literature

Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.

Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith
Strangers on a Train was Patricia Highsmith’s debut novel, first published in 1950. The story idea came to the author during her time working at a New York department store, where she found herself fascinated by strangers’ lives and the possibilities of anonymous interactions.
By Annie Kapurabout a year ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Early Sobrieties" by Michael Deagler
Now I've been eagerly waiting for this book to go on sale and when it did, I made sure that I could snatch it up as soon as physically possible. But that also meant it had to sit around on my Kindle whilst I finished the other books I was reading at the time. I was itchy with anxiety, I wanted to know what everyone thought was so great about it, but also didn't give in to reading many reviews in order to stop myself from ruining the experience of it. I can safely say that this book was thoroughly enjoyed, and that's coming from me - a person who doesn't normally enjoy funny things. Sarcastic and brilliant, this really is a modern classic...
By Annie Kapurabout a year ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Breakdown" by Cathy Sweeney
Where'd You Go, Bernadette? Is not really a book I found that was for me until I read it. I was immediately hooked on to this Thelma-and-Louise inspired narrative in which women break out of their bonds and go on these long self-discovery inspired road trips (except All Fours by Miranda July, that sucked - I am so sorry. But it wasn't a road trip it kind of just pretended to be...). Anyways, I was kind of obsessed with those narratives based purely on a book I didn't think I'd like but I turned out to find really fun. So, enter this book entitled Breakdown by Cathy Sweeney that takes the narrative to a whole new place.
By Annie Kapurabout a year ago in Geeks
The 2025 Anime Scene: What's Really Worth Your Screen Time
Anime in 2025: Too Much of a Good Thing? Let's be honest – trying to keep up with new anime releases these days feels like being that one kid at the buffet who overloads their plate just because everything looks good. There's more content than ever, but most of it's about as memorable as last week's isekai protagonist. Still, a handful of shows have broken through the noise to become genuine cultural moments.
By Geek Peekabout a year ago in Geeks
The Hidden Gems of Manga: 3 Masterpieces That Put Mainstream Hits to Shame
The Manga Dilemma: When Popular Doesn’t Mean Best Walk into any manga section, and you’ll see the same titles staring back at you. Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, One Piece—they’re all great, every one for a different reason, but they’re also about as surprising as finding rice in a sushi roll. Meanwhile, tucked away in the dusty corners of your local bookstore (or buried under Amazon’s algorithm), there are manga series so brilliant they make Death Note look like a grocery list.
By Geek Peekabout a year ago in Geeks
Book Review: "A Small Revolution in Germany" by Philip Hensher
It's late April 2025 and I am a bit stuck. I have no idea whether I actually enjoyed this book but what I do know is that I found it a bit difficult to get my head around the main message. I think that was because what I thought was not the message of the text was in fact, the message of the text: radical thoughts age. Here's where I find a problem: the author goes on about this message for so long that I feel by the end of the book, it has sort of lost its meaning. I didn't come out of the book feeling the way I do when I've read something enlightening. Instead it fell a little flat for me. Let's explore what it's about.
By Annie Kapurabout a year ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Shakespeare's Book" by Chris Laoutaris
I think I can speak for all of us friends when I say that we would all like to know how Shakespeare's First Folio was created. Shakespeare's First Folio was the first compiled collection of Shakespeare's plays. Published in 1623, it has a really cool sketch of Shakespeare on the front and compiled by Edward Blount, William Jaggard and Isaac Jaggard. With just over 230 known to be in existence after a possible 700 copies having existed once - I would be so excited if we found more. I find that if you would like to know more - the Wikipedia page seems to be pretty good for it, the information is correct and accessible. A great resource before you take flight with this beautiful book by Chris Laoutaris.
By Annie Kapurabout a year ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Small Rain" by Garth Greenwell
It's currently May 2025 at the time of writing and I am glad to say that not a lot of interesting things are going on right now. I'm not really sleeping well but what's new? I spent the last day or so mulling over this book because it is dripping with raw emotion. Have you ever just read a book where you've finished it and thought 'woah, that was a bit of a trip', have you!? Well, that's exactly what I thought when I finished this book I'm going to review today: Small Rain by Garth Greenwell is a beautifully written book that I find not enough people talking about...
By Annie Kapurabout a year ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Butcher" by Joyce Carol Oates
It’s getting later into April 2025 and I’m currently sitting in a coffee shop listening to a new episode of a great podcast. I’ve just drank an Americano and now, you’re going to be subjected to another review. Joyce Carol Oates is a great writer. Her novel “The Book of American Martyrs” is probably one of the most moving books I’ve ever read. Another book by her I loved was called “The Sacrifice” which is relative to that last one.
By Annie Kapurabout a year ago in Geeks
Book Review: "A Haunting on the Hill" by Elizabeth Hand
So, we have returned to the world of The Haunting of Hill House and it's only May. I will make it my business to read the horror books, especially these that are quite rare in which they pay homage to another story. I am not going to lie, I went to the library and basically raided the horror section picking up anything that sort of looked good. I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but there was something so intense about this cover that I almost missed the subtitle in which it talks about returning to the world of Shirley Jackson. So, let's dive in...
By Annie Kapurabout a year ago in Geeks
Fountain Of Youth Ending Explained
The conclusion of Guy Ritchie's most recent adventure film, Fountain of Youth, is full with interesting people and themes. John Krasinski and Natalie Portman, who portray estranged siblings Luke and Charlotte, lead the cast of Fountain of Youth. Billionaire Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson) enlists Charlotte in his plot to find and use the Fountain of Youth, the fabled pool that is said to grant immortality to those who drink from it. Owen says he wants to utilize the Fountain to save his life because he has cancer and is dying.
By WHB KHNabout a year ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Blood of Others" by Simone de Beauvoir
It's the end of April 2025 and I have to admit something, on this particular day I've been quite sick so I've been in bed for most of the day. I did cook and read, but apart from that I've not been feeling great. I've been watching some YouTube videos and reading this book until it was finished. I've drank probably about three litres of water and as of yet, I still feel pretty terrible. Hopefully my condition improves by tomorrow but it's a bit crap for now. Sickness really is just inconvenient more than painful. Well, that being done and explained, let's get on with the review for this book.
By Annie Kapurabout a year ago in Geeks