You may be asking yourself, why pick up a book if you don’t think you will like it? Honestly, I don’t do it too often. But sometimes a book is talked about so often or has elements that I think may appeal to me that I end up taking a chance on the book. And sometimes, it works out.

Here are five books that I initially didn’t think I would enjoy, but actually ended up loving:

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

When I finished writing my first novel, I was ecstatic. After all, it was the largest goal I had ever dreamed of for myself.

But when I went to replicate this success with a different project, I hit a wall. Suddenly, the words weren’t flowing like they used to. I began doubting my ability, thinking to myself that I would never be able to do it again.

Then, I realized the issue wasn’t me or the story. What made this project harder to write was that I had changed my habits. …

In 1852, Emma Snodgrass was arrested for “donning the breeches.” Over eighty years later, Helen Hulik was sent to jail for the same reason. A closer look at these two women and the history of pants in the United States reveals how clothing restriction was used as a tool to assert dominance and power over women.

Boston, Massachusetts, 1852

17-year-old Emma Snodgrass got national attention for wearing pants and trousers in the mid-Nineteenth Century. …

HUMOR

Dear Tuesday,

I really hate to be the one to break it to you, but no one actually likes you.

People love to needlessly berate Mondays because that’s the cliché thing to do. If you look at Reddit feeds, they’ll try to defend you and attack me. It’s laughable how predictable it is. Those people are unoriginal and frankly just trying to lie and protect your feelings.

At least on Monday people have the excuse of “Oh it’s Monday.” They can be tired and have a slower start to the week. Everyone apparently hates their job, and they love attacking…

I love seeking inspiration from books for my own writing. Whether I have hit a rut with my work or just need a break from my story, I consistently turn back to novels.

After the cover, the first line is what grabs you. A great opening line of a book will draw you into the world or introduce you to the character. A fantastic first line will make you want to keep reading.

After compiling a list of some of my favorite first lines of books, I found I had more to share. …

We’re now on to year two of the pandemic, and a lot of us thought (and hoped) it would be fully over by now.

Sometimes, I like to use literature as a means to escape into a new world. I enjoy picking up books that don’t take themselves too seriously and are purely entertaining. However, I also enjoy finding books that capture some of the feelings that I’m working through or reflect our world. If you’re like me and have felt lonely and isolated this year, you’re not alone.

Here is a list of 7 novel recommendations that tackle the…

HUMOR

Hey man — or I guess alien dude? Girl? I couldn’t tell because I was kind of tied up.

So I’m planning on leaving this note in the crop circle that you picked me up from…and I’m hoping you get this.

I just want to say first of all that I’m not mad.

I wasn’t exactly expecting to be taken up in that little flying disk of yours the other day when I went out to go grab some milk from the cows. But then again you can’t expect anything in life, can you? It wasn’t exactly my idea of a Friday night, but I honestly didn’t have plans anyway.

And uh…