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I was always afraid of going to the dentist when I was young. The masks, the too-bright light, the tiny metal picks, the high-pitched whirr of the drill all combined to make a place much scarier than any haunted house. Terrified by dentists, I vowed to never EVER trust one. Never say never, right? One […]
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Presidents Day is coming soon, and if you’re like me, you like fun facts about U.S. presidents. For example, did you know that Franklin Pierce, our 14th president, is considered to be one of our most handsome presidents? That “Hail to the Chief”, the official presidential anthem, first became a tradition because James K. Polk […]
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February is Black History Month, with such a wide range of voices and experiences, over centuries and continents, that it is hard to present all the rich variety of history, commentary, and fiction. Here are a few classic books by African-American authors to start with: […]
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Every year the American Library Association (ALA) presents the Morris Award to an outstanding Young Adult book written by a first-time writer. Because of its defining criterion, I like to think of the Morris Award as the ALA’s version of a Rookie of the Year Award. Don’t, however, let these authors’ newness to the scene […]
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It happens to the best of us. You read a book review, then head to your local library with that certain book in mind you’re dying to read. You pull into the parking lot, whistling a happy tune, because hey, you’re at the library! The library rules! You head over to the stacks and stare […]
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If you’re like me, you’re too tasteful and refined for the gaping-maw, bloody bones of everyday horror. You want excellent writing and psychological shivers to give you the creeps. Thanks to Unbound Worlds, I now know about literary horror fiction and the high-class path to getting scared. Dread, fear, and distorted reality are all part […]
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Why are stories about polar exploration, and the resulting disasters, so appealing? Are the icicle-laden beards and mustaches of our heroes to blame? The poor frosty gents certainly have my respect and admiration, even if they were sometimes motivated more by vainglorious ambition than the pure search for knowledge. Their heroic stories of endurance and […]
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Whilst my wistful wishing for a white Christmas went unfulfilled, I attempted to satisfy my winter wantings with a book set in Russia—a country rather infamous for its harsh and unforgiving winters. The book of my choosing, “The Bear and the Nightingale” by Katherine Arden—voted one of the best Science Fiction and Fantasy books for […]
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While browsing my bookshelf, I realized most of my recently checked out titles were written by men. No offense to the literary fellas in my life, but this prompted me to change directions and begin researching newer female writers emerging on the scene. The first title I chose is the What It Means When a Man […]
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Death is the inevitable consequence of life. Unfortunately, no amount of love or youth or goodness can shield those dear to us from dying or protect us from the trauma of loss. Whether it is the death of a grandparent, pet, parent, or someone else, anyone who lives long enough will experience death. Of course, […]
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