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Weekly Blog Posts

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The Importance of Reading as a Hobby – Written by Isha Popat

7/18/2025

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Reading 20 minutes a day exposes you to about 1.8 million words in a year. Just that fact in itself amazes me. People rarely understand the importance of reading in this world where the whole world is at the touch of your fingertips. Reading is undervalued and is not gaining the attention it deserves. We have access to hundreds of books through libraries and kindles for those who prefer virtual reading. When all these opportunities are right in front of us, how can we say no. Reading not only increases one's vocabulary but also their comprehension abilities and all in all results in an individual who has the ability to properly communicate and form their own opinions. 
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People rarely understand the power of a book and reading is something that is seldom developed at an older age. Those who are big readers from a young age most likely will carry this hobby on for the rest of their lives and will see substantial differences in the way that they are able to articulate themselves and communicate with the world around them. Reading shouldn't be seen as something merely beneficial though, books offer individuals a home and solace from the noisy world around. Often when one's own abode becomes restless, burrowing into a book can alleviate so much anxiety and pain that is felt in external situations. Finding a best friend in a book, or a sister even often guides individuals to leading happier lives especially when they feel that no one is out there looking out for them. 

Reading alleviates the pain that people face way more frequently than wanted and gives them the room to express themselves and find themselves too. While reading books, individuals are bound to learn values and morals and understand who they are as a person. What they stand for, what they respect, and who they want to be. All these realizations are of utmost importance as one progresses through childhood into adulthood and beyond. 

But, it is never too late to start this hobby. Although children who start at a young age feel it to be more of a first nature to get lost in a book, that doesn't mean that you can't. I dare you to pick up a book, any book of your liking, and read it all the way through. Set a deadline depending on the magnitude of the book and follow it through. Then reflect on the wonders of reading. Happy reading!
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The Bright Side of Audiobooks—Written by Gwen

7/11/2025

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Hectic lives make sitting down with physical books feel incredibly luxurious in our fast-paced, multitasking world today. What if, while commuting or exercising, you could suddenly read effortlessly? Audiobooks offer a wonderfully flexible way to consume literature and learn new things quickly during spare moments, mercilessly.

Audiobooks fit easily into busy lives, which is a big benefit of listening to books. Listening becomes simple when doing daily chores, walking with dogs, or stuck in traffic. This turns idle time into oddly meaningful moments for unexpected entertainment and obscure learning. You carry a library with you almost everywhere.

Professional narrators bring stories to life with varied expression and emotion, resonating deeply with their audience. This creates an immersive experience for many who read quietly alone. Accents and character voices add vivid depth to narratives, helping listeners connect with characters in a fresh, meaningful way.

Audiobooks are extremely helpful for people with visual impairments or reading disabilities like dyslexia, and for those who struggle to focus on printed text. They open up literature and learning to a diverse audience, making sure no one is left out of reading experiences.

Audiobooks can significantly improve vocabulary and pronunciation, especially for those exploring unfamiliar language areas with great enthusiasm. Listening to words in context helps strengthen understanding, and professional narrators model correct pronunciation—something traditional textbooks completely lack.

Audiobooks offer a much-needed break from screens that dominate most of our daily lives, often mercilessly. Eyes can rest while listening to engaging stories, quirky biographies, and absorbing some pretty cool educational content, making them a great alternative to mindless scrolling or binge-watching TV.

Stories are often soothing and quite inspiring for boosting mental well-being. Listening to an audiobook helps you relax deeply or escape into a fantastical world for a while. Many people use audiobooks regularly as a key part of their daily self-care routine.

Audiobooks aren't just a replacement for traditional reading; they're a new approach to storytelling and learning. Audiobooks make it incredibly easy to enjoy stories and gain knowledge, whether you're commuting or relaxing on your couch. Put on headphones, crank up the volume, and press play, letting the words carry you away completely.

This blog post was written by Gwen.


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Exploring the Lesser Explored with Unconventional Literary Genres – Written by Annalise Healey

7/4/2025

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Sometimes, it can feel like every idea you have or every story you write is just a new iteration of something that has already been done a million times before. Other times, it may feel like you just haven’t found the right genre for you, with nothing quite fitting perfectly. If any of this applies to you, you’re in the right place! In this blog, we’ll be uncovering a range of quirky literary genres that may be just what you’re looking for to explain your unique story. Without further ado, let’s dive right in! 

