6 Sources for Sleuthing Slippery Superstitions and Symbols

Why are we afraid of broken mirrors? Ancient taboos, fears about drowning, doppelgänger, demons, a tool of divination, the soul's prison? Trace the superstition back to myths of Narcissus, Echo, Hindu death spirits and the Slavic gypsy Fate goddess. Dig deep into the collective psyche. You may find a better history of a superstition in a comprehensive…
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The Psychology of Fear: Why Do We Love to Scare Ourselves Silly?

"Terror is a passion which always produces delight when it does not press too close." —Edmund Burke It seems counter-intuitive, but we go out of our way to scare ourselves by watching scary movies, riding roller coasters and jumping off of bridges WITH bungees, all within constraints of course. Arousal Dr. Margee Kerr has some…
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Mysteries of China

The well-traveled Elsa Hart has written her first novel, a mystery: Jade Dragon Mountain. Set just before the solar eclipse of 1708, exiled librarian Li Du must solve a murder in three days. The Emperor of China is to come to a restive backwater to command the eclipse. Of course, he knows when it will happen…
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Chicago YA Authors

Chicago is home to many great things, not the least of which is the population of great young adult authors based here. If you're looking for your next great read and want to try someone local, here is a sampling of authors who might just be your neighbor. Laura Ruby has written many great books for…
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#OBOC Part 2: Want to Know More About Nelson Algren?

Part 2 of The Third Coast by Thomas Dyja, this year's One Book, One Chicago selection, covers the years 1945 to 1949. Dyja's sweeping history pays particular attention to the development of art and culture in Chicago, focusing on architecture, music, television and literature. One person he highlights in this section is Nelson Algren, a novelist whose work examines the gritty underworld…
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