We should all be feminists. This is a simple truth. Being an active feminist, as well as an anti-racist and anti-queerphobic, is how we make a society to be proud of. Regardless of who you are and what gender you are, one of the best ways to be a better feminist is to read feminist …
Science fiction is both an exciting and a vitally important genre of fiction — across literature, film, and video games — for countless reasons. The best sci-fi books offer writers and readers the opportunity to flex their imaginations, to ask colossal questions about philosophy and existentialism. This is what the best sci-fi books provide us. …
Gothic fiction is a genre with an incredible legacy, but it’s also one that is seeing an exciting modern revival. Since its beginnings in the late 18th Century, the gothic genre has grown and changed, having a hand in the creations of horror and science fiction. As such, gothic novels are at once broad in …
Shoujo is a broad genre of manga that has existed for almost as long as there have been manga readers. The name shoujo literally means “young woman”, and the shoujo manga label is stamped on any manga suitable for (or that appeals to) readers who are young girls. This means that a lot of stereotyping …
Representation of minority experiences in genre fiction is important for ensuring that art offers a more universal experience. But there’s more to it than that. Diversity of voices within genres like horror also allows that genre to be shaken up by new ideas and approaches to the medium. Queer horror books bring a unique voice …
The murder-mystery genre is seeing something of a renaissance at the moment. So many great authors and translators are tackling the genre from new angles. These authors owe an impossible debt to the works of Agatha Christie, but they are also undeniably paving their own paths. Essential Modern Mystery Novels From Argentina to Japan, here …
Over the course of the last decade or so, nonfiction has undergone a slow and gradual revolution, taking cues from the page-turning tone and immediacy of fiction to make itself more narrative, engaging, and exhilarating. We are now gifted with a wave of compelling, inspirational nonfiction. Every year, countless nonfiction books come out that prove …
Note: This list of LGBTQ bedtime stories was assembled with the help of my girlfriend Issy, an experienced primary (elementary) school teacher and fellow member of the LGBTQ community. If you were read to as a little one, it’s pretty likely that your fondest reading memories are of bedtime. The best bedtime stories to read …
When imagining winter books, there are probably two images that come to mind: books set during winter, and books to keep you feeling warm and comfortable. There’s also a third image: something dark, isolating, possibly frightening. You’ll find all three kinds of books on this list. Some of these winter books are simply books set …
The world of fantasy fiction has been turned on its head in recent years by authors who are pushing boundaries and blurring lines. The distance between fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and fairy tales has been reduced, and it’s all for the better. Modern fantasy books are wholly unique and exciting stories for this reason. Exciting Modern …