Back when lockdown 2.0 was merely an idea, I visited Unfinished Business: The Fight For Women’s Rights at The British Library. There, in the ‘Body’ section, was a first edition of Orlando by Virginia Woolf. Below, it asked whether Orlando was the first English-language trans novel, and suddenly I found myself in Hatchards on the […]Read More
Why have myths and a fascination for mythology stood the test of time? Perhaps because they speak to us on two levels; the spiritual and the psychological. Whilst showing us the ethereal beauty of Gods and mythical creatures alike, myths seek to emphasise the sheer resilience of humanity. The hero succeeding against all odds, the […]Read More
I picked up Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron as a holiday read. I grew up obsessing over Disney and Cinderella was one of the first films I watched. So a book which retold that story drew me in instantly. I ended up reading it in a day, I simply couldn’t (and didn’t want to) put it down! I’ll never look at classic Cinderella in the same way again. Read More
Just a few months ago, Black Lives Matter content was everywhere. Educational materials, book recommendations, donations, media attention, commitments to anti-racism. That energy sadly seems to have dissipated, even though systemic racism is still very much prevalent in our society. To commemorate Black History Month, to draw attention to it and make sure I keep […]Read More
Like most people I’ve bought a lot of new books in recent months. However, instead of reading any of my new purchases I have taken a trip down book memory lane. I spent a week revisiting one of my favourite series The Declaration trilogy by Gemma Malley. Reading it got me thinking about the young adult Dystopian era (I’m classing it from about 2009-2014). There are four months between the publication of The Declaration and the publication of The Hunger Games. One of these trilogies was significantly more successful than the other. I am obviously talking about The Read More
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
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