The Neverending Story at 40: A Children’s Book Grappling with the Legacy of War
Die unendliche Geschichte—better known in the U.S. under its translated title, The Neverending Story—celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. As…
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Magical Accessories, Definitively Ranked
Magic is better when accomplished with style. Whether you’re serving high camp at a wizarding academy or draping cobwebs across…
What Makes a Story Queer?
At a recent event for my new book Magic for Liars, someone in the audience asked a question I’ve been…
The Enduring Legacy of Bunnicula, a 40-Year-Old In-Joke That’s Still Hilarious
In the Spring of 1979, Bunnicula hit shelves. And it stayed there. And it stayed there. And it stayed there.…
The 7 Scariest Stories to Tell in the Dark
This August, the worst nightmares of a generation will come to life in the film adaptation of Scary Stories to…
Iconic Outerwear of Science Fiction & Fantasy Literature, Ranked
When I graduated from Literary Analysis Academy, the dean stopped the graduation ceremony and shook my hand. “You are so…
Fear No Evil: On Sorting Hats and Forest Gods
Don’t be afraid. Step forward and allow your teacher to place the omniscient, transdimensional sapient hat upon your head. Yes,…
In Praise of Rereading
I read a lot of books. Most years, I read somewhere north of a hundred of them. I try to…
Harry Potter: A Beginner’s Guide to Evaluating Authority
“I want to teach my daughter to resist,” my friend said. “She’s going to grow up in a time when…
A Woman, Explaining Things
There is a television show I love. The show frequently features brilliant, courageous, unstoppable women. They are emotionally vulnerable. They…
Bread and Circuses
The circus is in town. The carnival has arrived. There will be bright lights, and loud noises, and things to…
On Feasting
You are a character in a fantasy novel. Congratulations: you have been invited to a feast. The first course is…
I Understand Space Opera Very Well
When I heard it was Space Opera Week, I jumped at the chance to participate! Lots of people say that they…
Sarah Gailey Yelling About Books: Max Gladstone’s Hugo-Nominated Craft Sequence
Yesterday, Max Gladstone was nominated for a Best Series Hugo Award for the Craft Sequence, an inventive blend of urban,…