Literature
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“The Whole Earth is Our Hospital”
Earlier this summer, a short personal essay of mine was published by Critical Read, a non-profit publisher committed to artistry and literacy. I highly recommend exploring the site and am including a link to my own essay below: Although I wrote this reflection shortly after returning home from Scotland in the spring, it remains relevant. Continue reading
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Pride and Purgation
As I expressed in an earlier post, I have come to love Dante’s Commedia more and more through rereading. In a manner almost scriptural, he manages to address every aspect of human life and, as a poet-theologian, particularly the artistic life. My favourite of canticle is Purgatorio, which is perhaps a humorous choice for a Continue reading
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Summer Reading: July 2020
Does anyone else miss summer reading programs? Although I continue to read more during the summer than any other time of year, there was a great satisfaction to completing reading challenges and earning prizes which adult life sadly lacks. Still, I thought I would share what I’ve been reading lately—that is, when I am not Continue reading
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Great (Thwarted) Expectations
Choosing to read Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations now of all times felt satisfyingly ironic. After all, my expectations for this season of life have been consistently frustrated. Like Pip, the novel’s protagonist, I spent the last year building grand, beautiful, ambitious plans only to have them come crashing down in painful succession. In reading Great Continue reading
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Befriending Dante: A Reflection on Readership
Although I have always been bookish in about every sense of the word, I went through a “rebellious” phase in high school when my AP Literature class was required to read Dante’s Inferno. I was adamantly against it and now, as I reread it for the fourth or fifth time, I can explain away this opposition as Continue reading
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Dear Mr. Dickens: An Open Letter
My dear Mr. Dickens, I hope you are well and not at all rolling over in your grave. (It is, after all, nearing Christmas and renditions of your famous holiday tale are promenading before audiences who are mostly wondering whether they actually turned off the oven or whether the turkey they pretend to like is Continue reading
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Ray Bradbury: a reflection
Yesterday was the birthday of renouned American author, Ray Bradbury. Three more years and we can celebrate his 100th birthday. But even in 2017, Bradbury’s birthday is special to me because his stories provided the kick-in-the-pants I needed to take my writing seriously. Before entering high school, my family and I made a trip to Continue reading
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Dystopian Reality
Dystopian novels have been “in” for several years now. The Hunger Games and Divergent were the most popular reads of my high school days. Brave New World, 1984, and Anthem were on the AP reading lists. I continue to devour Ray Bradbury’s work. However, we forget the purpose of dystopian fiction, which is to warn and protect us from creating such futures in reality. Continue reading
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Books from Abroad
I’m back from a six week tour and study trip to four different countries and, thanks to jet lag, my brain is wide awake while my body is still confused as to whether it’s time for second breakfast or a mid-morning nap. So I will take advantage of this forced downtime to go on my Continue reading
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Romeo and Juliet at the Globe 2017: A Review
Last night I had the opportunity to attend Romeo and Juliet at the Globe Theatre in London. Having read it not long ago, I arrived expecting heartrending professions of love, stately background characters, comic relief now and then, and period costumes. I also half expected to fall asleep as it has been a long week Continue reading
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10 Reasons to Read Children’s Literature
I love children’s books: always have, always will. However, so many people pass the age of 12 and think they must “grow up.” They somehow rationalize leaving behind the lovely rows of Newberry Medal winners for the cringe-worthy gratuitousness of the “teen paranormal romance” section. When did that even become a section?! Or rather, WHY?! But I Continue reading
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Bibliophile
Me: “Just one book…” Friend: “No, you promised yourself you wouldn’t spend any money.” Me: “But…George Eliot!” Friend: “No.” Me: “Treat yo self?” Friend: “Nope.” Me: *buys it when she isn’t looking* I am willing to admit I have an addiction to literature…but when it’s half price for beautiful editions of classics, I can hardly Continue reading
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Ryanne Molinari 