Between the Pages

Quarantine freed Americans’ precious time that was so coveted and rare before we were all locked into our homes under stay-at-home orders. The start time of this quarantine has varied for people depending on place of habitation, but the shelter in place orders started anywhere from late February to late March. While bibliophiles have no doubt been reading books and poetry and plays (anything they could get their hands on really) or writing their own, there is something to be said for listening to experts talk about books. While literature is about characters talking in readers’ heads creating a story, listening to a flesh-and-bone person talking about your favorite books or authors is fascinating. Depending on the podcast you choose, you can dive deeper into a subject you have thought of a lot or learn about an author or series that is completely new to you. *WARNING* - Before listening to podcast episodes, read the titles and descriptions! Details about a book (or movie in some ...

     Happy World Book Day ! I think it is fitting that World Book Day is the day after Earth Day. Books make Earth a better place to be. While some books are not necessarily about Earth, all literature conveys its own philosophy on human existence. I love books. I have always loved books. I will forever love books; however, this is not the case for everyone. In the spirit of World book Day, this blog's mission is to instill a love of books in everyone. It can be all books. It can be two books. If this blog provides a person with one positive experience with literature it will have fulfilled its mission.       Here is what I call my "personal favorites" bookshelf. Housed on this virtual shelf are the books (I did include a play adapted to book form.) I think should be honored most on World Book Day. 

    While the best products for bibliophiles are obviously books and really any reading material, there are products that can make our favorite pastime, reading, even more enjoyable (as with any hobby). Bibliophiles can enjoy modern graphics and technology while keeping the authenticity of a physical book. Below are a couple of products bookworms will find useful or truly love. The Ladies of Literature Calendar Idle Wild Co.     A beautifully and intricately decorated calendar can liven up a desk space or room, but a calendar with influential and genius women authors on it…look out! From Charlotte Bronte to Judy Blume, each month is assigned to an influential female author and has a quote from one of her most influential works. Bibliophile:An Illustrated Miscellany by Jane Mount     I am a proud owner of this book about books (and book stores and authors and genres and pets of book lovers). It is a colorful, breath of fresh air...

    Is life in 2020 thus far feeling unreal to anyone else? COVID-19 holds the world at a standstill. 95% of Americans under “shelter in place” orders mandated by their state or county, grocery stores left completely empty, citizens losing their jobs rapidly, and the market going up and down like a yoyo makes the world seem filled with a hazy fog. 2020 feels dystopian and almost fictitious. But here we are, with all this time to read. Why not read dystopian YA novels that may remind you of the situation at hand? #1) The Giver: Lois Lowry     The Giver by Lois Lowry features a seemingly utopian society which is quickly revealed to be dystopian as the protagonist, Jonas, struggles to accept his fate. The society attempts to remove all pain and difference from the society to avoid conflict and sadness, but instead more harm is done than good. All real emotions, memories, and life is sucked from the society. Occupations are selected for children at age 12 b...