Erna Grcic's Blog

Slavic Myths of Autumn: Mokosh, Morana, and the Spirits of the Dying Year

Discover the myths of autumn in Slavic mythology—Mokosh, Morana, rusalki, and the domovoi. Stories of harvest, endings, and the spirits of the dying year.

Book Review: Vianne by Joanne Harris – A Lyrical Prequel to Chocolat

Discover Vianne by Joanne Harris, a rich and introspective prequel to Chocolat that explores identity, motherhood, and the quiet beginnings of magic.

Book Review: Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz

Susan Ryeland’s back, and this time the murder mystery hits even closer to home. After a stint in sunny Crete trying to play house, Susan Ryeland returns to rainy Crouch End with her classic MG, a rescue cat, and another manuscript that may or may not conceal a real murder. In Marble Hall Murders, Anthony Horowitz […]

My Must-Visit Bookshops Across Italy

There’s something magical about book-shopping while traveling—especially in Italy. I’ve been fortunate to visit this beautiful country multiple times, and one of my favourite things to do (besides indulging in pasta and gelato) is popping into bookshops. As someone who speaks Italian and loves bringing books home as souvenirs, exploring Italy’s bookstores feels like a […]

The Rise of Mythology in Modern Literature: Slavic Influences in Contemporary Books

In recent years, mythology has experienced a resurgence in popular literature, with many modern authors drawing inspiration from ancient stories to craft captivating tales. While Although Greek and Norse myths often dominate discussions, Slavic mythology is slowly making its mark in contemporary literature, offering a rich and untapped source of inspiration. The Power of Slavic […]

5 Best Apps to Manage Your Home Library

I moved house last year and moving my home library was a special slice of hell. It took me 6 months to arrange my bookshelves the way I liked them and to finally feel comfortable and settled in my reading space. I used this opportunity to install a home library management app to keep track […]

It’s Been a Year Since I Quit Teaching, and Here’s What I’ve Concluded – Journal

What a difference a year has made! A couple of days ago I realised June was almost over. Tempus volat. And it made me think. In the previous years, June could not come soon enough, […]

Atalanta by Jennifer Saint: Book Review

I filled my copy of Jennifer Saint’s latest book Atalanta with post-its, which in my case is a sure sign of how much I enjoyed reading this novel, and an indication of definite future re-readings. […]

Cozy Spring Reads: Book Recommendations

Spring has finally arrived (the winter was quite obstinate this year) and what better way to enjoy this beautiful season than with a good book? Read on for our top cozy spring reads! The Enchanted […]

Dystopia in Lord of the Flies by William Golding

1.0 Introduction William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is reminiscent of his predecessors, Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Ballantyne’s The Coral Island in his situating the action on an uninhabited tropical island. Unlike his predecessors, however, […]