Month: May 2025

When people have conversations about their favorite books, it can sometimes be easy to forget about the authors who created them. After all, our favorite stories are born from the minds of these incredibly gifted and imaginative individuals. So, in a sense, it could be said that we aren’t discussing our most-loved books as much as we are our favorite ideas from the people who produced them. In this edition of The Quill, we wanted to hear about our contributors’ favorite authors, and why their ideas resonate with readers all over the world.

 Anybody who knows me personally knows how much I love The Lord of the Rings, and I would be remiss not to talk about its author. Born on January 3^rd, 1892, J.R.R. Tolkien is the mastermind behind the world of Middle-earth, the diverse characters who inhabit it, and the unique languages that those characters speak. In many ways, Tolkien could be seen as the “godfather” of modern fantasy, primarily due to his popularization of many traits and tropes that we associate with the genre today. The versions of species such as Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs that we’re familiar with were first seen in Tolkien’s works. He even invented Hobbits, otherwise known as “halflings” in other media.Yet despite these groundbreaking innovations in the fantasy genre, Tolkien didn’t come up with most of these ideas on his own. Like any great writer should, he found inspiration in the works that came before him. Throughout his life, Tolkien was an avid studier of mythology, whether it be Greek, Norse, Roman, or Celtic. The aforementioned species — with the exception of Hobbits — were all drawn from ancient myths in some capacity, but there were more robust borrowings as well. For example, a theoretical apocalyptic event in Middle-earth’s canon, known as Dagor Dagorath, was directly inspired by Ragnarök, a catastrophic event in Norse mythology that would see the world burn following a battle of gods and heroes. Additionally, the well-known character Gandalf was loosely based on Odin, the all-father of the Norse pantheon. The Valar, powerful spirits who oversaw Middle-earth, were also created with Greek gods and goddesses in mind. Finally, there is the flooding of Númenor, a city whose fate directly mimics the Greek myth of Atlantis.

But of course, while Tolkien is known for his masterful worldbuilding and love for mythology, there is nothing that represents who he was better than the languages of Middle-earth. Tolkien possessed a love for everything related to language from a young age, and he began developing his own languages for fun by the age of 13. This passion eventually led him to work as a professor at the University of Oxford, where he taught Old English and English literature for over three decades. However, his most notable linguistic work once again comes in the form of The Lord of the Rings, as he developed 15 unique languages that were spoken by Middle-earth’s inhabitants. These include the Elvish languages of Quenya and Sindarin, the Dwarven language of Khuzdul, and the Black Speech of Mordor, spoken by Orcs and other dark beings. These languages are what set Tolkien’s work apart from many other fantasy stories, and they help to make Middle-earth feel more like a fully functioning world of its own.

Although it’s been over 50 years since J.R.R. Tolkien’s passing, his influence on the fantasy genre cannot be understated. Works such as Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time, Terry Brooks’ The Sword of Shannara, Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle, and Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archives have all taken inspiration from Tolkien’s work in some capacity. As an aspiring fantasy author myself, I find much of my inspiration within the pages of The Lord of the Rings, and my own love for mythology intersects with Tolkien’s in many ways. So, if I’m ever asked who my favorite author is, my answer will always be Tolkien, and I doubt that that will ever change.

If you’ve ever wanted a book that feels like a dream you don’t want to wake up from that is equal parts lyrical, haunting, and thrilling, then Maggie Stiefvater is an author you should know about. With her distinctive writing style and a deep love for myth, folklore, and the wild unknown, Stiefvater has carved a place for herself as one of the most original voices in young-adult fantasy literature.

Stiefvater first gained wide recognition with Shiver (2009), the opening novel in The Wolves of Mercy Falls series (a series I feel as if I grew up reading). A quiet, atmospheric take on the werewolf genre, the book focuses more on emotion than action, weaving a love story between a girl named Grace and a boy named Sam, who turns into a wolf each winter. With poetic prose and moody imagery, Shiver marked Stiefvater as a storyteller who writes not just with imagination but with heart.

The Wolves of Mercy Falls may have been her breakout, but it was her The Raven Cycle series (beginning with The Raven Boys in 2012) that truly solidified her place in YA fantasy. Set in small-town Virginia, the series follows a group of unlikely friends — Blue, Gansey, Ronan, Adam, and Noah — as they search for a buried Welsh king and discover that magic, love, and loss are far more complicated than they imagined. The books blend real-world struggles with magical realism, drawing heavily from Welsh mythology and psychic folklore. The series is best known for its rich character development, slow-burn suspense, and Stiefvater’s signature poetic style. Fans of complex friendships, moody settings, and quiet magic often find themselves re-reading this series for years.

