Kristen Barenthaler
Bio
Curious adventurer. Crazed reader. Librarian. Archery instructor. True crime addict.
Instagram: @kristenbarenthaler
Facebook: @kbarenthaler
Stories (370)
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Reflection of 'Beauty and the Bully' by Andy Behrens
First, let’s just get the obvious part out of the way. The title is a reference to Beauty and the Beast. It is obvious from the title but still needs to be pointed out. The ugly duckling and the pretty princess have starring roles, but in the end, this story takes a bit of a different turn on who is Beauty, the Beast, and so on. Never judge a book by its cover, right? Same goes for titles; just because the title is a reference to the “tale as old as time” does not mean that the story itself plays parallel to the story we all know and love.
By Kristen Barenthaler7 years ago in Geeks
10 Unknown Christmas Songs to Spice up Your Holiday Playlist
Whenever the holidays come around, there seems to only be about 15 songs sang by multiple artists. You can listen to Dean Martin croon "Baby, It's Cold Outside" or modernize it with Idina Menzel and Micheal Buble's version. So if you're tired of those same songs, no matter how many artists have sung them, you're in luck. This year, spice up your holiday playlist with the following 10 original holiday songs.
By Kristen Barenthaler7 years ago in Beat
'Folklore Rules' by Lynne S. McNeill—Review
Lynne S. McNeill’s Folklore Rules: A Fun, Quick, and Useful Introduction to the Field of Academic Folklore Studies is a great introduction for anyone interested in folklore. McNeill has a Ph.D. in folklore and is an assistant professor of English in the Folklore Program and director of online development for the folklore department at Utah State University as well as co-founder of and faculty advisor for the Utah State University Folklore Society. McNeill is also the co-founder of the Digital Folklore Project and co-editor of Slender Man is Coming.
By Kristen Barenthaler7 years ago in Geeks
'Transcription' by Kate Atkinson (Book Review)
Kate Atkinson is an English writer with multiple novels and awards to her name. Her latest, released in September 2018, is Transcription, a novel following the life of Juliet Armstrong as she enters the world of spy-craft during World War II. However, Atkinson's novel isn't only about espionage, but also includes humor, romance, a look at the reality of humanity, and literary callbacks to other famous works. Atkinson takes the good and the bad of the world and creates a believable, yet also quite an unbelievable heroine/simple girl in Juliet. Readers are unsure of Juliet's true motives (or if she even has any). She's a girl, just like any of us reading the novel, who simply get caught up in the casualties of war. However, Atkinson has audiences rooting for Juliet to find love, to make it through her crazy spy missions, and to maybe even figure out who she really is along the way.
By Kristen Barenthaler7 years ago in Humans
Exploring England Expertly
When visiting London, the most exciting thing to do is to enjoy the people. Let's be honest, in such a large, bustling city, most tourists don't actually get to see Buckingham Palace or Big Ben, and if they do, it's for three seconds before the rush of people behind them pushes them out of the way. My advice? Enjoy the stock photos available on Google of each landmark and then go spend your time in London actually engaging in the culture. Go to the local pub, see a show at the theater, do the things that real Londoners do, or maybe even enjoy the lesser known tourist sites, but don't go to the tourist traps with the millions of other visitors. So, here's a list of things to do and places to go for those more adventurous and willing to be more than another tourist.
By Kristen Barenthaler7 years ago in Wander
'Romeo & Juliet & Vampires' by William Shakespeare and Claudia Gabel (Book Review)
For fans of the vampire genre, there is one lesser-known novel that should be on your list. Claudia Gabel's Romeo & Juliet & Vampires is just one in a long list of reimagined classics being invaded by the supernatural. From Little Vampire Women to Emma and the Vampires, the supernatural has been becoming more popular as well as bringing back some of the older classics in newer forms for young adults to enjoy.
By Kristen Barenthaler7 years ago in Geeks
Parisian Vacation Fails. Top Story - October 2018.
1. Pick one or two things you really want to explore. The only thing my family actually did was visit Versailles because we all love the history of it. However, be prepared for overcrowding and not really getting to see much of what you were hoping for. Most places in Paris are too busy for visitors to actually take time to enjoy what they’re seeing. Have your camera at the ready and snap as you are whisked past. Those blurry pictures are probably the only reminder you’ll have of your time at each location.
By Kristen Barenthaler7 years ago in Wander
'The Saturday Evening Girls Club' Book Review
The Saturday Evening Girls Club by Jane Healey fulfills every girl's dream of having a close-knit group of friends to continuously depend on. This basic premise has been used for years as a young adult subgenre. From the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series to Pretty Little Liars on TV, people want those close friendships that can overcome anything. Healey gives this group dynamic to any reader willing to flip through her book and immerse themselves in her creation of Boston's North End. As the four girls grow into themselves and their dreams, they all take such different paths that anyone reading is bound to find some form of themselves inside one or more of the girls. Personally, Caprice's big dreams and drive to accomplish them remind me of much of my young life.
By Kristen Barenthaler8 years ago in Geeks
'Last Christmas in Paris' Book Review - Spoilers Ahead!
Do you know those once in a lifetime love stories? Romeo & Juliet or The Great Gatsby or anything by John Green. Those stories that get you so invested in the love story and then completely destroy you by killing off one of the main characters. This is one of those, so if you can't handle another heartbreak, I suggest skipping Last Christmas in Paris. On the other hand, if you want an epic love story and a chance to travel the world, Last Christmas in Paris is the perfect novel for your next read.
By Kristen Barenthaler8 years ago in Humans
