literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Book Review: "The Accidental Tourist" by Anne Tyler
I've reviewed books like Clock Dance and perhaps books I was more on the fence about like Vinegar Girl. I have also reviewed Back When We Were Grown-Ups, which felt like it should have been better, but The Amateur Marriage definitely picked up her collection for me. Celestial Navigation was a great book and I've read a ton of others by the same author. From my observations over the years, I can definitely see that Anne Tyler is a woman of many talents as a writer - even though not everything written by her is my thing. Let's see how The Accidental Tourist goes, shall we?
By Annie Kapur5 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Scoop" by Evelyn Waugh . Top Story - November 2025.
Yes I'm back to rereading some Evelyn Waugh. Scoop is one of those books where anyone who's read it has something nice to say about its wittiness, the way it tells the story and of course, Evelyn Waugh's amazing cast of characters. Often regarded after Brideshead as his best work, I've often read about this book in other texts by people like Christopher Hitchens who have hailed this book as a seminal text of the 20th century. Scoop, I can honestly say is a fantastic book that is a lot of fun to read. It has not only great wit and intellect, but also contains a storyline which is both immersive and one of those experiences that is practically unforgettable.
By Annie Kapur5 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Love, Sex and Frankenstein" by Caroline Lea
I have obviously been on my travels again and thankfully, this one included a Waterstones stop. One of the books I managed to collect from there was this one of which I have heard plenty about on social media. Love, Sex and Frankenstein is a story about Mary Shelley and a wickedly tasteful one at that. I have read plenty of books about Mary Shelley including In Search of Mary Shelley by Fiona Sampson and Romantic Outlaws by Charlotte Gordon. There are many books about her life, her works and her gothic attitudes out there but there is always room for more. I am so glad that we live in an era where so many biographies about one person's life are not only acceptable but they are encouraged. Let's have a look at what the book is about then...
By Annie Kapur5 months ago in Geeks
The Fate of Ophelia and the Boys from South Park
Tweek Tweak and Craig Tucker, two recurring characters from Trey Parker and Matt Stone's South Park, offer an interesting study in dynamic balance. Tweek is characterized by his anxiety, jitteriness, and hyper-caffeinated state, while Craig provides a stoic, calm, and emotionally grounded counterpoint. Their pairing transforms potential chaos into a harmonious equilibrium.
By Jenna Deedy5 months ago in Geeks
Dragon way: a new global narrative power in comics
The rise of Euromanga—comics created by European artists that adopt the aesthetic and narrative conventions of Japanese manga—represents a fascinating cross-cultural phenomenon. It is not merely an imitation but a hybrid art form that blends global influence with local European sensibilities. Within this burgeoning genre, Stefano Labbia’s Dragon Way stands as a compelling case study, offering readers more than a simple fantasy adventure; it presents a rich psychological framework for exploring resilience, the integration of conflicting worldviews, and the archetypal struggle for harmony!
By Humberto Jaeres5 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Love in a Cold Climate and Other Novels" by Nancy Mitford
I'm going to admit it, I've had this book lying around for a while and when I say 'while' I mean about a month. I bought it used and it was already crinkled and so, it getting kicked around on my bedroom floor every time I got out of bed in the morning wouldn't have made much of a difference. But, I eventually remembered it was there and, through the flip of a coin was choosing between this and another book to take on a road trip. Nancy Mitford came up and so, away we went. The first novel inside this anthology is entitled The Pursuit of Love where we meet a couple of girls, some very odd and outdated stereotypes and of course, faltering love through the years.
By Annie Kapur5 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Love and Friendship" by Jane Austen
You're probably surprised that I'm only sharing this now but I have a beautiful story behind this book. I got this book some years' back and I bought it on my birthday from a prominent bookshop. The copy I bought was a beautiful Penguin Clothbound Classics edition and has some great stories inside. I've read it a couple of times since I bought it and I still can't believe how eloquent and witty Jane Austen was during her teens. By reading this I think anyone could see how talented she would become in her future years. It really is a treat to read whenever I find it again.
By Annie Kapur5 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Shaken and Stirred" ed. by Diana Secker Tesdell
Shaken and Stirred is one of the most specific anthologies I've ever read. There's something really odd about reading stories about one particular thing, no matter how niche that topic is. But this anthology is very specifically about drinking and the impacts of alcohol. Some of them are nice and others, not so much so. If you recall this editor, you will remember how good she is at crafting images from the way she includes the stories and which order she puts them in. Which is probably why I'm not going to start at the beginning this time, but just before somewhere in the middle with a very famous story by Edgar Allan Poe.
By Annie Kapur5 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "New York Stories" ed. by Diana Secker Tesdell
You probably remember my lengthy review of the Paris Stories publication edited by Shaun Whiteside. I have since moved on to rereading my book of New York Stories which, like the former book, is meant to show us several dimensions to the city that never sleeps. From when it starts to when it closes, this book definitely never sleeps, never rests and never takes a sidestory forgranted. Diana Secker Tesdell has done a fantastic job at bringing together some of the most atmospheric and brilliant pieces of work on the Big Apple, some of the most incredible works of fiction and nonfiction and ultimately, she has shown us New York in a way we never thought was possible until now.
By Annie Kapur5 months ago in Geeks
Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
Dorothy Allison’s debut novel, Bastard Out of Carolina, was published in 1992 and quickly became one of the most controversial and celebrated works of contemporary Southern literature. Deeply autobiographical, the novel is a harrowing coming-of-age story about poverty, abuse, and the complexities of family loyalty.
By Annie Kapur5 months ago in Geeks
5 Reads for Halloween...
Every year or so, I write a list of Halloween books and/or movies that would be of use to you if you're like me and you're obsessed with everything spooky. Halloween is possibly my favourite time of the year because it's all about warm drinks, big jumpers and scary films. I've chosen something slightly different this year, I want to look at books from the last couple of years. We all know the classics but perhaps these five books have disappeared under your radar. Here they are with a short explanation of each. I'll link reviews where necessary...
By Annie Kapur5 months ago in Geeks