More recently, she’s returned to the world of The Raven Cycle with The Dreamer Trilogy, focusing on Ronan Lynch, one of the most fascinating and complicated characters in the original series. These books dive even deeper into dream magic, fate, and the weight of responsibility — all told with her usual blend of mysticism and grit.

Stiefvater is also the author of The Scorpio Races (2011), a standalone novel inspired by Celtic mythology and deadly water horses. With its windswept island setting and emotional depth, it’s considered by many fans and critics to be one of her best works. The book opens with her iconic line: “It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.” It’s a perfect entry point for new readers.

Beyond the page, Maggie Stiefvater is also a musician and artist —  and her creativity spills into everything she does, from composing original scores for her books to painting her own promotional artwork. She often shares her process and humor with fans on social media, building a passionate and loyal readership.

In short, Maggie Stiefvater’s books aren’t just stories — they’re experiences. They invite readers into strange, beautiful worlds filled with flawed characters, emotional truths, and mythic wonder. Whether you’re chasing ley lines with The Raven Boys or racing water horses across a deadly beach, you’re in for a ride that’s as thoughtful as it is thrilling.

As summer begins, I’m back to reading multiethnic Gothic horror for my neverending Ph.D. dissertation. At the top of my list is the latest book from Tananarive Due, The Reformatory, since I loved her earlier novel The Good House. In addition to being an award-winning author, Due teaches Black horror and Afrofuturism at UCLA as a continuing lecturer. I first learned about her while watching the documentary miniseries Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (available on Shudder and based on the book by Robin R. Means Coleman), which she co-produced and appeared in. Her whipsmart analysis of the hallmarks of Black horror had me running to the bookstore to add her to my TBR (to be read) pile. I’m so glad I did.

In The Good House, Angela returns to her hometown of Sacajawea two years after a tragedy there ripped her family apart. She discovers that others have suffered losses, and she begins to suspect that something sinister and supernatural may be behind it all —  something that her grandmother may have battled back in 1929. Due’s work is fast-paced, deeply written, and brilliantly symbolic of the horrors of racism, violence, and dehumanization that the African American community has withstood since the first ship of enslaved people arrived on our shores in 1619. The Reformatory promises to be just as compelling, centering around a young man named Robbie who has been sent to a reformatory school in the Jim Crow South, where, according to the cover copy, “he sees the horrors of racism and injustice, for the living, and the dead.” If you love Gothic horror and want to see a master at work, give Tananarive Due a try.

Firefly Summer by Maeve Binchy is set in the Midlands of Ireland in the small rural town of Mountfern. Mountfern is a fictional village full of history and the destination of Patrick O’Neill. Overtly proud of his Irish heritage, Patrick sees Mountfern as a place filled with family ties, traditions, and history. His plan: to live there with his children, re-establish roots, and build a luxury hotel in the place of an old estate that is in a condition of ruin. This rural town isn’t so accepting of rich, American expat Patrick and the changes he plans to bring. Follow the stories of the villagers and how their lives intertwine with newcomer Patrick and the effects his hotel has on the locals.

While in magnificent middle Ireland, let’s travel around and see what is there of a nonfictional sort. Keep reading for my list of places that make the Irish midlands seem fictional!

