Writers, perhaps unsurprisingly, are among the harshest critics of the word "patriotism" and especially of decisions to go to war. Many express sentiments similar to James Baldwin (Go Tell It on the Mountain) who said, “I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right…
Category: Holidays
Blind Date With a Book
While a blind date with another human being on Valentine's Day is on par ideas-wise with tattooing your significant other's name on your chest, a blind date with a book is not. This is what librarian and tumblr user alethiosaur, inspired by Worthington Libraries, sought to prove with her local library event, in which she paired…
For Valentine’s Day: Top Ten Love Letters from Famous Writers
As Valentine's Day approaches, once again frantic Google searches are conducted to find someone who has said what you would like to say. Here are ten writers who wrote letters to their beloveds. Some are touching, some are steamy, some are funny. Perhaps you will find some inspiration from their words. 1. Ludwig Van Beethoven to his "Immortal…
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How to Read a Book a Day in 2013
Perhaps one of your resolutions for 2013, like so many people's, is to read more this year. I'm guessing, though, that you did not set yourself the daunting task of reading a grand total of 365 books over the course of as many days. That would be crazy, right? Not according to Jeff Ryan of…
Ten Writers….Errrr…Toast… the Future: Thoughts for New Years’ 2013
Looking for some words to guide revelers into the future? Here are some sentiments from writers who have pondered the unknown. 1. Looking for Alaska by John Green Imagining the future is a kind of nostalgia…You spend your whole life stuck in the labyrinth, thinking about how you’ll escape it one day, and how awesome it…
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These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
It's almost a new year, let the embarrassing work Christmas parties commence and the Auld Lang Synes ring! For my part, I'd like to say farewell to 2012 and herald 2013 with a list of favorite things I discovered or enjoyed this past year, for the most part online. Hopefully you'll agree that this collection…
Top 10 Most Recommended Books of 2012
"Do give books for Christmas. They’re never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal." ~ Lenore Hershey So many books, so little time... If you are still floundering about for a good Christmas gift, here is a list that may help. Recently, Flavorwire complied a list of the most recommend books from fifteen respected magazines and newspapers and…
Olive, the Other Reindeer and Other Misunderstood Christmas Lyrics
Did you know that misunderstood lyrics have their own special word? They are called "mondegreens." The neologism was coined in 1954 in the magazine Harper's Bazaar when a woman named Sylvia Wright discovered, to her surprise, that the last line of a famous Scottish ballad was "and they laid him on the green", and not, as she had always…
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