Oliver’s Twist

Science Fiction Tropes that Always Entice the Readers

The world of science fiction is always rich and vibrant. In literature, sci-fi is among the most popular genres with a growing reader base. Many are drawn into its reading works under this genre, for it interestingly uses aspects of science and blends it with fiction to create a stirring story. Authors of sci-fi books also inflict a bunch of enhancements on each story element, making them stand out more than the typical fiction tales.

With the growing popularity of science fiction, clichés have also started to rise. They are often seen in movie adaptations but are also observed in many stories. But regardless of these tropes, there still do their optimum best to hook and captivate the readers. That said, here are some of the best sci-fi tropes that always gain traction.

Mind control

Mind control, also referred to as brainwashing, is always a favorite theme not just in the world of sci-fi but also in other fiction genres. It is often presented as the means to manipulate people, leading to committing something unlawful or unethical. When used as a narrative tool, it often reveals a couple of changes in the character’s actions and traits. Mind control is also utilized as an effective medium of moving the storyline forward by developing tension.

For example, Benoit Blanchard’s book on mind control, wherein the initial purpose of the antagonist’s scientific development is to keep people from committing unjust actions. But, when there were few who believed that planting a microchip in one’s mind is not right and is a type of manipulation, things started to stir up.

Alien invasion

Have you read a bunch of stories where aliens threaten mankind? These kinds of tales are also rampant in movies. It’s either alien plot something grand for an all-out invasion of the Earth or works their way up by manipulating humans bit by bit until they control a large part of the populace. Sometimes authors generate the good and evil fiction trope to help increase the quality of the story. There will be good aliens that help humans fight against the bad ones. However, the former is often lesser in numbers than the former, so tension will grow, and the focus will be on the main conflict where mankind needs to defeat the invaders.

Time travel

Suppose you’ve read Kindred by Olivia E. Butler, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, or Hyperion by Dan Simmons. In that case, you probably are familiar with the time travel trope.

Even though time traveling is already considered a cliché, many still take delight in those kinds of stories. Why? It’s because sci-fi authors do their best to present the theme and trope in a unique way. Time travel is often used because it gives a huge opportunity for storytelling by giving glimpses of the past and future that greatly impact the present. Usually, characters possess a time-traveling device, which they maximize to time jump.

Interplanetary travel

As a science fiction fanatic, you probably are familiar with space voyages and interplanetary travels. This is often about the stories that mainly highlight the traveling journey along with the destination. Instead of emphasizing and focusing on the planet or celestial body, the voyage has more opportunity to get the spotlight. Moreover, interplanetary travel became a sci-fi cliché around the 19^th to 20^th century and is still a strong and popular trope until today. Some great books featuring this trope are Primary Inversion by Catherine Asaro, The Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson, and The Expanse Trilogy by James S A Corey.

Post-apocalyptic world

Another term referring to post-apocalypse is “after the end,” which pertains to the current state of the world after something terribly grand happened. Post-apocalyptic stories are often set in a time right after the disaster took place or a couple of years after the catastrophe. This trope also gives the readers some glimpses of the past when the world was calm and orderly. What makes this cliché more enticing is the millions of possibilities on how it can give readers a snapshot of what the world’s future could be if those fictional events happened in real life.

5 Things You Need To Know About Climate Fiction Novels

Climate fiction has always been an unexplored genre for readers; in fact, some may be unaware that it exists at all. You may be wondering why this is the case. It’s because climate fiction is portrayed in some areas as too scientific for people to comprehend, or they’re simply uninterested in novels with the word climate in them, and in some cases portrayed as too boring for others to read to sleep. However, this is not true for all cli-fi novels; it’s not boring or uninteresting at all.

This genre can be anything as long as it is speculative fiction with a changing climate as a major plot device. It could be an adventure-like plot in which the protagonist sets out to find a scientist who can bring life back to Earth, or it could be a mystery-thriller plot in which a failed climate-change experiment kills all life except for survivors who board a ship. Isn’t it fascinatingly exciting?

If you’re new to the concept of climate change that’s just one of the many reasons why you should start reading cli-fi novels as soon as today, then Sam Bleicher’s Guardians of The Solar Shield, is a great piece to start if you’re new to the genre. This new release tells the story of a UN Solar Shields Corps Officer who faces political pressure, corruption, romance, intrigue, and murder while fighting climate disruption.