1. Newgrange, located North of Dublin, is a 15,000 square-foot prehistoric passage tomb built around 3200 B.C. — older than Stonehenge and the pyramids of Giza. During sunrise on Winter Solstice mornings, a beam of sunlight penetrates the roof-box and travels up to 62 feet along the passage, illuminating the chamber — almost like magic! Was this the home of the banshees from Irish folklore, the omens of death? Is Newgrange a tomb for gods and demigods, or was it built in the spirit of Triskele, as a symbol of life overcoming death? We may never know, but its beauty endures.
2. Rock of Cashel. Picture a tall hill of limestone, plateauing at the top, covered with an emerald-green blanket of grass. On this hill sits a Medieval stone castle, covered with etchings of ornate designs — lions, hunters, Sheela-na-gig (etchings depicting female goddesses), and a backdrop to the only surviving Romanesque Frescoes in Ireland. Listen for the ghostly sounds of vicars (mission priests) chanting in the choral room, echoes of their songs bouncing from wall to wall. The Rock of Cashel is a place that enchants all of your senses and entices your imagination for what once was.
3. Quin Franciscan Friary originated as stolen land in the 1200s, upon which a castle was built as part of the Kingdom of Thomond. It was burnt down in 1278 and rebuilt in 1281. In 1318, it was reclaimed by the O’Brien’s in 1318, but then the castle was destroyed by the MacNamaras in 1350. After the destruction of the castle, the MacNamaras founded the Abbey. In 1433, the friars were invited in. In 1547, the O’Briens reclaimed their property once again, allowing the friars to stay. In 1584, Donough Beg O’Brien was gruesomely hanged from the steeple. After it was burnt and rebuilt again, the friars regained occupancy and remained until 1820. Then after a 60-year vacancy, Irish Board of Works took it over as a national monument. I don’t know about you, but I have to go to this Abbey to find out why people kept stealing this castle from each other!
4. Blarney Castle is home to the world-famous Blarney Stone. As legend goes, “There is a stone there that whoever kisses, OH! He never misses to grow eloquent.” Its origins are steeped in myth — linked to Jacob’s ladder, a witch’s spell, fairy lore, or the Stone of Scone — but its charm remains strong. The stone is set high in the castle wall, in the highest tower. In that same tower, the highest room is the kitchen, which was placed there to reduce the risk of fire and defend against intruders with boiling oil. Below it lies the priest’s room, then the shared room of the three daughters — watched over quite strictly by the priest above.  I’m glad my parents skipped that arrangement!
5. The Dark Hedges of County Antrim, Ireland, are not only home to my great-great-grandfather but also a famous Game of Thrones filming location. The avenue, lined with towering beech trees, served as the Kingsroad and is one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland. Equal parts breathtaking and eerie, these mighty trees have been rooted there since the 18^th century.

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” —Charles Dickens

BBQs, beaches, parks, gardens, fairs, carnivals, baseball games, etc. Many of those take place during the day, but how about summer nights? They have a special kind of magic. Here’s a listicle to spark that feeling of looking toward the arrival of something wonderful.
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1. Host a bonfire with music or storytelling: Gather your friends or family around a crackling fire. On those cool, breezy Wisconsin nights, sitting around a warm fire with the smell of burning ambers and the flickering light creates a relaxed and ideal atmosphere. Enjoy low music, roasting marshmallows, and making s’mores while letting the ancient tradition of gathering around a bonfire fuel your imagination to share fairy tales.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.” —Helen Keller

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2. Take a stroll under the beauty of the moonlight. The moon’s magnificent presence and glow create an air of mystery, magic, tranquility, and romance. Enjoy the splendor of heaven’s light, whether it’s a long walk by the lake, pond, or beach or a short stroll around your neighborhood or park. A walk under the glints offers an unfamiliar perspective on familiar surroundings, lending an air of mystery and tranquility to the night.

“The moon is the accomplice of all things related to the heart.” —Walter Mercado

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3. Listen to the night sounds — nature’s symphony: Go outside, play, and guess the sounds: shrills, chirps, coos, and hoots. Are they nocturnal birds? How about crickets, toads, frogs, or the buzz of bugs? (Don’t forget the mosquito spray!) It can be a fun time. Relax in the whispery flow of leaves in the breeze, a natural, calming, evocative, and even mystical time. It is a reminder that vibrant life continues after the sun sets.

“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.” —Ernest Hemingway

4. Chase fireflies in the twilight: As evening settles, grab a jar and stroll into a field or your backyard. The flickering dance of fireflies feels like something straight out of a fairy tale. Their gentle glow and fleeting appearances create a sense of wonder and wistfulness.

“Twilight — a time of pause when nature changes her guard. All living things would fade and die from too much light or too much dark, if twilight were not.”  —Howard Thurman

5. Dream under the stars: Away from city lights, lose yourself with the canvas of the night sky. Spread out a blanket and watch the constellations come alive. You might even spot a shooting star (make a wish!). Download a stargazing app to identify constellations and planets, adding a touch of cosmic enchantment to the evening.

Enjoy the magic and create lasting memories, regardless of how you spend your summer nights. They are fleeting, so be sure to enjoy each one.

“He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter.” —John Burroughs