Damsels and De-Stressing in Genre Books
by Julie Gilbert

At first, picking up that heavy book can be a pain. But, as Julie Gilbert explains, once you start it's easy to get engrossed in the worlds that genre books offer. Here, she details the evergrowing trend.




Comics 101: Graphic Novels You Need to Read
by Nicole Grieco, Arts & Leisure Editor

Maybe you're a pop-culture fan who hasn't given graphic novels a chance yet. Maybe you're a literary despiser of the genre who doesn't believe the hype. Or maybe you're just afraid that walking into a comic book store is less than six degrees away from watching Star Trek reruns in your parent's basement. Here are a handful of graphic novels - including some good old-fashioned "comics" - that might make you change your mind.




The Laguna Beach Phenomenon
by Christine Barron

In the world of reality television, one new show has skyrocketed to the top of the must-watch list of many college students. "Laguna Beach" chronicles the drama and adventures of real students in Laguna Beach, California. The show's pretty faces and drama have made it a certified guilty pleasure.



Hangin' With Harry
by Helen Walters and Nicole Grieco

There's no denying that author J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series has become a worldwide phenomenon. There's six record-breaking novels with a seventh and final installment on the way. The fourth Harry Potter film is set to be released in November, with numbers five and six coming out in 2007 and 2008, respectively. With millions of fans around the globe, a Harry Potter convention would certainly be a sight to see. Helen Walters and Nicole Greico recently attended one of these conventions in Salem, Massachusetts.