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
Leah Rachel von Essen
October 17, 2018
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
Leah Rachel von Essen
October 11, 2018
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
Leah Rachel von Essen
October 10, 2018
Seven years after Christopher Paolini's BRISINGR wrapped up the bestselling Inheritance Cycle, the author is releasing THE FORK, THE WITCH, AND THE WORM.
Book Etiquette 101: Crushing the Signing Line Without Being a Jerk
Leah Rachel von Essen
October 4, 2018
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
Leah Rachel von Essen
September 24, 2018
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
Leah Rachel von Essen
August 13, 2018
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.
3 Under-Hyped Upcoming SFF Must-Reads
Leah Rachel von Essen
August 1, 2018
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?
Leah Rachel von Essen
July 31, 2018
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.