delve into your next read admist the crisp autumn air. If summer has thrown you into a slump and you’re ready to reclaim your bookish habits or you’re looking for your next big read to get you closer to your Goodreads challenge, The […]Read More
Having left the teaching profession last year, there is a lot in Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy that resonated with me. I’ve struggled to articulate my reasons for leaving last autumn. I’d spent the best part of my life wanting to be a teacher. If I ever wavered […]Read More
As Summer is slowly drawing to a close, many of us are gasping a sigh of relief as we edge closer to the end of the disastrous 2020. However, as the nights draw in, there is time to reflect on ways in which 2020 will be a defining year for many reasons. As an English […]Read More
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”– James Baldwin Upon first reading James Baldwin, I was immediately struck by the vibrancy of his writing, his poignant portrayal of racial injustice and his ability to create deeply complex and authentic characters. As a revolutionary writer and […]Read More
English Literature is a compulsory subject for students across the UK up until the age of sixteen, thus it is not unreasonable to assume that what is taken from these lessons will inform these students’ future understanding of the world. The whitewashing of the UK education system, and specifically the secondary school syllabuses, is therefore […]Read More
Though literature can provoke and offend, it is likewise capable of acting as a medium of inspiration and empowerment. Among the four books listed below are feminist non-fiction texts focusing on women’s sexuality and menstruation, encouraging female empowerment through education. Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D. Centred around women’s sexuality, Dr. Emily Nagoski’s […]Read More
With the increased popularity of true-crime shows such as Conversations with a Killer, Tiger King or The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, bibliophiles craving more detailed accounts of the world of drug traffickers and murderers will be able to finally satisfy their yearning by indulging in some of these mesmerising true crime books. Blow by Bruce […]Read More
Activist reading lists have become a staple of the Black Lives Matter movement. Sasha Mills explores the importance of literature in anti-racism, and how it can be used as a starting tool in re-education. Read More
The Jhalak prize is a step outside the box of conventional literary prizes and publishing agencies, amplifying positive discrimination. However, this celebration of BAME writers allows us to identify, acknowledge and learn from their stories – something that is as important now as ever.Read More
We would not have Pride without Black activists. Stormé DeLarverie – a lesbian and drag performer – was one of the key figures in the Stonewall riots. Arrested and beaten by police, DeLarverie incited the crowd by asking: “why don’t you do something?”. Marsha P. Johnson – a trans woman and drag queen – was […]Read More
