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

Why Are Horror Novels So Obsessed With Mushrooms?

The presence of fungi might signal toward dark rot, but it may suggest the ultimate survival.

14 Must-Read Japanese Books Available in English Translation

14 of the best Japanese books available in English translation to read right now, from classics to recent releases, including How Do You Live.

Put Translators on Book Covers

Too often, books in English translation fail to list the translator on their cover. It's time to demand better from publishers.

12 Books in Translation From Central Africa

I put together a list of 12 superb books in translation from Central Africa, including works by authors Agualusa, Ofono, and more, including Co-Wives, Co-Widows by Adrienne Yabouza, translated from French by Rachael McGill

How Becoming a Pen Pal Supports Incarcerated Populations

Letter-writing supports incarcerated populations and can help with literacy, interpersonal relationships, and more.

The Best Books to Give as Gifts in 2021

It's hard to get your bookish friends something they haven't already read—until now! Here are the best books to give as gifts this year, including Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki.

The Best LGBTQ Books That Aren’t YA

There are plenty of amazing LGBTQ books that aren't YA! Here are just some of the best adult LGBTQ books out there to get you started, including Cantoras by Carolina de Robertis and American Hippo by Sarah Gailey.

14 Works of Mexican Literature Available in English Translation

From gothic gay vampire stories like The Route of Ice and Salt by José Luis Zárate, translated by David Bowles to dark contemporary novels like Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera, translated by Lisa Dillman, here are some of the best Mexican works in translation.

The Best Ways to Read a Hard Book

What's the best way to read a hard book? Some tips, tricks, and encouragement for tackling those intimidating reads.

Plan a Fall Day and We’ll Give You a Book to Preorder

Come plan your perfect full day! I'll tell you exactly which fall release to preorder, though you may want to order them all!