  • Ergodic Literature: This unique form of writing asks readers to go beyond just reading a text, with the inclusion of puzzles and codes to be solved or an unconventional structure that has readers flipping back and forth between pages, as examples. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is a published example of this text type.
  • Gonzo Journalism: Whilst often referring to journalism, this style of writing has also been seen in fictional works. It involves the reporter directly inserting themself into the reporting, highlighting subjectivity as the reporter doesn’t just report what they see and hear, but are instead active participants in events. It has strong potential to be paired with unreliable narrators or other distinctive textual elements and techniques. A key author in this genre is Hunter S. Thompson (reader discretion advised for these texts).
  • Bangsian Fantasy: This genre features the afterlife as a main setting, giving second chances to characters who have passed away. Works in this genre often use satire and humour to explore existential and real-world questions of mortality and morality. The anthology Heroes in Hell is based on this premise. 
  • Weird Western: This is a combination of the Western genre with one or more other genres, such as fantasy, horror or science fiction. It can be further divided into many subgenres depending on the genres it mashes. Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series is an example of this genre, combining Western with the other above listed genres.
  • Punk:
    • Mythpunk: This genre sees myths and folklore combined with modern concepts and aspects. With ‘punk’ meaning breaking or re-building, this is all about breaking myths and re-imagining them under a new light. Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente is a rich example of this genre, featuring Russian folklore.
    • Hope Punk: Often considered the opposite of grimdark (which sees fantasy and horror combined), this genre forefronts fights for positive change and optimism. A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers is an award-nominee text fitting this genre.
    • Biopunk: This science fiction subgenre stems from cyberpunk, but adds a unique twist in being concerned with biotechnology (such as genetic engineering) and bioethics over information technology or mechanical cyberware. It examines the ethical implications of rapid advancements in these areas, proving relevant to today’s world. A well-known example of this is Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.
    • Solarpunk: This genre sees nature and technology co-existing, and presents an optimistic view of what the world might be like if climate change action is achieved. It promotes activism and accountability, and holds much significance to contemporary societies. Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed is an example text of the solarpunk genre. 
  • Climate Fiction (cli-fi): Similar to solarpunk, this genre concerns the impact of climate change. It may imagine better or worse worlds that address climate concerns. It unites environmental science with humanities and accountability. War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi is a powerful example of this genre. 
  • Eco-fiction: This genre also focuses on environmental themes, and sometimes includes elements of fantasy or science fiction. It examines the relationship between humanity and aspects of the environment. An example is The Overstory by Richard Powers.
  • Slipstream: Texts of this genre defy categorisation to other genres or narrative forms. It is said to explore the space between the known and unknown, merging speculative fiction aspects like fantasy and science fiction. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami is often regarded to fulfill this genre. 
  • Fabulism: Fantastical elements are overlapped with the everyday. It is used to provide a new lens through which to view real-world questions or approach taboo subjects. It promotes seeing magic in the everyday experiences lived by humans. Eva Luna by Isabel Allende is an example novel.
  • Mundane Science Fiction/Hard Science Fiction: Pushing scientific accuracy and plausibility, this genre defies typical science fiction. It incorporates pre-existing technology and discusses and/or criticises their potential, rather than featuring created technologies like time or space travel. The well-known The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is a powerful example of this genre. 
  • Afrofuturism: This genre combines Black history and culture with speculative genres like fantasy, science fiction and more. It examines Black identity, agency, and reimagined histories. The Deep by Rivers Solomon is an influential text of this genre.
  • Techno-thriller: This intersection of genre combines technology, suspense and speculative elements. The writing style demands deep knowledge of aspects of technology, politics, systems and history. Details are key to exploring technological realism and ethics whilst keeping readers engaged in a driving plot. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton is commonly regarded to fit this genre.
  • Conglanging Fiction: A conlang is a constructed language, and implementing or featuring it in a novel can fulfil this genre. Star Trek (the movies and novels) features different conlangs. 
  • Isekai: This genre sees an Earth-dwelling and born human transported to a parallel fantasy world. This genre is very popular in manga and anime. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis is perhaps the most well-known text in this genre.
  • Literary Role-Playing Game (LitRPG): This fictional genre explicitly incorporates elements of role-playing games like levels, quests and character stats into the science fiction or fantasy narrative. He Who Fights With Monsters by Shirtaloon is an award-winning text in this genre.
  • Prehistoric Fiction: As the name suggests, this sees a narrative set in prehistoric times. It transports readers to a time so vastly different to how life is nowadays, exploring civilisation at its earliest beginnings. Jean M. Auel’s Earth’s Children series is an example, being set in the Ice Age. 
  • Wuxia: This is a segment of Chinese fiction that focuses on the lives and adventures of martial artists in ancient China. It is not just about the fighting, with moral concepts like justice and honour being critically analysed and forefronted. A Hero Born by Jin Yong (translated into English) is an example novel in this genre. 
  • Archeo-fiction: Think archeology combined with fiction! Mystery (of the past) is central. Works may be set in modern times, ancient times or even flick back and forth between these as the story explores the lives of those making the discoveries and those living in the time from when these discoveries are from. The many texts of Kathy Reichs, whilst primarily focused on forensic anthropology, feature moments of archeology. 
  • Found Footage: Whilst more of a technique, structurally the story is presented as a series of discovered documents or other media. The anthology Dead Letters: Episodes of Epistolary Horror is a rich example, featuring video games, podcast transcripts and much more. 

So, there you have it! This has been a quick peek into a few lesser known genres, many of which hold great significance and relevance to our contemporary societies, no matter where in the world you are. Dare to step outside of the familiar and add a unique twist and personal touch to your next work in progress by experimenting in one or more of these genres, or use this as inspiration to guide your own research into other lesser known genres. It’s time to get writing!

*Disclaimer: the author of this blog post has not read all of the suggested texts. Therefore, they cannot attest to their literary value or contents. Reader discretion is advised when approaching these texts. 

This blog post was written by Annalise Healey.
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