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Movies

6 Non-Typical Christmas Movies to Add to Your Holiday Watchlist

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the classic debate: what’s the best Christmas movie? While many of us have our tried-and-true favourites like Home Alone, Love Actually, or The Grinch, (all of which we have previously included in our list of favourite Christmas movies) if you’re anything like me, you might getting a bit tired of watching the same movies year after year. There’s something refreshing about stepping outside the traditional canon. So, I figured I’d bring you a few suggestions that will suit you if you’re in the mood for Christmas vibes but with a…

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Movies

“Violent Night”: A Wildly Unrefined Christmas Ride

In a season dominated by holiday cheer and wholesome traditions, Violent Night strides in like a Viking swinging a battle axe, shaking up the yuletide movie formula in a way that’s both absurd and oddly captivating. Directed by Tommy Wirkola, this darkly comedic thriller takes the beloved figure of Santa Claus and throws him headfirst into a chaotic hostage situation, blending Christmas kitsch with Die Hard-style action and Deadpool-esque humour. While the movie’s writing leaves much to be desired, its willingness to embrace its outrageous premise makes it a surprisingly fun ride for those seeking a break from Hallmark holiday…

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Books

The City of Tears by Kate Mosse Book Review

Love, Loss, and the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre: A Closer Look at The City of Tears and Its Shifting Historical Lens Title: The City of TearsAuthor: Kate MossePublisher: PAN MACMILLANThemes: Forbidden love, Religious persecution, Family loyalty, Survival amidst conflict, Identity and belonging In The City of Tears, the second instalment of Kate Mosse’s trilogy on the Huguenot diaspora, Mosse picks up the story of Minou and Piet amid one of the most turbulent events of the 16th century—the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. Building on themes of survival, faith, and the harrowing toll of religious conflict introduced in The Burning Chambers…

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Books

The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse Book Review

Exploring Faith and Survival in The Burning Chambers: A Historical Dive into the Huguenot Rebellion Title: The Burning ChambersAuthor: Kate MossePublisher: PAN MACMILLANThemes: Forbidden love, Religious persecution, Family loyalty, Survival amidst conflict, Identity and belonging “You well know that if a lie is repeated often enough, in the face of the clearest evidence to the contrary, even the most level-headed of men start to believe in it. Falsehood easily becomes accepted truth.” A good book recommendation is like a little gift, especially when it comes from one of your favourite people who knows exactly what you’ll love. The Burning Chambers…

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Books

“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin

Friendship, Ambition, and Second Chances Through the Lens of Gaming and Identity Title: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and TomorrowAuthor: Gabrielle ZevinGenre: Literary FictionPublisher: Knopf (2022)Themes: Friendship, Creativity, Identity, Video Games, Ambition, RedemptionTW: Death, Trauma, Guns, Ambiguous Consent “What is a game?” Marx said. “It’s tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow. It’s the possibility of infinite rebirth, infinite redemption. The idea that if you keep playing, you could win. No loss is permanent, because nothing is permanent, ever.” Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow was one of those books that had me completely obsessed from the first page. The novel offered a…

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Books

Cleopatra and Frankenstein – Book Review

The Dark Side of Bohemian Life in NYC Title: Cleopatra and FrankensteinAuthor: Coco MellorsGenre: Literary FictionPublisher: Bloomsbury Publishing (2022)Themes: Love, Creativity, Identity, Loneliness, Addiction, Ambition, RedemptionTW: Addiction, self-harm, suicidal ideation and attempt, loss of a parent, sexual assault “People are like this too, you know,” he says eventually. “We break. We put ourselves back together. The cracks are the best part. You don’t have to hide them.” Coco Mellors’ Cleopatra and Frankenstein is an ambitious debut that attempts to paint an intimate, raw picture of love, identity, and the exhilarating chaos of life in New York City. The novel centres…

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