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#Essays

Was Betty Friedan the Originator of “Gaslight Gatekeep Girlboss”?

While Friedan’s contributions to second-wave feminism were immense and influential, she, too, was a victim of patriarchy.

Just How Much Has LGBTQ+ Representation Grown in Middle Grade In The Last Half Decade?

A look at how LGBTQ+ middle grade books have shifted in the last half decade.

After “Romantasy,” What Are the Next Buzzy Bookish Portmanteaus?

The term “romantasy” really blew up in 2023. Let's take a look at what other bookish portmanteaus could emerge next.

Who Wrote This? The World’s Most Surprising Fiction Writers

It's surprising to find out how many celebrities have written fiction. Here are a few of the most unexpected fiction writers in history.

What Genres and Subgenres Should be Called, Based on Their Covers

Goodbye, "Historical Fiction," hello, "Characters with their Backs to the Reader"!

What Makes an “It” Book?

And what were the "it" books of 2024?

Write Who You Know: The Best (and Worst) Times Authors Put Themselves in Their Stories

Authors draw from their experiences, but what about when they're in their own story? Here are the best and worst author-insert characters.

Is Reimagining History Through Biofiction Ethical?

Wrestling with the ethics of biofiction, or fiction pulled from real people's lives.

You Don’t Need to Treat Reading Like Going to the Gym

It's January, which means many readers are setting reading resolutions for the year. But are your goals turning reading into a chore?

Does Literary Fiction Also Work on BookTok?

Where is there space for literary fiction on BookTok?