Most people assume that nonfiction books are boring. And sure, a lot of them are. Most people don’t want to read an 800-page tome about Civil War era diplomatic relationships or a footnote-heavy catalog of shipping logs or formal letters. “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson is a prime example of a book that breaks the pattern of dry, uninspired nonfiction.

Most students at Watauga are likely familiar with the great novelist John Steinbeck. In freshmen English, many will read his book “Of Mice and Men” as a part of the curriculum. Packed full of his signature prose, the book is often thought of as an introduction piece to the world of Steinbeck. Having grown up in the region himself, Steinbeck’s vivid depictions of California’s central coast region, the setting for the majority of his most famous works, are remarkable in their a

Sisterhood: the close bond, friendship, and mutual support shared among women. The classic sisterhood trope is frequently used by various young adult books, movies, and TV shows, often paired with some kind of family drama. These tropes are used so often that that can make a story feel repetitive and empty.

“Once upon a time there was a railroad line / don’t ask where, brother, don’t ask when.” Thus begins “Hadestown,” a jazzy musical retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. “It was the road to Hell, it was hard times / it was the world of gods… And men!”

Can a band come back from a six-year hiatus and create a cohesive album while simultaneously trying to change both their sound and identity? For New York City-based indie rock group The Strokes, the answer is a resounding no. Their new album “Reality Awaits” is their attempt to accomplish this feat for a second time, and it falls significantly flat when compared to the rest of the band’s body of work.

Going to the movie theatre for teens became an incredibly popular activity due to its ease and high level of entertainment. As a frequent visitor of the local theatre myself, it is easy to see why this summer was such a hit for the box office. While there were many interesting films in and out of the theatre that caught my attention, here are five in particular that stood out.

A song filled with sorrow, love, and desperation. A song of life. A song with high notes, low notes, and always slightly off key. Jesmyn Ward, an award winning author, examines the nuances of life through the eyes of her characters in “Sing Unburied Sing”. Like many of Jesmyn Ward's other novels, “Sing Unburied Sing” earned a National Book Award. While it delves into an intensely emotional story surrounding the boundaries between the living and the dead in the rural south, th

‘The Great Divide’, Noah Kahan’s fourth studio album cover. Kahan released his first album, ‘Busyhead’ in 2019, and since then has gained great popularity within the folk music fan base. Chloe Greer, Photo Essay Desk Lead Singer Noah Kahan is known for his emotionally complex songwriting and beautiful vocals. When his last studio album, “Stick Season,” gained much popularity in 2023, Kahan’s career skyrocketed, gaining him many devoted fans. Kahan announced his new album “Th

Boone, North Carolina, commonly known for its scenic trails and outdoor recreation, was the home of another sight this past weekend. Students, families, and community members flocked to the infamous Walmart parking lot, which is newly home to the alluring green glow of the WingStop sign.

Heartbreaking, eye-opening, entertaining, "Reminders of Him" is a lesson and a story, a rollercoaster and a rocky road, a movie that must be seen. It is easy to write a modern love story between two people who should not be together, but it is much harder to turn that story into an addictive page turner. It is easy to then adapt that novel into an eye-catching film that will gain people’s attention for a month or so before they inevitably fall in love with the next romantic c

A coffee isn’t always what you need for a quick pick-me-up. For some, coffee might be too heavy on the stomach. For others they simply don’t like the taste. For these people, energy drinks are becoming an increasingly popular way to get quick energy without drinking any coffee whatsoever. Between Red Bull, Celsius, and Alani, those looking for something sweet instead of bitter have endless options to choose from.

Classic literature has been a muse for movie producers for decades. From “Little Women” and “Pride and Prejudice” to “Atonement” and “The Great Gatsby,” Hollywood’s biggest stars have taken to the screen to bring to life some of the most memorable love stories and beloved characters from classic literature. Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” is no exception in terms of talent, being the most recent adaptation of Emily Bronte’s book by the same name. “Wuthering Heights” has

A photo of the cover of Noah Kahan's new song, “The Great Divide”. This photo describes the nostalgia and remorse that is exemplified in Kahan's song. It describes the theme of watching someone for afar and hoping for the best. Photo Creds: Spotify Rosalyn Rabinowitz, Junior Editor of The Powderhorn Noah Kahan is a well known folk-pop musician that examines mental health and its effect on people in his life through his songs. Kahan has mastered taking on the perspective of a

The morning cup of coffee is a ritual in which most Americans take great pleasure. Waking up, brewing a cup, and revelling in the bitter flavor as you prepare for your day is an experience like no other. These days, you can get your morning fix of coffee faster than ever through instant coffee pods. Simply pop a pod into the machine, make sure it has water, and you’ll get a warm cup.

Singer-songwriter Megan Moroney took the country music community by storm in 2024 with her second studio album, “Am I Okay?” Since then, she has been showered with praise and accolades for her combination of conversational lyrics, polished production, and authentic but upbeat sound. On February 20, 2026, she released yet another album, “Cloud 9,” which talks about everything from heartbreak to revenge to finding love again.

A promotional image for ‘The Terror,’ a show that tells the story of Sir John Franklin, the leader of the Franklin Expedition. The Expedition’s aim was to find the Northwest Passage, a trade route through the Arctic Circle. It set sail in May of 1845 and was last seen two months later. Photo credits: AMC Edie Berke, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn As the ice and snow of the past several weeks have shown us, it’s easy for cabin fever to take hold after so many days at home. On

When searching for a new movie to watch, a film described as being about racially-motivated violence in the 1930s, African American culture in the deep south, and most surprisingly, vampires, would not be my first choice. “Sinners” was released on April 8, 2025, but came and went without catching my attention due to its odd description. However, since the 2026 Oscar nominees were announced, I reconsidered the unorthodox movie as a possible hit.

The album cover of “Don’t Be Dumb” shows off Tim Burton's illustrations that attempt to capture the gothic aesthetic that A$AP Rocky portrays throughout the album. Photo Creds: Wikipedia Ria Titus, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn A$AP Rocky released his first album since 2018, “Don’t Be Dumb,” on January 16, 2026. The album has 17 tracks and is about an hour long. It features many big artists such as Brent Faiyaz, Doechii, Gorillaz, BossMan Dlow, Sauce Walka, Slay Squad, West

Sushi is a food that’s really in its own lane. It’s unique from other foods, almost like its own cuisine entirely. It’s for that reason that I tend to mentally separate sushi from the rest of Japanese food. I won't order sushi at a Japanese restaurant, but I will look for sushi wherever else it may be found. While they may not sound like the best option, grocery stores offer a surprisingly good outlet for your sushi needs. They have a wide variety of options, whether you’re

Cairn was released on January 29, 2026. The game explores video game climbing in a new way. Photo Credit: IGN Aspen Hickman, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn “Cairn” is a game about the collapse of a culture, the selfishness of risk, and the meaning of life. It’s beautiful and haunting, full of questions that don’t necessarily have answers. But mostly, “Cairn” is about climbing. In “Cairn,” you play as Aava, an experienced climber taking on Kami, a previously un-summited mount