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The Student News Site of Loudoun Valley High School

The Viking

The Student News Site of Loudoun Valley High School

The Viking

The Student News Site of Loudoun Valley High School

The Viking

Logo of Valley Shelf Talk created by Avery Ramsey

The Problem with Sequels

Avery Ramsey, Editor April 30, 2025

Sequels are crucial, and yet they are the most precarious when it comes to series order. Most of the time, the quality of them is hit or miss. And when they hit, they do wonders for the advancement of...

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My Top Three Romance Tropes

Avery Ramsey, Editor April 28, 2025

Oh, how I love a good romance book. If you ever want to kidnap me, find a van and fill it with a colorful romance library because I will follow willingly. Just kidding. But seriously, I’m weak for a...

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The Art of Rereading

Avery Ramsey, Editor April 28, 2025

Recently, I’ve found myself rereading a significant amount. Whether it’s a beloved romance, middle grade series or epic fantasy, I seem to be craving it all. So I thought I’d talk about the perks...

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Why It’s Weird to Watch Movies About Books

Avery Ramsey, Editor April 24, 2025

It’s weird to watch movies about books — there I said it. Fire me, ostracize me, do whatever you want, but no thank you, adaptations are not my thing. When I hear about a new adaptation of a beloved...

'Sunrise on the Reaping' by Suzanne Collins surrounded by matches, a recurring symbol of the novel

‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ is a lazy re-telling of the original trilogy

Claire O’Connor, Editor April 23, 2025

“They will not use my tears for their entertainment.” When I first heard this quote as a teaser for the newest Hunger Games prequel, set after “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” and before...

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The Importance of Building a Reading Habit

Avery Ramsey, Editor March 4, 2025

From the moment we’re taught language, we have been urged to read, read, read. And while this may frustrate and prompt some to avoid it (because rebellion, I know), in this case, our upbringing on this...

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Middle Grade Series You Can’t Pass Up

Avery Ramsey, Editor February 18, 2025

Remember that series in middle school that consumed your life? It was one of those cornerstone series, the kind that hones and enhances your love for the reader's life. Yes, we’ve all been held in that...

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The Implications of Blowout Books

Avery Ramsey, Editor February 4, 2025

Every few months, there’s a hot new book circulating with a shot of frantic energy on BookTok. The current one? “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca Yarros, the third installment of the Empyrean Series, better...

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Anticipated Releases for 2025

Avery Ramsey, Editor January 28, 2025

New year, new books. New and old favorite authors have a fresh 365 days ahead of them to release their newest works, and we’re all sitting here waiting for them. New releases never fail to excite me,...

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Limiting Your Book Buying

Avery Ramsey, Editor January 21, 2025

New books! The dopamine hit from the fresh gloss of a new paperback can become addicting, but almost always incredibly costly. I am extremely guilty of this (see book, buy book). I find a new story I feel...

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Short Books To Reach Your Yearly Reading Goal

Avery Ramsey, Editor December 24, 2024

December is well underway, and that means the end of the year, and your looming reading goal, is rushing toward you. Usually by this point, I am scrambling to cram whatever reading I can to reach the goal...

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Letter to a Character: Aelin Galathynius

Avery Ramsey, Editor December 10, 2024

Aelin Galathynius,   I’ve finished your story. I fought the last battle with you, watched as the crown was placed on your head at last. I turned the last page and read the last word. Yours...

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