Dystopian novels are a genre of novels that often deal with some sort of alternate world or future world that resembles our world and society in some way. They tend to discuss themes about government control or manipulation, censorship, or conformity. For some examples of popular dystopias, check out the books listed below! 1984 by …
Tag Archives: Big Read
Books to Look Out for in 2025
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 …
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 Perfect Present for a Book Lover: The Great Gatsby Themed Gifts
By Arayah WeidenNothing is better for a book lover than getting a gift based on a classic novel. Every book lover dreams of having a nook filled with their favorite novels, themed decorations, and cozy chairs. Gifting a book lover any gift that is literature, classic, or new novel themed is bound to create just …
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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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Event Recaps: Author Visit with Yuyi Morales
By Maggie Hartman The best way to experience a beautiful children’s book (like Dreamers) is with actual children. This past week, 800 local elementary students came to an event hosted by The Big Read Lakeshore that included a presentation by StrikeTime Dance Company and a talk by the author of the Little Read book Dreamers, …
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