shawcat reads

Classic novels have a timeless quality that allows them to remain relevant even decades or centuries after they were first published. These novels offer a glimpse into different eras, cultures, and perspectives, and they often explore themes and issues that still resonate with readers today. In this blog post, we'll be exploring 10 classic novels that are still relevant today and why they should be on your reading list. From Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird  to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein , these novels continue to captivate readers and spark important conversations about the world we live in. Whether you're interested in exploring themes of social inequality, the corrupting influence of power, or the complexities of love and identity, these classic novels have something to offer. One novel that continues to captivate readers (myself included) is Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights . This story of passion and revenge on the windswept moors of England explores the des...

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and press, and prohibits censorship. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend of books being banned or challenged in schools and libraries across the country. This raises the question: is book banning a violation of free speech under the First Amendment? Some argue that book banning is a clear violation of the First Amendment, as it limits the ability of individuals to express themselves freely through literature. By preventing certain books from being read, book banning effectively censors authors and their ideas. This censorship not only limits the free expression of writers, but it also deprives readers of access to a variety of ideas and perspectives. Others, however, argue that book banning is necessary to protect individuals from harmful or offensive material. They contend that books with graphic violence, sexual content, or explicit language should not be made available to young re...

I don't know about you, but I can never get enough of Margaret Atwood. While her more famous novels like The Handmaid's Tale  and Alias Grace  may have captured the mainstream audience, her lesser-known books are equally praiseworthy and subversive.  If you're a speculative fiction fan like me, you have to explore the rest of Atwood's novels.  Here I'll discuss some of my favorite powerful and thought-provoking stories from the mind of Atwood that are well worth exploring and deserve to be hyped up. Each of these novels offers a unique perspective on important themes, such as posthumanism, animal studies, identity, memory, gender, power, and more. F or fellow fans of the speculative fiction genre, I highly recommend diving into some (or all) of these more obscure Margaret Atwood titles.  With their complex characters, thought-provoking themes, and imaginative storytelling, these Margaret Atwood novels are bound to capture your imagination and leave you pondering...

Novels in verse, also known as verse novels,  have become increasingly popular in recent years.   These unique works of literature use poetry to tell a story, offering a fresh and innovative approach to storytelling.  This genre allows for a greater focus on the emotions and inner thoughts of the characters, creating a powerful and often visceral reading experience.  While some novels in verse have gained widespread acclaim and popularity, there are many underrated works in this genre that are equally deserving of recognition. In this list, I'll highlight 10 of the most underrated novels in verse that you should add to your reading list, from stories of survival and self-discovery to tales of love, loss, and family. These novels  feature diverse perspectives and experiences and  offer a fresh and innovative approach to storytelling, proving that poetry can be a powerful tool for exploring the human experience. 1. Ask Me How I Got Here by Christine Hepperma...

Home is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo is a powerful and poignant novel in verse about a young girl named Nima who is grappling with her identity and place in the world. Set in both the United States and Sudan, the book explores themes of cultural identity, belonging, and the importance of love between women. Nima is a young Sudanese girl living with her mother in America. Her father is dead, and she often imagines what the younger versions of her parents must have been like in the past. Throughout the book there is great emphasis placed on photographs, songs, and cultural heritage, especially language. I loved how snippets of Arabic were incorporated throughout. It lent a duality to the language in the book that reflected the very duality of Nima herself. Nima often feels invisible and as though she doesn't really belong anywhere. She imagines she has an alter ego named Yasmeen. Yasmeen starts to appear more and more often. Eventually, Nima embarks on a journey into the past with ...