Annie Kapur
Bio
I am:
ππ½ββοΈ Annie
π Avid Reader
π Reviewer and Commentator
π Post-Grad Millennial (M.A)
***
I have:
π 280K+ reads on Vocal
π«ΆπΌ Love for reading & research
π¦/X @AnnieWithBooks
***
π‘ UK
Stories (2895)
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Book Review: "Take Arms Against a Sea of Troubles" by Harold Bloom
Harold Bloom has always been a contentious figure if you've studied literature at university. I mean there are two types of people you'll meet: people who think he's right and people who think he's wrong. I've been quite the former to be honest, he makes some really good points and the way he states that for him, Shakespeare replaced God, was something I could definitely get on board with. Harold Bloom wrote many books, some of which I have read (such as: The Western Canon and The Art of Reading Poetry - both on my degrees. Then there's The Anatomy of Influence which I want to read again if I can find it) but there are others that I simply didn't get to read in their entirety, and so am only familiar with bits and pieces. So I am quite happy to place myself as a Harold Bloom fan - I too believe that literature is a way of life.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Statue of a Cherub
He coughed blood from his mouth a little, as if it were coming from his gums. He wasn't worried but he did notice his wife had brought home a brand new statue from the flea market that day. The statue was grey and had a marbled effect to it. It was a statue of a cherub - a child angel whom she thought was cute because it looked like their son. He was four but he had the very same curly head of hair that the statue had. He beamed up at it, trying to touch it but she pulled him away and put the statue on a higher shelf.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Fiction
Book Review: "The Magic of the Mountains" by Tim Carmichael
Yes, I'm reading another book by one of our fellow creators. It's surprising to me how many people have published or self-published some really cool books - I've always wanted to do it but I don't think I'd have the guts. Tim Carmichael has written this wonderful text about the healing women of the Appalachian regions. I really enjoyed reading this mainly because I enjoy anything that has its basis in folk culture and I think this is about as folk as you can possibly get. Let's take a look at what made Tim Carmichael's book so good, shall we?
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "A Billion Years" by Mike Rinder
I haven't read a cult book in a long time and that's not something like misidentifying Chuck Palahniuk or Bret Easton Ellis. It's actually regarding full on cults. When it comes to Scientology I've read a fair few books but when it comes to Jonestown I've probably read all of the major ones going. Books about cults often change your mindset about who can become a part of one. A lot of people tend to think that they could never be part of a cult and then, they are part of some ideological doublethink that permeates places like Twitter. It is relatively the same thing. Mike Rinder was once a high-ranking member of the Scientology religion and at the age of 52, left it all behind...
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
The Three Secrets of Fatima
The Three Secrets of Fatima are a series of revelations believed to have been given by the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. These secrets have been the subject of much curiosity, speculation, and theological reflection. Over time, the secrets became intertwined with significant historical events, particularly World War II, the rise of communism, and the suffering of the Catholic Church. They are considered by many to be prophetic, offering both warnings and guidance for humanity. The secrets were revealed gradually, each with its own significance, leading to ongoing discussions and debates about their meaning and implications.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "A Therapeutic Journey" by Alain de Botton
I have been trying to find some help in literature for the current affliction that bothers me. The only way this can be described is a resigning to whatever may happen - in other words, an unbothered nature towards the future. A deep-seated sadness of the soul which I am trying to solve. The one way I know how to solve something is through literature and so, I read Alain de Botton's A Therapeutic Journey in order to do this. I have rarely felt this complex in my life and so, let's take a look at what I found I could use from this text and what I found I could not.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
The Collector by John Fowles
The Collector, published in 1963, marked the literary debut of British author John Fowles. A dark and unsettling psychological novel, it explores themes of obsession, power, and the divide between social classes. Fowles wrote the book in the late 1950s while teaching English in Greece, drawing inspiration from his growing interest in existential philosophy and the dynamics of human relationships.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "How to Read a Book" by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren
You can probably imagine how much I enjoyed reading this book, right? I have often loved books about books and books about reading because they offer us insight into all the different methods of reading we can use. It also makes more bookworms known to us. I was once thinking about writing a book about the experiences of reading, sort of like my 'reading experiences' article. However, I don't think I would know where to start. Be that as it may, I have enjoyed reading books like this one and A Passion for Books which I'm sure has already come out in review form. So let's take a look at How to Read a Book and what it can teach us about the different reading methods we come across in our lives.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
The Beauty of English Literature
I often get to read beautiful advertisements, social media posts and articles on literature from all across the world. From Isabel Allende and her revolutionary literature, to William Faulkner's southern gothic masterpieces. From the ultra-descriptive family narratives of Junichiro Tanazaki to the gorgeous philosophical poetry of Rumi - I have read so much about other countries over these years. I wanted to return the favour; so this is less of a rant and more of a share. I want us all to appreciate a little bit of English Literature because let's face it - we have Shakespeare.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Breathe" by Joyce Carol Oates
Yes, I am reading another JCO novel because right now, this is where I want to be. As you know, my mind has been a bit everywhere and I haven't been feeling great BUT, I have my books and I have my laptop and so, we persist. I know there's been talks of the fact we are seeing a surge of these strange accounts where there are no stories but tons of ChatGPT style responses and comments. I would really recommend we disengage with these people and not make a thing out of it. Just report it and move on. That's what I do. Anyways, on to Breathe by Joyce Carol Oates.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Spoilt Creatures" by Amy Twigg
It's early June 2025 and if this is published after I announce the winners of the 'Day in the Life' competition then congratulations to those who won! I'm not in a great mental space but at least I still have books. I mean it could be a lot worse. I came across this book in my recommendations and so, I wanted to share what I thought of it. With its strong start and implications of media bias, Spoilt Creatures is a book about what happens when men invade the space of women when they aren't invited. It is about the retaliation against this and what happens when you have what is quite a dodgy social structure.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
Book Review: "We Were the Mulvaneys" by Joyce Carol Oates
It's June 2025 and I've had headaches and colds and unfortunately, I'm not in a great place mentally or physically. I don't know what's going on, I just know it's some sort of decline. Anyways, I hope everyone is enjoying how the weather has turned to rain - I left the window open just a little in order to experience a breath of fresh air. It's difficult when you live in a city to get any fresh air and even then, the air isn't really fresh. I've been flaring up with possible allergies and so, I decided to take my mind off it with a morning read. This is We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates - yes it's another JCO novel.
By Annie Kapur7 months ago in Geeks
