literature

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

Harry Potter TV Series
My love of reading started from this magical series called "Harry Potter" I remember being hooked from the first day I picked up the books. However, I knew that as the movies came out one by one there would be elements missing from the books, I knew this going into it. Now, I am excited for the television series, why? Because I believe this is how it was meant to be shown. It was always meant to be a television series. The movies were great; however, they were inconsistent because of how many directors there were over the course of the movies. Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell, and David Yates were all directors of the films. That is a lot of directors to go through for a movie series...I hope the show gives more consistency.
By Adrianna M. Braun2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Great Passion" by James Runcie
They do say you should never judge a book by its cover but when I saw this book I went 'huh, that looks like a really interesting book.' Plus, after reading strictly more modern things for a while if we minus the Crime Classics, I was looking forward to something more historical. Again, this is another library book since everyone is sick of me spending my pay on buying used books. I was quite surprised that this seemingly short book was actually as good as it was and now, here I am to talk to you about it. I cannot help but recommend this to you already. On the surface, it seems simple enough, but there is something much deeper and much more quintessentially human going on...
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Signs You've Been Watching Too Much Chainsaw Man!
Since its debut in 2022, Chainsaw Man is undoubtably an incredibly popular manga and Anime series. Set in an alternate history of 1997, Chainsaw Man deals with a world under constant threat of supernatural beings called Devils, entities based on humanities fears or phobias.
By Halden Mile2 years ago in Geeks
The 10 Most Dangerous Animals on Earth
The 10 Most Dangerous Animals on Earth 1. Mosquito (Anopheles spp.) Annual Deaths: 725,000+ Length: 3-6 mm Habitat: Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide Alive or Extinct? Alive (thriving!) Type of Danger: Disease vector (malaria, dengue, Zika, yellow fever) Fatal Impact: Neurotoxic, systemic infections via parasites or viruses Why It’s the World’s Deadliest Animal: This tiny insect doesn’t kill with fangs or venom but with biological warfare. Mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting malaria, which kills over 600,000 people yearly, mostly children in sub-Saharan Africa. Add to that dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever, and you've got an insect responsible for more deaths than all other animals combined. Interesting Traits: Only females bite — they need blood to nourish eggs. Their antennae detect CO₂ from human breath, body heat, and even lactic acid in sweat. Can lay hundreds of eggs in standing water. Where It Strikes: Africa, Southeast Asia, Central/South America Anywhere with warm climates and stagnant water Survival Tip: Use repellents with DEET, wear long sleeves at dusk/dawn, and sleep under insecticide-treated nets. 2. Humans (Homo sapiens) Annual Deaths: 475,000+ (homicides and war) Height: Avg. 5.6–5.9 ft Habitat: Global Alive or Extinct? Alive (and dominating) Type of Danger: Weapons, war, environmental destruction Fatal Impact: Global-scale violence and ecosystem collapse Dark Irony: We are the only species on this list that kills deliberately and with malice. Human-on-human violence, systemic wars, terrorism, and homicides make us statistically one of the deadliest species on the planet. Shocking Stats: Over 100 million people died in the 20th century from war alone. Humans are causing the 6th mass extinction, wiping out species 1,000x faster than natural rates. How We Kill: Guns, bombs, toxins Deforestation, pollution, and climate change (killing indirectly) Hard Truth: We don’t just kill each other — we’re also driving entire ecosystems to collapse. 3. Box Jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) Annual Deaths: 100+ (likely underreported) Length: Bell up to 30 cm wide; tentacles 3 meters Habitat: Coastal waters of Australia, Philippines, and Thailand Alive or Extinct? Alive Type of Danger: Neurotoxic venom Fatal Impact: Heart failure, respiratory paralysis, extreme pain Why It’s a Nightmare: The box jellyfish delivers one of the most painful stings in the natural world. Its nematocysts inject venom that attacks nerves, heart, and skin simultaneously. Death can occur in as little as two minutes. Terrifying Traits: Transparent and nearly invisible in water Each tentacle has thousands of stinging cells Can actively swim, unlike most jellyfish Survival Tip: Carry vinegar when swimming near reefs in Australia — it deactivates undischarged stingers. If stung, seek medical help immediately. 4. Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) Annual Deaths: 1,000+ Length: 6–7 meters (20–23 ft) Habitat: Estuaries, coastal rivers in Southeast Asia, Australia Alive or Extinct? Alive Type of Danger: Physical strength, stealth ambush Fatal Impact: Crushed bones, drowning, massive trauma The World’s Largest Reptile: This prehistoric predator has a bite force of over 3,700 PSI—stronger than that of a T. rex. It can take down buffalo, sharks, and yes, humans. Hunting Method: Waits motionless for hours Lunges in ambush Performs a “death roll” to tear off flesh Famous Incidents: In 2021, a massive saltie killed a fisherman in the Philippines, dragging him into the water mid-cast. Authorities estimate the croc was over 18 feet long.
