literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Literary Essay #1: 'Pride and Prejudice,' 'Vanity Fair,' and 'Great Expectations'
Early nineteenth-century England was a country rigidly divided by social class. Whether or not you were “common” (from a low social status or with poor breeding) or genteel (from a high social class or with good breeding) defined how society at large saw you. Those born without wealth or a title envied those who were and did whatever they could to improve their lives through business, education, marriage, or by good luck. No matter how hard a person strived to make a fortune and get ahead, they would never be quite accepted by the upper-crust, who dismissed the socially mobile nouveau-riche as common and immoral. Often the snobbery of the aristocracy was a front to hide their own shortcomings. The themes of social advancement, morality, and the hollowness of wealth and status are themes which come into play in the novels of Austen, Dickens, and Thackeray.
By Rachel Lesch7 years ago in Geeks
'Charlotte's Web': The Book vs. Movie
Charlotte’s Web by E.B White is a popular children’s book about a spring pig named Wilbur who befriends Charlotte, a spider who occupies the barn he lives in. Wilbur learns that one day he may become dinner to the family who owns him. Charlotte helps Wilbur in any way she can to avoid that fate. The spider produces multiple webs that inscribe various positive adjectives to describe Wilbur. Charlotte’s Web has been turned into two movie adaptations over time, most famously its 2006 live action version. The movie contrasts with the book in various ways, but does it tone down the dark themes of death from its book counterpart? Yes, it does tone down the theme, but not to the detriment of the story. We still get the heartwarming feeling of friendship and the appreciation for the power of words that are the main themes of the book.
By Marielle Sabbag7 years ago in Geeks
An Essay on Barbara Park
Barbara Park is one of my absolute favorite children’s book authors of all time. And I am not alone in this assumption. Many kids love Barbara Park as she received multiple Children’s Choice Awards. 60 million copies of her books have been sold in North America ALONE. Park is well known for writing the Junie B. Jones series as well as well as many other books. Park was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey on April 21, 1947. Park graduated from the University of Alabama, originally intending to teach history and political science. After reflecting on being voted the "wittiest" in high school, she was inspired to write humor. The first book Park ever published was Don’t Make Me Smile in 1981. All her stories have a humorous tone, but blend in serious topics such as divorce, moving, and the death of a sibling. I’m attracted to this blend and clearly young readers are too. For the most part, Park enjoyed writing children’s books in order to make children smile, “There are those who believe that the value of a children’s book can be measured only in terms of the moral lessons it tries to impose or the perfect role models it offers.”
By Marielle Sabbag7 years ago in Geeks
'Caraval' by Stephanie Garber | Book Review
Scarlett Dragna and her sister Donatella are plagued by their abusive father, trapped in a house where they are beaten for even thinking of leaving. Their only source of comfort is the exciting Caraval, a mysterious game where the winners win a wish. After they are invited by the legendary Master Caraval to his elusive game they might finally be in for a chance to escape their living hell. The question is… will this new adventure be all its meant to be?
By Joe Harris7 years ago in Geeks
When Do You Stop Reading Children's Books?
I didn’t get invested in reading until the seventh grade; I was about 13. Already considered a teen, my reading level in general should be fairly high. I remember the class assigned book was The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, so like reading or not, by the seventh grade you needed to be able to read well and of a caliber befitting of being in the seventh grade. But like I said I didn’t get invested in reading until then. I didn’t read for fun, at book fairs I got superficial books, and if I did read it was the same book over and over again, unwilling to open my world to others.
By Mady Evans7 years ago in Geeks
'Folklore Rules' by Lynne S. McNeill—Review
Lynne S. McNeill’s Folklore Rules: A Fun, Quick, and Useful Introduction to the Field of Academic Folklore Studies is a great introduction for anyone interested in folklore. McNeill has a Ph.D. in folklore and is an assistant professor of English in the Folklore Program and director of online development for the folklore department at Utah State University as well as co-founder of and faculty advisor for the Utah State University Folklore Society. McNeill is also the co-founder of the Digital Folklore Project and co-editor of Slender Man is Coming.
By Kristen Barenthaler7 years ago in Geeks
Why Ginny Weasley Is the Best Character in the HP Series
When I think back on every time I have watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1, the cringey feeling that comes with Bonnie Wright saying the line "shoelace" and reaching down to tie Dan's shoe hits me all over again. You see, book Ginny was fierce. Movie Ginny—not so much.
By Hannah Howard7 years ago in Geeks
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (A Psychoanalysis)
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is a novel that follows Samantha Kingston as she repeats the same day over for a whole week. Lauren Oliver wrote this story as a way to understand teens and what influences them to behave in certain ways. During this week Sam finds out how disconnected she has become from her authentic self. Sam also finds herself in a rescue mission to save Juliet Sykes, a girl who has been constantly harassed her whole life. Sam belongs to a clique of mean girls who she psychoanalyzes through the reconstruction of the same day and significant events relived over and over again. They have sunk themselves so low that even they have no idea why they became this way. It is up to Sam to find how where everything went wrong. Oliver uses the narrator as the psychoanalyst and the patient to discover how she and her friends betrayed their true nature and the reasons for these choices.
By Marielle Sabbag7 years ago in Geeks
'Cancelled Vows'
The day of Police Chief David O’Callaghan and his to be wife Chelsea Adams’ wedding day is coming up fast. However there is a last minute snag to the happy couple's special plans for their special day. David is still technically married, he has to divorce his first wife first. David, Mac, and Gnarly rush to New York City to get a divorce for David. He has five days to divorce his old girlfriend or his wedding plans will be ruined. However a murder blocks the path between David's divorce and wedding plans. Luckily Mac Faraday and his K-9 Gnarly are there to solve the murder and get David to the church in time for his wedding.
By DIYStudent7 years ago in Geeks
