Sometimes verbal communication fails us on our travels. A semi-disastrous trip through the Vietnamese countryside inspired three friend to create the Iconspeak clothing line. With 40 universal icons, their t-shirts, along some emphatic body language, should get you what you need almost any where around the world. Check out the website for more information on the product line.
The American Library Association has released its annual Top Ten List of Frequently Challenged Books, which is included in the ALA’s yearly State of America’s Libraries Report. You can read the report in its entirety here.
The Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2015 were:
1. Looking for Alaska, by John Green
2. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E. L. James
3. I Am Jazz, by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
4. Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, by Susan Kuklin
5. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon
6. The Holy Bible
7. Fun Home, by Alison Bechdel
8. Habibi, by Craig Thompson
9. Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan, by Jeanette Winter
10. Two Boys Kissing, by David Levithan
Founded in 1722, the glorious Baroque Klementinum Library is often overlooked by bibliophiles visiting Prague. Every one heads for the magnificent Strahov Monastery Library—sometimes even walking right by the Klementinum on the way. Once you view the video below, you won’t make that mistake.
The engaging and moving film Sugarless Tea uses watercolor paintings and stop motion techniques to visualize a very personal story of a journey between rural India and Queens, New York. Created by painter Amanda Selvarajan and her husband filmmaker Sai Selvarajan, this stunningly beautiful short is narrated by comedian Hari Kondabolu.
This past January, the Book Train began regularly scheduled daily runs in Korea’s Gyeonggi-do Province outside of Seoul. One car of each train is lined with book shelves stocked with everything from children’s books and poetry to novels and contemporary nonfiction for borrowers. There are also devices available for downloading free ebooks. The Book Tain also hosts author readings and other live book events. What a great way to de-stress the commute.
photos by Sohn JiAe
What everyone should do today:
Sweden’s National Tourist Association wants to connect you with a new friend in Sweden. If you dial + 46 771 793 336, day or night, a switchboard will automatically connect you with a volunteer “ambassador” who will answer any questions that you may have about the country. In fact, they’ll probably chat about anything that you like, even how much the sequel to the Girl With The Dragon tattoo sucked. Just keep in mind that you’re paying for the call, not the Swedish tourism folks.
Travel Between The Pages 