By amgad2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "My Life as a Rat" by Joyce Carol Oates
I really enjoy going to the library. It really is one of the only indoor public spaces in which you can exist without spending money. You can go in, grab a book and sit down in the cafe without buying anything and nobody tries to kick you out. I like sitting in the cafe because it's right next to the window and so you get a lot of sunlight. I also enjoy reading some Joyce Carol Oates works even though the author herself is a bit on the snobby side. The book My Life as a Rat reflects themes that I saw in The Book of American Martyrs in which people are put in morally perilous positions. So, let's take a look at what I enjoyed about this book.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Black Days" by Jackson Ellis
I had never heard of this book, nor had I heard of the author. I simple just found it on my recommendations list on Amazon. I would have got it at the library but it was on Kindle Unlimited and they didn't have it in the library. I wanted something that was going to be edging on the psychological thriller routine but wasn't one of those 'married couple finds out one of them is a psycho' things. At the beginning, I thought it was going to be more like a horror novel, but as it goes on it turns almost into a Sci-Fi. I'm still not sure what to think about it. I will say that if you enjoy dark Sci-Fi films then this is for you. I liked it, it just wasn't what I thought it would be.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Forbidden Colours by Yukio Mishima
Forbidden Colours (Kinjiki) by Yukio Mishima was first published in serialised form from 1950 to 1951 in the Japanese magazine Gunzo. The completed novel was then released in 1953. Written during a period of intense post-war change in Japan, the novel reflects Mishima's own explorations of sexuality, beauty, and the interplay between social taboos and personal desires. The title itself refers to a concept in Japanese culture; “forbidden colours” connotes homosexuality or love that cannot be openly acknowledged.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Complete Short Stories" by Muriel Spark
I've read some Muriel Spark in my time. It's usually been The Driver's Seat and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. But, honestly I've been looking more into her work and someone suggested I read her short stories. I had been meaning to for a while but to be honest, the more I read the summary of the collection the less interested I became. And this is a lesson in why even if you read the summary, you should still be interested in finding your own perspective on the book. I actually quite enjoyed it. So, let's have a look at what was going on in there...
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
The Life Of Chuck: Release Date, Cast, Story, Trailer & Everything We Know
The Life of Chuck is Mike Flanagan's planned film adaptation of the same-titled Stephen King novella from his 2020 collection If It Bleeds. The narrative centers on Charles "Chuck" Krantz, a guy who is dying of a brain tumor, as the title implies. The narrative, which is presented in reverse order, is undoubtedly one of King's more avant-garde pieces. The Life of Chuck leans on King's incredible work with characters rather than a lot of his traditional horror stories.
By WHB KHN2 years ago in Geeks
The Strangest Discoveries That Changed How Scientists See the World
Science is a journey of endless curiosity—but some discoveries are so bizarre that they force us to rewrite everything we thought we knew. From ancient high-tech artifacts to cosmic mysteries that defy logic, these findings didn’t just add to human knowledge—they shattered old beliefs and opened doors to entirely new realms of understanding. Here are the most jaw-dropping discoveries that changed science forever—and the unanswered questions they left behind. 1. The Antikythera Mechanism: A 2,000-Year-Old Computer When sponge divers discovered a corroded bronze device in a shipwreck off Greece in 1901, archaeologists initially dismissed it as an odd navigational tool. But decades later, 3D imaging revealed the truth: an intricate mechanical computer with 30+ interlocking gears, capable of predicting: Solar and lunar eclipses Planetary positions (even accounting for elliptical orbits!) The dates of the Olympic Games Why It Rewrote History: Before this, scholars believed such advanced gearwork didn’t exist until the 14th century. The Antikythera Mechanism suggests that ancient Greek engineers had knowledge rivaling 18th-century clockmakers—but their secrets were lost to time. 2. The Voynich Manuscript: A Book No One Can Read Imagine a 600-year-old book filled with: Unidentified plants (some resembling alien flora) Naked women bathing in green liquid Astronomical diagrams of unknown constellations Despite AI, codebreakers, and historians analyzing it for over a century, nobody has deciphered its text. Theories range from: An elaborate Renaissance hoax A lost language or cipher Extraterrestrial communication Recent Clues? In 2019, a researcher claimed it was a women’s health manual in a Near Eastern language… but the debate rages on. 3. Quantum Entanglement: When “Spooky” Defies Physics Einstein hated this idea—because it breaks all classical laws of physics. How It Works: Two particles become "entangled." Change one (e.g., spin it clockwise), and the other instantly mirrors it—even if it’s light-years away. Why It’s Revolutionary: Proves information can travel faster than light (seemingly violating relativity) Could enable unhackable quantum internet Suggests the universe is fundamentally interconnected 4. The Bloop: The Ocean’s Unexplained Roar In 1997, NOAA’s hydrophones detected a sound deeper than a blue whale’s call—loud enough to be heard 3,000 miles apart. The Theories: A colossal sea monster? Secret military experiment? Giant icebergs cracking? (the official explanation, but not everyone’s convinced) The Takeaway: The ocean is less than 5% explored. Who knows what else is down there? 