How could people have missed this?

People have been writing cli-fi stories and novels unwittingly for decades, and some people still fail to recognize this literary genre. It’s not the most popular genre, but it’s depicted in some of the most popular movies you’ve probably seen, such as Snowpiercer, The Day After Tomorrow, and Wall-E.

This begs the question of how you can let people know that this genre exists, not just under the genre of science fiction, but also in the sub-genre of climate fiction as well. Here are five things you need to know about climate fiction:

Climate change is a real thing

Most people believe that climate change is a sham made believable by scientists so people can take interest in their work. And you can’t blame them for their reaction because it’s based on the fact that some people lack the cognitive abilities to deal with the situation. It’s far too complex for others to comprehend and it’s too overwhelming of a problem that could cause a worldwide panic. Although these are plausible reasons for others to believe it, it doesn’t erase the fact that climate change exists.

But how do we convince people that climate change is real? Well, some people, particularly scientists, have a proclivity for improvising and thought, “Why not write a fiction novel about it?” because it seemed to them that if they could give the readers a way of imagining what it might be like to live in a climate-changed world, it might help them think about the problem more effectively.

Reawakens the instinct to adapt

Writing a novel about climate change can help people understand that the climate crisis, which includes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, shrinking mountain glaciers, and sea-level rise, is more real than they can imagine. It allows them to hold ideas in their heads (or adapt to the situation) that they should do this or that in order to be less of a burden on the world such as segregating garbage, using energy wisely, and many more. And, cli-fi novels are so descriptive about the possible futures of the cause of climate change that readers’ hairs stand on end, believing that the world will end tomorrow because of it.

Strengthens emotional resilience

Believe it or not, but these cli-fi novels help you prepare for the great number of possible outcomes in a climate crisis when the situation calls for it. Climate change is terrifying, and whether or not you already knew how high the stakes are, focusing solely on the negative effects will not help anyone. It’s important to be aware of the severity and urgency of the climate crisis, but only seeing climate change as a threat can only make you feel depressed and hopeless.

Cli-fi novels not only help you prepare for the situation, but they also help you reassess the climate crisis as an opportunity to create a better future, accept that change is a natural part of life, and sort out the complicated feelings you have surrounding climate change.

Reassess’s the worst-case scenarios

Did you know that books depicting fear sell well? Some cli-fi novelists grab readers by the collar and compel them to keep reading by speaking to their worst fear, which is the “end of the world” as you know it. When people are focused on their fear, they tend to think to themselves and reassess their situation to see if they are doing the right thing.

Helps people accept change

Cli-fi novels help people realize that there is a lot going on in the world more than they know. It’s not just about the adventure, the mystery, the action or conspiracy but rather it’s about how the story can change other people’s lives. It helps people believe that change is possible and realizing this, helps them accept the change that climate change exists and you need to do something about it.

How to Write a Good Autobiography

When you hear the term “autobiography,” the word “life” immediately comes to mind. They are indeed connected to one another because the former refers to the story of an individual’s life. Most autobiographical works are often created to tell, express, and confess a person’s story and truth. These kinds of accounts are first written in the form of diaries, journals, and letters. Thus, they are typically narrated using the first-person point-of-view.

At present, there are already thousands of autobiography books that have moved, taught, and inspired readers of all ages. Most of these books feature different kinds of lives, struggles, pieces of baggage, and faiths, such as The Story of My Life by Helen Keller, Becoming by Michelle Obama, The Beginning… The End… Anew! by Zedart Hodges, Educated by Tara Westover, and Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt.

Hence, if you have been planning to share your story with the world or wanting to narrate the personal account of a significant figure, then here are some of the tips in writing a good autobiography that you should know.

Recall the memories

Given that this type of writing stems from a person’s experiences from childhood to the present, it is best that you recall your memories. You may take a moment to breathe and prepare yourself for the wounds that you might reopen while doing this activity. If your mind fails to retrieve the significant parts of your life that you want to remember, you can connect with the people present in those certain stages. Nostalgia will definitely hit you, along with the gratitude of experiencing those good, bad, and ugly happenings that molded you into the person that you are now. Moreover, do not forget to list these events for reference.

