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Category Archives: Uncategorized
The world is no better than its places.
A Poem on Hope by Wendell Berry It is hard to have hope. It is harder as you grow old, for hope must not depend on feeling good and there is the dream of loneliness at absolute midnight. You also … Continue reading
open the window. I’ll take a chance
In 1931, 5-year-old Mel Brooks saw Frankenstein and refused open his window on a summer night. His mother talked to him: Let’s say you are right. That Frankenstein wants to come here and kill you and eat you. But let’s look at … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Comedy, Frankenstein, Mel Brooks, memoirs, Young Frankenstein
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Knock, Knock
“Knocking” by Robert Walser translated by Tom Whalen and Carol Gehrig I am completely beat, this head hurts me. Yesterday, the day before yesterday, the day before the day before yesterday, my landlady knocked. “May I know why you are … Continue reading
The Relativity of Wrong
In the essay below from 1988, the iconic American writer, philosopher, and scientist Isaac Asimov addresses the comforting myth that being ‘wrong’ always means starting from zero, arguing instead that knowledge evolves in degrees rather than absolutes. A wonderful piece … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Copernicus, Isaac Asimov, Isaac Newton, Planck's Constant, Sci-Fi
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Ghosts, Goblins and Samurai
Here he goes again blathering on about Japan. Anyway, I ran across this marvelous title that is resplendent with a series of wonderful illustrations by the British artist Evelyn Paul . The impressive Myths & Legends of Japan, a guide … Continue reading
Summer Reading List
Former President Obama has released his annual summer reading list. On Instagram, he wrote, “Reading has always been an important part of my journey, which is why I couldn’t be more excited that we’ll have a new branch of the … Continue reading
Denmark is saving bookshops and inspiring readers
I was recently shocked to see many news stories about the dramatic decline in literacy in Denmark. Surveys have shown that reading skills of the nation’s children were in a steep decline. According to the New York Times, the Denmark’s … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Uncategorized, Writing
Tagged Scandinavia, Denmark, Bookselling, Reading, literacy
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Book Club for the People
This autumn, the highly respected television network C-SPAN is launching America’s Book Club, a weekly primetime TV series hosted by David M. Rubenstein. C-SPAN will tape America’s Book Club before live audiences at major public libraries and cultural landmarks, including the Library of … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Enoch Pratt Library, Library of Congress, National Archives, Television
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No one should be writing poetry In times like these
HAZARD RESPONSE Tom Clark As in that grey exurban wasteland in Gatsby When the white sky darkens over the city Of ashes, far from the once happy valley, This daze spreads across the blank faces Of the inhabitants, suddenly deprived Of … Continue reading
Travel Between The Pages 