The pressure on writers to write the next bestseller, and the Japanese film Demon Slayer

In Waubgeshig Rice's "Moon of the Crusted Snow," a remote Anishinaabe community faces a sudden and mysterious power outage that cuts them off from the rest of the world. As winter descends, the community grapples with dwindling resources and increasing desperation. The novel explores themes of resilience, tradition, and the importance of community in the face of crisis. Through the eyes of Evan Whitesky, a young father, the story unfolds, portraying the challenges and the strength of the Anishinaabe people. Rice weaves together elements of post-apocalyptic fiction with Anishinaabe storytelling, creating a powerful narrative of survival and cultural identity. As the outside world crumbles, the community must look inward and to their traditions to find a way forward.

Set in Lorain, Ohio, during the Great Depression, 'The Bluest Eye' tells the story of Pecola Breedlove, an eleven-year-old African American girl who desperately wants blue eyes, believing they will make her more beautiful and accepted according to white cultural standards. The novel explores themes of race, class, and beauty standards, highlighting the destructive impact of internalized racism and societal pressures on Pecola and her family. Through a non-linear narrative and shifting perspectives, Morrison critiques the systemic racism and social stratification that contribute to Pecola's tragic downfall.

The Song of Solomon is a lyric poem that extols the virtues of love between a husband and his wife. It presents marriage as God's design, emphasizing care, commitment, and delight within the marital relationship. The book is divided into three main sections: courtship, the wedding, and the maturing marriage. It also contains themes of physical and spiritual love, and some interpretations see it as an allegory for Christ's love for the Church.