5. The Nazca Lines: Ancient Giants in the Sand Etched into Peru’s desert 1,500 years ago, these 1,200-foot-long drawings include: A hummingbird A spider A humanoid figure nicknamed "The Astronaut" Unsolved Mysteries: How? The Nazca people couldn’t see their work from the ground. Why? Theories range from rituals to alien landing strips. Recent Discovery (2023): AI detected 50+ new Nazca glyphs, proving we’re still uncovering their secrets. 6. Dark Matter & Dark Energy: The Universe’s Biggest Secret Here’s the humbling truth: Everything we see—stars, planets, galaxies—is just 5% of the cosmos. The rest? Dark Matter (27%) – An invisible “glue” holding galaxies together Dark Energy (68%) – A mysterious force accelerating the universe’s expansion The Shock: We still don’t know what they are. Some physicists think dark matter could be undiscovered particles; others suggest our laws of gravity are flawed. 7. The Taos Hum: A Sound with No Source Since the 1990s, 2% of Taos, New Mexico’s residents report hearing a low-frequency hum—like a distant engine. The Twist: No instrument has ever recorded it Some people hear it constantly; others never do Possible Explanations: Secret military tech Mass psychogenic illness Earth’s natural resonance 8. The Placebo Effect: When Fake Medicine Works In clinical trials, sugar pills sometimes work as well as real drugs—if patients believe they’re real. Mind-Blowing Facts: Can relieve pain, depression, even Parkinson’s symptoms In some studies, even open-label placebos work What This Means: The mind-body connection is far stronger than we thought. 9. The Wow! Signal: Did Aliens Call Us? In 1977, astronomer Jerry Ehman detected a 72-second radio burst from the Sagittarius constellation—1,000x stronger than cosmic background noise. The Mystery: Never repeated Doesn’t match any known satellite or source Best Guess? A one-time cosmic anomaly… or a missed alien message? 10. The Immortal Jellyfish: Defying Death Most jellyfish die after mating—but Turritopsis dohrnii doesn’t. When threatened, it reverts to a baby polyp, restarting its life cycle. Could Humans Do This? Scientists are studying it for anti-aging breakthroughs. Imagine resetting your body at 90. BONUS: 3 New Mind-Bending Discoveries 11. The Dancing Plague of 1518 In Strasbourg, 400 people danced uncontrollably for weeks—some to their death. Possible Causes: Mass hysteria Toxic fungus (similar to LSD) A forgotten ritual or curse? 12. The Emdrive: The “Impossible” Engine NASA tested a fuel-less thruster that produces thrust without propellant. Why It’s Controversial: Breaks Newton’s Third Law Could transform space travel forever—if it’s real 13. The Siberian Hellmouth The Batagaika Crater is a growing sinkhole in Siberia, expanding up to 30 meters a year. Why It’s Terrifying: Releases ancient methane, worsening climate change Reveals prehistoric ecosystems as it deepens Conclusion: The Universe Is Weirder Than We Imagined From ancient supercomputers to quantum magic, these discoveries prove that reality is stranger than fiction. The biggest lesson? Stay curious—because the next world-changing revelation could be just one experiment away.
By amgad2 years ago in Geeks
When Real Madrid and Arsenal faced each other: A dream football match
When Real Madrid and Arsenal faced each other: A dream football match When I first saw a football match as a child, I did not know the names of the players, nor the difference between the teams. There was just a ball, 22 people and immense passion. But with time, I understood one thing some teams make a home in the heart. For me, those teams were Real Madrid and Arsenal.
By Arab Shah2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Picador Book of Funeral Poems" ed. by Don Paterson
Do you remember when I read the ‘Penguin Book of Elegy’ and made myself really upset because of all the sad poetry? Well, I’ve done it again. I’m really sad because I have read yet another book of funeral poems. ‘The Picador Book of Funeral Poems’ is a collection of some of the more famous verses dedicated to the dead and grieved whilst the ‘Penguin Book of Elegy’ might be a little bit more meatier for those of you who don’t want the feeling of depression and sadness to end. ‘The Picador Book of Funeral Poems’ is, like our earlier book, split into various sections that deal with different emotions and ideas. Some of these poems are really long and others are very short. The shortest I saw in the book was by Sappho who simply wrote ‘my darling…’ So, let’s take a look at the strengths of this book and why exactly I sat and read the entire thing in about an hour and a half.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks