Do you ever wonder why there seems to be a timeless essence to the stories little kids continue to read?
Classic Fantasy Tropes Upside Down: What Differentiates Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law from The Lord of the Rings
These tropes have been employed throughout literature in so many ways that one wonders: how is a story able to maintain its originality?
What’s up with Cannibalism?
“Mom,” she called to her own mother. “Something’s wrong.”And then the cat ate her kitten. And then ate the other kittens too.
The Idiot and the State of Contemporary Fiction
The Idiot initially reads somewhat as a hybrid between fiction and memoir—not necessarily because of how much it takes from Batuman’s real life, but because of how much it embraces the existence of art and literature outside of the novel at all.
The Goes Wrong Show and the Beauty of Failure
Few things have made me laugh as much or as hard as watching these fictional idiots fail at putting on play after play after play. No matter how bad things get, the show must go on, usually into even more ridiculous and mistake-prone territory.
What’s In a Story: Writing Fiction That Matters
The endless room for creativity in fiction makes it difficult to bind it to a definitive set of rules.
A Beginner’s Guide to Comic Books
I’ve accumulated a modest list of my favorite works in recent years—from stand-alones to series, contemporary to science fiction. I hope you find a new favorite among them.
Examining Ourselves: The Painful Truths in Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman
Instead of fighting violence with violence, picking up a weapon, and spilling blood, Cassie’s revenge is more psychological and, debatably, more detrimental.
Three YA Novels that Got Mental Health Right
This is in no way a comprehensive list—however, I specifically chose works that not only avoid traditional YA standards, but gripped me enough to compel a second read.
Bookstores of the Bay: A Curated List
If you’re looking to find some new shops to explore, or just simply hear about one person’s experiences with bookstores, keep on reading!
BERKELEY FICTION REVIEW 