Does listening to audiobooks count as reading? Here it does. Let’s discuss your favorite reads — or listens.
Separating the art from the artist is something I've been thinking about a lot lately as I'm nearing the six-year anniversary of when I first read the Harry Potter series. Especially since JK Rowling has joined the ranks of many other artists that in recent years have been exposed for unsavory opinions or behavior.
Warrior. King. Lover. In this sprawling epic, we’re exposed to all facets of Achilles, from his early life and training to leadership in the Trojan War, and finally, the love he shared with Patroclus, an exiled prince and his lifelong companion.
On a family vacation at a remote cabin in the New Hampshire woods, seven-year-old Wen and her parents, Eric and Andrew, are confronted by a group of strangers demanding they do the unimaginable in order to save humanity.
Smith’s writing is accessible, especially to novice poetry readers, but it also challenges and enlightens on each page. I’d encourage others to read this collection, especially as many of us are trying to educate ourselves on what it means to be a person of color in America.
In 1950s Paris, David begins a love affair with long-lasting repercussions for himself, his lover and his fiancée.
Do you ever think a book comes to you at the wrong time? Where you either are not in the right headspace to enjoy it, or your experiences to that point aren’t where they need to be to fully appreciate it? Read about the four books that meet that criteria for me.
Jude, Willem, JB and Malcolm form a close bond in college that continues through the many seasons of adulthood. While Jude is the emotional center of the group, he finds it difficult to share with others the terrible abuses he suffered as a child and teen. His adopted parents, physician and friends refuse to give up on him and spend decades trying to help him realize he deserves love, compassion and support.
Although it’s always been part of our lives, the Oxford English Dictionary didn’t just appear one day. It took 70 years of research and collaboration from people all around the world, including a criminally institutionalized former U.S. Civil War surgeon.
At the height of the AIDS crisis in America, 14-year-old June loses her beloved artist uncle, Finn, to the disease. While her parents and sister place blame on his long-term boyfriend, Toby, there’s something about him that captivates June. Soon after the funeral, they begin an unlikely friendship built on shared grief and love for the man that loomed large in both of their lives.
A lovely exploration of growing up and looking back, focused on two siblings.
I don’t shy away from epic reads, but in reviewing my 10 longest reads, only about half ended up being the time spent reading or listening. Is this your experience too?
A gory allegory about our reliance on technology and ecological dominance.
A tale from the Golden Age of Hollywood full of the usual themes – alcoholism, wealth, abuse, divorce, backstabbing and redemption. Plus, a surprising love story, affecting friendship and a twist at the end that pulls it all together.
Neither is a masterpiece, but “The Art of Racing in the Rain” film changed one key plot point from the book, which helped elevate the overall story. Does that make it better than the book?
An important tool in helping white people understand and challenge their own misconceptions about race in Western society.
A flashback book review from 2019, and perfect for Pride Month as the “Beartown” series by Frederik Backman features an amazing gay character, Benji Ovich, who is instantly relatable to those of us that participated in sports growing up.
With the release of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” The Avid Listener debates if the film series was better than the source material.
This Hunger Games prequel serves as a decent queue-up to the original series, but the President Snow baggage does make it difficult to connect with him the same way you could with Katniss and crew.
Get ready for a social distancing-approved Pride month celebration by diving into these eight books.
A classic that explores the struggles of mental illness — even though that may not be what you get out of it.
