All posts filed under: Books

Book Burning is not the only solution – Janette Winterson’s very public protest

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Written by Georgia Hilton-Buckley On Friday June 4th, Jeanette Winterson tweeted a photo of burning books, made significantly more interesting because they were her own books. Winterson, famed author of Oranges are not the only fruit and Sexing the Cherry, burned the republished editions of several of her previous works because she detested the ‘cosy’ blurb which sectioned her into ‘wimmin’s fiction’. I have read a few of Winterson’s novels and greatly admired them, but the prospect of burning books greatly upset me. The history of book burning Burning books has always been a symbol of censorship under both the reign of Nazi Germany, the destruction of the Library of Baghdad and the Burning of Jaffna public library. Under ISIS, burning forbidden texts are common acts of taunting Western media and is probably the most recent act of cultural genocide. Although Winterson is burning her own books, it still sends a strong message that literature can be erased. When the author who shall not be named (Creator of Harry Potter) posted a transphobic essay, many …

Romantic reads to help you survive Valentine’s Day

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Written by Jessie Mearns It seems that Valentine’s day 2021, though still happening, won`t be as expected. Undoubtedly, no matter with, who or how you will be spending Valentine’s day, the coronavirus pandemic will be placing a limit on your celebrations. As someone who personally has never enjoyed the day, many a time have I been craving a bit of romantic escapism; and this year it seems more relevant than ever. For anyone searching for a romance novel worth the read, I am here to tell you my best picks, from both the classic to the contemporary. Novels that made me believe I was born in the wrong era. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen. A classic ode to the romantic era and a staple of the genre, Pride and Prejudice is well known for both its moral teachings and unmatched romance. Following the protagonist Elizabeth Bennet, it documents her emotional journey to discovering she completely misjudged the initial assumption of the seemingly taciturn Mr Darcy. Clashing personalities of the rather outspoken Lizzie and the pompous …