If you are looking forward to some fresh books to read, check out new releases that are coming out this year! Lots of books by great authors are scheduled to be released, and you might find a new title to look forward to! Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor (Published in January!) If you …
Author Archives: Rachel Leep
Crafting a Year of Creativity: Writing Goals for 2025
A new year is here, and it’s the perfect time to set fresh goals. For lovers of English, the new year might mean new goals for reading or writing. If you’re anything like me, simply saying “write more” doesn’t get you very far. Vague goals like these can fall apart quickly. It’s easy to aim …
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Christmas Stories for the Holiday Season
Looking for a good read over the holiday season? If you are wanting to extend the Christmas season a bit more, try reading one of these stories! Short Stories: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (1843) It would be impossible to start this list with any other story but “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. …
From Don Henley to Taylor Swift: Songs That Reference The Great Gatsby
One of the signs of a great classic is if it has lasting importance and impacts. One of the ways we can see The Great Gatsby taking on new meanings 100 years later is through different art forms. We have already talked a bit on this blog about how music is important to The Great …
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Bringing the Themes in The Great Gatsby to Life
In the last 100 years, The Great Gatsby has shot up to be one of the most popular books taught in high school English classrooms. Yet time and time again it is used in the same way, discussing symbolism of the green light and pursuit of the past. While this book is a great gateway …
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Companion Texts to The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is a well-known classic that offers a view into things like ambition, identity, disillusionment, and the American Dream. While it has become a staple in many high school classes, some students have trouble connecting with all the “rich white people problems” that make up much of the plot. One way to bring …
The Big Read Lakeshore Heads to NCTE in Boston
The Big Read Lakeshore focuses on bringing communities together over literature, but we also go beyond Ottawa, Allegan, and Muskegon counties. This past weekend, part of our community was able to share our ideas with teachers and leaders from all over the country through the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Our team was …
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Whose American Dream?
This year, our book selections are all about exploring the American Dream and how it looks different for people across the United States. The American Dream is often described as the idea that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve a better life through hard work and determination. However, how attainable this dream feels depends on …
Event Recaps: The Big Read Lakeshore Kickoff Event
By Nellie Wilcox Every event needs a plan, but it is the people involved that give it a purpose. The community that shows up whether it is their first time or their twelfth year, makes it extra special. I got to witness this last week Monday at the Big Read Lakeshore Kickoff Event. Before the …
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A Sneak Peak into the Big Read Kickoff
The official kick-off to the Big Read season is just around the corner! Join us Monday, October 28 from 7:00-8:30pm! It will be held in Maas Auditorium at Hope College on 264 Columbia Ave Holland, MI. There will be two keynote speakers, Drs. Jeanne Petit and Kristin VanEyk, along with a Gatsby-themed performance by the …