Create an outline

You successfully had traced down your memories and experiences when you were little until the present. So, what do you have to do next? You should make a comprehensible outline. Make sure to include the exact dates when these events took place, names of people who you were with, locations where it happened, and the likes. Also, you can indicate the highlight of each point of your life so you won’t get caught on choosing what memory to focus on that has helped you shape your life now. This outline will guide you during the writing process by making you in line and on track until you reach the conclusion of your manuscript.

Write truthfully

It will be a sin if you fabricate even the littlest detail in your or your subject’s autobiography. The most valued trait during this process is honesty. Hence, you should write nothing but the truth. Why? As you go through life, there were people who journeyed with you, and they’ve witnessed and contributed to some parts of your voyage. They can definitely testify or speak up when there are glimpses of your book that you’ve altered. A single tweaking of information can lead to a stain on your integrity as an author and a disappointed reader base. So, show your readers the genuineness of your story and the rawness of your emotions through an honest narrative.

Do not be too hard on yourself

Many might think it is the easiest genre to write since you only narrate your personal experiences. But, little did they know about the complexities of looking back on your darkest moments and revisiting your traumatic experiences. When the pain of the past hit you while writing, do not be too hard on yourself and take some breaks; and, on moments when you feel like you’re about to be burnt out, just pause and relax. Don’t push yourself too much to the point that you become lost and unable to write a word. Opt to have breaks in between your schedule to refresh your mind.

Review and edit

When you finish the first draft, expect that there will be lots of polishing work to do. Don’t worry because this is a good part of the writing process that can contribute to your growth as an author. Please review and proofread your work because there might be errors that you haven’t noticed while writing. If you wish, you may hire a professional editor to have a fresh set of hawk eyes to spot the issues in your manuscript and give you points on what to improve on.

How Stories Encourage People to Turn Their Lives Around

In this world where bad decisions, impulsive actions, and reckless choices are present, how can people identify the good from the ugly? You can notice in both society and social media that the current generation tends to be more spontaneous and liberated. Although there is nothing wrong with being free and easy, things need to be taken into account and thought of thoroughly before making a choice.

You probably have heard of the word “accountability,” which refers to the state of being responsible. Hence, you must stand up for your choices and decisions either by pursuing or correcting them. There might be many who will throw their judgments at you, but they are none to judge because everyone has a story and a reason. Your truth and principles might not be the same as theirs. But, what is important is you are holding accountable for your actions.

Many stories were told and books about life and second chances; most of them are from the author’s personal experiences, specifically how they strayed from their chosen path but found their way back home in the end. For example, the author Fred Sights on sex and womanizing stories expresses his struggles and emotions, along with his journey to redemption and change that truly inspires the readers.

So, if you are wondering how stories encourage people, specifically those in their darkest moments, to turn their lives around — then here’s how.

They help you realize the consequences of your actions

Everyone has gone through different things. What others may have experienced might be different than what you are dealing with. But, regardless of these differences, it all boils down to how aware you are of the results of your actions.

Luckily, literature is there to provide you insightful stories that contain the words you need to hear. These tales can either be works of fiction or have happened in real life that aims to make you more aware and responsible for the impact of your decisions and choices, not just on your life but on someone else’s too. By reading them, you become more thoughtful and motivated to make better judgments and strive harder to follow a straighter path for the sake of you and the people around you.

They make you see the world from different angles

While journeying through life, there are moments when your perspectives become clouded, resulting in different undesirable events. There are also times that you tend to have a fixed mindset, which makes you resist changes. Through reading books that aim to inspire, help, and develop a person’s thinking, lifestyle, and skills, you start to gain realizations and reflections from stories. And, somehow, develop a better understanding that the world is progressing and life gets along with these improvements.

Thus, your past and current views might not always be correct and sensible. You start to comprehend why people live their lives that way and that it’s never too late to turn everything around and better yourself for your good.

They push you to seek grander perhaps

On your darkest days, hope might be scarce. The difficulties might overwhelm you, leaving you with two choices: to stay in the dark or strive for the light. In these situations, books can help you come up with a good decision and see things more clearly. Once you become wiser and tougher, you can see a more profound meaning in those stories, and they will push you to seek grander maybes.

