Charlotte Ahlin is a writer, playwright, actor, and artist. She's a native New Yorker and a graduate of Oberlin College. She's also the Associate Artistic Director and Morale Officer of Fat Knight Theatre. Right now, she's reading science fiction from the '70s and drawing sad cartoons.
What 'Holes' Taught Me About The Prison Industrial Complex
One day, when I was in fourth grade, I received a book in my classroom "mailbox." In fact, every kid in our class received the very same book, a book that we were not required to read for school but that, rather, we were allowed to take home and…
By Charlotte Ahlin
21 Mind-Bending Quotes From Haruki Murakami's Newest Book
On the one hand, Killing Commendatore is Haruki Murakami's sprawling new ode to Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. But on the other hand, it's the stunning tale of a middle-aged artist coming to terms with the death of his sister and learning how to…
By Charlotte Ahlin
The (Sort Of) True Story Of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Is Straight Up Terrifying
You already know the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: a revered scientist and "reputable gentleman" called Dr. Jekyll drinks a potion and becomes the cruel, nefarious Mr. Hyde. It's a tale of horror that's been told and re-told. The characters…
By Charlotte Ahlin
13 Apocalyptic Books That Are Still Less Stressful Than The News Cycle
Is it just me or is it getting a tad... apocalyptic in here? I don't know if anyone else has glanced at the news lately, but at this rate I'm worried that I won't have time to enjoy my Handmaid's Tale-style retrograde anti-feminist dystopian police…
By Charlotte Ahlin
7 Trips From Books You Can Actually Take IRL
Most of the time, it is not a good idea to make travel plans based on books. If you see a white rabbit, for instance, it is inadvisable to follow him into his hole and then proceed to drink the unknown substances you find therein. If you discover a…
By Charlotte Ahlin
The 10 Greatest Female Monsters In Literature, From Carmilla To The Woman In Black
'Tis the season for celebrating decorative gourds, sugar, changing seasons, and, of course, monsters. Wear all the punny Halloween costumes you like, but at the end of the day, Halloween is all about turning the ordinary into the monstrous. And many…
By Charlotte Ahlin
13 Witchy Books To Read With Your Coven This Fall
It should surprise no one that we're in a modern day renaissance of witchcraft. The witch, historically, has been the "monster" that represents all of society's fears about women: what if they grow too powerful? What if they don't care about getting…
By Charlotte Ahlin
The Literary Origin Of The Werewolf Is Actually Pretty Disgusting
The werewolf. A little less popular than their sexy older cousin, the vampire, and perhaps not so scary as the ubiquitous zombie. Nevertheless, werewolves still hold their own as a classic monster of the page and screen. Like the vampire before…
By Charlotte Ahlin
13 Haunted House Stories That Will Make You Too Scared To Ever Go Home
Of all the spooky situations that can be found in literature, there's something especially insidious about the haunted house. Werewolves can be defeated with a silver bullet and vampires can be staked (or, more often, vampires can be dated and then…
By Charlotte Ahlin
13 Nonfiction Books To Scare You Silly This October
October has come again! It's the most wonderful time of the year (provided that your favorite things are plastic skeletons, fake blood, and contemplations of your own mortality). It's also the perfect month for reading a good creepy book. And if…
By Charlotte Ahlin
How The Vampire Became Literature's Sexiest Monster
Of all the misguided things that men have written on the internet (and there have been many), my absolute favorite genre has got to be "men who are baffled that women like vampires." Most of these articles had their heyday during the reign of…
By Charlotte Ahlin
10 Vampire Boyfriends In Literature, Ranked From Worst To Best
It's no great secret that literature is full of monster boyfriends. We've seen zombie boyfriends and demon boyfriends and that perpetual runner-up, the werewolf boyfriend. But anyone who's ever wandered through the paranormal romance section of…
By Charlotte Ahlin
11 Simple Tips To Remember While Writing Your First Short Story
Today's the day. It's happening. You've decided to write your first short story. Maybe this story idea has been kicking around your head for the last 10 years, or maybe you just googled a list of writing prompts and want to give one a whirl. Perhaps…
By Charlotte Ahlin
13 Terrifying Short Stories By Women To Get In The Halloween Spirit
The air has cooled and the drugstores are stocking plastic gourds. Spooky season is upon us. I mean, sure, you can read scary stories at any time of the year (if you're paying any attention to the news, it's somewhat unavoidable). But there's…
By Charlotte Ahlin
'The Good Place' Is Back & You Can Celebrate With 15 Novels Set In The Afterlife
It's finally happening, people: after a hellish hiatus, The Good Place is back for its third season. (If you haven't finished season one yet, please do so now, because there are spoilers ahead). We're rejoining our best friends Eleanor, Chidi,…
By Charlotte Ahlin
Remus Lupin & 10 Other Children's Book Characters Who Are Basically Millennial Icons
Any good "children's" book is really a book for all ages. I mean, sure, I'm not necessarily about to settle down with a glass of chardonnay and a copy of Pat the Bunny, but for the most part, a good book is a good book, regardless of reading level.…
By Charlotte Ahlin
The New Book To Read, Based On Your Favorite Fall Drink
The rooftop bars have all closed. The denim jackets have returned from their months long hibernation. The drug stores have begun aggressively pedaling skeleton decor. Now that we have, at long last, entered the season of decorative gourds, I know…
By Charlotte Ahlin
13 Politically-Charged Horror Novels To Motivate You To Fight The Real Monsters
I know what you're thinking: at this point in global history, it seems like the genre of horror fiction and the reality of international politics have essentially merged. Politics is horror. And visa versa. In fact, Cthulhu rising from the deep to…
By Charlotte Ahlin
The Folktale That Inspired 'Coraline' Is Even Creepier Than Neil Gaiman's Version
She looks like your mother. She looks just like your mother. Except she has big, black buttons for eyes. Or else she has glass eyes that glint in the dark. Or maybe a tail made of heavy, dark wood. And if you're not careful, she'll keep you for…
By Charlotte Ahlin
11 Books For People Who've Read 'Jane Eyre' Too Many Times
Perhaps it's because I was named after Charlotte Brontë, or because I was particularly plain and morose as a teen, but I have always loved Jane Eyre. I love the melodrama and the gothic sense of impending doom. I love Jane and her stubborn…
By Charlotte Ahlin