literature

Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.

'Norwegian Wood' by Haruki Murakami
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami: 4/5 (Spoiler Free) Norwegian Wood is about Toru Watanabe who hears the song "Norwegian Wood" by the Beatles and is suddenly transported back to the 1960s when he was a university student and in love with a girl named Naoko. The novel centers around their relationship and how Watanabe is forced to choose between first love Naoko and the new exciting rebellious Midori, who quite literally marches into his life. Haruki Murakami is a brilliant writer and perfectly captures an honest depiction of love in a way that is not cheesy or overly romantic. He shows us that love is not always suddenly looking at everything with rose-tinted glasses, and he brutally demonstrates the agony that love can sometimes cause. The character of Toru Watanabe is easily one of my most favorite literary characters purely for the fact that, even though we see the stories through his eyes, we do not really know much about him—just like the other characters in the novel. This creates a paradoxical feeling of being inside Toru’s head but also watching him from the outside like a friend accompanying him on his journey of adolescence. Naoko, Reiko, and Midori are incredibly fleshed out and interesting characters with heartbreaking backgrounds that drive the plot forward. I thought, however, that the characters Nagawasa and Hatsumi could have had a little more light shed on their relationship—especially Hatsumi could have had more scenes so that her plot points meant more to the story. The story is one filled with heartbreak, humor, and philosophy. It easily became one of my favorite books a few chapters in, and I genuinely put off reading it a few times just because I did not want it to end so soon. This is my first Murakami book, and I will definitely be re-visiting his works again.
By Shayma El7 years ago in Geeks
'Nothing to See Here' by Gabriel Hart
There’s a timbre that kicks and spits throughout Gabe Hart’s city-boy-death-knell, Nothing to See Here, his new "novelette" (chapbook?). It rumbles in a plaintive prose akin to the mid-tempo reflections of the outlaw country music of yesteryear. Similarly, he's gifted with an almost unnerving plain-speak, wrought with the rough and tumble of crooked Americana. And like all good country music, NTSH yearns for some sort of redemptive resolve. It’s fitting, then, that this testimonial rhythm would birth from a crooner-come-author such as Hart.
By Keats Ross7 years ago in Geeks
Marjorie Maddox Tunes in to Tragedy
Marjorie Maddox's 2013 publication Local News from Someplace Else, published through Wipf and Stock, examines wanton destruction and new life as it tries to shoulder its way around old disasters. Through her precise, investigative language, (which will cause readers to imagine a reporter is diligently sharing tragic details with them) Maddox provides a chronicle of history. At the same time her work realizes that the past must be moved aside in order to gain access to the rewards of the future.
By Laura DiNovis Berry8 years ago in Geeks
John Green Brings a Sense of Reality to Fictional Novels
The Fault in Our Stars, Paper Towns, and Turtles All the Way Down are among my favorite books, all written by John Green. My first introduction to John Green was through my history class while watching his crash course videos. The way he would explain things was so compelling and intriguing. Later, after doing some research I read these three books and was amazed, each written with a truly different kind of love story that immediately drew me in. (Beware this post does contain a few spoilers*)
By Olivianna Angulo8 years ago in Geeks
Rick Riordan: God of Representation
Since the age of 12 I have been obsessed with the Percy Jackson series, and every other mythology series Riordan has released since. Not only does this author’s books have gripping storylines that are entertaining for children (and adults alike), the characters involved in these stories also educate the readers about different cultures, sexualities, genders and races. Riordan’s work has become so important to some readers that in social media sites such as Instagram there are pages dedicated to readers cosplaying his characters as they identify with them so much.
