May Sarton Said That It Was Okay: Turning My Isolation Into Content Solitude
Posted inBooks Creative Hall Educational

May Sarton Said That It Was Okay: Turning My Isolation Into Content Solitude

About a year ago now I discovered the writer May Sarton and read her most famous piece of work titled ‘Journal of A Solitude’. It is a collection of her journal entries during her time spent alone in a small town in New Hampshire. Sarton was surrounded by nature and the tranquillity that her isolation has provided her, but there also came inner challenges as they do in whatever situation we humans find ourselves in.

It could not have been a better time for me to have discovered that book, I was at the point in my life where I have fully come to terms with the conditions in which I can grow and blossom. By finding the comfort and peace hidden in the crevices of solitude, it felt like Sarton was dedicating the journal to me, or rather in lesser vain, to people like me. It was a burst of quiet energy- solidifying my love and appreciation for solitude. 

Why Are Arthurian Legends So Popular?
Posted inBooks Movies & TV Student Opinions

Why Are Arthurian Legends So Popular?

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It is wholly possible that you have come across an adaptation of Arthurian legend at some point in your life. After all, there have been so many interpretations across varying genres and media that an entire Wikipedia page has been dedicated to listing them all. One of the most well-known works includes Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur. It has been deemed the most extensive and culturally important work based on Arthurian legends. This is because it goes in-depth into the histories of many characters, notably the more prominent Knights of the Round Table and Arthur himself. Le Morte d’Arthur has inspired other great works, such as T.H. White’s The Once and Future King. Arthurian legends have also been often referenced in parodies, such as Monty Python and the third Shrek movie. With all these different retellings of Arthurian legend, it becomes clear that they are widely celebrated even within pop culture. That leads us to the question, why are Arthurian legends so popular in the first place?

It’s Best Served Cold: The Portrayal of Revenge in Today’s Media
Posted inBooks Creative Hall Lifestyle

It’s Best Served Cold: The Portrayal of Revenge in Today’s Media

Disclaimer:

The following article contains heavy spoilers for all the films, video games, and books that will be talked about.

Revenge. Wouldn’t we love to see it? 

The bad guy gets obliterated by the good guy for what he has done, now roll the credits and walk out of the theatre with that satisfied feeling in your chest. Well, there is a lot more that goes beyond just the “You’re going to pay for it, just you wait” nature of revenge, and you will see that down below.

Here we will be taking a look at films, video games, and a book that features revenge, and we will see what exactly makes them so good, complex and thought-provoking.

In Books: The Rainbow Era of LGBTQ+ Love
Posted inBooks Creative Hall Love and Relationships

In Books: The Rainbow Era of LGBTQ+ Love

We’ve had the star-crossed lovers of District 12; Katniss and Peeta from The Hunger Games. We’ve had the tragic love story of two cancer-stricken teens; Augustus and Hazel from The Fault in Our Stars. We’ve even had the tension-filled confused romance of Hermione and Ron from The Harry Potter series. 

But all of these stories revolve around straight romances causing many queer readers to feel underrepresented in their favourite books (I, Asareel, would have given my right arm and a cheese toastie to read Harry and Draco snogging in the loo – Drarry was real and no one can tell me otherwise).

Beer and Skittles: Agatha Christie, Queen of Crime
Posted inBeer & Skittles Books Lifestyle

Beer and Skittles: Agatha Christie, Queen of Crime

Venturing into the world of murder mystery and intrigue, a legacy that has now become a household name is none other than the famed fictional writer: Agatha Christie. Known for her iconic novels featuring detectives by the names of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, Agatha Christie won the hearts of avid readers and remained a best-selling novelist for both mystery enthusiasts and novices alike. With her works influencing many industries and lives, one might question what exactly is the allure of Agatha Christie’s fictional works?

Mask On, Charm Away ft Art of Seduction by Robert Greene
Posted inBeer & Skittles Books Reviews

Mask On, Charm Away ft Art of Seduction by Robert Greene

The Art of Seduction is a hybrid of a psychology textbook and a seduction guide. The author, Robert Greene, dives into the psychology of courting and seduction, as well as the darker psychology of enticing individuals regardless of who is harmed. Not only a guide to sexual seduction, but also a universal guide on seduction in terms of politically, socially, or otherwise. 

Book Review: Welcome Home
Posted inBooks Collabs Reviews

Book Review: Welcome Home

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The novel “Welcome Home: Lessons in Saying Goodbye” written by Julia Yeow regales the stories of several Malaysians migrating to foreign lands. In every chapter, she also focuses on the different lessons that she herself has learned about emigration as she moved to Australia. 

Book Review: The Evergreen Tea House by David T.K. Wong
Posted inBooks Collabs Lifestyle

Book Review: The Evergreen Tea House by David T.K. Wong

“The Evergreen Tea House” is a Hong Kong novel written by David T.K. Wong. It feels like a recollection of memories through a tumultuous period between the 1950s and the 1980s, with a multiple-perspective narration and intriguing characters. The book is namely set in Hong Kong, but the chapters also find themselves located in other countries like Taiwan and Peking (also known as Beijing as of present day). Though the book’s cover doesn’t seem like much, it actually highlights deep-rooted themes of politics, capitalism, traditions and culture.