Leah Rachel von Essen

By day, Leah Rachel von Essen is the editor-in-chief of Chicago Booth Magazine at the University of Chicago. By night, she reviews genre-bending fiction for Booklist, and writes regularly as a senior contributor at Book Riot. Her blog While Reading and Walking has over 10,000 dedicated followers over several social media outlets, including Instagram. She writes passionately about books in translation, chronic illness and bias in healthcare, queer books, twisty SFF, and magical realism and folklore. She was one of a select few bookstagrammers named to NewCity’s Chicago Lit50 in 2022. She is an avid traveler, a passionate fan of women’s basketball and soccer, and a lifelong learner. Twitter: @reading_while

Brooklyn Bookstore Plans an Event to Hex Brett Kavanaugh

Catland Books, a independent bookstore in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, is planning to hold an event next Saturday to hex Brett Kavanaugh.

How DC Bombshells Makes Me Feel Comfortable in My Queer Skin

How Wonder Woman's bisexuality helped one Rioter to feel like she was allowed to celebrate her own pansexuality and pride.

Christopher Paolini Releasing a New Book in the World of ERAGON

Seven years after Christopher Paolini's BRISINGR wrapped up the bestselling Inheritance Cycle, the author is releasing THE FORK, THE WITCH, AND THE WORM.

Visit 15 of the Oldest Libraries in the World

Book Etiquette 101: Crushing the Signing Line Without Being a Jerk

A guide on how to be polite, the best and helpful at book signings, all while still getting the maximum number of books signed.

How Authors’ Openness on Social Media Makes Reading Better

When authors are open and honest about the writing process, like V.E. Schwab was with VENGEFUL, it benefits both readers and aspiring writers.

Why You Can’t Read the Classics Too Early

One Rioter believes we can't read classics too early, or at too low a level of experience—because gate-keeping the classics only hinders us all.

Traveling Alone Isn’t Lonely with Books

3 Under-Hyped Upcoming SFF Must-Reads

We all know the super-hyped fantasy releases coming out this year. But here are three science fiction and fantasy novels that might not be on your radar.

Take Our Star Wars Quiz: Which Star Wars Heroine Are You?

The Resistance battles a fascist dark force and army, inspiring us to stand up to hate. Take our Star Wars quiz to find out which heroine you are.