By Leigh Hooper8 years ago in Geeks
Why Are You Ranking: Most Stirring Ideas from the Novel 'Invisible Man' Listed from Pensive to Reflective ***(Spoilers Abound)***
There is no such thing as black excellence. There is only excellence found in an individual who just might have a darker pigment than someone else. Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man (1952) strikes some of the right chords as far as novels go. No, that’s an understatement. The novel is a marvelous piece of imagination and spirit. Each scene delves deeper into the marrow of race and racism in the United States of America. With stellar prose, Ellison weaves a tapestry of confusion, identity, collectivism, individuality, and surrender. Though seen as a work for advancing the ideals of Marxism, the book shows the disillusionment which follows when one joins tribalist gangs. Blackness is used as an extended metaphor throughout the work. It represents the narrator’s susceptibility, bewilderment, and sadly, a sort of sustained defeat. The talk today about privilege and excellence fails to show how there is only American exceptionalism. Mr. Ellison downplays the grandeur and glory of America and reduces the nation to a pressure cooker that blows its lid and illustrates whether the narrator can (or should) clean up the mess. Now, over half a century later, this novel still resonates for its poetic force and indelible substance and style, Ellison’s luminous tome outlining the aspects of what it means to (happen to) be black, gifted, and undercover. So, get your boxing gloves and pure white paint for, Why Are You Ranking: Most Stirring Ideas from the Novel 'Invisible Man' Listed from Pensive to Reflective.
By Skyler Saunders8 years ago in Geeks
'As You Wish'
What makes a tale timeless? What makes a book or a movie or any other work of heart so special that it bridges any an all generation gaps? The answer is, that there is no answer. However, the untold adventures and memories of such epic moments in our lives help to make it so important. They are stories that need to be told, stories that deserved to be told.
By Erika Farrah8 years ago in Geeks
We Need to Talk About Daisy Buchanan and Why She’s the Worst
Let me start this off with a quick disclaimer: I know I’m going to get hate for making such a bold statement. I know this because nearly everyone, nay—every female I’ve ever come across who has read or seen The Great Gatsby LOVES Daisy—whether it’s for her fashion, speech pattern, or simply because Carey Mulligan’s performance was so convincing. With that said, if you like Daisy, then you like Daisy. That’s awesome. Cool. Great. I used to like Daisy Buchanan, but the more I fell in love with her the more I began to realize that she’s a trash human.
By dorothy callahan8 years ago in Geeks
'Ash Princess'
"I will not anger the Kaiser and he will keep me alive." Imagine if the greatest thing you could do with your life is to survive, to live. Imagine if in order to do that you had to hide your true self and take on the identity and persona forced upon you. For 6-year-old Princess Theodosia of the island nation Astrea, this is what she must do. At age 6, a warrior race known as the Kalovaxians have invaded her home, killed her mother, the fire queen, and forced young Theodosia to take on the name of Lady Thora, the Ash Princess.
By Erika Farrah8 years ago in Geeks
10 Underrated Fantasy Books for Children and Young Adults
Is that young person in your life suffering from post-Harry Potter reading blues? Do they want something to read that's just as magical and fantastic as The Chronicles of Narnia or Alice in Wonderland? I've got the fix for you. These are all books I read and loved growing up, and you might not have heard of them. From youngest to oldest in reading level, here are ten underrated fantasy books for children and young adults.
By Tonya Hunt8 years ago in Geeks
'The Handmaid's Tale'
My junior year I was blessed to have one of the best English teachers to ever exist. English teachers themselves are blessings already, but this one, Mrs. Harpster, has been one of the best. All year she'd recommend, subtly, her favorite book, which happened to be The Handmaid's Tale. She never revealed too much and as the year progressed the Hulu trailer began to accompany her two sentence explanations. Our entire class was intrigued. None of us got around to reading it, but it was in all of our minds. For that I thank her; however, that was a year ago... This year, my final long and drawn out year of high school, I was assigned an independent project. Many book titles were hurtled my way, but as soon as I saw The Handmaid's Tale on that list, I knew it was time. And time it was.
By Domonique Harris8 years ago in Geeks
The Patronus Charm - Why No Quiz Is Accurate
"How does it work?" said Harry nervously. "Well, when it works correctly, it conjures up a Patronus," said Lupin, "which is a kind of Anti-Dementor – a guardian which acts as a shield between you and the Dementor." ~extract from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
By Alexandria Blan ☽8 years ago in Geeks