I was preparing my notes for Plato’s Republic, and I came across this beautiful little gem on p.269 (536e for those using Stephanus numbers): “A free man ought not to learn anything under duress…compulsory learning never sticks in the mind.” Now, we can open up an entire can of worms here, and start talking aboutContinue reading Being Forced to Read Books
It’s morning now. I’ve just turned on my espresso machine and I’m holding Sophie’s World in my hands. The air is cooling down outside, just a little, and I can feel that fall tingle on my skin. There’s something great about starting the day with coffee and a book. It’s nice having a ritual thatContinue reading Coffee & A Great Book
I usually write these posts first thing in the morning. They’re my little way of getting my head on straight before the crazy attacks. And let’s be honest, the crazy attacks a lot. But I didn’t have time today, mostly because I was so excited, I could hardly think straight. I had a meeting todayContinue reading Reading After a Long Day
We had a fantastic conversation at book club last night. Everyone was fired up over Song of Myself by Walt Whitman. It’s such a powerful poem, and the ending is truly astounding. For me, it perfectly captures what it feels like to read a piece of literature deeply. I’m going to share a few stanzasContinue reading What it Feels Like to Read Deeply
Attention, Book Lovers!On October 23rd, I’ll be hosting a special Facebook Live event to officially launch Edgewater Bookstore, and I’d love for you to join me! Why This Matters: How to Join: Step 1: Visit the Facebook event now to reserve your spot: https://www.facebook.com/share/pXBhUwdWkJePJsNB/Step 2: Click “Interested” or “Going” to reserve your spot. I’m countingContinue reading Don’t Miss my Live Bookstore Launch on Oct 23rd!
Many see us as odd. That’s fair. We love the company of fictitious people, improbable adventures, and thoughtful books on a cold night. Scratch that—we like our books at all times of the day, hot or cold. A bookworm is a unique person. We can sit for hours in complete bliss, something that is hardContinue reading The Odd Personality of Bookworms
Halloween is just around the corner, and I couldn’t be more excited. Fall is my favorite time of year, and if you ever pass by the Hood house, you’ll see why. We go all out—decorations, costumes, movies, and most importantly, spooky books. Now, I need your help. I’m on the hunt for a great HalloweenContinue reading Looking for a Halloween Book
Is there a difference between Stephen King, the author of Misery, and Daniel Keyes, who wrote Flowers for Algernon? Absolutely. While both are fiction, they offer very different experiences. Misery is about a nurse who kidnaps her favorite author and forces him to write a new book, with his life on the line if heContinue reading Stephen King’s Thrills vs. Daniel Keyes’ Deep Thoughts
If you look at your bookshelf, do you see a wall of forgotten books? These might be books you’ve read and possibly even loved, but now you can’t remember what they were about. While you may be able to tell someone the general idea of a book, you struggle with the thought of teaching aContinue reading A Wall of Forgotten Books
When you read a book, you can approach it passively, letting the words wash over you without leaving a lasting impression. Alternatively, you can engage actively by starting a note-taking system. The distinction between making notes and taking notes isn’t originally mine, but it’s a concept worth exploring. If you’re new to this idea, here’sContinue reading Making Notes vs. Taking Notes