Many may be afraid of uncertainties, but with everything that you’ve been through, the opportunities that are knocking on your door might be worth a shot. All you need is the courage to pursue greater heights and faith in your abilities.

They give you the chance to forgive and move forward

Forgiveness and moving on might be two of the hardest things in this world. Surprisingly, there are many stories — both fiction and nonfiction, that help you slowly apply these aspects to your life. As you read these tales, you tend to get the urge to gradually forgive yourself and others for you to move forward. Once you reach that state, you can start fresh with a stronger mind and heart.

Incredible War Memoirs You Shouldn’t Miss Reading

Stories have their way of touching and changing human lives. These stories can be either fictional or nonfictional. Moreover, the latter has been obtaining a wider reader base because of how all the words born from the experiences and emotions of the author or a significant figure formed a magnificent tale that talks about nothing but the real and essential events.

War memoirs, for example, are among the stories that don’t only inform and entertain but also bring meaning and realization. If you are interested in these kinds of works, then we have listed below the best books that center on true war stories that you shouldn’t miss reading.

Donut Hole: A Marine’s Real-Life Battles in Vietnam During 1967 and 68, 1^st Force Logistical Command Clutch Platoon by R.C. LeBeau

This book doesn’t look into the religious factors of war; instead, it features a marine’s real-life battles in Vietnam by RC Le Beau. The Detroit-raised author has gone through the loss of his father before joining the Marines; and, his new father figure is the epitome of a real Marine Corps. His experiences as a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Civil Air Patrol cadet contributed to his new journey as a Marine Logistics expert. When he reached the age of 21, he was already in Vietnam for over a year. Thus, he strived in the place for almost 85 days of battle. Therefore, it is not just your typical war story but also a historical tale where bravery, suffering, combat, and survival are found.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah is an Amazon bestselling book under West African History. This book shows other horrifying aspects of war, which is making use of innocent children as soldiers. Imagine a little kid robbed of their rights to enjoy life and a big future in order to fight and kill. The author, who’s already an adult now, narrates an unusual story of how a 12-year-old child fled striking rebels and explored a place made unidentifiable due to violence. After a year, the 13-year-old Beah was tucked in by the government troops and discovered that he was adept at committing dreadful acts. The pureness and genuineness of the author can be found while he’s telling the story.

With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa by Eugene Sledge

In 1981, Presidio Press published the war memoir of Eugene Sledge titled With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa. It is based on the several notes that the former US Marine Sledge has sandwiched between the pages of his pocket-sized Holy Bible. He didn’t fail to carry the Bible in every combat he fought, specifically in Okinawa and Peleliu. Moreover, in 1944, he started his memoir, particularly in a camp in Pavuvu Island, and continued the piece two years later. With the Old Breed was later translated into different languages and was the basis of Ken Burns’ documentary and HBO’s The Pacific.

The Coldest War: A Memoir of Korea by James Brady

James Brady draws his experience as a young lieutenant from what they referred to as the “forgotten war” of America and turns it into a remarkable book titled The Coldest War: A Memoir of Korea. The war lasted over three years, yet there were more than 54 thousand Americans whose lives were lost. This book brilliantly centers on the author’s immediate learning in the existence of war and the tensions of command. What makes this more meaningful is that it offers a glimpse of a significant part of American history as many lives were impacted, but only little information is known about this event.

If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home by Tim O’Brien

If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home by Tim O’Brien tells the personal account of the author when he served as one of the soldiers in the Vietnam War. He lets the readers witness how the day of a troop who serves in Vietnam usually goes. But, before the tension and struggles, he first showed them where he was raised and how his childhood went. O’Brien’s masterpiece will definitely touch many hearts and move many lives.

Action-packed Fantasy Fiction Novels to Read this Fall

Imagine how wonderful it is to be transported to different extraordinarily magnificent places and live different thrilling lives by reading books. To experience this kind of magic, all you have to do is pick a book and read it. Literature has millions of stories that will surely captivate your heart, bring you lessons, shift your perspectives, and help you see the bigger picture. And, fantasy books are some of the works that offer these perks.

Fantasy fiction is a literary genre with extraordinary storylines that go beyond what we perceive as real. Thus, well-crafted settings, remarkable characters, awesome magic systems, and the likes often characterize stories. If you are already a fan of these tales or want to explore a new genre, listed below are the best and action-filled fantasy fiction novels that will make your fall and any seasons of the year worthwhile.

Sons of Twilight by Collette Jackson-Fink

Sons of Twilight is Collete Jackson Fink’s action pack fantasy fiction novel that continues the saga of the first book titled Daughters of Twilight. In this sequel, the members followed Dane Coles to vent the brand-new realm and reside with the incredible female warriors living in the mysterious black pyramid. The two parties learn to dwell in the area harmoniously. However, danger seems to follow them as a peculiar dark mass is on the verge of inflicting chaos on the planet.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

This is an award-winning novel that was originally published in 1962. It is categorized as a young adult science fantasy book as some of its remarkable aspects belong to the three genres. However, its fantasy elements dominated. It follows the tale of two teens, Meg Murry and Calvin O’Keefe, and a child. Charles Wallace Murray. They jumped into space and time in the hopes of saving Meg and Charles Wallace’s dad. Apart from their magical adventure, the novel brings light to the battle of good and evil as the characters transition into adolescence during their voyage.

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

The School for Good and Evil is the first book of the fairytale fantasy series authored by Soman Chainani. It gained multiple feedbacks and attention from critics and readers and was adapted into a series by Netflix. It centers on the story of two best friends; one tries so hard to possess princess-like qualities named Sophie while the other is effortlessly perceived as a witch named Agatha. But, when they were taken to the infamous School for Good and Evil, their fates were turned upside down. Sophie was sent to the evil, which made her a “Never,” while Agatha was put into the Good, which branded her as an “Ever.” Would the two survive, and their friendship lives on?

The Cruelest Mercy by Natalie Mae

Recently published last June 2021, The Cruelest Mercy by Natalie Mae is the most-awaited sequel to the adventure-filled book The Kinder Poison. The book showcases the story of Zahru, who survived the Crossing and decided to turn her back on adventures. Moreover, Crown Prince Jet manages the growing threat of battle, but they were challenged when prince Kasta came back and announced that he is the real champion of the Crossing, the rightful heir, and bearer of the god’s mark. The problem is, Zahru also has an amazingly identical mark, which gives her the same right to the throne. So, Zahru must do everything to keep the villain away from claiming the throne.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Razorbill published this young adult fantasy novel was published in 2015 by Razorbill and was penned by the bestselling author Sabaa Tahir. The setting is inspired by Ancient Rome called the Martial Empire. Moreover, it focuses on the story of Laia, a girl that serves as a spy for the rebels that are at odds with the current empire in return for their support in saving her captive brother named Elias. Thus, the story is narrated alternately by the two, Laia and Elias.

With the extraordinary stories, wonderful worlds, amazing characters, and other elements of fantasy fiction, you should definitely not waste the chance to read books of this genre.

Getting to Know Science Fiction

From books to movies, science fiction has always been popular. Every story’s awesome and extraordinary concepts and themes greatly contributed to its growing fame in different industries. Moreover, sci-fi in literature refers to the particular speculative fiction category with a bunch of imaginative elements and various themes. The common denominators of every SF story are that they use scientific and technological innovations and are set in a futuristic setting.

In today’s day and age, there are already a wide array of books in science fiction that have captured the interest and hearts of the readers. 1984 by George Orwell, The Martian by Andy Weir, Cyberbrain: Guardian Angel by Benoit Blanchard, Edge of Darkness by Kyla Stone, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Dune by Frank Herbert are some of the best scifi books of all-time.

Moreover, let us know more about science fiction by looking into its different characteristics and subgenres.

Traits

Science fiction books include various futuristic motifs and concepts, which lead readers to put their imagination to work. Because of their rich and fun ideas and elements, both soft and hard science fiction greatly appealed to the bookworms. What could be the common characteristics that made readers more invested in these types of books? Here are the aspects that you can observe in many SF novels:

Parallel universes
Extraterrestrial creatures
Space exploration
Mind control and telekinesis,
Time travel and teleportation
Interplanetary battles
Artificial intelligence
Cryosleep
Space pirates
Alien artifact and remnants
Clones
Body modifications
Interspecies romance

The listed elements are the things that enhance the overall impact of the stories that allow them to look into more significant themes, tackle societal issues, and infuse commentaries. These characteristics, therefore, play vital roles in every sci-fi novel and add to the strength of each story.

Subgenres

Like every other genre, sci-fi also has interesting subcategories that can help book lovers sort books to be added on their TBRs, such as the ones below:

Dystopian fiction – this subgenre refers to the tales that the author sees as troublesome. Dystopias often infer aspects of the present-day society inflicted; thus, this subgenre shows brand-new views on problematic events, such as poverty, tyranny, violence, and more, in both social and political avenues that can otherwise be considered innate and bound to happen.

Space opera – it features the utilization of melodramatic bold space journeys and heroic romance. Stories under this subcategory are set in outer space and revolve around adventure, romance, and thrill. The term “opera” is not linked to music but to “soap opera,” which explains the melodramatic element in every space opera novel.

Steampunk – stories under steampunk — such as Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld and Boneshaker by Cherie Priest, often entail retrofuturistic elements inspired by the steam-fueled machines in the 1900s. Other remarkable features of this subgenre are alternative historical settings, anachronistic inventions, and more.

Utopian fiction – utopian stories are characterized by perfect societies as per the author’s ethos. The term “utopia” was first utilized in a direct context in the book Utopia by Sir Thomas More. This socio-political satire book highlights an obscure and ironic reckoning of the perfect condition.

Cyberpunk – works in this subgenre showcase dystopian futuristic places that seem to revolve around the mixture of low-life and high tech, highlighting different technological innovations and scientific successes, like AI and cybernetics, contrasted with a level of marked transformation in the order of the society. Some of the best cyberpunk stories are Neuromancer by William Gibson, Snow Crash by Neil Stephenson, and Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

Feminist science fiction – is a popular subgenre of sci-fi that concentrates on feminist themes, sexuality, gender discrimination, reproduction, and more. It is somehow considered political because it is prone to criticisms on the prevailing culture. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, The Female Man by Joanna Russ, Kindred by Octavia E. Butler, The Power by Naomi Alderman, and Red Clocks by Leni Zumas are among the best works under feminist science fiction.

Indeed, science fiction has proven that it deserves its popularity and wide reader base. The thousands of stories in this literary genre that remarkably highlights various scientific and technological advancements and several social issues surely bring fun and knowledge to the readers.

Why Science Fiction Books Are Popular

For readers, and even non-readers, the term “science fiction” will always ring a bell and ignite interest. In the world of literature and film, sci-fi is one of the best genres that have a wide range of fans. As a literary genre, sci-fi looks into the effect of real or fictional science on the world and the people. The storylines, settings, characters, and central messages of stories under this genre are extremely based on scientific theories, concepts, and facts, which is in contrast to the approach of fiction.

Most stories under this genre revolve around different branches, innovations, and advancements in science and technology that are often futuristic. There are multiple science fiction tropes that you can notice in many books, such as aliens, alternate universes, artificial intelligence, clones, cyborgs, psychics, and more. Among the hit sci-fi books are Dune by Frank Herbert, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, The Other Emily by Dean Koontz, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, and Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

Given the variety that science fiction adds to the table, what could be the reasons why they are deemed to be popular?

According to Medium, the fame of science fiction possess started 21 years ago, which is 2000. And from that time being, the popularity has continued to grow. Many individuals became drawn to not just sci-fi books but also films and video games. Here are some of the reasons why science fiction books are popular.

Offer a new sense of entertainment

Can you imagine a book that is based on scientific facts and principles but showcases fictional elements? How cool would that be? Through science fiction, readers will surely gain a new sense of entertainment from the awesome adventures, amazing scientific and technological advancements, and significant messages inflicted in every story. What makes this genre more entertaining is its ability to infuse another category, which can elevate the overall impact and quality of stories, such as Harral’s sci-fi and mystery book titled Moon Luck. Thus, the ways books in this genre propel your imagination bringing you interesting yet impactful stories, are indeed remarkable.

Feature another side of literature

Literature is known to be an avenue of creativity and storytelling. For many, it is all about books with either fictional or real stories, along with works of prose and poetry. The distinctions within these major literary genres are clear. However, science fiction seems to be one of the game changers because of how it utilizes both fictional and nonfictional aspects, such as science and fantasy. The paradoxical quality of sci-fi contributed to the reasons why many are interested in its stories and even movies. Thus, the way science fiction books tell stories with accurate scientific theories and interesting tropes is definitely appealing.

Inspire readers to conquer greater heights

There are many stories that boost inspiration and motivation. But nobody does it better, thank science fiction books. Sure, you can get the same assurance and self-esteem enhancement from other works, but sci-fi is surely a game-changer. The way it tells action and adventure-packed stories to the readers with significant central messages and impressive writing style is enough reason to become a fan of this genre.

Moreover, it also develops a human connection by touching the emotions and lives of the readers with the help of different elements, such as characters and literary devices. From those aspects, readers become inspired to take after the traits of the characters and encouraged to take action to create a better and more orderly world, as well as to pursue greater heights that can contribute to their development.

Make you learn different concepts

In this world, there are many fields with various concepts — and science is one of those avenues. There are different ways that people learn about science and technology, but SciFi books offer another way of learning, which is more enjoyable and interesting. Knowing that each science fiction book is based on a particular theory or concept of science, infused with strong central messages, readers wouldn’t only learn more about science but will also learn more about the world and society. Hence, they are more than just science fiction stories because they are also inanimate teachers pushing people to achieve awareness and development.

Finding Joy and Redemption in Music

A guys smiling while playing the ukelele

Music has proven to be a powerful source of inspiration, happiness, and — in many ways, redemption.

Music, like poetry or any other art form, is a medium of expression. It imitates life and songs and melodies reflect humanity’s various experiences, whether personal or collective. Each song displays a theme or an emotion. It can be happy, sad, angry, frustrated, funny, longing, celebrating, or any message the musician wants to convey.

We identify with certain songs, musicians, or genres as both listeners and ordinary people because of what they represent. But, amongst all these emotions and themes, music is widely identified with joy and happiness. Most of us create songs and music when we are happy and celebrating something. On a not-so-familiar premise, music can also be a source of redemption.

In the book Sex, Womanizing and …, we discover a man’s journey as a child who loves music and later, in his adult life, went back to music and found redemption along with his faith in God. Fred William Sight’s biography details how he was interested and excelled in music as a young boy. But Fred’s adult life was not without trials and dark times. He went through a period of anxiety, self-doubt and got involved with things that alienated him from his family, friends, and God. When Fred hit rock bottom, it was only then that he returns to seek God and his family. Music served as an outlet for him and one of the few things he was able to retain while seeking redemption for him.

Although not a rockstar musician, Fred’s story is common among music celebrities. Sometimes, they are overwhelmed by the fame and money that goes their way, and they venture into drugs and other activities that fuel their anxiety and depression. Many spiral down, and when they lose everything, that’s when they return to music and rediscover themselves. While some are not so lucky to be able to get back on the right track, there are others who have battled and were able to make a successful come back. Some musical icons that have battles addiction, alcohol, or dark pasts include Red Hot Chilli Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis, legendary musicman Sir Elton John, and Pop Princess Britney Spears.

For ordinary people or non-professional musicians like us, also music plays a huge role in seeking solace, inspiration, and even redemption, whether you are a simple listener or play an instrument. Music and song have been proven to calm our souls and help us put things into perspective. In some instances, songs have been used in therapy sessions as background music or facilitate a mood.

On a more personal note, music and songs help us seek joy and redemption simply because we can identify with their lyrics or message. Whether it contains a narrative similar to what we are going through and has a positive ending or message or an inspirational song about God’s grace and never-ending love that will stir our soul into a path of a spiritual journey, music affects our disposition and outlook. Praise and worship songs are very effective in providing a serene mood that helps listeners reflect and meditate. The lyrics in these types of music are also enlightening and take us to a whole new perspective and positivity.

Throughout history, music has been humanity’s companion in its struggles, triumphs, mournings, losses, pride, battles but more so in times of joy, happiness, victories, celebrations, gatherings, and marking time, seasons, era, milestones, and other events. Without music and songs, the world would be a dull place to live in. It is through music and poetry that we are able to communicate and discover many things.

As individuals, music speaks to us, our deepest fears, hopes, joys, and even the longings we have. And that includes redemption. We seek affirmation and even counsel in music, hoping that its words and symphonies will guide us and inspire us to pursue what is good and right for us. Music is a potent reminder that you will have salvation and fulfillment if you listen hard enough or embrace the song.

So, if you are feeling down today or you think you need to rethink your life, pick a track and listen heartily to what the music is telling you. Have a good one!

Great Reads under Romantic Suspense

When people hear the word “romance,” things like love, affection, and relationship automatically come to mind. On the other hand, when they hear the term “suspense,” things like fear, tension, and mystery often emerge. You can definitely see the difference between the two; but, what if they become one? The world is filled with endless possibilities, and literature has shown its versatility through fusing two different genres together.

If you combine elements of romance and suspense in a story, it will result in romantic suspense wherein the readers can fall in love while feeling the height of the rising tension at the same time. Knowing love is a strong emotion. When it is combined with suspense — the thrill becomes stronger. So, if you are looking for these kinds of stories, then listed below are the must-reads under the romantic suspense genre.

Jasmine: A Greater Love by M.L. Boyd

This book is the sequel of Jasmine: A Woman of Color. It was published last June 4, 2021, by ReadersMagnet. In the first book, the protagonist Jasmine Moore has experienced what it is like to lose someone she genuinely loved but ended up uncovering his deepest secrets. Thus, her grief turned into revenge. She has fallen in love in the pursuit of vengeance and has also discovered that someone wants to kill her. Now, would the world work and give Jasmine a better love on Boyd’s book, or rather would Jasmine find a greater love in this story? There are also other important aspects that will surely make the readers be more driven to turn every page, like discovering the person trying to kill her, thriving to keep herself alive, and more.

The Runaway Heiress by Meg Tilly

The Runaway Heiress is a newly released romantic suspense book written by Oscar-nominated actress Meg Tilly. It follows the story of a strong-willed and courageous woman named Sarah Rainsford as she escapes from her vengeful husband. Sarah did everything to keep herself safe, such as changing identities and living different lives. Her husband also tries his best to get his hands on her fortune; thus, he will never stop until he gets her. So, Sarah begins to live her life as a personal assistant to a prominent Hollywood director. But, both developed a bond more than just being colleagues. How would they handle their growing attachment while there is a danger coming their way?

Drown Her Sorrows by Melinda Leigh

Bestselling author Melinda Leigh penned the book titled Drown Her Sorrows, which is the third book of the Bree Taggert series. Moreover, the story revolves around Sheriff Bree Tagger, who found a corpse floating close by the Scarlet River’s bank. The car of the mysterious young woman, who’s now dead, has a note indicating that what happened was pure suicide. But, the autopsy shows that there was foul play because the woman already died moments before she was thrown into the waters. Bree begins to investigate the case along with Matt Flynn, her investigator. They started to discover various secrets of the victim’s life; but, would they also uncover who killed her?

Open Season by Linda Howard

The illustrated edition of Open Season by bestselling author Linda Howard was published in 2002. The story focuses on how a girl named Daisy Minor transformed from a simple librarian into an extraordinary party girl. She starts to wear ultimately different clothes. The twist in Daisy’s life continues as she had a new lease on her place, which then she begins to flirt and man-hunt. But one night, as she heads home, she witnessed something that she wasn’t supposed to witness. And just like that, Daisy becomes the next target of a murderer. Her fun and exciting life were put to a stop in order to keep herself safe and alive.

Black Ice by Anne Stuart

Wheeler Publishing published the first edition of Anne Stuart’s Black Ice in 2005. This romantic suspense novel is the first book of the promising The Ice series. It follows the story of Chloe Underwood, who works as an American book translator and has lived from one paycheck to another in Paris. Chloe is the type who seeks thrill and excitement. Thus, she immediately agreed to go on a booming gig where she is translating in a conference for business purposes. But, she found out that her bosses are not the entrepreneurs that they deemed to be.