Having done ten other articles describing the best of the best in terms of literature, not a single other article has been as intimidating to me as the one you are currently reading. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings stands not only as a monument of fantasy writing, but as the structure of literature as we know it. From its length to its characters, the geography and culture, the plot and mythology, there is no other trilogy of fantasy novels so widely recognizable save those who came in the wake of Tolkien’s success.

It’s Jul. 20, 2020. Life is a whirlwind of waking up and falling asleep over and over, the world outside your doors locked away behind a dangerous disease. It will be years, if ever, that life as you’ve known it will go back to normal.

The COVID-19 pandemic has rocked our world in so many ways, and while it has tested our resolve, it has also taught us so much about the things we need in our college and life experience. One of these things is true, in-person human interaction, sharing stories and skills and working together in the same room to meet new people, create beautiful things, and strengthen connections with old friends and ourselves.

Disney films are a huge cornerstone of nearly everyone's childhood. Whether you grew up watching stories of princesses and their all-powerful, fearless princes, or depictions of inanimate objects such as cars and their tumultuous races to victory despite tragic obstacles along their way, chances are you’ve spent at least some weekday afternoons curled up on the couch with your favorite youth-affirming Disney film. 

J.R.R. Tolkien’s world is most recognized within the story of The Lord of the Rings, and while that has an easy explanation relating to the popularity and recognition of said trilogy, there would be no Lord of the Rings without the foundational stories found in Tolkien’s earlier mythology.

Geneseo’s music scene is livening up with the introduction of Geneseo Jam Kitchen, a promotional group comprised of local Livingston County musicians who will be booking diverse musical acts at the Geneseo Riviera and Wadsworth Homestead.

We’re all hobbits in one way or another. For some, the call to adventure comes later in life than you may expect, and even then, you may find yourself searching for reasons not to go instead of doing what your heart desires. Others only wish to find a nice, comfortable “hole in the ground” to burrow in and live out the rest of their days without any grumbling old wizards who come knocking on your door.

On May 25, 1977, award-winning Shakespearean actor, Sir Alec Guinness, brought Obi-Wan Kenobi to life. “Hello there,” his unassuming first line, established this legendary character in Star Wars history.

“Ascension millennium, ascension millennium,” opens the 2016 album Angelic 2 the Core, the magnum opus of former child actor, current activist and timeless musician Corey Feldman. While the rhythmic consonance of the retro dance beat evokes the theme of a millennium on the rise, the dissonance of the synthesizers and autotune imply a musical experience of declining enjoyment. When the verse arrives and all sense of rhythm is lost, even the most trained musical ears will struggle to find the art in the noise.

Entering the summer of 2017, Taylor Swift had not been seen for almost an entire year. She had been the topic of much conversation over the course of that year, facing a controversy after Kanye West name dropped her in an incredibly misogynistic song. Her image was potentially at an all-time low, with countless people commenting snake emojis all over her Instagram page and shaming her for the number of men she’d dated. Meanwhile, countless headlines pondered the same question over and over for months: Why did she disappear?

Maid is a Netflix Original Series that is based on the true story of Stephanie Land and her 2019 memoir, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive. The show follows the main character, Alex, through the ups and downs of her journey to leave her abusive, alcoholic partner and make a better life for her and her daughter, Maddy. The show was released on Oct. 1, 2021 and is ten episodes long.

Our next stop on the trip through Taylor Swift’s discography may just be the most relevant of our time (unless there’s another surprise album drop). This week we’ll be looking at Red and 1989, discussing how Taylor took the leap between country and pop and how it worked so well she had no reason to look back. In my life this era was all about change too, and perhaps that’s why 1989 remains my favorite album Taylor has released.

There is an ongoing battle between Spotify users and Apple Music users—many people are willing to argue over and over in favor of their preferred music streaming service. So, let’s finally settle this for once and for all. The secret is… they’re really not so different. In all the big ways, Apple Music and Spotify share the same price and features with only minute differences.

Let’s try this: you wake up one morning after having a string of odd dreams that are lost on you now, and when you look down at your body you realize it’s no longer your body, but that of a massive insect. What’s your first thought?

Disney’s latest animated film, Encanto, directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, tells the story of a family who is granted a “miracle” following the devastating loss of Abuelo Pedro, as he attempted to flee with his family from their burning village. This miracle takes the shape of Casita, their magical home, which is undoubtedly alive and sentient, caring for and playing with the many children of the house throughout several generations.