Tag: books

+

What Did I Read in 2025?

For the past few years, I have set various reading goals for myself. I initially did this to keep myself on a schedule with reading because I know that if I have a goal to reach, I will do my best to reach that goal. I started off small, with a bar of 60 or so books a year, and once I hit that, … Read More What Did I Read in 2025?

+

Is It Literary Theft?: Looking at Writing in R.F. Kuang’s “Yellowface”

I read R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface over the summer, with the intention of adding it to my “Lost Voices in American Literature” course. After reading it, I was very interested in the discussion that would arise when we finally discussed the book in class. I thought, on the first couple of days, that students wouldn’t say much and that we just look at the way that June … Read More Is It Literary Theft?: Looking at Writing in R.F. Kuang’s “Yellowface”

+

“Is it a racist story?”: Nate Powell’s “Cakewalk”

When I teach first year composition, I usually frame the course around personal narratives, allowing students to write about themselves. I find that this helps them get comfortable with writing and allows them to express themselves through their essays. As such, I try to choose at least one text that contains personal stories. This semester, I decided to add Nate Powell’s You Don’t Say, a collection … Read More “Is it a racist story?”: Nate Powell’s “Cakewalk”

+

The Cost of War in Rick Remender and Daniel Acuña’s “Escape” #1

I toy with a various different writing assignments in my composition courses, typically crafting assignments based on our readings. Last spring I had students construct zines since we read riot grrrl memoirs. I’ve had students create their own comics, either scripts or full fledged comics. This semester, I am having students write fan letters. Since we are reading some early EC Comics, notably a collection of Weird Fantasy and a … Read More The Cost of War in Rick Remender and Daniel Acuña’s “Escape” #1

+

Lost Voices in American Literature Course

This semester, I’m teaching a Lost Voices in America literature course. I knew, from the outset, that I wanted to frame this course around noir, thrillers, and mysteries, including writers such as S.A. Cosby and Annette Clapsaddle. With that in mind, I constructed a broad course that incorporates Southern noir, Afrofuturism, mysteries, and more. I also made a point to include two graphic texts, … Read More Lost Voices in American Literature Course