literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Book Review: "Carrion Crow" by Heather Parry
I'm so happy that I've been able to read some of my books on my phone. It is usually not a possibility because as soon as you sit there on your phone everyone assumes you're being anti-social and doomscrolling. But, because I haven't been out and about lately, I've been able to get some books going on my phone and read them. One of these books was Carrion Crow by Heather Parry. Back when I read Orpheus Builds a Girl by the same author, I did say I wasn't sure whether I was going to give Parry another chance because the book was a bit of a let down for me. However, I did get snatched away by the fantastic opening chapter to Carrion Crow. Let's hope it stays this good...
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "My Dining Hell" by Jay Rayner
I know, I don't know why I'm reading this. I came across it online and then well, here we are. I didn't have a thinking process behind it, I didn't plan to read it. It kind of just ended up here. It seemed a bit funny and the 'praise for the author' page was replaced with 'abuses for the author' in which most of the digs are at Jay Rayner's rather unsavoury appearance and 'face for radio'. But from what I know of Jay Rayner, he's a bratty restaurant reviewer. So, I wasn't really expecting all that much. Let's see how it went...
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Perspectives" by Laurent Binet
I've been meaning to read this book. I've seen it around and of course, because it is about the Medici, what better way to give myself a little treat than to buy the book. My bank account hates me but I don't care. Honestly, I didn't know what I was going to think of this because before reading the novel, I had absolutely no idea is was an epistolary text. Sometimes, this structure can be a bit odd when you're trying to focus on character voice, but I think the author did an excellent job of making it as engaging as physically possible. And of course, I adored this book...
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Bad Popes" by E. R Chamberlin
There's something about these books on the papacy, on Italian history and on the Catholic church that especially appeal to me. When it comes to Italian history, I recently read a book on The Borgia Family and was pleasantly surprised (my section of knowledge lies in the Medici and Machiavelli). This book teaches us about the 'bad popes' and why they were so controversial. We get stories and accounts, research and reports on the way in which popes were bought and sold, had legends and myths about them and most importantly, how they were slowly realised for what they really were.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Tono-Bungay by HG Wells
HG Wells’ Tono-Bungay, published in 1909, is a satirical and semi-autobiographical novel that stands as one of his most significant works of social critique. By the time Wells wrote the book, he had already established himself as a prominent writer through pioneering science fiction works like The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine. However, Tono-Bungay marked a departure from speculative fiction, focusing instead on the dynamics of contemporary English society and the rise of capitalism during the Edwardian period.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "American Housewife" by Anita Abriel
Sometimes we all need a book we don't have to think too much about but is still worth the read. I call these 'wind-down books'. They aren't 'comfort books' because for me, those are horror novels and then again, they are different to my usual requests. 'Wind-down books' are books like this one entitled American Housewife by Anita Abriel. A protagonist who is likeable and kind, but has a strange past and nice dreams. She's relatable but not too much so and the writing is gorgeous and pleasant.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Selected Poems" by W.B Yeats
Sometimes we all need a poetry anthology to make us happy or to simply live the hotter days. There were days in the past where I would lie on the floor of the living room in the summer with the blinds open next to the screen door with a poetry anthology in my face. Usually, this would be accompanied by a lemonade or something (but honestly this diet means I can't even drink that haha, I hate this but here we are). I'm quite happy to share this re-read with you as WB Yeats is a simply fantastic poet.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Borgias" by Paul Strathern
I completely forgot I had this on my phone and well, it was a good thing I remembered because I could only have it for free until the 16th of September. I started reading it in the morning of the 24th of August and finished it in the next few days whilst also trying to finish another book that I had difficulty getting through (I wasn't liking this other book so much). Anyways, a nonfiction book about The Borgias was something I definitely needed during this difficult time. I hope you enjoy reading about it as much as I enjoyed reading it.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
When Fantasy Fails: The Chaos Behind Once Upon A Con 2025
Once Upon a Con (OUAC) 2025, promoted as the "nation's first fantasy book convention," promised an enchanting escape into a world of magic, grand balls, and immersive cosplay. It boasted over 275 vendors, 150 hours of panels, a Starfall-inspired masquerade ball, and a high fantasy-themed fashion show. However, for attendees eagerly awaiting a celebration of fantasy literature, the reality was a descent into chaos.
By Jenna Deedy7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The First Witch of Boston" by Andrea Catalano
When Amazon keeps advertising something to you over and over again there is going to be a point where you just go 'hey, I guess I'll give it a go'. Or maybe you believe that it's a good idea because the algorithm knows you better than you know yourself. Well, this book was pretty much following me around. I saw it in my recommendations, across social media, any time I was on book websites. It was everywhere. So I guess, I read it. And now I know what it's all about. The First Witch of Boston is a surprisingly good book, I hope you enjoy reading about it too...
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Death Spell" by David Sodergren
Again, I'm reading David Sodergren novels and honestly, I wish I could get enough of these but I can't. After reading books like The Forgotten Island and The Haar which were both brilliant, I moved on to several other texts in the man's bibliography. A severely underrated writer, I have yet to read a book by him that I consider to be 'bad'. In this book about a Faustian pact and some sociopathic behaviour, there is no reason why Death Spell shouldn't be up there as another one of his great books. I mean just check out what this book has to say and then read it for yourself...
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
