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“Board games, which have seen a resurgence in popularity in the last decade, are a great way to entertain yourself, whether you’re sheltering with family, friends, or partners. If you’ve recently discovered, or in some cases rediscovered, a new favorite game, we’ve got some great books to pair them with.” I could write a whole post just for Clue. “Her father Dustin said Kendall’s teacher encouraged her class to practice reading aloud while at home and that’s exactly what she did....

To celebrate Kurt Vonnegut Day and since neither of us had read it in many moons, Rioter Amanda and I decided to re-read the tale of Billy Pilgrim and the Tralfamadore. Of course, we have ALL THE THOUGHTS. Here they are: Greg Zimmerman: I’m only 20 pages in, and I already want a cigarette. Kidding. But I’d totally forgotten about the meta first chapter! Before we actually jump into the story itself, we get a semi-autobiographical (or, perhaps, totally-autobiographical) chapter on Vonnegut’s process leading up to writing the story....

I completely empathise with this worry, and I accept that audiobooks aren’t for everyone. While several readers rejoice about how audiobooks made it possible to have a reading life again by helping them focus on a story when print became too demanding, many others claim exactly the opposite: that they can’t seem to be able to focus on what they’re listening to. Both experiences are valid, and although I am a massive audio fan, I can envision how and why it may not work for some....

Of course, we were all disappointed. Again. (If you recall, the same thing happened last time a Bond movie was shot. That was the first time I was interested in the franchise, by the way.) So while we bemoan the loss of what could have been, here are some literary roles Idris Elba should play. 1. Jean Valjean in LES MISERABLES Clearly, considering that one of his upcoming projects is The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Elba is familiar with Victor Hugo’s oeuvre....

Bookstores Books on the Square With frequent author events, story times, and staff with an obvious love for dogs, Books on the Square makes a wonderful community for all. The bookstore has been around since 1992 and has a varied selection of books, loads of fun, quirky patterned socks, and friendly staff who are there to guide you towards the perfect gift (whether you’re looking for a present for someone else or simply treating yourself)....

The Friends of Ridgeland Library board are stand in agreement with the library and library board in defending the decision to keep books on shelves. “We on the FORL board are all against this purge and are in full support of the decisions being made by the Board of Trustees for the library. We understand that some of the contents of the library are not for everyone but the library is there to support the community as a whole, not just certain groups or ideologies,” they wrote in a Facebook post....

Except this bear wasn’t like my other stuffed companions. He came in a box, appeared to be wearing a tan smock, and he was a lot less squishy than a teddy should be. He wasn’t just not squishy, his back was straight up hard and boxy as hell. Then my parents explained that this wasn’t any ol’ bear. This bear had a name, and that name was Teddy Ruxpin. For the uninitiated, Teddy Ruxpin was my best friend one of the best-selling toys of the mid ’80s — I’m talking $93 million in sales in its first year....

The final prize is not mentioned on the website, but it may involve a publishing contract. Writers will also work with publishing professional who will provide mentoring. The show is hosted by author Kwame Alexander, who posted a video on his Twitter encouraging writers to apply. You can read more about America’s Next Great Author — or apply yourself for a casting call! — at their website. — America’s Next Great Author (@ANGAtvshow) July 5, 2022 Find more news and stories of interest from the book world in Breaking in Books....

Find more news and stories of interest from the book world in Breaking in Books.

This is not to say I was a model student. I often procrastinated. Due dates approached steadily on my calendar, yet I shrugged them off in favor of more instant gratifications. Then, a night or two before, in a subdued panic, I would pack my bag with laptop and textbooks, make myself a thermos of coffee, and hike up the hill to the library for a late- or all-night session with my work....

Focus on the Act Itself, Not the Benefits In their introduction to the practices of mindfulness, Mindful writes, “When we meditate it doesn’t hep to fixate on the benefits, but rather to just do the practice.” I think there is a clear parallel to the practice of reading here. All too often it can be too easy to fixate on the benefits of reading — improving your mind, maintaining a constant connection to written language, and (let’s face it) looking smart to others — that it can pollute the actual practice....

“We’ve been particularly nostalgic for the quiet hum of a busy bookstore or library. And apparently the library’s been thinking of us, too. The New York Public Library has released an album of all the sounds you might miss—including the sound of the New York Public Library, which closed all its branches in mid-March.” I will take all the bookish ASMR stuff, thanks so much! “Which artist has not set down a Doritos-dusted taco and found themselves, mouth still humming with a medley of chemical-y spices, inspired to take up the pen in orange-coated fingers and write a paean to the great muse, Taco Bell?...

Right when American Girl hit its popularity peak, my family had just begun homeschooling. Many homeschool families, mine included, join a co-op to participate in extracurricular classes and academic classes that might be difficult to teach to just one student. Suddenly, I was surrounded by girls my own age who loved AG just as much as I did. It almost became a competition to see who loved American Girl the most, who read the most AG books, who had the most AG branded stuff....

Despite this, the societal taboos surrounding death and everything about it make it hard for people to discuss it. I grew up in a household where death was met with fear and hatred. As a result, I wasn’t educated about it through open conversations. For me, rather, it took determination and a public library card to learn anything about it and the industries that care for people directly before and after they die....

I can attribute a small part of this extreme attitude to the simple fact that I was a teen. A terrible, pretentious teen, not unlike many of my peers (I’m sorry, but it’s true). I have plenty of stories completely unrelated to manga that prove what a dipshit I was, so I have no doubt this was certainly a small factor. But in reality, my unreasonable disdain for manga was much more complicated, and only recently have I really been able to examine it and shift my perceptions....

“Our job is just to ensure that if you want it, it’s here for you,” said Public Information Officer for the Nashville Public Library, Ed Brown. “Maus is all checked out right now,” he continued, “so we got more copies on order but as soon as word got around about what happened in McMinn County, we got a lot of holds.”

Like many other states in the nation, Michigan has seen funding for public schools decline drastically over the last decade and with that, a decline in literacy in students. This, in conjunction with the fact schools nationwide have lost nearly twenty percent of full-time equivalent school librarians — also known as media specialists — has spurred a series of bills in the Michigan House to ensure librarians are legally required fixtures in schools throughout the state....

Hi Kid Lit Friends! I hope 2022 is off to a great start for all of you! I spent New Year’s Eve in my favorite chair reading The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (a historical fiction book for adults) from cover to cover. I also began The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai, a book that spans generations (also a book for adults). And this past week I read some lovely picture books, some of which are in this newsletter!...

“The Hollow Heart is a doorway to a world of magic, vengeance, and romance that will keep you guessing until the last pages.” —Cassandra Clare, New York Times-bestselling author of the Shadowhunter ChroniclesIntrigue, romance, and magic abound in The Hollow Heart, the heart-stopping conclusion to Marie Rutkoski’s Forgotten Gods duology. Want more 3 on a YA Theme? We’ve got you covered.

Reading the Stars by Book Riot will help you better understand how your zodiac sign shapes your reading life. Publishers Weekly calls Reading the Stars “an ideal gift for bookworms with a celestial bent.” Through October 31, enter to win Book Riot’s Reading the Stars with an Obvious State celestial print, notebook, and tote bundle. Our dastardly dance with Mercury retrograde comes to an end on October 2nd, but another planetary change is coming at the end of the month to take its place....