Book
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Reframing Medea: Natalie Haynes at Kitchener Public Library
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There is something slightly disorienting about someone laughing during a discussion of a mother killing her children. But that is exactly what happens when British Author Natalie Haynes speaks on Medea, the mythological figure who commits infanticide to exact revenge on her husband. On March 16, the Kitchener Public Library hosted Haynes in conversation about…
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The Tragic Dreamer of White Nights
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When I first picked up White Nights by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, I truly believed it to be a classic romance story. Once I really started to understand the protagonist, though, I realized that this book has been misinterpreted by many. Yes, romance is a central to the story, but more than that, it explores deep loneliness and coping mechanisms, containing themes…
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No Friend to This House reimagines one of Greek myth’s most infamous women
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Greek myths are rarely kind to women, and Natalie Haynes has built a career by proving that they are rarely fair, either. In her most recent novel, No Friend to This House, the British classicist revisits an ancient tragedy through a modern lens. Haynes will discuss the book at the Kitchener Public Library on Mar. 16 as part of her tour,…
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Character Recap for the New Shatter Me Era
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fter nearly a year’s wait, prepare to return to the Shatter Me universe this upcoming April as Taherih Mafi’s newest book Release Me finally hits the shelves. The first book, Watch Me, in this new series The New Republic, was a major hit, having tugged at readers’ heartstrings at seeing James Anderson all grown up. But there was also some confusion, as it had been such a long…
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When Queer Romance Centers Straight Women
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Few book-to-series adaptations have united people faster than the hockey rivalry turned star-crossed romance, Heated Rivalry, whose predominantly straight female fanbase has sparked debates over ethical consumption, true masculinity and the erasure of sapphic media. In November of 2025, Crave released the Canadian sports romance Heated Rivalry, based on the six-book Game Changer series written by Rachel Reid. The show follows the story of two professional hockey players, Shane Hollander…
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Natalie Haynes Comes to Kitchener: Here’s What to Read
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On March 16, British comedian, historian, classicist, broadcaster and author, Natalie Haynes will visit the Kitchener Public Library as part of her No Friend to This House book tour. Known for blending her sharp humour with classical Greek mythology, Haynes has quickly become a prominent authorwithin the growing genre of feminist Greek myth retellings. Her work includes fiction, non-fiction and broadcast media that offer different perspectives on ancient stories that have long…
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A Guide to Better Habits: What Atomic Habits Gets Right
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In 2018, James Clear released Atomic Habits, an award-winning self-help book on how to build good habits, break bad ones, and combat procrastination. Atomic Habits gained an immense following, went viral on social media, and has sold 20 million copies worldwide as of February 2024, with Slate hailing it as the “self-help book ofthe decade”. The impact of Atomic Habits is undeniable, but does Atomic Habits hold up seven years later? For many, January is a…
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Tips For Beginning Your Reading Journey
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Reading outside of school has not only given me a great pastime away from screens, but has also shaped my personality, perspectives, and future. It has led me to my career path, and has uncovered my passion for writing, languages, and literature. Through reading, I have become the person that I am today—and it could…
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5 POC Authors to Refresh Your TBR in the New Year
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As we head into the New Year, it’s the perfect time to refresh your TBR (To be read). Here are some outstanding POC authors worth adding to your reading list. Nikita Gill Known for her beautiful and emotionally resonant poetry collections, Nikita Gill is an Irish Indian writer whose work often explores mythology, girlhood, and healing. She recently released her first novel, Hekate, a Greek myth retelling that blends her signature poetic style with a full narrative arc. Gill’s writing is gentle, reflective, and easy to fall into, making her the perfect author to add to your TBR this year. Zadie Smith A staple in contemporary literature, Zadie Smith is known for her sharp, witty, and deeply observant writing. Whether you pick up White Teeth, or her more recent fiction and essays, her work offers smart, layered…
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Nabokov’s novel Lolita serves as a necessary, albeit controversial, classic
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Few novels have generated as much debate as Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita. First published in 1955, the book was immediately controversial for its subject matter: the middle-aged Humbert Humbert narrates his obsessive, manipulative relationship with 12-year-old Dolores Haze, whom he calls “Lolita.” Critics and readers have long struggled with whether the book is art, exploitation, or…
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