Underground Bookshelf

Lily Everett spent her entire life following along with what was expected of her; she never wanted to make waves. When senior year of college rolled around, she had a life that other girls envied- an awesome best friend, a spot on the cheerleading squad, and the dream boyfriend. Everything was perfect…until a stranger made her rethink everything and turned her world upside down.

I kneeled before the altar; my knees planted firmly on a red cushion that had been worn thin with age. Winds of incense slowly spiraled upward. Sandalwood drifted in with its calm aroma, merry to heighten the contrast of this ancient ambiance. To me, the smell is ancient, familiar in a way that drew something from the depths of my chest. Every spring, we gather for Taigong Ji. The ceremony is a rite held to honor our earliest recorded ancestor. The family comes together to bow, burn incense, and speak the names of those who came before, reaffirming the unbroken chain of lineage. I fought for this moment to stand beside these people-for the youngest in six centuries. I thought standing with them would make me one of them.

Mystical and magical and beautiful: a wave.

Activism for children may sound alarming, but it can be as simple as taking them with you to volunteer at the library or encouraging little ones help you pick out some food or toiletries that will be collected for community members who might need them. While not all parents will be ready to discuss protest and activism with their children, this list of books and other resources are for those who are preparing for these discussions. Below are some resources for parents and teachers. Scroll down for a list of sixteen books for children that center protest and activism.

Thank you to everyone who submitted their work to the June contest! I always look forward to this time of the month because it means I get to review and enjoy your submissions. I'm happy to continue to see submissions from new people as well as some of our regulars. It's exciting to see this community continue to grow!

In the United States, Disability Pride is celebrated in July because the landmark legislation, the Americans with Disabilities Act, was passed on July 25, 1990. While the fights for inclusion and equality/equity are not over (and the recent fights over Medicare and Medicaid suggest some backsliding), the ADA was a major step toward including people with disabilities in public life. 

I see them,

Brooke, a driven single mother and lawyer, never expected to find passion in the arms of a stranger at a bar. But their connection is undeniable, and they surrender to an electric night of desire. Months later, her world is turned upside down when she walks into her new legal clinic and comes face-to-face with Emma, one of her law students, and the woman she shared that unforgettable night with.

Protesting seems to be here to stay for a while. Although we will, one day, have to move onto next steps, we are still in the middle of building momentum and getting the attention of those in power. Below the image, you'll find ten more works of nonfiction that center protest and activism, but first, here are a few links to some of the more creative protests in modern history as well as a few pointers on how to get creative with protests and activism of your own.

Welcome back to Valek Akechi! Gothic literature is known for tackling religious commentary in a variety of ways. In this essay, Valek reflects on the ways Anne Rice's vampire characters dialogue about religion, particularly Christianity. This essay was originally published on Scorpio Assassin Studios.

Hands dip deep in soil.