[Machiavelli] can still engage our attention with remarkable immediacy, and this cannot be explained solely by the appeal of his ironic observations on human behaviour. Perhaps the most important thing is the way he can compel us to reflect on our own priorities and the reasoning behind them; it is this intrusion into our own defenses that makes reading him an intriguing experience. As a scientific exponent of the political art Machiavelli may have had few followers; it is as a provocative rhetorician that he has had his real impact on history.” –from the Introduction by Dominic Baker-Smith
The magic of Dr. Seuss is wondrous, indescribable, and universal. After all, it’s a rare child in this world who couldn’t identify The Cat in the Hat, or recall the words of The Lorax. As such, everyone has a favorite aspect of the Seussian canon. For me, the best part of Theodore Geisel’s genius is his creatures, from […]
Dear Literary Lady, I’m in college and I love taking literature classes, but my parents say they won’t prepare me for the world and I should focus on classes that lead to a career. They say I can read novels in my own time. What do you think? –K.C., Riverside, CA Dear K.C., Wow, that’s a […]
Books are great, and so are cats. It is thus pure logic that we determine combining books with cats will yield something truly remarkable. Sure, these great works are all just fine on their own, and will doubtlessly remain classics even if left cat-free. But wouldn’t the addition of some furry heroes, villains, or even authors […]
Almost 20 years of reviewing genre fiction has transformed me into a skeptic. Every time I read a press release or receive an email touting the next big blockbuster release, eye rolling inevitably ensues. I’ve reviewed hundreds of novels that have been publicized as instant classics and compared to iconic works of literature, only to […]
Throughout the holiday season, we’re gathering books that make the perfect gifts for everyone on your list—from your mother and the teen in your life to your foodie friend and the coworker who loves Harry Potter. Need more ideas? Check out all of our amazing gift guides! At this point, George R.R. Martin’s forthcoming The Winds of Winter is […]