READ ALL ABOUT IT
Since 2012, I’ve been writing about books. And the act of reading. And the importance of story and narrative. But, mostly, the underlying theme of all I write is how taking a moment to stop and digest some longform text — instead of scrolling, instead of watching a video, instead of multitasking — can be one of the most grounding things we can do for ourselves. Here’s the one-stop online home for all this writing.
You can read more about me and my work by moseying over here. Want to peruse periodic “essay drops” — excerpts from my work-in-progress essay collection about Homesickness? Here ya go.
City of Asylum in Pittsburgh
I learned about an incredibly interesting organization today. It’s called City of Asylum, and it’s a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit; I’m just going to copy their mission directly:
‘The Clique’ Books Taught Hate (?): Books Are Not the Problem
If you’re a parent, you are already well attuned to how television and film affect your offspring. (Or at least how we think they affect them.) Let’s rewind to me appalled at the iCarly episode my daughter was glued to in a Montana emergency room when she was six.
Goncourt Scandal and Drama
SCANDAL & DRAMA!
In case you didn’t know, French literary culture is Serious Business. Très sérieux.
Netflix (Bandwagon) Book Club
Once again, in case you haven’t noticed, books are #Trending. Books are cool!
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Main Branch.
The Most Carol Shields Day Ever?
Dublin Book Festival shared a fun blog post earlier this week as a lead-up to one of their events with an Irish musician who just published a book. (No, not that one — geez.) It was just a quick, whimsical read about five songs that were inspired by books, and of course one of them was Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush. I hadn’t heard that song in a while, so pulled it up on Spotify, and then spent the next 10 minutes Googling Kate Bush. And then I learned that there is a “holiday” called The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever, wherein people around the world reenact Bush’s video. WHAT! (Check out this Guardian pic of this day in 2018 in Sydney.)
Brontë Manuscripts
The artifacts are old…but this type of story may be old as well.
We Miss the Din: Jennifer De Leon at MetroWest Readers Fest
Got to pretend to be a talk show host last night with Jennifer De Leon. This was the culminating event of MetroWest Readers Fest and it was great.
Jack Murphy Memorial Stephen King Fest
I really love this idea: A woman posted in our town’s Facebook “Book Group” (mostly swaps/recommendations) about something called the Jack Murphy Memorial Stephen King Fest.
Behold, the Book Blob
Nothing new here: The publishing industry likes the “blob.”
First Edition of Frankenstein
I had to read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley in 7th grade English with Mrs. Zarter. (I think…anyone familiar care to confirm?) Great reminder that I’d like to read it again.
Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir
Earlier in the summer, my parents recommended the documentary Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir (currently on Netflix). It is excellent.
Book Club Crashers: The Authors
The Sudbury Town Crier
“Having an author drop in to your meeting takes your gathering to a new level: It allows you to get answers and insights to very specific questions, and hey, it might give you the extra nudge to make sure you actually finish the book..”
Why Teachers Assign Books 101
It’s not news that being a school employee or on a school board is the most thankless thing ever these days. (No thank you x 1 million.)
Reading as ONE in MetroWest: An Interview with Amy Wilson Sheldon and Jennifer De Leon
Literary Boston
An interview with MetroWest Readers Fest founder Amy Wilson Sheldon and featured author Jennifer De Leon, about Communal Reading and a celbration of Boston’s Book Origins.
Read Here or at LiteraryBoston.com
MetroWest Readers Fest to spotlight books by Framingham State University professor Jennifer De Leon
MetroWest Daily News
A Book Event with MetroWest Readers Fest founder Amy Wilson Sheldon and author Jennifer De Leon
Buying Novels in Our Pajamas
The Sudbury Town Crier
Independent Bookstore Day is always the last Saturday in April. (A good reason to get out of our pajamas, yes?)
RAWTS: Amy’s Take on The Overstory
Well, I cried.
RAWTS: Matt’s Take on The Overstory
The Overstory is a book about trees...an incredibly beautiful & well-researched book that weaves plant science through everything, painting the background for the individual narratives driving the plot line as well as being the plot itself. The book follows the lives of numerous characters—scientists, professors, engineers, lawyers, etc—and how their lives intersect, mostly related to some interest in trees.
Valentine’s is for Readers
Matt and I are two months into our “let’s read a book together” experiment.
