Riot Headline 10 Exciting Books to Read this Summer

#Essays

What Readers Should Think About When they Encounter the Label “AAPI”

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, but what does that label really mean? Here's what readers should know.

Who Was Sappho?

Sappho was born sometime in the 7th century BCE in Ancient Greece, but who was Sappho and why do we still read her poetry?

That Time Isabel Allende Got Fired for (Re)Writing Feminist Characters

Let me tell you about the time Allende was fired for rewriting the characters and endings of the stories she translated —without approval.

Asia in a Global War: World War II, Asia, and Historical Fiction

Examining how historical fiction books about World War II are unpacking the trauma of civilian experiences in Asia during this period.

How and What to Read During Mental Health Challenges

Here are some ideas about what kind of books to read during mental health challenges to help you keep reading through the darkness. 

Will the Real Bird Lady Please Stand Up?: A Brief History of Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes

What is the true story of Mother Goose? Is she a bird? Is she an older lady? Unraveling the mythology around the storyteller.

Is BookTok Changing the Way We Talk About Books?

A look at how TikTok and BookTok does--and doesn't--influence how we talk about books.

What Are the Worst Books of All Time?

Every book its reader, right? The worst books of all time challenge that notion, whether through irredeemable content or truly turgid prose.

How Do Bad Marriages In Literature Often Enable The Protagonist’s Character Development?

For women we meet in literature, bad marriages often facilitate character growth. Here are a couple examples of how women push back.

The AAPI Reading Challenge for May and Beyond

The AAPI Reading Challenge is committing to read at least two books from AAPI perspectives we’ve never before considered.