In honor of Thomas Pynchon’s 79th birthday, the New York Public Library created a Pynchon themed crossword puzzle. Because nothing says happy birthday like getting horizontal (and vertical). This week, the library released the answers, which you can find on the New York Public Library’s site. BUT, before you get lost in crossword frustrations and irrational self-loathing (a.k.a. you turn to the answer key), give the puzzle a shot! Image courtesy of Open Culture There’s truly nothing to more validating to your reading history than killing it in a crossword and being able to stack your knowledge into rows and …
What do magical wands, George R.R. Martin, and the dark secrets of our subconscious have in common? We have no idea, but this teacher seems to see the connection. In a post on the school’s blog, Graeme Whiting wrote concerning ‘The Imagination of the Child’. He cited The Hunger Games, Lord of The Rings, and Harry Potter “to mention only a few”, as sources of “deeply insensitive and addictive material which I am certain encourages difficult behaviour in children; yet they can be bought without a special licence, and can damage the sensitive subconscious brains of young children, many of whom …
Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo does not celebrate one’s ability to scarf down tequila shots and guacamole. It does not commemorate one’s gumption to dive wild-eyed into a pitcher of icy Margaritas, the brain freeze that follows, or even Mexican Independence – contrary to an even more popular belief. If this is old news to you, feel free to skip down to the book list. Although the holiday is frequently mistaken for Mexican Independence Day, May 5th actually commemorates the unlikely victory of the Mexican army over the French in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. Considerably outnumbered, the …
Sure, you can win prizes and inspire the lives of millions, but you really know you’ve made it as a writer when Google creates a doodle to commemorate your career. When the center of cyber space praises you, it’s safe to say you’ve brought inspiration to readers worldwide. Admittedly, it’s a more superfluous win for the literary world, but still… it’s pretty cool. Today, to honor what would have been Jane Jacobs’ 100th birthday, Google made a special doodle for the talented novelist. Jacobs was renowned for her work in New York City, where she researched urban studies and urban renewal amidst …
Is it facial hair faux pas that wrench your heart? Dietary woes that ail you? Trouble with the ladies? If you’re a nineteenth century man, Walt Whitman is here to help. This past week, Mose Velsor, Whitman’s go-to penname, was found in connection with a 47,000 word column on men’s health. Under the pseudonym, Whitman wrote an extensive thirteen part treatise titled ‘Manly Health and Training’. The column concerned what it meant to be a man, how to attain a more ‘noble physique’ and of course, the mustachioed man’s musings on facial hair. Originally published in The New York Atlas, the …
