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Books

A Literary Revolution: The Rise of East Asian Authors in Fantasy and Sci-Fi

In recent years, a remarkable shift has occurred in the literary world. More and more East Asian authors are making waves in the fantasy and science fiction genres, captivating global audiences with their distinct storytelling, deep philosophical themes, and richly imagined worlds. This influx is not a fleeting trend, it’s the result of a confluence of historical, cultural, and literary factors that have allowed these voices to flourish. What makes these authors stand out is not just their cultural background but their ability to craft stories that defy the typical “Eastern mysticism” lens that Western media has long imposed. Instead…

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Books

Babel: How Language and Violence Shape Imperialism

R. F. Kuang’s Babel is a powerhouse of a novel—dense, brilliant, and unapologetically critical of empire, language, and resistance. At its core, the book argues that language is never neutral; it is wielded by those in power to maintain control, and breaking free from that system often requires violence as uncompromising as the oppression itself. It is the kind of book that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. It’s not just a story—it’s a sharp, unflinching commentary on power, colonialism, and language as both a weapon and a battleground. Kuang makes this argument not just through…

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Books

The Isolation of Knowledge: “I Who Have Never Known Men”

When my book club picked I Who Have Never Known Men, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had heard it was unsettling, thought-provoking, and unlike anything else, exactly the kind of book that sparks great discussions. And wow, did it deliver. Jacqueline Harpman’s novel is one of those stories that lingers, making you question everything you take for granted about knowledge, culture, and what it means to be human. I realized just how much of our world is built on the stories and histories we inherit, and what happens when those are stripped away. Jacqueline Harpman’s I Who Have…

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Movies

“Woman of the Hour”: Gender Norms and Hidden Horrors

The gripping psychological drama Woman of the Hour delves into a chilling intersection of societal gender dynamics and true crime horror. Directed with acute precision, the film presents a nuanced narrative that goes beyond the surface-level terror of its central serial killer plot. The true horror lies not just in the heinous acts of violence but in the persistent undercurrent of systemic dismissal and mistreatment of women—particularly how their desires and autonomy are continuously undermined. The film follows Sheryl, a young woman navigating the turbulent 1970s backdrop of societal expectations and gender norms, as she becomes unwittingly entangled in the…

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Books

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

A Deep Dive into Fantasy, Introspection, and Storytelling Title: The Starless SeaAuthor: Erin MorgensternPublisher: VintageThemes: speculative fiction, Storytelling, Fate, Identity, Love, Memory, Mystery, Time, Choice, Discovery, Imagination. Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea is a masterful journey through narrative itself, blending the imaginative intensity of a modern fairy tale with the layered introspection of literary fiction. Set in a labyrinthine underground library filled with stories, symbols, and secrets, Morgenstern’s world-building is profoundly symbolic, with each level of the library acting as a metaphor for the deeper layers of human introspection. The further the protagonist, Zachary Ezra Rawlins, delves into the underground…

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Reflections

I Joined a Bookclub: And Why you Should Too

At the end of 2024, I joined a bookclub! Actually, I joined two! A couple of years ago, I remember having the conversation with a few friends about whether or not reading, specifically physical books, was a dying hobby. It seemed like fewer and fewer people were readers and finding a group of people who enjoyed loosing themselves in a fictional world for hours at a time was a challenge. When I did go around looking for bookclubs, either I struggled to find friends who read fiction (at least the same kind of fiction I read), or, as was the…

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