Category Archives: Uncategorized

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

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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

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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

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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

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History will vindicate us

 

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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

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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

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What makes a book a book

What makes a book a book? Is it just anything that stores and communicates information? Or does it have to do with paper, binding, font, ink, its weight in your hands, the smell of the pages? To answer these questions, … Continue reading

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Inspired by Miyazaki

In case you were wondering, yes I’m still captivated by all things Japan. The marvelously atmospheric video below was inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved film Princess Mononoke. Last year, director Steve Atkins took a hike through Yakushima’s forest, which is known … Continue reading

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There is only one way to read

There is only one way to read, which is to browse in libraries and bookshops, picking up books that attract you, reading only those, dropping them when they bore you, skipping the parts that drag — and never, never reading … Continue reading

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