In popular internet culture, a meme is a viral idea. Memes existed before the internet. Here are the books behind some popular memes. I can’t swear to these books’ truth, but they are taught in some university courses and they will certainly make you think. The first meme is the idea of a meme. Richard…
A Taste of Cuba
Much has been said and written about Cuba, our neighbor 90 miles south of Florida. One thing is undeniable: Cuba is home to a rich and colorful culture full of life. The Cold War between the United States and Cuba significantly restricted travel to Cuba. In fact, the closest most people could ever get to Cuba…
Not Lost? Thank Edward Brennan
We owe our cohesive street naming and numbering system to Edward P. Brennan. Brennan was the chairman of the City Club of Chicago's Committee on Street Names. His vision included three changes: The house and building numbering system should tell you where you are relative to the Loop. Streets should be named the same throughout…
Hip, Hip, Hooray for National Puzzle Day
I cannot — I repeat, cannot — resist a puzzle. And it doesn't matter what kind of puzzle it is — puzzle boxes, logic puzzles, crosswords, word searches, jigsaws or even riddles and mini mystery. I love the hidden secrets and the challenge of unlocking them. Get your puzzle geek going for National Puzzle Day on January 29…
Discover Great Stories with These Annual Anthologies
I might never have discovered two of my favorite short story writers, Amy Bloom and Tim Gautreaux, if not for The Best American Short Stories anthology. The Best American Short Stories series (BASS) was hip to Bloom and Gautreaux long before The New Yorker, anthologizing stories by both before either published a book. BASS is…
Hooray for the Bookmobile!
Bookmobiles (or mobile libraries, as they are known in England) serve a vital need in both city and country. Chicago has used them when a branch is shut down for remodeling or rebuilding. However, I am going to be showcasing mobile libraries used in a more rural setting. Two take place in Great Britain, and one in America…
Guest Blog: Chicago’s First Lady on Reading to Kids
Today we're featuring a guest blog by Amy Rule, Chicago's first lady, who joins us to talk about the importance of reading with young people. When our children were young, they particularly enjoyed reading books with words that rhymed. I’m sure that’s the case for many children, and it’s part of what can make reading fun…
Doctor Who, Take Me With You!
As a Doctor Who fangirl (yes, I saw Matt Smith at Comicon 2014), I was excited to see the new Doctor, Peter Capaldi, debut on BBC America last year. A show that lasts for 50 years is a testament to people's enduring fascination with time travel, aliens and odd men who pop out of police boxes and offer to take you on their…
Boston Girl Readalikes
For those of you waiting for The Boston Girl, I have a few suggestions while you wait. First, let me tell you are in for a treat in Anita Diamant's latest, about a young woman who works her way from tenement child to a social worker. Addie Baum is as old as the century when her granddaughter…
When Asteroids Attack
An asteroid to be seen by an average person with binoculars will fly close enough to Earth on Monday, January 26. Scientists say that although relatively close, it will be far enough away to pose no threat. I think we should take a moment to contemplate some titles in which the following fictional scientists said…
1 - 10 of 41
- Go to page 1
- Go to page 2
- …
- Go to page 5
- Next page