Author: A and L Magazine

Octavia E. Butler was one of the first Black women to write science fiction. Her novels weave together history, sci-fi, and more. Kindred, one of her first novels, originally published in 1979, is a brilliantly put-together book. Though it was written more than 40 years ago, the topics in the novel are still relevant today.…

Stamped is not a history book. Instead, it covers the history of racism, slavery in the United States in a conversation-like manner. When did racist ideas emerge? What is a segregationist versus an assimilationist versus an antiracist? How and what actions contributed and still contribute to them? Jason Reynolds has done an amazing job adapting…

The Anthropocene Reviewed is a review of the human era based on a five-star scale of things like Halley’s comet to air conditioning to the internet to sunsets and so much more. Not only does John Green review these items important to him and the anthropocene, he tells a story with these things by showing…

Michael Pollan has finished another amazing book. This one is a little different than the ones we have reviewed before because it is about what some call drugs, others call psychedelics and yet others call medicine. In his book, he covered three plants and their effects on our mind: opium, caffeine and mescaline. He opened…

Toi + Moi is a beautiful song by the French artist Grégoire, whose title translated to you and I in English. In French, even for those who can’t understand the lyrics, it is catchy to sing along with. Also, the background music goes along perfectly with the vocals of the piece! The song translated to…

Cinderella (2021) directed by Kay Cannon is a fairytale MASTERPIECE! This film stars Ella, a young woman, dressmaker and businesswoman who hopes of opening her very own dress shop, and Prince Robert, who’s father (the King) is demanding that he gets married. In the outer palace courtyard his eye is caught on a beautiful and…

Born with a Bang tells the story of the Universe, from the point of view of the universe. It is a short story, by Jennifer Morgan, that covers how it emerged, grew, learned and became the place we live in today. In this children’s book, the Universe tells their story with a BANG!

One Christmas Eve, a young boy goes on a journey to discover what true believing is. When the Polar Express stops by his house he is hesitant to climb aboard, but when he does a grand adventure begins. You will meet a punctual conductor, a brave girl and a friendless, shy boy. Arriving at the…

Michael Pollan is an amazing food writer. All of his books dive deeper into food, its connections to use and changing or broadening our views on what we eat. In Defense of Food certainly broadens views about food by focusing on how there is more to food than just the nutrients scientists tell us are…

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a funny but educating film about a young man who is thrust into the role of US Senator, by a group of cunning government officials who think he will be pliant in helping them secure a business deal to benefit themselves. But Mr. Smith, though oblivious and naive, is…