Gretchen Lida

Gretchen Lida is an essayist and an equestrian. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Brevity, The Rumpus, The Washington Independent Review of Books, and many others. She teaches composition in Illinois, lives in Wisconsin, sometimes lives on Nantucket Island and is still a Colorado Native.

Comparing Rafia Zakari’s AGAINST WHITE FEMINISM to Seyward Darby’s SISTERS IN HATE

What do two recent books on White Feminism offer in terms of exploring white supremacy, feminism, and intersectionality?

My Grandfather Gave Me a Copy of I CAPTURE THE CASTLE. 20 Years Later I Understand Why.

My grandfather gave me a copy of Dodie Smith's I CAPTURE THE CASTLE when I was 10 years old. Now I finally understand why.

Small Presses Perfect for Instagram Poetry

If you have a passion for Instagram poetry and small presses, combine your interests with these small presses publishing Instagram poetry.

On Loving, Reading, and Writing Good Horse Books

What is it about horse books that draws so many readers, young and older? This reader has some ideas about what makes a horse book sing.

A Case for Being Kind to Tired Booksellers

One reader's experience going into a bookstore only to be met by exhausted booksellers, and a reminder to be gracious to them.

On Learning to Embrace Audiobooks as a Reader

How one reader with ADD and Dyslexia learned to embrace audiobooks and thrived as a result.

Relearning How to Wear Shoes at Post-Pandemic Author Readings

It's been challenging to be distanced from bookish peers, but this reader shares what's been gained from virtual literary events.

The Death of An Ostrich in Helen MacDonald’s VESPER FLIGHTS

How one reader keenly felt a pivotal moment in Helen MacDonald's recent book Vesper Flights.

An Elegy to Paper Advance Reader Copies

A reader recounts the joy of taking a break from online time to read paper ARCs in taking time to mourn the little things lost to pandemic for now.

AMERICAN HARVEST and Life Between the Urban and Rural Divide

On books set in the rural middle of America and the powerful insights from AMERICAN HARVEST.