Over the last few years, “Wicked” has overtaken the media, both in its Broadway and cinema forms. While the songs are catchy and the cast members are star-studded, much of the material for these productions comes from a 1995 novel of the same title by Gregory Maguire. Despite the popularity of the musical and films, readers may be surprised to find that the novel is a far cry from the Oz of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.  “Wicked” is classified as a dark fantasy book. It la

Young adult fiction among adult readers is something of a controversy on today’s internet. Some argue the less mature plots and reduced vocabulary are damaging to readers and writers who should’ve advanced to more serious genres. While I am the first person to admit that YA fiction is rarely up my alley, I was surprised by Kathleen Glasgow’s “You’d Be Home Now” (2021).   I was skeptical about reading it when it was first recommended to me, but I found this work to stand out e

During the recent January snow day, many people were concerned the road conditions would cause car accidents-- kind of like the one that sets off the events of Stephen King’s “Misery” (1987).   When considering the possibility of road issues with the weather, most folks probably were not worried about being abducted from their vehicle and held hostage until they were forced to write an entire book.   That is exactly the predicament that King’s main character, Paul Sheldon, fi

Anais' Annotations Sean Dietrich is a Southern writer who gained popularity online by sharing pieces of his creative nonfiction. Long-time fans like me consider these short reads to be some of his most heartwarming, but the writer, also known as Sean of the South, is also a highly regarded novelist. One of his most recent books, “Kinfolk” (2023), is a combination of redemption stories, modern odysseys and small-town justice tales.  The novel is set in the 70s in our great sta

Anais' Annotations The expression “if these walls could talk” is often used to reference the desire to hear the events a location has experienced through its own perspective, but what if it went outside of just four walls? What if an entire town could spin a yarn? This story of place is the very point of Donald Ray Pollock’s “Knockemstiff” (2008). Set in the real town of Knockemstiff, Ohio, this unique work takes a new approach to regionalism and storytelling.  When you first

Anais' Annotations Science fiction as a genre tends to conjure images of robot-human hybrids and spaceships soaring through the sky. In Rachel Ingalls’ 1982 novella “Mrs. Caliban,” this classic definition is put to the test. The author combines elements of science fiction with a psychological thriller; all set in an average suburban home. This tiny book packs a punch of meaning and heartache.  The story’s main protagonist, Dorothy, is a highly unstable but compelling characte

Anais' Annotations After having spent much of my life not being interested in the film version, I decided to take some time during the winter break to read “Dances with Wolves” (1988). Michael Blake’s novel is better known for its film adaptation, a popular culture icon starring Kevin Costner. Despite its cultural lingering in the halls of cinema fame, I found Blake’s story left a lot to be desired.  The basics of the plot sound solid: post-Civil War, a United States soldier

Anais' Annotations Real talk: getting along with your in-laws can be really hard. You may love them, but sometimes, you just wish they would do literally anything else than what they are doing. It is in-law relationships that spark the events of E. M. Forster’s “Where Angels Fear to Tread” (1905). This novel is a whiplash of drama, tragedy and romance, so buckle up.  I have heard some mixed opinions on this work, but for myself, I quite like it, and one reason for my approval

Most people know the immigrant journey is one filled with ups and downs. However, it is one thing to be aware of and entirely another thing to come face to face with the emotions of such a process. “How the García Girls Lost Their Accents” (1991) is a novel by Julia Alvarez that has a clear focus on this subject.  My favorite thing about this work is the subtle portrayal of traumatic repression. The story is told in reverse, following the four García sisters from adulthood to

Anais' Annotations If you like a flair for Southern drama, I have a story that may interest you. Eudora Welty’s “The Optimist’s Daughter” (1972) is a novel that the author developed based on an existing short story, and it is packed with family drama, crazy coincidences and never-ending plot twists.  This is not a book that I would call action-packed, as all of the conflicts are truly interpersonal. It moves at a much slower pace than readers may be used to, but unlike most s

Anais' Annotations For readers and fans of “Frankenstein” (1818) by Mary Shelley, Alasdair Gray has a twist for you in his 1992 novel, “Poor Things.” This may be a familiar title, as it was recently adapted into a film in 2023 starring Emma Stone. The movie is great, but as always, the book is better.  This novel is a collection of letters, diary entries and medical notes. All of these elements come together to create a collage of different perspectives. Overall, it creates a

Anais' Annotations Up until very recent history, I thought it was impossible to be from Alabama and not have read Harper Lee’s “To Kill a...

Anais' Annotations Science fiction – it is a label most commonly associated with films like “Star Wars” and the image of little green men...

"The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy The best thing about cracking open a new book is the transportation to a new place. This week,...

"A Gathering of Old Men" by Ernest J. Gaines When thinking about the deep South, you may find yourself imagining trees draped in Spanish...

'"America is Not the Heart" by Elaine Castillo Imagine coming to America for the first time as a Filipina immigrant with severe Post...

“The Princess Diarist” by Carrie Fisher Just the mention of Carrie Fisher may evoke images of insane hairstyles, laser guns and the...

"Mrs. Warren's Profession" cover art George Bernard Shaw is known for his exploration of complicated themes through seemingly...

Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita" is a masterpiece, but should it have been published? Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita” is, perhaps, one of, if not...

BookTok's sweetheart -  'A Court of Thorn and Roses' Whether or not you would consider yourself a reader, there is no doubt that you have...

One summer, three books down (almost) The end of summer always brings a feeling of reminiscence and nostalgia. For me, at least, it is a...

Grab the eye bleach! It's time to read 'Woom' Recently, I had a book recommended to me – ”Woom” by Duncan Ralston. It was marketed as a...

I’ve had a bit of experience reading Octavia Butler before, so I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to take a...